SHARE OF PETROL TAX

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 7

SHARE OF PETROL TAX

TIIANSPOET BOARD'S CLAIM RECOMPENSE FOR PAVING EVIDENCE TO BE HEARD In accordance with representations made by the Auckland Transport Board to the Government for a share of the allocation of the petrol tax, the board has been informed that as the Transport Co-ordination Board proposes to conduct an investigation into motor taxation, October 10 has been fixed for the receiving of evidence from the Auckland board. At a meeting of the Transport Board yesterday it was decided to submit the following plan to the Co-ordination Board: — The Transport Board is stated to be required by the terms of the various Orders-in-Council issued in its favour to maintain and keep in good repair that- portion of the roadway between the rails of the tramway and for a dis- , tance of 18 inches on each outer side. Somo orders specified water-bound Macadam, others did not specify any specific construction, but in no case was a paved surface required. However, in response to representation from local authorities, and motor organisations the board had now paved the greater part of the roadway under its jurisdiction. To comply with the above statutory requirements the board maintained 41.2 miles of tramway route, with a total paved surface of 49.3,400 square yards. This comprised over one-third of the total carriageway surface of tho sireets concerned, which were all arterial roads. The capital expended on street paving alone was £172,690, the annual charges (average interest and sinking fund) on this sum being £10,534; estimated cost of repairs and maintenance of the paving, £9251. Minimum total annual cost, £19,785. These paving works ab the cost set out above provided a smooth running surface for all classes of motor vehicles, to the provision and upkeep of which they di;d not contribute. Furthermore, ii; was provided by the board without any commensurate benefit to tho hoard's tramway system. For the year ended March 31 tho hoard paid £4946 as city and borough rates on its line 3 laid in the streets. In view of tho fact that the board was maintaining one-third of the roadway on tramway routes at its own expense, and thereby providing an excellent surface for motor vehicles, and at the same time paying rates on such tracks, the board considered that it. was justly entitled to a share of the petrol tax, such share to be based on the area of concerned, due weight being given to the class of traffic carried. The board Considered that in the event of an allocation being mad?, it should be from the 92 per cent of the tax payable to the Main Highways Fund, and not from the 8 per cent payable to boroughii. BUTTER MARKET STEADY RISE OF v 1/- PER CWT.. New Zealand butter is mow selling, on the London market at 69s per c.wt.,a rise of Is. Joseph Nathan and Com* pany, Limited, has received the following cablegram, dated October 1, from its London principals, Trengrouse and Nathan, Limited: Butter:! 695. Cheese: White and coloured, 48si to 48s 6d. Both markets are steady..