MOTOR TRAFFIC.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 April 1926, Page 5

MOTOR TRAFFIC.

ALLOCATION OF FEES

OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) NAPIER, Aipr.il 21. A. conference of Hawke’s Bay local bodies 'here to-day discussed the allocation of heavy -traff it- license fees. The borough representatives proposed an allocation on the basis, of 50 per cent, lor population and 50 per cent for .the mileage of metalled roads, which would result in boroughs receiving 34 per cent, -and counties 66 per cent. The county delegates, however, proposed an allocation on the basis of 50 per cent, on mileage of metalled roads, under which -scheme the borough’s share would be 18 per cent, and the counties 82 per cent. As a result a deadlock- was reached and the matter will now require to- be settled by a. magistrate. Delegates representing the whole ot the county councils from W-airoa to Pahiiatua resolved, at a- conference held here, on the -motion of Air. H. M. Campbell, M.P. : “Tlliat this conference request the Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Works to -go into the question of the upkeep ot roads and see whether in fairness to county ratepayers ia much larger proportion of the cost -could not- he collected from owners of all motor vehicles than is done now.”

The general opinion was that motorists should pay on the basis of the extent to' which they used the roads, by means of a petrol or tyre tax. “Nlo person shall drive any motor vehicle laden with any goods on any running-board,.thereof so that the said goods shall project beyond rhe outside edge of such running-hoard.” Tihe foregoing is the text of a new by-law adopted, by the county councils of Hawke’s Bay at the conference today. “That means that the runningboard is the absolute limit,” said Mr. H. M. Campbell. M.P. “And a very good thing, too,” added another delegate. The conference of delegates representing county councils from Wairoa to Pah.ia,tua to-day discussed a, proposal to ensure more strict- enforcement of the traffic by-laws by the appointment of traffic police under a joint scheme. J. W. Mlingliam (iDanne.virke), who introduced the subject, stated that motorists had now had sufficient time to understand the by-laws, and it was up to the councils to have them more stringently enforced than in the past. Traffic polioe would be provided with cars and weighing jacks. With the latter they could jack up a lorry and weigh it, and if found to be overloaded a policeman could force part of the load to- be immediately put off. Measures such as that would soon make drivers careful. Otthers neglected _to carry reflectors or had loads projecting too fifir over the' sides. Unless the councils worked together on a uniform system they would never get anywhere. “Mr. Eliingbam’s suggestion is the solution,” is aid Mr. A. O. Russell £Waipukurau). “Three-quarters of uny lot would be in the dock for speeding if we bad policing through the district.’’ Mr. H. M. Campbell. M.P., said : “It is absolutely necessary that something should be done. Why T had a case told me that happened only within, the last 24 hours when a car driver had to do 58 miles' an hour in ia,n endeavour to catdh a lorry and then couldn’t do it.” Delegates generally favoured joint action rather than each county acting indepedently. It was decided to ask all counties to give an expression of opinion on thd proposal to institute such a scheme.