TOLL-GATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1919, Page 6

TOLL-GATES.

UNANIMOUSLY OPPOSED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

In connection with the toll-gates proposed to be set up by the Taranaki County Council, Cr. Clarke moved and Cr. Short seconded the following motion at last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council: "That the Taranaki County Council be informed that the council is of opinion that the establishment of toll-gates on the roads leading to New .Plymouth would be even more detrimental to New Plymouth than tie enforcing of the vehicle licensing bylaw, and, under the circumstances, cannot see its way to agree to the establishment of toll-gates." Cr. Clarke added that they should oppose the erection to the utmost of their ability. They had received all possible support from other parts of Taranaki.

Cr Short said the County Council appeared to ho in a desperate hurry. He was personally against either a wheel tax or gates. County people used the borough roads and were not charged, and if other counties adopted the same attitude as the Taranaki County one could not travel at all. It was a monstrous thing that the county had the power to enact such a by-law.

Cr. Collis believed it would be a waste of money for the county to go to the expense of erecting toll-gates and then find the Government introduce a wheel tax. It would pay the county to wait a little longer and see what the Government would do in tile matter.

' Cr. Griffiths said he must sympathise with the county in their position, but they should do all in their power ,to prevent the erection of these gates. The Mayor recognised the difficulty. Tin town was in a different position to the country. The latter had main roads which were highways and carried heavy traffic. However, their council had started the ball rolling and did not desire to go back. They must see that their delegates did'their best in this connection iat the next municipal conference Cr- Short said he expected other counties were in a similar position to Taranaki, and seemed to manage all right. It was evident that the improved .roads, had been the means of considerably increasing the value of the land adjoining these roads, and if a new valuation were taken the rates might show a considerable increase. The motion was carried unanimously.