The Short Title of this Act is “The McLean Motor-car Act, 1898.”

In this Act the following expressions shall have the meanings assigned to them respectively:—

“Promoters” means the said William McLean and any company which may acquire his rights and also his or their assigns.

“Motor-car” means any vehicle propelled by mechanical power which unladen is under three tons in weight, such vehicle being so constructed that no smoke or visible vapour is emitted therefrom except from some temporary or accidental cause.

A motor-car shall be deemed to be a carriage within the meaning of any Act and of any rule, regulation, or by-law made thereunder, and, if used as a carriage of any class, shall be deemed to be a carriage of that class.

It shall be lawful for the promoters or any licensee under this Act to use motor-cars in any county, borough, town district, or road district, subject only to the by-laws or regulations generally affecting vehicles.

In calculating for the purposes of this Act the weight of a vehicle unladen, the weight of any water, fuel, accumulators used for the purpose of propulsion shall not be included.

During the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise every motor-car shall carry attached thereto a lamp so constructed and placed as to exhibit a light in accordance with the regulations to be made by the Governor in Council.

Every motor-car shall carry a bell or other instrument capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of the approach or position of the motor-car.

No motor-car shall travel along a public highway at a greater speed than twelve miles an hour, or than any less speed that may be prescribed by regulations.

The keeping and use of petroleum, or of any other inflammable liquid or fuel, for the purpose of motor-cars shall be subject to regulations made by the Governor in Council, and regulations so made shall have effect, notwithstanding anything in any Act relating to petroleum or other inflammable liquid or fuel.

The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing the conditions under which motor-cars may be used and for the issue by any local authority of licenses hereunder. Such regulations may be limited in their application to a particular area, and may, on the application of any local authority, prohibit or restrict the use of motor-cars in crowded streets or in other places where such use may be attended with danger to the public. All regulations made under this Act, not inconsistent with the regulations or by-laws made by anylocal authority, shall have full force and effect, anything in any other Act to the contrary notwithstanding, and shall be laid before the General Assembly of New Zealand at its then or next sitting. Until such regulations are made those contained in the Schedule hereto shall be the regulations in force.

A breach of any by-law or regulation made under this Act or of any provision of this Act may on summary conviction be punished by a fine not exceeding ten pounds.

After the passing of this Act there shall be paid to the local authority issuing the license in respect thereof for every motor-car which is plying for hire under this Act,—

If the weight of the motor-car does not exceed two tonsunladen, the same license-fee as is payable for carriages of a like class; If the weight of the motor-car exceeds two tons unladen, half more.

Any person desirous of using motor-cars under the provisions of this Act may apply to and shall be entitled to receive from such public officer as the Governor in Council may appoint a permit to use motor-cars under the provisions of this Act and the regulations to be made thereunder.

This Act shall remain in force until a public Act dealing: with the subject of motor-cars shall have come into force and no longer, and the promoters shall have no claim to compensation upon the passage of any such public Act.