MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2994, 4 February 1926, Page 2

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

BOARD’S CIRCULAR TO COUNCILS.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council a letter was received from the Main Highways Board’s representative on Nos. 9 and 10 highways district, forwarding a copy of a circular concerning the maintenance of main highways. The board desired its representatives, when cases of inefficient maintenance were brought to their notice, to take the matter up strongly with the local bodies concerned. If no immediate improvement was effected the board’s representatives would refuse to pay a sub.sidy on any work which was not up to the board’s standard. The instructions regarding maintenance which had been issued in December still stood, and the clauses 8 and 11 under the heading of gravel roads, in particular, would be enforced, as it was still 'common to see gravel containing stones 3in and din in diameter being used for maintenance. The practice of shovelling back by hand the material thrown to the sides of the road by motor vehicles was also still much too common, a cheaper proposition for counties being by q road drag or grader (with tractor), and so do miles of grader work whereas one-man system was at the most a few chains. A discussion arose relative to the - advisability of the council procur- r ing water carts to assist in the maintenance and formation of the county roads. The chairman (Sir James Wilson) was of the opinion that it was essential, as the specifications issued by the Highways Board provided for the use of water in formation work, that tanks or water carts be employed. In reply to a question by the chairman, the engineer (Mr. Hiekford) stated that as much as 1000 to 2000 gallons might possibly be required per diem. A water cart would be preferable, but it would probably have to be specially constructed, as the sprayer would be required to throw the water merely a distance of 16 to 18 feet, and not over a wide area as is catered for by the ordinary type of water earl. Tt was decided that the engineer, while in the south attending the engineers’ conference, institute inquiries relative to the most suitable method to he employed. Add Croquet.