2578
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 66

imported) after the date of this Order in Council (concerning which fact the Inspecting Engineer’s decision shall be final) the distance in every seat between the support for the passenger’s back and the rear of the seat (or other similar obstruction) directly in front of him shall be not less than 27 in. when measured parallel along and 6 in. above the seat proper, or alternatively when measured horizontally with and 2 ft. from the floor directly below. The said space shall be exclusive of the like space reserved as aforesaid for any other passenger who may occupy the seat adjacent to or 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 must be easily cleaned in all parts and kept fit, comfortable, and convenient for use.

Passageways.

35. From each doorway of the omnibus (other than an emergency door or emergency doors) to each row of seats adjoining one another, or to within 5 ft. of any individual 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 each row of seats adjoining one another.

Dimensions.

36. (1) In every omnibus of the single-deck type (other than the continuous-cross-seat omnibus), for a distance of at least 8 in. on each side of the longitudinal centre-line of the body, the height throughout measured from the top of the floor covering to the roof (or extension thereof) clear of obstruction and exclusive of projections of any kind, including lighting, fittings, or ventilators, shall not be less than 6 ft.

(2) The maximum length of an omnibus, including fittings, attachments, and load, shall not exceed 30 ft.

(3) The body of any omnibus shall not overhang its rear wheel-track by more than 1 ft. 3 in. on either side.

(4) The wheel-base shall in all cases be so proportioned that skidding, pitching, swaying, or other improper movements shall be avoided as far as possible.

(5) The length by which the body overhangs the axis of the rear wheels of an omnibus, herein referred to as “the overhang,” shall not exceed two-fifths of the wheel-base. In this clause “body” does not include a compartment or fitting specially provided for the carriage of baggage, nor a platform or staircase external to the seating accommodation, provided these are not used to accommodate passengers.

(6) The length by which any part of an omnibus, including its fittings, equipment, or its load, extends further forward than the forward limits of the wheel-base shall in no circumstances exceed 7 ft., nor shall it extend more than 3 ft. in front of the radiator, or 1 ft. 6 in. in front of the forward end of the chassis frame member (or the equivalent of such frame member), whichever of the latter two alternatives is the greater distance.

(7) The length by which any part of an omnibus, including its fittings, equipment, or its load, extends further rearward than the rearward limits of the wheel-base shall be not greater than 9 ft. 6 in., nor greater than 4 ft. behind the body, whichever is the lesser distance.

(8) For the purpose of this regulation “wheel-base” in the case of—

(a) An omnibus fitted with one front axle and one rear axle (with their relative road-wheels) means the distance measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal centre-line of the vehicle from the intersection of the vertical plane of the tyre and the axis of one or the other of the front road-wheels to the axis of the rear road-wheels; and in the case of—

(b) An omnibus which is fitted with a more or less rigid frame that is carried either towards the front end, or towards the rear end, or towards both ends by two axles (and their relative road-wheels) placed closely one behind the other, or by any combination of such a pair of axles and wheels towards one end with a single axle or its relative road-wheels at the other end of the vehicle, means the distance measured as in the preceding paragraph (a) from or to or from and to an imaginary line or lines midway between the pair or between each of both pairs of closely placed axles.

Body.

37. (1) Every motor-omnibus shall be fitted with a permanent body, the frame of which shall be made of wood, steel, or other similar endurable material approved by the Inspecting Engineer. The body shall be of good and robust design, shall be made of first-class materials, with first-class workmanship and finish, shall be designed to give full protection to passengers in any weather, and shall be permanently attached to the chassis.

(2) The sides and roof of the body shall be non-collapsible: Provided that the roof may be so constructed that portion of the roof-covering material may be readily and conveniently rolled or folded back or otherwise drawn clear of the roof, and is then made secure by the driver.

(3) Highly inflammable materials must not be used in the construction of the body or fittings and equipment.

(4) Fittings must not have sharp corners or edges, or extend in such a way as to render them likely to be a cause of injury to passengers or to their clothing.

(5) Effective means must be taken to prevent any unnecessary rattle of windows or doors or other noises caused by movements of the body-frame when the vehicle is in use.

(6) Sufficient hand-rails, hand-straps, or hand-grips must be provided for the convenience and safety of passengers when standing in or moving along passageways.

(7) Every omnibus shall be fitted with windows along each side and at the rear of the body. Any windows that open shall be guarded to a distance of 4 ft. 6 in. from the floor by slats on the inside or by other means, so that a spherical body 5 in. in diameter cannot within the said distance be passed through the opening.

(8) Every omnibus body must be effectively and automatically ventilated either by means of special design and construction of the walls and ceilings or by the provision of approved ventilators therein or by a combination of such methods, and special attention shall be given to the need for minimizing drafts.

Lighting.

38. (1) While carrying passengers at any time when by law the omnibus is required to be lighted, the interior shall, subject to the provisions hereinafter set out, be illuminated with electric light on the basis of a minimum of six candle-power to every two seats. When owing to paucity of passengers or the requirements of safety or other proper circumstances it would temporarily not be reasonable to meet the foregoing requirements, all or any of the internal lights, save that referred to in subclause (5) hereof, may be switched off by the driver.

(2) The lights shall be so distributed that the doorways and steps shall be clearly illuminated while in use, and so that light is well distributed throughout the interior of the omnibus.

(3) No single light shall be less than six candle-power.

(4) Lamp-fittings shall be of a substantial nature, so that passengers will be protected as far as possible from their breakages.

(5) The lights must be so placed within the body of the omnibus, or must be so controllable by switches, or so guarded by shields or non-reflectors that the driver shall not be hampered by light direct or reflected from the internal lights. Independent circuits shall be provided so that, during lighting hours and while the omnibus is on service, at least one of the interior lights shall remain alight.

Steps.

39. (1) Steps for the assistance of passengers in entering and alighting from the omnibus must be placed to all outside doorways (except emergency doors) which do not reach within 16 in. of the surface of a level roadway. Steps must be safe and convenient, and sufficient means must be provided by grip-handles to assist passengers using them.

(2) The distance of the lowest step above the surface of a level roadway must be not more than 16 in. with the omnibus unloaded, or less than 10 in. with the omnibus loaded, and the tire worn to its maximum degree. The rise between one step and the next shall not be greater than 12 in. The treading-surface of any step must not be less than 8 in. from front to rear. Every step shall be provided and maintained with a suitable covering or tread-plate to prevent slipping, and must be of the one continuous level for its full width.

Miscellaneous Fittings.

40. (1) Buffers of a cushioning type and fitted in a manner approved by the Inspecting Engineer must be provided along the front of every omnibus to ameliorate injuries to the omnibus or passengers in the event of collision, and likewise must be provided along the rear end or at and about the two rear corners of every omnibus which is not provided with a baggage-rack accepted by the Inspecting Engineer as likely to serve the same purpose.

(2) The omnibus must be so constructed, or side guards or other approved appliances must be fitted, so that, save for any necessary steering-clearance, persons are protected from falling under the vehicle from the sides.

General Chassis Requirements.

41. (1) The springs shall be of ample strength and shall be so designed, constructed, and secured that when the omnibus is travelling either fully or partially loaded it shall afford reasonable comfort to passengers under average conditions of its service and route.