After the bombing of Pearl harbour, Hawaii, in December 1942 there was great 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 near Bell Block. Sometime in 1943 a contract to construct this one was awarded to the firm of Allen and Julian at a price of 53 pound 8 shillings and 2pence plus 5 % for supervision and another 2 ½ % (presumably the profit on the job).
14.4 cubic yards of material had to be moved and into its place 13.2 cubic yards of concrete made into two rows of six concrete blocks.
These were set into a raised section of the road just as it crossed the Mangone Stream. Large pine logs were set up on each side of the road to prevent vehicles from passing around the ends.
The middle of each concrete block had a hole for inserting wooden posts which stood upright. Normally steel would have been used but it was scarce (hence the wooden posts). The posts would have been stored nearby and when the need arose would have been put into place to prevent vehicles passing.
The Home Guard added earthwork defences on high ground just to the east of the road block to allow them to fire down on the road.
Ten of the blocks were removed when road works were done but one still remains in-situ although buried under 30 centimetres of soil. The one laying on the side of the road was salvaged by local farmer David Sampson who was aware of its significance.
It is an important reminder of how New Zealand prepared for a possible invasion during World War 2.
For those of you who don’t know how to test if an electric fence is going or not the best way to get a close up view is by going through the gate and then climbing over the rails. The farm owner has given the ok for this BUT PLEASE LEAVE THE GATE AS YOU FOUND IT. IF IT IS SHUT, SHUT IT AFTER YOU.