HUTT VALLEY AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 13

HUTT VALLEY AFFAIRS

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING ;/ *4-- ■ The Hutt County Council met yesterday afternoon, Mr. D. E. Hoggard presiding. A letter Was received from the Wellington Automobile Club asking tie council to adopt the speed limit as set out in the regulations of tho Motor Vehicles Act, 192dj maximum speed, 35 miles an hour "when travelling past a school or hospital; intersection of a road or a road under repair, 15 miles an hour; travelling round a curvo or corner where the view is not clear for 4.0 feet, 10 miles an hour. It was decided to inform the Automobile Club that the council had never enforced any bylaw relating to speed,' and proposed; to rely upon tho regulations. It was decided to comply with a request from the Town Clerk that the portion of Scaview road under the jurisdiction of the council bo closed, for traffic as soon as possiblo in order that the road might be concreted, j In connection with tho Henderson's road extension, Paraparauinu, Councillor A. Mackny suggested that the syndicate should pay £200 cash deposit, and give a bond for £1000 to cover any liability tho council might be responsible for in connection with tho taking over and construction of theroad; tho road to fco constructed to tho council's satisfaction within a period of five years. It was decided "that effect bo given to Councillor Mackay's proposal. Tho chairman .said that the previous figures were* £500 cash deposit and a bond for £1000. A letter was received from the North Island Motor Union stating that its attitudo was not one of opposition to relievo county -ratepayers from motor taxation, but flic union wished co bring about a reduction of rates by tho pro-por-administration of tho Main Highways Fund. Tho letter was received. The- following remits wero received from tho Matamata County Council: — "That the present system of subsidising local body rates bo abolished; that the main highways system bo revised so as to include only roads of national importance; that a roading fund, to include all petrol tax, tiro tax, licenco fees, heavy traffic .fees, and other moneys of a similar nature, bo utilised for financing the Main Highways Board and subsidising local bodies in proportion to their annual espendture on all road works, including principal and interest on loans; that the Government bo approached and requested to institute a full inquiry into the position^ of roading finance with a view of moving the incidence of roading expenditure off rateable properties and on to roadusing .vehicles generally on tho foregoing lines." The chairman said he was a little uncertain as to what some of the remits meant. "It seems to me that all roads are used by motor vehicles and should bo put in the same category, and subsidised accordingly," ho said. The letter was received.