ROAD METAL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160724, 10 August 1920, Page 3

ROAD METAL

FREIGHTS AND SUPPLY. During discussion on the engineer’s report regarding scarcity of road metal at Waitotara County Council yesterday Cr. Burnet said something would have to be done to find another source of supply. He thought that the metal in the bed of the Wanganui River could be obtained and brought down in punts. The metal was of excellent quality if it could he brought out in payable quantities^ The engineer said that he thought they would find silt under the most of these shingle beds. 'The chairman said it was evident that the Council would have to seriously consider the metal problem. Cr. Ross said they had good material in shell rock providing the silt was screened. He thought the Council should put on a number of men during the winter to get the rock ready and screened to be "carted out in. the summer. Even if the Council had to buy another engine it would pay as there was plenty of shell rock in the county to last another twenty years. Cr. Jones agreed with the previous speaker regarding the shell rock. Possibly the Council would require more motors for haulage. The chairman said the new machinery necessary for road-making would cost about £6OOO. The engineer submitted estimates of the cost of various machinery, which included a metal loader and trucks. It was decided to hold the matter over till next meeting pending further information from the engineer regarding shell rock.