BOROUGH WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1922, Page 2

BOROUGH WORKS.

CONDITION OF THE STREETS. HEAVY TRAFFIC PROBLEM. The following report was submitted by the borough engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) to last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council: — Cemetery.—As was to be expected with, the passing of the cold nights and the approach of more genial weather, growth was more rapid. The staff was kept busy in cleaning and clearing away. The relief gang was dispensed with on the 19th. Drainage pipes have been laid to carry away water collecting in the channels around the centre bed near the fountain. Number of funerals for the montn, 17. Town Plots.—Carrington Road, Hine Street, Terminus and Watson Street plots have been attended to and cleaned up. Waterworks.—Filters: All the plant is in good order. Should an opportunity offer during the month, the reservoir will be lowered. If upon inspection there proves to be an abnormal quantity of sand, etc., accumulation, steps will be taken to have the walls and floor cleaned prior to the incoming of the summer season. It may be anticipated that the withdrawal from the reservoir will oe more than ordinarily heavy during the coming summer, due to the very large number of new services installed, which will further be increased when the mains now on their way out are laid and in use. During spare time the caretaker is getting the ground ready for planting the tree seeds. Mains and Services. —Twenty-four new services have been installed, and new drainage outlets put in at the fountain on Mqrsland Hill. The usual routine work has been attended to. Streets.—The exceptionally dry weather experienced for this season of the year was a prime cause of ravelling in the macadamised roads, necessitating patching more frequently. Calvert Road work has been completed and gravelled with material from the gaol pit. The breakdown of the roller delayed work in several localities, but as soon as the repairs were completed Clemow Road was put in hand. It is proposed to scarify that length of Gill Street between Hobson and Brown Streets, and after rounding up to give a light coat of metal which will give two or three years’ wear before resurfacing more deeply. The traffic is of a light nature over this length, by far the greater wear being caused by washing away the surface by heavy rains, the gradient being fairly steep. Re-grading paths has been continued in various parts of the borough, but scarcity of gravel has somewhat hindered the work. With a fairly heavy tarring season in front of us, I have been loth to use the finer chips for path work for fear we might be short for topdressing. In future years it is almost certain we will have to rely upon an ample supply of this material for both road and path dressing. Moturoa Cemetery.—The cemetery has been thoroughly cleaned up and the rubbish burnt. Asphalt Paths.—Courtenay Street path has been completed as far as laying the asphalt. When this and Devon Street path have been sufficiently consolidated the top-dressing will be applied. Waiwaka Terrace.—The formation is nearly completed. As there was not enough spoil on the corner sections of Mangorei Road, the balance is being taken from the southern portion of Paring Terrace, which ’will improve this road without cost to the general account. Tramway Route.—All along the route the road has been patched and repaired. In a few cases patches have rolled up, due to two causes, one of water gaining access to the foundation before proper consolidation, the other to the veryheavy dead loads passing over the roads. Tips is especially the case between Henui and Saukville Streets. When opening up along this length nearly every place was found to be in a wet state, which will call for expenditure to drain the sub-soil. T am afraid until this is taken in hand we shall have more or less trouble in maintaining this length.

I’ have previously drawn attention to the heavy loading of lorries, and it seems to me the time is drawing near when drastic action will have to be taken to prevent the destruction of roads, as no local body can afford to keep on building roads to meet the ever-increasing weights carried by motor trucks. As so much contract ca?rying has been entered into by dairy companies and other concerns, it is only huxnaa

nature that the carriers will overload, with resulting damage to the roadways. General. —Both crushers have been in continuous use, and are in good order. Six sewer connections and four private crossings have been laid for the month. All lorries and teams have been fully employed. Now that the teams are free from relief works, the balance of the ! work in Veale’s Estate will be put in Maud. Path tarring will also be put in

hand as quickly as possible to avoid any delay with the seaeon’s tarring operations. The first consignment of bitumen has arrived in good order, and the price compares very favorably with that of prepared tar. The recommendations with reference to the heavy road traffic were referred to a sub-committee, comprising the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) and Crs. J. Brown, J. Kibby and R. L. Parkin