PRIVATE BUS STANDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19696, 25 January 1926, Page 14

PRIVATE BUS STANDS.

AN OWNER FINER. Leonard J. Thomas, a private bus driver, was charged before Mr 11. W. Bundle, S.M., on Saturday morning, with using a stand other than an authorised stand. Mr Barrowelough, who appeared for the City Corporation, said that defendant had stayed on a stand in Stuart street for more than 15 minutes, He was under observation. Mr Irwin, who appeared for defendant, said his client stated that the Chief Traffic Inspector had told him that he was entitled to stop for 15 minutes on any stand. This was denied by the Chief Inspector. Defendant, in evidence, stated that just before Christmas Eve ho was standing in Stuart street above the Octagon, and he had received permission to stand there. Evidence was also given by William Wilson and Samuel The Magistrate, in giving his decision, said that defendant’s statement that he had stood in Stuart street to take up passengers was , open to criticism. It must be remembered that proceedings had already been taken—jrnder the by-law. The witnesses did not agree as to the statement made during a conversation at the Exhibition. it could nof be imagined that a bus would bo given permission to stay on any particular stand. Defendant’s evidence and that of other witnesses tended to show that defendant could make use of stands for 15 minutes. The point as to what was a reasonable time was a question of fact. The by-law clearly stated that the provision was merely for the purposes of buses nicking up and setting down passengers. If that were so buses would be able to make a stand anywhere. Ho failed to see how defendant was not acquainted with the decision that had been come to in the, case gainst Lister, which had been given the day previous to that on which Thomas ■was summoned. The case was one of interest to all bus drivers. Defendant would be convicted and fined 20s, and costs (7s), with solicitor’s foe (£1 Is).