HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18633, 6 March 1926, Page 16

HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

SOUTHERN LOCAL BODIES CONFER. (special to "the pbess.") TIMARU, March o. The Mayor of Timaru (Mr G.°J. Wallace) presided over a conference of representatives of local bodies in group Jl6 of the Main Highways.district this afternoon. The object of the conference was to discuss the apportioning of the fees collected dor heavy traffic lorries. The Oamaru Borough Council wrote stating that it would not be represented at the conference, as it was by no means satisfied with the proposed method of allocation. It had several vehicles which used no roads other thait those in the Borough, and it was.considered that such fees were not subject to apportionment. The only fair system would be to allocate the fees in proportion to the roads used, and the Oamaru Council preferred that the apportionment should be made by a Magistrate. It was-decided after discussion to adopt the system of allocating the net proceeds of each license fee in proportion to the mileage travelled by each vehicle in the various boroughs, counties and Town Board districts of No. 15 heavy traffio district. A further resolution moved by Mr G. Dash (Waimate) and seconded by Mr H. B. S. Johnstone (Waimate). was carried as follows: —"That this meeting is of the opinion that owners of a truck which with its capacity load weighs 2 tons is liable for fee." It was decided that all fees be made lip to March Ist each year and that fees be apportioned before March 24th Mr A. S. Elworthy brought up the question of traction engines, stating that it was most unjust that traction engines should get off free when they did more damage in one trip than a lorry woulddo in five trips. • Mr Talbot, moved and Mr Elworthy seconded: "That a joint by-law be prepared embracing the local bodies comprised in No. 15 Highways Group to provide for the payment of a license fee on all trucks drawn h\ traction engines or vehicles drawn by the tractors, and that the preparation tf such by-law be left in the hands of a committee comprised of the chairmen of the Levels, Waimate, Geraldine, and Mackenzie County Councils, to be submitted to a future meeting 'of the group." The motion was carried by five votes J to three. i

WEIGHT LIMIT. RESTRICTIONS ON, LORRIES. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON. March 5. A Gazette notifies that the importation of certain motor vehicles into New Zealand is prohibited except by the consent of* the Minister. The. weight of a tractor is limited to ten tons and no six-wheeled lorry will be, admitted if designed to carry more than nine tons, exclusive of its own weight, or fifteen tons including its own weight. Similarly no two-wheeled trailer to carry more than four tons or a four-wheeled trailer to carry more than six tons will be admitted. All chassis, axles, and. other parts suitable for construction in anv of the specified vehicles are included in the prohibition. .■■'.. ,