MODERN ROAD MAKING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1918, Page 7

MODERN ROAD MAKING.

DISCUSSED BY EOMONT COUNTY j COUNCIL. TAR SEALING FAVORED. Taranaki nas the reputation of possessing the best main roads in the North Island, a reputation that was mainly due to the progressive South Taranaki County Councils having adopted a compiehensive system of modern road-making and tar sealing the surface of all thenmain roads. Tar sealing has now passed the experimental stage and the North Taranaki Counties are all alive to its advantages. Stratford is laying down a long stretch of tarred roads, Taranaki is about to lay down half a mile just outside the borough, and no doubt this will soon be followed by a comprehensive policy embracing the main roads throughout the County. Egmont County Council was for many years backward in adopting modern road making methods, which have been revolutionised by the demands of motor traffic and its roads were by no means favorably spoken of. The last few years, despite increasing traffic, has seen a great improvement, due to this Council having purchased plant, aad now its roads compare very favorably with any that are not tar scaled That the Council intends to continue this progressive policy is evident by the fact that additional watering plant has been ordered and also that the Council are now considering the tarring problem, not i front the point of view of its desirability —that being admitted—but from the point of view of ways and means. The time occupied in spreading clayon the metalled roads during the sumr er was referred to on Tuesday by the chairman (Cr. W. R. Wright) who considered that the benefits gained did not warrant the expenditure. He pointed out that a section of road liad been clayed three weeks ago, and he questioned if a bucketful of clay now remained on it. A tarred road could -be kept up with less expc'iditure. He suggested that orders should be given that clay was not to be put on the roads, except when it was put down wTth water and rolled. The engineer said that in some cases if the clay was not put on the roads the whole of the road would come up in the dry weather. The chairnu.ii said that this brought them back to the question of properly laying down the roads. Later, when discussing work for the coming year, Cr. O'Brien suggested that less new work should be done, but what was done should be permanently done with tar sealing and he considered that hills and bridge approaches should be treated first The engineer Stated tha.t he would favor doing less new work each year, and tar sealing what was done, provided the Council would take the criticism for the bad roads. The Rahotu riding was in a good condition to start. By doing the worst portions with tar sealing now, and a portion each year, the road through the riding could be completed in seven years. The chairman favored the proposal, but he thought that a loan would be required. He understood that a lot of money would have to be expended at a depot before they could undertake the work. He favored the Restar Company being asked to lay down a length or two so as to obtain an idea of the cost. Cr. Cornish thought that tar sealing had passed the experimental stages and as Opunake had a credit balance further tar sealing should be done in the riding. The matter dropped, but the tone of the Council indicates that it will not be long before definite steps are taken in the matter of modern road-making.