TRAFFIC FEES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1933, Page 7

TRAFFIC FEES

CLAIM AGAINST A FIRE BOARD

REGISTRATION OF ENGINES

(Per Press Association, Copyright)

WELLINGTON, November 29

Submitting that ten motor vehicles operated by the Wellington Fire Board, came under ’."the Heavy Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1932, the Wellington City Corporation claimed in the Supreme Court to-day, a total of £2BO 14s 6d in heavy traffic fees. The Chief Justice was on the Bench.

.The question really turned cn whether the Vehicles Were, ■or were not, private motor cars, stated Mr Ostler, for the Corporation. A motor ear Wag a vehicle other than a motor eycle designed solely or principally 'Cor the carriage of persons not ex* eeeding nine. The vehicles in question, he submitted, were designed as fire engines, .and for the carriage of fire apparatus

■Mr Watson, for the Board, said that this was the first time that a Fire Board had been asked to pay heavy traffic fees, and he submitted that it was not the' intention of the regulations that they should be liable. The vehicles, he said, were private motor cars principally designed for the carriage of passengers, that was the personnel of the Fire brigade. It was a farcical situation, he added. If fire engines came under the (Heavy Traffic Regulations, then there were hundreds of miles of road they would 'be debarred from usingand they would have to put up with many ridiculous restrictions. The Corporation would get no profit out of fees, i n any case. It would have to pay 50 per cent., and would get 50 per cent. back. The other 50 per cent, would be shared by local •bodies over whose roads the engines could not travel. The case will be continued to-mor-row.

CASE OF A TRACTION ENGINE

CLASSED AS MOTOR VEHICLE

MARTON, November 29

The Magistrate, 'Mr Watson, to-day delivered reserved judgment in a case hea v d on November 16 in favour of the County Council. The Council proceeded against a defendant, Morris, for operating a traction engine on the highway without the consent of the Rangitikei County Council in ■contravention of the Heavy Motor Vehicles Regulations, 1932. ' The judgment means that a traction engine is classed as a motor vehicle.