TAXIS AT TRAINS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1924, Page 2

TAXIS AT TRAINS.

BREACH OF RAILWAY BY-LAW. A WARNING TO OTHERS. In the Magistrate's Court at New Plymouth yesterday, before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M.. the police proceeded against Francis Herbert Washbourne on a charge of plying for hire in the vicinity of the New Plymouth railway station without having a taxi driver’s license, as required by the Railway Department’s by-law; 'Sergeant Martin, who laid the information for the police, stated that on the night of March 21 he was at the railway station juat aa the passengers were leaving the mail train. Washbourne’s car was in the railway yard and parked on the stand aet aside for all cars which were not licensed under the railway by-laws. Two lady passengers from the train approached the sergeant «nd made inquiries about a taxi, and he had directed them to William Harris, a taxi driver who had a license to ply for hire at the railway station. The defendant, who was standing near, stepped towards the ladies and said, “Taxi lady?” One of the ladies said “Yes,” and Washbourne then began to handle their grips, when the sergeant approached the defendant and spoke to him about plying for hire at the station. Washbourne answered that he was waiting for a passenger from the train, but no such passenger inquired for him. Questioned by Mr. A. A. Bennett, who appeared for defendant, Sergeant Martin said that the defendant’s car was standing on the unlicensed car stand in the station yard. For the defence, Mr. Bennett stated that iWash'bourne received a ring at the taxi telephone in Currie Street, and re- ’• ceived instructions to meet the mail J tiain. He did not know who the person j was who rung him up, and on taking . up his correct position at the station he was there to collect his fare, and not for general hire. When the ladies wero directed by Sergeant Martin, Washbourne thought the sergeant had directed them to him.

Washbourne, in giving evidence, denied that he used the expression “Taxi lady?” but he thought he said “Have you a car engaged?” or words to that effect. He had made no attempt to take hold of the ladies’ baggage or grips. The magistrate said the matter hardly called for a. heavy penalty, and the defendant was ordered to pay costs 7s. The magistrate added that it did not follow that the next offender of the railway by-law would be let off so lightly. The magistrate hoped that the case would be a warning to other taxi drivers to t.il-p sneeial •car'' find out more r«i:r.• which they l.a.i .j a, the .j'lw.r