A STRATFORD TOLL GATE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14699, 2 September 1915, Page 7

A STRATFORD TOLL GATE.

minister will Allow it.

(By Telegraph.—Special to “Herald.”) WELLINGTON, September-1.

The Member for Egmont recently asked the Minister of Public Works whether he will take steps to prevent the Stratford County Council from erecting a toll gate on the main road connecting Wellington- and • New Plymouth. Mr. 'Wilkinson pointed out that this road is over 250 miles in length, and passes through the boundaries of numbers of local bodies, many of which may Equally claim the same right if this application is acceded to. , , - , •, -j’:. The Hon. Mr. Eraser, -Minister of Public Works, replied in favour iff the toll gate. The Str'atfordv County Council proposes to erect *a toll , gate -on the main road not far from the boundary between the Stratford and Taranaki Counties; for tne purpose of obtaining funds for the improvement of the main road in the County, and no serious objection, he says has been raised by any Of the local authorities in the district, save and except the Stratford Borough Council, which is four miles distant from the proposed toll gate. Several of the other local bodies in the immediate vicinity raise money by means of toll gates, and the improvement of the road is mainly required by reason of the motor car traffic, a large proportion of which concerns outside districts, in regard to this particular case. A Commission was appointed to take evidence thereon. The Commission reported to himself (the Minister), that there was no good reason whv the County Council’s proposal to establish a toll gate in that particular locality should bo vetoed, as the law allows of the setting up of toll gates for such a purpose, and as the whole of the net proceeds of the toll will, in accordance with an agreement with tlie ■ County Council, ho used solely in widening and permanently improving the road, so. as to make it fit and safe for traffic. ‘T have,” added the Minister, "recommended his Excellency the Governor to consent to the setting up of the toll gate in question.”