HAMILTON BUSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 39, 16 February 1928, Page 20

HAMILTON BUSES.

PERMIT TO RAISE FARES. APPLICATION OPPOSED. BALANCE-SHEET CRITICISED.' (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, tliis day. Doubtful compliment* were Hying about, at a meeting of t lie borough council lust night, when an appiicat ion by Buses, Ltd., for permission to raise its fares was discussed. Councillor Dcnz maintained that (lie authority had no right, to demand the production of the books of a private con rem. The .Mayor, Mr. J. K. Fow, took up the attitude that the company liad been very casual in its latest application to the council. Discussion became very heated and at times there were many personal remarks. The case for Buses, Ltd., was presented by u solicitor, .Mr. W. J. King, who stilted that the fare was formerly (id. On particular routes this was reduced to .'ld by the Green Bus Company, in order to oust the opposition. The Green buses then went out of business. Buses, Ltd., who now had a virtual monopoly of the services, contended that since the fares were reduced to .Id it liad meant a difference of £1200 a year to them.

A prepared statement regarding five months' working of the company was submitted. The accuracy of this was questioned, and the Mayor complained thnt it did not carrj*them any further. Mr. Den/.: I think we already had too much information wc were not entitled to. Councillor Luxford criticised the statement, and C'r. Dcnz remarked that Cr. Luxford could not be asked a question without "shooting out his quills like a hedgehog." Cr. Luxford said that if the increased cost were spread over all the services it would perhaps mean Jd instead of a Id rise in the fares. Cr. Latferty said benzine was 2/4 in Hamilton, compared with 2/ in Auckland. The Mayor said it was common knowledge that when the roads were in a deplorable condition the two bus companies ran in opposition at a cheap rate, yet now that the roads were in splendid order one company, with no opposition, said it was unable to make the services pay. Cr. LafTerty pointed out that the council had the option of taking over the buses. Cr. King stated that the company would sell the plant for what it had paid for it. The meeting was adjourned for a fortnight to enable the company to present an audited balance-sheet.