TAXI REFUSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24346, 7 August 1942, Page 2

TAXI REFUSED

TOTALISATOR STAFF TRIP TO THAMES RACES The first appeal against a decision of the Taxi Commission was made by a taxi-driver, Mr. P. Cannings, at a 1 meeting of the Metropolitan Licensing 1 Authority yesterday. Mr. Cannings stated that an application for permission to drive some of the totalisator staif to Paeroa for the Thames races on Saturday had been refused. It was stated the totalisator men had to arrive to set the tickets and cash in readiness before the main staff arrived by train. As they would have to balance the cash afterward they would be unable to return by the race train and would have to stay over the week-end. Although the commission said that they could go by train, it would mean tliat they would have to be away four days, a loss of two days. Mr. J. A. C. Allum raised the question whether the application was in order, as the regulation stated that an appeal should be made on the grounds that the decision was contrary to the public interest or was the cause of hardship to the appellant. The appellant in this case would suffer no hardship. If there was an appeal it should be by the men who wished to travel. "If these men could not go they might not be able to hold the meeting," said Mr. 11. A. Anderson, in moving that the appeal be dismissed. "The country might thus lose some taxation. That would be the only appeal on the grounds of public interest. The work may be skilled, but they might be able to get somebody wild is on the spot to do it. Anyway, it means only a couple of days' loss to a few men." The appeal was dismissed. NOWHERE ELSE TO GO YOUNG PEOPLE IN HOTEL MAGISTRATE'S COMMENT (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday "There is nothing for these young people to do and nowhere to go. If they want to have a decent quiet evening' out they have to go to an hotel. I myself have seen many of these young people roaming around the streets, as they are told they cannot go here and cannot go there." This comment was made by Mr. E. C. Lcvvcy, S.M., to-day, when six men, including soldiers, and _ five young women, were charged with being on licensed premises after hours. Counsel said the men had gone to the hotel at the invitation of a boarder for a sing-song. One man was a total abstainer. No penalty, except the payment of costs, was imposed on eight of the party, and two had the charges dismissed, while one was fined £2 for purchasing liquor. The magistrate emphasised that the law must not be broken, even although the young people had not gone to the hotel to purchase liquor. A charge against the publican and the barman was adjourned for a week. RAILWAY TRUCK FIRE DESTRUCTION OF GOODS (P.A.) . ASHBURTON, Thursday An unusual fire resulted in the loss of women's stockings, knitting wool, bicycle tyres, crockery and carpets consigned to Orari. A fire broke out in a truck on a night goods train. The truck was dropped at the racecourse siding, but the fire brigade was unable to save it or its contents. MENINGITIS CASES EIGHT MORE REPORTED The increase in the number of cerebrospinal meningitis cases, which was predicted by the Health Department as likely in the Auckland district on account of the seasonal conditions, is reflected in the reports received by the department during the past six days. In that period eight positive cases and three doubtful ones have been notified. The incidence is expected to persist until the weather improves. AN ABSENT MAYOR POSITION IN TIMARU (P.A.) TIMARU, Thursday The Timaru Borough Council last week declined to grant an extension of leave to the Mayor, Major ■W. G. Tweedy, who is Red Cross Commissioner overseas, and following this decision the acting-Mayor, Mr. P. B. Foote, announced his intention of contesting the mayoralty. Since then, a confidential document has come into the hands of the council which to-night discussed it in committee, and on resuming in open meeting it was decided to secure the opinion of the borough solicitor on the decision of the council relating to an election. SONS IN FORCES FAMILY'S FINE RECORD "This family has certainly done its bit for the war effort, and it has a remarkable record," said the chairman of the No. 2 (Auckland) Armed Forces Appeal Board, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, yesterday, when T. S. Sampson, garage j proprietor, appealed for his son, George | Samuel Sampson. The appeal was adi journed sine die. I The appellant said he had five sons ; already in the forces and another would ; shortly be old enough to go. Of the ! two boys overseas one had recently lost | two limbs as a result of wounds. Ap- ! pellant, who was over 60, had volun- | tarilv left his business to enter an essential industry and was working 70 hours a week. The seventh son, who was the subject of the appeal, was the only one remaining in appellant's business, and appellant wished to retain him there to provide a living in post-war years. YOUNG GROUP CAPTAIN (Special Correspondent) LONDON. Aug. 6 Group Captain S. C. El worthy, D.5.0., D.F.C., A.F.C., of Timaru, aged 31, is one of the three youngest group captains in the Royal Air Force. He entered the R.A.F. in 1933. Ho

operated with a Blenheim squadron early in the war and then was posted to staff duties. He is now officer commanding plans at the Bomber Command. The majority of the group captains in the R.A.F. to-day have served for 20 years before reaching that rank.