COUNTIES DISAGREE ON NEW REGULATIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 362, 24 May 1928, Page 11

COUNTIES DISAGREE ON NEW REGULATIONS

ARE BY-LAWS RULED ? UNALTERED OPINIONS The Waipa County Council lodged a complaint at the last meeting of the Matamata County Council against a statement reported in The Sun, which had been made by the county’s engineer. The statement, which was claimed to be misleading, was reported as follows:—"That the writer’s (Waipa County Council) seem to have misunderstood the motor regulations, and seem to be of the opinion that the regulations overrule county by-laws, whereas the position is the reverse.” The letter continued that if the remarks as reported were actually made, the Waipa County Council considered it was their duty to correct a wrong impression which may have been conveyed to the Matamata Council. The Waipa County Council had not misunderstood the regulations, and local by-laws did not overrule the motor regulations. Their solicitors maintained that the restricted powers given by regulation 15 to make by-laws were not for the purpose of protecting roads at all, but solely for the purpose of safeguarding the public. OF SAME OPINION STILL The Engineer, Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald: I don’t want to be disrespectful to their solicitors, but I am of the same opinion still. The Chairman (Councillor Anderson): Yes, it’s simply a matter of opinion. Councillor Judd stated that it appeared plain to him. When the regulations had a lower mileage per hour it counted, but when a by-law had the lowest speed per hour it overruled the regulation. Councillor Anderson: Yes, that’s our opinion, but their advice is that it is not so. I think the best way is to let the question go to the Counties’ Conference and have it thrashed out there. There is even a difference of opinion on the motor regulation among magistrates. (Laughter.), It was decided to refer the matter to the Counties’ Conference, and to reply to Waipa stating the council’s view was unaltered.