CHARGE AGAINST A CABMAN.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13414, 11 May 1912, Page 6

CHARGE AGAINST A CABMAN.

Alfred Bradcock, a cab driver, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having refused, on April 18th, to drive * Alexander Alian while practising has calling, beii% contrary to the city by-laws. Mr. Wise appeared for the City Council and Mr. Magintsity for defendant. G. A. Edmonds, Town Clerk, produced a sealed copy of the by-laws. , Alexander Allan stated that a few minutes after" six o'clock on 18th April he left the premises of the Auckland Clothing and Drapery Company. He saw Bradcock and askod him if he was engaged. Bradcock- replied no. . Witness asked him if he would take him up the hill to his home, and he said no. Witness then askedhim to take him to the-foot of the hill, and defendant said, .yes. got into 'die cab, and while therd someone came up and spoke to defendant. He waited there: for a few minutes and then called out if he was going. to ' take him homo. Defendant said, ''Right Oh: jump into the other cab, I'm busy talking.'' Vutness said ho then got out ? hired, tba. other cab, and was then driven home.. The reason he wanted* to. be driven up the hill (meaning to his home) was'that ho^had a bad foot.

By Mr. Maginnity: Ko did not sco 'Sir. Mc<rlino talking to defendant when he engaged the cab. Tho cabmen they wero in the habit of engaging always, took them home. Bradcock <iid not say, "Right-Oh; ha'i a minute." This was the case for the plainififf. «Mr. Maginnity' submitted th.it the case must fail as plaintiff had not proved that defendant was a licensed cabdriver.

Mr. Wise said he would have to leave tho matter to the Court. He contended that the fact that defendant w;i<- on Lho cab stand showed that ho was ]K;K>vsu!g his calling and that he was a licenced oa.b driver.

Tho Magistrate said the p:j!;»i r.^irod by Mr; Maginnity wag fatal. F.\~~n <m tli/3 evidence be did not coiifitkr thr.t it had be-en shown that d^enda :it li-dri-lu&ed to drive Mr.- Allan.

The information was dismissed, do-: i'endaiit being allowed £1 13s co-'itf..