FOOTPATH IMPROVEMENT

Northern Advocate, 2 March 1921, Page 2

FOOTPATH IMPROVEMENT

The Wiiangarei Uorough Council has instme'ed it-- engineer 10 prepare an estimate of the cost of laying dojvn concrete fooipaihs in some parts of the borough. In submittting this proposal in the Council the flavor remarked lhal asphalting was not ''-fitisfacfory on footpaths that carried little traffic, as weeds broke through and destroyed the asphalt. If the weeds were chipped off many of tho paths in the borough and asphalt were laid down the surface probably would be ruined quickly. But could not an effort be made to destroy the weeds completely.' There are many weed destroyers, and a particularly simple one is a by-product obtained from 2a > works. This has been used in various parts of the .Dominion, and has proved effective. If tin; weeds were done away with once and for all asphalting would be satisfactory, and it. would probably be cheaper ai the outset than concrete, though the latter, no doubt, would stand longer. Concrete is tiring to walk on, especially in hot weather, and it is a rather slippery surface for children. We believe that it would be worth the Council's while to make inquiries concerning weed extermination and asphalt as well -as concrete. That the subject of footpaths has been brought under nolice is gratifying. The present system of allowing two great fringes of weeds to flourish alongside a narrow, rough path is very unsatisfactory, the result being both unsightlv and uneconomical.