TAXI’S TAKINGS OF £4000

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29234, 18 June 1960, Page 11

TAXI’S TAKINGS OF £4000

High Figure Questioned

•‘The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, June 17. Gross takings of £4OOO a year estimated from one city publichire taxi were questioned by Mr N. M. Speer at a meeting of the Metropolitan Licensing Authority. He said the figure seemed “rather high.” But the applicant for the transfer of two licences to a limited liability company said he had proved that this could be done by double-shifting a cab and making it fully operative. Patrick Richard O’Brien said he had been operating a cab himself. He might apply later for another licence. The company seeking two transfers to it was Charter Taxis (N.Z.), Ltd. A statement showing an estimated net surplus of £3510 in the next 18 months was tabled by the applicant company. Mr Speer commented that this sum was after providing for drivers’ wages, vehicle expenses and depreciation. This meant more than £2300 in 12 months, and with wages, expenses and depreciation added would amount to a gross income of something like £4OOO a year. A public accountant, Jack B. P. Cameron, confirmed the figure of £3510 after providing for wages, depreciation and expenses. He said the estimate provided for £47 a week being available for creation of a reserve operating three vehicles.

He had started out at £45 per cab but found this was too low. His client was an efficient operatoThe authority reserved decision so that the figures could be studied.