HEAVY VEHICLES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 November 1927, Page 5

HEAVY VEHICLES.

A.NEW DEFINITION. (BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL TO -THE STAR.") WELLINGTON; Nor. 25. An amendment of the' Public Works Act introduced by Governor-General’s message in the House to-night contains a number of machinery clauses and one of special general interest. It proposes to amend the definition of a motor lorry by eliminating the words “used for hire or used’ for commercial purposes in the carriage of passengers and goods.” The definition then covers every motor vehicle which, with its maximum load, exceeds two tons. These vehicles come under the terms of the heavy traffic license provisions. A simplified power of serving claims for compensafiiqn under the Public Works Act is provided, and the Minister is authorised' to sell on deferred payment any land thus .taken,- but not needed for a public work. A clause in the principal Act determined, the method of apportioning the cost where a road is used principally by traffic is to be limited to maintenance charges. The Bill contains a- clause applying to the construction of roads principally benefiting another district the terms of the principal Act, which enable the oroportions of cost to be ascertained by inquiry and the amount of contribution to be raised if necessary by a- loan. This procedure will apply also to additions to bridges or to complete or partial rebuilding. The Alinister is empowered to register against the title of irrigated lands any moneys due under an irrigation agreement as a. charge against such lands.