MOTOR LORRY LICENSE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1924, Page 1

MOTOR LORRY LICENSE.

L’ 1.7(1 A YFAR. WELLINGTON. Aug. 20. e 1.70 a vear seem- lo he a very high Ifiuiisc fee tor motor lorries, but it appears that in one portion ol New Zealand at least that sum '> to ccharged. Tin; fact came out in the House vctleidav alleiiloon. when Ml I • l.angsloiie (M’aimarinn) said that this was the annual charge fixed tor liioloi lorries running between M'aimariim and Tokuami. and ii seemed exorbitant The lorries fnrni'hed the only means the settlers had oi' getting their food in. The co-t of haulage now was C 3 Ills a ion. and with the extra Linden ,1„. ~,-i would he Cl 2. The people were asking the Alinlster to reduce the n, something like the charges made by local bodies in tlm surrounding district, liaiivly. CIO or C2O a vc;» r. • A Al Eli E BAGATELLE." The A!Blister for Bulilie M’orks, the ||, n G. .1. Coates, said that the road was not under the control of a local findv. and was maintained by the Crown. The settlers did not pay the rates, and though a heavy license fee was charged, it was a mere bagatelle. If the Crown did Hot charge this fee and keep the road in good order, it would not be possible for a motor lorry, a motor-car, or a horse vehicle to get through. The ices did not go anywhere near paying lor the up-keep of the road. Ile'thought that if -Mr l.aiigstone looked into the ehaige, he would see that it was not so very heavy. He was afraid that the charge would have to continue. So long its the Crown made a fairly decent road, fie thought it would pay those concerned very well to allow the charge to stand. It would he worse to pay nothing, and have a bad road.