BUS LICENSE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1937, Page 5

BUS LICENSE

CLAIM FOR £IOOO petition to parliament. (Per Press Association—Copyright). AVELLINGTON, September 14. A sum of £IOOO in compensation was claimed by Mr Andrew Fleming /Shanks, of YVaimate, in a petition presented to-day to Parliament, the claim being based on Mr Shanks being deprived of his living through an enactment of Parliament.

The petition states that in May, 1931, Mr Shanks 'bought the original AVaimate to Timaru bus service for £6QO. Before this he lost a leg through an accident, and put £3OO of his compensation money in the purchase, which was made before the passing of the Transport Licensing Act. The balance was arranged by way of mortgage on the bus, and during the period of working Mr Shanks was able to reduce the principal. But in November, 1931, the Transport Licensing Act was passed. . The licensing authority granted petitioner a license, but this was revoked on appeal. The petitioner stated that he had made every endeavour to sell the bus, but had been unsuccessful, and had made every endeavour to obtain a livelihood through the use of tne vehicle. Two applications he made to be allowed to run from Timaru to Waimate were refused. He then succeeded in selling his bus at a figure sufficient to clear the liability, but the requirements of the transport licensing autnority for repairs led to the deal falling through, and because of those lequtrements the bus was considered at present almost valueless Petitioner submitted that bis incapacity did not prevent him from being a competent driver; but no one would give him work when there were hundreds of other drivers not suffering, from any incapacity. An effort was made to have the legislation amended to allow the petitioner’s application to go through, but failed. The petition suggested that since he. had been deprived of his living through an enactment, and could not obtain any remedy under its' terms, ancT as the then Government realised the unfairness of the enactment and altered its provisions as they applied to goods services, and for other stated reasons he should be granted £IOOO as compensation for the loss he had suffered.

The petition was presented by Mr T) Barnes, the member for AA 7 aitaki.