DEFINING CARAVAN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 145, 15 March 1932, Page 5

DEFINING CARAVAN

Heavy Traffic Duty MASTERTON ’TEST CASE Dominion Special Service. Masterton, March 14. In a test action brought before him in the Masterton Magistrate’s Court, Mr.' J. Miller, S.M., held that a motorcaravan in certain circumstances was a motor-lorry under the Motor-lorry Regulations, 1927, and was liable for heavy traffic duty. The action was brought by the Wairarapa County Council against Frank Ryman, a travelling salesman, and owner of a motorcaravan which he used for transporting his family and household effects from place to place, attending shows and carnivals. The defence submitted that the caravan was a private motor-car and therefore exempt from the heavy traffic regulations. The prosecution pointed out that a motor-car undei; the Act is defined as a motor-vehicle designed solely or principally for the carriage of persons, not exceeding nine in number. The caravan in question, It was stated, was not so designed, but was designed to convey household belongings of the whole family. The magistrate said that a motorcar used in connection with a camping holiday for a short period and carrying household goods, even though Its gross weight exceeded two tons, would not, in his opinion, be liable for payment of fee, but the caravan in the present instance, owing to its design, could not claim to be exempted on these grounds. As the case was regarded as a test one a conviction only was entered.