THE VALUE OF BUSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19567, 21 February 1927, Page 14

THE VALUE OF BUSES.

O : COMPENSATION PROCEEDINGS CLAIM OF ROYAL COMPANY. ESTIMATES OF WORKING LIFE. Proceedings before tho Compensation Court in respect to the Royal Motor-Bus Company's claim for £28,866 for its fleet of 27 omnibuses taken over by the Auckland City Council, were resumed on Saturday. After opening for tho defence, Mr. .Stanton iiaid the City Council was anxious that no injustice should bo done. The offer of £11,895 for the bus fleet alone was actually more than the value estimated by either of tho experts employed by the council. Percy Free, manager of Northern Automobiles, Ltd., said he had examined the Royal Bus Company's fleet and fixed the total value at £lO/290. In assessing depreciation witness had deducted 5 per cent, for ever\ 50,000 miles. Cross-examined by Mr. Meredith (for the bus company), witness said there was some virtue in the fact that the buses twere all of the same make, the value of tho fleet being enhanced by this fact. The accumulation of a similar fleet could not be effected in less than three months. G. W. Spragg, motor importer, said ho had estimated depreciation at 30 per cent, per year. 110 found that some of the buses had suffered from inefficient lubrication, and some of the engine cylinders, required re-boring. He considered this renovation should be, done after every 50,000 miles. _ Witness calculated the life on an omnibus at 175,000 miles. He valued tho fleet of 27 vehicles at £9530. A. E. Ford, general manager of the Citv Corporation Tramways, said the economical life of the type of buses used in the Royal fleet was 150,000 miles. He considered the bodies of most of the buses were not adapted to the chassis according to sthe best principles. Mr, Meredith; You don't like buses? Witness: I believe in both bus and tram transport. But you did not like our buses ? Witness: No, I didn't like them from the start. Witness said the English buses _ imported by the council were to be written off in five years. _ The hearing was adjourned until Monday, March 14.