UPKEEP OF ROADS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1924, Page 3

UPKEEP OF ROADS.

• J.Ot'Al. TAXATION AITIvIiANO. .July The judgment by Mr .lustiec Stringer (mushing the City (’ou.ieil’s now ■»- Juw raising tnsi license oes nun £1 io £7 Ills aml £lO II ml fixing “ at '£‘2 'is the subject of oilitoiml <<• liieiit- liv both papers. , The “Herald” says:-The loos fixed J,v the by-law were frankly a 'netisuie of taxation for the provision ot unnmvod roads. The judgment doolaus that ’under existing law lU ' t *? r ;* ties aro not vested wilh l'o«ei to "i pose taxation, hut may chin go such fees as will cover the cost o•» inspection and registration. A pcl risn of the relevant sections ot the Muni, - pal Corporations Act leaves the m pression that only by. an into erabh straining; of its provisions ronU mo w ider powersj be diseoteret . - the law was revised only foui ><- • * ago. it is grotes,piely antiquated ... Us references to trallic problems It i. manifest that the situation « cbned b> Mr Justice Stringer cannot be .leapt eil and that steps must be taken immediately to give larger powers to local authorities. There is inamtVst ncc-ei n ~ comprehensive revision ot the w bole Jaw relating to wheeled traffic, to se exact limits upon the weight of loaded vehicles so that standard road urn suar 3 t ecillitable that the general body of ratepayers should be asked to provide mode •» highways largely for the use of heavv traffic, unless their representatives* have the right to regulate the use of the road, and to collect a reasonable contribution to its cost from those who secure the greatest benefit from the CX The^‘*S tar’’ remarks:—A munioipalitv that goes to the trouble and expense of laving down good roads should Khle to tax th- traffic that uses and benefits hy these improvements. > hl Si in til. 1«» »I»"M l» '»»»' ;« Sou, .way, but tl» 1 have to be fitted m with the Mrn ment’s ptroposnls to tax traffic f benefit;ftof . HlgllW* Fundi ' - V v . >-■.