BUS PROFITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 46, 24 February 1936, Page 8

BUS PROFITS.

ST. HELIER'S SERVICE.

AUTHORITY SEEKS DETAILS

CONSIDERATION OF LICENSE.

An application by L. J. Keys, Ltd., for a renewal of its bus license for services between Auckland and St. Heliei s was deferred for one month by the Auckland Transport Board this morning sitting as Metropolitan Licensing Authority. In its application the company asked for permission to pick up and set down passengers at the Parnell Batlw. The chairman, the Hon. H. G. RMason, asked Mr. Keys, who appeared in support of the application, wliethci he could supply the authority with balance-sheets showing details of the finances of his company with a view to the board being informed as to whether the services were remunerative. Mr. Keys: I can show that the fares •have been reduced at various times. _ It we have reached a certain profit duiing one year the fares have come down the

next year. . , The chairman said the board requited. details. ... „ Mr. Keys: I will refer it to my solicitor. The Chairman: It is a long time »inct the license was considered as far as fares are concerned. Mr. Keys: About twelve months a n o we voluntarily reduced fares. The chairman pointed out that tnc board was now asked to renew ie licenses for another three years, an it was only right that the menibeis should have information as to the position of the service. Mr. -T. A. C. Allum said the application could be deferred. The board had to take into account what a service was earnin". It would be awkward, ioi instance, if fares were fixed that were not remunerative. The Act laid-do* n the procedure. The finances of the operator had to be made available to the licensing authority. , Mr. Keys asked why his service should be sorted out. The Chairman: You have a substan- , tial service that has been running ioi live years. Mr. Keys: Twenty years. The chairman said the service hat been stabilised. It was not now a question of speculation concerning what passengers it would carry. Mr. Kevs said he was quite agreeable to furnish the particulars required. He would like in the meantime a ruling in respect to the Parnell baths. The Chairman: I am afraid we cannot help von there. We cannot deal with that in view of the amendment that the application be deferred. Mr Kevs: T am thinking of the public. The inananer. Mr. A. E. Ford, objected to a stop being made at the Painell baths. Under the present license the operator was prevented from picking up passengers on trips to the city oi st tin" down passengers on trips from the 1 citv within fifteen chains of the baths ' If 'that ri"ht were conceded it would ' interfere with the board's service_ to 1 Point Resolution, which was only just paying.