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Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18397, 2 June 1925, Page 10

"The finest road in England, and proof against the necessity of repairs, even under, heaviest traffic, for fifty years"—that is the description of the new Great' West road; Arrangerpents are in hand for the opening ceremony to be performed by. the King in June. - The 2-oad will have taken four and ahalf years of intensive. and scientific worn to make, at' a' 'total'' cost of £l,ooo,ooo—an . average of .£125,000 a mile, or over £7O a yard. It. is 120 feet wide,' and is constructed as follows :—A foundation of 12 inches of broken pieces 'Of concrete, brick," and' stone ; above that nine inches of reinforced concrete; arid above that two inches of compressed natural rock asphalt. All sewers, water mains,. and cables are [at the side of the road, so that there is no danger of any sinking or damage or unevenness owing to overgreat pressure. • The Dukes of Hamilton, who, according to Mr Smillie, derive something like a . quarter 1 of a million sterling vincome from their coal possessions, are pluralists in other "ways, for they claim three dukedoms. The present Duke is 13th Duke of Hamilton, and 10th Duke of Brandon, is premier: peer of Scotland, and claims the. French Dukedom of Chatelherault. The "proud Duke" of Queen' Victoria's, reigti always signed himself "Ham., Chat., and Bran.," but, having sent ari order to a wine merchant , one day over that signature, he received a reply beginning "Messrs Ham, Chat, and Bran—Dears sirs.—"