In a Taxicab.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13828, 13 February 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

In a Taxicab.

A PEER'S ADVKN'ITRE. Lord Abiugcr was recently summoned at Marlborough Street l'ohce Court by a taxicab driver, named Reynolds, for a fare of Bd, and for making use of "certain threatening, abusive, and insulting words and behaviour." Mr Bodkin appeared for Lord A Dinger. The cabman said that at 3 o'clock on the afternoon of December 3rd a whistle blew at the Carlton Club, aud he answered it. To men came from the club and the defendant said, "Open the car." The attendant at the club assisted him (the witness) to open the car. Lord Abinger said. "Gloucester Gate." The witness hesitated, whereupon his lordship said " Gloucester Gate, you. Don't you know Regent's Park?" The witness said, "Yes, .sir," and proceeded to drive off. The moment he attempted to turn the car, his lordship said: "Go carefully, you." Tho witness said, " You need not speak like that. I shall take you carefully." His lordship put his head out of the window and said, " and you, you shan't drive a taxicab. I'll have your number."

Ho (Reynolds) pulled up and called a policeman. He did recollect' that lie said, " Will you sit down properly." After lie pulled up the witness s'aid to the policeman. " Will you take tlies blackguards out 'i I can't drive with them iu my car." They got out. and he said, "Will you pay my fare':'" His lordship said. " No summon rue." air Bodkin : I suggest that Lord Abinger, on your saying, " What are you talking about, I am driving carefully." said '' it. don't answer me like'that, slow np and stop " r 1 —No.

Mr Bodkin: Let me put it to you frankly. Had you absolutely lost your temper because you were asked to drive carefully round the corner '?— No. I never lose my temper. 1 regarded the matter seriously. Constable Coekerell stated that he was called by the men to take 'the number of the cabman, who, they alleged, was drtiuk, and had been driving in a dangerous manner. The cabman was not drunk. He complained of having been abused by the men. ' Lord Abitigcr went into the witnessbox and said" 1 that on the afternoon iu question he was with -Sir Claude Lowther at the Carlton Club. Mr Lowthe.r directed the cabman where to drive to. When he (Lord Abiuger) first saw the cab it was not closed, but in the course of being opened. The cabman turned to get into the line of traffic on the north side of Pail-Mall. He turned perfectly carefully. but when "in the straight" he boiran going fo fast. Neither lie nor Mr Lowther spoke then.

As they approached Regent-street the driver took the cab near the kerb, and a foot-passenger jumped from the road on to the kerb. Near the doniau Club Mr Lowther-tapped the window with his stick, and said, "Tell him to drive more carefully." He (Lord Abinger) leaned out of the cab and said, "Drive more carefully." The cabman turned and in a most insulting and irritating way said to him, "What are you talking about, I am driving carefully." The witness was so surprised that he replied, " it, don't answer me like that." -Mr Lowther then said, "Stop over there or stop at the nearest policeman." Tho cabman turned to where the policeman was and they got out. The witness said to the officer, "I wish you to take this man's number," and Mr. Lowther said, "He is driving dangerously." The cabman, who, got very excited, began to talk in a loud voice, and said to the policeman, "They're —ing me. I'll have gentlemen, not ruffians, in my cab." Mr. Lowther said to the policeman, "Make a note of that." A crowd collected, and the cabman said, "Who is going to pay me?" The witness said, "You had better summons me." The man used no bad language on the pavement, but was insolent all the time.

After the gross insolence to which they had been subjected he (Lord Abinger) did say: "I believe you are drunk," and left the matter to the policeman. He (witness) had experience in driving motor-cars. In his opinion the way in which the cabman drove was dangerous. -It was an invention of the cabman's to say that he said, " —and you, you shan't drive." Ho never heard the man say "sit down properly." Mr. Bodkin said that Mr. Claudo Lowther was too ill to attend the court to give evidence. Mr. Mead said the evidence of the constable, who was a disinterested person,- did not tally with that of the cabman, and in the circumstances he must accept Lord Abinger's version of the matter. Both summonses would be dismissed. The cabman: 1 have been offered £5 not to come into court.

Mr. Bodkin said no doubt these words were meant as a parting shot, but the facts were. that, the complainant was a driver to a certain cab company, the manager of which gave him a Tood character lint stated that he had a hastv +■>■•••>••••'. He (the cabman) had boon Ik— —' f Hiat there would be no nco<" : i- r - ' "i-d Abinger to come into f-oi* 1 '' '•■ '■''■■> were put in -po-•"" • 'l of a £5 note.