UPKEEP OF MAIN ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 13

UPKEEP OF MAIN ROADS.

MORE REVENUE FROM USERS.

DESIRE AT TAURANGA. [BY TELEGBAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.'] TATJBANGA, Sunday. At a meeting of the Tauranga County Council the chairman, Mr. R. King, said the time had arrived when more revenu'e should be obtained from the users of the roads. Mr. C. Bailey said the whole of the upkeep and maintenance of the main high: ways should be contributed by the petrol tax, which would permit tho counties to improve the by-roads. If the present petrol tax were not sufficient it could be raised. Ho moved that the only fair method of maintaining all main roads would bo by the petrol tax, and that the Government be urged to pass such legislation at the earliest opportunity. Mr. W. F. Sinclair said they were paying too much for petrol. He favoured a flat rate on motor vehicles. A minimum tax of £5 would bring in a considerable sum.

Mr. Bailey's motion was carried unanimously. It was reported that a letter had been forwarded to the engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department in reply to the department's circular regarding heavy traffic fees. The reply stated that the council was firmly of tho opinion that no reduction should be made in heavy traffic fees, and that consideration should rather be in tho direction of increasing such fees. No doubt existed in the councillors' minds about tho damage caused by big, fast and heavy motors. It was stated the council was also making representations that the regulations be amended so as to fix the charges on the carrying capacity of vehicles. A motion was adopted agreeing to an alteration of the boundaries of the Te Puna and Katikati Ridings. This takes an area in the Aongatete district from the Te Puna Riding and adds it to the Katikati Riding.