LOOPHOLE FOUND IN MOTOR REGISTRATION

Chronicle (Levin), 21 February 1947, Page 7

LOOPHOLE FOUND IN MOTOR REGISTRATION

WANGANUI, Feli. 20. "Js Ihcre any u nv of tiglitening these regulalions m> tluit tlus sort > tiiing can lie stopped?" asked Mr. -luLice Connsh, in the Supreiue Court a Wanganui yestenlay, uith referem-e itlie system of rogislratiou of nioto. vehicles iu New Zealand. He avus presiding over a case ■ i« which an Australian seauian wa • eliarged uitli tlie thel't of a motor-car and an oliiecr of the Post and Tele grapli Dcpart nient gavo evidence that a young uonian called at the Cliie. J'U'At Ofiice. Wanganui, gave a fals v and said that tlie car wliich slw -Jied Uvvegister had lieen olT tlie rouu sevcn years. .. A 'fresh registration certilicate was lianded to her. ilis Hononr coniniented that uiuler such system a slolen car could be rercgislcred and its ideutitv changed ' You did not see tlie car?" he asked the witness, who replied that the car liad no nuniber plates. It could not be driven, even to the Post Offiee. "But could not the regulations be tightened u[i.'" asked his Honour. The witness said that that would l»c verv difHeult, but he presuiued that in "Wellington a eareful cheek was uiade of engine and chassis iiumbers. His Honour: Wliv not insist on the last set of number plates being pro- j

dueed in the case of evorv car that hah been off the road for soine, time? Tlie witness replied that in inany cases such plates were removed wlieu the car was olf the coad for a long period. His Honour: Then, undcr the system as we have it now, it is possible for a new ear, aequired unlawfully, to b painted and registered again? The witness said that' so niany regis trations were put through that it wa.very ditficult to carry put a thorougli eheck at the time. The accused in the case, Marcus Paul . Greenhalgh, aged -31, ari 'Australian sea j man, was found guilty bv the jury oi i the theft of the car, valued at £191 11?. J He vvas rem&E.ded fcr &5nceiice.