The Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1926. PIECEMEAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 8

The Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1926. PIECEMEAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

A report to the Tramway Board shows that the laying of fifty-seven chains of double track in concrete and bitumen was carried out in Victoria Street for just*a hundred pounds short of £20,000, which works out at about £28,000 a mile. 1 his work, ■which is to be continued under more favourable circumstances in future, is not charged against revenue, but comes out of reserves which have been accumulating for such a contingency. The wearing qualities of the new construction have yet to be tested, but it may be assumed that the policy of laying down a lasting road is the most economical in the end, as the cost of upkeep, especially where tram rails are concerned, is not nearly as costly with a concrete base as it is with mere sand and shingle. The pity is that some form of co-operation is not sought between the Tramway Board and flic City Council in these matters. Apart from the inconvenience to which road users are put by the policy of doing things by halves, and having the road up twice, a great loss must he entailed by letting slip the opportunity to employ men and plant to make a complete job -while they are on the spot. And then there must always he loss in joining up. Indeed, the long-delayed report on city roading should take cognisance of this fact. At present new sewers are being laid in the old-fashioned way along the centre of roads, and although the sewage contractor’s liability for repairs is assessed, it is safe to say that the sum paid to the council is quite inadequate. What is wanted is a road-making policy that will eliminate the constant lifting of roads, and Christchurch seems to be very backward in making a move. In this Issue there appeal- photographs showing how Auckland is tackling the road problem with concrete construction, miles of which may be travelled on in various directions. Christchurch, on the other hand, has not a decent half-mile of road in the city, while country roads are also disgraceful. And yet Canterbury is more favourably placed than any other province in New Zealand as far as modern road materials are concerned. It appears that the City Council, in delegating its powers regarding hu's regulations to the By-laws and Finance Committee, complacently remarked to itself, “Well, that’s that,” but the city solicitor has ruled that the council cannot delegate its powers in this way, and accordingly the council, as a whole, will meet fortnightly as a licensing authority. The decision is satisfactory in more ways than one. To begin with, the By-laws Committee already has its hands full, and is not likely to do justice to the very difficult problems with which the licensing of motor-buses is surrounded. In the second place, the committee meets in camera, and the public, who are vitally interested in discussions regarding transport, are entitled to have all the cards placed on the table. For that reason, it is to be hoped that the council will not attempt to do its work in camera. However, at present it is not worrying about that question, having decided to let the buses carry on until the Supreme Court gives a ruling as to the validity of the regulations. And at present the Government seems to be a little bit shaky about the result, although the recent amendments do not remove the most objectionable clauses of the regulations.