PROPOSED TOLL GATE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 313, 12 June 1915, Page 4

PROPOSED TOLL GATE.

NEAR STRATFORD.

YESTERDAY'S SITTING.

On the Commission resuming yesterday, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, ex-Mayor of Stratford and chairman of the Stratford Automobile Association, gave evidence that motorists regarded the toll-gate as most inequitable and irksome. t*ic charges being out of all proportion to the class of cars used. Me favored a tyre tax, though it was. not the absolute solution of the difficulty. Chas. Penn, clerk to th» Stratford County, stated the financial position of the county, which had IS7 miles of metalled road. He said it was the intention of the council to abolish the toll as soon as the road was in good order for motorists and other traffic.

Evidence was also given by the Stratford County engineer (Mr. W. J. Lopdell) as to the state of the main road and casts of repairs. He considered settlers on by-roads were suffering through having to beep the main road in order.

T. R. Anderson, a member of the Stratford County Council, also gav» evidence in favor of the toll, and the county chairman made an explanation relative to bridge loans. Mr. Fooke's (for Stratford borough) contended that the county should follow the example of other local bodies and raise a loan instead of erecting a tollgate, as the ratepayers were the right parties to defray) the cost of the road. The Commissioner pointed out that if the toll were allowed the borough might participate in the proceeds. Mr. Spence replied that all the local bodies interested, except Stratford borough, favored a toll, and he dealt with the objections raised by that, borough, which wanted a tar-siealod road, but objected to contribute to the cost while throwing the burden on the settlers, lie scouted the idea that Stratford'would lose trade if. the toll-gate existed, and stressed the fact that the county was supported by the four other councils cited.

The Commissioner intimated that he would make his report to the. Governor in due course, and the inquiry terminated.

(A full report will appear later.)