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Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1922, Page 2

There was a very friendly desire manifested between the County Council and the motor lorry proprietors at the eonf ermine on Wednesday as to menus to cope with the question of extraordinary pairing* to the roads ns n result of the

increased traffic resulting from the growing timber trade. From the discussion it would appear that it was not so much the weight as the speed wliic/i did tho serious damage and this was spe. ciaily so ui a spell of wet weather such as was experienced lately. A compromise was reached on the loading question. permitting loads which are practically the same as at present, the only difference being that a maximum h; s been fixed. The rate of speed is to be limited to 12 miles per hour, and this it was conceded after discussion was a fair rate for transport with heavy loads. An example was given where - loaded motor lorry had traveled at n t less than twenty miles an hour—whi h was altogether excessive. It would i.ll- - that the curtailment of speed is as much in the interest of the lorry proprietor as the roads, for the high rate of speed witli heavy loads must tiy out the engines very quickly. T. e Council has a double duly to pc form in regal'd to this excess ve traffic. It lias to endeavour to cater for it so that a very important industry will not ho unduly hampered. Hi t it has also, a duty to the ratepayers in that the cost must be divided to some extent, atid a fair measure placed upon the shoulders of those responsible for the chief ,\<- and tear of the roads. Under tne reveled tariff motor lorry owners using County roads will pay £lO per month for the five winter months and £5 per month for the seven summer months—or £BS per year for each motor lorry. In sonic cases in tin* North Island £l5O and £2OO a year is being charged so that there is a degree of leniency in AVestland which should be appreciated by those concerned.

There was a steady sticam of negative replies at the County meeting on Wednesday afternoon Grom the Public-

Works Department ill regard to the expenditure «f grants voted by Parlia-m-nt for Westland. liut authority was with-held By the Government. The replies did not nil bear a similarity. In one instance the fact that a road was intended to be used for tourist traffic 'as sufficient reason to turn, down the request for expenditure. But in another ease the fact that tile road was not intended for tourist traffic, was denied also, excuse enough to refuse the authority. Underlying the whole position no doubt was the want of money—but apparently neither the Minister nor his officers had the courage to sayso. A great farce is perpetrated year after year in the present method of handling public works votes. The A 1 blister submits to Parliament bis Estimates for the year. These are acce; ted in good faith. That is, it is known that the list has been revised in detail and it is assumed the works are both required and urgent. Also, the .Minister brings down his finance and shows certain moneys in hand or to be received, and it is assumed agiin that Parliament having approved, the works will go forward. But that is the IKiint where the farce unfolds itself. If a local body asks for the expenditure of a vote, notwithstanding the Minister's Estimates are approved by Parli:*nient. the particular vote has to stan * fresh official scrutiny by the very departmental officers who first agreed to the vote going on the Estimates. In the eases referred to, the several votes relating to Westland have lieen vetoed and apparently the money will not be spent. It is a case of the public being fooled all the time. Air Coates is credited with much good sense, and the sooner he revises this system of administration the better for his own reputation in particular and that of the Public Works Department in general.