DEPARTMENT’S BUSES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 200, 7 August 1928, Page 9

DEPARTMENT’S BUSES

A NAPIER COMPLAINT. OVERLOADED VEHICLES. The Government ’buses were alleged by Cr. W, G. .Martin at last night's meeting of the Napier Borough Council to be in a dangerous condition. His remarks were prompted by the reading of a portion of the traffic inspector's report, as follows: “Practically all of the ’buses operated by the Railway Department are carrying 70 per cent, overload with seated passengers only, and it will be realised the amount of overload on these vehicles at rush periods. I have previously reported as to the difficulties of carrying out the regulations when Government-owned vehicles do not comply.” Cr. J. W. Callaghan thought that being proprietors of a tramway service it might not be advisable to call the Government’s attention to the 'buses because they might get it back on the Council. Cr. P. Higgins: It is a matter we should face regardless of cost. If an accident happened the consequences would be serious. Cr Callaghan pointed out that the overloading on the trams was a different matter from overloading on the 'buses, as the latter depended upon the chassis. He . thought that instead of going direct to the Prime Minister, the department should he approached through the proper channels ; that was unless the department had previously had its attention drawn to it.

Mr J. Dick (town clerk) ; They have been told for the last three years, and the reply we get each time is that the matter is being attended to. This is the third rear the 'buses have been running without a license because they cannot get one from the Public Works Department.

It was then derided that the Council should communicate direct with the Prime Minister bringing the matter under his notice.