MOTOR WAGGON TRAFFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 206, 5 October 1909, Page 4

MOTOR WAGGON TRAFFIC.

TOLL-GATE CHARGES REDUCED. At the Taranaki County Council meet- ■ ing yesterday, Councillor Allanson moved in accordance with notice of motion that the words "or other'' be deleted from til resolution passed on the lOtli of July, HKH); and that the following additional tolls be payable at the Puniho toll gate or any other toll-gates establish*.?.i by the Council of the County of Taranaki until revoked or altered:— For each motor or motor waggonette, drawing not more than three toils, with rubber tyres, ss; for each additional trailer attached thereto,

'with rubber tyres, ss. The Council'* aim, he said, should be to encourage this tmll'ic, as he believ \-S the expense on the roads would be very •much lighter than entailed by the present horse traffic. Councillor Hill seconded.

Councillor Andrews said his ophiou was that the tarifi' should be lixed at the present price of live-horse waggonv namely, 3s. ]f after n three or six* inonUiN" trial it was found that the motors were causiing more damage tinu the lmrse waggons, then the tariff coulM be readjusted. He moved an amendment in that direction.

In reply to Councillor Carter ttn jehfliirma*:i nrted that, the amendment was admissible. Councillor Carter said he did not wish to block the proposal, but he frould not agree with the chairman's ruling.

Councillor Tait seconded the amendment, and said that had he thought the motion could not be amended he would have given notice of the reduced charge. The Council, he held, should use every endeavor to reduce the extraordinary wear and tear on the South Road, He had intended 'to move in the direction of fixing the charge at 2s (id,» hut was quite prepared to support Councillor Andrews. TJhe Council could well alford to lose toll revenue if they were to get r.M of half the cost of present uur ir tenance.

■Councillor Hopson doubted wheth r these motor cars would not damage t, road* more than some councillors seenril to anticipate.

Councillor Carter said it was not with an idea of injuring the proposer! industry that lie rose to point out that if the amendment were carried the tar'll must stand as at present, namely IDs. Notice of motion was certainly required. Me wa»' quite agreeable to reduce the charge, to ss. and was as anxious as anyone to develop the coist traffic, which must benefit everyone. If when the traffic was uti tli » ro.ul it was found that the wear and t<ar oit the vcaM was less than anticipated, he would lie quite prepared to still further reduce the toll. Councillor Andrews said lie could not understand Councillor Carter. He .p----parcntly was trying all the time toenail the settlers of the eolith 'end of the Omafa riding. If the ratepayers in the riding wished a lis toll the Council should assist them in their desires, Councillor Alhuison said h-: 1 quit' 1 agreed with the amendment, ai.'l would have proposed his resolution to that, effect, but he had little hope it wouul be carried. Councillor Carter, *aid he was the greatest frie.nd the Omata riding ever had. (Hear, hear.) Councillor An drews was' in the Council when his riding had got itself into a financial mess, and the speaker and others had to i-onie to their assistance to get them out of it. lie hoped Councillor Andrews wo-uiM suspend judgment for two vcara, tit! the Council had managed to <>;.'t Onvata clear of its debt. The toll-gate was not put on to penalise Omata ratepayers but principally to catch the Egmont County Council traffic.

Coiiiu'illor ilill al-o took exception to Councillor Andrews' insinuation that the Moa and WaUara-. were responsible in anv way for Omata's position. The chairman said he could not agree •with the amendment. In reducing to ;>s the syndicate was being fairly met. Uiter on he would be prepared to revise tho tnrilT if it were prove*d to him that little or no damage was being occasioned. The amendment was lost, on the voice--and the motion was carried.