STREET IMPROVEMENT

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6468, 12 April 1924, Page 5

STREET IMPROVEMENT

PREPARING A SCHEME BOROUGH COUNCIL ACTION SERVICES OF EXPERT The proposal to prepare a street improvement scheme to submit to the ratepayers, again came before the Te Aroha Borough Council at its meeting on Wednesday evening. A letter was read from Mr Sckitrop, consulting engineer to Ellis and Coy., Ltd., as follows: After going over your main streets I would respectfully recommend that your street improvements be done with Union Asphalt (pure bitumen) under the penetration method, which consists in lightly scarifying the present water bound macadam surface and reforming to a suitable cambre, then covering with a light dressing of broken metal, which is rolled solidly and sprayed with hot asphalt, and then covered with clean metal chips. This road is expensive in construction but cheap in maintenance. Victoria Street, Cambridge, laid down under this method in ,1916, has cost nothing for maintenance to date, and is now in good order. The cost of this work in your Borough should be not more than 3/- per yard. If your Council wish me to visit your town and submit estimates for the; work, I shall be do so free of cost. stated that Mr Sckitrop, of the firm of Ellis and Coy., and Borough Councillors had made an inspection of the streets of the Borough and the above letter was the result of that visit of inspection. Cr. Hedge said that the position was as the Mayor had stated. Cr. McMahon said that the report was such as might be expected. He thought that it would be better to get an independent engineer’s report. Cr. Hamilon thought the letter was not like a report but merely an effort to sell his firm’s bitumen. Cr. Ritchie said that the matter ' should not be deferred as suggested but -dealt with that night. Cr. Sellars’ view of the matter was that the expert referred to was prepared to come and spend a week or so here if desired to, and thoroughly go into the matter, and his, doing so would not bind the Council to adopt his report or accept his recommendations if they did not see fit to approve of them. Cr. Bruce supported Cr. McMahon’s suggestion to obtain the services of

an independent engineer. They could > not expect this particular gentleman + ;to give an unbiassed opinion. Naturally he would not go against the interests of the firm he represented. He suggested securing the services of another firm or some independent engineer. The Mayor understood that Mr Sckitrop had only made a hurried visit and would make a fuller report if so desired. There was considerable difficulty in getting the services of an outside engineer. The services to be obtained, however, was for the Council to decide. In answer to Cr. Gordon, the Mayor said the visit of Mr Sckitrop did not commit them to take Union Asphalt. This gentleman was l an expert and could give expert advice. The Council was under no obligation. They could get this report and if not satisfied could get another rdport from some other quarter. Cr. Nicol considered the question revolved on whether they intended to go in for bitumen or not. Their decision to use bitumen or otherwise should guide them as to whether they engaged the services of the gentleman referred to. j, The Mayor moved that the matter be left to the Works Committee to obtain information —data and estimates —and report to another meeting of the Council. Civ Sellars seconded the motion. Cr. Hedge: The Works Committee will be pleased to receive suggestions as to any other practical scheme. Cr. Hamilton spoke in favour of bitumen. The motion was agreed to.