STOLEN CARS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1926, Page 3

STOLEN CARS

A I'CK LAND’S UNENVIAIi LJ< RECORD.

AUCKLAND, August 18.

Although the presence of caretakers at specific parking areas has proved an effective safeguard to such areas, the

Auckland motorist who trustingly leaves his car in unsupervised streets has yet no guarantee that he will see it again, or seeing it, recognise it as iiis own. Apparently there is no official tally of the number of cars stolen

(in the gentle pharseology of the

law draftsman)' '“unlawfully converted” since the beginning of the year, but according to the newspaper files. 84 eases are recorded, or an average of three a week. Nine were abandoned in a

damaged condition, last Saturday supplying the latest instance, when a fivoseater was found burned after being abandoned at a lonely spot. The figures given represent a. decided increase in the two mouths that have elapsed since reference was last made to the matter, when the number of “ borrowings” averaged two a week. An annoying feature is the increase in the eases of destruction. The serious losses with which owner are daily faced has aggravated the position. Tt is still as difficult as ever to detect the prowlers, hut some suggestions have boon made which may help toward a solution. A police officer proposes a stricter supervision of the parking areas, precautionary measures on the part of motorists, and the inclusion of registration of the engine and chassis numbers in the driver’s license. He described it as a problem baffling the best brains. Among bis suggestions is the employment of watchmen invested with the powers of special constables under the Municinal Corporations Amendment Act, 1910. The Auckland Automobile Association believes that much of the trouble is due to the carelessness of motorists. hut they think the penalty for “borrowing” should he made severe, just as the penalty for horse stealing was made severe in the days when there were no ears. Gaol without the option would lessen the toll of missing cars.