TO BE REDUCED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 20 November 1937, Page 9

TO BE REDUCED

TAXIS IN CHRISTCHURCH

WAGES AND FARES

[By Telegraph—Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, 18th November. The number of taxi-cabs operating in the Christchurch Transport District is to be reduced from 165 to 134. This pronouncement was made by the Metropolitan Transport Licensing Authority for the Christchurch district which also announced its acceptance of the principle of basing fares on "cab miles” rather than on "passenger miles.” Directions were also made bv the licensing authority regarding wages to be paid to taxi drivers, and the announcement was also made that "the system of payment by way of commision on earnings is prohibited ” The licensing authority held two public sittings in Christchurch, one in. September and the other in October, to receive evidence and representations in favour of or against the granting o£ applications lor passenger service licences. Eighty-four persons made applications for licences in respect of 157 vehicles.

To-day’s meeting of the authority was presided over by the Mayor, Mr J. W. Beanland, and associated with him were Councillors T. Milliken, J. S» Barnett, and E. Parlane.

Gold Band Taxis Ltd., represented by Mr C. S. Trillo, which had applied for 52 licences, was granted 42, and the Rink Taxis Ltd., which had applied for 23 licences, was granted 21. The remaining 71 licences were granted to private individuals each operating only one taxi cab. The licences commence to-day and expire on 31st March, 1938. The v/ages o' drivers are to be award wages where an award is in force, otherwise they are lo be not less than £4 10s a week, plus an additional 2s for every hour in excess of ten hours spent in driving a taxi within any period of 24 hours during that week. The sytem of payment by way of commission on earnings is prohibited.