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Q-Do you think the metal is not put on in large enough quantities?
A-And rolled sufficiently well, and for the heavy tropical rains we have here there ought to be some sand and cement or other binding material. These roads, I have no doubt, would stand all right in many country towns at home, but then at home they have not the tropical rains to contend with. We have not only to make a road to stand the traffic, which is not very heavy, not so heavy as at Shanghai fʊr one thing, but, in addition to that, we have to provide for these heavy tropical rain-storms. The Shanghai roads would not stand the rains we have here. I had a talk with Mr. MAIN on the subject. You want a heavy road bed, and a surface which would be impervious to these heavy rains. You also require cement concrete or cement mixed up with the top layer--something that won't work into little holes. When these holes once make their appearance then they go on increasing rapidly.
By Mr. Thurburn.-On some of the roads they have been putting foundations of large stones?
A-These are what you call crossings.
Q-No, not crossings; they are putting them down on the New Praya beyond Blake Pier.
A-These are better than they did further west-much better. But what I would particularly wish to draw the attention of the Commission to is that they put down some small stones, a little sand, and then water on it, and you see the steam roller go- ing over it. Instead of that, they ought to put it down, cement and sand, and preferably The present surfaces of the roads are often washed away by the
cement concrete.
heavy rains.
Q---We have been told we cannot get good roads for want of foundations.
A-They can get over that by putting in small stones to fill up the voids, and then roll it well. The steam roller you have here is only a toy.
Q-Then you don't think a foundation is essential here ?
A--I think it is essential. If they had put good foundations down ten years ago they would not have the trouble they have now,
By Mr. Shewan.-But would it not be an enormous expense ?
A-That would have been repaid by now.
By the Chairman.-It has been suggested that it would be a good thing to have wood pavement here.
A-I have no experience of wood pavement. In this place and in Canton, white- ants and dry-rot are very destructive. I have never heard or read of any place in the world where white-ants are so destructive as they are here.
Q-Do you think they might affect the wood pavement ?
A-I would not say that; it is an improvement that might be given a trial.
'By Mr. Shewan.-Here is an opinion we have. [Quotes from Mr. TOOKER'S evidence.]
putting down to these The kind I refer to is
A-That is a very funny case. The concrete they are private streets Mr. TOOKER refers to, is not the kind I refer to. proper concrete made with stones of about half an inch or three-quarters of an inch cubes.
Q-Is the material good material ?
A-As far as I see, it is very good material.