BICYCLE THEFTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 July 1939, Page 6

BICYCLE THEFTS

NUMEROUS BN CHRISTCHURCH'

MINISTER CITES FIGURES.

ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF REGISTRATION.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

More than, two bicycles, on an average, were stolen in Christchurch each day last. year. The total figure for, the year ended December 31 last was 798. For the six months ended' June .30 last there were a further 355 thefts. These figures were quoted, by the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple) today, in support of his contention that some form of registration of bicycles is necessary. The' figures showed a further point in support of the case for registration, the Minister said. In the- year ended December 31 last, 175 bicycles recovered by the authorities were unclaimed by their owners. A further 120 were unclaimed' during the six months ended June 30 last.

Mr Semple observed that these figures in themselves were a sufficient argument in favour of registration. It was a measure that should be welcomed- by cyclists and local authorities alike

Although no legislation to- cover the registration of bicycles has yet been drafted, it is believed likely that when a measure is prepared: it will include a provision that the registration will serve for all- time; no annual renewal being required.