LOADS V. ROADS.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 145, 12 August 1926, Page 4

LOADS V. ROADS.

A STORM BREWING. The continual extension of heavy motor traffic, and increase in the weight of the vehicles and of the load carried, has resulted in a very acute position as regards roads and roading. Under existing regulations county councils were called upon by the Highways Board to classify their roads into various categories, each class of road being deemed capable of carrying loads up to fixed weight. The councils classified their roads accordingly; and submitted their classification to the Highways Boards, for, as they thought, the formal approval'. But the Hig’hways Board proceeded to issue a different classification of its own; and everything is at sixes and sevens. In the meantime the motor lorries travel along the roads as if there were no by-laws and no restrictions. For instance, we understand that the Waikato County Council classified the Great South Road as fit to carry four ton loads. Some of the loads carried by the transport lorries daily passing over it must with the weight, of the vehicle run about ten tons. This is through transport from Auckland to Hamilton, carried on in competition with a railway that runs parallel with and adjacent to the road during its whole course. Yet the farmers living along the route are expected to pay rates for the upkeep of this highway. The main trouble is, however, that at present no one seems to know who is really in control of the roads, the county councils or the highway boards. The latter seem to ‘consider that they possess power to overrule the former. This question of control will have to be fought out at an early date; for the present system of dual control, ill defined as it is, has caused such confusion that a clearing up of the position has become inevitable.— Ngaruawahia Advicate.