SOUTHLAND ROADS.

Southland Times, Issue 18965, 13 June 1923, Page 2

SOUTHLAND ROADS.

To the Editor. Sir, —I notice “Johnny Via” in last week's issue of the Times is having a fling at the Southland roads. Do the people who make the most nhise about bad roads pay any taxation towards their upkeep or construction ? It seems that motor-car owners damage the roads much more than the ordinary farm conveyances and that it is no uncommon thing for these non tax payers to grumble about the horrid roads in Southland. I admit that there is need of more system and better methods in construction needed, also the use of more suitable material. Only too often very unauitable materials are used in making our roads on the score of cash- But, then, cities should remember that generally speaking Southland is not too well supplied with suitable roadmaking material and the County authorities are compelled to use the best that is available. We use far too much quartz, gravel and sandstone, which have no binding qualities, and it is roads which are coated with such material that are exhausting our funds and causing much of the grumbling we hear of. It is a capable chemist that is needed to set our engineer on the right track in best material fos road making purposes. But readers should . take all the grumbling and’ fault finding with Southland roads with a spoonful of salt. If these gentry ever have occasion to travel in the North Island, they would realise the truth that Southland roads are bonnie ones. 'Ta they na sa in luck!** as they say in Sutherland. I am, etc., WAIKAKA.