ADVENT OF THE MOTOR

Evening Post, Issue 126, 29 May 1936, Page 8

ADVENT OF THE MOTOR

AN EARLY BILL

A QUAINT DEFINITION

'.In these days of modern, fast transport, nobody would dare question the right of a motor-car to the use of the public highway, yet it is only 38 years ago since the Parliament'of New Zealand, apparently astonished at the revolutionary change in transport about to be introduced, solemnly passed a Bill permitting the introduction of motor-cars into New Zealand, and restricting their speed to 12 miles per hour, v This measure, "The McLean Motor-car Act, 1898," was quoted by the Leader of the Legislative Council (the Hon. M. Fagan), when moving the second reading of the Transport Licensing Amendment Bill in the Council yesterday afternoon.

The Bill set out that ■ whereas the introduction into the colony of motorcars had recently been arranged for, and whereas it was doubtful in the existing state of the law whether motorcars could be lawfully used on' the public roads and streets, it was expedient that power should be given to use motor-cars on the roads or streets.

The definition of motor-car was "any vehicle propelled by mechanical power, which unladen, is under three tons in weight, such vehicle being so constructed that no smoke or visible vapour is emitted therefrom except from some temporary or accidental cause."

It was also provided that between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise every motor-car should carry a lamp and a bell or other instrument capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of the approach or the position of the car.

A clause in the Bill restricted the speed on a public highway to 12 miles an hour, and there was also a provision enabling a minimum speed to be fixed by regulation.

The punishment for a breach of the Act was a fine of £10.

In the schedule to the Bill it was stated that "motor-cars shall be capable of being guided by a person sitting thereon; the tire of each wheel shall be not less than 2£ inches in width; every motor-car shall have, for every two wheels, one brake, and all brakes shall be so arranged as to be under the control of some competent person; the width of a motor-car shall not exceed six feet and a half."

Mr. Fagan added that it was only a few years ago that road tractors were not allowed to travel on the road at more than six miles an hour, and unless somebody walked in front with a red flag.