,, Legislative Assembly _

What have we learned, Mr. Speaker, from our experiment? Enough to know that a change was indicated. Specifically:-

(I) The province cannot afford free lane ploughing anymore than the other provinces. (2) More lane plows are needed to keep the business of the Province rolling.

(3) Even with the Province footing much of the cost, a small charge must be levied to eliminate lanes ploughed uselessly.

The Plan which we have in effect for the present winter —— Practically all over contractors are working on contracts that still have two years to go, so they re- main practically the same. The Department will continue to serve the non-contract areas.

In addition to last year’s equipment, the Department has added forty-five blowers to be mounted on farm tractors. These plows are supplied under contract to contract owners at a subsidized price. They, along with other private lane ploughing citizens, will have the work of clearing lanes throughout the Province. They set the price to be charged, and they make their own collections. The contrac- tors and Government plows may assist in opening lanes, after the roads are cleared and widened and ready for the next storm, and will charge for the service.

The lane plows being used, have been in service in Western Prince Edward Island, and have proven rugged and effective. ‘They were built for the Depart— ment by Donnie Allen of Covehead, who has been so successful in producing potato harvesters.

At this time, I might make a comment, because I realize that throughout the Province there has been some criticism as to whether or not these blowers were do- ing the job. Approximately two weeks ago I sent out a questionnaire to all of those who have one of these blowers attached to tractors. So yesterday he gave me a report, which, Mr. Speaker, I might read for the benefit of the Assembly.

“NOTES on LANE BLOVVERS — In the early part of the winter we placed some forty-five lane blowers throughout the province for the purpose of assisting the people in the clearing of farm lanes.

Before installation, all tractors were measured for back-up speed, and each owner was told that. for best results, the machine should back up not faster than one mile per hour. However, in spite of being warned, many asked to be allowed to try one, hoping they could manage, at least, at less than full throttle, or by slipping the clutch. This has not worked out in about one-half of those installed,

Realizing that there was some doubt as to the success of some of the installa- tions, we purposely held off asking them to sign contracts until they could make a proper test, each man for himself. We then sent out a questionnaire on which each owner was asked to describe how the blower worked for him, and what, if any, suggestions he had for improving it.

Slightly over one half of the owners indicate they are unwilling to enter into a contract, but only two actually blamed the blowers. In general, it was found, as we had warned them in the first place, that the tractor would not back up slowly enough. This resulted in the blower actually acting as a bulldozer, cutting shear pins, because of overloading, and, in extreme cases, damaging the gear train.

Some rather puzzling reports have been received. For example —— two men drive identical tractors, each with 100 H.P. One of these men says he is not pre— pared to sign a contract and is not satisfied with the blower. The other reports 100% satisfaction and has actually ploughed snow up to ten feet deep. From this it would appear that one of the principle differences is the operator. Skilled operators seem to be able to work the blower satisfactorily. Indeed, the man who owns the blewer which Mr. Allen modelled his blower on, has operated a 54 H.P. tractor with reduction gear for four years and has, this winter, purchased a second blower."

And my honourable friend, Mr. Campbell, was telling me last evening that a Mr. Perry in Tignish, I believe it is, who has one of our subsidized lane blowers, only has 54 H.P., he has the second tractor and he has purchased on his own an ad- ditional blower from Donnie Allen.

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