MOTOR LORRY TRAFFIC CEASES.

Otaki Mail, 16 July 1923, Page 4

MOTOR LORRY TRAFFIC CEASES.

LOCAL BODIES EXERCISE. POWERS. \ HEAVY BLOW TO OWNERS. I A meeting ol the members of the i Manawatu and West Coast Motor Transport. Association was held at Palmerston North on Wednesday. Mr F. J. Patten presided over a good attendance. The chairman reported that Ite and Messrs S. J. and P. Havill had waited upon the Hun County Council at its j meeting on Monday' last and approached it to ascertain whether any I compromise could be arranged in con- j nection with the Heavy Traffic By-law recently exercised by the Council. At the present time, and, if nothing could be arranged between them, up to the | end of September, the members of the '■■ Association would be unemployed. The , majority of the Association's members i earned their livelihood on the Palmerston North district to Wellington ; route. Tliev would appreciate it if the j Council could see its way to fix the limit of the load during the winter months at a higher weight than the present three tons, including vehicle. In anv arrangement which could be made * the Association would do its \ utmost to assist the Council. As it was aTpresent, the members, amongst whom were a number of returned soldiers, had to face the question ol heavy liabilities incurred in the purchase of their lorries, and would not be able to meet these if no assistance was foriUcoming during the months of enforced idleness. , , ! The Council bad enquired whether the Association's members were in a position to contribute anything towards the upkeep of 'he road, but the speaker had replied that they were in such a position that they could not I'iFi'c- an offer. Since the interview, a reply n;io I been received from the County C.ouni cil that it could do nothing on account I nl the high cost of upkeep ol the ' roads and" recommended the Associav tion again to approach the Government for assistance. information was received thai both the Horowhenua and Makara Cecum Councils intended to exercise thenpowers under the By-law in question J and 'dose the roads under their control I'll" position practically meant total cessation oi ail heavy traffic f, - Wellington until the restrictions were hired at the end 01 September. On a "icUinn by Mr MeCalium. representing ihe X Z Express Co.. seconded bv Mr PaHen. il was resolved that ihe secietary communicate with Mr i \ Xash. M.P.. enquiring whether Mr Massev had been in touch with the Minister 01 Public Works apromised at the deputation, and If so !" On a motion ol'Mr Patten, seconded ■ i.v Mi \ I Brown, it was decided thai . the' ■-'•. retarv inform the various Council, concerned that die Association had decided not to operate on »n> road until the restriction was removed • also forwarding a ii-- : " ! mc ' As sedation's member-, and ask wig that the Council deal with any other oft fenders violating the by-law. I The secretary was also requeued to advertise the Association's resolution i to cnnioim to die Bv-law notifying trie pnbl'ic that traffic to Wellington ui »■'■ far as the Association's members wet" concerned, had ceased until the restrictions were lifted. A further meeting is to be called 101 Satnrdav, July 21st. to adopt the Aiticles'of the Association, which were. now' being drafted and to arrange a <■ "anvan" for membership to kindred t Associations in other districts.