APPEAL MADE FOR A NEW CROSSING ON GALATEA ROAD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 1, 22 February 1950, Page 5

APPEAL MADE FOR A NEW CROSSING ON GALATEA ROAD

Since the recent heavy rains in the district, the voice of Galatea has again been heard singing the old refrain “When is something going to be done about the Wash?” This “Dry Wash” on what is known as' the “top road” is a well-known landmark in the district and during wet periods is a nuisance, the cause of a lot of inconvenience to motorists and the cause of a lot of not-so-nice language. Once there has been any heavy rain water begins to flow down the “Wash” from the hills, wending its way across Galatea and crossing four roads.

Useless After Rain The “Beehive” or No. 8 Road as it is known, does not offer any trouble. The Camp Road had one bridge which was washed out a cuple of times and a temporary one put in. However, this road has again been useless after this last lot of rain.

Taranui Road used to be blocked too until a bridge was erected, which seems to have satisfactorily dealt with the problem for the time being, but the biggest cause of the trouble still remains unattended to —the “Wash.”

This becomes flooded with water and is often impassable for days at a stretch necessitating a very long journey by way of Taranui Road and up the Galatea Road for anyone wishing to get to Murupara. For a few days this last week the situation was that only the Beehive and Taranui Roads were capable of being used—flooding rendering the others irppassable. If a bridge were erected over the /‘Wash” it would probably solve, the 'difficulties, not only for the residents but also for the carriers, stock agents and other users of the road. No Elaborate Crossing

Do not let it be thought that the residents are asking for elaborate form of crossing. Though it is generally refered to as a “bridge,” they would be satisfied with any form of crossing which would render the “Wash” passable in all weathers —a concrete ford, for instance. In fact, anything that would stop the scouring out of the metal and pumice which occurs when the water begins to flow. Galatea might be in the wilderness as some people think but it is hoped it will not be just a “voice in the wilderness.”