TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT ON)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1946 Session I, H-40

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1946 NEW ZEALAND

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT ON)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave The Hon. J. O'Brien, Minister of Transport, Wellington. Transport Department, 18th July, 1946. Sir, — Herewith I have the honour to submit the annual report of the Transport Department for the year ended 31st March, 1946. I have, &c., G. L. Laurenson, Commissioner of Transport.

REPORT INTRODUCTION 1. Summary of Contents. —(a) Private cars licensed at 31st March, 1946, numbered 201,425, an increase of 2,007 as compared with the number at the same date in 1945 ; all other classes of vehicles showed an increase over the previous licensing period. (b) Petrol-consumption by mo tor-vehicles during the calendar year 1945 increased by 11,878,000 gallons compared with 1944, an increase of 22 per cent. (c) Deaths from road accidents fell from 140 in 1944 to 129 in 1945. (d) Road accidents involving personal injury increased from 2,097 in 1944 to 2,385 in 1945, and 640 more people were injured as a result of road accidents in 1945 than in 1944. (e) The Auckland Metropolitan Area showed a decrease in motor accidents from 493 in 1944 to 427 in 1945. The other three metropolitan areas all show increases. (f) Road accidents increased substantially after the additional petrol allowance for private cars was granted in August. (g) Increase in convictions for traffic offences on information laid by Department's Traffic Inspectors from 4,598 in 1944-45 to 6,288 in 1945-46. (h) Continued heavy volume of traffic catered for by public passenger-services ; nearly three times greater than pre-war. (i) During year, 797 transport licenses were granted to ex-servicemen, representing an increase of 463, or approximately 139 per cent, upon the corresponding figure for 1944-45. (j) Restrictions on household deliveries by motor-vehicle ended during year, excepting milk zoning.

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DEVELOPMENT OF MOTOR TRANSPORT 2. Licensing of Motor-vehicles by Principal Groups.—Under the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924, motor-vehicles are required to be registered and licensed. Such licenses are renewable annually, and the following table gives the number of motor-vehicles, in their principal groups, licensed as at the 31st March, 1946, the figures for the two preceding years being included for purposes of comparison.

All classes of vehicles licensed at 31st March, 1946, showed gains over the figures for the preceding year. Table No. 1 of the Appendix shows full details of the licensed motor-vehicles as at 31st|March, 1946, by postal districts. -Table No. 2 gives, for purposes of comparison, the number of motor-vehicles licensed year by year as at 31st March, 1937, to 1946 inclusive. 3. Petrol Consumption.—The table hereunder shows for the individual calendar years 1937 to 1945 the estimated quantities of petrol consumed by motor-vehicles, used for other purposes, and the total consumption :

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Number licensed as at 31st March, Increase of Type. 1946 over 1944. 1945. 1946. 1945 Licenses. Cars 200,100 199,418 201,425 2,007 Trucks not exceeding 2 tons laden 27,054 28,316 30,435 1,819 Trucks exceeding 2. tons laden .. 19,928 21,985 23,499 1,514 Passenger-trucks .. 1,454 1,576 1,947 371 Omnibuses.. 862 932 1,025 93 Taxis, including private hire cars 1,987 2,005 2,113 108 Service cars 550 572 595 23 Rental cars .. .. .. 500 501 546 45 Motor-cycles 12,526 13,667 16,167 2,500 Trailers .. .. ;.. 15,059 17,064 20,031 2,967 Local body and other vehicles exempted from 7,430 9,611 11,903 2,292 annual license fees . Government vehicles 4,687 5,207 5,814 607 Totals 292,137 301,154 315,500 14,346 • or 4*76 per cent.

Estimated Consumption, of Petrol. Calendar Year. By Motor-vehicles (i.e., Petrol on which all Duty, was paid). Other (i.e., Engines, Aeroplanes, &c., on which Refunds of Petrol Duty were made) Total. 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Gallons. 82,111,000 89,306,000 91,955,000 74,114,000 66,924,000 46,100,000 50,178,000 53,663,000 65,541,000 . Gallons. 7,339,000 7,590,000 8,027,000 9,649,000 15,326,000 10,442,000 9,200,000 9,000,000 , . 8,110,000 Gallons. 89,450,000 96,896,000 99,982,000 83,763,000 82,250,000 56,542,000 59,378,000 62,663,000 73,651,000

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ROADS 4. Limitation of Loads on Roads. —In order to protect the road surfaces from the damaging effect of unduly heavy wheel loads, most of the rural highways and county roads have been classified in Class Three, Four, or Five, according to the standard of construction. Class Three allows of a maximum axle load of tons in the case of a two-axled heavy motor-vehicle, or 5 tons in the case of a multi-axled vehicle or trailer. Class Four permits of 4 tons and tons maximum axle loads respectively, and Class Five of 3 tons and tons. The following tables show the mileages classified at the present time :

(a) Classification of All Rural Roads at 31st March, 1946

(b) Classification of Main Highways (Rural Sections) at 31st March, 1946

(c) Classification of State Highways (Rural Sections) at 31st March, 1946

While a considerable mileage of the total length of formed roads remains unclassified, loading on much of this length is virtually restricted because of the classification of the key roads in each district. In the vicinity of the larger industrial centres the roads are usually of a high type of construction and capable of carrying heavier loads than the flexible-surface types of road which are generally adequate within a purely rural district. These high types (usually bituminous or Portland cement concrete surfaces) are thus not classified. Although it is usually desirable to limit loads on the flexible-surface types of road to protect the surfaces, consideration is also necessary of the effect upon road transport of restricting axle loads and thus payloads ; a balance must be maintained between the need on the one hand for preserving road surfaces, and on the other for facilitating economic transport.

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* Total Formed Roads. Class Three. Class Four. Class Five. Total Classification. North Island South Island Totals Miles. 26,817 22,232 Miles. 5,692 6,651 Miles. 10,288 2,612 Miles. 1,813 275 Miles. 17,793 9,538 49,049 12,343 12,900 2,088 27,331

(This section includes State highways shown under Table (c) following) Main Class Class Class Total Highways, j Three. Four. Five. Classification, Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. North Island .. .. 6,680 3,213 3,072 167 6,452 South Island .. .. 5,424 4,577 133 42 4,752 Totals 12,104 7,790 3,205 209 11,204

— State Highways. Class Three. Class Four. Class Five. Total Classification. North Island South Island Miles. 2,112 1,686 Miles. 1,262 1,589 Miles. 799 Miles. Miles. 2,061 1,589 Totals 3,798 2,851 799 3,650

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5. Traffic Engineering.—The technical advice of the Department is being sought to an increasing extent by local authorities in regard to such matters as vehicle parking, traffic flow and congestion, and traffic facilities generally. During the year under review several such local problems were investigated, reported upon, and discussed with some of the urban local bodies. ROAD FINANCE 6. Dominion's Road Bill, 1933-34 to 1938-39, inclusive, and 1943-44. —The Department has abstracted from various official sources the statistical data relating to road finance and analysed it to show the approximate cost of roads, streets, and bridges under the headings of construction, maintenance, and loan charges. The expenditure has Been apportioned in the three primary groups of roads, &c.—namely, main highways, urban roads and streets, and other (rural) roads. To obtain the mileages of these groups some estimation has been necessary, as with certain aspects of the figures for the whole road bill. Any estimations have been conservatively made, and the figures are sufficiently close to accuracy to form a reliable basis for broad conclusions. 7. The road bill for the year ended 31st March, 1944, is the latest figure that can be computed from complete available information. It differs materially from pre-war road bills in that practically no construction has been carried out during the war years. Constructional expenditure for the 1943-44 year amounted to only 11*9 per cent, of the total, whereas the corresponding proportion averaged over the six years immediately preceding the war amounted to 41-2 per cent, of the total. It is noticeable of the present bill that there is little variation in expenditure upon maintenance and interest charges when comparison is made to pre-war expenditure upon this source. The bill, which is given hereunder, shows the total expenditure on roads, streets, and bridges under the appropriate headings for the year ended 31st March, 1944 :

Table No. 3 in the Appendix gives a comparison of the expenditure on roads, streets, '•bridges, &c., over the individual years ended 31st March, 1934 to 1939, inclusive, with the present expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1944. Owing to staffing shortages, the comparative expenditure has not been prepared for the intervening war years. 8. Sources of Moneys expended on Roads, Streets, &c. —The table hereunder gives the approximate percentages of the five main sources of moneys expended annually on all roads during the years 1933-34 to 1938-39 and 1943-44 :

The figures from which the above percentages were computed are given in Table No. 4 of the Appendix.

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Expenditure upon Main Highways. Urban Roads and Streets. Other Roads. Total. Maintenance Construction Interest and sinking-fund charges £ 1,519,201 116,086 695,571 £ 441,633 452,656 698,960 £ 1,270,279 187,549 995,773 £ 3,231,113 756,291 2,390,304 Totals 2,330,858 1,593,249 2,453,601 6,377,708

Source. 1933-34. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. 1938-39. 1943-44. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Loan 9-8 10-8 14-0 22-5 29-0 32-8 3-4 Local rates 32-9 30-2 30-3 27-7 24-2 20-9 39-4 Employment Promotion Fund .. 21-3 191 12-5 7-7 6-7 12-0 0-9 General Taxation 16-0 14-8 14-5 13-2 12-4 11-0 16-1 Motor taxation 20-0 25-1 28-7 28-9 27-7 23-3 40-2 Totals 100-0 100-0 100-0 100-0 100-0 100-0 100-0

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9. Annual Charges per Mile of Roads, Streets, &c. —The following table gives the approximate mileage of the three primary groups of roads, together with the corresponding expenditure upon maintenance and interest, &c., per mile of road for the year ended 31st March, 1944 :

Table No. 5 in the Appendix shows comparative figures for the years ended 31st March, 1934 to 1939, inclusive, and 1944. ROAD SAFETY A. ROAD ACCIDENT STATISTICS 10. The Number of Accidents. —During the calendar year 1945 there were 109 fatal motor accidents and 2,385 other accidents involving personal injury. As a result of these accidents 129 persons were killed and 3,307 injured. During 1944 there were 140 persons killed and 2,667 injured in a total of 2,097 accidents. This represents a drop of 8 per cent, in the number of persons killed, but an increase of 24 per cent, in the number of persons reported as being injured. New Zealand has the lowest death-rate of any of the motorized countries, and a comparison with Great Britain and two of the Australian States shows : Deaths jper 10,000 motor-vehicles in 1945 Great Britain .. .. .. 17*5 New South Wales .. .. ..13-6 Victoria .. .. .. ..10.8 New Zealand .. .. .. .. 4.3 11. Comparison of Fatal Accidents during the Past Six Years. —Table No. 6 in Appendix gives details of the fatal motor accidents for each of the calendar years 1940 to 1945 inclusive. A comparison of the various aspects of the fatal accidents during 1945 with those of the war years since 1940 shows — (i) A decided reduction in the total number of fatal accidents ; (ii) A.very marked drop in the number of fatal accidents that happened at night, particularly on the rural roads ; (iii) That collisions with cyclists, resulting in death, were much less frequent than previously ; (iv) That, although some improvement occurred in the number of fatal collisions between a motor-vehicle and a pedestrian, this was not as marked as the reduction in collisions with bicyclists. Those killed in 1945 included 68 occupants of motor-vehicles, 33 pedestrians, 15 riders of motor-cycles or pillion-riders, and 13 cyclists. 12. Particulars of all Accidents Reported {i.e., Fatal and Non-fatal). —Table No. 7 in the Appendix gives details of the types of motor accidents during the calendar year 1945. Collisions between motor-vehicles comprised 30 per cent, of all accidents, collisions with cyclists 24 per cent., and with pedestrians 23 per cent. Other collisions —i.e., with railway trains and tram-cars, with fixed objects such as telegraph-poles, with animals

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Class of Road. Total Mileage. Annual Charges per Mile of Road, &c. Maintenance. Interest and Loan Charges. Total. Main highways Urban roads and streets Other roads All roads .. .. Miles. 12,398 4,285 36,766 £ 122 103 34 £ 42 163 32 • £ 164 266 66 53,449 60 45 105

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and with, horse-drawn vehicles, &c.—accounted for 12 per cent., while non-collisions, where the motor-vehicle left the road or overturned or a passenger fell from the vehicle, amounted to 11 per cent, of the total number of accidents. Although not particularly numerous- in comparison with other types of accidents, collisions with trains at level crossings resulted in a fatality in every fourth instance. While collisions with pedestrians were much fewer than collisions between motorvehicles—viz., 570 as against 753—the injuries sustained were frequently more severe. In 33 cases the pedestrian was killed outright or fatally injured, but in only 20 instances did the collision between motor-vehicles result in a fatality. Outside the built-up areas accidents involving cyclists were not very frequent, only 60 occurring on the highways and country roads of the total of 590 motor-vehicle - bicyclist accidents reported. Collisions with pedestrians were also comparatively few on the open road (only 75 accidents out of the total of 570 occurring outside the built up areas), but nearly 15 per cent, of those on rural roads resulted fatally, compared with less than 5 per cent, in the towns. 13. Distribution of Accidents. —Tables Nos. 8 and 9 in the Appendix give the distribution of motor accidents during the calendar year 1945 according to locality. Nearly 72 per cent, of all accidents and 55 per cent, of all fatal accidents were reported from the urban areas, and 42 per cent, of all accidents and 30 per cent of all fatal accidents happened in the four main centres. 14. The State highways, totalling approximately 4,000 miles, carry the heaviest volumes of traffic on the open road, and on these highways occurred 12 per cent, of all accidents and 18 per cent, of all fatal accidents. On the remaining 8,000 miles of the main-highway system there occurred 11 per cent of all accidents and 17 per cent, of the fatal accidents. The remaining 37,000 miles of country road are more sparsely trafficked, and 4 per cent, of all accidents and 9 per cent, of all fatal accidents occurred on these roads. Under normal traffic conditions prior to the restrictions upon motor-vehicle use the number and proportion of serious accidents happening on the open road was considerably greater than was the case during last year and other recent years, when the rationing of petrol affected the use of the roads by motor-vehicles. 15. In the Auckland Metropolitan Area a decrease from 493 motor-vehicle accidents in 1944 to 427 in 1945 is recorded. This is in marked contrast with the other major centres where the numbers increased as follows Wellington, from 196 accidents in 1944 to 246 in 1945 : Christchurch, from 190 in 1944 to 263 in 1945 : Dunedin, from 64 in 1944 to 106 in 1945. The only other large urban areas to record a decrease in number of accidents were Invercargill and Palmerston North. Motor-vehicle v. pedestrian accidents, numbering 175, account for 41 per cent, of the Auckland accidents, and collisions between motor-vehicles, of which there were 114, for nearly 27 per cent. In Wellington also the 116 pedestrian accidents were more than twice as numerous as any other type, and amounted to 47 per cent, of all the motor accidents reported from that centre. In 1945, as in 1944, over 50 per cent, of all the pedestrian accidents in the Dominion took place either in Auckland or in Wellington. In Christchurch the number of collisions between motor-vehicle and cyclist and between motor-vehicle and motor-vehicle materially increased in 1945, but there was no increase in the number of pedestrian accidents. The extent of the traffic hazard in Christchurch due to cyclists is indicated by the fact that 22 per cent of the motor-vehicle v. bicyclist collisions in New Zealand happened there. 16. The Number of Road-users killed or injured.—Table No. 10 in the Appendix shows a classification of road-users killed or injured month by month during the calendar year 1945.

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From January to July, 1945, the number of casualties averaged 255 per month, May being the worst month, with a total of 326 casualties. In August, coincident with the partial relaxation of "petrol-restrictions, the casualties reached 391. From August to December the number of casualties remained well above the previous months, the average being 329 casualties per month, or 29 per cent, higher than in the first seven months of the year. 17. Accidents involving the Pre-school Child. —Table No. 11 in the Appendix ■classifies, both in age-groups and circumstance of accident, the number of young children killed or injured during the calendar year 1945. In 1945 three children under five years were killed and 30 others injured through colliding with motor-vehicles. Nearly all the accidents were caused through the child running out into the roadway. 18. Accidents involving School Pupils.—Table No. 12 in the Appendix gives details relating to the number of school pupils killed or injured during each calendar year 1941-1945 inclusive. The year 1945 saw a drop in the number of school pupils killed or injured as pedestrians and also as cyclists. In 1944 there were 101 casualties among school pupil pedestrians, including one death, and 103 among school-pupil cyclists, with 4 killed. In 1945 there were 82 pedestrians injured (including 2 killed) and 83 cyclists injured (1 being killed). Pupils under ten years continue to figure very largely in the pedestrian accidents. In most of the recent years about half of the victims of all accidents involving school pupils as pedestrians have been under eight years. B. NEW ZEALAND ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL 19. The first meeting of the Council for several years was held in September, 1945, the holding of regular meetings during the war years having been considered to be both impracticable and inopportune. A number of changes in the personnel of the Council have taken place since it was first set up in 1936. The Council reviewed the situation, and discussions centred around the questions of road safety propaganda, traffic control, the licensing of drivers, and the examination of motor-vehicles. As the most urgent measure to meet post-war traffic conditions, primary consideration was given to the need for road safety education of all classes of road users and a sub-committee of the Council was appointed to go fully into the question of propaganda and to recommend what steps should be taken. C. EDUCATIVE PROPAGANDA 20. With a view to directing public attention to the causes of road accidents and to cultivating safer road habits, there has been a certain limited amount of propaganda during the year in one form or another. At appropriate times the newspapers have featured various aspects of road safety by means of editorials and articles and have published regularly the statistical and other information furnished by the Transport Department. 21. A number of safety messages have been broadcast by the National and National Commercial Broadcasting Stations from time to time, notably prior to and during the Christmas holiday period and prior to Easter. Advertising on the theatrescreens was extended considerably by the Department during the past year, the thirdparty insurance pool contributing a portion of the cost. D. ROAD TRAFFIC INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL PATROLS 22. The organized instruction of school pupils by special Traffic Officers of the Transport Department, -by a number of the road service officers of the automobile associations, and by a few of the local-body Traffic Inspectors has continued smoothly.

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23. Owing to the concern expressed by the Education Board and Headmasters Association at the frequency of road accidents among pupijs in the Auckland district and the traffic hazards to which children in the Auckland Metropolitan Area are exposed,, the instruction in that district has been intensified. During 1945 the Department's instructor from Dunedin assisted for a time in Auckland, and at the beginning of 1946 a further instructor was appointed permanently to that territory. 24. While visits from uniformed Traffic Inspectors doubtless serve to impress pupils and to clear up specific points, it is considered that the frequent reminders and regular instruction given by the head teacher and class-room teachers are vital. That the work being done in this connection by the great majority of teachers is effective is well illustrated by the steady improvement observed in road conduct on the part of school pupils and the reduced frequency of accidents in which they are involved. Nevertheless,, the accident statistics would seem to indicate a need for increased instruction in safe-walking-habits being given to the youngest age-groups at primary schools. Those children between five and nine years show least improvement in vulnerability to accident. Late in 1945 the Education Department prepared a special Road Traffic number of the Education Gazette. This described a number of innovations and ideas which have been tried out at various schools, and should prove a useful reference to teachers generally. 25. The Transport Department secured from Britain a supply of rather striking posters which dealt mainly with safety in crossing the road, and these were distributed during the year to the main schools in the metropolitan areas for display purposes. Also, coloured leaflets illustrating the proper way to cross the road were issued to-primary-school children with their School Journals, and the pupils were invited to take these home and discuss the safety message with their parents. 26. A further number of schools situated near busily trafficked streets have set up school patrols, and most of these are operating very satisfactorily. It is found that only when the head teacher and the teaching staff take a keen interest in the patrol will the efficiency of the system be maintained. At the end of the 1945 school year a " Certificate of Efficient Performance " was presented at a number of schools to those pupils who had given good service as school patrols during the year. The issue of these certificates was at the discretion of the head teacher in every instance, and each certificatewas signed by the head teacher and the Road Traffic Instructor. E. ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS 27. At 31st March, 1946, the strength of the uniformed traffic staff of the Transport Department was as follows :

The ten additional Traffic Inspectors have been located at the following places : Whangarei, Takapuna, Auckland (two, including one relieving Inspector), Cambridge Hastings, Wellington (relieving Inspector), Ashburton, Waimate, and Invercargill.

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District. Chief Traffic Inspector. Assistant Chief Traffic Inspector. Senior Traffic Inspector. Traffic Inspectors. | Total. Head Office Auckland Wellington Christchiirch Dunedin 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 23 22 11 13 2 27 25 13 15 Totals, 1946 5 5 3 69 82 Totals, 1945 5 4 1 3 59 71

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28. Under arrangement with the New Zealand Counties Association the Department's traffic staff exercises control over the traffic on all roads throughout 122 counties. Similar agreements have been made with a number of the urban authorities, and at 31st March, 1946, some ninety-four boroughs (including one city) had entrusted the control to the Department. During the year agreements were finalized with the following boroughs and town districts: Kaikohe, Takapuna, Devonport, Ellerslie, Mount Wellington (Road District), Ngaruawahia, Waiuku, Hunterville, Richmond, Riccarton, Temuka, Port Chalmers, Green Island, Lawrence, Roxburgh, Nightcaps, and Bluff. 29. Traffic Offences. —Traffic Inspectors attached to the Department reported 10,650 breaches of the traffic laws during the year ended 31st March, 1946. Of this number, 4,183, or over one-third, received warnings, and 6,467 were proceeded against in the Courts. Convictions were recorded in 6,288 cases, the charges were withdrawn in 110 cases, and the balance of 69 cases were dismissed. 30. The following schedule shows comparative figures relating to the number of traffic offences over the last six years :

These figures do not include verbal warnings given in the case of comparatively minor offences against the traffic laws. By far the greater proportion of minor breaches are dealt with by a verbal warning to the offender, and statistics from one district show that for every breach reported 10 verbal warnings have been given. This proportion may be regarded as fairly representative throughout the country. Table No. 13 in the Appendix shows the nature of the offences involved in convictions during the years ended 31st March, 1944, 31st March, 1945, and 31st March, 1946. F. INSPECTION OF MOTOR-VEHICLES All motor-vehicles in the Dominion are required to undergo a periodical mechanical inspection, and for this purpose they may be divided into three main groups—(l) Passenger-service vehicles : (2) G-oods-service vehicles : (3) All other vehicles. 31. Passenger-service Vehicles. —This group comprises all vehicles which cany passengers for hire or reward, and includes omnibuses, trolley-buses, service cars, passenger-trucks, school buses, taxis (excluding taxis in the four main centres, which are inspected by the Metropolitan Licensing Authorities), and rental vehicles. These vehicles are examined each six months by departmental Vehicle Inspectors especially appointed for the purpose. The examination covers all matters which may affect the safety, health, or comfort of the passengers. Departmental officers approve of the plans of proposed passenger-service vehicles to ensure that when vehicles are completed they will comply in all respects with the regulations.

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Year ended 31st March. Offences reported. Prosecuted. Convicted. Charges dismissed. Charges withdrawn. Offenders warned. 1941 .. 7,491 6,032 5,758 108 166 2,431 1942 .. 3,680 2,615 2,475 52 88 1,125 1943 .. 3,961 2,463 2,363 38 62 1,498 1944 .. 5,288. 3,491 3,338 74 79 1,797 1945 .. 7,341 4,803 4,598 76 129 2,538 1946 .. 10,650 6,467 6,288 69 110 4,183

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32. Goods-service Vehicles. —All goods-service vehicles licensed under the Transport Licensing Act are examined by departmental Vehicle Inspectors every six months. The Certificate of Fitness which is carried on each vehicle sets out the maximum load which the vehicle is permitted to carry. The following table gives the number of passenger and goods vehicles in operation in the four transport licensing districts: —

33. Other Vehicles. —All motor-vehicles other than those which come within the scope of the Transport Licensing Act are required to carry a warrant of fitness,, issued either by motor-garages especially approved for the purpose or by municipalities which have established vehicle-testing stations.

34. Age of Vehicles.—As a result of the war, vehicles which normally would have been replaced have of necessity had to continue in service. The vehicles in operation to-day are in general relatively old, and the following table gives the ages of the vehicles licensed under the Transport Licensing Act: —

35. During the past year the number of new passenger-service vehicles constructed in the Dominion was as follows : Omnibuses .. .. .. .. .. .. H 6 Service cars .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 Service coaches .. .. .. .. .. 54 Passenger-trucks .. .. .. .. .. 51 School buses .. .. .. .. .. .. 65 Ambulances .. .. .. .. .. .. 16

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District. Passenger-service Vehicles. Goods-service Vehicles. Total. ' II § . 02° © co g £ =00 cc® So P4 "o aj o <o o § 02 pq o| o o II X a H "3 fa Is 1 2 3 4 Totals 384 297 172 109 97 124 106 70 102 43 32 28 130 107 71 50 218 127 72 93 48 40 28 • 23 410 409 169 151 206 155 122 88 38 40 30 16 3,375 2,849 1 1,394 1,130 5,008 1 4,191 I 2,196 1,758 962 397 205 358 510 139 1,139 571 124 8,748 13,153

Service Service PassengerSchool School Rental | GoodsCars. Coaches. trucks. Buses. Vehicles. JL drAlb . Cars. ances. service Age (Years). Vehicles. No. % No. % No % No. % No. % No. % No. % 'No. 0/ | /o | 1 No " % No. % 1 .. 90 9-4 9 2-3 29 14-1 28 7-7 27 5-3 3 0-5 2 1-7 752 8-& 2 .. 28 2-9 3 0-7 13 6-3 22 6-2 4 0-8 5 4-2 621 289 7-1 3 .. 31 3-2 1 0-3 4 1-9 4 1-2 5 0-9 4-2 3-3 4 . . 30 31 6 1-5 22 10-7 10 2-7 5 0-9 4 3-3 201 2-3 5 .. 16 1-7 5 1-2 12 5-9 22 61 10 1-9 1 0-7 19 1-7 20 3-5 1 1 0-8 429 4-9 6 .. 51 5-3 7 1-8 11 5-4 16 4-4 21 4-1 2 1-4 42 3-7 54 9-5 5-8 289 3-3 7 .. 116 121 42 10-6 14 6-8 42 11-8 52 10-2 9 6-5 338 29-6 139 24-3 25 19-4 709 8-1 8 .. 83 8-7 59 14-9 36 17-8 76 21-6 105 20-8 19 13-7 338 29-6 235 41-0 26 19-9 1,128 12-9 9 ... 92 9-5 49 12-3 18 8-8 53 14-7 95 18-8 25 18-0 218 19-1 63 11-1 16 13-3 1,391 15-9 10 .. 154 16-0 38 9-6 23 11-2 48 13-3 76 14-9 19 13-6 110 9-7 38 6-7 11 9-2 1,260 14-4 11 .. 63 6-5 18 4-5 7 3-4 13 3-5 29 5-6 10 7-2 33 2-9 5 0-9 3 2-5 595 6-8 12 .. 36 3-7 20 5-0 6 2-9 10 2-7 16 3-2 5 3-6 9 0-8 8 1-4 3 2-5 402 4-6 13 . . 25 2-6 9 2-3 3 1-4 1 0-3 6 1-1 7 5-0 3 0-3 1 0-2 14Q 1-6 14 .. 40 4-2 17 4-3 2 0-6 11 2-1 13 9-4 1 0-1 '6 4-9 166 1-9 15 and 107 11-1 114 28-7 7 3-4 11 3-2 48 9-4 29 20-9 28 2-5 *5 0-9 10 8-3 376 4-3 over Totals 962 100 397 100 205 100 358 100 510 100 139 100 1,139 100 571 100 124 100 8,748 100

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Although the body-building industry'has been fully engaged during the last twelve months, the number of vehicles constructed has not been sufficient to meet the demand. It is estimated that some 400 omnibuses are required to relieve the present Overload problems and to replace old vehicles which are rapidly approaching the end of their economic life. If the needs of the travelling public are to be met, ways and means must therefore be found to increase the rate at which new passenger-vehicles are being placed in service. 36. Size of Passenger-service Vehicles. —-The following table gives the present seating-capacities of various passenger-service vehicles: —

37. There is a trend towards larger vehicles for passenger-service purposes, and the carrying-capacity of the Dominion fleet of vehicles is expanding yearly, due to an increase both in the number of vehicles in operation and also in the size of new vehicles which replace old ones. 38. Vehicles used for Taxi and Rental Purposes.—Vehicles used for taxi purposes are stock model motor-cars, being chiefly those of the heavy type. Of the 1,139 taxis inspected by the Department, only 15 are under 14-5 h.p. In regard to rental vehicles, however, the heavy class of car comprises only 18 per cent, of all cars-used. The following sets out the number of cars in the light, medium, and heavy groups : Light (under 9-5 h.p.) .. .. .. .. 334 cars. Medium (9*5 to 14-5 h.p.) .. .. .. .. 133 cars. - Heavy (over 14-5 h.p.) .. .. .. .. 104 cars. 39. Passenger-service Vehicles : Ownership.—Passenger-service vehicles may be divided into three groups according to ownership as follows :

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Omnibuses. Service Coaches. Service Cars. School Buses. "Mr "L A « i Number. Per Cent. Number. Per Cent. Number. Per Cent. Number. Per Cent. XJp to 15 3 0-3 27 13-1 346 87-0 32 6-1 16 to 20 .. 73 7-6 102 49-9 49 12-5 47 9-2 21 to 25 .. 285 29-8 71 34-5 2 0-5 31 6-2 26 to 30 .. 138 14-3 4 2-0 71 13-9 31 to 35 .. 399 41-4 1 0-5 81 15-9 36 to 40 .. 64 6-6 66 12-9 41 to 45 .. 60 11-8 46 to 50 .. 108 21-2 51 to 55 .. 6 1-2 56 to 60 .. 8 1-6 Totals 962 100-0 205 100-0 397 100-0 510 100-0

Ownership. Omnibuses. Service Coaches. Service Cars. Number. Per Cent. Number. Per Cent. Number. Per Cent. Privately owned Local body Government owned 610 .166 186 63-4 17-3 19-3 105 ioo 51-2 48-8 279 118 70-3 29-7 Totals 962 100-0 205 100-0 397^ !00-0

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40. Goods-service Vehicles : Gross Carrying-capacities. —The following schedule gives the percentages in heavy traffic license groups of the trucks operated under the Transport Licensing Act: —

41. Goods-service Vehicles : Axle-types.—Vehicles may be divided into four general types, dependent upon the number of axles, and the following gives the number of good-service vehicles in the various classes: — Two-axle vehicles .. .. .. .. .. 8,103 Three-axle rigid frame vehicles (with trailing axle) .. .. 348 Three-axle rigid frame vehicles (double axle drive) .. .. 165 Multi-axle semi-trailer or articulated type vehicle .. .. 132 42. Vehicles condemned. —During the year 148 licensed vehicles were condemned and 1,532 were voluntarily withdrawn from service. This reflects the Department's policy of giving adequate warning to operators when vehicles are reaching the end of their economic life in order that old vehicles may be replaced without the possibility of dislocating licensed services. 43. Rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen. —The vehicle inspection staff made valuations of 473 vehicles in connection with the purchase of vehicles for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen. 44. Trolley-buses.—Several municipalities have taken active steps during the year to acquire trolley-buses for passenger-transportation work, and it is possible that some of the new vehicles will be placed in service during the coming year. The Department has already indicated its willingness to grant concessions in regard to the width and overall length of trolley buses in order that the maximum advantage may be taken of this form of transport for urban services. 45. Passenger Comfort. —During the war period the general standard of passenger <?omfort has been affected by the use of old vehicles, which frequently operated in an overcrowded condition. Each week, however, new vehicles are now finding their

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Heavy Traffic Classification. Gross Weight. Percentage of Trucks. Tons. A 2 -2b 2-6 p 24-3" 2-5 C 3 -3|-1-0 D 3£-4 1-8 E 4 -4| 2-5 F 4|-5 2-7 G 5 ,-5i 3-1 H 5J-6" 2-9 I 6 -6f 9-5 J 6J-7 14-1 K 7 -7| 12-9 L 7f-8 23-7 M 8 -8| 4-0 N 8^-9 31 0 9 -9| 2-5 P 9 £-10 4.4 Q Over 10 6-7 100-0

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way into service and, although the Passenger-service Vehicle (Constructional) Regulations 1936 set out dimensions and detailed requirements to provide a reasonable standard of passenger comfort, operators are encouraged to construct vehicles to a standard above this minimum requirement. This applies particularly to the case of vehicles used for long-distance travel (service-cars and service-coaches), where there is evidence of an element of healthy rivalry in the provision of comfortable travel facilities. i 46. In regard to the overcrowding of omnibuses it may be stated that to meet wartime conditions the proportion of standing passengers was increased from 33J per cent, to 50 per cent, of the seated capacity of the vehicles. On the Ist February last this wartime allowance was withdrawn and the Certificates of Fitness amended accordingly. 47. Condition of Vehicles. —While the acute demand for heavy trucks by the transport industry has been eased by the release of vehicles from the Armed Services and by importations from overseas,' it will be several years before the general condition of vehicles returns to pre-war standards. Although approximately 60 per cent, of the vehicles of the " light " group have been on the roads for ten or more years it may be generally stated that the only importations for civilian requirements since the outbreak of hostilities have been small shipments during the past year. These amount to a total of approximately one thousand vehicles. Light trucks play an important part in the transportation system of the Dominion, and the need for new vehicles is becoming an urgent matter. The supply of new chassis for passenger-service purposes has exceeded the capacity of the body-building industry of the Dominion, and at the present time the limiting factor is not chassis, but skilled labour to produce bodies. 48. During the past year 605 cars of the light and medium class have been imported, but as over 50 per cent, of the dars in use to-day are ten or more years old it seems clear that even with considerably increased shipments it will be many years before an improvement in the general condition becomes apparent. Although the condition of the Dominion's fleet of vehicles will slowly improve with the arrival of each new shipment it is clear that for some time to come old vehicles will still have to remain in service by patching and mending. As there is little doubt that the vehicle position will lag behind that of tires and petrol, the incidence of accidents due to mechanical defects will tend to rise, making a thorough inspection of all motor-vehicles in the Dominion a matter of even greater importance than in pre-war years. REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL ROAD TRANSPORT 49. All the wartime restrictions administered by this Department which affect the freedom of commercial road transport operation have been dispensed with, apart from the Auckland Taxicab Control Committee. 50. Goods Transport Control Committees. —These Committees were abolished on 30th August, 1945, after being in operation for nearly three years. Their function was to allocate orders for transport among available carriers for the purpose of conserving motor-vehicles, petrol, and tires. While they were in existence they effected substantial savings in these commodities at a time when the Dominion's road transport system was in jeopardy. Their personnel comprised representatives of the carriers, farmers, stock and station agents, meat-export concerns, and the Railways Department, and, in the towns, the general business community. All members acted in an honorary capacity and devoted long hours in carrying out the work of the Committee. All members have been thanked for their services, but it is appropriate that a record of appreciation of their services should be made in this report.

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51. Taxicab Control Committees. —These Committees were abolished on 30th August, 1945, with the exception of the four metropolitan Committees. Of these, the Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin Committees were ended on Bth March, 1946, and the Auckland Committee continues in the meantime. They were set up simultaneously with the Goods Transport Control Committees, and they achieved the same objective through allocating passenger traffic in the taxi industry. Their personnel comprised representatives of the taxi interests and local bodies. All members acted in an honorary capacity and gave freely of their time in carrying out their duties. As with the personnel of the Goods Committees, the members of the Taxicab Control Committees have been thanked for their services, and it is equally fitting that appreciation of their services should be recorded in this report. , 52. Ancillary Users.—Operators of H plate trucks (vehicles whose gross weight exceeds 2 tons) for carriage of their own goods—i.e., ancillary users —have not required transport licenses since 6th September, 1945,. unless they travelled more than thirty miles paralleling the rail. These operators were brought under the provisions of the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, on 4th February, 1943, when petrol and rubber supplies were at a low ebb. 53. Transport Licensing Authorities. —(a) The licensing of road transport services is vested in the Transport Licensing Authorities. The four District Authorities consider applications relating to all goods and rental-car services, and all passenger and taxicab services excepting those operating within the four main cities. Applications in respect of these services come before the four Metropolitan Authorities. On 26th February, 1942, the duration of all transport licenses then in existence was extended as an emergency measure until the first quarter-day following the end of the war, or unless •sooner revoked. Early in 1945 this measure was no longer considered necessary, and all road transport licenses, excepting ancillary users referred to above (which were later abolished entirely), expired on 28th March, 1945, in terms of the Transport Licenses Emergency Regulations, Amendment No. 2. The Licensing Authorities, in addition to considering the usual routine applications covering new licenses and variations to or transfers of existing licenses during the past year, had to cope with the general renewal of all licensed transport services. This review was completed in the face of considerable staff difficulties, and it has resulted in the rehabilitation of many ex-servicemen into the transport industry. (b) The Licensing Authorities dealt with 9,270 applications for new transport licenses and for renewal, amendment, and transfer of existing licenses. Altogether 7,988 applications were considered by District Licensing Authorities, and the balance, 1,282 applications, came before the Metropolitan Authorities. A total of 8,339 applications were granted, comprising 954 new licenses, 5,641 renewals, 1,050 amendments, and 694 transfers. The new licenses granted were made up of 460 passenger-services, 113 taxi-services, 15 rental-car services, and 366 goods-services. Full details of the decisions by type of service are given in tables 14-17 inclusive in the Appendix. 54. Public Passenger-services.—The main characteristic of the public passengerservices during 1945-46 has been the tremendous volume of passengers. Figures obtained from typical bus concerns throughout the Dominion show that, on the average, three passengers are now carried for every one that was carried just prior to the war. The figures for the four districts show that the increases in the two North Island districts are relatively greater than those for the South Island. 55. Goods-services.—The main features of the year's activity were an increase in the volume of stock carted in the rural areas, an increase in the fertilizers carted by road to assist the railways, and increased activities in the towns due to expansion in the building industry.

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56. Passenger-services Licenses. —The following schedule shows, in districts, the total number of applications considered by District and Metropolitan Licensing Authorities, and the manner in which these applications were disposed of during the year ended 31st March, 1946 :

57. Taxicab Service Licenses.—The following schedule shows, in districts, the total number of applications considered by District and Metropolitan Licensing Authorities, and the manner in which these applications were disposed of during the year ended 31st March, 1946

58. Rental-car Service Licenses. —The following schedule shows, in districts, the total number of applications considered by District Licensing Authorities, and the manner in which these applications were disposed of during the year ended 31st March, 1946 :

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Class of Applications dealt with. Disposal of Applications. District Authority. 1 "1 8 1 1 FH 3 ■3 -g 3 5 "3 a 1 ■0 "S ■a s 0 "3 <D £ CD PH a 0 S 0 H - IS -5" <1 0 H H(NCO^ 0 0 0 0 63 35 20 5 203 247 128 17 22 239 49 22 8 33 4 4 296 ' 554 201 48 271 466 184 39 14 26 4 1 7 8 3 1 33 3 1 3 21 7 2 296 554 201 4S Sub-totals Metropolitan Authority— Auckland Wellington Christchurch Dunedin 123 376 1 7 3 595 24 11 8 13 332 16 4 6 1 49 1 1,099 417 16 21 17 960 406 14 19 17 44 11 24 38 33 2 2 . 1,099 417 16 21 17 Totals 510 651 359 50 1,570 1.416 55 24 38 37 1,570

Class of Applications dealt with. Disposal of Applications. District. 1 "5 s -2 s 1 a <£, a "3 'S 8 O 1 <2 d 1 ■S •g > 3 ' '8 sa 3 .o "3 1 P§ a «! t H o H & iE 1 'S <1 o H No. 1 .. No. 2 .. No. 3 .. No. 4 .. 70 109 19 35 277 271 82 57 21 30 8 4 37 58 12 • 24 405 468 -121 120 365 350 112 90 27 18 3 4 8 11 • 1 12 48 3 5 41 ' 2 14 405 468 121 120 Sub-totals Metropolitan Authority— Auckland Wellington Christchurch Dunedin 233 6 1 10 15 687 358 203 88 37 63 5 i 131 14 51 18 1 1,114 383 255 116 57 917 374 255 110 48 52 9 6 5 32 51 62 4 1,114 383 255 116 57 Totals 265 1,373 72 215 1,925 1,704 72 1 32 51 66 1 1,925

Class of Applications dealt with. Disposal of Applications. District. New Licenses. Renewals. Amendments. Transfers. Total. Granted. Refused. Withdrawn. Reserved. Adjourned. Total. No. 1 .. No. 2 .. No. 3 .. No. 4 .. 7 5 10 2 21 31 21 11 1 14 7 3 1 1 1 1 30 51 39 17 28 48 29 11 2 '2 1 i '2 1 2 1 6 3 30 51 3» 17 Totals 24 I 84 1 25 4 137 1 116 1 I 5 3 3 10 137

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59. Goods-service Licenses. —The following schedule shows, in districts, the total number of applications considered by District Licensing Authorities, and the manner in which these applications were disposed of during the year ended 31st March, 1946

60. Appeals.—Two modifications were made in the appeal procedure during the year under review : (1) On representations by the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance, it was agreed by the Appeal Authority to hold oral hearings of appeals in which Government Departments were directly concerned. All parties to the appeal are invited to be present or to be represented at such hearings. (2) The Appeal Authority has directed that, where two or more parties are involved in an appeal, the submissions of each party are to be made available to the other for comment prior to his consideration of the appeal.

During the year ended 31st March, 1946, 149 appeals against the decisions of Licensing Authorities were lodged. Of these, 72 related to goods-services and 77 to passenger services. The following table sets out the detailed position for the year ended 31st March, 1946 :

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Class of Applications dealt with. Disposal of Applications. District. 1 £ gj § Pn ■s s IS s a -< t£ £ S H 3 o H TJ c g C5 l a 2 •B § "■S o ■s d c 'd ■*? "3 o H poop 199 209 67 71 1,416 1,225 519 508 144 564 78 137 186 178 63 74 1,945 2,176 727 790 1,868 1,868 662 705 50 37 13 26 18 24 10 36 6 71 18 6 3 176 24 17 1,945 2,176 727 790 Totals 546 3,668 923 501 5,638 5,103 126 88 101 220 5,638

District. On Hand, 31st March, 1945. Lodged during Year. Appeals withdrawn. Licensing Authorities' Decisions upheld. Decisions modified. Decisions reversed. Referred back. Under Action, 31st March, 1946. No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 Totals No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 Metropolitan .. Totals 7 1 *3 37 7 12 16 Good 7 1 1 s-services 10 3 3 1 i 3 5 9 3 1 3 7 3 1 10 11 72 9 16 2 8 16 21 2 1 3 20 6 8 6 37 Passen 7 1 1 is ger-services 1 1 .2 6 10 1 3 5 *3 2 4 8 2 2 6 77 27 20 1 11 6 12

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61. Rehabilitation. —During the year ended 31st March, 1946, 797 transport licenses, compared with 334 for the year ended 31st March, 1945, were obtained by ■ex-servicemen, either by transfer of existing licenses or by the grant of new licenses. (a) The following table shows by districts the class of these licenses :

(b) The following table shows the number of transport licenses now held by ex-servicemen, and also the total number of current transport licenses, as at 31st March, 1946, by districts :

62. Goods-service Charges Tribunal. —During the year ending 31st March, 1946, the Goods-service Charges Tribunal dealt with applications for increases in schedule rates, applications for ratification of schedules which had not previously been authorized, and applications for the variation of the conditions of existing schedules.

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Class of License obtained. -w-v • i • i iJistrictt Passenger. Taxi. Rental. Goods. i Total. No. 1 9 59 1 245 314 No. 2 .. .. .. * 14 67 2 159 242 No. 3 5 10 2 59 76 No. 4 1 23 65 89 Auckland Metropolitan 14 14 Wellington Metropolitan 49 49 Christchurch Metropolitan 8 8 Dunedin Metropolitan 5 5 Totals 29 235 5 528 797

Class of License. Passenger. Taxi. Rental. Goods. Totals. District. 3 © H a 1 S ■k m "3 o H a ! 1 * 3 o H a 1 V b k H "3 o H s 1 ! M H —i © 5a o ® B.3 Total held by Ex-servicemen. Percentage held by Ex-servicemen. No. 1 .. No. 2 .. No. 3 .. No. 4 .. Auckland Metropolitan .. Wellington Metropolitan Christchurch Metropolitan Dunedin Metropolitan 229 273 144 135 389 13 8 16 i 17 6 5 295 296 100 105 345 183 93 44 92 97 26 47 63 80 15 8 30 36 28 23 12 2 2 3 1,390 1,293 695 585 366 253 108 206 1,944 1,898 967 848 734 196 101 60 471 369 142 261 63 80 15 8 24 19 15 31 9 41 15 13 Totals 1,207 29 1,461 428 117 19 3,963 933 6,748 1,409 21

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63. The following table shows the applications dealt with during the year, and in summarized form are given the Tribunal's decisions. In all cases where rates have been increased, sundry amendments have also been made to the conditions of the schedules :

In all cases where increases were granted by the Tribunal, the Minister of Stabilization directed that the increased cost was to be borne by the user. 64. During the year the Tribunal also reviewed 36 general and 71 mail contracts. Since its inception to 31st March, 1946, the totals of applications dealt with by the Tribunal, and in respect of which decisions have been given, are asfollows : Country schedules .. .. .. .. 32 Town schedules .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 General contracts .. .. .. .. .. 124 Mail contracts .. .. .. .. .. .. 222

65. When dealing with applications for general increases in country or town schedules the accounts of a selected number of operators within each district are checked by the Department's Investigating Officers. The revenue accounts and balance-sheets, along with certain other statistical data, are then placed before a committee of accountants (one representative each of the transport industry, users, and the Department), which adjusts the accounts in accordance with conventions laid down by the Tribunal. The adjusted accounts are then summarized and copies forwarded to the parties interested in the application.

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Application in respect of — Decision of Tribunal. Date. Terms. 1945 Hamilton Borough April 10 Schedule prescribed and authorized. Gisborne Borough „ 10 Rates increased by 2\ per cent. - (Schedule prescribed 20th June, 1941.) Southern Hawke's Bay „ 10 Rates increased by 10 per cent. (Previous increase granted 30th November, 1940.) Poverty Bay „ 10 Amended rates prescribed for one commodity only. North Auckland „ 10 Rates increased by 10 per cent. Certain new rates prescribed. (Schedule prescribed l§t April, 1941.) Marlborough July 27 Rates increased by 5 per cent. (Schedule prescribed 17th June, 1940.) Hastings Borough „ 27 Schedule prescribed and authorized. General application in respect „ 28 Rates increased by 4 per cent, in Area Schedules and 5 per of goods-service charges cent, in city, borough and town district schedules conthroughout New Zealand sequent on wage increases granted by Court of ArbitrationReview of wheat-cartage Nov. 23 Rates amended. Application in respect of Canterbury,. rates South Canterbury, Cheviot, and Waipara-Amuri Areas, Christchurch Shingle Metal „ 23 Rates amended. Supply Association Westland Co-op. Dairy Co., » 23 Increases authorized of £d. per pound butterfa.fc in respect of Ltd. charge authorized for transport of cream, and 12J per cent. (inclusive of general increase of 4 per cent.) for carriage of other goods. Governor's Bay Area 23 Schedule prescribed and authorized. Nelson .. ■ • • „ 23 Rates prescribed for cartage of boulders, metal, gravel, and similar goods ; also for the hire of dump trucks. Christchurch Exempted Area » 23 lQ4.fi Schedule amended. Auckland 1 i/tU Jan. 25 Rates prescribed for carriage of sand, metal, metal chips, and shingle. Waiheke Island „ 25 Schedule prescribed and authorized.

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(Note. —The conventions followed are set out in the following of the Tribunal's decisions; — Area schedules .. Decision re Franklin, &c., areas dated 15th February, 1944. Town schedules .. Decision re Borough of Hamilton dated 10th April, 194-5.) During the year investigations of operators' accounts were made on the lines set out above in respect of the Grisborne, Southern Hawke's Bay, North Auckland, Marlborough, and Christchurch applications. The number of vehicles covered by the samples was 300, and the revenue £275,232, or an average of £917. The total number of vehicles in the districts was 1,085, and, on the assumption that the average revenue earned by trucks not included in the sample was much the same as that earned by the trucks included, then the total revenue of licensed goods-services in the five districts, and which is subject to the increases-granted by the Tribunal would be approximately £1,000,000. 66. Road Transport Costs. —Late in 1945 a check was made of the accounts of selected operators in the North Otago, Central Otago, and Gore Districts following applications made for increases in rates. The accounts, which were for the financial year 1944-45, were adjusted by the committee of accountants in accordance with the conventions. Costs were amended to bring them into line with those ruling as at 31st March, 1946. The following table gives the number of operators whose accounts were dealt with, the number of vehicles, and total and average mileages :

The 95 trucks included in the foregoing samples belong to the following heavy traffic classifications : Heavy Traffic Classifications Sample of 95 Trucks : Gore, North Otago, Central Otago Areas H.T. Class. No. H.T. Class. No. A .. ..1 L .. .. .. 2 D .. ..2 M .. .. .. 1 E .. ..2 0 .. .. ..1 F .. ..4 P.. .. .. 2 Gr 7 Q 4 H 9 I ...... 41 95 J .. ..13 _ K .. .. .. 6

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; District. Number of Operators. Number of Vehicles. Total Vehicle Mileage. Average Vehicle Mileages. Gore . • North Otago Central .. .. 12 5 10 39 24 32 413,937 313,000 380,362 10,614 13,042 11,886 ' .Total : . •\ ; 27 95 1,107,299 11,656

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The following table gives the average running-cost per truck, the average being taken over the 95 trucks listed above :

Gore, North Otago, and Central Otago Areas: Average Cost of Running a Truck

67. Comparison of Present-day with pre-war Costs. —In the table that follows a comparison is made between the cost of operating a Heavy Traffic Class I truck, with costs as at 31st March, 1939, and a similar truck operating under costs as at 31st March, 1946. For the purpose of this comparison it has been assumed that the trucks are identical in all respects save that the cost of the 1939 truck (new, less tires) was £300,. and the corresponding cost of the 1946 truck £5OO.

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(Average of total cost of 95 trucks, and adjusted according to Goods Service Charges TribunalV Conventions) Item. Cost. Percentage of Total Cost. Running-expenses— Petrol Oil Tires Repairs £ 194 13 55 116 19-52 1-31 5-54 11-66 Total, running-expenses .. 378 38-03 Standing charges— License fees Insurance Garage fees Wages Depreciation— Truck .. .. ., Other 40 17 13 346 60 7 4-02 1-71 1-31 34-82 6-04 0-70 Total, standing charges .. 483 48-60 Overhead— Management Office salaries Bad debts Office rent Printing and stationery Postages Telephones, tolls Accounting, audit, legal Trade subscriptions General expenses Contingencies Interest on capital (6 per cent.) .. 48 26 1 5 4 3 6 2 2 6 5 25 4-84 2-62 0-10 0-50 0-40 0-30 0-60 0-20 0-20 0-60 0-50 2-51 Total, overhead 133 13-37 Total cost 994 100-00 Running-expenses per mile Standing charges per mile Overhead d. 7-78 9-95 2-74 Total cost per mile 20-47

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Comparison between estimated Costs of Operating a Truck, H.T., Class I Costs as at 31st March, 1939, and 31st March, 1946. Annual Mileage: 12,000.

(Overhead expenses have been allowed according to Goods Service Charges Tribunal's Conventions.) ZONING OF DELIVERIES BY MOTOR-VEHICLES 68. The restrictions upon household deliveries, with the exception of milk, were taken off on 27th September, 1945, under the Milk Delivery Emergency Regulations 1945, which transferred control of milk deliveries to the Milk Marketing Division. Retailers have since been free to reinstate their pre-war delivery services. CO-ORDINATION OF ALL FORMS OF TRANSPORT 69. During the year the Transport Development Committee, which comprises representatives from all forms of transport and the Government Departments concerned, submitted a report setting out proposals for co-ordinating all forms of transport and giving effect to a proposed Dominion transport policy. This report is at present under consideration.

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Item. Estimated Costs as at 31st March, 1939. Estimated Costs as at 31st March, 1946. Item Cost. Percentage of Total. Item Cost. Percentage of Total. Running-expenses— Petrol Oil Tires Repairs and maintenance £ 138 8 50 67 18-50 1-07 ■ 6-70 8-98 £ 185 11 121 100 17-62 1-05 11-52 9-52 Total, running-expenses 263 35-25 417 39-71 Standing charges— License fees Insurance Garage fees Wages Depreciation (12 per cent.) 37 9 13 279 36 4-96 1-21 1-74 37-40 4-83 37 11 13 379 60 3-52 1-05 1-24 36-10 5-71 Total, standing charges 374 50-14 500 47-62 Overhead — Management Office salaries Office rent Printing and stationery Postages Telephones and tolls Accounting, audit, legal Trade subscriptions General expenses Contingencies Interest on capital 40 20 5 4 3 5 2 2 5 5 18 5-36 2-68 0-67 0-54 0-40 0-67 0-27 0-27 0-67 0-67 2-41 50 25 5 5 5 5 2 2 5 5 24 4-75 2-38' 0-48 0-48 0-48 0-48 0-19 0-19 0-48 0-48 2-28. Total, overhead .. .. 109 14-61 133 12-67 Total cost . 746 100-00 1,050 100-00 Running-expenses per mile Standing charges per mile Overhead expenses per mile 5 7 c; d. •26 •48 5 -18 d. 8-34 10-00 2-66 Total expenses per mile 14-92 2100

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70. New Regulations : Changes in New Zealand Transport Law during Year.— The following are the-principal enactments passed during tlie period Ist April, 1945, to 31st March, 194:6 The transport Licensing Passenger Regulations 1936, Amendment No. 6 (Serial No. .1945/42). —These regulations provide for the computation of taxi fares in the case of children and a new. penal clause for the principal regulations. The Motor-vehicles Insurance (Third-party RisJcs) Regulations 1939, Amendment No. 4 (Serial No. 1945/69). —These regulations revoke the definition of "contract motor-vehicle " in the principal regulations, and substitute a new definition therefor and a new scale of annual insurance premiums. The Goods-service Charges Tribunal Emergency Regulations 1943, Amendment No. 3 (Serial No. 1945/87). —These regulations provide machinery for the Tribunal to review or alter the charges in all goods-services or any group of goods-services consequent on any amendment by the Court of Arbitration relating to the rates of remuneration of workers in the goods transport industry. Revocation of certain Transport Legislation Suspension Orders (Serial No. 1945/126). — This provides revocation of His Majesty's Forces (Motor-cyclists) Suspension Order (1941/68) and the Transport Legislation Suspension Order 1941 (No. 3), (1941/262). The Emergency Regulations Revocation Order 1945 (Serial No. 195/127). —This Order revoked over sixty emergency regulations, eight of which were administered by the Transport Department, including those regulations which control the licensing of ancillary goods services. The Emergency Regulations Revocation Order No. 2 (Serial No. 1945/181).—This Order revoked seventy-two emergency regulations and orders, eleven of which were administered by the Transport Department. The Motor-Drivers Regulations 1940,' Amendment No. 2 (Serial No. 1945/199). — These regulations amend the provision's regarding renewal of motor-drivers' licenses after expiry so that twelve months (instead of three months) is now permitted before a fresh test is necessary. The amendment also provides for the issue of heavy trade motor licenses.to persons under the age of eighteen years in certain circumstances. The Heavy Motor-vehicle Regulations 1940, Amendment No. 3 (Serial No. 1946/9). — These regulations bring forward from repealed Emergency Regulations the definition of the term " farmer's truck " (for purposes of concession in heavy traffic fees). 71. It is desired to place on record the thanks of the Department for the willing and helpful co-operation afforded by the many transport and other organizations and local authorities with which the Department came in contact during the year. Particular mention is made of the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance, the New Zealand Carriers' Federation, the New Zealand Passenger-services Federation, the New Zealand Omnibus Proprietors' Association, the New Zealand Taxi-proprietors' Federation, the New Zealand Rental Car Proprietors' Association, the Drivers' Union, the North and South Island Motor Unions, the New Zealand Retail Motor Trade Association, the New Zealand Farmers' Union, the New Zealand Shipowners' Federation, and the Associated Chambers of Commerce. 72. I wish to exp'ress my thanks to all the officers of the Department for their co-operation in carrying out the duties of the Department.

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Table No. 1.—Table showing, by Postal Districts, the number of Motor-vehicles licensed as at 31st March, 1946, under the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924

02 O* <8 »— I OJ G0 05 g m ©6 g 53 "I g-g _ | m . g | "§3 & J Postal District. ® 6-? B <n 9 "J? £i o <3 § O . !P o a"®! § S tZ ? & 1 -a | | 1 „• 8 1 1 2|l|| ill 4 1 3 ' 1 Ji §-eS | | '1 | | 1 gSS&S § 1 | | 6 WtffiS M £ OHMHflS CSfig H North Island Whangarei .. .. .. 5,799 526 6 13 1,239 852 123 37 82 35 659 25 288 204 .. 484 10,372 Auckland .. .. .. 30,238 6,824 148 • 71 4,041 4,100 255 264 396 65 3,572 203 997 882 14 3,320 55,390 Thames .. .. .. .. 6,768 649 13 1 1,539 971 65 28 72 27 876 33 434 133 2 545 12,156 Hamilton .. .. .. 16,005 1,679 56 17 3,094 2,252 236 92 177 63 2,243 78 770 724 4 1,244 28,734 Gisborne.. .. .. .. 3,614 337 7 1 776 492 93 26 52 25 403 17 314 147 1 328 6,633 Napier .. .. .. .. 8,471 945 7 7 1,939 1,211 94 50 76 30 889 47 584 229 1 593 15,173 New Plymouth .. .. .. 9,069 862 34 5 1,869 1,599 78 22 53 25 541 48 465 113 2 683 15,468 Wanganui .. .. .. 6,168 727 12 16 1,307 903 47 J3 46 15 545 19 380 154 2 531 10,885 Palmerston North .. .. .. 10,746 1,201 24 7 2,101 1,279 94 45 71 24 1,346 41 580 234 4 849 18,646 Masterton .. .. .. 4,030 417 2 2 961 613 86 8 26 12 497 19 309 5 1 250 7,238 Wellington .. .. .. 14,714 3,929 53 20 2,128 2,083 134 148 271 52 1,210 111 292 1,113 9 1,-282 27,549 Totals, North Island .. .. 115,622 18,096 362 160 20,994 16,355 1,305 733 1,322 373 12,781 641 5,413 3,938 40 10,109 208,244 South Island, Blenheim .. .. .. 1,985 219 .. 4 490 248 30 8 19 2 295 15 219 17 .. 224 3,775 Nelson .. .. .. .. 3,690 400 12 11 948 536 42 25 34 59 406 15 265 270 1 282 6,996 Westport .. .. .. 557 100 1 128 125 28 5 5 10 35 25 44 89 1,152 G-reymouth .. .. .. 1,727 252 6 7 391 325 38 24 24 19 135 9 58 127 .. 216 3,358 Christchurch .. .. .. 24,088 3,795 59 53 2,964 2,693 172 103 143 48 3,133 107 2,189 884 7 2,704 43,142 Timaru .. .. .. .. 5,422 605 31 4 983 542 55 13 31 8 795 33 838 44 1 380 9,785 Oamaru .. .. .. .. 2,140 228 3 .. 480 237 19 5 15 1 313 .10 252 16 1. 135- 3:855 Dunedin .. .. .. .. 10,555 1,585 44 15 1,590 1,248 141 75 175 42 1,100 67 809 200 4 1,386 19,036 v Invercargill ... .. .. 8,407 1,019 29 5 1,467 1,190 117 34 85 33 1,038 36 1,835 274 3 585 16,157 Totals, South Island .. .. 58,571 8,203 184 100 9,441 7,144 642 292 531 222 7,250 292 6,490 1,876 17 6,001 107,256 Totals, New Zealand .. .. 174,193 26,299 546 260 30,435 23,499 1,947 1,025 1,853 595 20,031 933 11,903 5,814 57 16,110 315,500

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Table No. 2.—Comparative Table showing Number of Motor-vehicles licensed as at 31st March, 1937 to 1946, inclusive

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£G . QOI>»OCOOCO M(Ml0005CO^CO^ °o'S OWX0Oi'MCOl>^iC ic^ooaaoot^ooc (M O-l CO (M WM (M !M |i § 2 H«CO!>lOW(M^lO© 02 H r—irHrHi-HrHi-Hi-HrHr—lr-1 PH -ti' MO GO o oo >o a (OOO H rH r-H H r-l r—1 r—1 OQ <D £* o ■1 ■!■■!■ ;■ OJW(MO HoaojHot-oooH Ol>^<MI>C&iOCO'MCO O §"§ :£ >. 'N'MCO^^OOCD^IOJO Local-body and other Vehicles exempt from License Eees. I> (N O CO i—) CO CO O H CC OOOCOOO^CJO^OC oi <N~ ic CO CD l> Oi o Rental Cars. •+—H—-f— OCO(M hH00®l>(NXOOi< UO IC ic lO to IO ic 1 £ s Taxis and Privatehire Cars. ?TIo"ic I> vo Oi Oi t> *o CO Ct^CCb'CD^GOOSO'H M rH rH H rH rH H rH (M (M ■+S 0 1=1 FH 3 cM 1 © 1 c6 o Omnibuses. OC0C0t>I>t^00C3005O Service Cars. 005 I>C0CCCD»0*0*010l0*0 m ce S a « 6)0 fill OOC0C5Ol>C000l0Ci ©«05lOXWC0(M00C5 W CO LO (M lO OS o: spa OiOHHHOffiOJHW . ® S£ m !S5"2 •SOS >> r^rl S Trucks, not exceeding 2 tons Laden. GOOiOCOQlOlOiOpHCO 0COI>^I>OCDI>XO Oq<M(N<N<M<M<M<M<NCO Motorcycles, Dealers. CCOO*OCOr-HCOt>COI> © fl T# 2 31 o ® |s! I|i Motorcycles. O 00 O O l> OJ >0 h W rH OJ H o: 00 CD 0 (M CO 0 (M(N(Mhhhhhhh Cars, Dealers. CX)COIOCOTH(NTH©vIOOCO >C00 05,00C0OI>t^t^05 !?■§ S" h 2 a S *= 02 1—1 M (13 3 2-3 S"g2 gj? lis § ®"H Cars, Business. l> Oi I> cs tjT co ooocoHuoHt^»oa OlC»OOJlOC0 1>CO^H £ £ «s§ cS > o*3 - O O (M OJ to T+1 ® i-. HHfMOlOlWHHHH § 25 co i O Year. Q0i0i0i050505050505 . ■III nSI

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Table No. 3.—Table showing the Annual Expenditure upon Roads, Streets, and Bridges, etc., during the Years ended 31st March, 1934-39, inclusive, and 1944

Table No. 4. —Table showing Sources of Revenue from which Moneys were expended upon Roads, Streets, and Bridges during the Years ended 31st March, 1934-39, inclusive, and 1944

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Expenditure on 1933-34. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. 1938-39. 1943-44. Maintenance— Main highways Urban roads and streets .. Other roads £ 954,656 397,371 718,943 £ 1,501,539 392;032 955,994 £ 1,632,453 406,775 1,098,366 £ 1,314,694 424,201 1,038,204 £ 1,482,531 463,533 1,164,972 £ 1,952,732 453,282 1,305,723 £ 1,519,201 441,633 1,270,279 Totals 2,070,970 2,849,565 3,137,594 2,777,099 3,111,036 3,711,737 3,231,113 Construction— Main highways Urban roads and streets .. Other roads .. 286,709 1,104,047 1,240,920 428,072 944,235 1,172,529 624,943 903,918 1,102,730 1,622,982 938,692 1,443,185 2,565,822 982,008 1,605,648 3,331,959 1,308,173 2,025,818 116,086 452,656 187,549 Totals 2,631,676 2,544,836 2,631,591 4,004,859 5,153,478 6,665,950 756,291 Interest and sinking-fund charges— Main highways Urban roads and streets .. Other roads 632,846 585,900 1,136,070 612,129 554,400 1,136,515 605,403 580,979 1,122,408 605,925 573,423 1,047,394 642,695 580,773 1,135,116 734,507 572,439 1,248,346 695,571 698,960 995,773 Totals 2,354,816 2,303,044 2,308,790 2,226,742 2,358,584 2,555,292 2,390,304 Grand totals 7,057,462 7,697,445 8,077,975 9,008.700 10,623,098 12,932,979 6,377,708

— 1933-34. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. 1938-39. 1 1943-44. Main highways— Loan Local rates Employment Promotion Fund General taxation Motor taxation £ 237,469 431,262 89,612 157,257 958,611 £ 360,118 471,851 280,751 151,229 1,277,791 £ 549,546 502,408 45,638 157,403 1,607,804 £ 892,274 517,507 5,662 169,239 1,958,919 £ 1,708,635 448,949 97,864 213,299 2,222,301 £ 2,739,751 451,737 297,-531 233,098 2,297,072 £ 110,559 335,127 5,119 1,880,053 Totals 1,874,211 2,541,740 2,862,799 3,543,601 4,691,048 6,019,189 2,330,858 Urban roads— Loan Local rates Employment Promotion Fund General taxation Motor taxation 70,291 1,153,032 616,278 247^717 71,307 1,072,108 475,306 946 118.745 1,080,048 384,050 308,829 199,783 1,059.920 330,156 346,457 203,827 1,097,237 336,140 389,110 157,429 1,077,607 705,807 393,051 21,978 1,188,056 36,409 346,806 Totals 2,087,318 1,890,667 1,891,672 1,936,316 2,026,314 2,333,894 1,593,249 Other roads — Loan Local rates Employment Promotion Fund General taxation Motor taxation 381,090 734,844 797,086 971,955 210,958 398,371 781.010 714,887 985,081 385,689 466,152 863,458 580,000 1,010,496 403,398 939,714 916,181 357,220 1,017,082 298,586 1,169,128 1,027,709 276,695 1,101,369 330,835 1,350,322 1,168,289 554,242 1,185,080 321,954 84,321 992,655 19,994 1,019,005 337,626 Totals 3,095,933 3,265,038 3,323,504 3,528,783 3,905,736 4,579,887 2,453,601 All roads — Loan Local rates Employment Promotion Fund General taxation Motor taxation 688,850 2,319,318 1,502,976 1,129,212 1,417,286 829,796 2,324,969 1,470,944 1,136,310 1,935,426 1,134,443 2,445,914 '1,009,688 1,167,899 2,320,031 2,031,771 2,493,608 693,038 1,186,321 2,603,962 3,081,590 2,573,895 710,699 1,314,668 2,942,246 4,247,502 2,697,633 1,557,580 1,418,178 3,012,077 216,858 2,515,838 56,403 1,024,124 2,564,485 Totals 7,057,462 7,697,445 8,077,975 9,008,700 10,623,098 12,932,970 6,377,708

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Table No. 5.—Table Showing Annual Charges per Mile on Roads and Streets

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Year ended 31st March, Length of Formed Roads. Annual Charges per Mile of Road. Maintenance. Interest and Loan Charges. Total. 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 .. 1944 .. (a Miles. 10,975 11,176 11,649 11,684 11,728 11,802 12,398 ,) Main Highway. £ 84 114 140 113 126" 165 122 s £ 58 55 52 52 55 62 42 £ 142 169 192 165 181 227 164 1934 .. 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1944 .. (b) Th 4,086 4,035 4,059 4,201 4,186 4,285 ban Roads and £ 97 97 100 102 110 108 103 Ureets 143 137 143 137 138 137 163 240 234 243 239 248 245 266 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1944 36,010 36,947 36,350 36,467 36,699 36,815 36,766 (c) Other Roads 20 26 30 28 32 35 34 32 31 31 29 31 34 32 52 57 61 57 63 69 66 1934 ... 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1944 Total, ai 51,071 52,158 52,058 52,328 52,628 52,803 53,449 11 Roads (a), (b), 40 55 60 53 59 70 60 and (c) 46 44 44 43 45 48 45 86 99 104 96 104 118 105

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Table No. 6.—Comparison of Details of Fatal Motor Accidents for the Calendar Years 1940 to 1945

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Item. Year. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Number of Fatal Accidents {a) Total number 188 158 159 138 134 109 Number in daylight 98 80 95 94 74 70 Number in darkness 90 78 64 44 60 39 {b) Number occurring in built up areas— Total number 101 87 83 75 74 60 Number in daylight 53 43 48 52 44 35 Number in darkness 48 44 35 23 30 25 <c) Number occurring on rural roads— Total number 87 71 76 63 60 49 Number in daylight 45 35 47 42 30 35 Number in darkness 42 36 29 21 30 14 •(d) Number of collisions between motor-vehicles— Total number 34 22 21 20 16 20 Number in daylight 19 13 9 12 15 8 15 Number in darkness 15 9 5 8 5 ■(e) Number of collisions with railway trains — Total number 11 8 14 9 6 7 Number in daylight 10 7 10 9 6 7 Number in darkness 1 1 4 (f) Number of collisions with trams 3 1 2 3 *3 (g) Number of collisions with bicyclists— Total number 30 25 22 20 23 13 Number in daylight 18 14 15 17 14 8 Number in darkness 12 11 7 3 9 5 {h) Number of collisions with pedestrians— Total number 59 53 44 42 42 33 Number in daylight 20 21 19 26 24 24 Number in darkness 39 32 25 16 18 9 {i) Number of collisions with ridden horse {}) Number of collisions with horse-vehicles or animals {k) Number of other collisions — Total number 10 16 16 24 15 6 Number in daylight 8 8 8 13 7 5 Number in darkness 2 8 8 11 8 1 {I) Number of non-collisions— Total number 41 33 40 23 32 17 Number in daylight 25 16 31 14 15 11 Number in darkness 16 17 9 9 17 6 Number of Persons killed {a) Total number 204 175 167 145 140 129 {b) Number of occupants of motor-vehicles (ex86 76 75 67 56 68 cluding motor-cycles) ■(c) Number of riders of motor-cycles or pillion 26 21 26 16 17 15 riders •(d) Number of bicyclists 30 25 22 20 23 13 •(e) Number of pedestrians 59 53 44 42 42 33 <(f) Number of other road users 3 2

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Table No. 7.—Types of Motor Accidents during the Calendar Year 1945

Table No. 8. —Distribution of Motor Accidents on the System of Roads and Streets during the Calendar Year 1945

Number of Accidents. Type of Accident. In Built-up Areas. In Areas not Built Up. In All Areas. Fatal. Nonfatal. Total. Fatal. Nonfat? 1 Total. Fatal. Nonfatal. Total. Collisions With another motorvehicle With a railway train With an electric tram .. With a bicyclist With a pedestrian With a horse-vehicle With a ridden horse With an animal With a telegraph-pole .. With a fixed object Other collisions 12 2 3 10 22 6 2 480 14 35 520 473 2 "5 67 1 59 492 16 38 530 495 2 "5 73 1 61 8 5 *3 11 "4 "4 253 7 57 64 2 2 15 29 40 261 12 60 75 2 2 15 33 *44 20 7 3 13 33 io 6 733 21 35 577 537 4 2 20 96 1 99 753 28. 38 590 570 4 2 20 106 1 105 Total, collisions 57 1,656 1,713 35 469 504 92 2,125 2,217 Non-collisions Drove off roadway Over bank Overturned on road Person fell from vehicle Other 1 2 7 6 21 29 8 7 7 21 31 8 "7 3 2 2 55 66 39 23 6 55 73 42 25 8 "*8 3 4 2 62 72 60 52 14 62 80 63 • 56 16 Total, non-collisions 3 71 74 14 189 203 17 260 277 Total, accidents 60 1,727 1,787 49 658 707 109 2,385 2,494

Classification of Locality. Tatal Accidents. Non-fatal Accidents. All Accidents. Number. Percentage of Total. Number. Percentage of Total. Number. Percentage of Total. Four metropolitan districts Secondary cities (4) Boroughs 6,000-20,000 population (17) Small boroughs, town districts, and closely populated localities 33 1 9 17 30-3 0-9 8-3 15-6 1,009 159 279 280 42-3 6-7 11-7 11-8 1,042 160 288 297 41-8 6-4 11-6 11-9 Total, built-up areas 60 55-1 1,727 72-5 1,787 71-7 State highways Main highways Other rural roads 20 19 10 17-4 9-2 297 271 90 12-4 11-3 3-8 317 290 100 12-7 11-6 4-0 Total of open-road accidents 49 44-9 658 27-5 707 28-3 Total accidents 109 100-0 2,385 100-0 2,494 100-0

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Table No. 9.—Number and Type of Motor Accidents occurring in the Larger Centres of Population during Calendar Year 1945

Table No. 10.—Classification of Road Users killed or injured each Month during Calendar Year 1945

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Type of Accident. Auckland Metropolitan Area. Wellington Metropolitan Area. Christchurch Metropolitan Area. Dunedin Metropolitan Area. lower Hutt and Petone. 1 Palmerston Worth City. Wanganui City. Invercargill City. Total. Number of fatal accidents 16 6 8 3 3 2 38 Number of Collisions With other motor-vehicle With railway train With electric tram With bicyclist With pedestrian With telegraph or power pole Other collisions 114 17 63 175 24 51 10 31 116 12 72 "6 130 32 8 29 2 32 22 4 16 1 23 18 3 14 2 12 4 13 1 15 6 2 3 2 7 3 312 3 38 313 376 53 22 17 11 10 1 1 1 63 Non-collisions Vehicle left road Vehicle overturned Person fell from vehicle Other 1 3 4 4 4 2 3 1 2 1 2 2 3 2 •• 1 1 2 10 13 11 Total number of accidents 427 246 263 106 64 33 40 15 1,194

Number of Persons killed and injured. Month. Occupants Motor-cyclists of Motoror PillionBicyclists. Pedestrians. Other. Total. vehicles. riders. January 121 31 30 34 1 217 February 119 14 37 33 3 206 March 136 23 46 57 2 264 April 144 29 49 47 1 270 May 157 31 68 67 3 326 June 141 15 41 72 4 273 July 125 18 36 49 4 232 August 193 33 72 90 3 391 September 162 43 56 54 3 318 October 191 33 41 44 6 315 November 141 33 61 42 1 278 December 213 39 43 46 5 346 Totals 1,843 342 580 635 36 3,436

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Table No. 11.—Number of Young Children killed or injured as Pedestrians during Calendar Year 1945, classified according to Age

Table No. 12.—Number of School Pupils killed or injured during the Five Calendar Years 1941-1945, inclusive

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Circumstances of Accidents. Age. Under One j Year. 1 0ne Year - i Two Years;' Three Years. Four Years. Total. Ran out into roadway Ran out from behind vehicle or object Playing in roadway Boarding vehicle without due care Total 1 6 11 2 1 11 i 29 2 1 1 1 6 14 12 33

Number of Pedestrian Casualties during the Year. Age of School Pupil. 1941. 1942. 194S. 1944. 1945. 5 years 17 13 8 19 19 6 years .. .. 15 12 12 19 13 7 years 16 9 10 16 10 8 years 12 10 6 8 6 9 years 8 2 5 9 11 Totals, 5-9 years 68 46 41 71 59 10 years 9 6 1 6 5 11 years 7 8 1 6 8 12 years 13 5 2 9 4 13 years 7 4 2 2 • 2 14 years 3 1 1 4 3 15 years 3 1 Totals, 10-15 years 39 24 7 30 23 Totals, 5-15 years 107 70 48 101 82 Number of Cyclist Casualties during the Year. Age of School Pupil. 1941. 1942. | 1943. 1944. 1945; ' 5 years 1 3 2 6 years 4 5 3 1 6. 7 years 6 5 1 2 4. 8 years 5 3 3 1 7, 9 years 15 8 5 10 10 \ Totals, 5-9 years 31 24 14 14 27 10 years .. .. .. 16 10 8 7 4 11 years .. .. ... 18 13 10 14 15 12 years .. .. . . 23 15 11 15 15 13 years 33 18 8 25 7 14 years 23 13 6 15 10 15 years 2 3 13 5 Totals, 10-15 years 115 72 43 89 56 Totals, 5-15 years 146 96 57 103 83

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Table No. 13.—Table showing Nature of Offences involved in Convictions during Each of the Three Years ended 31st March, 1944-46, inclusive

31

Nature of Offence. 1944. 1945. 1946. Road Traffic Offences Number. Number. Number. Intoxicated in charge 24 | 27 31 Negligent driving .. .. 5 8 1 Driving in dangercius manner .. .... 25 52 49 Dangerous speeding 6 6 16 Careless or inconsiderate driving 11 35 59 Exceeding 30 miles per hour 284 368 467 Overtaking offences 5 11 19 Failing to keep to left .. .. . „ 18 20 46 Failing to yield at intersections 9 16 31 . Driver's license offences 420 469 697 Licensing and registration offences .. .. ... 214 230 320 Lighting offences 49 j 89 217 Defective brakes 54 59 84 Warrant of Fitness offences 716 | 960 1,607 Loading offences .. .. .. .. 14 42 62 Cycling offences 179 i 255 312 Exceeding 40 miles per hour 400 387 474 Other offences 126 206 339 Heavy Motor-vehicle Offences Exceeding heavy traffic license 39 99 130 Exceeding axle load 18 46 40 No heavy traffic license 112 215 201 Speeding 191 281 387 No disk or class plates .. 43 56 34 Other offences 12 15 36 Transport Licensing Offences 53 ' 99 Unlicensed services 98 Breach of terms of licenses 11 11 9 Failure to carry vehicle authority 53 142 166 Other offences .. .. .. .. 56 38 31 Failure to carry Certificate of Fitness 47 82 102 Miscellaneous Offences Transport control offences 26 29 10 Exceeding tire-load limitations (new regulations) 45 95 Carrying racehorses over thirty miles by road (new regulations) 87 8 Und>r miscellaneous Acts and regulations 118 113 110 3,338 4,598 6,288

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Table No. 14.—Table showing for Year ended 31st March, 1946, the Manner in which all applications relating to passenger-services were dealt with by all District Metropolitan Transport Licensing Authorities

Table No. 15.—Table showing for Year ended 31st March, 1946, the Manner in which all Applications relating to Taxicab Services were dealt with by all District and Metropolitan Transport Licensing Authorities

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Decision. Total Number of Applications considered by District Licensing Authorities. NewLicenses. Renewals. Amendments. Transfers. 1 Total. i Granted Refused Withdrawn .. Reserved Adjourned District totals 84 16 10 4 9 583 2 1 1 8 251 25 9 31 16 42 1 4 2 960 44 24 38 33 123 595 332 49 1,099 Decision. Total Number of Applications considered by Metropolitan Licensing Authorities. New Licenses. Renewals. Amendments. Transfers. Total. Granted Refused Adjourned Metropolitan totals New Zealand totals 376* 9 2 54 2 25 2 1 456 11 4 387 56 27 1 471 510 651 359 50 1,570 ♦Includes 365 licenses for tasris to and from race meetings.

Decision. Total Number of Applications considered by District Licensing Authorities. New Licenses. Renewals. Amendments. Transfers. Total. Granted Refused Withdrawn Reserved Adjourned District totals 99 37 21 21 55 673 4 2 6 2 37 3 1 19 3 108 8 8 5 2 917 52 32 51 62 233 687 63 131 1,114 Decision. Total Number of Applications considered by Metropolitan Licensing Authorities. New Licenses. Renewals. Amendments. Transfers. Total. Granted Refused Adjourned Metropolitan totals New Zealand totals 14 14 4 686 5 4 82 2 787 20 4 32 686 9 84 811 265 1,373 72 215 1,925

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Table No. 16.—Table showing for Year ended 31st March, 1946, the Manner in which all applications relating to Rental-car Services were dealt with by the Four District Transport Licensing Authorities

Table No. 17. —Table showing for Year ended 31st March, 1946, the Manner in which all Application relating to Goods-services were dealt with by the Four District Transport Licensing Authorities

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (666 copies), £l4O. By Authority: E. Y. Paul, Government• Printer, Wellington.—l 946. Price 2s.] 2—H 40

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Total Number of Applications considered. Decision. New Licenses. Renewals. Amendments. | Transfers. Total. Granted .. .. <. Refused Withdrawn .. Reserved Adjourned 15 3 1 3 2 80 1 2 i 18 1 6 3 1 116 5 3 3 10 Totals 24 84 25 4 137

Total Number of Applications considered. Decision. New Licenses. Renewals. Amendments. Transfers. Total. Granted Refused Withdrawn Reserved Adjourned 366 45 35 22 78 3,565 16 10 39 38 714 58 29 24 98 458 7 • 14 16 6 5,103 12688' 101 220 Totals 546 3,668 923 501 5,638;