Dec. 21.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3503

(2.) The fire-extinguishers must not be allowed to inconvenience passengers, either by reason of their condition or position.

Signals.

13. There shall be available from each seat a ready and suitable means of signalling to the driver and to the conductor (if any).

Reflector.

14. A suitable red reflector shall be fitted to every omnibus in the proximity of the rear light as an extra protection in the event of the failure of the said rear light.

Fume, &c., Protection.

15. The omnibus must be so constructed and maintained that smells or fumes from the exhaust-pipe or other sources, or the heat from the motor, exhaust-pipe, or generator shall not injuriously affect any part of the omnibus, or injuriously affect or interfere with the comfort of the passengers or driver.

Destination Sign.

16. On the front of the omnibus, not lower than 4 ft. from the ground, and above the driver’s normal line of vision, words to indicate the destination and also, at a reasonable height on both sides thereof, the destination and general route of the omnibus shall at all times be kept so as to be clearly visible to persons of normal sight at a distance of seventy-five yards. At all times while the omnibus is by law required to be lighted a front indicator containing the information aforesaid shall be clearly illuminated.

Tires.

17. Each tire of an omnibus shall be made of soft or elastic material such as rubber, and must be of good quality throughout, and shall always be maintained in a safe and satisfactory condition and with the view of minimizing vibration.

Electric Wires.

18. Wires conducting electric current must be properly insulated, and be protected from injury, and shall be so placed as to minimize the risk of danger from short-circuits or other causes.

Oil Protection.

19. The exhaust-pipe must not be placed where oil or any inflammable or vaporizable material is likely to be dropped upon it. The dropping of grease and oil upon the roadway shall be reduced to a minimum.

Accumulation of Benzine, &c.

20. When a guard, tray, or undershield is fixed beneath the engine, carburetter, or fuel-tank it must be so constructed that any overflow of liquid-fuel is not retained thereon.

Steering.

21. Steering-gear and all connections thereof must be of ample strength, and their design and leverage must be such as to give convenient and sensitive control.

Protection of other Traffic.

22. Every omnibus shall be so constructed that it is able to turn any corner on its route without the need for using the reverse gear, and without unduly interfering with other traffic.

Protection from Vibration.

23. All brake and steering connections and all parts connected by bolts or by studs and nuts which are subject to severe vibration must be fastened by lock-nuts, castellated nuts with pins, or by nuts with approved spring washers or lock-nut washers.

Protection from Breakage.

24. On every omnibus there shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Inspecting Engineer an effective and sufficient means of control to restrict the field of swing of the driving-shaft in the event of breakage of either the driving-shaft or the gear-box.

Protection from Chains, &c.

25. Driving-chains and sprockets fitted to any omnibus must be protected by suitable guards.

Spare Wheel, &c.

26. Every omnibus must be provided with a spare properly equipped wheel, or with a spare rim and tire, ready for service.

Luggage, &c.

27. Reasonable provision must be made for the carriage on the omnibus of passengers’ parcels or other belongings.

Tools.

28. A tool-box shall be carried containing sufficient and suitable tools and renewable parts to meet all reasonable road needs.

Towing.

29. No omnibus shall be used for the carriage of passengers when, owing to accident or breakdown, it is in such condition that it is required to be towed by another vehicle.

Motor-vehicles Act Requirements.

30. No omnibus shall be considered to be in a suitable condition for the carriage of passengers unless all the requirements of the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924, and any regulations for the time being in force thereunder in so far as they affect the omnibus, have been fulfilled.

Inspection.

31. For whatever purpose the omnibus is presented to the Inspecting Engineer for inspection it must on each such occasion be presented in a thoroughly clean condition in all parts.

PART II.

Special Regulations applicable only to Motor-omnibuses first licensed after 1st August, 1927.

Doorways.

32. (1.) Every doorway shall give at least 22 in. clear opening width from the floor or step as the case may be, and shall, in the case of doorways generally in use, be at least 6 ft. in height: Provided that in the case of emergency doors, or the doors of a continuous-cross-seat omnibus, the height of the opening as aforesaid may be not less than 5 ft. 6 in.

(2.) The doorway or doorways generally in use shall be on the near side of the omnibus.

Seats.

33. (1.) Every seat must provide for each passenger at least 16 in. in width, measured in a straight line along the front edge of the seat, and not less than 14 in. in depth from the said front edge horizontally to the back of the seat. The distance from the floor covering to the top of the seat must be not less than 17 in. For the purposes of this clause, any cushion or other covering shall be deemed part of the seat, and for computing the height of a seat, the cushion shall be uncompressed.

(2.) No seat may be so situated that when occupied it will be likely to cause obstruction in the ordinary entrance and exit of passengers.

(3.) When cushions are provided for seats they must be covered with leather or other material of good class and quality.

(4.) Every seat must be so constructed and placed that each passenger shall have at least 9 in. clear space forward from the edge of the seat, and also from the vertical plane of the said edge. The said space shall be exclusive of the like space reserved as aforesaid for any other passenger who may occupy the seat facing and opposite thereto, and, except in the case of a continuous-cross-seat omnibus, shall also be exclusive of the passageway referred to in the next succeeding regulation.

(5.) Every seat must be provided with a back and be kept fit, comfortable, and convenient for use.

Passageways.

34. From each doorway of the omnibus (other than an emergency door or emergency doors) to each row of seats or to within 5 ft. of any separate seat there shall be a passageway not less than 15 in. in width, and free throughout from structural projections or obstructions. In the case of a continuous-cross-seat omnibus the said passageway must be along the full length of the rows of seats.