EMIGRATING TO NZ?
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TAKE YOUR LORRY!
A NEW ZEALAND haulier told CM this week that "if any misguided British operator wishes to emigrate to New Zealand and take up transport there, he should bring his own trucks"—prices there are so high.
The haulier, Mr. G. W. Sinclair, managing director of George Sinclair Transport Ltd., Pukeatua, got in touch with CM after reading Questions and Answers (July 7) on the subject. He says:—
"We have recently put on a Ford D800 tipper with a telehoist at a cost of £4,375. A Mercedes costs £7,250 (chassis and cab), a Ford Dl 000 £5,250 (without a spare wheel); Michelin XY 9.00 by 20 tyres are £49 17s 6d each and 9.00 by 20 premiums are £42 10s.
"Diesel fuel is ls 9d to 2s 2d depending on locality, with a mileage tax of up to 30s per 100 depending on makers' ratings. A Bedford C6 is 16s 9d per 100 miles, a 7-tonner 21s per 100 miles—and the larger the truck the higher the tax.
"In our operating area there are three road classifications—third, second and first. Axle-loadings are rigidly enforced, and a 7 cwt overload can lead to prosecution.
"An 8 ton Commer complete with crate for stock cartage with gratings as specified by the Department of Agriculture can weigh 7+ tons which doesn't leave much for payloads on a third-class road.
"Cartage rates are set by the Transport Department and are maximum with a 10 per cent permissible reduction plus 25 per cent for back-loads. But this is cut by irresponsible operators until metal is carted for down to 5+d per yard-mile and a yard of blue metal can weigh up to 30cwt. This in some cases includes bridge tolls in Auckland of 3s per axle.
"Cartage rates for a 30-mile haul are: general goods 38s 3d per ton, bagged fertilizer 22s 9d, bulk fertilizer 30s Id, fat lambs Is 4+d each, fat ox 15s 4d, metal 33s per yard.
"Drivers' wages are £16 12s for a 40-hour week plus 5s a day if pulling a trailer. There is also lOs a day wet-weather clothing allowance and dirt money. Our drivers average better than £30 a week.
"Incidentally, the Road Tranport Alliance and the Road Carriers Federation amalgamated last year to form the New Zealand Road Carriers Association."
And Mr. Sinclair gave CM a sample goods service vehicle check sheet (left).