NEARING COMPLETION

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1934, Page 6

NEARING COMPLETION

GAP IN* CARRINGTON ROAD SMALL SECTION YET TO METAL. EARTHWORK AND BRIDGES DONE. DELIGHTFUL NEW SCENIC DRIVE. Work on the Carrington Road extension through the gap between the Pouakai and Kaitake ranges, is nearing completion, and if fine weather prevails it should be open for traffic in about two months. It will form a new and shorter connecting link between New Plymouth and Opunake than the existing coastal road, and should prove a delightful round trip drive on a Sunday afternoon for residents of New Plymouth, The gap on which work has been concentrated during the past two years is a length of about four miles between the previous end of the metal —at the foot of the Pouakai Ranges, about 12 miles from New Plymouth—and the top end of Pitone Road, on the Okato side of the ranges. Owing to the fact that the route of this uncompleted gap traverses the foothills of the Pouakai Ranges at right angles throughout its'length, formation of the road necessitated innumerable cuttings, fillings and curves, as well as the bridging by bridges and culverts of innumerable streams and rivulets. The four principal waterways that needed to be crossed by fairly substantial bridges were the Kiri, Momona, Oakura and Timaru streams. The Kiri has been bridged for many years, and the Momona in more recent times, the other two bridges being included in the last phase of the work. All formation and bridging on the gap has now been completed, and all the metalling except a few chains. With fine weather, the metalling should, be completed in two or three weeks’ time, and all that then Remains to be done will be the relaying of the metal to correct, uniformity, blinding with gravel and rolling. It may therefore be anticipated that the road will be open for traffic in about two months’ time, or perhaps a little longer. A crushing plant has been installed at the Timaru stream, and all metal for the road is being drawn from that source. Most of the gravel for blinding will probably be drawn from a deposit between the Momona and Oakura streams. For part of its distance the. new road traverses lightly wooded country, and for part of it virgin forest. The stillness of the air, the height above sea 'level, the distance from civilisation, the virgin forest, and the bird life—gorge-ously-coloured native pigeons are there in plenty—give the road a beauty and serenity that must be expressed to be appreciated. But much of the beauty, alas, will probably be shortlived. The sections on either side of the road have recently all been taken up, and it is likely that timber-milling and the firewood industry, which will be the chief source of income for the occupiers for some time to come, will soon shear away nine-tenths of the loveliness of one of the most delightful drives in Taranaki. Though the Kirihau mill has ceased operations, Moratti’s mill is still working, and there are rumours that another mill will soon be established. To the lover of nature this phase of the advance of civilisation is a painful one. The only solace will be to make the most of Beauty while it yet remains.