TO KEEP DOWN THE DUST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 28 October 1911, Page 9

TO KEEP DOWN THE DUST.

It U of interest to note the steps which avo being taken in various parts of the world to cope with the (lust evil. To cmiri'iitroto experience anil knowledge; us to the best methods of prevention of t lie nuymncc, also on the question of load construction, a powerful society has been formed in Great Britain, entitled, "Tile Iloads Improvement Association." The a«s'ociation has inaugurated centres throughout the. United Kingdom, at which .local road users may obtain information, ami through which a complete -t tidy of local roads may- be made. Questions relating to modern methods of construction and maintenance; the removal of sharp and: dangerous corners; I lie cutting of hedges and overhanging lives: the treatment of train racks, and the times and methods of watering are hand'i'il at ench centre with a special eye to local conditions. Recently another body, the Imperial Roads Board, published in pamphlet form particulars of trials of no fewer than 23 road materials which are now being conducted along certain lengths of roads in the county of Kent. More than half of these materials are patented compositions of asphalt or tar macadam. From ordinary water-bound macadam up to the patented preparations every kind of method is being given a fair trial. The results will be awaited with interest in J\cw Zealand, as in other parts of the world. The Roads Improvement Fund in Great Britain, which is controlled by the Treasury, and which draws its Yevoiiue from Imperial taxation, had down to June SO last granted £279,000 to local authorities for "improvements" only. Of this sum nearly C3fi,ooo was for the improvement of curves and for widenings in country districts. Since June 30 ap'ons involving Hie outlay of an additional £400,000 have been dealt with by the administrators of the fund. All these grants are in addition to the ordinary subsidies by Parliament to municipalities for various purposes. All roads aided must be constructed awl maintained in accordance with the Imperial Road Board's specifications. ■ln connection with this matter we observe by the Municipal Journal that many of the local bodie's at Home are again turning their attention to the use of calcium chloride as a dust-preventer, each.

This chemical, it appears, can be purchased in (li'Uins containing about oewt, the size of half a brick and placed in an empty water cart. Water is tben added in the right, quantity and the chemical dissolved. The cart is then driven over the roads, and the mixture applied to the surface through the usual spray pipes. The cost in England works out at about 4s (id for treating WW yards representi'ii}; roughly 3o\v(.. of the j chemical. The net cost per mile to o municipality for a monthly dressing would be about G 10 per annum, this sum including labor, water and carting. Those who favor the application of calcium chloride urge that it attracts the moisture from ihi; atmosphere, so that a road, treated remains slightly damp for a long time after application. As it contains neither grease, tar nor oil, it is unobjectionable to the owners of vehicles and does not injure (he feet of animals. Among the municipalities which now regularly use the chemical are Nottingham. Colchester, Ay r. Epsom, Ma id.-.tone. "Pembroke and Knaresbor- | "ugh.