DESTRUCTIVE MOTOR TRAFFIC.

Shannon News, 15 August 1922, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE MOTOR TRAFFIC.

DAMAGE TO COUNTY BRIDGES

COUNCIL TO PROSECUTE

When the Engineer’s report was .read at Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council, reference was made to the condition of the Ohau bridge, and the need for re-planking the structure.

Cr. Monk, the chairman, said it was Impossible for the ‘ Council to deck its bridges, owing to the great cost and the constant damage' that was being done by heavy motor traffic, but if the. Ohau bridge was let go for one week without, _ attention traffic could not get over it. “Some people,” he said, “are not fit to drive a motor lorry. They are nothing more than motor hogs, and drive without consideration for anything.” He said whilst inspecting the ' Ohau bridge with the Engineer a heavily-laden lorry came along and they signalled the driver to stop owing to. a bad spot in the' bridge, but lie 1 took no notice and went, on, missing the weak [dace by inches. A councillor: You got his number. The chairman: Yes, and we will prosecute. From the attitude of the Government, said the chairman,' they seemed to encourage the heavy traffic to go on to the county roads. The Otaki bridge had as good a surface as any about this part of the country, but the heavy loads passing' over it was affecting'it seriously. Repairs to the bridges iould only be temporary as long as they had 1 heavy traffic to put up with. They must get assistance from the Government, and considered that a deputation from the Council should go down to Wellington. They could get. their member to arrange to meet the Minister. This was an urgent matter, and unless it was attended to there was a grave langer of traffic over the county roads being stopped. .

Cr. McLeavey supported the chairman. Heavy motor traffic was playing up with their bridges. Cr. Ryder said lie understood they were going to stop heavy traffic, but instead it was getting worse. He had been told that some lorries carried as much as six tons. He agreed that there were motor hogs on the roads, and related that one of these gentry nearly caused trouble on the Tokomar u bridge last Wednesday night.

Cr. Harkness considered the motor traffic that was causing the trouble was the same that the Minister had

collected tyre tax from. The tax was collected, and the Minister ‘was sitting on it. Tiie chairman moved that a deputation wait, upon the Minister of Public Works and ask that assistance be given towards decking the Ohau River bridge, such deputation to comprise tire chairman, councillors lor the Wirokino Riding, and the Engineer, such deputation to be arranged for by Mr Field, M.P. This was agreed to.