A HIGHWAYS TANGLE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 24, 27 July 1929, Page 13

A HIGHWAYS TANGLE

TOURIST BUSES BARRED

ROTOEUA UP IN 7 ARMS

There is strong feeling at Eotorua over the action of the Matamata County Council in proclaiming a section of the Mamaka Main Highway, between Eotorua and Auckland, to be a nfth-claf-s roadway, which means that vehicles of over 21 tons are barred from using the road. Tho result is that tourist buses nre ruled out.

A test case was taken at Putaruru against tho Eotorua Bus Company, and the action of the County Council was upheld by the Magistrate, who imposed a fine of £10, with costs.

The case (says tho "Eotorua Chronicle) has aroused much comment and feeling. It is felt by companies concerned ■ that no county council should have a right to declaro a main highway of prime, importance aa fifth class. The Eotorua Bus Company inaugurated a highly successful one-day trip to Arapimi throughput the summer months. They recently contracted with the New Zealand Government Railwaj's to carry three train loads of farmer excursionists from Putururu to Arapuni. This they did to the entire satisfaction of the .Railway Department. To reach Putaruru, the company's buses had to traverso the section in question, which is in tho Matamata County, but was constructed and maintained by the Main Highways Board and the generosity of tho citizens of Kotorua, who subscribed £1000 towards its construction. The Matamata County authorities contributed practically nothing. The matter naturally concerns all service cars, ;uid some private cars also come under the ban of this body. When it is considered that a loaded box dray has an iron shod wheel base pressure of 25cwt to tho wheel, while a motor-car or bus has a wheel pressure of 12Jcwt on the road on a cushioned base that is at best a light rolling, tho absurdity of the restriction can be assessed. The declaration of the Matamata Couuty Engineer "that it was not the intention of his counei] to open that road to that class of traffic at any time " is considered a usurpation of a power toi which Matamata County has no moralj right; nor yet is such a restriction of traffic justified by the law of commonsense or of equity. Tho matter concerns Eotorua very nearly, and prejudices the visits of big fanners' excursions to the district. The matter has been taken up with the Minister of Transport.