HEAVY MOTOR TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18702, 7 May 1924, Page 10

HEAVY MOTOR TRAFFIC.

PAPAKURA TOWN BY-LAW.

VALIDITY QUESTIONED.

The validity of the Papakura Town Board's by-law governing heavy motor traffic was questioned at the Magistrate's Court, before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., yesterday, when Lovell and Son (Messrs. Stanton and Holmden), carrying contractors, of Otahuhu, were charged with a breach of the by-law. Mr. Stanton contended that no offence had been committed' and that the by-law was unreasonable, 'Oppressive, and ambiguous. Defendants made about three return trips a fortnight through Papakura, along the Great South Road from Pukekohe to Auckland, using a four-ton motorlorry. For . the right to pass - through Papakura defendants were required to pay £15 per annum, a fee equal to that charged by the Auckland City Council. The by-law- was ambiguous in that, unlike those of • the other local bodies controlling the Great South Road, it did not stipulate the amount to be paid for a license.

Mr. Beckerleg, who appeared for the Town Board, contended that plaintiff's were entitled to bo recouped by traffic going through the district. During the past year £1900 had been spent on Papakura roads, • and under 4150 revenue had been' collected. The .City' Council had heavy local traffic unci the value of its rating per mile of road could not be compared _ with that of the plaintiff body. Decision was reserved.