H.—4o.

Computed in the table below is the total number of vehicles covered by certificates of fitness or permits during the period under review :—

A study of the foregoing table indicates an increase in the number of omnibuses and service coaches, together with a reduction in the number of service cars and passenger-trucks. A statistical survey of the licensed passenger-services in the North Island indicates a definite trend in favour of the larger vehicles and the average seating-capacity per vehicle has increased from 13-5 to 15-4. Under the original Transport Licensing Act provision was made for the inspection of all public passenger-vehicles used in connection with passenger-services. For the past three years all these vehicles have been required to carry certificates of fitness, which are issued only to those vehicles which comply with the requirements set out in the regulations under the Act. As a result of this policy of inspection there has been a decided improvement in the design, comfort, and safety of the vehicles. The popularity of the streamline body design has been a feature of all service cars constructed during the past year, and these vehicles not only give a pleasing appearance, but also provide for the accommodation of luggage within the body itself. The standard of comfort lias been adequately provided for by the owners of vehicles and little or no encouragement in this direction is now necessary on the part of the Department. Under the last amendment to the Act provision is made for the inspection of goods-vehicles used under goods-service licenses. Draft regulations were submitted to the industry with the object of soliciting suggestions and comment. It is hoped to apply these regulations this year to all goodsservice vehicles. This work will embrace 5,000 vehicles, and it is the matter of safety which will receive the principal consideration. During the past year the rise in popularity of the Diesel omnibus has been very marked. With the Diesel engine is to be associated a negligible fire risk, and this is a desirable factor, especially with respect to passenger-service vehicles. B. GOODS-SERVICES, 1935-36. (a) Applications dealt with. Tables Eos. 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the Appendix set out the principal statistics of the licensed goods-services. Table No. 12, covering the number of applications for licenses dealt with, indicates that during the year ended 31st March, 1936, there were 2,080 applications for continuous licenses, of which 1,999 were granted, 56 were refused, 14 were withdrawn, and 10 were deferred. The following summarizes the figures during the last three years : —

The temporary-license figures again show a substantial increase as compared with the previous year.

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District No. Omnibuses. Service Gars. trucks™" i Total. I 1 .. .. .. 13 37 5 55 110 2 .. .. 214 121 32 27 394 4 .. .. 78 143 36 1 258 5 .. .. 12 99 8 26 145 6 .. .. 120 136 8 30 294 7 .. .. 21 92 1 5 119 8 .. .. 56 51 10 6 123 9 .. .. 51 72 4 13 140 10 .. .. .. 24 27 4 8 63 Totals .. .. 589 778 108 171 1,646

1S Granted. Refused. Withdrawn. Deferred. Continuous — 1933-34 .. .. 2,146 1,898 118 43 87 1934-35 .. .. 2,146 2,016 91 25 14 1935-36 .. .. 2,080 1,999 56 14 11 Seasonal — 1933-34 .. .. 99 88 3 8 1934-35 .... 108 89 9 7 3 1935-36 .... 104 93 4 6 1 Temporary — 1933-34 .. .. 3,800 3,793 7 1934-35 .. .. 7,399 7,390 9 1935-36 .. .. 8,489 8,458 31