TARANAKI'S TOLL GATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1915, Page 8

TARANAKI'S TOLL GATES.

PROTEST FROM EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL. The Egmont county is in the unenviable position of being practically surrounded by toll-gates. Every outlet to the railway is blocked by these anti-' quated, but apparently effective, means of collecting revenue. On the Main South Road to New Plymouth the Taranaki County Council has erected one gate, the Hawera County Council has done likewise near Hawera, whilst the Eltharn County Council has erected two on the Eltham roads. Ratepayers in the Egmont county thus have to con-j tribute heavily towards the upkeep of the roads in the other counties over which they or their produce passes on the way to the port. The Taranaki county's toll-gate was the subject of discussion at the Egmont County Council meeting yesterday, Cr. Young suggested that a committee should be set | up to meet the Taranaki County Council, with a view to seeing if some concession could not be obtained. The Taranaki County Council, who were receiving £I2OO per annum from the toll, had never been approached before, and Ihe thought that good would come out of the interview. The bulk of the money came from the Egmont county. Cr. Campbell considered that they were entitled to a percentage of the toll. Cr. Wright said he had intended to bring the matter forward. He considered they should ask Mr. Short to hold a commission into the matter. It appeared absurd that the Egmont ratepayers should pay £IOOO per year through the toll when a few years ago Taranaki County Council offered to accept a subsidy of £250 in lieu of toll. I The chairman thought it would be, necessary to approach the Council before asking fov a commission. j Cr. Mcßeynokls was t opinion that; Taranaki County Council would not ' give them sixpence. I Cr. Dudley did not think a commission could interfere with a toll-gato already established. The chairman thought they might obtain some concession. It was unfair that a car could run all dav between, say, Okato and Pungarehu on one toll, whereas if a settler wished to go to New Plymouth by car on one evening and return the next day he had to pay twice. He' considered one payment should pass the car through oa its return trip next day. It was decided that a committee comprising Crs. Wright, Young, and the chairman should wait on the Taranaki County Council to discußs toll matters.