THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE." HELENSVILLE. THURSDAY, Feb. 22, 1917 THE ROADWAY OF THE FUTURE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 February 1917, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE." HELENSVILLE. THURSDAY, Feb. 22, 1917 THE ROADWAY OF THE FUTURE.

THAT concrete roads are destined to play an important part in the development of this country in the near future is becoming increasing evident. Members of local bodies all over the country are evincing keen interest in the subject of ■ concrete roads and already experimental stretches have been pat down. The great success of this type of roadway in Canada and America should make it clear to road builders and contractors in New Zealand that here is an opportunity awaiting road engineers of this country. Any road-builder who had a full set of the labour-saving appliances which the concrete road movement has developed in America, and the knowledge of how best to use them, would be kept very busy even under present conditions putting down stretches of concrete roads in various localities. If he were able to give a definite estimate of cost and guarantee a first-class job he would not be able to compete with the demand. The following table will indicate how the concrete road movement has grown in those countries where it has been thoroughly tested, and it follows that it must be the same in New Zealand once a commencement is make on the right lines. These figures are very significant:—■ Concrete Highways Laid in United States and Canada — Prior to 1909 ... 799,390 sq.' yds During 1909 ... 561,271 „ „ 1910 ... 1,313,449 „ ,; 1911 ..'. „ „ 1912 ... 5,295,447 „ „ 1913 ... 9,596,286 „ „ 1914 ... 14,815,034 „ „ 1915 .. r 16,401,346 „ Grand total ... 50,851,6.68 ~ The cost of putting down a concrete road is at present considerably more than that of the macadam roads we have been used to, but the saving in upkeep, the saving in traction, the saving in wear and tear on vehicles, is so enormous that the roads are said to pay for their construction two or three times over within a period well within their supposed life. All this without taking into, account the spsed, comfort, and convenience of travelling, the increased value put on to properties within a reasonable distance of the roads, and the general increased prosperity of the districts tapped, by them. The more one studies the concrete roads movement the more one becomes convinced that these roads are in reality the golden pavements of fabled legend. Concrete road building has undoubtedly made greater strides in the United States and Canada than perhaps anywhere else, but it is also corning to the front in Britain, the Qqi^tinent of Europe, and throughout the world generally. Evan Australia is getting ahead of New Zealand in this movement, and that will never do.