H.B. AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 163, 25 June 1928, Page 9

H.B. AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

THE NEW REGULATIONS law relating to car STEALING

Information regarding the new motor regulations was brought before the Hawke’s Bay Automobile Association last week, when the North Island Motor Union wrote forwarding details of the rules to be observed by motorists.

Regarding the matter of stolen cars a deputation to the Minister of Justice was reported upon as fallows :—

“The Minister of Justice pointed out that the law as it exists to-day gave motorists all the protection required. if the law was administered in full by magistrates He went on to say that where it could be proved that a car was stolen the offenders could be charged with theft, the difficulty being that a car taken for a short period came under the designation of a joy ride, and if abandoned was not a theft, but if the car was taken away, kept, damaged or destroyed it would constitute a theft, the charge for which was imprisonment up to three months, without the option of a fine. The Minister pointed out that it was conceivable that if the punishment was increased bv three months, the case would then be tried by a jury, and the Question would then arise as to whether juries would convict the punishment being imprisonment. “He recommended that each association should instruct a solicitor to press for severer punishment und -r the Act, where a case of theft etTuld be proved in the Magistrate’s Court. By this means the Magistrate’s power would be brought more forcibly under notice, and given publicity. In view of the above circumstances it was felt that the union should not press for any amended legislation to increase the punishment at the present time. The machinery was in existence', and the weak point was in its administration.” RAILWAY CROSSINGS. The report of a deputation which waited on the Railway Board in regard to level crossing obstruction was as follows:— “Tho attitude taken by the Board was that it had no power to have growth cut down that was not on railway property. It was urged by the deputation that the Railway Department should co-operate with the Municipal and County Associations in removing obstructing growth outside railway property. The officer in charge stated that £200.000 had been allotted in 1924 to a programme of improving railway crossings and eliminating growth, etc., and also pointed out that the board had erected signs, wag-signals, and and in some cases a crossing-keeper was appointed. There were 3000 level crossings in New Zealand. He finally suggested that the deputation’s remarks be referred to the new general manager, who took charge on May Ist. and advised that the North and South Island Motor Unions should co-operate in referring bad cases, requiring attention, to local bodies.” -

Regarding the matter of the obstructions near railway lines, Mr W. Harvey pointed out that it was proposed to erect a large tower for flood lights in the railway yards at Napier, which w-ould cause inconvenience to motorists, and it was decided to leave it in the hands of the chairman to draw the railway authorities’ attention to the matter if it was neces

sary. The remainder of the correspondence was received.