SEALING OF ROADS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 116, 17 April 1939, Page 3

SEALING OF ROADS

QUESTION OF FINANCE. COUNCIL’S DIFFICULTY. Stating that the Jtorowliomia district now had a good proportion of bitumen-surfaced roads, and no doubt users of the roads generally would like to see the surfacing extended to district roads, the engineer of the ITorowlienua County Council (Mr J. T. M. Brewster) introduced a debatable subject in Ins monthly report to the meeting on Friday. “After perusing the list of county district roads, it appears that there are approximately 70 miles at least that could receive some kind of surface treatment on the condition that finances would permit',” said the engineer. “At times it has been suggested at the council table that it will sooner or later have to face up to the position, and perhaps the time has now arrived when a full discussion might be taken on the matter.”

Cr. L. 11. Best said ho supported the views of the engineer, and if the opportunity arose and the council could get the money he would like to see the sealing of ali the district roads done, but he did not know where the money was going to come from. Not only the llorowhenua Council, hut other councils, had to take up the matter of sealing, said Cr. A. J. Cimhiett. who added that people were entitled to sealed roads, but the council could not carry out such works from Ihe money collected from rates, that left only one alternative, the Heating of n loan. The council had been very hard hit on the question of" loan indebtedness on highways which had been taken over by the State. There was still over £SOOO a year to pay in interest on sinking fund on loans raised for the sealing of main highways which had since been taken over. V\ lieu the time arrived lor the sealing of districtroads he would advocate the raising ol a loan. LOAN IDEA PREMATURE. Cr. A. M. Colquhoun commended the engineer on raising the matter, and said that, although the sealing of the district roads was desirable, it was premature at present to think ol raising a loan. It would be economical to have sealed roads, but some means of financial assistance should he received so that the whole burden did not fall on the ratepayers. Cr. C. P. Jensen said it was a big question. Particularly was this the case in regard to roads which could be duly termed tracks. It was not right to raise loan money, and make the ratepayers liable, when they did not know what was to become of the administration in the future, lie cl id not think that the roads deteriorated very much; a little metal could restore them to their former state. The chairman (Cr. G. A. Monk) said the desirability of having dustless roads was apparent, but it was a question of finance. 11 they were relieved of their Main Highways debt they could then do justice to the roads. Some counties had built good roads and some had held hack, and those who had held back had had roads built for them, which was unfair. Ho thought some consideration should be given to this position if justice was to be done.

Hie discusion then lapsed. REPORT ON HIDINGS,

In regard to other branches of his n .irk, the engineer reported as follows :

Tokomaru Hiding.- Jho grader ha

been over moat of the iL-triec roads, lint the result is not all that one would desire, and until rain colors and the roads absorb a certain amount of moisture it will not be possible to get hack a good running surface. The isiirfaeemen have been engaged cleaning water tables in various roads in the riding. The drains on Stout Street Last, Old Foxton and Kara Roads have been cleaned and arc now in good condition. A 12in diameter culvert on Ma-kerua-Kangitanp Hoad has been extended and the end filled and made safe for passing traffic. A fence has been erected on Ihe eastern side of Albert Hoad adjoining the new deviation. 'The fence on the western side will be attended to when the pit works are completed. A peat fire on Ashlea-Je-mukiimii Hoad burnt to the edge of the metal and undermined it for a short distance; the defect has been repaired. "Whirokino Hiding.—Orders wei'e placed for the painting of parking signs at the Levin saleyards immediately after the last meeting, but they have not come to band. Twenty-one cubic yards ol metal was placed on the eastern end of Florida ltoad, and with the exception of the creek crossing this portion of road is in fair condition. The No. 1 grader has beent kept constantly engaged on district roads which are noQ in the best condition for traffic. The decking on No. 2 bridge on Oliau East Hoad lias been repaired. Also the decking on No. 2 bridge on Oliau West Hoad lias been renewed. Otaki Hiding; General maintenance has been attended to. The road grader lias been over most of tbe district roads. To lloro Hiding: General maintenance lias been attended lo where required. _ Men hav been engaged cleaning drains in the Pilotawa district. “Main highways.—The unpaved sections in some eases arc in rather bad shape. Jho road graders have been put over them as often as possible, but the metal will not hold. Good progress is being matin with recon.-truction and heavy tar priming of No. 59 Main Highway. ‘General. —'flic ranger reports having dealt with 11 head of wandering stock and has registered 553 dogs. Ihe ranger s car is not in very good condition and I would recommend the council to consider replacing it. Eight, building permits of a, total value of £2256 3s 6d were issued. The dry spell has taken serious toll of all unpaved roads. '1 o hold unpaved meial roads, unless large material, which is not at all satisfactory is used, a certain amount of dampness must lie retained in the metal aggregate. This has not been the ease during the past four months, ft is well established that, although maintenance metal is placed on road surfaces each year, there is a steady deterioration of metal thickness, and the only wav that it is possible to hold the road surface together is for some class of paving.” The report was adopted.