FIRE PLANT

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1934, Page 23

FIRE PLANT

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

PROPOSED EXEMPTION

A proposal submitted by tho Commissioner of Transport (Mr. .J. S. Hunter) to amend tho Heavy Motorvehicle Regulations to provide for tho total exemption from the payment of fees in respect of fire engines, fire pumps, and motor turn-table escape ladders did not find favour at the meeting of the Hutt County Council yesterday afternoon. . It was pointed out in the commune cation received from Mr. Hunter that the Chief Justice in a recent decision gave it as his opinion that escape ladders and fire pumps were heavy motorvehicles within the meaning of the regulations, bnt that fire engines which carried only firemen and their movable equipment were not covered by the regulations. In view of this opinion, it was stated, and the anomalies which would appear to exist, it had been suggested that fire engines and the other vehicles mentioned should be definitely exempt.from that portion of the regulations. ('Why should they be granted exemption?" asked Councillor D. B. Hoggard, the chairman. Other vehicles belonging to local bodies, he added, were not exempt, and lie could see no special reason, why fire-fighting plant should receive special consideration. Fire engines did damage to the roads, and heavy traffic fees were'levied on the basis of damage to the roads by the heavy vehicles. ">. ' _On Mr. Hoggard's motion it was decided to advise the Transport Department that the. council saw no ■justification for the proposed exemption. ," '