PARCEL CARTAGE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6566, 15 September 1948, Page 8

PARCEL CARTAGE

OPARAU BUSINESS MAN’S APPLICATION GRANTED

NO PASSENGERS TO BE CARRIED ON SCHOOL BUSES

A case of interest to residents of Oparau and Kawhia engaged the attention of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr E. J. Phelan) at Te Awamutu on Wednesday last. The application was in respect of a new continuous goods service license to carry parcels up to 561 b in weight to operate in the Kawhia County and the applicant was Mr A. S. J. Mitchell, of Oparau (Mr B. Malone). One vehicle authority was involved. Mr Mitchell gave evidence, to the effect that he had a store at Oparau and he also had taken over a school bus service which served two roads. He also had two mail contracts. He had been in the habit of delivering goods such as stores free of charge to those on his routes. He had discussed the matter with the operators of lai ger trucks and they were prepared to work in with him and they were willing to permit him to deliver parcels on the side roads. The applicant said he could work it in with his present work and it would be an economically sound proposition. Mr Mitchell said that he was an exserviceman. When it was suggested that passengers could also be picked up on existing services and transported short distances to their homes, the Authority said that he did not approve of passengers being carried in school buses and that view had been affirmed by a Court of Appeal. Mr Mitchell pointed out that the only passengers he wished to carry would be those off existing buses who would otherwise find other means of transport to their places of destination. Mr J. E. Hammond, secretary of the Waipa Master Carriers’ Association, said they did not oppose the application. He knew of the friendly relations that existed between the operators in that district. The application was granted with a proviso that no passengers be carried in school buses. Associated with Mr Phelan was Mr R. Hunt (secretary), and Miss Whelan (stenographer). Mr Andrew represented the Railway Department.