STREETS AND FOOTPATHS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 8052, 1 April 1905, Page 4

STREETS AND FOOTPATHS.

The condition of the streets and footpaths in Palmerston is anything but creditable to-the town, and it is high time this important question was grappled with in a businesslike way by the Borough Council. Mr D. Sinclair has had a lengthy experience in road construction-and-other works of this description, and his views upon the question, as expiessed to tho meeting of electors at Terrace End last evening, will be of interest to the townspeople. Mr Sinclair stated that this Borough had come to a stage when better material should be used' in the construction of its streets and footpaths. Much of the Borough pit shingle is soft and is soon reduced to mud in winter or. dust in summer. The Scandiastreet pit may last for two years at the present rate of consumption. In Mr Sinclair's opinion this should be made a central depot for all Borough material and work. He then went on to suggest that., a line of tramway be laid from there down Scandia-street to the Manawatu river, where an ever increasing supply, of good shingle is to be had for all purposes. By having a stone-breaker at the depot, said Mr Sinclair, broken shingle of average size and good quality could be placed on those streets where the greater traffic and wear is. When screened the bes'i' material could be had for streets anS footpaths, and clean sand and stone would be obtainable for asphalt and concrete work or other purposes.- This; Mr Sinclair remarked, would more than compensate for the extra cost of traui line, trucks, etc. Other ratepayers, who' consider themselves qualified to express an opinion on this subject, may differ from Mr Sinclair, but we have published the latter's views in the hope of arousing, interest in a matter which should receive far greater attention than is accorded it by the Borough Council.