A New Road Material.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 2, 1 October 1918, Page 333

A New Road Material.

A new material for roads is suggested by an Auckland business man, who wrote to the City Council recently as follows:"During a recent visit to Australia I was impressed with the progressive policy of the Adelaide City Council, and also the New South Wales Government, in adopting a new road-making material, which I was informed has resulted in a large saving compared with concrete. The preparation they have adopted is a composition consisting of tar chemically treated. This preparation is mixed with shingle, or even slag, and after being laid down it gives a longer life than concrete, and does not create dust when in use.

“The nature of the material to be used in road formation,” said Mr. Gunson at a Council meeting, “is an open question with the Council. It is not at all certain that concrete will be employed. It is purely a question of price. If there are any other preparations which the city engineer, after investigation, is prepared to recommend, the Council has an open mind on the subject. A permanent material which gives a good road surface must be used upon our principal thoroughfares without further delay, as the present position is unsatisfactory with regard to both macadam surfaces, which are costing a great deal in maintenance, and the intolarable dust nuisance. These are the main points that govern our selection of material.