H.—4o

Table No. 3 of the Appendix sets out the number of motor-vehicles licensed each year since 1925. Since the system of registration was instituted there have been several changes, both in definition and in method of classification. An additional complication has been introduced by the fact that whereas since 1932 the number of vehicles " licensed " has been recorded, previously the number of vehicles " registered " was recorded. It is necessary to appreciate the distinction between these terms. When a new vehicle arrives it is registered by the owner and simultaneously is licensed for one year or lesser period. If the license is not renewed the next year the vehicle is classified as a " dormant registration." After a registration has been dormant for two years it is cancelled. If the vehicle is subsequently relicensed it is registered afresh as a new vehicle. Prior to 1932 the number of vehicles licensed was obtained by subtracting from the total registrations the number of dormant registrations. This method was not sound, however, because the date upon which the dormant registrations were totalled did not coincide with that on which the total registrations were ascertained. It has been found necessary to endeavour to arrive at a common basis whereby the growth of the motor-vehicle in New Zealand might be measured from year to year. Table No. 3 shows the result of this effort, but attention is directed to the fact that, owing to the differences of definition and classification, the figures other than the yearly totals cannot be taken as strictly comparable. This table shows the figures as at 31st December each year. The figures for trailers have been excluded from the totals. The chief feature of the table is the steady growth in the numbers of motor-vehicles in this country, interrupted temporarily during the depression years. The number of " dormant " registrations —i.e., vehicles which although registered had not been licensed for the current year —as at 31st March, 1938, were as tinder :• —

Section 10 of the Motor-vehicles Amendment Act, ]927, provides that after a registration has remained " dormant " for two complete years it is to be cancelled. The following sets out the 1934-35 registrations cancelled on Ist June, 1937, in accordance with this section :• —

7

rr f tt i • l 1935-36 1936-37 T ., Type of Vehicle. Register. Register. Total " Cars .. 3,414 7,506 10,920 Light trucks (2 tons and under laden) .. .. 2,674 4,629 7,303 Heavy trucks (over 2 tons laden) .. .. .. 1,082 1,927 3,009 Service cars .. .. .. .. .. 22 60 82 Taxis .. .. .. .. .. 25 41 66 Rental and private-hire cars .. .. .. 18 29 47 Contract vehicles and passenger trucks .. .. 38 68 106 Omnibuses .. .. .. .. .. 14 21 35 Traction-engines .. .. .. .. .. 40 90 130 Trailers .. . . .. .. .. .. 523 1,016 1,539 Tractors .. .. .. .. .. 192 245 437 Motor-cycles .. .. .. .. .. 3,134 5,062 8,196 Other motor-vehicles .. .. .. .. 19 73 92 Totals .. 11,195 20,767 31,962

Type of Vehicle. Number. Cars .. .. .. .. .. ■ • 2,990 Light trucks .. .. .. • • ■ ■ 2,033 Heavy trucks .. .. .. .. .. 863 Service cars .. .. .. .. .. 23 Taxis .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 Passenger-trucks .. .. .. .. .. 27 Rental and private-hire cars .. .. .. 12 Motor-buses .. .. .. .. .. 15 Traction-engines .. .. . . .. .. 41 Trailers .. .. .. .. .. • • 486 Tractors .. .. .. .. .. • • 72 Motor-cycles .. .. .. .. .. 2,707 Other vehicles .. .. .. .. ■ ■ 15 Total 9,312