THE TAR EVIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 September 1924, Page 6

THE TAR EVIL

NEW METHODS PROPOSED

Part of the report submitted by the Borough Engineer,(Air E. Al. Willinms) to the Greymouth Borough Council at its meeting last’ evening had reference to the question of distilled tar. The Engineer explained how this type of preparation worked l in Christchurch, and said that it would be possible to purchase a distilling, plant for £3OO.

Cr. G. R. Harker said that the tarring season 1 would soon be here, and he would like the Engineer to explain, the details more fully. The Engineer said he (yould rather submit a full report to the Council. Briefly the advantages of distilled tar Were that it dried quickly in fine weather and did not “creek” in wetweather. A plant could be erected at the gas-works for £3OO, but alternatively the Council could send over to Christchurch a quantity of raw tar, say 40.000 gallons, and receive hack 26,000 gallons of distilled tar. (That would mean a bigger expenditure than the installation and maintenance of a plant. i

Cr. F. A. Kitchingham spoke strongly against the old methods 'of laying the tar. The Council was fortunate that it had not been met with a host of actions for damages. He woul l move, though not at that meetin", that no tarring under the old system be done this year. If there was any town in New Zealand that required a quick drying tar, it was Greymouth. He moved that the Engineer- be asked to report fully on the question to the next meeting of the Finance Committee. The motion was carried.