TAXICAB CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24624, 1 July 1943, Page 5

TAXICAB CONTROL

EARLY DIFFICULTIES THE SCARCITY OF TYRES Administration of the taxicab control system in Auckland was bristling with difficulties, stated members of the management committee of Auckland Taxi Services yesterday. They said it was difficult to carry out hard and fast rules for a form of transport in which conditions changed daily and almost hourly. It. had already been found that receipts of taxinien on day duty had declined considerably. Many people, apparently, refrained from ringing for taxis because of a mistaken belief that they could be obtained only for essential work. Although essential work had priority, taxis were still available for other jobs. A.s an illustration of changing conditions, it was stated that on the last two mornings taxis had met the 9..'50 o'clock train from Wellington and received no passengers. On other days there might be more than they could cope with. Another problem concerned 1 lie conveyance of passengers into the city in the busy morning period and outward in the evening. The petrol and tyre position made back-running with empty cars almost impossible. The scarcity of tyres was a cause of anxiety. Those available to taxinien in the last few months, it was stated, had been far less than could be used even on the present petrol ration. One taximan had had to wait for two months for new tyres, and meanwhile his car had been off-.the road for six weeks. The condition of the tyres on some taxis was such that in normal times their use would not be permitted. Many taxi-drivers had experienced trouble with persons who insisted on service, usually unessential, and abused I the drivers who were unable to give it.

Difficulties! in administration of the roster system had been anticipated, said the chairman of the Taxicab Control Committee, Mr. Lisle Alderton, but it was hoped to have them ironod out as experience was gained. A . few taxidrivers had failed to clock-in at times. This was readily discovered, as the single telephone system made it. easy to check the times of drivers on particular runs. Disciplinary action would be taken against drivers who failed to obey the rules. THE LEAGUE CODE INVESTMENTS IN WAR LOAN A decision to invest a further £2OO in the Liberty Loan Fund was made at last evening's meeting of the Auckland Rugby League. The chairman, Mr. J. W. Watson, said that already £ 100 had been contributed towards the war funds. Last Saturday's gate receipts at Car law I'ark were very satisfactory, he added, and during the past few days the Referees' Association and the schoolboys' executive had increased the donation by Clo each. The question of an Auckland representative team visiting Wellington this season was referred to by Mr. Watsor, who stated that the club competitions it Wellington had revealed a good standard' of football. Arrangements for representative games would be discussed later in the season. Fixtures for Saturday:—Marist v. Mount Albert, Carlaw Park No. I, 3 p.m., Mr. .7, Hawkes: Richmond v. Newton, Carlaw Park No. I. 1.15 p.m.. Mr. G. Kelly; Mannkau v. North Shore. Carlaw Park No. 2, 3 p.m.. Mr. S, Billman: Ponsonby v. City. Carlaw Park No. 2, 1.15 p.m., Mr. J. Donovan HOCKEY FIXTURES Lauies' Association, —Senior Grade: Mount Kden v. Training College, No. 1, 3.10 p.m., Hanson, Hamlin; University v. College Old Cirls, No. I. 1.15 p.m.. Canjeron. Raphael; North Shore v. Technical, No. -1, 1.15 p.m.. Jensen, Nash; Wesley, a bye. BILLIARDS TITLE B Grade Championship.— Results of matches played last evening were:—J. L. Lee, 2.">0 (breaks of :<a. 37). B. Kae, 233 (40): B. Little. 2.*,0 (3-.». 30, s•_>), P. Lynch, 00. 'the games for to-night are: Lee v. Little, 7 o'clock ; B. Walsh v. J. Bradley. S o'clock.