ROADS AND FOOTPATHS IMPROVEMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2948, 13 October 1925, Page 3

ROADS AND FOOTPATHS IMPROVEMENTS.

A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME. LOAN OF £5,000 TO BE RAISED. At last night’s Borough Council meeting the Public Works Committee reported as follows: — It is recommended that the scheme submitted by Mr. Skitrop be deferred and that the schedule of proposed works to be carried out, as, drawn up by the Public Works Committee, dated 2nd July, 1925, be amended to read as follows: —The following streets to be tar sealed similar to work already done: —

Union Street,. 56 chains (Main -• St. to Nye St.); Johnston St., 23 chains (Andresen’s to Purcell St.); Victoria and Park Sts., 64 chains (Main St. to Russell St.); Avenue Ed., 17 chains (Main St., to Johnston St.); Norbiton Rd., 23 chains (Russell St. eastward); Lady’s Mile, 57 chains (Park St., westward), a total of 240 chains .at £I,OOO per mile and the following footpaths: r—• Cook St., 26 chains (Main St, to Hillary St.); Union St., 40 chains (Main St., to Nye St.); Frances St., 8 chains (Johnston St., to Reeve St.); Avenue Rd., 27 chains (from present path to Futter St.); Russell St., 11 chains (Avenue Rd., to Robinson St.); Thynne St., 17 chains (full length); Lady’s Mile 57 chains (Park St.,' westward); Duncan St., 14 chains (Lady’s Mile to . Ravensworth Place); Ravensworth Place, 4 chains (fronting Ihakara Gardens); Coley St., 32 chains (Gladstone St., to Futter St.); a total of 236 chains at £3 10s Od per chain, no kerbing. A total of £3826, and that it is recommended that a loan proposal to raise £SOOO be placed before the ratepayers accordingly. In speaking of the report the Mayor said that the time had now come when some permanent works were necessary on the roads. Motor traffic \vas here to stay. Other boroughs were going in for tar sealing their borough roads and it was time Foxton did the same. The present system of sprinkling metal on the road was no good. Such a proposal as outlined in the report, would take m!oney to carry it out but if a loan was sanctioned the Council could almost guarantee that there would be no increase in the rates as the money that would be saved on maintenance work would pay the interest on the loan. Or. Walker said he was in favour of such a. scheme but he did not want to see the rates increased. Cr. Winstaniey pointed out the necessity of having the roads tarsealed to a’ sufficient width as if they were too naiTow they broke up.

The Mayor said that the Committee had given that matter considerable consideration. The main roads would be tar-sealed to a greater width than the by-roads. Cr. McMurray said that they should endeavour to obtain a loan immediately for the work. • The maintenance on roads in the borough last year was £I6OO. He suggested calling a public meeting and setting the whole facts before the public, after which he was sure a loan would be sanctioned. It was decided that the Town Clerk bef authorised to make enquiries in connection with the raising of a loan of £5,000 and also as to term and rate of interest to be paid.