MOTOR TRAFFIC

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18069, 17 March 1923, Page 11

MOTOR TRAFFIC

Its regulations. CONFERENCE OF COUNTY COUNCILS. Yesterday afternoon a conference of County Councils was held in Timaru, for the purpose of discussing the best way to, control motor-lorry traffic in South Canterbury. There were present.—Msesfs C. N. Orbell (chairman), and T. 13. ' Garrick (Levels County Council), Mr P. iVfnlvihall, and Col. ; Mackenzie (Geraldine County Council), j Messrs, H, JU. Johnstone andl 'l\ Drinnnn (AVahnato County Gbuncil), ! Messrs E. Macdonald and J. Aloffatt I (Maokenzio County Council), and Messrs C. E. Brenmer, It. L. Banks, pnd T. Black engineers to Geraldine. Mackenzie and Levels Cbunty Councils respectively. Mr Orbell explained that the conference was being held to ninke a uniform by-law to govern motor-lorry traffic throughout South Canterbury. The traction engines did a certain amoiit of damage, 'out they did not cut up the roads like the motor lorries. Motortraffic had come to stay, hut the Council should have power to. stop it when the weather was unsuitable. There was no intention ol interfering with tlie motor oars, but they did want power to control the motor-lprry traffic. There was such a by-law in the Ainuri County and he thought they should adopt a similar bydaw for t South, Canterbury if they could legally do so. Messrs \Y, H, Walton and W, I),, Campbell, solidtora to the Goraldina and Levels County Councils, respectively, would attend the conference and explain the legal position. There hvns nothing to hide, in what tho Councils wove doing; all they wore socking to do' was to protect the interests of the County ratepayers. A letter was received from Mr T, F. Martin, solicitor to the Now Zealand Ooiinties’ Association, expressing the opinion that County Councils have power to make by-laws governing rnotorlorry traffic!:

Mr Johnson, said they did not want to prohibit motor-lorry traffic as it was a great convenience- to farmers 1 , but the lon y owners should pa,v fox- tho privileg'l.

Mr Garrick said that any tax they could put on would not compensate for the damage done to the roads. Col. Mackenzie said that tax put on to lorry owners would only ho paid indirectly by them as they 'would put it on to the larmors by adding it to tlipxr charges; and tho farmers alreadv paid for the upkeep of tli e roads. What they wanted was control of the lorries. Air Johnson said he quite agreed that they needed to get control of tho lorries.

Zilr Mulvihill suggested that- they should go' through the Amuri Yxy-lnws seriatim, and with the aid of tho KoliCitoi-s present frame a. by-law which would be suitable for South Canterbury.

Mr Garrick said there-was no doubt but that, they could frame by-laws to govern what was palled heavy traffic, but they also needed power to make, by-laws which would govern inototlorrv traffic up to t 1 reo ton in weight. After considerable discussion of details Mr Macdonald suggested that a, copy ol the Aimin' by-laws should bo sent, to each County Council iri South Canterbury for consideration, and that alter .such consideration a further conference should be bold to frame by-laws for South Canterbury. Air Orbell said that the Amuri bylaw bad been :n operation about a year, and it seemed to be giving satisfaction. So far as he could see it was iust what was needed in South Canterbury. Mr Garrick said tho main tiling was to get control of the motor lorries. Colonel Mackenzie proposed—- “ That this combined meeting of representatives of Levels, Wnimate, Geraldine and Mackenzie County Councils, called for tlie purpose of drafting by-laws for the control and regulation of motor traffic and heavy traffic within the said counties, do hereby respectfully request the Governor-General to issue an Order-in-Ceuncil in terms of Section 110 of the Counties Act authorising the said Councils to make a by-law providing for tho licensing of all motor vehicles and other vehicles using the roads within tlie said counties.” The motion was seconded by Mr Garrick and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to Air Orbell for presiding concluded tho conference.