CORRESPONDENCE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 19 October 1916, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

IMPROVED ROAD METALLING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The transition from horse to motor traffic necessitates a corresponding change in the method of making roads. Even at Helensville it will be noticed that a motor service to the Springs has taken the place of the lumbering horse coach of a year ago. And settlers are getting cars to replace the old-time horse and gig, and it should be a leading question with all our vv c bodies to give these ratepa"^ *Lu a + they want in the way of Vuitable roadg for their requiremer^; And not Qnly the ratepayers, make t h e rQadg tQ suit all corr lferSi and encourage them to come >, instead of trying to tax them out °.>. the country and keep visitors away— the yery people we want to come and spend their holidays or week-ends with us. In the sand-hills a bountiful providence has favoured Helensville indeed, all North Auckland) with abnndance of the very cheapest and best material for making up-to-date roads, which would be an object lesson to the Dominion.

All that is required is to form the road out of clay, and consolidate it with a steam roller to bring it to the right shape—without much camber. Then a mixture of sand and cement laid on to about 6 inches in depth would result in such a road that it would be a joy to ride upon, and which would be practically everlasting.

I do not want to say anything against macadamised roads, more than that they" are out of date for the coming traffic vehicles, especially when laid down in lumps and bumps, such as the Springs roads. The sand has been persistently pushing itself forward and has been met with nothing but curses, whereas it is one of the greatest blessings in disguise if we only known how to use it. Its uses are manifold— such as road building, house building, piles for wharves, and indeed the whole structure, and would be invaluable for mixing with the clay ; lands under cultivation, and for filling in waste places.—l am, etc.,. Progress,