HEAVY TRAFFIC.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 35, 21 November 1939, Page 6

HEAVY TRAFFIC.

FEES PAYABLE BY FARMERS. UNCERTAINTY OF POSITION. The question of the payment of heavy traffic -fees by farmers was before the General Committee of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association this afternoon, when the president (Mr J. Lowery) presided over a good attendance. The Ashburton County Council wrote that a c'oinmittee had been appointed to go into the question of heavy traffic fees, but it had decided, because of the uncertain conditions oft the transport regulations, not to make a decision in the meantime.

A remit from the 'Mayfield Agricultural and Pastoral Association as follows, “That the Association respectfully ask the Government to amend the heavy traffic licence laws to exempt farmers 1 trucks from payment of the heavy traffic licence tax,” was received and it was agreed to send to Mayfield a copy of. the County Council letter. The Mayfield Association also wrote asking the support of the Ashburton Association in approaching the Government with the object of having a larger grant made for research into a solution of the porina moth and grass grub troubles. The committee endorsed the suggestion.

The Ashburton Health Camp Committee wrote asking for support of its funds by a grant or' tho purchase of health stamps.

It was left to individual members to assist.

The Lyttelton Harbour Board wrote agreeing to the recommended conditions for its cup for the export lamb competition. The .Department of Agriculture wrote asking the commitee to cpnfirm the appointment of the president as representative on the Council of Primary production. The Association was also asked to set up a. small committee to work with the Canterbury Council and the president and vice-president (Mr T. J, Bell) were appointed. One new life member and three ordinary members were elected.

, Astatement in connection: with the recent show was jiresented by the secretary (Mr W. H. Amos). It showed that receipts had totalled £9Ol 15s 6d, giving a surplus of £5 14s, against £B4 last year. Prizemoney cost about £6O more than last year, while the gate was down by 21£ and the space of side shows .and extra exhibits was down by about £4O. The president said the position was highly satisfactory in view of the fact that most members bad 1 anticipated a debit balance. Mr A. 131.I 31 . Bruce recommended,* that a gate committee should be appointed in future, as the job of looking after the» gates was far too big for one man. He thought all people who were not members of the Association, should be charged 2s to get into the show. The suggestion about the gate charges was supported by Messrs A. Brown and G. H. B. Bill, and it was sent to the new committee as a recommendation. Mr S. P. Taylor congratulated the president and officials on the excellent results in view of the trying circumstances. Mr Bruce referred to the success of the woollen championship and prize ribbons in place of the silk ribbons that have been used in past years. The Association was using wool wherever it could. A vote of appreciation was accorded assistants who had given so much of thoit time in the produce shed, and a similar vote was accorded iMr G. Lysaght, who had charge of the dog trial. It was agreed to ask the County I Council to prohibit the parking of cars on the road outside the show on show day.