ROAD OR RAIL?

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 250, 16 August 1928, Page 4

ROAD OR RAIL?

SLEEPERS FROM MOKAI. “ Company Won’t Do It.” Pointed remarks were made by n,embers of the Matamata County Council at last Friday’s meeting, when considering an application from Mr. D. Wells, of Putaruru, for permission to exceed the load limit on the Taupo road.

In his application Mr. Wells stated that the total loaded weight of his lorry would be 31 tons. He was carting on an average two loads per week, and he could suit his trips to fine weather.

Cr. Allen stated the applicant was carting sleepers for the Railway Department.

The engineer stated that he was one of many damaging this road through carting operations and they should be treated all alike.

Cr. Cox stated there were three men carting from the Mokai bush.

Cr. Rollett: Couldn’t the sleepers be brought down the T.T.T. line? Cr. Cox: The company won’t do it? Cr. Darby: Then I think we should adopt the same attitude. The chairman: If we stand to our guns the Government may bring pressure to bear on the company. Cr. Darby held that all should be treated alike and that he felt this traffic should go by rail. Perhaps Cr. Cox could enlighten councillors. Cr. Cox: The company won’t do anything. We have had the same trouble before.

A voice: Here’s the railway patronising the roads. (Laughter). It was then decided to adhere to the previous decision to prohibit tha carting of any loads over 2i tons. Cr. Judd thought they should advise the Railway Department, and this course was also agreed to.