GOOD ROADS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 December 1924, Page 5

GOOD ROADS

EFFICIENT SUPERVISION.

EXAMINATIONS FOR OVERSEAS

HIGHWAYS BOARD PROPOSALS.

(By Telegraph.— Special to the Star). . WELLINGTON, Dec. 2. Ihe Main Highways Board, having the responsibility for the distribution of large sums for road construction and maintenance, is taking precaution to ensure that the best methods will be adopted, and that the materials will be handled by those who are to have a proper knowledge. It intends to prepare standard specifications for road construction and maintenance to be supplied to local' bodies. Another important development is the setting up of an examination for overseas and foreman engaged in supervising the work on main highways. The idea of x , am i ll a H°n is to obtain an efficient staff for carrying out of the works being subsidised by the Main Highways Board. Ihe, Board does not propose making the examination compulsoiy, but it will give facilities, and on the passing of an examination a certificate "u ’ Ssue d bv the Board. Candidates shall be capable of reading and interpreting plans of longitudinal sections and cross-sections of roads, also plans of simple structures such as culverts, small bridges, etc. They shall uuderstand levels and grades and practical methods used in setting them out. They must have a good practical knowledge of the various materials used in modern road construction and understand concrete mixing and the use of concrete mixers. They must have a good working knowledge of generally accepted and approved methods of sealing and grouting roads with tar and bitumen', and some knowledge of methods of constructing bituminous concrete and sheet asphalt roads. They have to Jie well acquainted with the principles which underlie the successful use of such implements as scoops, road drags, road graders, iroad rollers, tar sprayers, scarifiers, etc.; methods and implements in use in modern concrete construction, more particularly with regard to the finishing and curing of surfaces and be generally familiar with quarrying operations and with the management and maintenance of stone crushing plants and bituminous mixing plants.