TOLL GATE ON ROAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18325, 15 February 1923, Page 8

TOLL GATE ON ROAD.

MOTORISTS' OPPOSITION. LAND ROUTE TO DAY'S BAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. — ASSOCIATION.] " WELLINGTON. Wednesday. There are the makings of a very bitter quarrel in a proposal by the Hutt County Council to establish a toll gate on the road ' leading to the much-frequented seaside suburbs of Day's Bay and Muritai. The council wants to widen and improve the road at a cost of £32,000, and a gate is to provide income for this expenditure. The Minister for Public Works has assented oil the ground that it is one of the few cases in which the proposal appears justified. Strong opposition has developed, and threats are made to destroy the gate if it is erected. This recalls an attempt many years ago to erect a toll gate on the Hutt Road. It was twice set up, and each time pulled down and thrown into the harbour. The Automobile Association is strongly opposed to it, both on the ground that it would not pay, because motorists would not use the road," and because the Minister had expressed himself .against toll gates. ; i Mr. S. Wilson? president of the Motor Traders' Association, supports the view that it would not pay, and also resents ,it because Of the principle involved as applicable to the whole Dominion. Motorists have agreed to pay a tyire tax for road construction, and. have been paying it for some months, so that it is a breach of faith to allow toll gates as well. •