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Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1924, Page 2

Tin; County meeting this week disclosed tlm fact that the local laxly is feeling the cll'ect of the heavy and continuous motor traffic mi the roads. In addition to the main load, several branch roads are involved, and the County Overseer lias reported that one motor tipping lorry is inadequate to deal with the work required. Some nine horse and dray teams have had to he employed during the past month in Die endeavour to rope with the load repairs, and even with this auxiliary help tile roads ale still had. The flii'i'vee: advocated a set end motor for metalling imposes, hut members would not -auction tie step till the fate id the motor taxing hy-law was Known. Meantime it was emphasised the overdraft <w as increasing and miles- there was the assurance of inoto

income, tin l pos-ihility of a stringency in the finances was not remote. If sin li should tunic to pass a curtailment of road repair work will he involved. About £/(f a week is now being x)cnt tor extra horse and dray work to i ope with load relair-, and if this has to cease, the Council will avoid the expenditure of some £.109 a month on the roads, hut at the same time th road- will he drifting from had to worse while the work of repairs is held hi •heyamv. Traffic must suffer aeio d- , and flint experience should bring home to the users of the road tile necessity of contributing to assist in the upkeep of the roads. If it is not possible to attend to hare repairs, it seems futile to talk of pernmnentlv ini; mved roads in the country districts by means of tar-sealing or otherwise. The Council. no doubt, will consider the vntepfvers in the matter, and will look to the chief users of the highways to p:o. vide the extra money for special repairs or additional works of a permanent nature. Hitherto the users of the' road- have been well served on the "hole in regard to the upkeep of the thoroughfares for general traffic. Naturally at this season of the tear the roads suffer most from wet and frosts, and the heavy, faster, motor traffic causes great damage. Tint it is evident that the injury Icing dont> ef present is beyond the previous experience. and it will have to be realised that without extra income for the purpose. the roads from now on must drift unless there is the opportunity to collect more revenue from the chief users of tho roads.

Tv considering -‘the recommendation of the Overseer for a second lorrv in nreference to horses and dravs. the County members <in Tuesday ventilated

their views also on the rival values of toe two means of transport. Mr Milliner it would appear liad the better of the argument for lie was able to show by figures that a lorry would do as much, if not more, than seven horses and drays, at about half the cost. No douht the relative value of the two services has to ho judged by the distance over which the material has to he mojjed, hut in general- County work distances are necessarily involved

.particularly so whore it is a i|iiestion as to the quality of material to lie used. Au extra mile or two with a motor lorry to secure a better class of material is not a serious matter, Out it would be were horses and dravs required to travel that extra distance. As to the general utility of horse traction and mechanical power, there is. however, the exponentc elsewhere both by local bodies or private contractors. For country districts it appears to be wise to emi toy mechanical trac-

tion. thus permitting a wider sweep for the delivery of the ..material. By that means pits can he well established and opened up in such a way as to serve specially in regard to more rapid loading facilities. A well designed pit naturally assists the value of the lorry work in that the vehicle can ho tilled more ra] idly and there is less standing time. This is no doubt imI'onant in considering the utility of motor traction, and in any well organised scheme of road maintenance the loading facilities should have special consideration. It would a]'|ear there, foie that to get the best all round results the County Council is in need of ri second lorry. The local body is losing money by delaying the purchase of a second machine. Inn it is hanipcied in that, step by the want of money wherewith to art. The Council lias to make the best of a difficult position. Inn it is to be hoped before next meeting routes round the outlook will he clearer and the members be in u position to review the situation on its real met its.