HAURAKI PLAINS ROADS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5250, 12 March 1928, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS ROADS.

COST OF MAINTENANCE. ' COMPARATIVE FIGURES. As -instructed, the Hauraki Plains county engineer (Mr F. Basham) submittafeL a repo t to the council meeting W Thursday 'last on the cost of maintenance of county roads. The report was as follows :— “Were it a simple issue between the merits of surface sealing against loose surface methods, of maintenance it would be easy to arrive at a decision as to the most, economical method. But before the surface sealing can be brought with general use on our main an average expenditure of at leat £lOOO per mile is necessary- to' bring the roads into a •condition and shape to receive a surfaceseal. At the present time, and under existing motor traffic, I consider it safe to say that the roads can be adequately maintained ‘ with five yards-per chain per annum of moving surf ace mate,rial at a cost of £320 pep mile. To,this must be added- the cost of constant grading, £25 per m,rle per annum, making a cost of £345 per mile per annum. These figures alMv for some slight increase ip the amount of motor traffic. “The costedf surface sealing a road fit to receive same-would be .approximately:— “First cost: Quarter-gailpn sealing ...medium per square yard at Is 3d for 12ft road, 88 square yards per Chain, 22 gallons per chain at Is 3dper gallon, £1 7s 6d ; chips, 1% yards at ,16s, £1 4s; labour, 8s 6d; total, first co’st, £3. Second cost: One-sixth gallon per square yard, 88 square ' yards say 15 gallons per chain at is> 1 3d, 19s 3d ; one yard chips at 16s, 16s ; b ’ labour 7s 9d ; total, second cost, £2 3s. A total of £5 3s per chain for two -coats, Cr for the mile £412; allowing for repairs to haunches .and any patching necessary for 12 months, £lB ; total for first year £430. “Taking the cost of this method 'i over a period of three years, the average' annual cost wdulfi work out . as; follows : First year,-£430 ; second one coat, similar to second coat; £l72’; maintenance, £18; third y-ar, ‘ one coat,. £172; maintenance, £lB. Total per mile for three years, £BlO. “On an average of £270 per mile per annum, to which must be added 'lnterest on cost of placing roads in> necessary condition to receive surfacing, say, 7 per cent £lOOO, making a total of £340 per mile per annum. “It will thus be seen that there is , a very little apparent difference in the cost of present looose coat methods and surface sealing, but the latter method would have the advantage ; of providing for- a 200 per cent Increase in motor traffic and a very considerable saving in running expenses of motor vehicles.” Discussing the report, Mr Basham reduce the cr-o\vn of the, road and to build up the sides. Or. expressed the opin’on that this work was necessary in any case. Most of the roads in the countywere dangerously cambered at present. /

The engineer said that the High-’ ways Hoard would probably, subsidise the sealing, but it was not likely to contribute towards the reconstruction of the roads. V Cr, Walton pointed out that the Highways Board had declined to subsidise the bitumen, sealing of the Orchard East Road section of the Paeroa-Pokeno highway'; He was of opinion that the sealing of red metal roads would pot be a success. -rpr. Madgwick expressedthe opini°n tmat good results be secured . by sealing chips. Cr. Walton said he was against sealing red roads in liis riding. He moved that during the next financial year the council continue, its present policy of maintaining with shingle. This was seconded by Cr. Miller, Who pointed cut that the council could continue to watch the result of the experimental sealed strips. ' Cr. Madgwick advocated sealing a portion °f the roads every year. Cr. Parfitt supported the motion, contending that it was not wise to approach the ratepayers for the necessary money, and that the longer the sealing was deferred the greater was the chance of getting better terms from the Highways Board. Madgwick argued that the-pre-sfejit' method would cost £345 a year for all time, whereas once the road was sealed tht maintenance was estimated at £l9O p©r annum. Cr. Reid suggested ascertaining the present views of the Highways Board on the subsidising of sealing. The chairman said that there was ' nothing in his resolution to prevent any riding having its’roads sealed if it had the money. Mr Reid moved as an amendment that decision be deferred until information as to the subsidy was available. i Cr. Madgwick seconded. Crs. Mayn and Hicks spoke in support of the resolution. Cr. Harris pointed out that the proWnt experimental strips should be given annual maintenance, so that its worth over a period of years could be shown. : Cr. Parfitt advocated that the amendment be withdrawn and submitted as a second motion. He desired to support both, and feflt that information should be obtained from the Highways Board. amendment was defeated, the mover and seconder supporting, and tjre motion was carriel on the voices. On the motion of Cr. Reid it was decided to apply to the Highways (Board for information on the amount of subsidy it would grant for reconditioning roads, and for sealing.