SLEEPING IN TAXIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19129, 25 September 1936, Page 4

SLEEPING IN TAXIS

DRIVERS OF CITY CABS

DISCLOSURE AT INQUIRY

NIC! FITS SPENT ON WHARF

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day

It was revealed in evidence given yesterday to' the commission inquiring into the taxi and carrying business that drivers were in the habit of spending the night in thcii cabs in order to keep their places on the stands at the ferry wharves.

.Mr. O. >S. Graham, a Yellow Cab driver on commission, said that about ■_> a.m. when there were no rings, drivers employed by the big companies would go down to the ferry wharf atul wait for the boat. Some could be found sleeping in their cabs with the windows closed. The Black and White Cabs were the worst offenders. Green Cali drivers on night shift made a bedroom of their oflicc.

The witness alleged that there was a White Band owner who also worked on the City Council tramways. Another allegation by the witness was that the Grey Cab Company would not allow its drivers to charge extras for over two passengers, ns was laid down bv the City Council by-law. WAIVING OF EXTRAS Mr. Cyril Bartlett entered the box and said that a notice posted by the Grev Cab Company was to the effect that, owing to competition, it was not the poliov of the firm to charge extras in future. He had himself reported the matter to a traffic officer, lie had oiu-e claimed 2s as extras, ami was told lie would get only Is 6d. He pressedfor 2s and was then” informed that he would probably not last long if he continued to demand extras. Mr. Frederick Reeve said he was one of the drivers who made a practice of sleeping at the wharf. He had been accustomed to work 23 hours a day. The chairman, Mr. 1 :> . M. Butler: That means that you did not take your clothes off at all .’ How long did that go on for? The witness: About 10 months. The chairman: Ho you mean to say that you did not change your elothes for 10 months? r l'he witness: I am talking about six days of the week. AMALG A MATION OPPOSED Mr. James Lewis Fenton submitted as evidence a memorandum outlining nhe views of the Kilbirnie Kab Kompany, Morrison’s Taxis in conjunction with the Uutt and Petone Taxi Association, Grey Cabs and White Band Taxis. The memorandum opposed the suggestion of a composite company, and made it clear that the present organisation was preferred. The following constructive suggestions were made: (a) That licenses, charges and fares should be regulated by a transport licensing committee; (b) that a taxi operator should be permitted to levy separate fares; (c) that wider facilities, including special stands, should be .afforded during race meetings; (d) that a taxi operator should be entitled to park at any recognised parking plaee and to ply wherever he chooses; and (e) that under increased fares, business would immediately drop off.