TAXI DRIVER’S AGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4475, 16 February 1917, Page 6

TAXI DRIVER’S AGE.

FURTHER ARGUMENT AGAINST BY-LAW. Further argument was heard by Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, in the case in which a youth named Valentine AYyllie was charged with a breach of the Borough by-law, which declare.? that no person under the age of 18 years should be eligible to drive a taxi-car for hire. Mr Burnard, who appeared for defendant, in mentioning the matter yesterday, said there was another objection to the by-law. He said that the clause under which the information was laid conflicted with another clause which fixed the license fee at 10s 6d. A driver was not licensed until he went before the proper authority and was tested. Air Barton asked whether counsel meant that the Council were not justified in issuing a license until the applicant's qualifications were tested. Air Barnard replied in the affirmative. He said that after satisfying the Borough Council and paying Ins license fee the applicant had received from the Council permission to drive for hire. He referred to a decision of Air Justice Williams which showed that a Borough Council’s powers in passing by-laws were limited. ..vu’ Barnard argued that a by-law must be reasonable and quoted from the judgment of Air. Justice. "Williams in which a bv-law of the Alaori Hill Borough Council. Dunedin, had boon held to = be unreasonable because it prohibited any nerson from driving a vehicle on the street carrying a load of over 15 C wt unless the tyres were four inches in width. Air Barnard contended that it would require special power before a Borough Council could fix the age at which a lad could commence any trade or calling within the Borough. . Air. Barton said that the by-laws were made under Municipal perations Act, Public A\ orbs Act, and Motor Regulations Act. Air Barnard submitted that none ot these acts contained authority to fix Mv Vhurtcn remarked that that was j ust what lie had been looking for. He would consider the matter iuithei before giving his decision.