Tolls.

Bruce Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 798, 28 April 1876, Page 6

Tolls.

# On Tuesday morning a deputation from ■ Palmerston waited on bis Honor the , Superintendent, for the purpose of bring- • ing under bis notice the heaviness of the 1 tolls imposed on waggons by the Ordinance of last session. As the matter ia r of general interest, we republish the 1 ' Stars ' report of the interview : — Mr M'Lean, who introduced the deputation, said tbey were desirous that the matter should be referred to the Provincial Solicitor to see if there was no way of getting over the difficulty. His Honor — Well, the thing is not new ; in fact, it has been referred to the Provincial Solicitor already. There is no way out of the difficulty. There is the law, and we cannot break it. I have had several deputations here from carriers, who are greatly interested in the question, and the result is that the whole thing was gone into very carefully. The law is very explicit, and however desirous the Executive might be to meet the case, they have no power to do so. Mr M'Lean inquired, if the lessees of the gates were agreeable to reduce the tolls to what they formerly were, would the Government, in whose hands many of the gates were, do the same ? His Honor replied that it could scarcely be asked that the G-overncoent should be the first to break a law passed by the Provincial Council after due deliberation. He did not think they would be even justified in evading the law. Mr Mackenzie was certain that members of the Couucil, when voting for the Ordinance, were not aware of its effect. He was satisfied they only supported the extra shilling. It was here explained that, under the old Ordinance, horses were charged sixpence each ; and under the Ordinance of last session an additional charge of one shilling for every horse over six, and of two shillings over nine, was intended to be imposed; but the Ordinance had been so construed that a charge was made under it of one shilling for every horse up to a certain number, and of two shillings over nine. Thus an eight-horse team was now charged eight shillings instead of five as under thelold Ordinance ; and a nine-horse team eighteen shilliugs. It was further pointed out that because of the two very steep gradients between Dunedin and Palmerston, ifc required an eight-horse team to draw what six would do on the south road. Hia Honor admitted the grievance, and would be glad to see the Ordinance repealed ; but this was not the place, and it was the wrong time ; all tb.l3 should have been argued when the Ordinance was being passed. If there wa3 any way out of the difficulty without breaking the law, he would he very glad to avail himself of it. A member of the deputation remarked that a writer in the ' Daily Times' had suggested a way. His Honor said the article referred! to had been discussed and referred to the Provincial Solicitor, who said there was no loop-hole. However, he would again bring the matter before the Provincial! Solicitor, but be did not think any good would come of doing so. Mr Mackenzie remarked that the Assembly would meet next month, and an Act might be got through to remove the difficulty. HJ3 Honor — I am afraid the Assembly will not deal with anything so paltry. Mr M'Lean observed that under the circumstances a Bill might be easily got; through, His Honor — There is so much colonial business that I am afraid parish business will have to stand. Mr M'Lean reminded his Honor that at the early part of the season tbe House often adiout'ned for want of business, and a B^ll could then slip through easily. The deputation then withdraw.