BETTER ROADS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1923, Page 3

BETTER ROADS.

MAKARA COUNTY’S MOVE. WKLLINOTON. Oct. 13. A scheme which will have great elfeet upon the roads under the control of the Makara County Council was launched at the monthly meeting ol that body \cstcrday. The project is in the lorni oi the acquisition of a new nnul-forming and repairing piani, which ttill run into a total cost ol tlWllil. The proposal was laid lie fore the council by the chairman, Mr E. Windlcy, and seconded by Councillor .1. TV. Bell.

Speaking to his motion, the chairman remarked that the council would admit that it was time a move was made in this direction. “We have." he said, "the same system to-day as we had when the county was first funned." Conditions. however, bait considerably changed, there being more modern means of transport. The proposal should lutvi l been given ellecT to five years ago. when the roads would have been considerably better to-day titan they are. Conditions were experienced last winter which were nut wanted again. The council was in need of more up-to-date machinery. THE NEW PLANT. The new plant, continued the speaker, would consist, cf a road-roller, stone-crusher, two Fordsou tractors, a road plough, and a shod to house the roller, etc. The objection would, perhaps, hi' raised that the roller was a waste of money, “lint." observed Mr Windley, "if is hardly fair to ask the motor traffic to roll the roads." The machinery would he used in connection with the main highways scheme. The enst of the plant will be covered by C‘J.IOO, the value of the various implements being Cl20(1 or CBit 1(1 for the roller, crusher C.TOO. two tractors C27.T each, road plough (J2S, and the shod a further CRN) odet. This nlaiif, said the chairman, would he far in advance of the- present workings of the council, which had in its employ about a dozen men with as many shovels and picks. The highwavs would be- materially improved, and the installation of the plant is to he pro (■ceded with ; ,l an enrlv date.