AMBULANCE CARS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 94, 22 April 1935, Page 9

AMBULANCE CARS

TAXATION QUESTIONS

CIRCULAR TO BOARDS

In further explanation ,o£ its attitude to the taxation of ambulance cars, the Commandery of the Order of St. John has sent the following circular letter to thirty-four hospital in New Zealand:— » ■ v

"Following on representations made by the Commandery of the Order of St. John, the provisions of the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, have been extended to cover .ambulance services, by Order in Council under the powers conferred on the Governor-General by Section 30 of the Transport Licensing Amendment Act, 1933.

, "The object of the Commandery in taking such action was to obtain the protection conferred by the Act, and to prevent the setting up of competitive ' ambulance services, operated largely fofc private gain, by individuals. The Commandery is applying in its own name for eight licences; one in respect of each group of hospital boards, but not including the territory in which the Wellington Free Ambulances operate. ' "In ordinary circumstances, each licence for a passenger-service costs £5; viz., a £3 fee to be lodged with; the application, and a £2 fee payable upon the issue of the licence.' Again, each vehicle used in the licensed service must.carry a certificate of fitness, and the application for such certificate has to be accompanied by a fee of £3, making the total cost £8 in the case of a one-vehicle service, or £11 for a two-vehicle service; and so on. "However, in view of the special character of the ambulance services, reduced fees have been granted therefor, hence the total cost of the yearly, licence will be £1 only, instead of £5, and the fee for each vehicle will be also £1 per annum instead' of £3. A separate application for a certificate of fitness should be lodged in respect of each ambulance. ; ' . "Every ambulance would be thoroughly examined by the district Government officer; whose duty it is to inspect each public ■ passenger-ser-vice vehicle, to ensure that the same is in every way mechanically fit and safe for service, and he would also make an occasional contact to give timely advice in any case where the standard of fitness was not being properly maintained. "The inspector would supply to the party concerned, i.e., the registered owner, a detailed report covering any defects, or would bring to notice any unusual or objectionable feature or weakness in the vehicle which was worthy of special consideration or attention."