MOTOR SPEED LIMITS.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1109, 27 March 1930, Page 4

MOTOR SPEED LIMITS.

A PECULIAR POSITION. By-law Cancelled. A letter from the Commissioner of Transport to the Matamata Town Board, with reference to the by-law restricting the speed of motor vehicles within the town district to 25 miles for cars and 20 miles for heavy traffic, stated that it would be advisable to do nothing which would conflict with the Motor Regulations. The clerk stated that the maximum speeds under the regulations were 25 miles an hour and down to six for heavy traffic. Each clasa of heavy vehicle had a different speed. The chairman remarked that the regulation threw a big responsibility on the inspector, who not only had to judge the speed of a lorry, but also its weight. Mr. Mclntyre stated that he thought the board had been told some time ago that it could not sue because there were no signs. The clerk replied that was so where by-laws were relied upon for prosecutions. Under the regulations •signs were not necessary. Mr. Black urged the need for uniformity. A motorist might get used to one town, but not know another. With different by-laws in different towns it would need a Philadelphian lawyer to know where he was. Mr. Hawes thought by-laws were chiefly for, dangerous corners and crossings. Every truck owner should know the Motor Regulations. Mr. Buchanan: It is wrong for local body by-laws and the regulations to be different, and most unfair to motorists. As Mr. Black says, a man would have to be a walking encyclopaedia to remember them all. Mr. Black: Yes, from here to Auckland a fellow could pick up 15 summonses. (Laughter). Mr. Stanley held that boundary signs at least were necessary. Mr. Stewart suggested that a boundary sign with a notice that the motor regulations applied would suffice. Mr. Black: In that case you would need a sign like that at a pound to get all the regulations on. (Laughter). Let us collect fines like Papakura to make our roads. (Laughter). The chairman pointed out it would be unwise to make motorists frightened of coming into the town. Mr. Black: It was the Government which led us to order these speed limit signs, and now they want us to cancel the by-law which made the signs necessary. The chairman replied that the position as stated was correct. The clerk stated the only authorised sign under the motor regulations was 25 miles per hour. The department was apparently framing further amendments to the regulations. . ...... ■ ; Replying to an observation by Mr. Black, the chairman stated that a man was supposed to know the bylaws of a town just as ne was supposed to know the laws of a country. In -answer to the chairman, the clerk stated that it was hot necessary to rescind the previous by-law, as it had not been approved by the Minister, and hence was not complete. In view of this the board heed only allow, the previous by-law to lapse.

The board then decided to cancel the order for signs, made some months ago, and to procure eight new signs for marking the town district boundary.