STREET MAINTENANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 136, 9 May 1928, Page 9

STREET MAINTENANCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The maintenance and upkeep of our streets is fast becoming a serious problem, yet we hare in our midst certain individuals who are so fossilised and antiquated in their view that they insist upon stating that the old macadamised roads which were laid down 25 to 30 years ago gave better results than the modern bitumen, or tar-sealed ones of the present day. _ If they would only pause and consider they must admit that the traffic has increased several hundred per cent during recent years. Where once there were the old bullock and horse-drawn teams, whoso loads averaged only one or two tons, at three miles an hour, to-day the heavy motor lorries, with far heavier loads, and driven up to twenty miles per hour, are commonly to be seen. Speed and yet more speed is the demand of the present day. In addition let us remember that we borrowed millions in the Dominion to build our arterial railways in order to develop our resources, and convey the passengers from point to point. To-day wo suffer from a diminishing revenue, the char-a-banc and the motor transport competing with the railways, for which we have got to be doubly taxed in order to maintain them. Nevertheless wo have to accept the inevitable,' even though we protest against the innovation. Speed is required to reach the destination; also, it is not considered any sacrilege, as in former years, when being conveyed to our last resting place, to speed up the mournful procession. To uso an old saw: When in Rome, we must do as Rome does. All the foregoing is in defence of the present day system of maintaining our streets and highways under the heavy volume of traffic which is at present so firmly established throughout the Dominion.—-I am, etc., H. J'. CANTON. Palmerston North, May 7, 1927.