SIGHT-SEEING TRIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 13

SIGHT-SEEING TRIPS

CATERING FOR TOURISTS POSITION AT ROTORUA TAXI-OWNERS SEEK LICENCES [by telegraph—OWN" correspondent] ROTORUA, Friday A meeting? of the No. 4 District Transport Licensing Authority was held to-day in Rotorua, when applications for licences in connection with the sight-seeing trips in the Rotorua district were dealt with. The applications were made by G. Robinson, D. M. Chase, W. J. Cormay and H. H. Davis, taxi proprietors, who were represented by Mr. W. A. Carter. The applications were opposed by the K Motor Services, Limited (Mr. P. A. Kusabs), the R.M. Transport Company, Limited (Mr. E. Roe) and the Rotorua Bus Company (Mr. J. D. Davys). Mr. Carter said the applications were made to meet requirements of visitors to Rotorua. Owing to the restrictions of the Transport Act his clients could not advertise or solicit business in connection with these trips and their cars could only be hjred as a whole and not by individual passengers. Borough Council's Support Those opposing the applications had certain sight-seeing trips in the district, said counsel, but, in view of the large number of visitors, it was considered that they were not fully catered for. The people who came to Rotorua mostly were made up of small parties and did not like to mix with others in travelling in the large cars provided by the companies, but preferred the smaller cars, continued Mr. Carter. The applicants had approached the borough council, which hau passed a resolution to the effect that the services applied for were necessary. Some of the applicants were pioneers of the sight-seeing trips and if granted the licences they would be able to earn a living. They had no desire to cut the fares, said Mr. Carter. The authority would recognise that Rotorua was in a unique position and was the leading tourist resort in New Zealand. It was desirable that people who came here should have every facility for seeing the sights and in the interests of the town sight-seeing services should not be bound by any time-table. Mr. E. T. Johnson, deputy-mayor, said that over a long period he had been closely associated with the interests of Rotorua and he saw no reason to doubt the estimated number of visitors that had been mentioned. He considered that everybody who came here should be catered for and when the rush season came visitors should be able to get any sight-seeing trip they desired. The needs of Rotorua were such as to warrant the granting of the licences applied for. Restrictions Imposed by Act

Cross-examined by Mr. Roe, witness said that the borough council, when discussing the matter in connection with these applications, had not .dealt with them in the interests of individuals, but as to the best that could be done for the town. Before the Licensing Act came into force he considered Rotorua well catered for, but as the services were bound by hard and fast regulations visitors now had not the same facilities.

Cross-examined by Mr. Davys, witness said he considered the present services were inadequate. If the existing companies were allowed to run at any time, without restriction, they would be able to cater adequately fgr the tourist traffic.

After the lunch adjournment, Mr. Logan, chairman of the authority, said that owing to a mistake in an advertisement giving notice of the sitting, they could not complete the hearing that day, as they must conform to the necessary legal formalities.

After a consultation of the solicitors it was suggested that they were prepared to waive the' formality if the authority would agree. The authority then agreed to complete the hearing of evidence and to defer the decision, as it would have to insert a fresh advertisement in the newspaper, in case fresh evidence was brought forward. The evidence of the applicants was heard and the sitting was adjourned.