WORK OF SURFACEMEN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4104, 23 February 1949, Page 8

WORK OF SURFACEMEN

COROMANDEL-COLVILLE ROAD DISCUSSION BY COUNCILLORS A lengthy and somewhat pithy discussion took place at the February meeting of the Coromandel County Council, concerning the question of surfacemen on the Coromandel-Col-ville road. At a previous meeting, councillors J. H. Reddy and A. J. Denize had asked that one surfaceman on this stretch of road be dispensed with during the summer months in order to save the money for metal to be put on the road before winter. The wisdom of this step was questioned by councillors who were of the opinion that it was a bad policy on this much used piece of road. At the same time

it was conceded that work was being done by surfacemen that should be done by a grader at much less cost. The chairman, Mr E. Deeble:* Much valuable work has been done by surfacemen, and the trouble is the grader can not be everywhere. Cr. E. H. Purdom: And there are other ridings in the county besides Colville and Coromandel. The clerk, Mr J. H. Lucas, reported that a further three men had left the council’s employ and that it was a difficult matter to obtain good surfacemen anywhere.

Reference was made to the good work done by the surfaceman on the Amodeo-Colville road, and on no account should he be taken off for work elsew’here.