THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1923. BITUMEN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4613, 12 October 1923, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1923. BITUMEN.

What is it? It is the cementing agent of the mineral asphalts found in natural deposits in numerous parts of the world. It was used by the Ancients nearly five thousand years ago to cement shells or stones to the statuary and pottery they made. It was used by the Egyptians for preserving their dead rulers, by wrapping the bodies in cloth and coating them with liquid or melted asphaltIt is said that the walls of Babylon were bituminated. The floor of Nebuchadnezzar’s temple (built about 6098. C.), consisting of burnt bricks laid in asphalt, is still so firmly joined together that it is impossible to part the bricks without destroying them. Specimens of the art and work of these periods are in existence now, showing the adhesiveness and durability of asphalt through fifty centuries of time and exposure. Thus through the ages the cementing and weatherproof qualities of asphalt have been realised, and to-day these attributes render bitumen, the cementing agent in asphalt, the best material for the surface or roads. Accepting the evidence as to the weatherproof qualities of bitumen, the next important aspect is the ’.rearing quality of the substance when used as a carpet or surface for a macadam road. And in this connection it is well to consider the matter by taking illustrations from properly laid bitumen surfaces, for there is a consensus of opinfon among road engineers that the stuff must be properly put down according to the accepted practice of - the experts in this special class pf work. In these days there- seems to be a growing skepticism among ratepayers as to the acceptance of opinions of road engnieers, and they ask for a definite proof. Now, the only way to get this is for them or their representatives to visit those localities where bitumen roads have been properly laid and have been down for some time. By a personal inspection, and by inquiring from the local people, they will be able to get definite views. For anyone in doubt and of an enquiring turn of mind we suggest a visit to one of the following localities where bitumen has been laid from seven to nine years: Panmure Road, Ellerslie; Cambridge; Waiuku; Te Awamutu; Dannevirke, and Taranaki.