RIVAL COMPANIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21505, 31 May 1933, Page 14

RIVAL COMPANIES

COMPETITION AND liAW « * ■ \ ' SERVICES TO HIKURANGI PLAIN SPEAKING AT MEETING [by telegraph —own correspondent] ■ WHANG AEEI, Tuesday There was some plain speaking at the meeting to-day of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority when applications were being heard for renewal of licences concerning Whangarei-Hikurangi services by the Northern Motor Bus Company, Limited, and J. Norman and Sons. Mr. L. A. Johnson, for the bus company, said that for some years the two services had been operating, each running alternate hours during week days. He considered present conditions warranted a trip only every hour and a-half and hourly on Saturday. Mr. S. C. Thorno, for Norman and Son:;, said his clients felt that two services wore not warranted, and he suggested the service bo left solely with Norman and Sons, Avho would undertake to carry passengers only for beyond Kamo and to Hikurangi, the bus company to have the service between Whangarei and Kamo. . Mr. Johnson: My clients resent this suggestion. If there is to be any push-ing-off of one service from the Hikurangi run, as the pioneer company, the Northern Bus Company should retain the service. Norman and Sons really pirated the service. My clients have a large fleet of buses with depots, etc., which Norman and Sons do not possess. Mr. Thorne: This is Norman and Sons' only means of livelihood, while the bus company has a number of other services in operation. My clients also strongly object to the bus company running a motor-car service, which is unlicensed for the purpose of taking miners daily to and from Hikurangi.

The Chairman, Mr. W. Jones: 1' have received advice in this particular connection from commissioner, and I would like tic hear some explanation from the bus company. Mr. Johnson: 1 contend this meeting to-day is for considering renewals and not how the services are run. If we are running wrongly why are we not prosecuted? Mr. Jones: We are here to get information.

Mr. Johnson said t>he position was that the miners had hired the car from the bus company and were running the service themselves. The company was prepared to discontinue the service forthwith by taking back the car. This would affect the miners considerably. "The board does not want to do anything detrimental to the miners," isaid the chairman. "They will have an opportunity of stating their case, and ][ will invito them here to-morrow. The board has been lenient on occasions during the year in endeavouring to assist, but as far as enforcement is concerned, I consider there have been more broken laws in this district than in any other part of New Zealand. From now on I want it clearly understood the regulations- are going to be enforced right up to the letter. Inspectors will be here to carry that ouL The leniency we have given has appai ently not been appreciated." Mr. Johnson asked could the car service be continued until the end of the week.

Mr. Jones: That is a matter for yourself, but I can give you no authority to do so.

The matter was adjourned to permit the miners to be present to-morrow.