MOTOR-CAR THEFTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19542, 22 January 1927, Page 10 (Supplement)

MOTOR-CAR THEFTS.

A NON-MOTORISED POLICE. Responding to many aspersions which have been cast on the efficiency of the New Zealand police force, the commissioner has claimed that tlio force is now at its best. As far as its motor equipment is concerned, the police force is well in arrears compared with other public services. The foot-slogging detective is still detailed to investigate thefts of motor-cars and burglaries which have been facilitated by the use of motors. The thief with a motor-car is more efficient at criminal "trades" than the "Bill Sykes" type of offender. He has a great advantage over the detective who prosecutes innumerable abortive inquiries on foot. A motor-cycle or motor-car patrol is needed in Auckland. The unlawful conversion of over 120 motor-cars in Auckland during 1926 alone justifies the daily use of a motor to., scour the city. The Department of Internal Affairs and the Post and Telegraph Department use scores of motor-cars to maintain efficient services. Commercial houses find that a fleet of cars saves the time of travellers and widens the field of operation. It is hard to understand why those responsible for law and order have been handicapped so long when the motor has become such a vital factor in the efficiency of commerce and public service. A year or two ago, a young detective on the Auckland staff earned a reputation among motorists for the tracing of stolen cars and arrests of reasonable frequency. It was not generally known that this man was an enthusiastic motor-cyclist, and that he used many gallons of benzine in the pursuit of criminals for which his conservative department gave him no recognition.

DAMAGE TO ROADS. DUTY OF LOCAL BODIES. When abnormal weather causes damage to roads and bridges, some authorities accept the situation and spare no expense in performing their duty of keeping the highways open. Others are penurious, and time is wasted while costs_ are discussed. Considerable apathy is shown by some local bodies in the Auckland Province in the performance of works which should be their first concern. Warning signs and deviation signs are not always placed when a road has to be closed for traffic. An instance of neglect existed this week on the Te KuitiTaumarunui Road about five miles from. Te Kuiti where a bad -subsidence caused a risky drop of. 18 inches. This was not marked. A washout at the Okahukura Bridge was also unposted. ■ The labour of placing a sign is trivial compared with the trouble • caused when drivers are forced to retrace their steps; It is pleasing to note that the engineer in charge of the road repairs between Auckland and Albany has placed signs for the guidance of motorists wherever the work has interfered with the thoroughfare.

TIME-PAYMENT DEALS, The financing of hire-purchase deals is taken off the shoulders of most motor dealers'in New Zealand by corporations which specialise in this class of investment. Up to the present eight per cent, has been charged. The New Zealand Guarantee Corporation, Limited., advises that the rate has been.reduced to seven per cent, from January 1. Tljese terms apply to deals providing for a deposit 9f not less than one-third, and the payment of the balance in 12 months. For 15 mouths terms nine per cent, is charged on the unpaid balance, and 11 per cent, is charged on 18-month deals. Terms for three months only are accepted at two per cent. The reduction in the basic rate is a proof of the success of time-payment schemes in the Dominion, and it is gratifying that car ownership is being made possible for the hundreds who cannot afford to make a straight out purchase. The development of the system will no doubt make further reductions possible. Nearly three cars out of four sold in the United States are handled on time payment, and, in some cases, interest rates are as low as four per cent. The finance committee of the General Motors Corporation reports that the seven years' operation of the acceptance corporation associated with the manufacturing organisation proves that instalment dealing is satisfactory to both customers and dealers. In obligations totalling nearly £100,000,000 purchased from January 1, 1925, to October 1, 1926, the General Motors Acceptance Corporation has lost only £27,000 by defaults. Bad debts are accordingly about one thirtieth of "one per cent. During 1922, 1923 and 1924, the loss on time payment defaults wis one-twelfth of one per cent. TRAFFIC AT GRAFTON BRIDGE. It would greatly facilitate the movement of traffic at Grafton Bridge .-it rush hours if all cars proceeding up Symonds Street and wishing to continue straight ahead would keep "to the right or outside of the road. This would permit traffic turning across the bridge to proceed without delay by coming up on the left, close against the kerb. LOST NUMBER PLATES. A total of 75 sets of motor registration plates have either been lost or stolen in Auckland during the past nine months. It behoves motorists to pay more attention to the manner in which plates are attached to the car. It is illegal to use a car with a make-shift number, and when one is lost-, a new pair must be obtained.. 1