RESTRICTION ON LOADS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30312, 12 December 1963, Page 22

RESTRICTION ON LOADS

Logging Truck Owner Objects (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 11. Transport Department regulations meant a reduction of 20 per cent in the payloads of logging trucks, said the general manager ofthe Waipari Timber Company. in a letter received today by the National Roads Board. The letter said an unofficial convention had been observed by sawmillers and cartage contractors for a number of years with the condonation of the Transport Department, but two years ago the department began to enforce the law. “The effect on the sawmilling industry was chaotic,” said the letter. “Operators incurred heavy fines for overloading and sawmillers, who were already facing a recession and a period of falling prices, were threatened anew with the prospect of a heavy increase in the cost of log cartage.” The convention observed previously had been based on a load of 5000 feet Haakon Dahl measure regardless of the tare weight on the fiveaxle vehicle used, and regardless of the specie of log carried. When the law was enforced, the letter continued, it was found that most loads did not exceed the total weight permitted—3o tons—but because of loading difficulties and the necessity to keep the weight over the centre of gravity, some axle weights exceeded the six tons allowed. The letter asked for some form of relaxation of the present regulations. The board decided to adhere to its previous decision to allow continuous overload permits to class 1 loading to assist the timber industry.