FICTITIOUS FIGURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19275, 13 March 1926, Page 10 (Supplement)

FICTITIOUS FIGURES.

DETAILS FOR LICENSES. i OBLIGATIONS OF MOTORISTS. j I i Ignorant of what information was re- j quired of them, a number of motorists j who registered and licensed their cars last | veai- under the Motor Vehicles' Act. took j "tho easy way out of a difficulty bv giving i liO' r us chassis and engine numbers. Several ! things which did not occur to those who in- ! dulgcd in this fictitious figuring have re- | vealed the deception to tho postal officials. For instance, in the event of a change of ! ownership, the registration papers go with j the car. The now owner probably checks I t lie figures and asks the registration officials to make the correction. Tn sonic cases it is probable that wrong numbers were given in good faith. It is difficult to find the chassis numbers of j many cars, and owners may select the first j figures thev see stamped on some part of j tho frame. Sometimes it is really just j an arbitrary number used for cataloguing | or spare parts identification. The engine | number is usually conspicuous on tho | cylinder block. Many cars have a plate attached near the dashboard on which are stamped the chassis, serial and engine numbers, as well as tho year of manufacture. The question of bogus numbers was brought under the notice of the Auckland Automobile Association this week in a com- j munication from the postal department. The letter stated that motorists should be advised that engine and chassis numbers were required when registering a car. It, was tho intention of the department to Insist on the payment of another registration fee in future when errors were made. The secretary, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, said it was probable that motorists went j to register cars without knowing what was required of them. When their attention was drawn to the space in the forms for engine and chassis numbers, they would fill in a number at random to save the trouble of inspecting tho car. Last year many thousands of cars were registered at the eleventh hour, and it was necessary to wait one's turn in a queue. This probably resulted in a certain amount of carelessness on tho part of motorists. It may bo thought that these figures havo no value. In tho first place, they sure a protection for the ca.r owner as they ?revent tho registration of a stolen cai. ho numbers are, of course, essential also when a car insurance i 3 taken out. COMPULSORY INSURANCE. HAMILTON MOTORISTS' ATTITUDE. The opinion that it was advisable for ail motor-car owners to take out a third party risk, or comprehensive policy, was expressed at a meeting of tho Hamilton Automobile Association last week. The president, Dr. F. D. Pinfold, said he felt very strongly about the matter, and thought it should be obligatory" on all motor-car owners to have a third party risk. There were many people with cars, who if involved In an accident and found blameworthy wero not ir, a position to pay damages. The secretary said the matter had beon discussed by tho Auckland executive, but no action had been taken, it being feltthat tho insurance premiums were too high. Dr. A. G. Waddell. suggested that the North Island Motor Union might run its own insurance. Mr. Noal Johnson said the trouble with the third party risk was that the companies chose their persons. As a policy, companies would not givo a third party risk after a person had had a claim. Unless they were absolutely certain that a smash was purely accidental, they were loath to renew a policy. Tho secretary remarked that a third party risk would mean a protection for all motorists. The motorist of means had no protection against tho poor man with a car, and haci to carry tho burden if an accident occurred. The president then moved that tho association was of opinion that a compulsory third party risk for motor-car owners was advisable, and that representations bo made to the Government through tho North Island Motor Union. This motion was carried. It was also decided 'to make representations urging tho North Island Motor Union to go into tho question of an insurance schemo for members. A COMICAL POSITION. Amusement prevails at Stratford regarding tho attitude of the Stratford Borough Council in the matter of motor traffic control. \ At a meeting of the council a short while ago, tho borough inspector was hauled over tho coals in connection with motor traffic and a resolution was passed instructing him rigorously to enforce tho by-laws and to prosecute in cases of broiicii b s» One by-law states that no motor vehicle may bo" left unattended for more than ten minutes outside the parking spaces. Some motorists fractured this by-law and tiro were prosecuted. The sequel occurred at the next meeting of tho council when mo inspector was eluded for " not using moro discretion" in the matter, and a new resolution was passed instructing him not to take action unless cars wero left unattended for twenty minutes. Naturally tho borough officials now seem to bo a very confused and unhappy pooplo.