THE TURNPIKE CHARGES.

Evening Star, Issue 4106, 25 April 1876, Page 2

THE TURNPIKE CHARGES.

This,' Morning a numerous deputation from Paluierston, comprising Messrs M‘Lean, M.H.R., M'Kenzie, M.P.0., Hutcheson, Ajckle (Mayor of Palmerston), Young, Crawford, Smith, Muir, Preston, Glovor, &c., waited upon the Superintendent atnd brought under his Honor’s notice the ex> cessivenesa of the tolls imposed on waggons by the Ordinance of last session. „ M‘Lkan, who introduced the deputed tion, said they were desirous that the matter should be referred to the Provincial Soliciteir to see if there was no way of getting over difficulty, His Honor ; Well, the thing is not new 5 m it has been referred to the Provincial Solicitor already. There is no way out of tbe difficulty. There is the law, and we cannot break it. I have had several deputations here from carriers who are greatly interest sd in the question, and the result is that the whole thing was gone into very carefull v. The law is very explicit, and however desirous the Executive might be to meet the case, they have no power to do so. Mr M'Lean inquired if the lessees of the gates were agreeable to reduce the tolls to what they formerly were, would the Government, in whose hands many of the gates were, do the same ? 5

His Honor replied that it could scarcely be asked that the Government should be the first to break a law passed by the Provincial Council after due deliberation. He did not think they would be even justified in 'evading the law. Mr Mackenzie was certain that members of the Council, when voting for the Ordinance, were not aware of its effect. He was satisfied they only supported the extra shilling. It was here explained that, under the old Ordinance, horses were charged each; and under the Ordinance of last session an additional charge of one for ev&ry horse over six, and of two shillings over nine, was intended to be imposed; but the Ordinance had been so construed that a charge was made under it of one shilling forevery horseupto acertain number, and of two shillings over nine. Thus an eight-horse team was- now charged eight shillings instead of five under the old Ordinance ; and a nine-horse team shillings instead of nine shillings. It was further pointed out that because of the two very steep gradients between Dunedin and Palmerston, it required an eight-horse to draw what six would do on the south road.

His Honor admitted the grievance, and the Ordinance repealed j but this was not tho place, and it was the wrong time; all this should have been argued when the Ordinance was being passed. If there was any way out of the difficulty without breaking the law, he would be veiy glad to avail himself of it.

A member of the deputation remarked that a writer in the ‘Daily Times ’ bad suggested a way. ■ His Honor said the article referred to been discussed and referred to the Provincial Solicitor, who said there was no loop-hole. However, he would again bring the matter before the Provincial Solicitor, but he did not think any good would come of dninoso.

Mr Mackenzie remarked that the Assembly would meet next month, and an Act might be got through to remove the difficalty. Hi® Honor * I am afraid the Assembly will not deal with anything so paltry. Mr circumstances a Bill might be easily got through.

His Honor; There is so much Colonial business that 1 am afraid pariah business will have to stand. Mr M*Lean reminded his Honor that at the early part of the session the House often adjourned for want of business, and a Bill could then slip through easily. The deputation then withdrew.