TAXES IN THE CITY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22415, 31 May 1938, Page 9

TAXES IN THE CITY

ISSUE OF VEHICLE AUTHORITIES REDUCTION IN NUMBER TO BE CONSIDERED Whether the number of taxi vehicle authorities in Christchurch should be reduced will be considered by the Metropolitan Licensing Authority within the next fortnight. The authority held a meeting yesterday to consider applications for new licences and for the renewal of existing ones. Sir A. W. Brown, for Blue Star Taxis. Ltdsubmitted that the authority should consider whether the number of vehicle authorities held by Gold Band Taxis (42) should be allowed to stand. The authority heard evidence from Sir R. G. Golding, manager of Gold Band Taxis, against Mr Brown’s submissions and will consider it between now and the next meeting on June IX The Mayor. Mr R. JI. Macfarlane. presided, as chairman of the licensing authority. The other members, who were present, are Messrs E. Parlane, H. E. Denton. E. H. Andrews, and T. Milliken. There were •« applications for renewal of licences involving 138 vehicle authorities and two applications for new licences, one from W. H. Harding and one from W. F- Collins. All of the applicants for renewals. except four, applied ca the conditions governing their present licences. The four exceptions were C. S. Trillo. Rink Taxis. H. M. Keith, and J. McGregor. C- S. Trillo asked for 52 vehicle authorities, with none for private hire compared with the 41 ordinary and one private hire which he held- Ke also asked that the fares prescribed b the authority be a flat rate for from one to five passengers instead of for one to two with an additional sixpence for each additional passenger as at present. He further asked that the points of commencement and termination be bom Christchurch to anywhere in New Zealand. Mr R. A. Young, appearing for Mr Trillo. said Mr Trillo had left the country, and his interest in the business had been taken * over by Gold Band Taxis. Ltd. He said he was authorised to withdraw the application for more vehicle authorities and to ask only for the renewal of the existing licences. He also asked that fares be left as they were, and that a general objection entered by ■Mr Trillo against the renewal off licences to all except Rink Taxis,' Ltd- on the ground that they had not kept proper records and time books in accegdar.ee with the conditions of their Iktotes. and the 1935 regulations should be withdrawn. Submitting that the authority should consider whether the number off vehicle authorities held by Gold Band Taxis. Ltd., should be allowed to. stand. Mr Brown said the company had 33 vehicles only in constant use. The others were brought out only in rush periods. “Obviously the 42 vehicles cannot be on the road at the one time." said Mr Young in reply. “Some days these are 30 on the road and some days 4#. There are times when the company 'has not enough cars to supply the demand.” - Manager’s Evidence Ralph George Golding, manager off Gold Band Taxis. Ltd- said in evidence that the 42 authorities were cot used every week, but there were net enough vehicles to go round at peak periods. The company employed 33 drivers on full time, and put casuals on in the rush periods under the conditions .laid down by the Minister for Transport. In answer to Mr Brown. Mr Golding said he was allowed by the regulations to emplov only.half his regular drivers. 16, oh. Sunday. .He employed six: casuals, making 22 drivers in allEaster was the only time, he employed casuals with his 33 regular drivers. The authority agreed to note an objection from Mr Young against having to call evidence to show why the number of vehicle authorities held by Gold Band Taxis should remain unaltered. Mr Young said be had had no notice before the meeting that an objection was to be lodged and had had no • chance to get the necessary evidence together. .... Rink Taxis. Ltd- applied for 21 vehicle authorities, but asked_ that they be all private-hire vehicles instead of 14 private-hire and seven ordinary as at present The company also sought permission to dispense with meters. For the company, the Hon. W. Hayward. M.L.C- said the reason the change was sought was that he was convinced that the clientele off lank Taxis did not appreciate and_ did cot require meters. He was satisfied he would have to conceal them if the authority ruled that they should he fitted. He recognised that the change would prevent Rink Taxis from going on to the stands or picking up teres in the streets. Transfer Sought H. M. Keith asked that the licence at present held in the name of Beatrice Keith should be transferred to him. He said his wife did not want to he in the taxi business any longer, and that he had taken over the car. J. McGregor asked that his authority be for. a private-hire vehicle and that he be given authority to dispense with a meter. The applications- for new licences were objected to by Gold Band Taxis. Blue Star Taxis, and Rink Taxis. Mr Hayward said his was not a personal objection, but he wished to point out . that the Minister for Transport had decided to reduce licences In Christchurch. and that his firm had lost two. If fresh licences were to be granted he would like to apply for the restoration of th-.se two. , The authority will consider the submissions made to it during the next fortnight and announce its decisions at the next meeting, on June IX