ROAD REPORTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18893, 7 January 1927, Page 5

ROAD REPORTS.

Waimakariri Gorge.—The roads near and about the Waimakariri Gorge bridge, on tho way to Oxford, are in splendid order, and there arc many ideal spots for camping or picnic parties, especially on the Oxford side of the bridge.

Maronan road.—This road is now in good order, due to the attention of the road grader.

Amberley,—The roads in this district are in good condition, and the countrvsido is at its best.

Southern Lakes.—The road from Gore to Lumsden is good but from Flaxy Creek to Manapouri and Te Anau is not in the best condition although quite passable. From Flaxy Creek to Te Anau, on the main highway, the road is good until within a mile of the Te Anau Hotel, where repairs are being carried out.

Selwyn Ford. —Motorists are advised not to proceed south via the Main South road for the reason that the ford at the Sehvyn is at present impassable.

Halswell.—The roads leading from Christchurch through tho Halswell County, are on the whole, in good order, and the scenery affords a very pleasant motor run for those not wishing to go far. A pleasant trip is round the old or Hills road, round Tai Tapu and back by Drain roa'd. Many picnicking spots are found on the route, where ample shade is afforded by haw'thorn fences and trees overhanging the grassy roads.

Halkett.—The roads in the Halkett district aro only* fair just now. The Old West Coast road is very rough and bumpy right from Guiney's corner to the Minors. Motorists going west would do well to turn to the left about a mile and a half above Yaldhurst, and take tho Halkett Toad, which leads back on to the West Coast road at Guiney's corner. This road is only about a mile further, and it is in fair order, whilst the West Coast road is very rough.

Ladbrooks.— Owing to the very heavy traffle during the holidays, the roads in the Ladbrooks and Broadfield district have again got cut up and require early attention, especially in respect to grading. Similar remarks apply to the Springston district, where in many cases the loose shinglo requires immediate attention. . The rauger recently appointed by the Paparua County Council is sparing no pains in respect to stray cattle on tho public roads, for which he will receive the thanks of motor and other drivers. Tho attention is again drawn to tlio need of direction posts both in the Ladbrooks and Springston districts. During he holidays considerable inconvenience was caused through this shortcoming. Dangerous corners are still a menace in the district, and unless some action is taken to cut back the overgrowth some serious accidents are likely to occur.

Oust.—The roada in the district are still in fair motoring condition. The main Kangiora-Oxford road, however, through tho Cust township, is now being heavily shingled, making driving awkward, especially at night. If wet weather continues it should soon settle the shingle, and make motoring better.

Waikuku—All the roads in this clisW tS have improved considerably of late with the exception ot Grosson's road, which is rapidly going from bad to worse. With a little trading occasionally, however, it would soon be in good order.

Lake Coleridge.—A m°t° r run to Lakc Coleridge is a trip which every electric power user in Canterbury should eivdeavour to take. From Christchurch Lake Coleridge is, according to the C.A.A. road map, 70 miles, and for motorists from the south the distance from the Rakaia Gorge is about 1-t miles. From the place where the roads converge to the power-house (following the transmission lines) the road is one to gladden the heart of a motorist. It is easily undulating, with an excellent surface. Immediately ou the top of the cutting on the lake side of the bridge over tho Aoheroa. river the roads diverge, the one, as indicated by the sign post, going direct to the power-house, tho other to the tunnel intake. Bach place should be visited, a direct road connecting the two places. At present some patching has been done on the road near the power-house. The roads to the tunnel intake are in good order. Motorists frop? tho south take the road leading uphill immediately after crossing the Rakaia Gorge bridge. This leads up the zig-zag, which is an easy grade and except for a few rough places is in fair order. From the top of the zig-?ag to the main road the track is now shingled, and as yet it is not beaten down.

Rakaia Gorge to piount stretch of the Sheffield-Arundel highway is for the greater part in ve.ry good order. The main Rakaia cutting is steep, and just now there is some loose shingle on the surface. Tho last of the cuttings (that immediately past the C.A.A. sign post "Christchurch 57 miles") has recently been regraded and is now much less steep. Past this cutting there is a stretch of new shingle which is gettiug into good order, The half-mile past the shingle, going south, should be taken fairly carefully, as recent rainwater has flawed across it in places and it is a, little cut up. Furtljer south a look-out should be kept for a big water-raco bridge at the side of the road. The road surface is very good. South of the North Ashburton river the road becomes rougher. Gencrally'the. road is well marked with C.A.A. signs. At Staveley, south-bound travellers take the road which leaves the store and the church on the righthand side. As a picnicking place the Rakaia Gorge is very popular, in fact it js rather popular on holidays. Just at present groves of flax in bloom Iqok very pretty a(ong tfce roadsides.

When reljping the brakes, form the band to the drum after the. new ijgipg js riveted pp. Then Install, and it 'will be found that the brakes are easily adjusted.

Tbe sleeve of au old coat or wornoat pair of overalls is handy as a means of protecting the arm when doing a small job on the car that requires reaching into a greasy locality. It takes but a minute to slip on such a sleeve right over the regular shirt and coat sleeve—and it saves a lot of laundering and cleaning.