The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1912.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3677, 12 November 1912, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1912.

The Unsolved Problem of the Roads.

As the municipal storm raised by Cr. Collins seems to have broken, for a time, at any rate, it is sincerely to be trusted that the “City Fathers” will not now delay giving their most serious attention to the unsolved problem that confronts the Borough noth reference to the roads. In this connection it may be pointed out that all that is necessary to show how really badly off this town is for good roads is a few hours of heavy rain such as was experienced J during the past day or two. Everybody must, of course, agree that it is impossible-to carry out more than a limited extent of permanent road construction each year. But ouo dreads to contemplate how much money will he required for maintenance work until an appreciable amount of permanent road work lias been done. It is unfortunately not the case (so far as Gisborne is concerned) of roads which are to a more or less extent in a state of disrepair having to be reconstructed. As is well-known, many of the roads are hardly worthy of the name, and what is more all are being

required to boar an increasing amount of traffic. Tlie particular point to which we wish to refer is that no definite programme for the current summer months has apparently yet been arranged. This is unquestionably a state of affairs which should not be allowed to continue (other aspects of tho problem need not be raised on this occasion). Is it not then quite late enough for the “City Fathers” to decide what is to bo done with a view off if possible, placing the roads of tlu? Borough in such an improved concHtion that it will bo impossible foritliem to revert during next winter toitlie disgraceful state which characterised so many of them last winter?

ileally it is very difficult, even allowing that all tho circumstances may be favorable, to regard the outlook in this regard as very cheerful. During the last few months, it would seem, the road work has been to a very large extent of a character that may in some degree alleviate but will not remedy the lack of good hard roads. Chipping away the grass, etc., on the side of the roads, laying down channelling, building up or widening footpaths, etc, etc, are doubtless a 1! very useful works. But what the ratepayers, however, would like to see, in addition to the carrying out of so much of what might be termed “frill” work, is the undertaking of more solid road improvements. It may have l>een noted that in the report furnished by the Borough Engineer to the Town Council a fortnight ago he indicated that maintenance road work was being tapered off and the permanent work had been commenced. Now the question which should give the “City Fathers” a- good deal of concern is how far it would be wise to drop maintenance work. As a matter of fact it would seem that if nothing besides repair work were done to tho roads during the next few months it would take the staff all their time to get them into reasonably good order! Under such circumstances the work of permanently constructing roads would of course bo considerably hindered. On the other hand if maintenance work is dropped altogether or too long how can anything very different from what was experienced last year be expected ? It is undoubtedly a very grave problem, and it will be interesting to note how the “City Fathers” propose to deal with it.