“ VERY FOOLISH POLICY ”

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3822, 16 October 1936, Page 6

“ VERY FOOLISH POLICY ”

TRANSPORT AUTHORITY'S WARNING. X BUYING VEHICLE BEFORE LICENSE IS ISSUED. The action of a service car proprietor in purchasing a larger vehicle in anticipation of an extended license being granted was described as a very foolish policy by Mr E. J. Phelan, No 1 Transport Licensing Authority, when the application ot Dennis George Kelly for the renewal and amendment ot his continuous passenger service license between Cambridge and Auckland was heard on Wednesday at Hamilton. Kelly asked permission to increase tire capacity of the vehicle used on the run from eight to 16 seats. His service had been established for eight and a half years, stated the applicant, who was represented by Mr R. McVeagh. He was in the habit of picking up passengers along the route except between Papakura and Auckland, and his eight seater vehicle had proved inadequate to cater for the custom he had built up over a long period. He had purchased a 16 seater vehicle. “It was a very foolish policy. The amendment has not necessarily been granted,” observed Mr Phelan. OBJECTIONS FROM OPERATORS. Evidence was adduced by Mr McVeagh urging the extension of the license, but the amendment was opposed by Mr H. C. Couch on behalf of the Railways Department and by Markey’s Motors, Ltd. Mr D. McCaw, who appeared for Buses, Ltd., objected to permission being granted Kelly to pick up passengers from Cambridge for Hamilton. It was maintained that Kelly’s license had been issued fundamentally as a service for the convenience of Cambridge people travelling through to Auckland and returning on the same day. Other districts between Hamilton and Auckland were more than catered for by the existing services. Referring to the representations of the Railways Department, Mr Phelan said the authority was primarily concerned with giving maximum convenience to the public, and other operators had to be considered. He warned carriers who were planning to increase carrying capacity to obtain , sanction before they entered into contracts. “In the case of Kelly he was very ill-advised In purchasing a larger vehicle on the assumption that he would receive a license,” Mr Phelan added. "I am not saying he will not obtain it, but I am stating that it is a bad policy and I suggest that prior to increasing carrying capacity operators should apply to the authority before entering into any contracts.” • AMENDMENT GRANTED. Mr Phelan stated that decision would be reserved, but in the afternoon it was announced that the Authority had renewed the license, amendments increasing the carrying capacity from one eight seater to one 16 seater vehicle, but making provision that the licensee is to have no right to set dowm or pick up passengers between Tamahere and Papakura. The operator is to have the right to carry small parcels other than passengers’ luggage and newspapers, but their total weight is not to exceed 56 lbs. The authority expressed the opinion that the service was both necessary and desirable in so far as the residents of Cambridge and environs were concerned. There were, -however, ample provision both by rail and road service for the public to travel between Tamahere and Papakura.