COUNTY ROADS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1966, 24 January 1914, Page 6

COUNTY ROADS.

INTERESTING EXPERIMENTS.

Information as to progress of tar-spa-ing in country roads in Taranaki is given in tho "Hawera. Star. Some little time ago the Rawhitiroa, road, in southern Taranaki, was tar-sprayed with ordinary gas works tar, but has not proved very successful) and is show* nig signs of breaking up. A small section 011 the hill near tlio Rawhitiroa School treated with restar appears to bo holding , well, and is in marked coutrast to tho rest of the road. The settlers'desire that tho whole road should now bo treated with this preparation, and consider the small extra cost would bo well justified. Tho Elthain-Ivaponga Road for tho most part is m very good order, and with reasonable top-press-ings of some £bod tar preparation will apparently maintain a good surface. A small pieco near tho toll-gate did not stand so woll, and soltar was tried in tho wheel tracks. Wherever this secured a good foundation it is standing well. The Manaia Road lias had another top-dressing of tar, and is in splendid condition. Work is now proceeding rapidly on the Eltliam Road between the Rowan Road and Riverlet. The sweeping of tho road reveals a splendid foundation of metal, and restar is heing sprayed on to this and sanded over with coarse grit. It should afford everv opportunity for a thorough test of this tar preparation, and if successful a first-class rond should result. Tho restar preparation, whero tried by tho Eltham County Council on the Eltham-Stratford Road, is maintaining a solid surface after three months' traffic.