CARS v. BUSES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 291, 4 September 1931, Page 8

CARS v. BUSES

Hutt Road Competition MOTORISTS CHARGED Absence of Licenses The legality of motorists plying for hire between Petone and Wellington when not licensed either under the city by-laws or the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act, was questioned in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when proceedings were taken Dy the corporation against a number of car owners. The magistrate, Mr. W. H. Woodward, reserved his decision. In all there were nine charges, and in the eight that were called pleas of not guilty were entered. Mr. G. G. Watson appeared for seven defendants, and Mr. J. O’Shea, city solicitor,- appeared for the corporation. Addressing the bench Mr. O'Shea detailed observations and notes taken by inspectors as to the numbers of passengers carried at various times by defendants. The particular class of vehicle concerned In the charges, he said, was referred io as a “pirater” by the motor omnibus owners. In many cases, he said, eight and up to ten passengers had been carried, including the driver. Evidence of actual occurrences was given by three corporation employees. None of the vehicles was licensed either under the city by-laws or the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act, it was stated. For the defence, Mr. Watson contended that the drivers could not be proceeded against under the Motor Omnibus Act, as the cars concerned were of the type commonly known as seven-seaters. They were not designed to carry more than seven people. As far as the by-law licensing was concerned, Mr. Watson presented legal argument designed against the bylaw itself. Mr. O’Shea contended that as the cars could carry more than seven people, with reasonable comfort, they should be classed as vehicles under the Motor Omnibus flip A After lengthy legal argument had been heard, thu magistrate reserved his decision.