THE BOROUQH STREETS

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12746, 17 April 1909, Page 4

THE BOROUQH STREETS

An argument in favour of a speedy taking in hand of our neglected street surfaces (especially in the Avenue) is the condition of the recently tarred tramway track, which will soon look as if it had never been tarred- at all. A mistake appears to have been made, in the first place, but painting the surface without removing projecting stones and boulders, which have been constantly working out ever since, and leaving gaps that widen a little every day. The natural consequence of the improvement to the tramway track was that it drew all the traffic to itself like a magnet, with the result that it has to carry ten times as much as it should. Motor ears, especially, do it a great deal of damage, and the way in which the surface is being cut about, in the upper part of the Avenue especially, shows the need for the rest of the street surface to be improved at once, so as to relieve the tram track. One mistake which appears to have been made in the tarring is that the sand was put on the tar before the latter had a chance to penetrate into the road. Consequently the tar was absorbed upwards instead of downwards, thus forming a brittle crust that began to be cut about by hoofs and wheels before it had a chance to dry. The Borough Council, on Thursday, instructed the Town Clerk to write to the Napier Council for information regarding the new tarring and sanding machine there, particulars of which we gave a few days ago. It is to be hoped that the inquiries will have a practical result, for if there is one thing which Wanganui badly need it is a good road policy on the part of the Council. Now that the new Borough Engineer (Mr A. Russell) has arrived, there seems to be an inclination to take this long-neglected matter in hand, and to make a start with the better laying of our roads. The new engineer, to judge by his report to the Council < on< Taupo Quay (published yesterday) is a*-beli>ver in simple tarring (which the "Herald" has for some time recommended), rather than in tar-macadam, and' it is the former method he recommends for the Quay. It would, we believe, result in a great saving of money in repairs, maintenance, etc., and give far greater comfort and convenience, if a start were made with a general scheme for all the streets in the borough.. The initial cost would not be anything to be frightened of, and the result would be well worth the outlay. Even a small place like Hastings has already given Wanganui a lead in. this matter.