ROAD SURFACES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16421, 23 April 1919, Page 5

ROAD SURFACES.

ENGINEER’S EXPLANATION. -Mr. IV. H. Cook, borough engineer of New Plymouth, in his annual report to the council, says:—“Some persons do not seem to understand tho terms used, although I thought I had explained them explicitly. I refer chiefly to tho term “tar sealing,” more popularly known as "tar painting.” In the former the term “sealing” is used to moan to seal down tho surface. With this explanation it is hoped those persons who expect or think it possible to do “penetration” or “grouting” work for a little over £3 per chain will see the impossibility of doing so. Tar sealing is perhaps the cheapest known method of treating road surfaces, it is not, nor lias it ever been advocated as being tho most permanent, it does however, give a very fair return for the expenditure, and is a most popular method' where traffic is light, mileage long, and money short. V lieu in Auckland attending the conference of civil engineers, the question of laying down concrete roadways was fully discussed, the cost ns given by tho assistant city engineer from actual experience was 7s per square yard, to which must be added engineering nnd other costs net included. Allowing for the difference in cost of materials delivered in New Plymouth, my estimate ns given last year, at £IOOO per mile 12ft. wide, will he very near the mark. One mile of Devon Street, say between Kgmout Street to the eastward, would cost approximately £24,000. to which must ho added any costs incurred in removing water, gas, or sewerage mains. From this it is seen concrete roads are not within easy possibility for some time to come. At this stage I would just mention that comparing costs of works in different, localities must bo very carefully done, otherwise the result will lie misleading, rate of wages, prices of materials on ground, and ether factors (seriously affect the cost of finished work.”