GOODS TRANSPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 15

GOODS TRANSPORT

ROAD COMPETITION EFFECTS ON OTHER SERVICES EVIDENCE AT THAMES [BY TKLKGRAPH —OWX CORRKSI'ON DEXT] THAMES. Friday The No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority held a sitting at Thames today, when applications for renewals of goods licences were heard. Mr. J. A. C. Allum presided.

N. K. Evans (Patotonga) made application to run six trips yearly to Westfield with pigs. This was opposed by the Railway Department. The applicant was advised to apply for a temporary licence. In connection with the application of Brenan and Company, Limited, Mr. W. E. Busch, a storekeeper, of Waihi, drew the authority's attention to the serious drawback to Waihi business by the through goods services by chain store organisations from Auckland to Waihi in opposition to the steamer and rail services. Ho said a saving could be effected to stores if the railway could institute a delivery service from the Waihi railway station to the town. A. Bonnici, of Waihi, who asked for a tri-monthly goods service to Auckland with back loading, gave evidence that his chief freight was hides from Waihi, the owner of which went on each trip and sold the hides in the best market in Auckland. It was admitted that the freight charged for this service was higher than the railway charge, but the results were considered more satisfactory. Mr. G. T. Wilson, for the Railway Department, opposed the application and quoted the favourable rates allowed Waihi, which was on a non-pay-ing line and which the Railways Board was even now undecided whether to continue running.

J, W. Silcock, the Northern Steamship Company's agent at Paeroa, gave evidence of the freight carried by steamer, which had dropped considerably owing to road competition in the last three years. If this decrease con- ' tinned the company would be faced with discontinuing the service or increasing the freights. The authority decided to sit at Waihi later in the month. The chairman remarked that he was much impressed by the figures presented. Later in the day, Mr. E. H. Northcroft, representing a through carrier, Auckland to Waihi, asked for the hearing to be reopened. Mr. Allum said the authority would be taking evidence on through services at Tauranga, Rotorua and again in Auckland, where it would call full evidence from all portions of tlie province. The question was a very vital one indeed and affected the whole transport problem. The Thames Harbour Board, the Northern Steamship Company, the Railway Department and the Thames carriers opposed all applications for goods licences for services which pass through Thames to Auckland on the grounds that goods carried by them should be carried by either rail or steamer. Decisions were deferred.