TRAFFIC INSPECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 135, 4 December 1935, Page 12

TRAFFIC INSPECTION

HIGHWAYS BOARD SCHEME

WAIRARAPA PROTEST

(Special to the •■Evening Post.")

MASTERTON, This Day.

A proposal by the Main Highways Board to take over the responsibility for traffic inspection has not met with the approval of Wairarapa county councils. At a meeting of county delegates in Masterton on Monday it was decided to enter an emphatic protest against the proposal, and at yesterday's meeting of the Masterton County Council the protest was endorsed.

While the present system of traffic control had gone a certain distance towards securing observance of the municipal requirements "of motor vehicle regulations now in force, the District Engineer, Public Works Department, stated in a letter to the council this could not be considered as wholly effective. It was felt by the Main Highways Board that in view of the relatively small amount which local authorities now contributed towards tr,affic control, the board should assume responsibility for traffic inspection throughout the rural highways and roading system without cost to county councils. Before any action was taken by the board it desired to ascertain if the council would concur in the board taking over full control of traffic enforcement.

"This matter was considered by sll the delegates. from the counties interested in the appointment of district traffic inspectors at a meeting held in Masterton yesterday afternoon," said Mr. J. C. D. Mackley, County Clerk, "and it was decided to lodge an emphatic protest against the proposal of the Main Highways Board to take over the duties. of traffic inspection." Mr. Mackley said there were many seasons why a change should not. be made, the chief being that local authorities would have no jurisdiction over the appointment of inspectors as at the present time.' The present system was working well, he said. Monday's meeting considered that centralisation In regard to traffic control was not warranted.

On the motion of Councillor H. H. Mawley it was decided to point out that the Wairarapa district was favourably situated to continue with the present system of local control, and to endorse the protest made at the combined meeting of county representatives on Monday.