CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1920, Page 8

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES.

BY-LAWS ADOPTED. WAGES OF EMPLOYERS. A conference of local bodies was held at the Athenaeum Hall, Eltham, yesterday, to deal with universal by-laws and other mattevs of importance to local bodies in Taranaki. Mr E. 0 Belcher presided, and others present were: Messrs- A. L. Campbell and R. ]). Tosswill (Eltham County Council), Wright and C. R. Pease (Egmcnt County Council), O'Neill and Spence (Stratford County Council), O.W. Taylev and Ballantine (Eltham Borough), McPhillips and Bridge (Waimate West County Council), E. Dixon and Hayton (Hawera Borough Jouncil), Pigott (Clifton County Council), Corkhill (Inglewood), Preston and Madgwick (JTormanby Town Board). The chairman said that the by-laws were before them and if there was any particular clause on which information Was desired he, or the solicitor, who was present, would he pleased to answer any questions. Mr. Tayler said the Eltham Borough by-laws were already in the hands of the printers, but, if deemed desirable, any by-laws passed by the conference could be included later. Tire chairman said the conference would have liked uniformity in motor and heavy traffic, but if Eltham had already decided; upon fts course of action it could not be helped. Mr, Dixon (Hawera) said his borough was in practically the same position. It was quite probable, however, that some alteration would have to be made so as to better govern the speed of motor cars round corners. This was a matter they were considering at the present time. They would be glad, as possible, to work in with the conference.

SPEED FOR MOTORS. Mr. Weir (solicitor) pointed out that the by-law's had been so framed that they could ba adopted by any local body in Taranaki, and it would be of great advantage 10 motorists to know that immediately they entered Taranaki the, same by-laws applied right through. It' was provided that the rate of speed could be fixed in any district or locality as desired by the local body controlling the particular road concerned. At the same time 'a general rule would apply throughout the province. He suggested that all local bodies should utilise bylaws as far as possible and pay a fair share of the cost. Ho had heard of one local body which said that it would not join with the county conference in framing by-laws,, but would copy them after they had been adopted. He suggested that any local body with its own bylaws should repeal those relating to motor cars and, adopt those framed by the conference. He explained that the cost of the bv-laws was heavier than was expected, and he was not in a position to say yet what (he liability of each local, body would be.

Mr. .Bridge s.iid the by-laws allowed a motorist on roads not considered dangerous to travel at the rate of 60 miles an hour.

Mr. Weir said that latitude must lie allowed, but he did not think that anybody would hold (>0 miles an hour reasonable He did not agree that the speed on, say, Opunake road, should bo limited to 30 miles an hour.

Mr. McPhillips considered there should be a limit, and he pointed out the danger when going at CO miles an hour from cross road traffic. He favoured a *peed limit in the whole of the counties, to which the by-laws applied, though he quite recognised that there were difficulties in tlm way. There was a possibility of the Government limiting the speed to 30 miles.

_ Mr. Weir: "The by-laws forbid travelling past a by-road at a speed exceeding 12 miles an hour." Mr. McPhillips: "But a stranger would' not see a by-road."

A MATTKR OF DISCRETION. Mr. Weir: "A reasonable speed was in all eases provided for, and to fix the speed at 30 miles would not help them before a magistrate. As the by-law stood they had a much better chance of getting a conviction for excessive speed than if they fixed a limit." Mr. Dixon said they wanted to be reasonable. There was a safeguard in the speed fixed across by-roads. They did not want, to be absurd, Mr. Wright (Kgmont). said he bad noticed that the tlnt.t County had been very successful wjt.ti its prosecutions. He had not known it to fail in a single case. It might be a good idea to get a conv of its by-laws.

Mr. Weir said he bad these by-laws. The road to which they. applied was considered dangerous and this view was taken by the magistrate. Conviction? depended very largely on the inspector. Replying to Mr. McPhillips, Mr. Weir said that the speed could be regulated by any local body at present, provided sign boards' are put up. The speed could be varied from time to time by resolution. The guide to the motorist was the sign posts. Mr. Campbell: "What speed would you put on the Raglan road? Some travel at 50 miles."

Mr. Weir said the road Was dangerous, and the man who travelled at 50 miles could be prosecuted. In reply to Mr. Bridge, Mr. Weir said the by-laws relating to buildings, drainage, etc., had been included so as to meet the requirements of the Health Department. Thev ha-d to be included.

At the chairman's suggestion Mr. Weir said he. would insert a further bv-law forbidding anyone from hanging on to the back of anv tjavolling vehicle. He had seen the reference to the mntfer in the Dailv News, and had already decided to meet such cases by puffin" in, with the consent of the conference', a new clause.

Mr. Weir, proceeding, said the bylaws had been divided into twelve parts, the last part diealimj with cemeteries! There was no use in a local body bavins cemetery by-laws unless it had a peine" tery. He suggested that 'each local body should supply him with information o'm this matter later, and "the by-laws relatins to cemeteries when required. Referring to the storage of explosives, Mr. Weir stated that care had been taken to protect farmers. It was provided that a farmer could keep 32 gallons of benzine-

-Mr. Campbell: "Not enough for a day's run." The members thought that ' a farmer using benzine for milking should be allowed half a ton.

_ Mr. Dixon thought • that instead of limiting the quantity they should insist on the benzine being stored a certain distance from any other building. Mr. Weir said he eonld make the minimum one ton. What they were aiming at was the country store.' They did not want here sueh an explosion as occurred in the Hutt. The amount of gunpowder allowed was 10 lbs., and if a man wantpd to store more he could apply for a licenseIn respect of public billiard rooms, it

wns provided that no youth under 18 should enter a billiard room unless accompanied by his parent or guardian. Tlie hour for closing was U p.m. Mr. Dixon: '-Why 11 o'clock? Is not 10 late enough?" It was agreed that the hour for closing be 10 p.m. FEE FOR HAWKERS. A discussion took place on the proposal to charge hawkers £lO 10s a year, and it was urged that the fee should be prohibitive, as the object was to discourage this kind of competition against business people who paid rates. It was considered desirable that instead of collecting one fee for the whole of the districts to which the by-laws applied each local body should be permitted to collect a separate fee. It was agreed that the fee be £lO per twelve months and £7 10s for six months, collectable by each county. Replying to Mr. McPhillips, Mr. Weir said that if a taxi owner held a license issued by a borough he would have to take out another license before he could operate in the county, but a license issued for one county would enable a taxi driver to operate in any other county coming under the by-laws. The fee was not large, and, as matters stood, the borough councils received nearly all the fees. They wanted the counties to have their fair share. Taxi drivers made more money on county than on borough roads. Mr. Wright asked for a definition of a taxi. He mentioned the case of a farmer who visited town regularly and usually picked up several fare 3. Was he a taxi driver?

Mr. Weir said that any man who plied for hire would have to pay the fee. On the motion of Mr. Wright the by-laws as decided were adopted. Mr. Weir said he would send copies" of the by-laws to the seven counties interested, viz.:—Eltham,) Stratford, Hawera, Waimate ,West, Egmont, Clifton, and Inglcwood. Mr- Belcher stated that the committee appointed to go into the question of forming a Counties' Association should have met, but a quorum was not present on the appointed day. Mr; O'Neill suggested that a larger committee beformed. There would then lie a better chance of getting a quorum.

TO FORM AN ASSOCIATION. Mr. Tristram, on being referred to, said he thought another effort should be made to form an Association. They could have a much better chance of influencing Parliament if they could show a united front. He was a little out of touch with local body work now, and he would suggest that an Association be formed with a new secretary. The chairman said, that Mr. Tristram had not only given a great deal of time to the work of the conference, but he had also spent his own money in stamps and stationery. They should, he thought, open up a fund. Mr. McPhillips said that all the counties interested should he appealed to for assistance in forming a fund, so that Mr. Tristram's services could be recognised. On the motion of Mr. McPhillips it was decided that a further meeting of the old committee be called 1 to formulate a Counties' Association scheme, those members unable to attend to appoint substitutes.

It was left to the committee to make a recommendation in regard to the amount of remuneration due to Mr. Tristram. Mr. Tristram remarked that he had not raised the nivstitm himself.

The mooting then went into committee to consider the question of wages to local body employees. On resuming in open meeting the chairman reported that it had been agreed that the wages for laborers be an amount not exceeding 15/- per day, the wages of other employees to be fixed by the counties and boroughs interested. The printing of the by-laws was left in the hands of the chairmun and secretary. At the "onelusion of the business 'a hearty vote c,t thanks was passed to the chairman, -"-rotary and solicitor for the work they had done in framing the by-laws.