NEW MOTOR OMNIBUS REGULATIONS DISCUSSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17756, 28 January 1926, Page 8

NEW MOTOR OMNIBUS REGULATIONS DISCUSSED.

A conference of local bodies' representatives was held this morning to discuss the draft motor omnibus regulations submitted by the Board of Trade. The following local authorities were represented : Boroughs—Akaroa, Kaiapoi, Lyttelton, New Brighton, Rangiora, Riccarton, Sumner. Counties—Selwyn, Tawera, Kowai, Ashley, Oxford, Rangiora, Eyre, Malvern, Paparua, Waimairi, Ilcathcote, Mount Herbert, Akaroa. Wairewa, Surings, Ellesmere, and Halswell. After discussion on the proposed regulation that all motor omnibuses charging a fare of less than 2s should be governed by these regulations, it was decided to instruct the delegates to the further conference at Wellington on March 0 next to oppose this proposal, the conference being of opinion that all motor omnibuses plying for hire should comb within their scope. It was decided to draw the attention of the drafters of the regulations to the fact that large areas of New,Zealand had been omitted from the schedule of districts submitted. With reference to the regulation that no license be issued to persons under twenty-o'ne or over fifty y’ears of age, it was decided to recommend that provided a man over fifty years of age had been previously* driving a motor omnibus, a license be issued to him, but that no fresh application be entertained from a driver over fifty y*ears of age. The conference was agreeable to leaving the minimum age at twentyone years. The conference decided to oppose the regulation that licenses be issued only at one certain date during the year, favouring the principle that a license be granted at any time. It was decided that regulation of fares be operative only where omnibuses are in competition with trams and railway's. Messrs W. IT. Nicholson (Sumner) and Seymour (Waimairi) were appointed delegates to the Wellington conference.