CARRINGTON ROAD GAP

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1933, Page 6

CARRINGTON ROAD GAP

ACCESS TO LAND EN ROUTE “GOOD EVEN DAIRYING LAND” CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRAMP. NO FORMATION DIFFICULTIES. The necessity for the completion of that section of th© upper Carrington Road passing between the Pouakai and Kaitake Ranges was impressed on the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce party which left New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon and tramped over the fourmile gap of unformed route from th© Momona Stream on the New Plymouth side to th© Pitone Road at th© coastal end,

Cars conveyed the members to the Momona Stream and met them at th© top of th© Dover Road, where they completed the walk. Those who tramped over the Carrington Road route were Messrs A. F. Sandford (chairman), V. C. Davies, E. C. Hayton, T. Q. List, G. H, Dolby, W. C. Weston, M. J. Neville, A. L. Humphries. and two farmers interested in the land en route, Messrs J. Moratti and G. Hanover. Messrs L, M. Moss, J. R. Cruickshank and A. M. Purser drove the cars from the Momona Stream to the Dover Road where the Taranaki Automobile Association’s service officer (Mr. R. Gredig) was\in attendance.

The trip was made with the object of obtaining first hand knowledge of the nature of the country such a road would provide with access, for the Chamber of Commerce is supporting the Taranaki County Council in its endeavours to persuade Government authorities concerned to include the work in next year’s Public Works Department programme. About 3000 acres of even country would be provided with access upon the completion of the existing gap in the Carrington Road, This area is subdivided into some 13 sections. Parts of the land have already been cleared but, owing to lack of access, the owners found it almost impossible to work such sections, with the result that second growth has made its appearance. “It is good, even country lying well to the sun, and will eventually prove excellent dairying land," said Mr. Sandford to a News reporter after the tramp. “It is sheltered konini and whitewood country, and the quality of the ground is good; it should open up well. As far as the road itself is concerned, we believe it should be a simple one to put through. There seems to be no necessity for difficult block cuttings or large bridges, and the actual formation work should not be heavy. The route follows comparatively level country.” Bridges would be required at the Timaru and Oakura streams, but it was considered that fillings would probably suffice for the other crossings necessary. The Carrington. Road continues into the Okahu and Wiremu Roads, and the completion of the gap would provide settlers in the vicinity of the ranges with a nearer connection and an alternative route to ■ New Plymouth. The Public Works Department married men’s camps on the Pitone and Dover Roads were obviously doing excellent work, and the formation of the Carrington Road gap would mean additional work for that type of worker. Metal did not seem, to offer much difficulty, every stream being well supplied. Other aspects of the access road men-, tioned by Mr. Sandford included its value as a scenic route and the fact that additional sources of milling timber and firewood would be tapped. The completed road would offer one of. th© most attractive drives in the province. There were native bush sections of exceptional beauty and, from time to time, the motorist would glimpse settled land sloping away to the sea. The mountain towered above on one side and, nearer at hand, the jagged outline of the ranges stretched away. From an eminence close to the Momona Stream the coastline could be followed from the sugar loaves at Ngamotu northward into the distance. From the Pitone Road camp where the party emerged from the bush, the walk was continued to the Dover Road camp, where Messrs Moss, Cruickshank and Purser had driven the cars. Afternoon tea was provided, Messrs C. Maslin and R. Neiling (foreman of the Public Works Department work in progress) placing a camp at the disposal, of the party. Evidence of the manner in which settlement was following the road was provided as soon as the cars moved off, houses and cleared sections increasing in number. Tire Saunders Roaji was followed and New Plymouth reached about 6 p,m.