“MINISTER BLUNDERS.”

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1108, 24 March 1930, Page 4

“MINISTER BLUNDERS.”

“ AND DODGES ISSUE.” Mamaku Bush Road. Some plain speaking was indulged in at the March meeting of the Matamata County Council, when a further letter from the Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Transport, relative to the classification of the Mamaku bush road, was received. The Minister stated that he noted the council’s opinion that high speeds of motor traffic did not have a detrimental effect on the Matnaku Bush road. In regard to the authority for passing the by-law proposed, he referred the council to section 25 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924; and also regulations 15 and 16 of the Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1928. The clerk remarked that there were two points in connection with the letter which were noteworthy. The first was that the council did not, say that high speeds would not have a detrimental effect on the road surface, while the second was that the council had to prove that the speed travelled was dangerous to the pubjic., The regulation did not contemplate road preservation in any way. Cr. Anderson (chairman): The first part of the letter is only dodging the question; there is no doubt about Jt. Continuing, the chairman stated that since the last meeting he had been ■ to Wellington and he had brought the matter up at the counties’ execu--tive meeting. The chairman, Mr. Judd, who was friendly with the Minister, led them to understand that the Minister had made a blunder and that the road was going to be reclassified after Easter. He thought Mr; Judd was in the Minister’s coni fidence and had a fair idea of what was to happen. Cr. Wilson: By that time (Easter) ■ the road will be worn out. Cr. Anderson: There is no doubt the road is going back, i Cr. Allen: I move the letter be re- , eeived, i Cr. Anderson: It is not worth tak- ; ing notice of. The letter was then received, mem- , bers being unanimously of the same opinion as the chairman. With reference to the same matter, i the A.A.A. wrote replying to the council’s letter regarding the raising of the classification of the Mamaku . Bush road that Mr. M. H, Wynyard, who is a member of the Main Highways Board, said that the understanding was that the higher classification was only to apply during the summer months. As it seemed to the writer’s council that this would make a the Matamata council was asked if it was aware of that position. To this letter the clerk to the Matamata County Council replied that the Minister had stated the position would be reviewed after Easter. No understanding that the higher classification would only apply to the summer months had been given. The main point the council wished to bring forward was that the Minister had ignored the authorities responsible for the maintenance and control of the road the Highways Board and the County Council. Cr. Anderson: That is the point all right.. The clerk’s letter was approved. A further letter from the secretary of the Tirau branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union supported the council’s action in the matter, and stated that a strong protest had been forwarded to the Minister.