AN OMNIBUS JOKE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8665, 4 July 1906, Page 2

AN OMNIBUS JOKE.

« COUNCILLOR DRIVES AND SURVEYOR TAKES FARES. An amusing story of the adventures of a novel "pirate" omnibus in the London streets was told at the meeting of the Maidenhead Town Council recently. For this one occasion only the omnibus driver Avas Councillor P. Thompson, while for the came limited period the borough surveyor, Mr Percy Johns, acted as conductor. The pair came to London as a committee from the Council, and went to the Caledonian Market and purchased a couple of horses for a new steam fire-engine. The same day Councillor Thompson bought a superannuated London omnibus for his own private USB. Between ten o'clock and midnight. Councillor Thompson, an experiericea driver and horseman, harnessed the horses in the omnibus, intending to drive by road to Maidenhead. Desirous yf improving the occasion, however, he followed the omnibus route, and solicited and took up " fares." Passengers were assisted on the vehicle by the courteous conductor, and put down at vaiious points. Some were taken in wrong directions, and appeased by the return of their money. The Stz-and, Tottenham Court Road and Charing Cross Road were negotiated without police or other interference, and the joke was completed when the omnibus was pulled up outsHe> a wellknown' hostelry and the occupants informed that there would be a wait there while the driver and conductor partook of a chop. The journey to Maidenhead was duly completed, the riverside town being reached well' before the breakfast hour. Mr Thompson announced to the Council that the balance of the fares for disposal was lid, and 2d of this was for the conductor. The remaining 9d he had handed to the borough accountant in relief of local nates-. HWMJMHWBniIIWaTMTWTfMiBipBU T