UP-TO-DATE ROAD-MAKING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 12, 2 June 1914, Page 6

UP-TO-DATE ROAD-MAKING.

] WHAT d,S THE BEST JIHTHOD? I DISCUSSION" BY COUNTY COUNCIL. Tho question which is exercising the , minds of most local bodies in Taranaki just now, the formation of a road surface which will stand the exigencies of modern traffic, formed the subject, of a brief discussion at the monthly meeting of the Taranaki County Council yesterday. Messrs. Rladdcn and Palmer wrote that,-in view of the ever-increasing cost of maintenance of the metalled roads in the county, and nf the fact that they had reported to the Council on several occasions concerning tho matter, they would suggest that the time 'had arrived when some bettor method of road-mak-ing might be considered. Tile so-called tar-macadam roads were now in .most counties being extensively constructed, and were proving eminently satisfactory, and the only matters about which a difference of opinion seemed to exist was the method of making the compound of coal-tar and various oilier ingredients to form an efficient binding material, which should also be prepared at a cost within the means of country local authorities whoso incomes were relatively small. Many compounds and combinations were on the market, special advantages being claimed for each, but ordinary coal-tar. properly treated and combined with suitable broken metal, had proved in very many cases most satisfactory, both as regarded durability and cost. There was also, in the United States especially, a, feeling in favor of cement- concrete roads, and whilst not in the meantime doing more than to refer to the matter, it seemed to them that one or other of the methods mentioned, or even a combination of the two, where circumstances permitted might, with advantage, be considered as suitable to this pirtieular district in those places especially, where setona was easily procurable. They pointed out that the methods the>- had mentioned, more particularly the tarmacadam, bad undoubtedly passed bevoml the experimental stages, and as thev had. as far as possible, kepi themselves posted in the latest methods o. modern road-making, they would be glad to plan any of the varied information they had collected at the disposal' of the Council. The Chairman remarked that his recent investigations of "Restar" hud, convinced liim that it was only a cushion, and although it was nil excellent preparation, while it lasted, it had to be renewed every year, and as long as metal remained fairly cheap, if, would be better to use that. Restar co,st about ,C2 per chain, and that was out of the queslion with the present revenue. The Council could not spend £IOO per mile for maintenance. Or. McAllum: We are spending over that amount for maintenance on the Main South road. Ci'. Hill pointed out thai with a wellbound road surface less damage resulted from motor traffic. Cr. C. Andrews said that if coal-tar were to be extensively used in road formation. no doubt its cost would increase. Or. McAllum: What about concrete roads? The Chairman said thaL concrete roads cost in America about £IBOO or £2IH)O per mile, but the cost of maintenance was very low. He was satisfied thai this was the solution of the problem, but of course at such a price only a very small nortion of the road* could b > treated each year. The discussion lapsed without anv action being taken.