THE FORTS ROAD

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 79, 29 December 1919, Page 4

THE FORTS ROAD

OPIiN TO MOTOR TRAFFIC. The motoring public will be pleased to, learn that the Forts Road, round Point Halsivell and Mnhanga Hay, has been onencd for the purposes of motor traffic. 'I'liis action on the ivirt of the Minister of Defence creates the best marine road for motor traffic that wests around about Wellington. It means that motorists procording to Scatoun may continue northward past Worser. Karaka, and Scorchin.' Pavs, round the point, to Mahangn. and Shelly Bays, and so along the shores of Evans Bay to Kilbirnio South, or vice versa. The scction of the road now reopened (between Karaka. Bav on tho eastern s'de of the Mirnm.n- Peninsula and Shelly Bay 011 the western side) was closed lo tho public soon after the (lev duration of war against Germany, nnd the road was barred 011 either side by gates and an armed guard. Also 110 private boat, yacht, or steamer was permitted within a certain d'stance of tlw shore,- owing to the danger of enemy notion in connection with Fort Jial'nnce mid the magazine in that vicinity. That this action was noccfsnrv was proved early in the war, when there wero said to be suspicions interlopers in the- defence area after niehtfall, resulting in one instance in Tine shooting on tho pui of the coast 'ifcfence men then manning the fort. There was also a scare one night, at Fort Dorset, when half of the residents of Seatoun wore aroused by nromiscurms shooting from tho hills in the ne : ehl>ourhooil of the fort. Tho Forts Road !>ein t g opened, another two and 0 half miles of level road, a chain aly.<ve high-water mark, ifj made' available for through motor traffic, which should serve to popular 1 " an already favon ,-; te run-round in vhe vicinity of the city.