GOOD ROADS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 1715, 22 August 1922, Page 5

GOOD ROADS.

WHAT THE COUNTY IS DOING

NEW MACHINERY

It is a well-established fact that “better road tools make better roads.” In this connection it is gratifying to note the improvements at present being effected to the Awakino Road. The road is under the jurisdiction of the Waitomo County Council, and, as the traffic returns given below will prove, is being burdened with a heavy yearly increase of vehicular and motor traffic. The efficient maintenance of such a road is obviously a work of some importance, and any new measures or machinery introduced to facilitate this work must, have the warm approval of those depending on this read for supplies, etc. In pre-motor days it was possible to “pick” this road at a cost to the county of ten shillings per chain. With the advent of the motor lorry and the increased cost of labour, the figure nowadays would be more like thirty shilling per chain. In fact, engineers state that the road is now so hard that it would be practically impossible to do the work by manual labour.

Recognising this, the Council recently purchased an Independent scarifier. Hie scarifier is a compact piece of machinery weighing tons. It is four-wheeled, and is really a contrivance for carrying and working eight large reversible tines. In the working position the pulling of a lever has the effect of throwing the tines forward and downward to an angle proven by practical tests to be the most effective for the job, but this angle is also variable to an extent sufficient to meet variable conditions. Tliq tines can be let down to a depth of seven or eight inches if necessary, and either two or four tines can be worked at once, an advantage permitting its being worked by a lightpowered tractor, or it can be. hauled at full power by the average traction engine. The scarifier has already done splendid work, and its manufacture in New Zealand is another boost for local industry. It is at present working at the “six mile” on the Awakino Road.. The following are the traffic returns on the Awakino Road for the current year to date:—

Cars, motor lorries, cycles, etc. 6284 Waggons, drays, gigs. etc. ... 1208 Sheep, cattle, horses, etc. ... 47,095