TIMBER TRAFFIC ON ROADS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3570, 4 September 1920, Page 4

TIMBER TRAFFIC ON ROADS

RESPONSIBILITY FOR UPKEEP.:, A QUESTION OF ROYALTIES. , . A deputation, consisting of Messrs Cbas. Odlin (of C. A. Odlin and Co., Ltd. Wellington), J. K. Jenson (sawmiller, Taihape), and Irving (secretary of the Federated Sawmillers of New Zealand), waited upon the Rangitikei County Council on Thursday with a.request for permission to be allowed to commence sawmilling operations on Wainui Road, about ten miles from Taihape. Mr Odlin, -who acted as spokesman, stated that it was intended to work land belonging to Messrs H. D, BenBatley, and the Batley Estate.. They estimated that it would take them four years to cut out the bush,, and they expected to put out 120,000 ft per month, or 1,400,000 ft. per year.. In order to reimburse the Council for any damage done to The roads by heavy traffic, they were prepared to pay a royalty of 4d per 100 ft. This would bring in considerable revenueto {he about £240 a year.

Mr Irvine, another member of the deputation, said that he was secretary of a sawmillers’ association operating from Hokianga to the Bluff. Unfortunately the s awmiller in this country was regarded by public bodies as a nuisance. This, however, was not the light in which he was regarded in America, where he was regarded as a public benefactor. The Director of Forestry had informed the speaker that unless local bodiestreated sawmillers with more sideration special legislation would have to be introduced. The whole country was calling out for timber, and he considered that do obstacles should be placed in the way of those who wished to cut timber. Cr. Doole said if the company were prepared to enter into a bond for payment of the he thought there would be no difficulty. The Engineer (Mr Half) said .thought 4d per 100 ft royalty jwas rather little to keep the roads in order Cr. Duncan said he would like to see all the timber possible got out, but they had to remember that these roads had been metalled by special loans, and they would have to see that proper safeguards' were given that these roads would not be utteily destroyed by excessive traffic. Mr Irvine stated that they were prepared to increase tlic royalty pajable to the Council to 6d per 100 ft. The chairman informed the deputation that the Council would consider their application, and he could assure them that they would put no obstacles In their way.

After the deputation bad withdrawn Cr Doole said he favoured a straightout royalty. The Council had control of the road, and would have to see that it was net destroyed. He thought, the owners of the property should also have coutl Yifore the Council in the matter.

. The Engineer agreed that the owners of the bush should offer to help to maintain the road. Cr. Duncan i|i(J he did not care what the owners got .for their timber or what the sawmiljers made out of it. All he was concerned about was to sep that the settlers who had raised special loans did not have their metalled roads cut up by the heavy traffic.- It had recently cost ithe Council £2OOO to repair a road cut up by carting timber [from a sawmill. After a lengthy discussion it was decided, on the motion of Cr. Doole, seconded by Cr. Brown ? to inform the sawmilling company that the Council was prepared to accept a composition under Section 62 of the Public Works Act. based on a royalty of 1/6 per 100 ft, otherwise the company would have to give bond for the maintenance of the road.