ROAD CONDITIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17613, 18 January 1929, Page 2

ROAD CONDITIONS.

AUCKX£EO>ffiiniam ASSOCUtTBOM ACmjE. WEaaCLY Ri SPORT. The> Auckland Automobile Association, in lsaoiny its -weekly report on reading conditions, comments favourably on the efforts m;ule to repair the' damage caused to road surfaces by the exceprfionally heavy volume of traffic during the recent holiday period. Road reconstruction is proceeding with renewed energy, and the long spell of fine weather is enabling the various engineers to make excellent progress. In a conference held tills week, between the motorists’ representative on the Main Highways Hoard, officers of the Public Works Department, had officials of the Auckland Automobile Association, the Association was assured'that every effort was being made to reduce the amount of loose metal on the road, and to confine the rolling surface to a thin film of very fine metal. In the past it has been the practice on new formation to spread heavy metal chips to a dangerous depth and depend on motor vehicles to roll this down before a finer metal was - used preparatory to scaling the surface. It is contended in many quarters that the cost of the, damage caused to tyres and motors generally, would be sufficient to have paid interest and sinking fund on a loan that would provide a finished permanent surface.

Burin# the visit of the Main Highways Board to Auckland some two years ago, this practice was brought under the notice of the board, and the Association received a promise that the matter 'would receive consideration. The engineers contended that the spreading of blinding material would cause pot holes to form in the road. After repeated representations by the Association a fine sandy material was rceeniiy spread on the swamp section of the Eangiriri deviation, and between Rangiriri and Ohinewai. This work has given great relief and has .provided a much improved running surface. Indications are to the effect •.that the engineers will endeavour to continue this practice, and so afford relief to motor drivers. The Great South Road. After an inspection of the road this week the Association states that it is convinced that the worst is over, and that the Highways Board and the engineers are alive to the wishes of motorists. Tar-sealing operations have been commenced and it is expected that, given fine weather, a very fine surface will be provided in the next lew months between Auckland and Mgarnawahia. The Association appeals to motorists on all roads to i observe strictly the various notices , erected giving instructions and indica,tion of new road works, and to exercise due caution and courtesy when , passing workmen: The Association also points out that there must be a certain amount of discomfort while temporary deviations are in use, but these wfn last for only a short time, and by submitting to these little Inconveniences motorists will considerably assist in expediting the final completion, of the work. The following report on roads which are affected by weather conditions Is issued by the Auckland Automobile Association, the information being compiled at 4 p.m. on Thursday. North Auckland. All routes are dry and permit traffic, although many of the clay surfaces are somewhat rough. The West Coast Road between Tauhoa and Giorit has been closed for to-day during the re-decking of a bridge, but the route is now in good order. On the Mangamuka-Tc Karae Road trouble is being encountered at high tide, where a bridge collapsed last year. Repairs are to be effected on the arrival of timber. Deviations are necessary via the Jordan Road and Ruapckapeka, where new metalling operations arc progressing on the Whangarei-Kawa-Kawa Road. The East Coast route between Whangarei and Auckland is permitting traffic, with only moderate discomfort on the new w r orks south of Warkworth. Heavy formation is continuing here and also north of Wellsford. In the event of ram the only route will be via the East Coast to Wellsford, and then via Helensville. Auckland to W’aiwera is in good order. In the vicinity of the Kauri Forest motorists arc advised to take the route via Donnelly's 'Grossing, as the Aranga route is being metalled. Auckland to Helensville. Vory active work has been commenced on the Lincoln Road, and in the event of wet weather cars should avoid this main route. The A.A.A. has communicated with the Highways Board requesting special maintenance on the alternative route via Swanson, which is at present very rough. Coromandel and IWorcury Bay. All routes are dry, and with the exception of roughness on clay surfaces are in good order. Waikato. Graders are continually at work on the Hamilton-Ngaruawahia Road, but no sooner is the road restored to good order than pot 'notes immediately develop. It is apparent that this class of surface is quite unsatisfactory, and the dust nuisance has become a menace when traffic is heavy. Tar-scal-ing is progressing at Huntty, where a detour has to be made, and part of this detour ia of clay formation, and Is very uneven and narrow. Careful driving is necessary. In the event of rain ears will be permitted to use the main road.' Tar-sealing is also in progress at Ohinewai, but a detour is not yet neoessary, one-way traffic be allowed on the side of the new forma-, •tion. The remainder of the road is in very much improved order, but the i operation of cutting back corners in I he Taupiri Gorge has naturally left the surface rather rough. / Bay of Plonty., ■ The fFa«rangSs-Te Puke Road continues to be deplorably rough, and the" Association has .asked the Maiirlligfcways 'Board to provide reasonable maintenance. 'The clay section of the Wdihi-Tauranga Road is also rough. Care, should bo exercised on the new deviations on the top of the Kaitoai Hill, between Mata tux ia and Tauranga, but otherwise this Toute is in good orficr. All other roads are holding traffic weil, and are in reasonable order. , - ■ Qtoboroe, Will: the exception of the bad'patch at rtakuroa, ull the main roads in this district are in good order. The Raku-

roa-Matawa! Road Is rough at any time, but 21 miles near Rakuroa are especially rough. This portion upon wliich. some construction work is being carried out is impassable after a few hours rain. Rotorua. All roads are in good order; 500 yards of metal chips were recently laid on the Ngongataha Road, and this relieved the corrugated surface. Regrading is now necessary. Taupo. All routes are in good order, and the deviations round the shores of the Lake between Taupo and Tokaanu are proceeding satisfactorily. King Country. The Te Kuiti-Mokau Road is disgracefully neglected, and does not conform to the standard of maintenance required for a main highway. Between Te ICuiti and Taumarunui the road is dry, and in places rough, and the surface is quickly affetced by rain. Metalling is in progress north of the Tangarakau Gorge, and- travelling from Stratford 'to Ohura is reasonable. North of Maliere rougher conditions are encountered. ..... .’>? . National Park. Many enquiries are being received for this district. All roads are in good order. Access from the south is being improved, and on the road between Waiouru and Ohakunc. a deviation is being formed, ojl the-comple-tion of which the clay gap will be metalled. On the ~Wanganui-Ractihi Road the contract for the reformation of the clay surface is proceeding satisfactorily, and although the metal has yet-been laid, it is expected that an .all weather route will be provided be- I fore the winter; I