ROAD METAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2194, 19 May 1908, Page 3

ROAD METAL.

QUARRIES INSPECTED. <?

Yesterday tlie Mayor (Mr. W. D. Ly-snur), ‘accompanied by Messrs Wliinray, Mann, Sheridan, Durton, and Somervell (members of the Gisborne Borough Council), Messrs A. F. Matthews, Holden, and F. Lysnar (members of tlio Cook County Council), iMr. M. Morgan (Borough overseer), Air. Fraser (County engineer), .mil Mr. Walter Barker drove in one of Messrs. Redstone and Sons’ drugs on a visit to various quarry sites m the district.

Tho first place visited was tho outcrop of stone on Mr. Barker’s property at Wlmtauppko. A quarry had been opened on tlie site many years ago; but work was discontinued because tlio metal produced was nob suitable for heavy traffic. The visitors spent some time examining tlio stono which is of stratified formation, and very brittle, crumbling to powder under pressure. The general opiniou expressed was that Iho stone is not as durable as Patlitahi stone, and would effect no saving of cost if pi iced on tlie roails. Tho party t-lien journeyed to Mr. It liry White’s estate, North Whatanpoko, and inspected some rocks showing there, hut a cursory examination showed there was no supply-of any quantity, and tho quality of tlio stone unsuitable for road-making. Waihirero was next visited, the quarry site carefully examined, and tile stone tested in various ways’. Most of the visitors expressed the opinion that tlie metal wiis too poor iirqualit.v to place upon roads, even in tlie side, streets.

On the homeward journey a call was mule at ICaitaratalii, anil the shingle bed of the Waipilba examined. Good were expressed of tlie durability of tho rubble that could he obtained, and most of the party thought it would be eminently suitable for road-making, as it could bo got to Gisborne at a cheap rate. Ways and means of carrying the metal to-the-Borough were informally discussed, and in all probability the matter will be further considered at the meeting of the Borough Council to-night.