TRACTION ENGINE OWNERS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12648, 12 November 1906, Page 4

TRACTION ENGINE OWNERS' ASSOCIATION.

Tho annual meeting of the Now Zealand Traction Engine Importers' and Owners' Association was hold on Friday evening, when Mr J. Macpherson, M.H.I*., presided.

Tho annual report stated that, if the support which had been given to the Association during tho past year was continued, tho traction engine industry throughout the colony would shortly bo placed on a much better footing. Tho brat work of the Association was effected in September, IDOo, when, through ropre-sventations mado to the legislative Council, the following amendment to tho Public Works Act, which had already passed the House of Representatives, was thrown out:—

"That, where tho local authority lis of opinion that the carriage of any particular weight, or tho conduct of any particular hind of traffic, will cause serious injury to ■a. road under its control, tho local authority may, by public notice, forbid such carriago or traffic unless tho cost, as estimated by the local authority, is previously paid to it.'' In place of tho words "the local authority may by public notice forbid such carriage or traffic," tho words ••the lecal authority may make a bylaw forbidding such carriage or traffic," were inserted, which curtailed the power proi*osed to be given them under tho original amendment, and practically made the amendment of no avail. Several law cases against traction engine owners. wero mentioned, which Tho Association had undertaken or in which it had given assistance. A petition drafted by the Association bad recently been presented to Parliament pr.iyiug the Government to undertake the.'regulation of tho traffic by legislation, as is the case in Englaiud. any additional provisions to suit special V-cal conditions being the subject of regulations to ho mado by tho (jowr-t'or-in-Council" and akernatively, tne enactment by tho 'Legislature of a model by-law for adcpti.n by local and municipal authorities. powor being taken to make provision for special local conditions by regulation- as lw»----t, re mentioned. Also that extraordinary traffic be clearly defined a.s agaiii6t ordinary traffic in a district, so thai

wbnt at one tune might bo doomed to )>e extraordinary traffic might nfti <r the lap"-* or a certain term of years 'luring which such traffic had l*een more or let-*; continuous, become only ordinary traffic in that district, T..\formity' hid hen asked f r with regard to license fees, and a registration fee* only, fcr mill-owners. Tho PuhiTr Petitions Conunittre had reeemmended tho-*o matters to the favourable consideration of tho Government, who

• ould probably eleal with them in a Bill next session.

The balance-sheet was considered satisfactory, and the report and bal-atioe-sheet were adopted.

Mr J. Macph_*w>n, M.H.R., was elected a vice-prr_id n nt in * Lace of V MacGregor (resigned). Meesrs C. Pel. vm. A. Clark. G. Ledinphnm ami * McTjauchlin were appointed to fill va. enncies on the General Council.

It w«s decided to incrtvire tho power/: of tho Executive Committee, so that tbey may, if thought der-_Tab'o, accept en l>ehalf of th" .W-ociation, agencies for Accident and Fire Insurance, wif . view to conserving tho interer-ts of Traction Engine and Mili Owners

.vnerailv nnd effecting a saving to tiiem on the rates of Insurance.

In Rule ... clause E. the following **,-:>•• i- wore added after the word litigation "or in any Conciliation or Ar-ii.-.rat.on Court proa-^din'-ts.' 1