PROFESSIONAL MOTOR INCENDIARISTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 50, 22 November 1928, Page 8

PROFESSIONAL MOTOR INCENDIARISTS

ASTOUNDING REVELATIONS AT AUCKLAND

CARS BURNT—FROM £2 10s. TO £25 Dominion Special Service. Auckland, November 21. “To my knowledge there are three gangs at work in Auckland destroying cars by fire for a consideration.” This assertion, astounding though it appears, was made in deep seriousness to-day by an insurance adjuster who handles a great deal of the motor-car losses by fire in the Auckland province, says the “Sun.” Figures show that the number of cars burned in Auckland is the highest in the world when considered on a percentage basis. In Auckland 40 per cent, of the motor-car fires come within the category of suspicious outbreaks, 10 per cent, are attributed to deliberate incendiarism, and in 75 per cent, of fires direct benefit can be traced to the owner of the vehicle. These figures, though necessarily slightly elastic in their application, are quoted as a general indication of the situation in Auckland, and are computed from estimates given by motor men, insurance adjusters, and other students of the swelling calendar of motorcar losses as well as from actual records taken over specific periods. Premiums charged upon motor-cars in Auckland are among the lowest in the world and the fire ratio among lost vehicles is the highest in the world. During last year one insurance company in the city paid out just under £13,000 in car losses, including third party risks, damage by impact, and loss by theft, and of that amount approxmately 40 per cent, of the damage was caused by fire. The recognised average fire ratio in normal industrial times is around about 20 per cent, of the cars destroyed. .In and around Auckland motor-car thefts have increased enormously during recent months, and many of the stolen vehicles have been discovered on lonely and deserted roads transformed into heaps of ashes and twisted iron. Many of them were worn out and decrepit, and in over 90 per cent of the fires were over-insured.

Cannot you get at this gang? one man was asked. “We know who they are and we know they are operating,” he replied, “but we cannot bring any proof to incriminate them.” '. ■ How much do they receive for this work?

“Anything from £2 10s. to £25 a car. Frequently, of.course, it .depends upon the success of the owner in his negotiations with the insurance company. • Over 200 cars are lost by fire in Auckland province in a year. Chief among the causes are back-fires in the engine, short-circuits in the electrical mechansm, and unknown reasons, and it is estimated that 60 per cent, of the outbreaks are due to faulty electrical equipment, 25 per cent, to gross carelessness, and 10 per cent, of the remaining 15 per cent to deliberate incendiarism. . ' ■■' .