MOTOR LORRIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1925, Page 4

MOTOR LORRIES.

REGULATIONS GAZETTED. . Regulations for the classification, speed, weight, load and licensing of heavy motor vehicles, as well as the ■ classification of roads, were gazetted last week. Clause 1 gives a number of interpretations and definitions, one of which is that “trip” means a one-way journey. A tractor with trailer attached is equal to one motor lorry under the regulations, and a six-wheeler is to he deemed a motor lorry and a trailer. Motor lorries are classified into sixteen classes from two to ten tons, and the weight of a lorry and load together must not exceed ten tons while the weight of the load of a sixwheeler is limited ter nine tons. Inc height and width are also provided lor. There are several regulations as to Hie width of tyres, and speeds are allocated from 2il to 12 miles per hour, according to class. Under Luc heading ol ..general traffic,” muter lorries must be equipped with reflectors, and heavy traffic licenses are fully e.vpinined. The annual license i’te payable tor motor lorries engaged only tit the cairiage of passengers are to he . 1. For each motor lorry licensed to carry not more than twenty passengers. Ll 10s, per passenger. 2. For each motor lorry licensed to carry more than twenty passengers. £2 per passenger. 3 For”each motor lorry licensed to carry more than thirty passengers, £2 10s per passenger, to iv maximum ol .£75. In (U)Uiiting the number of passengers for the purpose of this clause the driver shall be included 11s a pas-

senger. The annual license fee payable lor motor loiries engaged in the carnage of goods and oassengers shall he the fee payable under clause (1) or clause cA hereof, according to the. class of motor lorry and the number of passengers it, is licensed to carry, which<>vor Ic'o Ik* ilu* •

Further provisions give it U> pc'" cent reduction in fees for pneumatic tyres 1 provide for an increase of ■_.j per cent up to '£7s for mctal-iyrcd valiich s. Where power is derived from electric storage batteries a reduction of 25 per cent is made. Licenses expire oil March 31 in each year. ; DISPOSAL OF FEES. 'Hie regulations under the heading of disposal of fees nrovide that the license fees paid shall he apportioned among the local authorities having control of, roads or streets with each heavy traffic _ district either as may ho mutually ! agreed upon hy such local ailthoi ifies, or, ill default of agreement, as may . be determined hy order ol a Magistrate on the application of any of those , local authorities, in the maxing ol any. such order the Magistrate shall he , guided in the first place hy the amount, of use made hy motor lorries, whelhei j licensed in the heavy traffic district! concerned, or in any other heavy Hal- j lie district, of the road- or streets un-] der the control of Mich respective localmillionth’; and other lads stated.; Tiie moneys received by each loca. j authority ill rc.-pect of all the license, fees shall be expended by the local ■ authority on the maim entitle,, ol roads , or st reels in its district. 1

In every case in which a license has been issued the full animal foes shall he deemed to have been paid. Provision is also made lor sc' IHi 11 is to he rendered to the authorities concerned of Hte Ices paid.

The appointment ol and duties of inspectors arc defined, and the onus of supplying necessary particulars concerning the use of Hie lorry is placed upon the owner, live penally lor not comi'lving with the regulation.-, is a fine 1 *..| exceeding £2O, and Hie regulations come into force oil April 1. The heavy traffic districts are appended in detail at the end ol the regulations.