NO CHAINS NEEDED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 384, 19 June 1928, Page 12

NO CHAINS NEEDED

ALL-WEATHER ROAD TO ROTORUA P.W.D.’S FINE EFFORT For the first time since there was a road between Auckland and Rotorua motorists need no longer fear wet weather, as the surface in the Mamaku Bush area no longer requires chains, and the motorist can travel over it more or less in comfort. On the principle that every drop of water on a stone counts, the users of the road continued to complain about the Mamaku portion of the road until the department concerned finally saw that something: must be done. The result was that a contract was let, and the road was to have been metalled throughout by June 6. The progress of the private contract was such that the Government took it over, and then the Public Works representatives on the spot got their long-waited chance. It was decided that as a preliminary there should be a strip of metal right through, and this will be followed by completing the metalling to the width and depth required. In three months the contractors laid nearly 3,900yds of metal. The Public Works Department took over on May 14, and in a month laid over 3,500yd5, working double shifts, portion of the time under the glare of electric lights, and making up wet days by working on Sundays. The department, and particularly the men on the job, have done a very fine piece of work. Some complaint has been made that the lorries using the road are keeping to the middle of the narrow strip of metal, and forcing the cars off. The Automobile Association appeals to motorists not to take this too seriously, on the ground that the lorries, once forced off the metal on to the soft earth might have the utmost difficulty in getting out again, and the inconvenience suffered by motorists will not last more than a few weeks.