ROAD MAINTENANCE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LIV, Issue 9224, 2 July 1926, Page 4

ROAD MAINTENANCE

SERIOUS EOR LOCAL BODIES. The question of road maintenance and taxation, formed the subject for discussion, at a recent meeting of the North Otago branch of the banners Union. Mr J. O. Ruddenklau stak'd that the subject of road maintenance was becoming a serious one for. the ‘ocal Ind-

ies. They could nut go on as at present, allowing motor curs to proceed over the roads at the existing speed. The motor builders had batten i o mad builders right out ul sigh'. M'di the present; big ears and balloon tyres, the roads would be knocked out of order in no time, if a high rate of speed was maintained. It was the speed of the cars that was killing'. There was no reason why car owners should travel at a greater speed tlnun -~i miles an hour. On the Hutt road, the speed had. been limited. Unless they were not prepared to restrict the speed of cars,

they must bo prepared for au increase in rates, Mr W. Forrester supported the opinions expressed by Mr Ruddcnklau. MV V\ P. Borrie ivus of opinion that greater damage was being done to the roads by motor lorries than by motor cars. It was the solid' tyre, and heavy load, that did the damage, and he gave evidence of this locally. Mr Ruddcnklau agreed that motor

lorries did damage. They did not however, travel at an excessive speed. Mr D. J. Ross could not agree with Mr Borrie. If his argument was correct, they would see the damage on the I top of the hills. Mr Ross thought the j motor car with a narrow wheel, travel- ‘ lingj at at high speed, was the cause of of the trouble. The motor cycle also did considerable damage. He gave one instance of what had happened on a portion of the Dunedin road. He was of opinion that the maintenance of the

roads should Ire a charge upon the general taxes, and not upon a section of the people. The Chairman (Mr Meek), said it was agreed that the roads wove not built to carry the traffic of to-day. What they had to consider, was how to find the revenue to keep the roads ,n decent order. If they were going to limit the speed of cars to 25 miles, they would require an army of inspectors. A petrol tax might bo the solution of the road problem, thus compelling those who used the roads to provide for their upkeep. Air J. G. Ruddenklaa moved that a remit he sent to the Dominion Oonfer-

eiice, asking that a speed limit! be provided f°r all motor vehicles. Mi- Forrester seconded the motion. Mr A. Murray was in sympathy with the opinions expressed by Mr Ruddenklau. He considered that no motorist could, with safety, travel at a greater siieed than thirty miles an hour. Mr Murray thought the main requirement, however, was a reform In the method of making the roads. He thought that money was being thrown away iu the placing of loose metal on the road. Mr E. S. Brewster stated that ho had travelled frequently on the road between the Waita-ki River and Timaru. This road was in excellent condition. and there was no sign of potholes. although the motor traffic was very heavy. The resolution of Mr Ruddenklau was thou put and carried on the voices. Speaking on the subject of motor taxation. Mr 1). J. Boss said that if more taxation was required, it should be placed on tyres, and nut on petrol. Mr J. G. M'.Donald did not think they should have any further taxation. By the way they were going, they would soon have a taxation on their ploughs and harrows. Mr IT Rodger agreed with Mr McDonald. Mr IV. P. Borne did not think the tyre tax was equitable. because it pressed most heavily upon the man iu the backbKicks, with a bad road, Mr Ross moved that it In? a remit to conference, that if further taxation is imposed, it should be in the form of a tyro tax, and not a jietrol tax, Mr Ruddenklau seconded.

Mr M'Donnld did not think it wise in |)iiss the remit. as it was amicipatin«r further taxation. 31 rD. Cameron agreed with 31 r 31'Donald.

Tin? proposal was negatived on a show of hands