LOGGING TRUCKS AND LOADING LAW

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 129, 16 July 1954, Page 8

LOGGING TRUCKS AND LOADING LAW

ACCIDENTAL OYERLOADING PROBLEM The problem posed by the difficulties involved in gauging the weight of logs handled by logging trucks engaged in the timber industry is reported to be exereising the minds of timber mill executives. It has been stated that a tolerance clause in the traffic laws, which would make special provision to cover the accidental overloading of logging trucks, would appear to be the only solution. In November of last year a traffic ofhcer, addressing Mr W. H. Freeman in the Putaruru Magistrate's Court, stated with regard to a number of prosecutions against overloaded logging trucks: "I would like to point out to Your Wcrship that this firm has already had over 30 convictions in the Rotorua Court recently, not to mention a considerable number in this Court also. I would like to add," he continued, "that as all the breaches were noted by me in one day, it does not speak very highly of what is going on all the other days of the week."

Nuisance To Department Mr Freeman replied that he appreciated the fact that it was a nuisance for the department continually having to prosecute the same people for the same ohence. Thus, when a number of logging trucks are in trouble, with the | Traffic Department for overloading it appears to be a clear illustration of deliberate fiouting of the law. I This is not necessarily the case. In j the words of the managing-airect- ! or of New Zealand Forest Products, Sir David Henry: "All Forest Froducts wants to do is to comply with the law, observe the decencies and get on with its business,-' It will be understood that those firms who mill and distribute logs are not asking for extra rights so that they may carry out tlieir duties without regard for the law. They find breaches which occur as undesirable as does the Traffic Department.

There arises, however, that inevitable factor in the transportation and handling of logs which goes right to the root of the matter. The situation, in a nutshell, is that there is no practicable method of gauging the weights of the huge logs. The weight of a log is unpredictable. Size provides no indication of weight. The larger log in a load might weli be a drier, less sappy one than the smaller logs, and by that token, ccfhsiderably lighter. Although every endeavour is made by New Zealand Forest Products and other operators to restrict the weights of the loads on I logging trucks to those within the I requirements of law, there is no practical method available by which they can guard entirely against miscalculations. Deliberate flouting of the law, the company agrees, should be punished. It f eels, however, that a little elasticity in the regulations I would remedy an unavoidable and unenviable situation.