MOTOR VEHICLES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 90, 16 April 1929, Page 9

MOTOR VEHICLES

RE-REGISTRATION DUE ONUS UPON OWNERS The annual period for the registration of motor vehicles opened yesterday and will close on May 31. The onus is on owners of motor vehicles tv make application for registration within that period, and to cope with the large volume of business expected from within the city area, the Wanganui Chief Post Office has made careful arrangements, so that registrations will be handled with a minimum of delay to both licensee and Department. At present the registration office is located in an upstairs room in the main post office building, entrance to which is gained through the private box lobby fronting Victoria Avenue. It is intended, however, to remove this branch to a separate building, but definite arrangements in this connection have not been completed. Explaining matters relative to local organisation * yesterday, the Chief I’ostmaster (Mr J. M. McLean) said that when the Department occupied separate premises the arrangements would bo such that those applying for licenses would receive forms of application immediately on entering. when completed, would be checked and handed back to the vehicle owners, who would obtain the plates upon presenting them at a further counter. This system would obviate the delays occasioned through the business being handled over a single counter, as was the case last year. Third Party Insurance Under Act of Parliament placed on the .Statute Book last year it is now compulsory for every motor-vehicle owner to be covered by what is termed Third Party Insurance, which indemnifies him against liability to pay damages that may arise on account of the death or of bodily injury suffered by any person, through the use of the insured motor vehicle within New Zealand. The premium to effect this cover is payable at the same time as the usual motor vehicle registration fee and will be additional to that charge. Thus it is advisable for car owners to 'remember that when making application for re-registration they will be called upon to find the extra sum vO cover the third party insurance premium, the amount of which is calculated according to a schedule based on the type of motor vehicle concerned. Premiums range from 15/-, in the case* of a motor cycle to £2B for a motor omnibus designed to scat 26 inclusive of the driver. £1 is the charge in the case of a private car. Practically all the insurance companies taking this class of risk are prepared to effect third party cover under the new Act, and when the vehicle ' owner applies for registration plates he 1 must stipulate which company he desires shall accept the risk. Thereupon the necessary adjustments will be made by the Post and Telegraph Department to have the policy brought into force. All risks will date as from June 1 next. Occupations of Owners. For the first time since the operation of the Motor Vehicles Act, it has become necessary for the owners of cars to supply the department with particulars as to their occupations, and it is worthy of note, also, that, as from yesterday, it is essential for owners of motor vehicles which are sold or otherwise changed in ownership, to notify the occupation of the new owner. The point which the Department wishes to lay particular stress upon in connection with the matter generally, is the need for early application for registration. It is pointed out that the usual practice is for licensees to leave matters until the very last day, thereby causing considerable inconvenience to those administering the Act. Payment need not accompany the application form immediately, but must do so before number plates can be issued. To meet the requirements of firms and others so desiring it, the registration authorities are prepared to accept signed forms right away, cash payments to follow, the amounts to be paid in full before May 31. The period covered by the license fee and insurance premium payable, dates from June 1 next to May 31, 1930. In the past the period expired each year on March 31, but to avoid congestion of work at Dominion post offices occasioned by the annual balance falling at the same time, an adjustment was made last year by charging an increased fee to bring the commencement of the motor vehicles year to June 1, instead of April 1. This year’s plates will be marked by white lettering on a blue ground and. though issued on application, will not be available for use until May 25. on which date the familiar plates of last year, white and brown, will go out of existence.