THE MANUKAU-ROAD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 77, 18 March 1913, Page 1

THE MANUKAU-ROAD.

How shall it be Metalled?

The necessity of pioceeding as speedily as possible with the metalling of Manukau-road has been long reccgnised by tbe Borough Council. On tbe important principle of how the metal should be laid a roct<oversy has ensued. What is most important is that metal has not been available, and tbe heavy rain of last week coming on the new formation made it a <iea of mud. At Wednesday's meeting of the Borough Council ihere was considerable discussion over this road.

Cr Comrie opened the discussion by reporting that no scoria, which it was proposed to use as a foundation, would be available until after Easter. He contended it would be a very bad principle to pui down bluestone without a foundation. He urged that if scoria cculd not be procured sandstone should be used. Unfortunately, the Council at its last meeting, by fixing the royalty at too low a figure, had prevented (his being secured. To put metal on tbe soft ground without a foundation was simply throwing money away.

Cr Johns asked if, on account of the extra quantity of scoria required, the cost of scoria and metal might not be as much as metal aione. Cr Comrie: No, it would not; and you must remember you get a tetter road with scoria and metal.

The Mayor expressed no faith in sandstone. Some discussion then ensued on the merits of sandstone.

Cr Comrie pointed out that the Council was held up as Mr fergusßon would not sell his sandstone under 6d per yard royalty.

Cr Pollock said Mr Motion would let the Council have sandstone.

Cr Hamilton: How long after Easter will it be before we get the scoria?

The clerk: The Department * imply say after Easter. Cr Pollock thought the best thing to do would be for someone to. go to Auckland aud see the Department and tell them the difficulty the Council had been put into through the shifting of the station and the consequent necessity to form Mannjcauroad.

The Mayor: That's a good idea. You can't beat a personal interview.

Lr Pollock mcived, and Or Joh;s seconded, That tha Mayor visit Auckland, explain the position to toe engineer ana try and get the scoria at once.—The resolution ;-was carried.

Cr Conine protested against putting down small metal. They tried this experiment year after year in Puktkohe, and"they had not got a mile ol good road. He wanted the

Council to decide if they were going to pave the road before putting on small mrtM. fo test the feeling of the Council he moved that the load be "blocked" prior to the bluestone being put on.

Cr Johns: We have just pissed a resolution to that effect. We are trying to g;t acorla to pave th 3 road. There is no Councillor who is opposed to such procedure.

Cr Comrie: Not one word has been said about fine, medium or block scoria, and that's what I want the Council to dttermine. It is no good putting down small scoria, as it would sink out of sight in the soft ground. To do good you want big cubes.

The Mayor: If you are going to put down spawls it will cost thousands.

Cr Comrie: Half the price of bluestone, and you'll get a decent road. There being no seconder the resolution lapsed. Cr Comrie, to the foreman: Which would make the best road? The foreman: Bloeks would make the best road. Cr Pollock: What would it cost? The foreman: Scoria about 3s a yard and sandstone 4s 6d. Cr Comrie: Then which is the cheapest method, scoria and metal ometal alone?

The Mayor: We are not opposing scoria.

Cr Cnmrie: No, but j-od are going to use small scoria. And the question WBs whether it was to be small icuria? scoria blocks or sandstone. To the foreman: Which is the best?

Ihe foreman: The large scoria, provided it is hand packed. Cr Comrie: Do you think it is much dearer? The foreman: It would cost more to pack and it would not go so far as the smaller metal.

Cr Comrie: Which would you recommend? The foreman: Scoria about six inches.

Cr Comrie: That's exactly what I proposed. Tr.e discussion then dropped.