RIMUTAKA ROAD

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1929, Page 2

RIMUTAKA ROAD

REMOVAL OF SLIPS

MASTERTON, September 3

A number of complaints have been made-of the unbusinesslike way in' Vlticli the slips on the Rimutaka Roady'which .is the only highway between Wairarapa and "Wellington, allegedly are being cleared, and also at the unnecessary holding up .of traffic.

As a case, in point, it is reported that this afternoon a small slip came down at the site of the original slip was actually cleared' about two hours. A. traveller to Wellington arrived at the site of the slip while the road was blocked, and. was told, it is stated, that lie would have to proceed to 'Wellington via Manawatu, a detour of 120 miles, whereas the road was actually cleared about two hours later, but not by. the workmen employed on the job. It is alleged that when the men knocked off work at five o’clocjk a comparatively small quantity of debris was left bn the car- tracks. This, however, was removed by some service car drivers and / passengers, a total of about twelve, in a short time, and the road was opened for traffic. Considerable indignation exists among the travelling public in Wairnrapa over recent stoppages of traffic on this highway. It is also alleged that some dangerous rock at the side of the slip, which could have been removed with facility when the original &lip come down, has been left and might probably again block the road* thereas previously it would have been an easy matter to remove it with the aid? of the existing slip as a slide to precipitate it over the roadway into the gulley. In a period of two hours since the road was opened by volunteers this afternoon a total of twenty seven cars, nine service cars and two four ton lorries negotiated the road. The road is under Government control.