MOAOR WAGON TRAFFIC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 333, 8 March 1910, Page 2

MOAOR WAGON TRAFFIC

ITS EFFECT OX ROADS. : At the February meeting of the Taranaki County Council it was decided to obtain from the foreman a report on the effect of the motor-waggon traffic on the county roads. The county clerk's questions, and the foreman's replies •were yesterday read as follows: How many motor waggons, including the motor coach, are there on the roads ? Foreman Brosnan: Four motor waggons, including motor-coach. Foreman Huse: Four. How many use the road each day'/ Foreman Brosnan: Four use the road each day. Foreman Huse: Four. Do they cause any damage to the 'road? Foreman Brosnan: No damage, as far as 1 can see. Rubber can't damage providing the pace is slow. Foreman Huse: Not under 12 miles an hour. Do you consider they are worse on the road than a five-horse waggon? Foreman Brosnan: I consider they are far superior on the roads, and less damaging than the five-horse waggon. Foreman Huse: No, not so much. If not, in what respect do you think they are preferable to horse-waggons ? Foreman Brosnan: In each motorwaggon the tyres cover 20 inches of road each, tear out no stones, and carry lighter loads; whereas the horse waggon takes nearly three tons -with 2% inches and tears out stones. Foreman Huse: They do not keep in the same track, and do not knock out loose stones. Do you consider they do more damage jn wet weather than in fine weather? Foreman Brosnan: In fine weather they do no.damage whatever. In wet •weather. they do a certain amount of splashing, but slight damage. Foreman Huse: No. The position is thus summarised by Foreman Brosnan: To take the whole thing into consideration, I would far sooner keep the road in repair for motor-waggons than for horse-waggons.