BUS TRAFFIC

Gisborne Times, Volume LXII, Issue 10039, 16 June 1925, Page 4

BUS TRAFFIC

AIOTION TO QUA-Sl-I BY-LA AY

AUCKLAND OALSTBUS CO. v CITY COUNCIL-.

•PRESS ASSOCT V WON»

AUCKLAND, June lb

At the Supreme Court, the proprietors of the Auckland Omnibus Coy. are moving to quash the City Connoil’s new by-law controlling bus ti attic on the ground that, it is unreasonable, partial, unequal in operation, oppressive and discloses kad faith, is in restraint of trade, and Uitia

nres. ~ , , r Counsel for the applicants. A.r Meredith, said the broad issue was whether the Council acted bona fide, the Council having an individual interest from competition with the tramway service. •S'r .Tames Gun son, ex-May or. gave evidence that the tramways manager had reported at least twice on the posit*o:i regarding bus competitionand ind ented that, unless buses were restricted, the Conned woo’d be faced with a serious w-s-thui. Witness had never said tho* Council's expenditure of £1,250 000 on the purchase of the tin ins' in 1019 was threatened bv the buses and that they would be just Tied crushing competition by anv means. He bad never adopted that attitude. His policy bad always been to conserve the interests of the trainways. T-Te had maintained that it was ncccssarv tor the Council to get ■control of the bus traffic for the purpose of preventing wasteful competition. His mind was obviously occupied with c : tv finances. In respect o? this mat-tor. the bv-law did net emanate from him and be was away from Auckland when the discussion took place. . , G. R. Hogan, chief cifcv traffic inalso*gave evidence regarding need for relieving the congestion in Queen Street. The Court adjourned tdl to-morrow.