LICENCE CHALLENGED

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 137, 6 December 1935, Page 11

LICENCE CHALLENGED

BUSES TO RACE MEETING

An appeal by the Government Railways Board against a decision by the No. 6 Licensing Authority granting a temporary passenger service licence to the Bell Bus Co., Ltd., to operate between Wellington and Trentham on October 26 and 23 last, the dates of the Wellington Racing Club's Spring Meeting, came before the Transport Co-ordination Board today. The board reserved its decision.

Mr. F. W. Aickin appeared for the Railways Board and Mr. F. C. Spratt for the Bell Bus Co., Ltd.

Mr. Spralt's first submission ' was that the licence had expired, and it was not the business of the board to make a declaration in regard to what had been done s>i the past. It might be suggested by Mr. Aickin that the reason the Railways Board desired a decision was so that it would be prepared for any future applications. His reply to that was that it was for the local licensing authority to consider every application on its merits and in the circumstances prevailing at the time the application was made.

In reply to the chairman, counsel said that he did not intend to press the point.

On behalf of the Railways Board, My. Aickin contended that the race meeting was adequately served by the train service. In addition, he said, there were certain railway buses available.

Sir Stephen Allen: There were a number of taxis licensed at the same time.

Mr. Spratt: About 36, and 24 the time before.

Sir Stephen Allen: I was wondering why the Railways Board was not appealing against the taxis.

Mr. Spratt said that the Bell Bus Co., Ltd., was given a licence to run four buses to the race meeting. It was contended that the railways bus service to Upper Hutt could be disregarded. As for the train service, experience showed that there was a large number of people who preferred to travel by road, and it was contended that if they wished to do so they should be given that right. The bus company was not in competition with the railways in the fare' charged.