The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE : SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1883.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 7, 10 November 1883, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE : SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1883.

At the last meeting of the County : Council on Thursday night the itn- |

portant question of road metal was again discussed at some length. As will be seen by reference to the Engineer's report in another column, and in compliance with a resolution passed at a previous meeting, that portion of the Patutahi quarry known as the Southern Hills has been examined and tested with a view of ascertaining the quantity and quality of the stone known to exist in that particular locality. The report is tnost assuring, as to both these questions, but goes on to state five reasons why, in the opinion of the writer, it would be advisable to open up the North quarry, notwithstanding that the former, at one point, is only some ten feet off the road, whereas the latter is some three and a-half miles, The first reason for this ap parent inconsistency ouly affects the ma* ter in reference to a very minute point, and has no bearing on the main metalling question. The second reason, stating that it would Cost more to construct a tramway to the South quarry than to the North, requires the explanation given by Councillor Gannon to the effect that this only refers to the one portion of the 'road proposed to be metalled first, and does not refer to the general purposes of the metal ; whilst the third objection to the South ern is one certainly worthy of some consideration in so far as it is an undoubted fact that the Northern quarry stone could be utilized for many purposes other than that of road metal, whereas that of the South quarry appears to be totally unfit for any o her purpose. The two final reasons are undoubtedly most vital ones, as as affecting the whole question in itis widest sense. Taking this broad view of the matter, everything undoubtedly points to the advisability of opening up the Northern in preference to the Southern quarry. But having arrived at this point of argument, an insurmountable obstacle presents itself in the shape of a pecuniary inability to carry out what would undoubtedly prove of most, general utility and advantage. The whole sum at present available for the purpose of obtaining metal is the Iffniied amo u.tof £3 000, anJJthe question at present confines itself to the judicious expenditure of that sum wii h a view of obtaining the largest amount of benefit at the smallest cost. Councillor Johnson, who moved for an adjournment of the question, hinted at a practical solution to the difficulty shortly, by the formation of a tram ■ way company, which, he stated, was in process of formation. The melal question is undoubtedly a most im portant one, and ranks with those three other main public matters of harbour, wa’er, and drainage, which are ever before the public mind, all of which will undoubtedly have to be solved before long.