CONGESTION OF TRAFFIC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 112, 13 May 1910, Page 8

CONGESTION OF TRAFFIC.

NGAHAURANGA GORGE. SOME BITTER COMPLAINTS. The Makara County Council (Mr. F. T. Moore presiding) received a petition to-day from owners and dmers of vehicles using the Ngahauianga Gorge, protesting against the continual running of traction engines or motor lorries and vans in the gorge. The petitioneis held that the load was not too safe for horse vehicles, and in their opinion horse traffic was attended with giave danger, particularly to women and children, by reason of traction engines a-nd motor lorries. The petition was largely signed, and was piesented by a deputation he&ded by Mr. Leighton, who vigorously pointed out the inconvenience ana danger attendant on the use of the gorge by drivers of horses. Theie were mobs of cattle to be met with also motor cars in the gorge. Mr. Brown, a member of the deputation, stated that when a driver was in difficulties with his horse, drivers of traction engines, instead of helping, started "giggling and poking bovak at us !" The chairman said he felt a big charge on the council of allowing tractjon engines or motor lorries to continue to run in the gorge. The council might hear of a fatality any day. He was sorry to .say that discontinuance of the use of a motor lorry would involve a larger cost for the carriage of rpad metal. But protection ot life was' of paramount importance. He left that the council was against the use of the gorge by motor lorries. Mr. Mace (Mace and Nicholson), owner of a motor wagon and quarries, said the road was in no moie danger from his machine than motor cars. His machine was noisy and gave full warning of. it& presence. Any driver who held up his hand would find that the machine would stop. He had never seen a horse shy at it. Moreover did the trains stop when drivers passed them on the Huit-ioad? It his machine were stopped all others would have to be stopped. The whole thing was a bogey. He suggested a d* putation to the Government to widen and I improve the road. He felt that half tho opposition to his machine was from personal motives against himself. He ascertained from councillors before spending £2000 on the undertaking whether objection would be raised against the uso of a motor lorry, and he gathered that there would not. He would be willing to give immediate attention to any reasonable complaint of obstruction. Mr. Mildenhall said he had had a '"spill" on the gorge through his horse taking fright at a. machine and his wife's arm was broken. Mr. Mace said if he was prohibited from using hi& lorry in the gorge' ho , would have to close his business. He was delivering metal at a materially lower cost than could be done by horse and dray, and the Makara County Council was receiving the benefit. The deputation and Mr. Mace having withdrawn the council discussed the matter in detail. The chairman remarked that Mr. Mace's suggestion to -widen the road was the solution of the problem. Councillor Haggity moved that the arTangement made by the council with Mate and Nicholson for the delivery of metal at Porirua by Straker wagon bo cancelled. Councillor Bryant seconded. This was carried,. Councillor Bryant then moved that 200 yaids of metal be taken from Mace and Nicholson, tenders to be called for delivery on trucks at Johnsonville and Ngahauranga. Councillor Eattwood moved as an amendment that 500 yardb be taken. The chairman pointed out that the cost would be very great. Councillor Haggily seconded the motion, which was carried, the amendment not being seconded. Subsequently Mr. Mace returned and informed the council that if the Straker wagon were excluded from the Gorge he would have to close his quarry, and probably seek v legal redress. He had no wish to obstruct the council, but he had been, legally advised that he had a full right to use the road, as there was no alternative road into Wellington. He was prepared to reimburse the council for damage done to the road. On the suggestion of the chairman, Mr. Mace undertook to obtain a petition signed by ratepayers praying for the retention of the Straker wagon.