TAR SEALING

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1938, Page 6

TAR SEALING

AIR SEMPLE’S PROPOSAL. \Per Press Association—Copyright). TIAIARU, June 21. A proposal for a national scheme for the tar-sealing of the roads, after the completion of State Highways, Avas outlined by the Minister of Public AVorks, Hon. R. Semple, when he met the Mackenzie County Council at Fairlie today. Air Semple intimated that the plan could be drawn similar to the five-year-plan for the improving of back country roads. At present, ho had no legal authority to grant subsidies to County councils for tar- sealing Avork, and that IaAV Avould have to he altered, Tlie roads for tar-sealing ivould be marked in their order of urgency. The Minister maintained that the modern tar-sealed road in New Zealand ivas as good as any in the Avorld. Then* was still as much as 4000 miles of State Ilighivays to be tar-sealed, and tliev ivould be done as soon as possible. The Minister said that the metalled road was a thing of the past, and tlie next problem for consideration ivas to end that liability, and pave the principal roads throughout the Dominion. RA ISING OF LAKE. TIAIARU, June 21. The Minister of Public AYorks is to visit Lake Taupo on' Thursday, ivlien ho ivill inspect the site of the proposed dam which ivill raise the lake to conserve water for the Waitaki Hydro Works. If this scheme is proceeded with, and tlie Minister said to-day that, a, start will probably be made in' four years' time, most of the present Tekapo Village will have to be removed to a neiv site, and a new bridge will have to be built in conjunction ivith the dam.