ROADING ELSEWHERE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 246, 19 July 1928, Page 5

ROADING ELSEWHERE.

MATAMATA-WELLINGTON. County Engineer’s Comments. The following comment of general interest was included in the report of the Matamata county engineer, Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald, to the council on Friday:— “ During the month I inspected roads between here and Wellington, travelling via Taupo, Napier, Palmerston and Masterton one way and returning via Wanganui, Taranaki and Awakino. At Wellington a good deal of time was spent with Government road engineers, and at many other places county and borough engineers were interviewed, whilst others who could not be found at the time are being .corresponded with. Generally, the road surfaces were remarkably good—a description which could reasonably be applied to practically the whole of the eastern route and to most of the western or No. 1 main highway. There was ample evidence of a very marked increase in expenditure during recent years, and I found that many local bodies, in spite of Highway Board assistance, are seriously up against the problem of finding sufficient funds to keep abreast of the - times. Frequently the non-control of heavy vehicles is an important factor, whilst the rapid increase, in all forms of mototraffic has much to do With the problem. Perhaps the most serious aspec-' of the case is not so much the increased cost of pure maintenance, hoi even the cost of improving shapes of roads, but the effort to bring all roads up to tbe all-weather motor traffic standard. I found bituminous roads being constructed with a variety of materials applied in a variety of ways, but will refrain from any detailed description until next month, when I purpose referring to the matter at the time of presenting estimates , and proposals in connection with loan works for 1 lie coming season.”