NOTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 231, 5 February 1910, Page 2

NOTES.

NOW that we are within sight of Te Kuiti being formed into a borough it may be profitable to refer to an aspect of local affairs which is apt to be overlooked in the rush and hurry of competitive existence. Te Kuiti is a growing town, and stands in tha midst of natural scenery of a utriking character. The great hills on either side of the place protect it from the worst winds. What is needed to make the town itself attractive is a systematic cultivation of trees in our streets and open spaces, round the domain, and wherever it is possible to grow them effectively. Nothing adds more to the beauty and picturesqucness of a place than a number of fine trees. They refresh the eye, afford a grateful retreat from the heat of summer, and some protection in wintry weather. The man who plants a tree deserves well of his country. ****** THE news we were able to publish in our last issue that tho Minister for the Roads Department is determined to spend £3OOO on tlje Te KuitiAwakino road this year and to push on with the work, is good, and the knowledge that he will not stop at the end of March, but go on as long as the fine weather lasts is satisfactory also. The Awakino road stretches out an immense length, and £3OOO in but as a drop in the bucket, unless concentrated on the most important parts. There are two bad bits of road between the five and seven mile pegs from Te Kuiti, which call loudly for improvement, and if those are attended to, and the stretch of three miles past the seven mile peg, then the worst bit of country road is dealt with, and traffic is reasonably able to continue, winter or summer. ******

IT is satisfactory tp know that the Wsitomo County Council is alive to the necessity for possessing a roaj roller. A steam road roller and hauler, such as is used by the contractors in the Waipa country, would bj an immensely useful, and in the long run, profitable machine. It is patent that however much limestone we have available, to merely spread it on the roads and leave it unrolled is wasting good time and material. Consequently, we hope the Council will go for the best machine when it procures one. In America the latest roadmaking methods point to sprinkling the rolled macadam with tar, and aferwards covering with sand or gravejl, rolling the whole surface wejl. The djjsi nuisance is much abated under this treatment, but ifc is somewhat /costly to provide,