“PIRATE” BUSES

Evening Star, Issue 22070, 2 July 1935, Page 14

“PIRATE” BUSES

TRANSPORT PROSECUTIONS [Per United Press Association.] GISBORNE, July 1. The not uncommon practice of the travelling public utilising unlicensed oars for transport from one town ‘to another, mainly on the score of cheaper fares, resulted in lengthy proceedings to-day before Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., when Gordon Colin Isabeth was charged with operating an unlicensed passenger service between Gisborne and Auckland and with being without a heavy traffic license. Marion Ada Beattie and James Sidney Beattie were charged with acting as agents for an unlicensed passenger service operated by Isabeth. Mr E. H. Barrett, chief traffic officer of the Transport Department, who pro; secuted, said that Isabeth ha<j been engaged in an unlicensed service between Gisborne and Auckland which he had been carrying on for the past two years. After evidence had been given the heavy traffic charge was dismissed.

Mr Barrett said thatsearching inquiries were made regarding all passengers booked up. Members of the. Police Force and service drivers had booked up, but had been declined. As long as nine days had been taken to investigate an intending passenger’s bona fide«. The whole thing was very carefully organised. He himself had tried to .get a passage, but had failed. He was instructed to ask for a very substantial penalty. The defendant was fined £lO and £6 Bs fid costs. Mrs Beattie was fined £lO and costs (£3 125.9 d), apd the. charge against her husband, was dismissed., James Murray was charged with Tunning an unlicensed passenger service from Gisborne to Auckland, and with not' providing a third-party insurance cover. The defendant was fined £lo and costs on the first charge, and £2 and costs on: the third-party insurance charge. Mrs Beattie, oh a charge of acting as an agent for Murray, was fined £2 and costs, a similar charge against her husband being dismissed.