CONCRETE OR BITUMEN?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 57, 8 March 1932, Page 10

CONCRETE OR BITUMEN?

ROADS AROUND WHANGAREI.

LIVELY COUNCIL DEBATE

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHANGAREI, this day.

The Whangarei Borough Council proposed last evening to purchase sufficient bitumen to complete tho surfacing of Oncrahi Road, from the boat shed to the end of the borough boundary. An alternative proposal to call tenders for laying tho whole, or portion, of the road in concrete was sponsored by Mr. G. H. Morrish, but this was defeated.

The works committee recommended bitumen, but Mr. Morrish said bitumen was not permanent. Concrete was everlasting.

"Wo want every pound wc can keep in New Zealand," he said, "and this sending away of money to buy bitumen is a loss. It has been broadcast throughout the Dominion that the people should foster New Zealand industries, and yet every local body and the Highways Board are laying down bitumen roads. We in Whangarei, who should be the best advertisement for concrete, have not laid down one cliain. This is a reflection on our patriotism."

The amendment was seconded by Mr. St. Clair Jounncaux, who'considered the country's industries should be developed. The Mayor, Mr. W. Jones, said concrete roads were not being put down anywhere unless they were carrying the traffic to warrant the capital expenditure. Ho was not against concrete, but was against spending £1000 on a road when £300 would do. There was room for a big reduction in ' the price of concrete. •

The amendment was then put to the vote and lost by three votes to four.