JOY RIDERS AND CAR THIEVES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 October 1928, Page 5

JOY RIDERS AND CAR THIEVES

CLEVER SAFETY DEVICE The days of the joy rider are nearly over. Their defeat is due To the ingenuity of Mr Melville Wilkins, a young motor engineer, of Wellington (son of the late Mr W. Wilkins, of Nelson), who has devised what may simply he described as an ignition alarm lock. It is neat and compact, can be fixed in less than half an hour, and the owner need then worry no longer as to whether he will find his car where he left it. He need not lock his doors, and he may leave his ignition key in. The joy rider or thief may get in the car and turn on the ignition, but on the instant will set the horn going with an alarm which will rouse the district. If the horn is disconnected or interfered with, this automatically short-circuits the wiring, I and even if the lighting wire is attached, the most that will happen is that the. engine will turn over, but without any kick. It is an entirely New Zealand production, made in Christchurch, and agencies are now being arranged in all parts of the Dominion. Its cost is about one-third of the car insurance for the year. The head office of Autolock and Motor Accessories. Ltd., is at 31 Hun-ter-street, Wellington.*