MOTORISTS’ NAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 326, 11 April 1928, Page 1

MOTORISTS’ NAMES

BOARD WILL NOT PAY FEE CLAIM BY REGISTRAR (From Our Oicn Corresponds r > • PAPAKURA, To-day. The business men comprising the Papakura Town Board consider the ratepayers’ pockets and will not pay even 255. without being satisfied “that the charge is a legal one. XJECENTL.Y the registrar of motor 11 vehicles demanded 25s for supplying the names of motorists, whose numbers had been taken by the board's inspector for exceeding speed limits. The board refused to pay, contending that there was no authority for such a charge being levied. At the meeting of the board last evening the subject was discussed again, and the original decision adhered to. Replying to the board's decision not to pay’ 25s for supplying car owners' names, the deputy-registrar of motor vehicles acknowledged Teceipt of the board’s letter and asked it to reconsider the question. He said that while there was no statutory authority for charging for the work of compiling the information, there was no statutory authority for performing the service free of charge. ‘‘lt is, of course, recognised,” said the registrar, Mr. Gow, “that for the purpose of traffic control, local bodies require the names and adi dresses of owners of motor vehicles, ; but it was not contemplated that i such long lists as those asked for by : your board would be required, and I \ feel sure that on further considerai tion of the work involved the board j will see its way clear to authorise payment of the reasonable charge, ! made for the service.”

“MIGHT BUMP THEIR HEADS” The chairman, Mr. James McCall, said he was still of the same opinion as he was at the last meeting. He knew they had no authority to pay. but it was the only way they could get the information, and it would not do to bump their heads against the authorities. He was in favour of paying the amount. The Rev. W. C. Wood said he was triad to see that the writer was sufficiently frank to slate that there was no authority for ihe charge. They wer not responsible for the lengthy lists: if that number broke the law the board had to administer it. Mr. McEntee said the length of he list was immaterial, whether it was one or one thousand. The principle was wrong. He doubted whether the Audit Department would pass the i payment. | Mr. Boagey said that he was of the : same opinion as other members. In | the absence of any authority it would | not be legal to pay the charge. Other ! local bo-'" s - have paid, but this ! was probably the first time the regis- ■ trar had struck opposition. The board decided, by six to one. ; to adhere to its original decision, and not to pay.