BETTER ROADS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18947, 11 March 1927, Page 6

BETTER ROADS.

HIGHWAYS BOARD'S BULLETIN. A COMPREHENSIVE WORK. One of die most valuable contributions to highways literature that has yet appeared in New Zealand is the bulletin just issued by the Main Highways Board and written by its engineer, Mr A. Tyndall, A.M. Inst. C.E., M.Am. Soc. C.E., M.X.Z. Soc. C.E., copies of which will no doubt, be in great demand by all whose duties bring them up against the pressing problem of improving the roads of the Dominion. According to Mr Tyndall. ihe objects of road maintenance may be summarised as follows: (1) To preserve all roads as constructed, and thus protect the original investment therein. (2) To repair wear-and-tear as soon as evident, and so prevent further much more rapid wear. (3) To reduce or overcome the dust nuisance. (4) To reduce or eliminate as far as possible all danger to traffic. (o) To serve the road-user. In the course of his introductory remarks to the bulletin, Mr Tyndall says:— "Reconstruction of the main highways is in hand in many parts of the country, but the total mileage of roads which will be affected annually by this costly work is only a very small percentage of the total surfaced mileage of the Dominion. The motorist taxpayer, however, wants a return for his money immediately in the shape of better roads wherever he travels. Moreover, highway transportation is such an enormous industry, and such a staggering sum is involved in the annual operating expense of . the 160.000 motor-vehicles in use to-day, that better roads are a vital economic necessity. What is the solution? There is but one answer—improved roaintenance. "To the man who is using the roads to-day, better maintenance is many times more important than construction work. One hundred miles of road will be affected by improved maintenance to one mile affected by new construction. Maintenance is the most disagreeable feature of roadwork, and, unfortunately, at the same time it is the only permanent feature. No matter how costly the pavement, maintenance is always necessary; and it is even more important that costly roads should be properly maintained than cheap roads, as the heavy original investments in the former have to be carefullv protected." The whole question of road construction and maintenance is dealt with in the bulletin in the most exhaustive manner and is profusely illustrated with photographs and graphs _ If the publication succeeds in the purpose for which it was there should be a noticeable improvement in the roading systems of the Dominion in the near' future. MAROUBRA SPEEDWAY. THE QUESTION OF SAFETY. The number of fatalities which has occurred 011 the Maroubra Speedway (Sydney) has served to give the track an unenviable reputation. Commenting on the stale of the .speedway some little time ago, a member of the statf of the "Daily Telegraph'' said:— 'iiie death of "Phil" Oarhck, popular idol of the track as he was, coming after the fatal accident to Leo Salmon and Bert Vaughan, and the Cooper accident, which also was so nearly fatal, has caused many doubts in the minds of the public as to the safety of the track for competitive car racing, and, pending the holding of the Coroner's inquiry, it seems to the writer that the Maroubra Speedway directors would have been well advised to cease holding any more high-speed car races. . . ' When the track was originally planned the engineers designed it to carry a car speed of 80 miles per hour; actually car 6peeds of over 100 miles per hour have been recorded, and at anywhere approaching this speed, there is great danger of an accident when two cars (especially if, as is sometimes the case, one of them is not especially designed by racing engineers for track are close together on the track and one is trying to pass the other. In view of the fact that the track was designed to carry car speeds of 80 nupJi., and taking into consideration the experience gained since the track has been opened, there is no doubt that no car capable of a speed above 80 m.p.h. should be allowed in competitive racing at Marouba. Further, a safety fence all round the track, with a white, broad fence outside this again, should be insisted on by the Government. The latter fence, in addition to the wire safety fence, is absolutely essential, to enable the riders to see the outer limit of the track, as when travelling at high speed it is impossible to "pick up'' the wire fence.

If these modifications are not adopted and the present conditions are allowed to continue, there is every probability of further catastrophes. As far as the motor-cycles are concerned, provided that the tiro fences as above suggested are erected, ihero seems no reason to limit either the speeds or capacities of the machines at present, if the number of competitors in scratch races ie not allowed to exceed six. [Since the above suggestions were made, Frederick W. Barlow lost his life on the speedway as the result of an accident on February sth, and _J. Donaghey was thrown from his machine last Saturday and sustained such severe injuries to his head that he subsequently died in hospital.] REALISE YOUR AMBITION. MAKE THAT EASTER TRIP IN A GUARANTEED USED CAR. SEE THEM AT THE STATION GARAGE. Have a different holiday this Easter. Be one of the thousands of happy motorists who go touring over the country—up to Mount Cook, down to the Lates, Nelson, Timaru, Dunedin — there are dozens of delightful places •where, you can enjoy your holiday to the full. It's a good plan to buy the car now and get thoroughly acquainted with it before the holidays. At J. Grant Mackie's Station Garaoe, you will find a good selection of reliable used cars at very keen prices, if you favour any particular make you are sure to find it there. Another important point is every car is guaranteed to be in good condition before it leaves the garage. This assures you absolute freedom from annoying > mechanical troubles and other faults often associated with second-hand cars. We have several really good bargains in just now, but they won't stay long. Call along and see these cars at your earliest possible convenience. You owe vourself a good holiday, make it a certainty. J. Grant Mackie, Station Garage (opp. Christchurch Railway Station). 07