ASPHALT ROADS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2155, 2 April 1908, Page 1

ASPHALT ROADS.

A NEW DEPARTURE. During the past few days, a gang of workmen, under the direction of Mr. Morgan, Borough Overseer, lias been engaged in metalling and asphalting that portion of Gladstone Road between Grey and Derby Streets. Tho block, which -is about fivo chains in length, is-being done as an experiment with tho view of at some futuro time extending tho formation right through tho business portion of tho road to tho Kaiti bridge. Tho overseer is confident that tlio work will prove an immediate and a permanent success. Tho cost is roughly estimate ed at 2s per square yard, and tho motal, when -set in its bed of tar, should form a hard, smooth, durable surface, and form a good winter road. Tho method of treatment has been to lay down a firm foundation of me tall, with an arched crown from water channel to water channel. This was well rolled into a firm bed by the steam roller; then a thick layer of screenings well mixed with tar and sand,.which"will be rolled into a solid smooth mass, first by tho hand roller and then when it lias selt a little, by tho steam roller. Tho metal was obtained from Patutalii quarry and lends itself to this work in a most satisfactory way. Some 800 gallons of thick tar was obtained, from the local gas works, and has been found to ho most useful for this work. Tho overseer states that the whole of this block should bo ready and open for traffic before tho.end of tho week; but tho longer the bed is allowed to set, the better it will be for evenness of surface, tie is confident tho road will carry off the storm water quickly and cleanly, tho tar preventing it soaking into the stones and tliero should bo no mud, Tho channels are also being reformod,.so as to make quick outlets for the water, and the 'result of the work will -be watched with interest. ' The inability to obtain more material in tho way of metal screenings prevents tho work being extended along Gladstone Road at present, but as soon as supplies are available further blocks will be done. While the work has been in progress that portion of the road has been , closed against traffic. As it is in the main street, over which many vehicles pass in a. day, this has been felt an inconvenience, but if the road is to be .permanently formed ithe disability suffered for a few days will be more than compensated.