Says People Not Taking Tyre Shortage Seriously

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1942, Page 2

Says People Not Taking Tyre Shortage Seriously

“We have been asking people to refrain from travelling to conserve rubber, but they won’t take it seriously. The Minister says we have only six week’s supply of tyres in New Zealand, and in a short period we won’t, have any rubber.” This comment was made by the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr. E. J. Phelan) in Whangarei yesterday, when considering an application by Norman’s Motors Ltd. (Mr. D. Ross), for reinstatement of a Sunday trip previously operated from Hikurangi and voluntarily relinquished in an endeavour to conserve tyres. Operators had assisted a good deal, but the position had not changed, and it Kvas a question whether such a service was warranted in view of the shortage of tyres, said the authority in reserving his decision.

G. W. Prescott (Mr. Ross) applied for a taxicab license. Mr. Ross stated that Ruakaka had been affected by the cancellation of Hutley Motors Ltd.’s service between Whangarei and Auckland, and Ruakaka people were now using the railway station at Oakleigh. A private taxi license would be of great service to the people, and fill a gap in their transport, while the taxi would be worked in conjunction with the bus service Prescott was at present operating. ■ Evidence in support of the application twas given by Mr. E. J. Robertson, a settler, and the authority reserved his decision. Transfer of licenses from J. Paterson (Mr. A. C. Lamb) to C. Young, and from K. Webb to A. J. Wilkinson, were approved, while the authority reserved decision on an application by K. Erceg (Mr. A. M. Steadman) for a small car as an additional vehicle for his bus service.

The application of E. V. Ralls, Ltd., for a license for a larger vehicle to replace the one in use was granted, while a transfer of a license from R. T. Wilson to E. V. Ralls. Ltd., and from L. G. Gulbransen to G. H. Gulbransen was approved.

Application by S. W. Prime (Mr. Lamb) for a new license to run a feeder service in cream collection was granted. An application by C. R. Powell for a license for carrying racehorses and pedigree stock was not prosecuted and was adjourned sine die.