H—4o

55. The following schedule shows comparative figures relating to the number of traffic offences over the last seven years

Table No. 13 in the Appendix shows the nature of the offences which resulted in convictions during each of the past four years. F. INSPECTION OF MOTOR-VEHICLES 56. All motor-vehicles in the Dominion are subject to a mechanical inspection «very six months, and for this may be divided into the following groups : (1) Passenger-service vehicles. (2) Goods-service vehicles. (3) All other vehicles. 57. Passenger-service Vehicles. —All vehicles which carry passengers for hire — namely, omnibuses, trolley-buses, service cars, passenger-trucks, school buses, rental ■cars, taxis (excluding taxis operating in the four main centres, which are inspected by the Metropolitan Licensing Authorities) —are examined each six months by departmental Vehicle Inspectors appointed for this purpose. 58. The vehicles concerned are required to display a certificate of fitness on which is inscribed the number of passengers or the maximum loads which the vehicles are authorized to carry. 59. The examination is a thorough one and embraces the matters which may affect not only the safety of the passengers, but also their health and comfort. 60. Goods-service Vehicles. —All vehicles which carry goods for hire are examined by departmental Vehicle Inspectors each six months, and the certificate of fitness which is required to be carried on the vehicle sets out the authorized load. 61. The following table gives the number of passenger and goods-service vehicles in operation in the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago districts :

11

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 Charges withdrawn.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 1947 .. 10,123 5,456 5,303 80 73 5,667

Passenger-service Vehicles. © Area. Il 5 CD s § § . §J 03<-> •2 2 1% £o ii i g PH "3 m M s o 3 | taffl "o ® o o •si .a X =3 H J® |3 & M |l il §> C5 H Auckland .. Wellington .. Canterbury .. ■Otago 434 326 192 128 4 11 93 125 99 57. 117 60 55 34 199 122 104 61 227 126 71 83 44 30 35 29 435 430 178 152 277 273 187 98 39 39 27 17 3,650 3,025 1,538 1,250 5,519 4,556 2,497 1,909 Totals .. 1,080 15 374 266 486 507 138 1,195 835 122 9,463 14,481