ROAD METAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 221, 5 June 1915, Page 4

ROAD METAL.

A VALUABLE SUGGESTION. At the conclusion of the ordinary business of the Borough Council last night the Mayor, as usual, invited discussion on any matter which councillors may feel disposed to introduce for the benefit of the Borough. Cr Bennett stated he wou'.d like the Works Committee to follow up some temporary arrangements he had made respecting th e option of; obtaining a supply of metal from the Railway pit at Ohingaiti. The Department would be running ballast trains in about three weeks for the purpose of depositing metal at the Freezing .Works site and if the Council desired any Ohingaiti metal, on terms far better than would bethe case if the Council made special arrangements on its own behalf with fee Department, it would be necessary to forward a requisition almost immediately. Th e present offered a favourable opportunity to "com e in under tjhe wing of the freezing works," and participate in many benefits which would accrue by obtaining the metal at this juncture. If the Council was going to obtain the us e of the Rangitikei County Council road roller it would be necessary to have some • Ohingaiti metal to mix with our own, in any case there was no comparison in the qualities of the two metals. An arrangement to purchase the railway metal would prove a big financial saving, perhaps not in the first cost but in maintenance charges and durability. The railway metal could be deposited at depots to b e established at convenient points.

The Mayor suggested that the Works Committee estimate its requirements for the winter and apply for as much as finances would allow the Council to purchase. It appeared a unique metal which would stand the traffic. The Borough Foreman (Mr A. Anderson) stated enquiries he had made som e time ago' showed that the Ohingaiti metal could be landed here at about 4/3 per yard, loading from the trucks to the dray, spreading and breaking would be additional charges. He understood the Department would unload the me:aJ at depots at from 5/3 to ISs 6d per yard. There was no comparison in the qualities. Cr Wrightson, chairman of the Works Committee, estimated that Ohingaiti metal would cost 6/9 to 7/.per yard spread and broken on the roads. Th e question of finance may prove a baulk for the Works Committee.

Cr McLennan proposed that the question of obtaining a supply of railway metal be referred to the Works Committee, with the addition of Councillor Bennett, with full power to act. It would be necessary, he .explained, to complete arrangements before next Council meeting and th e Works Committee with the Mayor, ex-officio, and Cr Bennett, of the Finance Committee could undertake the work. Cr. Somerville seconded the motion which was carried.

Cr Somerville asked what arrangements bad been made to obtain the road roller.; . :

"Nothing definite, Cr Somerville," replied the Mayor. He moved that the Rangitikei County Council be asked when th e steam road roller would be available for the Borough Cr Bennett seconded the motion which was carried.