MOTORISTS’ NAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 314, 27 March 1928, Page 10

MOTORISTS’ NAMES

CLAIM BY REGISTRAR ROAD BOARD PROTESTS fFrom, Our Oven Correspondent.) Some pungent remarks regarding the action of the deputy-regis-trar of motor vehicles, Mr. W. J. Gow, in claiming 25s for supplying the names of motorists whose numbers had been taken by the Papakura Road Board’s traffic inspector, were made by a member of the board, the Rev. W. C. Wood, at a meeting of the board last evening. PAPAKURA, To-day. A NSWERING a letter from the board, as to under what authority he based his claim, the deputy-regis-trar said he held been advised by the registrar that there was no provision in the Motor Vehicles Act authorising such a charge to be made, but that he considered the department should be recompensed for the time occupied in supplying lengthy lists of motorists’ names. Me stated further that no charge was made until two hours had been exceeded in looking up the information, and that he would be pleased to have a remittance of £1 5s as requested. The chairman, Mr. J. McColl, said that he thought the board would have to pay it, although he did not agree with it. AN INDIGNANT CLERIC The Rev. W. G. Wood: I think the letter is exceedingly weak. The gentleman admits that he has no authority, and yet he has the impertinence to say a lengthy list justifies him in asking for £ 1 ss. I consider he has no legal right. It is the thin end of the wedge, and I tremble to think where this sort of thing will end. Here is a case of a town board doing its duty in trying to administer traffic control fairly, and now it is going to be penalised for it. I am amazed at the chairman’s remarks; just to take the easiest way out of it, bow down and acquiesce in the department’s action. “LITTLE SHORT OF OUTRAGE” ‘lt’s little short of an outrage,” continued Mr. Wood. “I move that we say we fail to see any reason to pay, and that the demand is not justified..” CLAIM REPUDIATED The chairman said other local bodies had been charged. A Member: Have they paid it? Mr. Wood: That does not justify the department in making it. The board decided to reply that it still claimed there is no authority for the charge, and repudiates the claim. A copy of the letter is also to be sent to the Postmaster-General.