TIMBER TRAFFIC FROM OPOTIKI DISCUSSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22819, 14 December 1948, Page 3

TIMBER TRAFFIC FROM OPOTIKI DISCUSSED

Timber traffic from the Opotiki area to Gisborne with manure as back-load-ing was the subject of argument at a sitting of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr. E. J. Phelan, at Opotiki.

R. P. Smith applied for the transfer of licenses to a new company and an amendment for a continuous goods license with the right to operate to the Gisborne borough with timber. The railway Department objected to the back-loading of goods from Gisborne to Opotiki and Mr. F. Mohr, on behalf of the Opotiki Carriers’ Association, objected to the amendment only.

Mr. Phelan said there was no trouble about timber. It was just a matter of whether it was economical only to cart timber, if it meant an extension of 13 miles he could not see why the amendment could not be carried. He had to look after the interests of the farmers and Umber was very necessary . The manager of tiie Opotiki Transport Company, Ltd., Leslie Abbot, gave details of the licenses operated by his company. Up to a month or so ago his company had catered for all the timber going to Gisborne and it was still in a position to cater for all the timber traffic.

Asked if much manure was coming from Gisborne to Opotiki witness replied that his company could never get enough. The railway and his company had been lighting for manure for a long time.

Arthur Wylde said that Ron Smith had the cartage contract for his timber from the Longfern Company to Opotiki. Three loads were carted each week Twenty-one thousand feet had been sent on to Gisborne. lie intended to develop the Gisborne market. It was hoped to get five loads per week irom the Longfern Company to Opotiki, two of which would go to Gisborne. Ron Smith carted all that timber to Gisborne.

The application for an extension of the license was declined, the association’s submissions being taken as correct that the trade was being catered for by the existing operators.