The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday at Noon. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1920. GOOD ROADS AND PUBLIC MEN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 505, 13 February 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday at Noon.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1920. GOOD ROADS AND PUBLIC MEN.

"We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice."

Healthy interest is now being displayed all over the Dominion in the movement having for its object the provision of good roads, suitable for both horse-drawn and motor vehicles. The experiments made during the past decade in connection with scientific roading, and the broadcast dissemination of the findings of the various experimenting engineers and local bodies, have educated the ordinary layman up to Better things. In our local counties, namely, the Franklin, Manukau, and Raglan, the ratepayers are becoming sensible of the fajft that it is cheaper, and immensely more satisfactory to raise loans for well-con-structed roads than to try and jog along by the expenditure of general rates, only, on road work. A good road, having a good grade, a permanent foundation, a concrete or bituminous surface, and proper provision for the rapid drainage of storm water, has a much longer life and is a greit deal cheaper of upkeep than the old style of road that requires incessant patching and is never a really gcod road. Each form of artificial material has its champions, but, when all is said and done, the basic fact remains that the most suitable material, largely depends on the natural soil foundation, and the grade obtainable at a reasonable cost. For example, while concrete iray De found most suitable on a hard clay foundation and a good fat bed the consensus of scientific opinion is that a bituminous s >lut'on, as a surface carpet at any rate, is the better material for a road where the foundation is sandy or friable; or where it would not be practicable to cut the hills down sufficiently to obtain a grade suitable for traffic of the speed of mo-tor-cat;, and lorries. At Aka Aka, for instance, the vibration is so considerable under heavy loads and fast traffic that concrete would not stand nearly as well as a bituminous solution. Again, much of the country in the Franklin County is hilly, and the cost of securing a sufficiently ilat grade for concrete would be prohi bit've. It follows, therefore, that the material must be chosen with an eye to what will harmonise with the nature of the soil. Once a scheme has been decided on, the next thini; is to carry it out as 'economically as is consistent with the making ~>f a good job. In road making, as in any cil'er undertaking, one of the essentia!': of financial success is that adequate modern plant must be available; the pick and shovel and horse cartage must give way, wherever feasible, to the road gradei and tractor hauler

Unfortunately, while the ratepayers now f'rmly believe in a progres sive policy in respect to public worVs, they do not always put in the progressively-minded men to initiate such a policy. Curiously enough, when it comes to an election, people will v -te for any deadhead rather than give toeir support to a maii of capacity if he happens to have offended them in any way. We couid mention certain local bodies which would oe just as efficient it tw«.thirds if their number were dispensed wiln, p. i vided the t> w that weiv left ware the brainy, progressive ones, Irwin; the visioi. to see a.ii! the execuctive capacity to carry out ideals. All honour to the men who have served the public well in their younger days, but it is a wasteful and costly business to keep a man in a public position after he has outlived his period of usefulness. Executive ability, foresight, moral courage and decent character are the qualifications required in a public man; but, judging by the results of some elections, one is driven to the conclusion that popularity (sometimes acquired by questionable methods) is the main factor in deciding the voting. The sooner the ratepayers in both town and country nut such men into public positions as they would have in charge of their own private affairs, the sooner ,"e shall have forward policies, efficient administration, real and lasting progress.