R.-40.

1931. NEW ZEALAND.

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

Sir,— Transport Department, 22nd July, 1931. Herewith I have the honour to submit the annual report of the Transport Department for the year ended 31st March, 1931. I have, &c, J. S. Hunter, Commissioner of Transport. The Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Transport, Wellington.

RE POET.

The major activities of the Department during the year are summarized hereunder:— MOTOR-VEHICLES ACT, 1924. The regulations relating to the granting of motor-drivers' licenses have been completely reissued after first being circulated in draft form for public information and criticism. It is generally" accepted, and appears to be undoubted, that there was much room for improvement in the previous state of affairs, and that the new regulations have effected this improvement. The regulations relating generally to motor traffic have been revised and consolidated with many amendments shown to be desirable, and will be circulated as a draft for criticism at an early date. The Motor-vehicle Mechanical Appliances Committee has met on five occasions, and given consideration to many motor appliances submitted to it, such as direction-indicators and anti-dazzle devices. The voluntary services rendered to the Government by the members of this Committee, the majority of whom are not Government officials, are much appreciated. MOTOE-VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD-PAETY RISKS) ACT, 1928. Although this Act is much more complete in its provision for insurance of third parties injured or killed by negligent motorists than any other similar enactment of which the Department is aware, the case of a third party who is injured or killed by a motorist of the " hit and run " type is not covered by the Act unless the motorist is subsequently located. The insurance companies are not desirous of taking advantage of this fact, and an agreement, to be signed by all of the companies accepting risks and by the Minister of Transport, has been finalized and will be gazetted, laying down the procedure to be followed to obtain compensation in such cases, proof of negligence by the motorist be:ng, of course, an essential ingredient in all these accidents. For the year ended 31st May, 1930, forty-two insurance concerns gave the prescribed notice to undertake business under the Act and carried on business accordingly. The premiums for the year, excluding, of course, any relating to the 1930-31 licensing year, amounted to £240,630 17s. 9d., after

I—H. 40.