TRAFFIC INSPECTOR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5480, 27 September 1929, Page 2

TRAFFIC INSPECTOR.

LOCAL BODIES CONFER. QUESTION OF COMBINING. A conference of local body representatives was held in the Coronation Chambers Paeroa, on Wednesday afternoon to consider a proposal made by the Main Highways Board that groups of counties should combine and appoint a traffic inspector common to all. Mr C. Mason, chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, presided over Messrs N. A. Wells, chairman of the Coromandel County Council ; B. C. Robbins, Mayor of Tauranga ; P. E. Brenan, councillor, Paeroa Borough ; C. W. Boak, Tauranga Borough engineer ; R. W. Evans, clerk, Ohinemuri County ; and L. E. Shaw, acting engineer, Ohinemuri County Council. Mr Mason in opening the meeting said that the main reasons for calling the conference were damage to roads caused by heavy traffic and excessive speeds, motor drivers’ license fees, and the fact of lorries licensed, owing to weight, only to use main highways, travelling on by-roads. It was a subject of common interest to all concerned, and one that called for cooperation. As well as those present Thames County and Borough, Tauranga County, and Waihi Borough had been invited to send representatives, but having already traffic inspectors of their own they had not done so. Mr Robbins explained that the Tauranga Borough had already an inspector of its own who combined this work with other duties. For that reason he had accepted the invitation, and was attending the conference more in the light of a listener, but a listener willing to co-operate in every way possible. He considered the idea of a combined inspector a right and proper one. The Tauranga Borough Council would welcome what emanated from the meeting and give it every attention. As for the Tauranga County, he understood that it was combining with Opotiki, Whakatane, and Rotorua to have a joint inspector under the No. 3 Highways Council, which was comprised of those four counties.

Mr Wells said that as far’ as the county he represented was concerned it was doubtful if the scheme would be of any benefit to them. Coromandel was isolated, and would be more so if Thames did not come into the scheme. Like Mr Robbins, he was present as a listener, but was anxious to co-operate for the general good.

Mr Brenan said that the Paeroa Borough Council had not given a great deal of attention to the subject, but was represented so as to co-operate He felt sure the borough would do all possible to assist. The borough at present had an inspector who had other duties as well.

It was apparent that with only the Ohinemuri County Council actively concerned at the moment little could be done. Mr Robbins remarked that those most interested. for their own good were not present. He 'thought it would be a better course for the No. 2 Highways Council to appoint an inspector, or inspectors, to cover its area, as other counties would then be more likely to join in.

During the general discussion which followed Mr Wells maintained that if costs were apportioned on the capital value basis it would not be to Coromandel’s advantage, as that county had less traffic than any other in the vicinity.

The conference finally decided to refer the matter to the No. 2 Main Highways Council with the suggestion that it make the appointment and allocate the cost proportionately among the counties co-operating.