ROAD TRANSPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23902, 28 February 1941, Page 8

ROAD TRANSPORT

HORSE FLOAT SERVICES POSSIBLE ELIMINATION The statement tiiat he might be forced to cancel al! licences and have horses transported by rail, as the result of lack of co-ordination among owners of horse-floats, was made by the No. 1 Licensing Authority. Mr. E. J. Phelan, at a sitting yesterday. The result of the lack of co-operation was "dead mileage." The matter arose from an application from Mr. TO. 1). Hogan, of Takanini, for an additional licence which, he contended, would enable him to operate more efficiently and reduce his petrol consumption o() gallons a month. Other operators opposed it on the grounds that tlfere were sufficient floats already, provided there was co-ordination. _ Mr. Phelan said in most cases it was more convenient to take horses by road direct from stable to course, but benzine was everything at present, and 110 harm would be done if all horse-float services were suspended. He did not wish to take that course if it could be shown that tlio service was being run at the greatest pitch of efficiency. It could not be denied that, perhaps through ill-feeling, all operators had not co-operated. Mr. G. S. Reid, representing the Railway Department, said the department could handle the business. "We are now seriously considering the elimination of this class of work," said Mr. Phelan. It was an inopportune time for an application of this nature. Decision was reserved.