THE NIMBLE "TAXI."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1215, 25 August 1911, Page 5

THE NIMBLE "TAXI."

PROPOSED REGULATIONS, INSPECTION AND FAKES. A report embodying suggested regulfc fions for (ho control of licensed automobile traffic in Wellington was submitted to the City Council last evening by Mr. P. 0. Spry, the- recently-appointed motorcar inspector to tho corporation. The inspector stated that all the taxi-cabs plying: for kiro on tho cily streets at llio present time had been inspected—cars at present oh" tlin streets for repairs would bo inspected and tested as soon as they were on Hie road. "Out of the number inspected," commented the inspector, "fully 5 per cent, failed to pass, cliiefly owing to unsatisfactory brakes, and were not allowed to ply for hire again until the defects were remedied and the br.ik.ee tested. In ono caso th<i vehicle ha<l iusufh'cifnt brakes and a license was therefore refused. The inspection of these motors will liavo to be frequent, systematic, and thorough, otherwise it will be of little use, as experience has convinced mo that some of those motors would in a short tinio bo as bad as ever if not inspected frequently. They should bo inspected onco n month." As to tho regulation?, it was suggested that every person driving a motor-oar should possess a certificate of competency. Applicants should bo at least eighteen, years of age, must show by practical, driving tests and oral examinations that they are sufficiently acquainted with the working nnd uso of all the gear, and are reasonably good judges of speed and distance. They must have had at least six months' previous experience in driving motor-cars, and must bo able to produce two testimonies from previous employers as to general good conduct and sobvioty. These regulations extend to every person driving a motor vehicle in any • commercial undertaking. Tho Cily Council would issno a certificate to every ownerdriver of a motor-car used solely as a pleasure car, providing the owner has bocn driving for not less tlian six months prior to the regulations coming into force. In all other cases tho applicant for a certificate must pass an examination.

Cars plying for hire or engaged iu commercial undertakings should be inspected before being licensed; taxi-cabs and cars engaged in carrying passengers to bo inspected once a month; or ua often as necessary.

In regard to speed, the inspector suggests a limit of two miles an lionr when turning into oroutof Cuba, Willis, Manners, Vivian, liiEesire, Ghiiznee, Taranaki, Tory, and JSllico Street, Courtcnay Placo, Customhouse Quay, Lambton Quay, and Kent Terrace; in no caso should a car turn a curlier at a greater speed than, four miles an hour; the speed limit in the city should not exceed 20 miles an hour.

Tho suggested regulations with regard to fares stipulated that nil licensed taxioiibs .should bo equipped with approved taxiinttcrs, and that, saving for a special tlmoengagement, it would be au offence for Hie fare registered by tho taximeter to be deported from. Distance fares would be at the rate of Is. per mile- for ono person, and Gd. per nulc each for two or more- persons. Time chorees woreto be fixed at 15s. for the first, hour, 12s. Gd. for the second hour, nnd 10s. for every additional hour; fractional parts of mi hour to be at pro rota rates, and tho hirer to have :lho option of paying by lime or by distance. Detention rates were fixed at Is. Gd. for every fifteen minutes or fractional part of tliot period after tho firs,t five minutes. Kales for special orders were laid down at 15s. per hour between 7 p.m. and midnight; 25.e. per hour between midnight and G n.m.j tho minimum charge for any special order to lw fis. per hour. The regulations were referred to the Br-laws Committee for consideration and report.