ROAD TRAFFIC AND LOCAL BODIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1922, Page 4

ROAD TRAFFIC AND LOCAL BODIES.

The Hawkes’ Bay County Council has decided to purchase another motor lorry at a cost of £1575. It was thought necessary to have a further lorry in view of the great amount of work to he done.

“The only g»Bßible methods of taxing motor cars apart from the tyre tax,” states the acting town clerk of Wellington in a letter to the Minister of Public Works on the subject of road maintenance, “are: (1) The imposition of tolls, and (2) the imposition of an annual license fee. The imposition of toll-gates is now looked upon as reactionary, and as an expensive method of collecting taxes. It can at least be said that in default of a better system it is a vital necessity.” At a meeting of the Wellington A'utpmpbile Club, a letter was received from a member complaining of the menace of the overloaded motor lorry, having personally seen bales of wool fall off lorries in tbe‘Hutt road. It was a positive danger to the'passing motorist owing to the improper toping of the hales. These lorries are often travelling at a high rate of speed and badly lighted at night, and there were goods protruding from the vehicles, making it dangerous to motorists meeting them on narrow roads such as Johnsonville Hill or Tawa Flat. It was decided to send a copy of the letter to the Superintendent of Police, asking for information with regard to tlieii jurisdiction in this matter. The question of taxipg cars and lorries was brought up at the last meeting of the Hawke’s Bay County Council. The chairman said that there had been many complaints concerning the condition of the roads. He thought, that the owners of cars and traps would not object to a vehicle tax on cars, provided the revenue was spent on the roads. He tjiouglit the motor traffic should be dividjed into trade motor lorries, private lorries, trade cars, private cars. By this means a better knowledge would be possible as to the number of cars in use. A pound a year for private cars, £3 or £4 for trade cars, £6 or £7 for private lorries, and £lO for trade lorries. Under this heading private cars would produce £IOOO a year. Cr. H. M. Campbell suggested that a committee be set up to report on the matter.

A breach of the by-law designed to prevent traffic from cutting intersections too sharply was alleged against a man in the Gisborate Magistrate’s Court. Constable Brown said that bo saw. the car driven by defendant turn from Bright Street to Gladstone Road, and lie cut the corner very sharply. Witness followed the ear, and interviewed defendant, who said that lie must have been a little careless. Defendant stated in court that he considered he bad made a sale turn. There was not much traffic about at the time. The magistrate pointed out that the by-law represented a safe measure, and it mint be strictly obeyed. “If the police will endeavour to raise the standard of safety, the court will co-operate to make it unprofitable to break the by-law,” commented his Worship. Defendant was fined £2 and costs 7s.

At a meeting of the Waipa County Council, the Chairman said that he had been informed that motor lorries in the Manga pi ko riding Lad been travelling at the rate of 30 miles an hour. That, said he, could not be allowed to continue. Under no circumstances should a speed of 12 miles an hour be exeeded. The engineer said that from May 1 all motor traffic should be stopped for the winter. Cr. Johnson said that if this was enlorecd it was going to hamper nn industry which was of benefit to ratepayers. Steps should he taken to limit the speed of vehicles. Cr. Peacocke was of opinion that all motor traffic should be cut off between Te Awamutu and Hamilton tor thet winter months. All motor lorry owners should he compelled to have Healed governors. Cr. Johnson said speed of lorries must be reduced to a reasonable limit and a reasonable width of tyre used. Alter some discussion it was resolved that unless motor lorries were provided with sealed governors that they should be refused the use of the roads during the winter. It was also agreed that Cr. Johnson should interview the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Co. with a view to stops being taken to restrict the speed of the milk delivery motor lorries. The Manawatu County Council had a lengthy discussion following the icoeipt of a letter from the Farmers’ Union (Pa Inversion North branch) drawing attention to damage caused by heavy motor lorry traffic, owing to bile diversion of the carriage of goods from the railway through the allegedly excessive freight charged by the Railway Department, thus causing double waste, by loss of revenue to the department and by extra cost nt upkeep of roads. Cr. Boyce said the amount of lorry traffic now on the roads was ridiculous, owing to the smaller cost of sending goods by this means. The chairman (Sir Jas. Wilson) said they might see if they couhl get a special loan to put all the roads in a propier and sale condition. Ihe clerk (Mr A. IC. Drew) said that drivers and owners of motor lorries, cars, ami char-a-bancs were complaining bitterly about the condition of the roads, vet many of them did not pay any taxes to the road’s upkeep. Cr. Boyce thought it, would be unfair to tax the lorries. The Government should bring down the freights. It was decided that the council again draw attention to the excessive waste caused by the high rates on the railway driving the traffic to motor lorries, which cause continuous and costly damage to the council’s roads; and that the council circularise other local bodies asung For their assistance to have a special enquiry made by the Government towards getting the railways to take the heavy loads, and thus preserving the Bonds for their propter purpose. Tt was felt that united action was required to impress upon the Government that this special enquiry should lie made.