MOTOR LICENSE FEES

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1926, Page 1

MOTOR LICENSE FEES

DIVISION OF REVENUE

A meeting of nineteen representatives of local bodies comprised in the No. 12. Alain Highways District was held in the Borough Chambers, Greymouth, last evening, to discuss the apportioning of fees collected under the Motor Lorry Regulations. Those present were:—Messrs J. W. Hannan, J. Higgins and M. Keating (Grey County), H. F. Doogan. F. A. Kitchingham and F. H. Denton (Grey Borough), R. Chesterman and D. J. Evans"(Westland County), A. Peebles (Boss Borough). IT. -M. Coulson 'Hokitika Borough'), D. MeYicar (Inangahua County), R. -Million (Duller County). Healey (Westport Borough), P. J. Creagh (Brunner Borough) J.S. Clarke (Rtmnngn Borough), and A. G. Gunn and Moore (Cobden Town Board), and Traffic Inspector Gloss (Grcymouth). Mr IT. F. Doogan was voted to the chair. The Chairman stated the objects of the meeting, saying that it had been convened hv the Grcymouth County Council in order to go into the questurns at issue.

Mr J. W. Hannan. Chairman of the Grey County Council, stated that the meeting had been called in oidei to obviate the matters going before n magistrate. It was his proposal that Duller and oilier counties should retain their own fees.

Mi- Healy. on behalf of the Westport Borough, said the fairest- way wonM undoubtedly bp In start at one end. Puller and Westport might lie permitted to retain their fees subject to an agreement with the Inangahua Countv.

.Ah- Mullen (Duller County Clerk! stated that Air A old (Inangahua County Chairman), was in favour ol the scheme. There would undoubtedly have to be some adjustment between them, as cars were travelling backwards and forwards between the diJlVrcut counties, particularly the service cars of Gibb’s and Newman’s. Mi- D. J. Fvans (Westland County• said that when the matter was discussed with -Mr Furkert, Chairman of the Main Highways Board, recently, at Hokitika, that gentleman was in favour nf till' pool system. The expenditure on the roads valuation and mileage basis was favoured by the Westlaud County Council.

Mr Keating (Grey County) said that undoubtedly they were all in lavour of Mr Hannan’ scheme that of dividing the districts into three areas, each area being allowed to retain the lees collected by it. The division ol lees would be the main question, lie regretted Kumara was not represenleil at this conference, as they would like to have Ihe views of that district’s representatives. Only about £2.000 had been collected in traffic fees, out ol which Kumara sent in approximately £BIO. whereas the figure should be C‘3oo or Lion. He believed that the maintenance basis was the fairest.

Mr D. J. Evans moved that No. 12 District be divided in three groups, namely, Bullcr, Grey and Westland, and that lees from Kumara he allocated 50 per cent to each of the Grey and Westland groups after providing for Kiima ra.—Carried.

Mr Coulson said that the resolution brought forward a number ol problems, instead of one. Failure to come to a solution would bring about a deadlock, rt was better to concentrate on a basis of allocation and make a pool, which would result in a satisfactory solution. The proposal to sub-divide would not bring about an agreement. He was in favour of the pool. Mr Ross thought it a good idea to •ut off the northern portion. It would make it more simple. Mr Hannan raised the question as io whether the counties had collected heir fees.

Mr Keating stated monies should he laid down on maintenance. As I’fir as tlio Borouglis were concerned, the prosperity of the West Coast depended largely on heavy motor traffic, such as lorries. The Grey County spent £’lo.ooo annually on its roads, and would naturally receive the largest amount >f money.

Mi- J. S. Clarke (Bunanga Borough) Council) said that his borough could spend only £’3oo a year on its roads. They had to spent! 100 per cent. fTo thought that a minimum should be given for the smaller boroughs. Mr Healy said that the license fees derived from vehicles operating solely within the boundaries of any of the said local bodies should be retained by the said body.

Mr Ivitc'liintit-’nm nsked Avlmi would happen in the on so of smaller bodies. Take, for instance. Brunner, which had issued no heavy license lees and had the worst roads on the West Coast. The timber royalties were set aside for the benefit of the sawmillers roads. Tt was then moved by Mr Hannan and seconded by Mr Doogan that the various groups form their own basis of allocation, within 21 days.—Carried. Mr Dongan raised the question of uncollected fees. Some local bodies, he said, were not collecting what they should he collecting.

Mr Flannan: That's their own uueral!

Mr Keating read a letter from Mr Pamment. clerk of the Kumara Borough. wherein he stated that C 139 had been collected there, and there was still over €3OO to come. With reforenoe to the appointment of a ''nspeetorship), Traffic Inspector and Collector. ho believed that the conference should nonrove of the appointment to the position of a man who could deal with the whole of the Xo 12 district for the year beginning April Ist. Next year when they came to ‘‘divide the spoil ” they would all have something to show. Tie moved accordingly, the motion being carried on its being seconded by Mr Chestermnn. It was moved hv Mr Kitehiilgham that a report by the various bodies he sent, expressing their views, to the Grey County Council, regarding the allocation of the monies and the appoint input of an Inspector.

A vote of thanks was passed to the Grey County Council for convening the conference and to the Chairman for conducting the meeting.