PLYING FOR HIRE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 October 1927, Page 5

PLYING FOR HIRE.

COMPETITION OF OARS WITHOUT LOCAL LICENSES.

BOROUGH COUNCIL REFERS COMPLAINT TO ITS OFFICERS.

A complaint was received by the Levin Borough Council last evening flom local licensed taxi-drivers that a number of cars not licensed by the Codhcil were carrying passengers and receiving fares. In the letter containing the complaint they stated that service cars picked up passengers in and around Levin to cany them for short journeys only. They drew attention to the fact that the Stratford Borough Council had enforced payment of taxi licenses in respect of service cars passing through the borough, and they asked that this Council either take steps to prevent cars unlicensed in the borough from picking up local fares, or else enforce on the owners the payment of the same license fees as arc charged to taxi proprietors. A request was also made for a list of the, licensed taxi-drivers in Levin, and the writers stated that they understood that a number of unlicensed cars were plying for payment in Levin.

Or. Parker stated that there was justice behind the request. The taxiowners paid licenses to the Council for certain rights, and if others were enjoying the rights and not paying for licenses it was unfair. With regard to the through-travelling cars, it was a fairly open question as yet whether they could be charged by the several local bodies through whose districts they passed. The Overseer (Mr 11. Channings) said he thought that fresh regulations were being brought down lo deal with service cars.

Cr. Keodwell, explaining a portion oi“ the taxi-drivers’ letter, stated that when races were being held in the district, there were private car-owners who picked up passenger loads and carried them at so much a head. This was the grievance that was affecting the licensed drivers more than any other.

Cr. Hutchings moved and Cr. Bishop seconded, that the complaint be referred to the officers concerned.

Cr. Mortcnsou, giving an example, said that a service car would take "up a passenger and carry him to the station or to Ohau. If such a trip was charged at the fare payable to the next town he would not object. . The Town Clerk (Mr H. L. Jenkins') stated that he had mentioned this matter at a meeting of the District Town Clerks’ Association, in Palmerston N., after the judgment which affirmed the right of the Stratford Borough Council to charge licenses to service cars. The attitude of the delegates was that as long as the heavy traffic license fees were paid by the service companies, the position did not call for farther action.

The motion was carried, and the Town Clerk was instructed to supply the licensed drivers with the information they sought as to licenses issued.