CAR DISTRIBUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20300, 6 July 1929, Page 14 (Supplement)

CAR DISTRIBUTION.

G. B. SHAW OK MOTORING.

RATIO TO POPULATION. At tho beginning of March there wero 131,463 cars on tho New Zealand motor register—a ratio of ono automobile to 11 people. In districts largely devoted to primary production car ownership is much more intense than in other localities. Taranai. is fast approaching American figures with 13,270 cars or one for every 5.5 head of population. Hawko's Bay is second with ono in 6.1. In Nelson thero is only ono car for every 20 persons. Turanalti's good roads havo certainly had greift deal to do with tho absorption of motor vehicles. Following aro details of the provincial distribution:— Eegis- Per trations. Capita. Auckland .. . . 34,1'29 1 in 14.4 • Tnraniiki .. .. .13,270 lin fi.s Ilnwkc's 'Bay .. J 1,734 lin O.t Wellington 23.520 lin 12.4 • Marlborough .. 1:852 lin 10.2 Nelson . . . • 2.545 ,1 in 20.3 Weatland .. • • 1.580 lin 10.2 Canterbury .. 03.314 1 in i). 5 Otaco .. .. 11,078 lin 12.8 Southland .. 7,841 lin 5?.5 OAR LIFE. Although the modern car is much more durable than the product of 10 years ago, cheaper tyres and petrol and improving roads aro* resulting in greatly increased annual milcago and tho lifo 01 the car is lowered accordingly. Tho lower cost of !■ cars is also resulting in earlier replacement, particularly in tho United States. Somo interesting deductions havo been made by tho National Automobilo Chamber of Commerce regarding tho average lifo of cars used in America. The average life of cars sold in 1909 was five years, scrapping taking place in 1914. Tho average life of the car sold in 1914 jumped to 6i years, these cars passing out of service during 1921. Ihc typical ! car of 1917 made a still better showing, its lifo of eight years expiring in 1925. Tho remarkable thing was a shorter existence for later cars, but higher mileage and cheaper replacement must explain this. Tho survey shows that tho average usage of cars which were scrapped at the end of 1928 had been 6J years, tho purchases having been made in 1922.

Mr. G. Bernard Shaw recently addressed the Chief Constables' Confcrenco for over an hour. During tho last twenty years, he said, ho has covered over 100,000 miles. Ho confessed that never once has ho taken a drivo without breaking tho law, and ho sympathised with tho Chief Constables who wero obliged by their position never to exceed tho speed limit. " G. 8.5." also confessed that ho has been summoned. . He refers to that matter in this delightful way:— '•"I was informed that I had passed through a poliro 'control at a speed of twenty-seven miles an hour. lhcro was no question. 'lhcro was no room foi argument. Tho constable and I wcro perfectly civil to ouo another. Ho was pleased when lie got my name, because ho know lie would bo in tho paper next day. And I was pleased, bccauso what cumo info my head was that it was a mercy ho did not catch mo half an hour bc'oro, when I was driving at fifty." Mr. Shaw then went on (o ask what dangerous driving is; ho eau! that he lias i u * tendency to belicvo * that everyono s driving i/ da.ngero.l3 cxcopt his own. " Mv chauffeur sitting beside me," continued Mr. Shaw, " has a tendency to regard my driving as dangerous. When ho drives I return the compliment."