TAXI LICENCES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21556, 19 January 1940, Page 5

TAXI LICENCES

Need For Co-ordination Investigation Will Be Made “I am going to go fully into the position before deciding on the number of licences to be allowed in Timaru,” said Mr T. H. Langford. No. 3 Transport Licensing Authority, after considering applications from Timaru taxi proprietors for the running of 20 cars. The Departmental accountant would visit Timaru and make a thorough invetsigation of the whole business. Mr Langford, who agreed with statements made by proprietors during the hearing of evidence that 15 or 16 taxis would be sufficient to cope with the business in Timaru. said he wanted to see that there was a fair distribution of licences, if they could not get a better system of organisation. Red Band Taxis The applications were dealt with as follows: C. Sims. Timaru. Six ordinary. R. R. McAlister. Timaru. Two ordinary J. J. Stack. Timaru. One ordinary. | S. J. Bennington. Timaru. One ordinary. A. Riley. Timaru. One ordinary. J. W. Ferguson. Timaru. One ordinary. Mr F. J. Cook said that the above operators, in accordance with the Government’s wish for co-ordination, had combined and formed the Red Band Taxis (Inc.). The incorporation. Mr Sims said in evidence, would operate from the end of the month, when the organisation of service would be conducted from a central office, but the operators would be independent financially. In reply to the Authority, he said that in his opinion the taxi business in Timaru could be carried on with 15 taxis. The number of licences at present was 20. Mr Cook added that under the incorporation the work would be rationed with the idea of conserving petrol and mileage, and regulating hours of work. Mr A. A. Solomon, for the Gold Band Taxis. Ltd., said that after a meeting convened by the New Zealand Road Alliance in conjunction with the Minister, a meeting of Timaru taxi proprietors had been called, when a decision was reached to form a limited company with the operatives as shareholders after surrendering their cars to the company at a valuation. What had promised to become a company including all Timaru operatives, had dwindled to a comparatively small number through the withdrawal of many who had given their consent to the formation of the company. The Gold Band Taxis had always maintained that a company was the most economical form of co-operation, and it was to be regretted that those who had at first agreed had subsequently pulled out. Mr Sims had placed the number of taxis necessary for Timaru at 15. The Gold Band Taxis placed the figure at 16, provided the taxis were controlled by a company. Mr Solomon objected to the granting of two licences to Mr Sims on the grounds that one had not been utilised and the other only part time. Mr Sims agreed that he had used only five cars in the last eight months. After submitting a financial statement on the workings of the Gold Band Taxis to the Authority, Mr Solomon said that the shareholderdrivers were paid £5 a week and casuals £4/10/-. There was also a good balance over. “It is a mast satisfactory balance.” observed Mr Langford. “I always said it could be done.” Mr Cook objected that the return covered a period when taxi-drivers were “on toast.” Mr Langford maintained that the return showed a good position. “It is no use sniggering about it,” he continued, mentioning an operative by name. “I see thousands of balancesheets in which the total revenue does not amount to the wages paid to these men.” After further discussion Mr Langford said he would reserve his decision on the issue of licences to Timaru operatives pending the investigation by the accountant. Passenger Service Licence Minister of Railways, St. Andrews to Timaru, amended to include the present service running to Waimate.— Granted. Temuka Applications i T. H. Washington, Temuka. Two motor-cabs and private hire car.— Private hire car application declined. J M. A. Ritchie, Temuka. Private hire car.—Reserved, pending discussion with applicant on desirability of private hire car or rental car. B. D. Gillespie. Temuka. Two motor-cabs.—One granted. C. J. McAteer. Temuka. Motor-cab —Reserved. “Playing Fool With Public” Taxis had no right to leave the town altogether and make no provision for ordinary traffic, said Mr Raines in commenting on the evidence given in the Temuka applications. The practice of having on occasions no taxis at the station to meet trains was only playing the fool with the public. Talk of private hire cars should be dropped, he continued, and ' if the business warranted it, application should be made for another taxi or a rental car. It was all a question of co-operation, said Mr Langford. If the operators refused to co-operate and adopted a stupid, petty attitude towards one another, he would have to consider cancelling some licences and granting others. However, he considered that those already with licences should be given an opportunity of working together efficiently. Other applications were:— C. W. McKenzie, Geraldine. Motorcab.—Granted. A. W. Gosling. Pleasant Point. Motorcab and private hire car.—Granted.