MARAETOTARA ROAD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 43, 26 January 1945, Page 4

MARAETOTARA ROAD

Sir, —It is with some concern that I count the months and find that it is nearly a year since the flood waters wreaked havoc with the Marae?totara Road between Whakatane and Ohope, and that there has been no adequate attempt made toi repair the damage and make the road fit for public use. The portions of the road most affected are those that have been built up with loose shingle and soil } and such a construction is not proof against slips in a wet season such as we are now experiencing. I understand that the Ohope-Wha-katane bus service which caters for the transportation of children to and from school makes regular use of this and for many people it is the shortest route to the beach* Therefore, to postpone these very necessary repairs would be to court disaster. It. was a great hue and cry that followed a bad accident on the corner where the Maraetotara joins the main Ohope road; but today ' after fifteen months have the corner is as treacherous as ever

i and there will be no further "hue . and cry" until the next person is nearly killed. Much lamentation Avill not prevent casualties oil this "Procrastination Road." If the rock promontaries that • throw the flood waters so> Violently against the built up road were blasted out ? and the debri used to i replace in part that which has been washed away, the problem of making and maintaining a very serviceable road through this gully would be greatly minimised. Yours etc., ARTHUR W, KING.