MOTORS AND ROADS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1919, Page 3

MOTORS AND ROADS.

DAMAGE BY HEAVY, FAST TRAFFIC. The roading problem formed the subject of considerable discussion at the meeting cf the Egmont County Council on Tuesday, when various councillors referred to the damage caused to the Toads by the fast, heavy motor traffic, and various suggestions were made as to overcoming this. The chairman stated that the fast, heavy traffic was playing havoc with the roads. Boads which had recently been laid down would require renewing occasionally, owing to the rate at which heavy motor traffic was driven along the roads. Only the previous evening motor waggons had broken a 14 by 12 Btringer in a bridge which was considered the strongest wooden bridge in the county, and it was necessary that by-laws should be introduced to regulate this. A eo uicillor understood that a conference* of Taranaki local bodies was drawing up a let of by-laws for general use. The .-"haft-man said that was correct, but the council could not wait for then. The matter was an urgent one, and they must dra<r up their own by-law limiting the load uid speed of motor lorries and wagijons Waggons with double tyres, at tho speed they travelled, were regularly sticking the metal from the roads, and were doing much more damage than motor cars. No rate that they could possibly pay would maintain the roads. They would have to stop waggons carrying aevw or eight tons travelling at the rate of 30 or 35 miles per hour. He would not favor motor waggons being allowed to travel over twelve miles per hour. Cr. Cornish favored the speed being limited to 15 miles, and the load to 5 to.is. The chairman pointed out that the Hutt County limited the speed to 10 miles and the load to 4 tons. Cr. Green said that in order to test whether their by-laws would hold, as well as to see whether the chairman was prepared to support them, he would move that an inspector be appointed, and that all motcrists infringing the by-laws be prosecuted. Th.i cbairman considered that it would be a waste of money, as the by-law regarding the speed of motor-cars would not hold. Cr. Green said that he would alter his resolution to cover heavy traflic only. Cr. Harvey said they should wait a whib. Cr. Green then moved that the county solicitors (Messrs. Roy and Nicholson) be instructed to frameby-laws, with the assistance of the engineer, dealing with all mot •■: traffic. Regulations were needed to govern motor-car Irailic us well. He had seen the chairman and some members living along in cars that were travelling at the rate of from 3o to 40 miles per hour. Thi» v.xs seconded by Cr. Sinclair. The chairman thought lhat the council might frame by-laws to deal with the heavy motor trallic, which was urgent, and leave the by-laws re motor-car traffic, to the conference. Cr. Green said it was evident that councillors did not want by-laws at all, only where they applied to other persons. After further discussion Cr. O'Brien moved f„s an amendment that the solicitors be instructed to draw up a short legal by-law to cover motor-lorry and jnotur-wa'/gon traffic. This was seconded and carried, Crs. O'Brien, Ornish, Campbell, Harvey and Wright voting in its favor.