MOTOR TRANSPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 5

MOTOR TRANSPORT.

TO THAMES AND WAIHI.

AUTHORITY RENEWS LICENSES,

Renewal of licenses for the passenger bus services between Auckland and Thames, and Auckland and WaihiPaeroa, was granted by the Central Licensing Authority yesterday afternoon. The authority consists of Mr. S. S. Allen, of Morrinsville, and Mr. H. B. S. Johnstone, of Otaia.

Both the applications were opposed by the Railways Department, which urged that a co-ordinated rail and motor service be run, with Pokeno as the link-ing-up point.

The application for a renewal of the service between Thames and Auckland was made by H. White and Sons, Ltd., and that for the Waihi-Auckland service by the Wailii-Paeroa Transport Company, Ltd. On behalf of the latter Mr. Knight stated that the bus company favoured co-ordination, but true coordination could "not be achieved until the railways came under the same jurisdiction as the motor services. He stressed that the road distance from Waihi to Auckland was 98 miles, but the rail distance was considerably greater. Though the routes of the services were parallel between Auckland and Pokeno, and between Paeroa and Waihi, for 52 miles the bus service did not touch the rail. It was contended on behalf of both the applicants that to terminate the services at Pokeno and transfer passengers there to the rail to be brought on to Auckland would be unsatisfactory and inconvenient.

Mr. Aickin, for the Railway Department, contended that for the purpose of achieving economic transport competition with the railways should cease, and that the bus services should link up with them. After hearing both the applications the authority gave its decision in favour of the renewal of the licenses.