“RUN THOSE BUSES MEN, FM THE BOSS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18000, 10 November 1926, Page 9

“RUN THOSE BUSES MEN, FM THE BOSS.”

AUCKLAND S.M. HEARS CASE OF MUCH INTEREST. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, November 10. A civil case of considerable interest was heard in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when the Takapuna Borough Council proceeded against the Waitemata Bus and Transport Company and Alfred Hendry Smith on the ground that defendants carried on within No. 2 District, constituted under the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill, services otherwise than pursuant to the license granted by the council, the licensing authority. Mr G. P. Finlay, for the council, said that the question was whether the new Act for the control of traffic was a mandate or the most ludicrous legislative farce ever enacted. Since November 2, Smith had frankly defied the law as he had no such license as that required try the Act. for his buses or drivers. The breach was deliberate. Defendant had approached the No. 1 licensing authority (the Auckland City Council) for a license, with the idea of getting a political advantage over the proper licensing authority. The Magistrate (Mr M’Kean) : Does the Act prescribe to which authority the application must be made? Mr Finlay: We contend that it does. Counsel added that Smith's buses were engaged between Devonport and Takapuna. When the inspector stopped one of defendant's buses, he was told that the instructions given by Smith were: “You carry on, men, and take no notice of officials. I’m boss here.” The traffic inspector said that on November 2 he saw the buses running. The Takapuna Town Clerk said that defendant had not applied for a license. To Smith’s counsel, witness replied that the Takapuna Ferry and Tramway Company and buses were licensed on the evening of November 1, so that its buses had operated during the day without a license. Mr E. 11. Northeroft: Why did you not prosecute them? Mr Finlay: Don’t be absurd. (Proceeding.)