TAXI-MAN’S CLAIM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22446, 29 September 1947, Page 6

TAXI-MAN’S CLAIM

REFUSAL OF LICENSE CITY COUNCIL SUED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. Because the Wellington City Council cancelled the license of a taxidriver and later refused to issue a new license when it was applied for, the taxi-driver, Karen Joseph Ramon, brought a case before Mr. Justice Christie in the Supreme Court yesterday. Ramon (Mr. J. C. White) asked the court for a writ of certiorari or, alternatively, a writ of mandamus. He asked for an order for the council to rehear his application for'a license and also for an order quashing the decision of the council refusing to grant a license on the grounds that an inquiry conducted by the council was not conducted in a judicial manner. The case arose out of an inquiry held by the by-laws committee of the City Council in February of last year, following a camplaint that Ramon, had overcharged a passenger. The by-laws committee recommended that his license be cancelled, although Ramon alleged, and it was admitted by the council, that the passenger who complained did not appear before the committee to give evidence. The council revoked Ramon's license on March 4, 1946. Later, he made application for a new license which was refused. The statement of the defence claimed that the council was a statutory body charged with the duty of issuing taxi licenses and was obliged to make such inquiries as it thought proper on the character of applicants and was forbidden to issue a license unless it was satisfied that the applicant was a person of good character. The statement added: “The defendant is not satisfied that the applicant is a person of good character and has, in terms of the motor drivers’ regulations, refused to issue the license applied for.”

The statement added that the refusal to grant a license to Ramon was the decision reached after a full and proper inquiry. The court heard legal argument on the powers and jurisdiction of the City Council. The hearing is proceeding.