BETTER ROADS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11649, 13 October 1923, Page 4

BETTER ROADS

MAKAiRA OOUNTY’S MOVE. INSTALLATION OF NEW PLANT PROPOSED. A scheme which will have great effect upon the roads under the control of the Makara County Council was launched at the monthly meeting of that body yesterday. The project is in the form of the acquisition of a new road-forming and repairing plant, which will run into a total cost of £2500. The proposal was laid before the council by the chairman, Mr E. Windley, and seconded by Councillor J. W. Bell. . Speaking to hiß motion, the chairman remarked that the council would admit that it was time a move was made in this direction. “We have,” he said, “the same system to-day_ as we had when the county was first formed.” Conditions, however, had considerably changed, there being more modern means of transport. The proposal ehoul.d have been given effect to five years ago, when the roads would have been considerably better to-day than they are. Conditions were experienced last winter which were not wanted again. The council was in need of more up-to-date machinery. THE NEW PLANT. The new plant, continued the speak, er, would consist of a road-roller, stone-crusher, two Fordson tractors, a road plough, and a shed -to house the roller, etc. The objection would, perhaps, be raised that the roller was a waste of money, “but,” observed Mr Windley, “it is hardly fair to ask the motor traffic to roll the roads.” The machinery would be used in connection with the main highways scheme. The cost of the plant will be coyer, ed by £2500, the value of the various implements being £I2OO or £I3OO for the roller, crusher £6OO, two tractors £275 each, road plough £2B, and the shed a further £IOO odd.

This plant, said the chairman, would be far in advance of the present workings of the council, which had in its employ about a dozen men with as many shovels and picks. The highways would be materially improved, and the installation of the plant is to be proceeded with at an early date.