OVERLOADING DRAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7852, 14 July 1911, Page 1

OVERLOADING DRAYS

PROPOSED NEW BY-LAW DEPUTATION OF CARRIERS TO CITY COUNCILThe by-laws committee recommended to the City Council Last night:— < ’ rf rhat the oity solicitor l>e instructed to pi*i> pare a by-law fixing the cart-load for a singlo horse at 55 cwt., and that the following condition be inserted in future contracts entered into by tho coronation in regard to the supply of coal:— "That not more than 35 cwt. of coal shah be drawn by one horse shafting, and that nil hoiscs engaged in the carting of coal shall bo thoroughly capable of drawing the above load/” Before the council dealt with the recommendation a deputation of carriers was introduced and -expressed their views on tho proposal, Mr T. Munt said tho present by-law limited the load to two tens for on© horso, and he could not seo any nood for the proposed alteration. When hills had to bo negotiated leaders were always provided. Private drays could load up to three tons, and tho council could not interfere. It was unfair to make the proposed alteration. Two tons was a reasonable load for one horse. Mr W. Flavoll, manager of the Westport Coal Company’s Wellington branch, said the proposal had caused a great deal of surprise amongst tho<se concerned. It meant a reduction in a load amounting to about per cent., and a corresponding increase in the cost of carting. His firm would have to pay something like «£ICO a. year extra for carting if tho by-law were enforced. The question depended upon the horse. Two tons was a fair and reasonable load, and steps should be taken to seo that thoro was no overloading. Some cartel's had offended in regard to overloading? the deputation had no sympathy with them. Ho had received weigh-bridge tickets showing loads drawn by one horse as hearvy as two tons six hundredweight. The remedy was for the council to arrange ■some method to see that the ‘horses were able to do the work required of them. Comers as a rule purchased good horses, and it would not be an advantage to them to overload and thus shorten the animals* lives. Councillor G. Frost remarked that there was no by-law at present, one horse drays merely being licensed to carry two tons. Tho Acting-Mayor (Councillor J. Smith) said the question had been considered by the committee of) over-loading cases. It had been represented‘to‘the committee that such cases were very frequent. Personally he thought two tons a reasonable load for level streets. He assured the deputation that the council would carefully concider the question.

Subsequently the recommendation was before, the council Councillor Fletcher suggested its delation. A _ bylaw was not necessary. The committee pro'cmnito persons for overloading. That was- the right way to proceed. Such a by-law wovUd revolutionise the carrying trade of the city. It.was absurd. Councilor M.cT.nren considered the elans* should not be deleted, but;should be referred h«r>k to tho committee. He m<"*vod accordingly. This was seconded by Councillor Atkin* non, said th-'vm had been a flagrant amount of ovorlosdinsr, and for veal’s the council ot* its officials had "winked” at snob offences.

Ootmciltor Barber favoured the pecon. “'■'eration of tho clause by the committee.

domncitlor Jfclnren’s, amendment was carried in the voices.