LAND UNDER WATER

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20907, 12 September 1939, Page 6

LAND UNDER WATER

ROADMAKING PROBLEMS TONS OF METAL SINK IN SWAMP CONFERENCE HAS BEEN ARRANGED With miles and miles of oountryside under water because of the swempy nature of the terrain, roadmaking In the Orlm district Is presenting a new problem to New Zealand roadmakere. Stepo ere being taken by the local bodies and the Government to arrive at a solution to the problem, end a conference between the Waikato County Counoll and tha Main Highways Board has been arranged. The whole position was outlined 'by the engineer of the Waikato County Council, Mr A. A. Woodward, to-day. when questions were asked by members at the meeting about the unsatisfactory nature of the service of the Orini Road. There is no known solution to the problem which is confronting the county council and vast sums of money are likely to be required to make the reading jn the district satisfactory. No Crust Formed Thousands of yards of brown metal have been spread on the roads In the district, and as it sunk more was added. It was hoped to form a consolidated crust which would form a hard foundation for a permanent road surface. Ttic county council's efforts have been without avail, however, Thor* arc many placet In that swampy area where a long-handled shovel can be pushed out of sight. Just when it seemed likely that the heavy spreading of metal on the roadway might prove successful, heavy rains were experienced this winter, with the result that the countryside became awash again, and now the roads in the district are breaking up badly. The problem appears to be one of the strangest encountered by roading engineers In this district.