CITY WATER AND ROAD WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1922, Page 5

CITY WATER AND ROAD WORKS.

GOOD PROGRESS ON BIG DAM OUTSIDE INTEREST IN CONCRETK ROADING. "It had been proposed that the ( ity Council Works Committee should p;iy a visit to the Nihotupu impounding dam on June 28, but in view of the pre**cii' fine weather," said the Mayor this morning, "the chairman of the committee ( Mr. Baildon) and myself decided this morning the visit should be made on Thursday next, the 15th inst. The road condition.-, will now be good, and it is almost three months since the last official visit by the Works Committee. The work in tliat period has made very substantial progress, about a further 9000 yards of concrete having been laid, which leaves only 23,000 yards of concrete still to be laid out of a total of 70,000 yards in the impounding dam wall. We expect to have it completed in February next."' "The city works elsewhere,*' said Mr. Gunson, "have been progressing well during the last week, the tine weather sreatly assisting the road works, particularly the tramway track extension on the Manukau Road, which is making substantial progress. The City Engineer i.= pushing on this job. and ali other works, with the greatest expedition possible. 1 found everywhere I touched throughout my trip that the Auckland concrete road ing policy lias awakened considerable interest, and concrete roads are now firmly accepted as the best modern surface for permanent traffic, particularly motor traffic, which represents such a large proportion on the roads. The roads throughout the Auckland province are in a better condition now than they were in the summer. Evidently tiie heavy rains during tiie autumn have consolidate! them, especially ill the pumice and sandy areas, with the'result that the running surface for the most part is good. There are a few bad patches, but nothing tn delay one, a§ witnessed by the time no made. The country everywhere." added the Mayor, "is looking well. Farmers have plenty of feed, and the autumn rainwere wonderfully good, and have continued with excellent results for the winter. Even on the Taupo plains, in such areas as the Tokeroa Settlement. where the country at this time of the year usually looks bare and barren, the appearance is far above the average for the locality. With the improvement in the price of butterfat the outlook for the whole of th<\ Auckland district is undoubtedly much brighter."