MOTORISTS AND TOLL-GATES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 102, 27 May 1909, Page 3

MOTORISTS AND TOLL-GATES

A XEW PLYMOUTH PROTEST There was an attendance of about a dozen motor ear and motor cycle owners at tlu* meeting in the Town na.i last evening for the purpose 01 discussing the institution of toll-gates and their effect upon motorists. Mr. \X. Beiwlcy was voted to the chair. The chairman «aid that the meeting was called, he understood, not only U> the recent dvcUion of the Tarnnaki County Council to erect toll-gat'>, but also the establishment of toll-gal; s in neighboring counties. He had heard it said that the.Taranaki County Council was likely to adopt the same heavy rees as were being charged elsewhere in Taranaki. In his opinion the charge of j 3s for motor care at each of tile two gates ou* the Eltham road was a vindictive rate, and he thought that its infliction wight have been due to the fact that the motorists there did not bes'fcir themselves in the matter and had not made their views known to the authon. ties. He thought the fees charged should be on a graduated stale, based on tKe horse-power and weight of ears. For instance, it was unfair that the owner of a" small car should be called upon to pay tlu* same tojl as the man driving a 40 or GO-h.p. car, weighing perhaps a couple of ton*'. The Council should consider also whether the cars •were using .steel-studded tyres. It must be admitted that these did considerable damage to the roads, but ordinary rubber tyres did not, although perhaps they had raised any amount of diifct which had been made by other vehicles. He questioned if an ordinary light ear did as' much damage to the roads as was eausvd by an ordinary horse and cart. In fact, he was sure that Mieh a, car driven in moderation would not cause as much damage. For his own part, lie didn't believe in the high speed that many indulged in. Such driving was absolutely unsafe on due narrow and winding roads in this part oi Xeiw Zealand, where a decent straight stretch wa-s 1 hardly ever available. The motorists were in a minority, and thav must consider the other traftic which used the roads. He remarked, amidst a murmur of assent, that it was chief; y on account of the dangerous driving of one man who bad since left the district that there was such antagonism on the part of the settlers towards the motor cars'. As there was no information yet as to the tariiT, he suggested that this meeting might appoint a small committee to frame a tariff and submit it the Council, whose members, lie was sure, would give it every consideration. It would be better to see the Council I before the tolls wvre fixed than to try [and amend them afterwards. It was unfortunate for the meeting that "The Magistrate" was being played, for he would have liked to have eeen others, notably the medical men, present. These toll-gates .would affect them eonsid<ttably, for they made irvquent country journeys. It \vould doubtless be brought home to farmers, who wej-e the Taranaki County Council, that if they put on a vindictive tariff, they .themselves would have to pay the charges when the doctors visited their homes. They l would thus be "spoiling their noeuilo spite their face," for this' impost must m the end be paid by the consumer. Mr. (iuiison moved that a committee be set up as suggested, Mr. Xixon thought the meeting might go further. The committee might be given power to approach the county councils which had toll-gates at present, with a view of reducing their present prohibitive tariff. The committer might also deal with the motorists who indulged in furious driving for thev knew that the furious driving of one man brought discredit on all motorists. The curs'e of motoring here had been the riinoiis driving of a few. Mr. Bond said he had heard them was a doubt of the ability of the Council to charge motor ears, sine 0 they were not scheduled. I liey might be classed as traction engine*, for which a 'very heavy rate is levied.

ill. Parker believed all motorists We mutP prepared to meet any reasonable demand on them as users'of He county roads. Tile comitv ratepayers mi" it to remember. tliou<;|i. that thev »*,I tlv- Imrmigh streets to a considerable extent, but paid no borough rates. V'e mo . li ' l » to set up a committee wa- carried. Messrs Bcwley Nixon Jioml and Parker were appointed from the meeting, and Dr. Walker and |) r . rookes ivill li|. rec|uested to act. Mr. -lack, followm* »l>»n Mv.Xixon's t n">' would lie tte lor Hi... committee to take a wider ' ,v -, e . ,nfit,u,cvd ll'e fact tliat :4 , ant e "'<• charge for motors 0 f l ' Hmvera and Manaia am iM.tween Elth»m and Opunake ?« at each of two <ratea. rnbrhi- ' l ' l - ''"'"glit the committee Conntv i' 1,1 ..'-eirai-d (o the Clifton count. , but m South Taranaki action should come from the local motorics. It ««» rather lar alield for X-iiv Plvmoutl, motoric lo „ 0 to KJtham

Mr. .lack said ilie committee mMit be

„ T ', IE t'RKNI'r fJATK. tee L ' ,hi,t lh <- J ™l>"«ercd to interview the Clifton County Council with a view 0 f fill" 1 !; a reduction of the toll payable Mr H™,"/ =" te ,S! SCCOU,, " I ' »» d «>• motion