RENTAL CAR LICENCES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27688, 18 June 1955, Page 9

RENTAL CAR LICENCES

OPERATORS SEEK INCREASE PLAN TO MEET SEASONAL DEMANDS The hearing of 15 applications by rental car proprietors and others for increases in rental car licences, and for the granting of new licences, began • in Christchurch on Thursday before the No. 9 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr J. A. Bretherton). Submissions were made by nine rental car proprietors, who are collectively seeking i 25 per cent increase in licences curing peak periods. At the end of the sitting, the hearing was adjourned sine die. The Authority still has to hear evidence nd submissions against the granting at the increases, and evidence supporting the granting of increases and new fences to those opposing the collective application. Nine rental car proprietors collectively applied for an amendment to their rental car licences by authorising an increase in the number of cars operated from December 1 to April 30 each year by 25 per cent, of the number of cars at present authorised by each licence. These licences were opposed by six other applicants, seeking either new rental car licences or amendments to existing car licences by the authorisation of additional licences. At the same time, these applicants opposed by the nine seeking the seasonal licences, and each of the six opposed the other’s claims. Bine applicants for seasonal fcgacaa, with their counsel, were: AJ«fc«ld*s Garage, Ltd., Christchurch Cars, Ltd., Gold Band Services’ ***• Ford and Spicer, Ltd., and Leslie gande Evans (Mr R. A. Young); C. L. Rhodes Rental Cars and Trucks, Ltd., aad Alfred Cecil Rhodes (Mr B. A. David Crozier, Ltd. (Mr W. MasceHes); and Mutual Rental Cars, Umaru (Mr K. W. Walton).

1 New Applicants Tb® six new applicants and their were: Evan Anthony Ander"h Gainsborough Private Hotel. avenue, Vitacap, Ltd., 237 yurham street, Bryce Duncan William- ■*®» 59 Purchas street, and Walker’s Ltd., Riccarton road (Mr J. J. Haywood); Midland Motorways Serjc®. Ltd. (Mr C. S. Thomas); Rental Ltd., Timaru (Mr M. C. Gresjcn). In 1953 and 1954, said Mr Young, licensed operator in the area Jas granted a seasonal licence perthe operation of an additional P®r cent, of vehicles between Dejjmber and January—a period of two months. Experience had shown that jjs was necessary to meet public deand by increasing the fleets by Per cent., the existing operators had able to meet the seasonal de“tods of the public. pie demand remained high during j ■ summer and early autumn, with jeak again at Easter, said Mr Young, •n hi PUrpose ope rators was to £ aDie sufficient cars to operate from to April to cope, not only the two peaks at Christmas and • ew Year, but also at Easter and the

demand in the months bep n Christmas and Easter. ton °- mically . operators could not ‘ justify the purchase of more to operate during the existing demand, if they were to lie season, said Mr Young. ( jrti2 the ©Deration of these adcars> th-. ' would have to opj/je them for five months. From 1 until the end of November, the n Were sufficient cars available in R a J Censed fleets to meet all deHe submitted that the grantoi these seasonal licences was in e public interest. . Size of Present Fleets resent there were 174 rental cars toriA. opera ted on a permanent basis, to/*?® 56 were increased by 39 durseasonal peak period, said Mr altSi B’uEvidence 8 ’u Evidence would be given that • tlle tourist demand was not IkChristchurch, what demand °- curre d in December. DiraX. oma s Costelloe, governing »®ctor of Christchurch Rental Cars, and president of the New Zeaq u Hental Car Proprietors’ Associate w? ave evidence along the lines of Youngsubmissions. Lascelles, Barrer, and Walton Young’s submissions.