TAXI-CABS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13364, 4 March 1909, Page 8

TAXI-CABS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

THE TRIAL TKIP.

Yesterday afternoon, at the invitation oi the proprietors, a member of the staff of ''The Press' , took part in the inaugural run of the first taxi-cab to be seen on the streets of iiio city. For a brief half hour one was a millionaire, quite oblivious and careless ol the revolutions of the recording angel in.strument by the side of tho driver wJiich kept piling up sixpences and threepences with unerring rapidity. Tho tub seats either four or two. The back is occupied by a luxuriously cushioned spring seat lor two, whilst in the lront opposite are two moveable seats which can bo brought down when required. Jn shape the new vehiclo resembles i four-wheeled cab and can ■easily bo opened to form a landau. Alongside the driver in the front with the recording face towards the passenger is the apparatus for indicating tho amount of the fare. A small handle, to which is attached a zinc flag having words "For hire" on ii is tho lever which starts the recording apparatus. So soon as the cab is hired the handle of the lever is pulled over and tho flag goes down. This sets in motion the machinery which indicates tho fare to he paid, starting with Is — the minimum sum. Then as tho enstanco is covered the sixpences and threepences appear on the dial. There is another indicator showing tho amount payable for waiting whilst a lady is shopping, etc. When a stop is mado for the latter purpose tho recordor is turned on to time and records this. When started again distance is taken into account unless the cab is hired altogether by time. This enables the passenger at once to ascertain the amount to bo paid, and saves any dispute. The new cab had only been put together a few hours after being unpacked but it ran beautifully smooth. One remarkable feature is the excellence of the lock of the carriage, tho cab being able to he turned rijiht round and round in its own length. Tho speed at which it travelled on the trial trip was from twelve to fourteen milos an hour. A broad corrugated rubber platform affords easy ingress and egress, and it ?s just the right height to mount comfortably. It is intended to place twelve of the taxi-cabs in commission at .in early date, pnd all the indicators are arranged on tno Fcalc of fares approved by the City Council.