CARTAGE OF CREAM

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXI, Issue 2775, 14 November 1931, Page 5

CARTAGE OF CREAM

THE OVERLAPPING QUESTION CONFERENCE AT TIRAU. TOO MANY LORRIES OVER SAME ROADS. The fact that much unnecessary motor transport in connection with the cartage of cream in the Matamata and other counties, is resulting in much loss of money in the association with road maintenance was stressed at a conference on the subject held at the county offices, Tirau, on Thursday. Mr 3. W. Anderson, chairman of the Matamata County Council, presided and representatives of the Matamata, Waipa and Waikato County Councils, Public Works and Railway- Departments, N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Company, Sunny Park, To Aroha, Hinucra and Tokoroa factories were present. The chairman said the position in regard to overlapping in Matamata County was ridiculous. Often there were three or more lorries carting cream on back roads, where one waggon could well do the lot. With the aid of four maps the county engineer, Mr M. E. Fitzgerald, placed a wealth of facts and figures before the conference to support the contention that there was much over-lapping. The engineer showed clearly that if the Hinucra and Waharoa factories exchanged those suppliers who were living in reasonable proximity but were supplying the more distant factor, the Hinucra factory lorries would reduce their present daily run of 127 miles down to 55. The same practically applied to Waharoa.

Another example quoted is as folios : _Thc Taupiri factory has three lorries operating within the county as follows:—(1) One lorry, which comes in via Cambridge, and is fed at Horahora by a local lorry from Pukcturua. The length of road used in and out is 42 miles, and the number of suppliers is 12. This route also includes about 62 miles outside the county, whore doubtless other supplies are collected. One supply is carried at least 52 miles by lorry. (2) A local truck which travels from and to Putaruru station, picking up from Tokoroa and back Lichfield road. The distance travelled is 30 miles, to pick up from seven farms. This carrier may pick up other goods at the same time, but not to any great extent. (3) The same man as No. 2 also runs to and from Waotu, a distance of 20 miles, to pick up from two farms. Lack of Control. The engineer went on to point out that the present.lack of control and cooperation had resulted in three outstanding features: (1) The cartage contractors obtained trucks capable of carrying loads in excess of the classification of back roads in order to be able to cope with flush periods. (2) Overlapping was rampant, as many as four lorries running on sonic roads. (3) Lorries running past some factories which they did not supply. The Council could control the traffic much more effectually by classifying downwards more of its weak roads, and by more strictly limiting permits. These powers could be used to force a posi tion whereby cream carting would follow more closely the arterial road system, starting at the back roads, thence via the main roads and main highways to railway or factory, and secondly to prevent two or more lorries travellingover back roads to compete for suppliers. The remedy lay in true cooperation among the factories and suppliers. Strong Support. Mr T. H. Henderson (Waikato) and Mr S. C. Macky (Waipa) strongly supported the Matamata Council's and engineer's views. A number of other representatives spoke in support of the views expressed, and urged that companies and local r.cdies should get together to solve what was a very expensive problem at the present time. Messrs Dynes Furton and Parlane, of the N.Z.D.C, said they were quite prepared to co-operate. The company had realised the present position long ago. Position Absolutely Changed. Mr J. Bruce, Matamata County Council, said that five years ago the back roads were used as feeder roads and feeder roads only, but to-day the position was absoultoly changed. He believed that smaller contracts should be made with lighter vehicles running to dumps on the main highways and ho hoped that something definite would result from this meeting. Mr P. Hawke moved, and it was seconded by Mr Bruce: "That the time has arrived when a general meeting of suppliers should be called at different centres of all companies when the facts produced by Mr Fitzgerald will bo presented, the first meeting to be held at Matamata.'' Mr Fulton moved a vote of appreciation to Mr Fitzgerald for bringing the facts before them.