RED METAL OR CHIPS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5041, 18 October 1926, Page 2

RED METAL OR CHIPS.

MAINTENANCE OF PLAINS ROADS. MATTER FOR INVESTIGATION. One of the matters of policy adopted by the present members of the Hauraki Plains County Council some time ago was the investigation of the possibilities of utilising the Hikutaia quarry 'for .the production of metal chips for the maintenance of roads in the county. Up to the present red metal has been used, but an increase of one shillinig per cubic yard made, recently raised the doubt as to the future cost.

To equip the Hikutaia quarry for chip production would necessitate the expenditure of a large sum of money, but it would mean that the quarry would have a scope; of usefulness for as long as stone wag obtainable, whereas in its present state* its end is in sight with the completion of the metalling of the roads in the county. The work in the Kerepeehi and Netherton ridings will be completed by the end of next season, aflid from then on it is unlikely that metal will be required in sufficient quantities to warrant the quarry being kept open.

Along with its investigation on these lines the Works Committee of the council has been inquiring into the future supplies and cost of red metal. At Thursday’s meeting of the council Mr W. McCallum, of McCallum Bros., the firm which supplies the red metal, was present by invitation. He discussed the. matter at length, and while he was not in a positiion tb give a definite statement as to the likelihood o'f a reduction in the price of the 10,000 cubic yards required by the council this season he promised to confer with his co-directors, and hinted that a substantial reduction could be effected now tha ; t the council’s requirements were known. The. Hauraki Plains County now took about half the output of the quarry, and the knowledge of an order for a large amount would enable the firm, to make plans accordingly. The bigger the quantity produced the cheaper would be the cost, and as the Plains Council had treated them fairly in the ilast* they would get the benefit of any reduction in the cost of production. The red roads of the Plains, were an advertisement for the firm’s metal. On being asked by the county chairman if red metal alone had been tried for road-making Mr McCallum said that he could not point to any instance where it had been done under such circumstances tha,t afforded a good example of the capabilities of such a method. However, if the council cared to undertake an experiment the metal would be supplied at a rate 6d per yard cheaper than for any other purpose, and if at the end of two or three yea ; rs the road made entirely of red metal was. not in better order than if other classes of metal had been used the firm would bring it up to the standard of a satisfactory road. The offer was noted by the council.