WHARERATA METALLING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16112, 28 April 1923, Page 4

WHARERATA METALLING.

CESSATION FOR WINTER MONTHS.

LORRIES TAKEN OFF WORK

In accordance with the decision of the Public Works Minister, the fleet of Government lorries are to be .taken from the metalling work at Wharerata, and some of them are to be sent elsewhere. The step marks the cessation of metalling operations for the winter. Several of the lorries are to bo retained in Gisborne, a fid will be used in carrying gravel from the Waipaoa. river bed for screening the new metal work on the main south I’oute.

The break-up of the weather indicated the possibility of the removal of the lorries, and a reporter made enquires at the district engineer’s office to-day. iln reply to questions, the district engineer (Mr. C. E. Armstrong) stated '.that-' the metalling programme is io be suspended; it was very improbable-that any further metalling could be , done 1 until next spring, when the road has a chance of drying thoroughly. To put metal down on soft clay was to invite trouble, as the heavy traffic would soon bring the clay through the metal, and render it difficult 'to maintain a good surface afterwards. As to what is to be done with the fleet of lorries, Mr. Armstrong said lie understood four or five Of them were to be dispatched to other districts where their -services were urgently needed; while others were to remain in Poverty Bay, The Minister, probably as a result of representations made, lias agreed to the broken metal on the Wharerata road being blinded with river shingle, in oi;der to secure a good running surface. Five or six lorries are to be retained hero for this purpose. The shingle will bo taken from the Waipaoa river, at Patutahi, in the meantime, until an inspection of th’o river bed lias been made, with a view to deciding at which point the gravel may bo taken with the best resuTTs. Mr. Armstrong endeavored to make an inspection yesterday, but- owing to the river being above the normal'level, a decision was not"arrived at.