Historic features in our landscape observed by the Director of Puke Ariki Kelvin Day. World War II Road Block, Egmont Rd, Bell Block.Heading south on Egmont Road, just near Bell Block and just after passing under the rail bridge, a large concrete block can be seen on the left side of the road. This rather ordinary looking object was kept aside as the road in this area was being resurfaced a number of years ago. Luckily local farmer David Sampson was aware of its significance and prevented it from being taken away. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, in early December 1942 there was heightened concern that New Zealand would be the target of a Japanese invasion. In an effort to prepare defences a network of road and rail blocks were established. One of these, known as a Type N, was constructed on Egmont Road. Sometime in 1943 the contract to construct the Egmont Road defence was awarded to the firm of Allen and Julian at a price of £53 8s 2d plus 5 per cent for supervision and another 2.5 per cent (presumably the profit on the job). The work involved excavating 14.4 cubic yards of material and the placing of 13.2 cubic yards of concrete. Two rows of six concrete blocks were set into a raised section of the road just as it crossed the Mangone Stream. On each side of the road block large pine logs were positioned so that vehicles could not pass around the ends. In the middle of each block was a hole for wooden posts to be inserted. Normally steel inserts were used but on this occasion they were not available. The idea was that when the need arose posts would be put in place which would then prevent vehicles passing. For added defence the Home Guard had constructed earthwork defences on high ground just to the east of the road block which would allow them to fire down on to the road. While 10 of the blocks were removed when roadworks were carried out there is still one in-situ, although it is buried under about 30cm of soil. The one lying on the side of the road is an important reminder of how New Zealand prepared itself against a possible invasion during World War II.
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