GUARDING PARKED CARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 209, 4 September 1929, Page 9

GUARDING PARKED CARS.

QUESTION OF LIABILITY

AUTOMOBILE CLUB'S VIEWS,

A letter from the City Council informing the Wellington Automobile Club that it could not see its way to authorise attendants to be 011 duty at various car parking places in the city, although no objection would be taken to the club employing reputable men for such work, gave rise to long and animated discussion at a meeting of the Automobile Club. The request to the council had originally been made owing to the number of thefts from cars parked near the Winter Show building recently. The question that seemed to trouble members most was the one raise! by Mr. E. A. Batt, who asked: "Under what by-law can the City Council say whether a man can act as a caretaker for one or a number of parked cars?'' Mr. Batt considered that a legal opinion should be obtained, and added that it was obvious that if the council authorised men to look after cars, then it would be liable for losses or damage. He was strongly in favour of a man patrolling parked cars. If a man did so the owner could leave his ear with a sense of security. Another question was, "Did the council have thq\ right to say that a man should not look after the ears?" Mr. A. J. Toogood pointed out that if the club authorised a man to look after a parking place, then he would be looking after cars belonging to non-members as well as members of the club, and the club would be liable for all the ears. Mr. Batt replied that he did not propose to make it a club affair, and added that there were many unemployed men who would be prepared to' look after cars at night—provided they were not interfered with by the City Council. Mr. Batt pointed out that a poor man patrolling cars could not accept liability. "What I want to know," he continued, "'is what right have the City Council to interfere with these men? Its all unofficial, and the men, now, do not demand a fee." Mr. A. J. Curtis: Do you suggest that if the council licenses a man, and anythin" happens, you could come at him . The chairman (Mr. A. L. Warburton) replied by asking if some sort of insurance could cover 1055.,, Mr. Tootrood mentioned the case of a lady who °a 'year or two ago, left her fur coat in the dressing room at a course. She paid for a ticket for it. I The coat was lost, and the racing club was held responsible for the loss. lie thought that if the club had a uniformed man "at a parking place, it would do it a (rreat deal of good. I here was, he said, no reason why the club should not send a uniformed man, who could accept a tip for his services, to look aftei cais. After further discussion, it was decided to obtain legal opinion on whether the City Council had any right to prevent a private individual from 'voluntarilv acting in the capacity of caie ~ taker at parking places; and also that the solicitor be asked to suggest a scheme whereby the club could control such men without any liability for anything that should be stolen or lost.