“TRAP FOR MOTORISTS.”

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16780, 23 April 1926, Page 2

“TRAP FOR MOTORISTS.”

AN EMPHATIC DENIAL.” MAMAKU BUSH ROAD. The Maniaku Bush Road lias been brought into prominence Inloiy by allegations llial sections of Hie highway hud been deliberately “Irealed” to trap motorists, compensation being extorted by the men who pulled Ihe cars out of the mud.. The Public Works engineer in local charge of flic work of reconstruction, when <im;stioned, emphatically and indignantly denied that, impediments were being deliberately put in the way of motorists. Ho said that in many places the grade of the old road was being altered necessitating new tilling. Rain feli continuously for 30 hours at Mamaku just before Good Friday, rendering the newly-formed sections soft and difficult for motor travelling. Motorists were advised lo lake Ihe Atiarnui-i' Road in preference lo Hie Mamaku Rush Road at Easter, but, despite Hits warning, traffic over the lall.er highway was extremely heavy, ami many ears were bogged. The engineer said Ihe condition of Hie road was comparable lo Ihe Rangiriris before the completion of Ihe deviation, it should not be forgotten, he added, that the Mamaku Bush Road was blocked lo traffic for seven weeks las!: wilder, and during (lie past ten weeks I hose bad sections had been reconstructed by lire contractors, and ai-e now m almost perfect condition. Trouble was met in Hie sections where new formation was laking place ahead of surfacing, and in two or three sec I ions of surfacing that had not had lime lo consolidate. Two such portions, amounting at most to 20 chains each, were badly cut up. Motorists who were used to hilly roads in rough woollier had least difficulty, in ncgolialing Ihe road, but those whose experience was principally .gained on good level roads more often I lian not “struck I rouble.” He. said dial i! wuld he wise for motorists In avoid the Mamaku route, in rainy weather ; during die period of reconstruction.