ANOTHER ROAD ROLLER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 93, 22 April 1915, Page 2

ANOTHER ROAD ROLLER.

STRATFORD COUNCIL INVESTi WENT. | In reference to the recommendation Iby the Engineer in his report, the Chairman (Mr Hathaway) said lie con--jsidered it was rather a big order. 1 Or Anderson questioned whether it would be possible to get a roller tiom I England at' the present time? I The Engineer, in explaining his pro- ’ posal, said the present roller, although purchased as a ten-tonner, was really 12) tons, and he would suggest getting a lighter one, of ton tons, for use on the outside roads, as their . present roller was really too heavy, apart from the fact that there was too much work lor it on hand. The cost of the ten-tonner, without extras, which would run into about £I.OO, waS £(302 free of duty at Wellington. In answer to an inquiry it was stated that the Council was paying two I guineas per day for the use of the Borough roller when they could get it. Cr. Christoff el said if the Council could see its way, the roller should be purchased. It would be some time before they would have to pay for it. Some of the roads were absolutely neglected for the want of a roller. All the Councillors recognised that summer was a better time to do the roads than winter. He was of opinion that every road should be scarified every two or three years.

Cr. Anderson said he wished to draw the Council’s attention to the fact that the Americans were manufacturing a benzine-driven roller, which one man could attend to. The Chairman: Oh! We have had enough of the Americans with their bridges. It will take a lot to make me vote for American affair again! Cr. Walter said the purchase of another roller would be a good investment. When the roads were done, it was many years before they took the same amount to keep up. He would support the proposal if the Council could see its way to purchase another roller.

The Chairman exlained that the engineer informed him that their roller cost them 25s per day, so that on the Borough roller the Council was losing 15s per day. The Engineer said provision could be made with the firm of makers (Aveling and Porter) to pay for the engine in three payments. The Chairman said the favorable attitude of the Council came as a surprise to him; when the engineer mentioned the matter he (Mr Hathaway) said there was little chance of getting another roller.

Cr. Christoffel said that to test the feeling of the Council, he would move “That the Council, in formulating next year’s estimates, provide for a certain amount for the purchase of a new roller, and that this Council is of opinion that a ten-tonner should be ordered.” The Chairman said that when the last roller was purchased, the Mangaehu riding had not paid anything but as it was \er>' likely the new .’’oiler would be used in there it would be unfair this time not to include the whole riding. Cr. W orthington said he would have no objection to that. The motion was then seconded by Cr. Coleman and carried unanimously.