Coin-Operated Machines At Testing Station

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30156, 13 June 1963, Page 6

Coin-Operated Machines At Testing Station

Two coin-operated ticket vending machines have now been in operation at the Christchurch City Council’s Cranford street vehicle-test-ing station since Monday, and so far they are proving very successful. The machines are the first of their type in New Zealand, and were entirely designed and built in Christchurch. One machine dispenses 3s 6d test dockets for motor-cycles, trailers and non-motprised caravans; and the other dispenses 5s dockets for other' motor vehicles. The 3s 6d machine is operated by a half-crown and a Is piece. If faulty coins or the wrong coins are put in they are rejected, except when somebody accidentally uses the wrong machine and puts two half-crowns in the 3s 6d machine. This has occasionally happened in spite of large notices above the machines showing which is which, and testing station staff then recover the customer’s money.

Drivers are urged to bring the right change with them, but they can change money at the testing station office if necessary.

The 5s machine is operated by two half-crowns. Each machine is electrically operated, and contains a large roll of 2000 dockets. When the roll is finished a bell rings to warn the staff the machine needs replenishing.

Each docket is numbered and the machine also datestamps each one. The motorist tears off his docket when it appears through a slot in the machine. He then fills in details of name, address, and make of car himself. The makers of the machine, Coin Machines, Ltd., say the machines have created much interest with other local authorities, who are considering using them if the Christchurch ones are successful. The same company also made the newspaper vending machines used by ‘‘The Press,” and these machines have created much interest overseas.

The Christchurch City Council Traffic Superintendent (Mr J. F. Thomas) said yesterday if the machines proved satisfactory at the Cranford street testing station he would recommend to the council that they be installed at the Lichfield street station as well.