TAXI-DRIVERS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 278, 4 November 1924, Page 4

TAXI-DRIVERS.

AGE LIMIT AT NAPIER. Last night’s meeting of the Napier Borough Council amended the borough motor by-laws governing the age ot persons permitted to drive taxis, so that only persons of 20 years or over may obtain taxi-driver's licenses. Cr. J. C. Bryant, who brought the matter forward on notice of motion, proposed that the age should be reduced to eighteen years. In regard to the question of liability, in case of an accident it was clear trom the solicitors’ opinion that no responsibility would be shared by the council. Mr. Bryant agreed that there should be a limit somewhere but he thought that there were many young men quite capable of driving a taxi at eighteen. Durin gthe war, he added, brilliant work was done by youths in the air. Cr. Clark said that some of the best drivers in the Dominion were under the age of 21 years, and some of them travelled on the Napier-Wairoa and Napier-Taupo roads. The council had a responsibility to the public. Cr. Bennett said they did not want boys driving taxis. Eighteen years was too young. Cr. McGrath considered that 21 years was quite .young enough for any one to drive a taxi. Cr. Smith moved as an amendment that the age limit be 20 years. This was seconded by the Mayor. After further discussion Cr. Smith’s amendment was put to the meeting and carried.