CARRIERS MEET

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4289, 9 June 1950, Page 3

CARRIERS MEET

THAMES VALLEY AREA ROAD CLASSIFICATION SAFETY DEVICE PROPOSALS A a meeting of the Thames Valley Carriers’ Association (Inc.) held in Paeroa recently Mr H. A. Moore presided over an attendance of 32 members. The chief topic of discussion was road classifications following upon the announcement by the Transport Department of the axle loading capacities for various types of vehicles for the various grades of roads. A letter was read from the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance in Wellington setting out the classification of the 'State highways and the placing of the main route between Auckland and Paeroa in class II was considered satisfactory by the members. Also the grading as class 111 of the roads in the Ohinemuri, Piako and Hauraki Plains counties met with the approval of the meeting. Grade IV in the Coromandel area had already been objected to by the subbranch of the association at Coromandel, and it was decided by the Thames members that a similar objection should be entered against the classification of Class IV in the Thames county. Revision of Charges Should any revision of rate charges be necessary, following upon the new classification of roads it was hoped that the newly contemplated procedure whereby a new schedule of prices should be agreed upon by users and operators alike, and then be approved by the charges tribunal without further delay, would be adopted. Such a procedure would minimise delay and afford the greatest satisfaction to all parties. Safety Devices Two further suggestions were discussed as the association had been asked by headquarters to express its views on certain proposals. The first was that an additional rear view mirror be fitted on the off-side of heavy transport vehicles. It was decided that while such equipment might be helpful in the cities, it was not practicable on narrow country roads where growth was frequently overhanging. It was very difficult to keep the existing mirror in place without considering an additional one. The other suggestion was that a special breakaway feature be fitted to heavy trailer units fitted behind transport trucks. Several members expressed their opinion that it was desirable that all trailers be fitted with such feature and that it was unreasonable to single out the operators for special regulations. Cases were instanced where the trailers from private cars had become detached and caused considerable damage before finally coming to rest. It was finally decided to support any legislation introducing such special feature for trailers provided that it was made compulsory for all users. . Annual Conference

Mention was made of the fact that the annual conference of the transport associations would' be held in Hamilton during October next. The meeting asked the president Mr H. H. Moore, and the secretary, Mr G. E. Button, to attend this conference on behalf of the association. Notice was also given that the next meeting of the' No. 1 Licensing Authority would 'be held in Paeroa and Thames early in July and members were asked to make early application if they desired any alteration to existing licenses.

A legal opinion prepared by the association’s solicitors as to the rights and duties of the association at such meetings was submitted to members. Following that, it was moved by Mr Aitkenhead and seconded by Mr Sarjant, that a general meeting of the association 'be held immediately prior to any such sittings of the licensing outhority. 100 Trucks Operating

In conclusion the secretary stated that the association now had just over 60 members, extending from the far north of Coromandel peninsula, through Thames, Hauraki Plains, Paeroa, Ohinemuri, Waihi, Whangamata and, Katikati. AH together the association’s members operated about 100 transport vehicles, and aimed at providing an efficient transport service to the settlers and commercial users over the whole area.