SPECIAL FREIGHT CONCESSION

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1926, Page 10

SPECIAL FREIGHT CONCESSION

OTAirrnu suitorts pukekohe. (A the Otahuhu Borough Council last evening ;i letter was received from tlie Pukekohe Borough Council stating that advice had l>ooll received from tlie district engineer to the Public Works Department to tlie effect that cities and boroughs are not entitled to receive the special freight concessions on roadmaking materials, for "feeder routes," Consequently the council has to pay full local body rate on all its roadmakinji material. To boroughs such as Pukekohe, which are dependent on the railway for the carriage of all their naterial, this is, a serious matter. Pukekohe is .situated ill tlie centre of the Franklin County and consequently a considerable quantity of road metal for the whole county has to pass over tile borough roads. In view of the fact that county expenditure is chiefly confined to road construction and maintenance, whiie borough rates are generally heavier owing to the increased conveniences and necessities for ratepayers, it would appear that the small country boroughs are placed at a .meat disadvantage in respect to Urn freight on road 'material. Section 110 of the Public Works A:.. J-'u.-i. recognise:; Mini boroughs situated within the boundaries of a county are entitled to compensation for the additional expense they may be [nit to in maintaining roads which Imvu to carry extv-siw through irailic, thus showing that the legislative recogjnises the right of boroughs to receive j aoitio coniiKiisalicn for carrying ONcesI >-i\o tnilTie from outsido their ! The report concluded by slating that I the. Minister and the member for the : li>(rift, had lieeu coniniunicated with, with a view of obtaining relief. The Mayor of Otahsilin, Mr. 11. P>. I Todd, moved thai i ! i" conn.- il" .-lippart Pukek»he.'bccai;-e Olahiihu is placed in I 1 somewhat similar position. 'This was I -arrii'd unanimously.