WHEELED TRAFFIC ON THE WHARVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9061, 23 May 1888, Page 5

WHEELED TRAFFIC ON THE WHARVES.

DISCUSSION BY THE HARBOUR BOARD. The Works and Tariff Committee of the Harbour Board recommended to the following effect, at the Board's ordinary meeting yesterday, with respect to the subject of regulating wheeled traffic on the wharves :— That the following by-laws be inserted: 1. The driver of every passenger vehicle entering on or plying for hire on any wharf shall pay to the Board a toll of 6d for each time that he shall so ply for hire, or bring passengers to the wharf, &c. 2. Passenger vehicles bringing dowu passengers to vessels shall, on setting them down, leave the wharf without delay. 3. No passenger vehicles shall remain awaiting hire on the tees of the wharf, but shall draw up in a line on the body of the wharf or else there in such a position as may from time to time be directed by the wharfinger or some person authorised by him. 4. Not more than six passenger vehicles shall enter upon the wharf at one and the same time plying for hire or awaiting the arrival of any vessel, nor shall they enter upon the wharf until the arriving vessel is close alongside its berth, and they shall leave it as soon as in the opinion of the wharfinger a reasonable time has elapsed after the arrival of the vessel for the discharging of its passengers. So long as there is a demand for passenger vehicles at any vessel, a fresh vehiele may enter on the wharf »as a hired one leaves it, provided always that not more than six passenger vehicles are on the wharf at the same time. 5. The wharfinger may at his discretion permit any passenger vehicle to leave the main body of the wharf for the purpose of taking up passenfers at or close to the vessel's side. 6. i r o express cart, handcart, or vehicle other than a passenger vehicle shall ply nor shall its driver tout for hire on the wharf, nor shall such express cart, handcart, or other vehicle enter thereon, unless the wharfinger is first satisfied that the driver thereof has a bonafide order to deliver goods on the wharf or receive goods therefrom. This committee recommends that a person be appointed to act as weighmaster, and to assist in regulating traffic in accordance with the foregoing recommendations. Captain McKenzie objected to the levying of a toll, and thought the charge of 6d most objectionable. They should not exact tolls from one part of the community whilst allowing others to go free; and he failed to see the use of the toll in any shape. Tho Chairman (Mr. Niccol) said Captain McKenzie should remember that the use of a cab was to some extent a luxury, and it was therefore fair to tax it, whilst express and other carts were allowed to pass on the wharf free of toll.

Mr. Stone asked whether the Board contemplated taking over the weighbridge. The Chairman said they did, as the present lessees wished to be relieved of it, and that some arrangement should be made. Mr. Nathan said that it was the passenger in the cab, and not the driver, who paid the toll. Some steps should be taken to prevent the crowding of traffic on the wharf, as when a steamer arrived there was a rush of empty cabs and carts, and it was impossible for people to land or to go on board the steamer. Mr. Buchanan thought that Captain MeKenzie should have suggested some substitute for the 6d toll.

Mr. Dionan said that if they agreed to the toll to-day, the cabdrivers would send a petition to the next meeting, and the Board would lift the charge off again. He agreed with the suggestion that only six passenger vehicles should be allowed upon the wharf at one time, and if they enforced this they would not need the toll. The Chairman pointed out that it was suggested to pay the weigh master's salary from the tolls received.

Mr. Bumron objected to the toll. Captain MoKenzie moved an amendment, " That clause 1, providing for the levying of 6d toll on passengers' vehicles, be struck ofit."

This amendment was seconded by Mr. Stone, and carried by 5 to 4, and the report was then referred back to the committee for re-consideration.