MOTOR-BUSES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 9, 5 October 1917, Page 6

MOTOR-BUSES

FEES TOII OUTSIDE VEHICLES.

There was n lively discussion in the City Council last evening °" the question of what license fees motor-cars ai.rt buses running into the city from Petone and elsewhere should pay the city ine council had decided to charge a fee of £25 per annum, and a request was' made that the charge should be reduced. 1 he Finance Committee recommended that the fee be £Z per vehicle. The Mayor explained that this decision had been come to because the service was cr.o for the convenience of the public, made solely on account of the railway authorities having curtailed the railway service. Councillor A. E.. Atkinson raised a protest against the .£3 fee on the scoro that one firm concerned, after inquiring into their position, had offered to compromise at. JES, and he spoke of the soft-headed, soft-hearted, muddling man-ao-ement of municipalities.' He moved, the fee he £b instead of .£3. )■ Councillor'Luekie pointed out that this was a business in which there was' no goodwill concerned, and which would cease on the railways commencing a normal service again. Councillor AV. H. P. Barber also stated that the running of these buses was a business concern, and should be treated as such. • They charged 5s a head to take people to Trentham, and he pointed out that these buses travelled, over move than a penny section m the city. Councillor JPKcMie pointed out that the municipalities concerned could retaliate by imposing an extra license fee lor motor-cars passing through their districts. He also said that the services wre a great benefit to workers who had to come into the city to their various businesses. ~ ~' Councillor G. B. Norwood said _ the matter should be treated as a business one. He had so far failed to see where the people came vn, on whose behalf he had 'heard many pathetic.appeals. If it could be shown that the buses'were running at a loss they should show the •Finance Committee that they were doing so; if thev wcrH making a profit, were business concerns and should be treated as such. . The amendment was carried by 0 to G.