OUE EOADS.

Southland Times, Issue 611, 28 December 1866, Page 2

OUE EOADS.

(TO THB EDITOB OF THE SOUTHLAND TIMBS). Sir, — Having lately, in the Times of 12th November I think, suggested what might be considered the least oppressive and most equitable way of providing funds for road-making. I will now endeavor to point out the readiest and least expensive mode of foriniDg such Toads as may answer present and ordinary purposes. Seeing that the roads in Great Britain till about the beginning of the present century were only of breadths varying from that of mere bridle tracks to that of from twenty to thirty feet, the latter being rather the exception — seeing also that the splendid roads made there since that period at a vast outlay— the accummulation of enormous debts and the creation of vested interests which are puzzling the Legislature to meet and extinguish, because, the revenues from tolls are disappearing as rapidly as the roads are returning to a state of nature, being superseded by railways. Seeing such facts staring us in the face, would it not be the extreme of folly on our part to attempt making our chain-wide roads even if we had funds sufficient for the purpose. It has been the attempt to do something like this that has hitherto led to bo large an expenditure with such unfortunate results. "While approving of a reserve of one or even two chains wide, which will be found valuable for stock driving. I think from twenty to four and twenty feet will be found quite enough for all carting purposes. Even these breadths, on what at present are considered main lines. wiU undoubtedly be grass lanes in a few years hence, beiug superseded by railways as in the home country. Some of my chain-wide road friends object to my narrow ones, on the ground that two ditches only about twenty-four feet apart, would be dangerous to many of Her Majesty's loyal subjects. I think however, this objection may be disposed of by suggesting fewer nobblers at the starting, and fewer by the way, as he who cannot steer his course without ditching it, between two lines twentyfour feet apart, would probably find it equally difficult if they were as many yards separate. I set out then to make a road twenty four feet wide, and will make the ditches as safe as possible, or propably finish by having none at all. These to bel From three to four feet deep by two at the bottom, with aslope equal to a width of four feet at the top to be lined off at the outside of what would be two ditches (if any remained when the road was finished) throwing the clay from side to centre, and so rounding it that there need be only one foot at the edge of roadway, or there need be none at all, if the clay be required for the formation ; and when completed would resemble Tay or Dee-streets. There would be neither cart nor barrow required for the work as the long-handled shovel would throw the material from side to centre, consequently there could be no great difficulty in estimating the cost per mile. Probably two pound ten shillings per chain, or .£2OO per mile might be ample, and from £20 to £30 per mile, per annum, would keep such roads viable — summer and winter — even with clay. It would undoubtedly be desirable, and necessary for permanency, to gravel or metal from 12 to 14 feet of the crown or centre of roadway as soon as this could possibly be done, but with or without this, it would be absolutely necessary to have a surface man on every two or three miles, with his spade and barrow, summer and winter, filling up ruts and rounding, so that no water could lodge anywhere and men can be had for such work for between £50 and £60 per annum. Such formations made in summer, with the yellow clay of this country consolidated by the summer traffic and kept free from water ruts by surface men as above, would tide over an ordinary winter as a rule. And by being so kept they wonld always be in a state of preparedness for receiving gravel or metal as either or both could be got, so that in a few years our roads might be all that could be desired. It just requires a little money and less brains, but both properly applied, to make good roads in Southland. I send you two pencilled sections, mere sketches of course, of my proposed roads, cut out of the centre of the chain reserve. Trusting some practical result may follow the various discussions on road-making. — I am, sir, yours &c., Alpha. 22nd December, 1866.

WOEKING FOBCE FBOM WATEB PbESstjbe. — rThere has recently been exhibited in England a "'hydraulic coal cutting machine " which, with a supply of thirty gallons of water per minute, at a pressure of 300 pounds, will do as much work as twenty men. Such a machine is at work at a mine near Leeds ; and when once supplied with water, it keeps going, using the same quantity over and over again as long as may be desired, making twentyfive strokes a minute. It runs on the rails laid in the mines, and by the mere pressure of water will cut a length of nearly forty feet an hour, and is so simple that an ordinary miner can work it. Wheels op Railwat Cabbiages. — A very important improvement in the wheels of railway carriages has been invented, which consists in giving a free mdtion to the axle independently of the carriage and. wheels. In this wheel the axle is not fixed, but is free to rotate independently of the wheels of the carriage. The entire absence of retardation by the biting of the axle, and any amount of friction is dispensed with,