CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 21 July 1909, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

TOLL-GATES

To the Editor.

Sir, — I understand that the County Council intend to make the toll-gate charges very much higher on motor cars. There is one view of this question apt to be overlooked: the higher the rate charged the lower will be the revenue, because for 6d worth of petrol a motor can run round the toll-gates and avoid toll altogether, and with but trifling loss of time. As to the damage done by cars, heavy cars in summer, if using steel studded tires, are said to cut up the road. Would it not be better if the Council prohibited these tires, just as they should prohibit heavy loads on narrow' waggon tires ? The whole question of toll-gate tariff shoiild be adjusted properly. It is an absurd and cruel charge «io charge a bicycle 3d. It is wrong and unlawful to allow milkcarts to go free. A weak-kneed Council to save opposition committed this illegal act, which should be repealed. The position is clear: those, who use the roads must pay, it does not matter whether^ you T>ay rates or not, whether you make your fortune carting milk to the factory, or lose money fattening, you should pay your toll if you use the road. Tt does not matter how much you pay. The auestion is one of principle. Yours, etc., " A. W. GILLIES. Hawera, July 21.