RMY NEEDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 283, Issue 283, 14 March 1941, Page 5

RMY NEEDS

MOTOR VEHICLES INSPECTED OFFICIALS VISIT Impressment officers paid a visit to Whakatane this week - and working ir. conjunction with the local Transport Department Inspector, Mr J. H. Delves, inspected and classed l a number of • commercial motor vehicles which may be called upon by the Government in the event of necessity arising. The trucks selected, the owners *of which received the visit from ' the officials, were inspected and • scheduled, and the owners advised ' that when, and if, they were requir- - ed the owners would be required to - deliver them lo the Rotorua race j course on the receipt of instructions. The inspection included no of later than 1937 model, and a very comprehensive inspection was made of those regarded as suitable for Army work. The owners of vehicles selected ■were informed that they had the right to appeal if they considered the impressment of; their] property would create undueTlvjyJrtwiip and that such appeals would be heard ' fcy the No. 1 Licensing Authority. Motor Cycles Included!. The Transport Department's local • officer is still engaged in making a ■ check of vehicles owned in the district and also is inspecting motor • cycles. In this department only cycles of 2% and 3% h.p. and in- • eluding only five makes are being sought, and of course, as in the •case of trucks require to be in good -order. Similar conditions of im- ■ pressment apply to cycles which on demand must be delivered to the '-Claudelands racecourse, Hamilton. Payment to Owners. , A committee set up by the Government places what it considers a fair price on any vehicle impressed • and in the event of the owner not • agreeing with the estimate, the "matter is settled by arbitration. " When called upon to deliver veh-out-of-poeket expenses will be allowed the owners for making delivery. Owners Agreement. It was stated to a BEACON" .reporter. by an official that nearly all those owners who had been advised that their vehicles might be requir«ed had given them "a good hearing," expressing willingness to fall in with the Government's plans without appeal. Some Already Called! In. was the second visit that has Sbeen made to this district and aI J ready some owners have received of the date when they are required to deliver their trucks, '.The local postmaster, who is the impressment officer for the Whakatane area, states that the owners, "if they so desire, have their right tof appeal. ' However, the intention to appeal ■does not entitle the owner to delay the delivery beyond the time stated -on the notice. If insufficient time "was available to write an appeal it may be phoned to the Transport Authoritj r and Reasons given. If it "is considered that the grounds are reasonable then the authorities may •grant permission for the owner to withhold his truck and; place his casein writing. Unless this permission is obtained then the vehicles ulfest be delivered on the due date, 'neglect entailing a penalty.