OPUNAKE MOTOR SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 309, 8 February 1910, Page 2

OPUNAKE MOTOR SERVICE.

THE QUESTION OF TOLLS. Messrs. Newton' King, Metcalfe,, and 11. Baily, representing the Opunakc Motor Transport Company, waited on the Taranaki County Council im reference to the toll-charges levied on their vehicles at the I'uniho toll-gate at yes-, terday's meeting. Sir. King said the 'Council a few months ago had given the company a concession in the toll-charges, and promined that if it were found the motorwaggons were doing no damage to the road the toll charge would be still further reduced. The motor-waggons had now been on the road for some months, ivnd those who had been watching them blosely were convinced they were not damaging the roads, lie asked, therefore, that the toll charges tie reduced at least to the level of the toll charge on horse-waggons. 1 Mr. Metcalfe, of Okato, endorsed the | remarks, and said the horse-teams did I far more damage.

In answer to questions. Mr. Hugh Bailv. secretary to the company, stated 'tliat the company had paid ;Cl3 a month in tolls on the mail car and one freight Waggon. These cars did not run at high speed, and the, bodies Were well off the ground, so that there was no suction to damage the road surface. Mr. King added that the horse-wag-gons carried three tons, weight, whilst the motor-waggons were limited to two 'tons. Councillor Andrews asked if it were a fact that the company was..going to establish a depot at Okato, so that they could send tho waggons through from Okato to the places farther on two or three times a day, and thus pay only one toll.

Mr. King said it was a fact that the company proposed to move its head-' quarters to Okato, for the convenience of working. It w'as possible that liorsetc.mls would, be used /on the -other side of Oka-to-, and the company would pay charges on those only. The fees were 5s for the company's waggons and 2s Qd for horse-teams.

Council Carter pointed out/ that it cost the Council''about Clo' to alter the' schedule,, but - ,the ,deputa,ti«* said the" company had offered, 'and Was still prepared, to pay half itpat cost., , ' ' In answer to Councillor Hopson 'it vais explained that the change of headquarters had not Iseen'considered with a view of' evading the tolls. The Council promised to,give the matter consideration, and th e deputation withdrew. ' " 1 ; r ' • The ch'airtnah, when the matter came up later, said the trial had been a very short one, and it was early yet to say the waggons were doing-. no harm. Councillor Stevens thought the (Joimeil could hardly deal with the matter without a report from the foremen. Councillor ArfdiWs''said "that-'no one would cont'e'hd that the motor-waggons did no harm, but it was a fact that t'hijy were less destructive to. the/roads than the horse-waggons, for, there were no horses tearing up the roads, solid rubber tyres, and lighter loa'ds ' " thsin the horse-waggons..: c&rrisd. # Again,/ . the vehicles (Jidn't wear along in the same ruts, as the horses always ( did. It was' a fair thing to reduce, the toll fees to at least the same figure a<s ..the otter waggoners were paying, provided the company didn't run more, tha,n r one return trip a day through the,gate. It was. pointed: out .that,..such a condition was impossible, ,f,or it, would override the Act. 'j Councillor Andrews also suggested that if the reduction were ihad.e the company should bear, any expense incurred in the transaction. The quicker the fivehorse waggons were off the roads the better for the Council., ... Councillor Allanjsfm said he didn't think the motor Waggons Were not doing the same damage as the horse teams did, but it wa,s too sfpon come to a decision yet. He had watched the two carrying services. He had noticed the horses scratching up stones in the road, and the next waggon coming along passed over and crushed them. The motorwaggon didn't 'do' that.' He would like to help .this company, but he didn't think the Council was. prepared to act that day. ,

Councillor Carter thought it might be as' w y ell to wait until the intentions of the company with regard.to the, Okato depot were made known.

The chairman reminded councillors that the toll-gate had been erected for the sole purpose of' raising revenue, jind the revenue was badly'needed., as'they knew. He was not prepared, without 'hearing a report fi'Om■ their own foremen, to say frhether the waggons were doing harm or not. He'would not favor making a reduction in the charge until March 31st, for the Council had based its estinKited expenditure on the estimated receipts till that date. But, if the riding formen and the riding members considered at the' end of the financial year that ; this" traffic was not injuring the road, he was willing to accede to the request, 6f the deputation. Councillor Andrews moved and Councillor Hill 1 seconded that the request of the company be acceded to. Councillor Allanson moved nn amendment to the effect that no reduction be made until after 31st March, and that the foremen in the meantime report upon 'the question. Councillor Stevens seconded. Councillor Carter said it was n pity to divide the Council." All the members ibelieved in meeting the company's request, and the only difference was as to when a reduction should be made. Councillor Andrews stuck to his motion, which, upon being put, was lost, and the amendment Avas carried.