INTERESTING TO MOTOR PROPRIETORS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18974, 27 March 1924, Page 5

INTERESTING TO MOTOR PROPRIETORS

(Per Press Association.) GISBORNE, March 26. A test case came before Magistrate Lewy this aftetnoon, which should prove of considerable interest to motor service companies and taxi men. Two motor service companies registered in Gisborne and running north and south of the town pick up passengers in various parts of the district, and the point involved was whether the companies should be registered in the counties through which they pass. The Cook county Council proceeded against the Aard Motor Co., and the Gisborne Motor Service for plying for hire for the carriage of passengers within the Cook County without obtaining a certificate of registration from the local authorities controlling such roads. Plaintiff’s counsel said defendants conducted a re gular motor service over county roads. Defendants in one case had picked up a passengeY at Whangara and brought him to Gisborne, not having obtained registration as required of the County by-law.

Counsel for plaintiffs contended that the council was imposing a tax on residents outside the district for the use of the King’s highway. It was not unusual for a taxi to be engaged on a trip through the North Island, and if such a regalation were enfciced by every local body a car proprietor would have to pay £lOO to go as far as Wellington. Council contended that there was a difference between plying for hire and carrying passengers on an established service. I The Magistrate reserved decision.