ROAD-MAKING.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 329, 9 January 1937, Page 4

ROAD-MAKING.

BOROUGH WORK. Tar-Sealing Town Streets Being Continued.

The policy of the Works Committee of the Borough Council to construct a mile or tar-grouted macadam road per year is in keeping with the progressive spirit of the borough. Members of past councils, too, had been convinced by the claims of residents in the outer areas to the right of decent access to their properties, but while recognising that it was their due, the council had to bow to the exigencies ot the times in regard to population and finance. Making a Start. This year the programme' of work commenced on Monday last with the section of Orlando Street between Seyton and Regan Streets, and threequarters ot the length was completed yesterday afternoon. On Monday next the work will be resumed, and then the gang under Foreman R. Richards will shift to Hamlet Street to do the Page Street-Opunake Road section, later removing to Ariel and Portia Streets. It is expected that the new work will be finished in about six weeks’ time. It must always be remembered, however, that in tarring work the weather is the main factor as regards progress. Top-dressing on the old roads will also have to be done, and the season's programme will not be completed under at least three months. Crushing the Boulders. In conjunction with the road-making job, the council's metal-crushing plant plays an important part. Boulders from the Waingorgoro River at Cardiff were delivered on the ground some time ago by contract. Power derived from the 40-horse power motor makes the crusher quickly devour the stone. After a day's run there is a quantity of eighty yards ot road metal ready for spreading, besides a surplus in the form ot dust and small stuff which is used in connection with maintenance work.

The mile of 15-foot new tar-grouted road this year will absorb about 800 yards of metal, which of course takes a lot of handling. When the job of tarring is in full swing the plant comprises one lorry conveying hot tar from the depot, the tar-sprayer itself (horse-drawn), one five-ton roller and one three-ton roller (both petrol-driven), two lorries for the conveyance of metal from the depot, while the gang consists ot Foreman Richards, one sprayer, five drivers, and four shovelmen. They appear to be a good gang—good in the sense that, separately, they know their job, and, co-operatively, they do it with a will, and without getting in one another’s way. An old contractor who watched them on the job said he was quite satisfied the council had not lost anything by instituting the forty-hour week for the staff.