WEIGHT OF LORRIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 17 September 1929, Page 11

WEIGHT OF LORRIES.

TRAFFIC ON COUNTY ROADS.

UNIFORM SYSTEM URGED.

[BY TELEQItAPH.— OWN COURKSVON'DKNT.] TE AROHA, Monday. Tho need for uniformity between counties in deciding the weights of loaded lorries travelling country roads tvns vigorously urged by Mr. W. C. Kennedy at a meeting of tho Piako County Council to-day. Tho discussion was introduced by tho engineer, Mr. B. H. Horner, suggesting the imposition of a limit of four tons over tho whole of tho county, with an allowance of tons for vehicles carrying twin pneumatic tyres.

Mr. Kennedy characterised the. suggestion as absurd in view of tho fact that four neighbouring counties permitted sixton loads. Under tho engineer's suggestion, he said, a driver, on reaching the county boundary, would be required to fit twin pneumatic tyres to his vehicle in addition to removing half a ton of hi 3 load Tho clerk, Mr. N. Bay, suggested a iimit of six tons for main highways, four tons for side roads and two tons for clay roads. The engineer agreed that a special classification was necessary for _ clay roads.

Mr. Kennedy: If a five-ton load is permitted on 6in. of the limit for tho main highway should bo 15 tons. The Engineer: Then your cxpoct an ongineer to economically maintain roads and bridges carrying 15-ton loads.

Warm debate followed, in tho course of which kfr. Walters expressed tho view that lorries carrying pneumatic greatly assisted in making roads. Mr. Kennedy said the proposals were unfair to lorry owners, who were already fieavily taxed in many ways, and who had renewed expensive licences on the understanding the county regulations would be just and reasonable.* Ho proposed that the limit be raised to six tons, with an allowance of one ton for twin pneumatic tyres. This was defeated in favour of a resolution to limit Jorry loads to four tons on all county with a concession of 1£ tons to vehicles carrying twin pneumatic tyres.