DAMAGE TO ROADS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2402, 9 March 1922, Page 2

DAMAGE TO ROADS

MOTOR LORRY TRAFFIC

A letter was read at the meeting of the Mannwatu County- Council on Tuesday from the Palmerston N. branch of the Farmers’ Union, drawing attention to damage caused by heavy motor lorry traffic, owing to the diversion of the carriage of goods from the railway through the allegedly- oxeossibe freight charged by the Railway Department, tint's causing double waste, by loss of revenue to the Department, and by extra cost of upkeep of roads.

Cr. Boyce said the amount of lorry traffic now on roads was ridiculous, owbtg to the\sinnlkT cost of sending goods by this means.

The Chairman (Sir James Wilson) said they might see if•they could get a special loan to put all the roads'in a proper and safe condition.

Cr. Penny said this heavy traffie would mean 50 per cent, on to the cost of maintenance of the Council’s roads. They must tax the motors m get the Government to reduce their freights.

. The clerk (Mr A. K. Drew) said that drivers and owners of! motor lorries, cars, and char-a-bancs were complaining bitterly about the eoudition of the roads, yet many of t Item did not pay any taxes to the roads’ upkeep. ' ,

Or. Boyce thought it, would bf* nnL'air to lux the lorries. The Government should bring down the freights. Tt was decided that the Council ngain draw attention to the excessive waste caused by the high rates on the railway driving the traffic to motor lorries, which cause continuous and costly damage to the Council's roads: and that the Council circularise other local bodies, asking for their assistance to have a special enquiry made by the Government towards getting the railways to take the heavy loads, and thus preserving the roads, and thus preservpose. It was felt that united action was required to impress upon the Government that this special enquiry should bo made.