The Star. MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1905. THE STREETS OF HAWERA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8932, 26 June 1905, Page 2

The Star.

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1905. THE STREETS OF HAWERA.

wisdom of carrying the idea into effect, the whole case resolves itself into a matter of finance, and in this respect we await the particulars which it is expected the committee will supply. But there is one aspect of the case which we think should not be lost sight of. Quite recently there was spent on I ligh bt icet a pvetty considerable sum of money, nnd the road is now in good order. The question is whether it 1 would not be as well to get the utmost wear out of the metal now that it has been laid. Cr. Hardley, « it will bo observed, holds the opposite view to thifi, and urges that the work should be done before the present foundation gives out. Wo have based our suggestion, however, on the representations that have been made to us that in order to asphalt High street the present crown would have to be removed so that there will be no bevel on the road, and further that it will need to be picked'over so as to render amalgamation possible. If the position really is that the j crown will have to be removed it would ' appear to be inadvisable to proceed with j the work until the present roadway is ex1 hausted. There is no reason, however, j why a comprehensive scheme should not j be fully considered, so that as repairs be- [ come necessary the work may bo proi ceeded with on a definite plan.

DeliTerod eYerj. evening toy 6 o'olook in Hawera Manaia, Nonnanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatokl, Kaponga, Awatnna, Opunake, OUkebo, Manutah< Alton, Hnrleyville, Patea. vxi Waver ley

The project put forward by Cr. Cameron to initiate a, new method of dealing with the streets of^llawera deserves consideration. What was suggested for the time being was to asphalt a strip of the road along High street so as to give the system a thorough test. But upon the proposal being made the Council as a 'whole declined to accept the responsibility of carrying even so limited a suggestion into effect, and referred the matter to a committee. We think the Council acted wisely in so doing. The committee have been given three months in which to report, and meanwhile the proposal can be considered in all its aspects. The obstacle of finance was the first to present itself, but Cr. Cameron suggests that that difficulty could bo overcome by raising a loan. It* is argued that the cost would be actually lower than tho present method of metalling, and if that can bo proved there will probably be few to oppose the asphalting. From other towns which have adopted the asphalt particulars of the cost will no doubt be easily ascertained. In considering the , question ol expense, however, tho availability of the materials used will need to be taken into account, iv Napier, for instance, -where the streets arc the admiration, oi visitors, immense deposits of tho necessary gravel are immediately at hand. This, of course, is a very big factor, in determining the cost. Iv Uiis connection it may be remarked that the Borough Foreman is satisfied that there is plenty of auitablo gravel within easy distanco of the main streets of Hawera. Too much cannot be said of tho attractiveness of asphalted street*, and from the point of view that such would furnish a splendid advertisement for the up-to-dateness of the town Or. Cameron is probably not overstating the case. As to the durability of such asphalt as would be made locally councillors who advocate the plan point to the footpath strips that now traverse the road, and it must be admitted that they are wearing very well indeed. Mr Ogilvie, too, gives ib as Ms opinion, based upon practical knowledge, that so far as its ability to withstand the traffic is concerned there need bo no fear for the success of an asphalted roadway.' But Cr. Goodson replies to tho proposal in terms which cannot bo ignored. Whilst acknowledging all the merits of the new scheme he strongly contends that as the main streets are at the present time in very good order the Council's first duty is to attend to tho outlying roads and streets which have been, so far neglected. His argument that it would be unfair to tax residents of the streets to which ho referred for the further benefit of High street is not without force, and he suggests that those who would immediately benefit by the asphalting should pay the | extra rating • that would be required. It cannot be denied that a special advantage woujd be onjoyed by those whose premises abutted along; any /street treated in the manner suggested, but whether the owners would be prepared to pay a special rate is another matter. .Everybody in the borough would participate to a- greater or lesser extent in the benefits of the work as ft "general scheme," but the same difficulty in appraising special benefits* would be experienced here as in the case of tlw £rin street extension. A^ to the