HIGHWAY CONDITIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19988, 13 July 1939, Page 4

HIGHWAY CONDITIONS

COAST ROAD TROUBLES TAKAPAU MILL SLIPS MK'TCS BAY-OPOTIKI BLOCK The overnight storm did no damage to roads between Gisborne and Wairoa, and between Gisborne and Opotiki, via the Waioeka, but on the East Coast some small troubles have developed between Gisborne and Hicks Bay, while the main route beyond Hicks Bay is temporarily closed to motor traffic. Inquiries made by the district A.A patrol to-day furnished information that all services were operating on normal schedules, but that in the case of the East Coast highway, care was necessary on Busby’s Hill and Takapau Hill, bo til near Tokomaru Bay. A subsidence of the road on Takapau Hill is being repaired, and new metal over the scene of a subsidence is sufficient to slow up traffic on Busby's Hill.

Tributaries of the Maungaliauini Stream, near Tokomaru Bay, came up overnight and flooded the main road crossings near Mr. Wilson’s homestead, causing delays to small cars, though larger vehicles were able to cross without much difficulty.

Flooding also has occurred beyond Hicks Bay, and is the cause of the blockage there. The rain has been especially heavy between Cape Runaway and Opotiki, though it has not penetrated far enough inland to affect the Waioeka Gorge section of the inland route.

A few hours will suffice for t'he restoration of normal conditions along the Coast, once the rain passes over, according to advice received by the patrol.