TAIHAPE NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 November 1948, Page 9

TAIHAPE NEWS

NUMBER OF TAXIS NOT INCREASED

TAIHAPE, Last Night (OC).—Adjourned until the February sitting the applications ol R. J. J. Hall (lor a new licence) and L. S. Rae ,for an extension of his Moawhango licence to include Taihape), the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr. J. P. O. Skoglund, said he would “keep an eye on this taxi business.” The town clerk (Mr. W. Hudson), on behalf of the Borough Council, stated that following the Authority's statement in August that if the ser? vice did not improve he would grant an additional licence, the present taxi proprietors (two of whom were new) were giving a greatly improved service. However, the council was not completely satislied that the need for an additional licence did not exist. If the period of trial was extended lor a further three or six months or even indefinitely, a fair indication would bb obtained as to whether the present licensees were capable of meeting the demand for taxicabs in the district. Ridley Bros., Mataroa, were granted a licence for a private hire car. In regard to an application by Ridley Bros, for a transfer of a licence from Hurst Bros, to them to allow them to operate as a taxi service from Mataroa to Taihape on Friday nights, the Authority agreed to a temporarypermit while he sought advice in Wellington as to the legal position in relation to the car which would be used. MAORI CHILD’S DEATH.

That the death of a five-year-old Maori child named Luana Marehapi Waretini at the Raketapauma Pa (near Hihitahi) on November, resulted from acute gastro enteritis, was the finding of Mr. E. Loader, coroner, after hearing evidence at an inquest at Tahape on Tuesday. Evidence was given by Dr. A- White that he examined the body of the girl, who was aged about four or five years, at the pa on November 23. There were no visible marks of violence and she appeared well nourished. He formed the conclusion that death had been due to gastro enteritis. Evidence of identification was given by the father, Peehi Waretini, and the mother, Hinga Waretini, both of Ohakune. Polly Taiarea, 17. said that deceased suffered a number of attacks of dysentery on Sunday last and died at about 5 p.m. Richard Mari»kura said the child had i een eating tomatoes on the Saturday. The witnesses stated that they had not realised that the girl’s condition was serious. The father was away shearing at the time of her death. , GOODS SERVICE LICENCES. The No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority on Tuesday granted renewals of goods service licences to A. A. McDonald and Ridley Bros., Mataroa (the latter an amendment to allow Lhe carriage of parcels and papers on Mondays and Thursdays, Mataroa-Si-beria and return). F. J. Ireland (Mr. Ongley) applied for an additional vehicle authority for general cartage in Tainape. Objection was made by I. H. Holman, E. R. Sisson, E. J. Gaudion, N. Byford, M. M. Robertson and A. A. McDonald, for whom Mr. O'Connor appeared. Ireland said he had an authority for Rangitikei and borough cartage and one for the carriage of mails and parcels. Naturally the delivery of parcels occupied two and a-half hours a day, and at Christmas they were busy until 9 p.m. This work interfered with the general carrying and he had had to give work away to the other carriers. Both trucks were big trucks. Mr. Skoglund said it appeared that the objections would bo satisfied if amendments were made to exclude certain classes of goods in applicant's Rangitikei County licence, and he would do this. To Mr. Skoglund, applicant said what was wanted was an authority for a half-ton truck for cartage of parcels and mails. An additional authority to cover this was granted.