TOLL-GATES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 January 1925, Page 4

TOLL-GATES

PROPOSED ABOLITION. POSITION IN WAIMATE WEST. The proposed abolition of toll-gates was one of the matters dealt with at the meeting of the Waimate West County Council, when correspondence as under was received: Mr O. J. Hawken, M.P., writing on December 29 from Eltham, advised the council of his intention to interview the Hon. the Minister of Public Works with reference to the toll-gate question. Mr Hawken had understood that the gates were to go on certain terms, and that the council and also the Egmont County Council were to be asked to contribute a certain sum yearly for a period. Evidently he had been misinformed, as the council did not seem to have had word of. it. He was against such a proposal, which he considered a bad precedent, and under the circumstances the Highways Board should find the money or contribute to the roads in the counties affected in such a way as would make the matter equitable. A letter, dated December 16, received from Mr J. Dakers, bon. secretary of Manaia branch of the Farmers’ Union, advised that at a recent meeting of the branch ,a resolution was passed endorsing the action of the council in reference to the abolition of toll-gates, and that the council had the support of the branch in the matter.

MANAIA TOWN BOARD. SUPPORTS WAIMATE WEST COUNCIL. The receipt from the Ehginer-in-Cliief, Public Works Department, of a copy of the proposed • regulations governing motor traffic in accordance with the amendment to the Public Works Act, 1924, gave rise to- a discussion of the much-vexed toll gate question at last night’s meeting of the Manaia Town Board.

The subject was introduced by Commissioner Innes, who was very emphatic in his opinion that the Board should endorse the action taken by the Waimate West County Council towards the abolition of toll gates. Commissioner Hobday offered the opinion thot if the Highways Board were given l full control the gates would go. He thought that it was unjust that individual county councils should be permitted to withhold the delegation of their powers respecting certain lengths of road. He referred to the taxes that were being levied through which road users were contributing to the upkeep of main highways, in view of which the retention of toll gates constituted an imposition involving double taxation. 'He further pointed out that the gate at the Inaha. road had been collecting tolls for a, period of 17 years, and thought that during that period a sufficient saving, after allowing for maintenance expenses, could have been made to more than repay the original loan for the road affected. Commissioner Innes considered that ratepayers should refuse to meet the new registration charges unless some assurance regarding the abolition of the gates was received. ’ He moved that the action Liken in the matter by the Waimate West County Council be endorsed, and that letters urging the board’s oninion that toll gates should be abolished be forwarded to the Hon. thq Minister of Public Works and the member of Parliament for the district. Commissioner Hickey seconded the motion, which was carried.