MOTOR SERVICES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1933, Page 5

MOTOR SERVICES

AUCKLAND-NEW PLYMOUTH.

SUGGESTED CURTAILMENT.

Auckland, July 12.

The Auckland sittings of the Transport Appeal Board were continued on Tuesday. Mr. T. Jordan, Masterton, presided in the absence of the chairman, Mr. Justice Frazer, and associated with him was Mr. L. Aiderton, Auckland. Further evidence and legal argument were heard in connection with the appeal made by Markey’s Motor Services, Limited (Mr. Haigh), against the action of the Central Licensing Authority in granting a licence to Gibson’s Motors, Limited (Mr. Bennett, of New Plymouth), for the operation of a passenger service between Auckland and New Plymouth. The appeal was made on the ground that Gibson’s service interfered with Markey’s Auckland-Hamilton service, and it was submitted that Gibson's vehicles should not travel further north than Hamilton.

Evidence was given by Eric InnesJones that he conducted a motor service between New Plymouth and Hamilton, which connected with the Auck-land-Hamilton co-ordinated services of Newby’s Motors, Limited, and Markey’s Motor Services, Limited. Witness said no difficulty was experienced by “through” passengers having to change cars at Hamilton. There was no desire on witness’ part to extend his route to Auckland.

Mr. Bennett said Gibson’s service had been in existence for about six years and was operating before Markey’s and Newbyjs Auckland-Hamilton

services started. .The only opponent to Gibson’s licence was Markey’s Motor Services Limited, and it was submitted that this company, in making an appeal against the Central, Licensing Authority’s decision had allowed its judgment to be affected by its own interests rather than by the public interests. The running of Gibson’s service was not opposed by Newby’s Motors Limited.

Gibson’s service was to a large extent a tourist one and did not substantially compete with appellant company, an average of only one passenger for every three trips being picked up on the Auckland-Hamilton section of the route. The existing motor service facilities between Auckland and Hamilton would not be sufficient to cope with Gibson’s passenger traffic. , It was contended by Mr. Haigh that the firms operating the present Auck-land-Hamilton services would be able to cater for all motor passenger traffic on this route.

The board reserved its decision and adjoume'd until to-morrow.