UPKEEP OF ARTERIAL ROADS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 289, 2 September 1919, Page 6

UPKEEP OF ARTERIAL ROADS

CITlf COUNCIL PROCEEDED AGAINST

MILK LORRIES AND - UNSAFE BRIDGES By Telegraph— Special Correspondent. Mastorton, September 1.

A case of considerable importance to those interested in tho upkeep of arterial roads was heard here to-day, when the I'eatherston County Council proceeded against the Wellington City Corporation on tho charge that tho corporation had committed a breach of the by-laws in having pewnitted J. Edge, G. Cunningham, and J. Mason, corporation employees, on three separata occasions to drivo motor-lorries carrying milk, and exceeding two tons in weight, over the Rimutaka Hill Road. Sir.. J. W. Card appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. J. O'Shea, City Solicitor, for tho defendants.

G. W. Cobb, county clerk, said that the annual expenditure, for the upkeep of the Rimutaka Hill Road during tho past five years had averaged £150.

J. Abbott, county ranger, gave evidence as to tho passing over of the lorries.

Counsel for the defenco submitted fhat tin) by-law was invn'.id, in that it was unreasonable. Ho contended that instead of tlie weight of tho vehicles being .judged on a collective basis, the weight of the loads and vehicles should be considered separately. In fact, a seven-seater car with passengers would weigh over two tona

Andrew J. Paterson, assistant engineer to the Wellington City Council, detailed the reasons for the transportation of milk per motor-lorry. Twelve months ago, continued the witness, he had reported to the City Council on an examination he had made of the bridges on the Rimutaka Road. Ho had then considered them most unsafe, and had advised the City Council that it would assume a great responsibility in sending its drivers over the hill, Witness produced in court several pieces of rotten timber taken from the bridge? in question. Continuing, witness said that the bridges might collapse at any time witlvin two hours sj.ften a load had passed over them.

To Mr. S. L. P. Free, S.M.: A Ford one ton truck would carry its load and etill be within the by-law.

To Mr. Card: The bridges were practically beyond repair. The lorries loaded with milk would weigh about seven tons.

Lewis Smith Drake, motorinspector for the City Council, gave evidence as to the relative weight of motor-cars. Decision wa? reserved.