Evidence On Rental Car Services In Christchurch

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27735, 12 August 1955, Page 5

Evidence On Rental Car Services In Christchurch

The scope and efficiency of rental car businesses in Christchurch were discussed before the No. 9 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr J. H. Bretherton) in Christchurch yesterday. It was the third day of the hearing of nine applications by existing operators for a 25 per cent increase in the number of cars licensed for the period from December 1 to April 30 each year. To these applications were six objections from individuals and companies who themselves were applicants for new rental car licences. The six applicants asked for a total of 35 cars. The sitting was adojurned at 5 JO p.m. to a date to be fixed. The nine original applicants were Archibalds Garage, Ltd., Rental Cars, Ltd., Gold Band Sendees, Ltd., Ford and Spicer, Ltd., and Leslie Claude Evans (all represented by Mr R. A. Young), C. L. Rhodes Rental Cars and Trucks, Ltd., and Alfred Cecil Rhodes (Mr B. A. Barrer), David Crozier (Mr W. R. Lascelles) and Mutual Rental Cars, Ltd. (Mr K. W. Walton). To these applications, objections were made by Evan Anthony Anderson, of the Gainsborough Private Hotel, Bealey avenue, Vitacap, Ltd., Durham street, Bryce Duncan Williamson, Purchas street, and Walkers Rentals, Ltd., Riccarton road (all represented by Mr J. S. Haywood), Midland Motorways Services, Ltd. Lichfield street (Mr C. S. Thomas), and Rental Vehicles, Ltd., Timaru (Mr M. C. Gresson). Bus Company’s Case “One would expect that imports of new cars would have more effect on rental services than, transport services, but the opposite is the case," said Mr J. J. B. Connor, general manager of Midland Motorways Services, Ltd., which is applying for a 10-car licence. “It would be in the public’s interest to be able to bring back a rental car at any time, especially when there is sickness,’’ said Mr Connor. “Our company has the staff and facilities to offer a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week service.” “The heavy importation of new cars over the last three or four years has made serious inroads into our traffic. As the company has been catering for public demand for about,2s years, it should be permitted to meet the changing demands of the public,” said Mr Connor. “It is apparent that there is an increasing demand for rental car service,” said Mr Connor. “The ligis-

lation does not intend that all future increases should accrue to existing operators. There should be some opportunity for new operators to enter the field." Charles Russell Hervey, managing director of Rental Vehicles, Ltd., Timaru, said his company was well experienced in the rental car business, and was the pioneer of rental truck service in South Canterbury He produced evidence which showed that Timaru had a rental car ratio of one to 657 persons, Wellington one to 623. and Christchurch one to 1007. Francis Murray King, manager of Rental Vehicles, Ltd., Timaru, gave evidence that on February 17, 1955, he visited Christchurch and interviewed rental car operators, to find the number of large vehicles available for hire. In his summary of vehicles in excess of 14 horse-power (six-cylinder) available on that day, he found that C. L. 'Rhodes Rental Cars and Trucks, Ltd. had no American cars; Gold Band Services. Ltd., no large cars of any kind; Archibalds Garage, Ltd., one large car: Mutual Rental Cars, Ltd, no oars; David Crosier, Ltd., no cars; and Rental Cars, Ltd., two large cars. Additional Applicant Heard Allister Ambrose Bruce (Mr G. H. Gould) asked that his application for a new rental car licence authorising the operation of two rental cars from his premises in Papanui road should be considered at the same time as the other applications. Long hours for which Mr Bruce’s service station were open enabled it to offer facilities to the public during week-ends, said Mr Gould. Mr Bruce produced a petition signed by 100 persons. “You say that these are signatures of your customers?” said Mr Barrer. “I suggest that if a petition was takeii objecting to the starting of a rental car service, you would get the same result" After long evidence had been heard, Mr Barrer submitted that an investigation, independent of the rental car industry itself should be made. Mr Lascelles said three days had already been spent in the hearing, and he had difficulty In supporting such a move. The Authority said he had already heard a large amount of evidence, and did not Intend to order an investigation. Mr Walton asked that witnesses be called by the objectors to the applications. “I am hesitant about hearing longer evidence, but that is your right,” said the Authority.