TUB ROADING PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1917, Page 7

TUB ROADING PROBLEM.

ADVANTAGES ()].' ..IKTAL SUPPLY. AKW'PIT OPENED AT INGLEWOOD. One of the mft!" vroblems. if not the main problem, liidi members of all local bodies are o .hl, is the provision and maintenance of good roads on the rates available. The chief factor in accomplishing this is to have an adequate supply of good metal obtainable at a reasonable cost, and this, Unfortunately, is not 'the case with most local bodies. The Inglewood Borough Council, however. should in future be able to have good roads, judging by the quantity and quality of the metal in a pit that was yesterday formally opened by the council. This pit i 9 situate on the Lincoln road, within half of mile of the centre of the borough. The face, which is on a hill side, has been stripped for some considerable distance, showing splendid metal, which, it is expected, will improve as the quarry is worked. There was a good attendance of residents of the district and of visitors, Those present included the Mayor of Inglewood (G. Young) and Crs. Faweett, Poldwell, Buckley, Gamlin and Sutherland, Branch (borough engineer) and Stewart (electrical engineer), Messrs J. Winfield and W. iPercival (ex-mayors), fipurdle, D. H. Macdonald (ex-council-lors), A. Corkill (chairman of the Moa Road Board), H. Sander (Clifton County Council). C. H. Burgess (Mayor of New Plymouth), W. H. Cook (borough engineer, Nmv Plymouth), and B. Morgan (Mayor of Waitara), Several ladies were also present.

HISTORY OP THE PIT. The Mayor briefly outlined the steps leading up to the establishment of the pit, adding that the council decided to purchase three and a quarter acres at £IOO per aero. The whole of the engineering had been designed and completed. by Mr. Branch and the staff, reflecting the greatest credit on them. The whole of the roadway Was made ground, and the weather had been so bad that the foreman would not risk rolling it until it was more solidified. The cost ol purchasing the land, opening the pit, and installing the plant was £(!4G 3s Bd. There was sufficient stripping done for at least three years, so there would be no further expense in that direction during that period. Mr. Branch, borough engineer, then started the electric motor, several yards being quickly crushed, some of the ladies and councillors present taking a. turn at feeding the crusher. The crusher is of the Acme type, driven bv a loh.p. electric motor, power being supplied by the j Inglewood borough's electric installation.

BOROUGH ENTERPRISE CONGRATULATED.

The party then adjourned to Mrs. O'Dowd's refreshment rooms, where, after a light rcipast, a short toast list was discussed. The Mayor of Inglewood," Mr. G. Young, presided, and On his right and left were the Mayors of Waitara and New Plymouth. After the usual Iftyal toast had been honored, the chairman proposed "Our Guests," many of whom were old friends. Ho stressed the point that they would he able to supply metal to other local bodies if required. Mr. C. H. Burgess congratulated Inglewood on the possession of such a good metal quarry, which every local body would covet, and which he only wished was nearer home. He was pleased to see the progress made by Inglewood, because what was good for one town was good for all Taranaiki. and he hoped all in Taranaki would pull together for the advancement of the province. Mr. Morgan expressed pleasure at the good roads round Inglewood, and envied the Council the possession of its metal pit. Mr. J. W. Winfield proposed ''Local Bodies." >

Mr. H. Sander (Clifton County Council) complimented the. borough on their enterprise. Mr. A. Corkill congratulated Inglewood on having such a, progressive Mayor and council. Ho considered, if worked properly, the pit would prove a veritable gold mine to the borough, and would in a few years probably be the means of cutting out mo3t of the borough rates. There should be a great demand for the metal from 'Hawera and Patea.

Mr. Faweett considered that great credit was duo to Mr. Branch.

Other toasts were "The Press," and "Success to the Borough of Inglewood," the latter proposed by the Mayor of New Plymouth, endorsed by the Mayor of Waitara, and responded to by the Mayor of Inglewood and Cr. Coldwell, both of whom hoped the council would bo able to retain Mr. Branch's services.