HEAVY TRAFFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 233, 29 September 1908, Page 3

HEAVY TRAFFIC.

SOME. DRASTIC PROPOSALS. A PROTECTING THE CARTER. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Seporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The regulation of heavy traffic on roads is the subject of a bill that has been introduced into the Legislative Council. Where the owner of a vehicle engaged i" heavy traffic desires to use that vehicle in two or more districts in which part 2 of the measure is in force, an application is to be lodged with the magistrate specifying tbe roads to be used, description of vehicle, etc. The magistrate, after hearing the evidence of the applicant and local authorities concerned, is to decide whether or not the license h to be granted, and what license fee is to be paid, also what proportion to each local authority. The magistrate's decision shall be final and conclusive. The license fee shall be settled by the magistrate after considering the probable effect of the traffic of the vehicle on the roads proposed to be used, but shall not exceed twice the maximum license fee provided by any local authority for a similar vehicle engaged in heavy traffic. Carters so licensed shall not be liable for fees upon the par- j ticular vehicle to any local authority, but i they will not be exonerated from liability to comply with any law j ,or by-law relating to the traffic, but not ' iin conflict with the Act. The penalty for an offence is fixed at not exceeding £20, j or if a continuing one £5 per day. I Part 2 provides that the owner of a vehicle, before using it for heavy traffic, shall make application to the local authority having control of the road for a license. stating the weight and description of the vehicle, the roads proposed to be travelled, the weight of the load intended to be carried, and tbe length of the license required. The local authority may require security to be given for any damage likely to be done, or for thn additional cost of maintenance. Licenses may be issued without payment of a license fee, or on payment of such fee n,s the local authority thinks fit, but local authorities arc not authorised to impose different license foes, to different •people for similar vehicular traffic or road, as under clause 1 the local authority may in lieu grant the license on payment of a fixed sum for each time the vehicle uses the road. Licenses nre to be renewed annually, but no other wheel tax or license fee is to be paid. Drivers lof vehicles are required to have their license in their immediate personal possession, to b e produced for inspection, together with the name of the licensee, number and weight of vehicle. Notwithstanding the issue of a license to engage in heavy traffic, traffic licenses are not relieved from any liability respecting damage caused to any road through ex-

cessive weights or extraordinary traflie. j Amongst other things it is provided that | no vehicle engaged in heavy traffic shall j be driven so that its wheels shall (if it can be reasonably avoided) travel in ruts formed in any roads; whilst subsequent clauses deal with the inspection and passing of other vehicles. Drivers of heavy i traffic vehicles are required to stop and render all possible assistance to rideTs or drivers meeting or overtaking them should it be■ _en_aiK_6d." . - No vehicle which, together with its maximum load, weighs more than 10 tons per pair of wheels, except with pcrmi. sion, shall cross over a bridge or culvert, except upon special planks laid down for the purpose. Any special damage done by any vehicle to anything appertaining to a road shall be given notice of in writing by the driver to the clerk of the local

authority. Bullocks arc not to be used for traction upon any road from May to October, exc.pt with the pcrmi.-.-i.in of the local authority. Drivers of steam engines arc. to have assistants, part of whose duty shall be to keep a careful lookout for persons passing. Considerable discussion took place in the Legislative Council this afternoon regarding the bill. The Attorney-General explained its provisions, and said that there had been innumerable requests from local bodies that the Covernment should introduce legislation with a view to preserving their roads. The second part of the bill also had the object of protecting the carters, who were often placed in an unfair position in being compelled to pay heavy fees. In ChristchureVi the carters were forced to pay fees amounting to as high as .CIS per year. A number of speakers raised their voices in protest against (lie provisions of the bill. The Hon. J. Anstcy said the bill was too ambitions. Its provisions were unworkable and absurd. \Y"hat farmer would think of fastening two lights to a dray at night, or complying with other equally ridiculous suggestions? He thought the bill should be re-drafted by some one with some practical knowledge. Other speakers urged that the measure should be allowed to stand over, but the bill was ultimately reatl a second tini', and sent to the Agricultural and .Stock Committee. I -