CARRIERS’ PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 5, 1 October 1935, Page 6

CARRIERS’ PROBLEMS

Greater Co-ordination

Needed

MEETING AT NAPIER Dominion Special Service. Napier, September 30. xV combined meeting o£ the Hawke’s Bay, Poverty Bay and East Coast carriers on Saturday was addressed by the chairman of the No. 4 Transport Authority, Colonel It. Gambrill, who reviewed the position of the carriers under control in his district, and urged greater co-ordina-tion with resultant elimination of waste. There were 239 operators in the district, owning 422 licensed vehicles, the colonel stated, which covered over six million miles during the year at an average cost •i mile of 10.21 d.. the average revenue a mile being 11.37 d. A total capital ot £310,952 was involved in the industry. Comparative running costs revenue, and profit for each mile were as follow :-— Running costs: Wairoa, 10,214.; NapwrHastings, H.78d.; AVtunukurau, 12.54 d. Revenue: Wairoa. 11.044.; Napier-llas.-ings, 13.044.; Waipukurau, 13.<9J. Profit: Wairoa. 1.43 d.; Napier-Hastings. 1.20 d.; Waipukurau, 1.25 d. ...... One of the chief troubles in the district in the past, Colonel Gambrill said, was that the carriers maintained a fleet sufficient to cope with peal: loads at certain seasonal periods, and consequently oneouartor of these were idle for seven months of the year. It would be more economical to work one vehicle tor lb hours a day and increase the number ot drivers during the peak periods, rather than to have trucks idle for such a long tll Tlie meeting decided that representations be made to Mr. H. M. Campbell, M P for the district, stressing that mght carriage of stock was regarded as essential by the farming community. Mr IV. Richmond, a prominent Hawke’s Bay farmer, stated,that for distances over seven miles transport was cheaper than droving, while in January and February it was essential that stock should not be handled during the day. Mr H Stew-art, a member ot the Hawke’s Bay Stockbrokers’ Association, suggested that all carriers engaged in transporting sheep at mght should have the name and address prominently painted on the vehicle, and that compulsory way-bills should be prepared in triplicate one going to the vendor, the second to the carrier, and the third to the yardman. Mr. A. Kirkpatrick, of Hastings, representing tlie freezing works, stated that under the present arrangements it was impossible for anyone with a lorry stealing sheep to sell them at the works. Colonel Gambrill promised that the transport authority would discuss the matter and present a report to the Minister of Transport.

SUCCESSFUL WORK

Realigning of River

Channel

Hastings, September 30. A successful work in connection with the Tutaekuri River diversion scheme has been the realigning of the river channel between Guppy’s Road and Powdrell s Bend. Th® new channel that was excavated to eliminate the tortuous bends and points which threatened the protective works is functioning splendidly. ' The diversion into the new channel, Which is about 25 chains in length, was effected by means, of a weir that was thrown across the river. Once tile new cut began to function, it quickly deepened, and to-day fully (70 per cent, of the water in the river is passing down it. It is anticipated that with a slight lowering in the level of the river the new work will pass all the water. The chairman of the Hawke s Bay Rivers Board, Mr. C. Lateen, said that the improvement that had resulted from the new channel straightening the river was amazing. It had eliminated danger points in the river which had threatened the district for years. The results achieved were gratifying and would add to the efficiency of the general scheme of diversion for the river.

BUILDING FIGURES

Increase in Masterton District

Masterton, September 30. Fourteen building permits with a total value of £6901/10/6 were issued by the Masterton Borough Council during September, svhile fees collected amounted to £26/10/-. During the same month last year the council issued thirteen permits of a total value of £4354/7/6, this year’s figures showing an increase of over £2500. The Mastertou County Council's figures show that two permits were issued during September the monetary value being £750, while two permits with a monetary value of £lBO were issued by the council during the corresponding month last year.

LIVE STOCK MARKET

Dannevirke Sale

At the Dannevirke sale lust Thursday Dalgety aud Co., Ltd., sold a line of P.A. fat and forward bullocks for Rakaiatai Station, Makotuku, the fats realising £lO 15/- and the forward ones £9.

PAINFUL ACCIDENT

Hastings Truck Driver Hastings, September 30. A painful accident befell a young unmarried man named Henry Harrison, of Avenue Road, at the borough bitumen plant in Joll Road, Hastings, just before uine o’clock this morning. Mr. Harrison, who is employed aS a truck driver, by Mr. R. MeGaffin, contractor, was operating the winding gear of a tip truck in the yard of the bitumen plant, when a pin in the machinery broke. The dray part of the truck fell and forced the winding handle to swing brick in tho opposite direction, and it struck Mr. Harrison heavily across the face. His nose was broken and his face painfully bruised, but be was not seriously injured. He was afterwards taken to tho Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.