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Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1925, Page 2

The Borough Council has decided to take up seriously at last the matter of tar-sealing streets and footpaths. The Works Committee is to come down with a definite proposal on the matter at next meeting as to plant and equipment, and the location for operations will be decided upon at the same time. This resolve is in conformity with pledges given by several candidates at the last municipal poll, upwards of two years ago. There lias been protracted delay about the matter for which no doubt there is some excuse, if not reason, hut it is satisfactory at all events that action is to he taken in tlie matter. Revell Street was intended to he the first objective in tarsealing operations, being the main street and principal business thoroughfare. No doubt tlie shopkeepers would welcome the attention as being in a considerable measure a safeguard against the dust nuisance which year by year must lie responsible for tlie damage and destruction of considerable stock. The Council can no doubt profit by the experience of other towns in the matter of satisfactory tar-sealing. In many boroughs far smaller than Hokitika. the residents enjoy the benefit of tar-scaled streets, adding greatly to the cleanliness and comfort of the town and particularly so in regard to vehicular traffic. As far as can he gathered by a casual observation, the penetration system of tar sealing is tlie best. These roads which were surfaced only with bitumen have a crust liable to fracture and failure, but where tlie tar is allowed to penetrate the best results are secured. One engineer has said that tlie more dirt or dust in the tar, the stronger the resulting surface. As to cost we notice that portion of the main highway in the North Island which is, to be tar-sealed under the penetration system of construction, is to cost £I,BOO per mile. Here, where the principal commodity can he purchased at a preference rate for local use. and where other essential material is at hand, the cost should be substantially less. There will be regre; that so many fine weeks this summer have been allowed to pass without the work being put in hand, but the Council having now decided on the work definitely, operations should be pushed ahead in such a wav as to make up for lost time, and not only redeem platform pledges, but do the town signal service in supply it with pernmnentlv improved streets and footpaths in every way creditable to all concerned. If peaking of the Highways Act. an Engineer of the Public orks Department in the Taranaki district said: “The act will eventually operate much the .same as the railways the side lines will have to suffer.” This is not a cheerful outlook for the ratepayers. The main highways are for all traffic. The side roads are the feeders, serving the producers and local tax payers for the upkeep of the roads generally including the main highways. It is the desire of all ratepayers to see their service roads well maintained, but if such roads are to be sacrificed and that

main highways traffic is to lie catered for essentially, it is conceivable that 'there will he a revolt which will break down the highways system designed as a Government officer lias explained to make the .side-roads suffer. It is well that the note of warning has been given at this juncture, tor it gives tho representatives of the country ratepayers the tip as to possibilities, and it would be well to check matters as early as possible. Probably the euro would be to declare principal district roads main highways to increase tho local mileage as much as possible so that there would he a minimum of .suffering in regard to the district service roads. There would be a limit to th course of action, governed by the veto of the Main Highways Board, but it is apparent that all through tho country there are many important roads to the producing community which are not on the main highway route, but which are highly essential to the progress and prosperity of the district, and are the real feeders of the development traffic counting towards the general advancement of the place. T he.se roads, it is not likely, will be allowed to suffer. The frank statement by the Public Works Engineer in the North Island stresses a possible state of affairs it is the duty of local bodies to safeguard against, and the action should be taken without delay so that no semblance of harm should lie done to ; the profit-producing districts off the beaten track of the main highways.