TRANSPORT LICENSING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 14, 21 August 1946, Page 5

TRANSPORT LICENSING

No. 1 AUTHORITY MEETS SITTING IN WHAKATANE Mr T. J. Phelan presided at the sitting of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority at Whakatane yesterday when a large number of applications were dealt with. In most cases reserved decisions were held. An additional passenger service license was sought by A. A. Sykes by transfer from L. Freeman, Matata. For the applicant Mr G. Otley pointed out that Sykes whose health had been impaired desired to take over Freeman’s school bus and passenger service as a lighter occupation. He already held a carrying license which was worked for him by G. Patterson who was a potential partner. The chairman said other soldiers were anxiously looking for this class of business and in fairness could not see how one man could successfully run both licenses. The position would be investigated and decision reserved. Ruatoki Cream Collection Takarua Tamer au (Mr Otley) sought to transfer his cream carrying license to his son-in-law, K. Rangahika. The application was opposed by T. Karaka (Mr Barry) on the ground that the applicant was not a returned man. Mr Barry said that his client was also a son-in-law to the license holder and that he had served overseas and had previously been offered the license which had now been withdrawn.

Mr Phelan: So we are expected to settle a domestic difference? Decision was reserved pending, information from the Dairy Company as to whether or not it was prepared to have the cream collected by a person other than a returned soldier. The transfer of R. A. McPherson’s license to W. W. Anderson (Matata) was approved. !

Contract Services Restored

“I want to say that where the original passenger transport licenses were suspended during the war it will be the policy of this Authority to restore them wherever possible,” said the chairman when applications came forward from J. Me Com be and Co. and J. Hignet. “The only stipulation must be that these trips can only be undertaken when something unforseen occurs—such as football matches or gatherings and further they must not be run in competition with the ordinary

passenger services.” Both applicants were granted continuous service licenses for operating in the Whakatane, Rotorua, Tauranga and Opotiki Counties and Boroughs. A strongly supported application for a similar license within the Onepu and Otakiri districts was entered by R. Foote, school bus operator. Evidence was given by Messrs. R. C. Leslie and J. C. Lodge in support. The chairman said he was inclined to agree'to a limited license, which he thought would be warranted under the circumstances. In the meantime decision would be reserved. Taxi Application R. C. Wilson sought a taxi license for Ruatoki in which he was supported by Mr Drake of the Rehabilitation Department. There were 1400 persons living in that locality and applicant was a young man with five years service to his credit and partially disabled as a result -.. . ; P of war injuries. t The existing taxi drivers at Taneatua (Mr Suckling) opposed the application declaring that the present service was ample to meet all demands from Ruatoki.

Evidence to this effect was given by Desmond Breuere one of the present license holders. Vj

Decision was reserved. Ohope Goods Service

Errol Carrington Lees (Mr Barry) applied for a goods service license for the Ohope district only which he said was now the centre of a standard population of 400 to 500 people who met with great difficulty in getting their goods to and from the town. The application was strongly backed by a dozen local firms who supported the case.

Mr H. Brabant for the local Carriers Association opposed the application declaring that a steady service had been maintained to and from the beach by the local firms. The allegations that Ohope residents were neglected in this respect were groundless. Decision was reserved. Galatea Application

The application of N. C. Benson for goods license to cover the settled area of Galatea and Murupara

was granted—parcels being limited to a weight of 281bs. In the review of the goods service license held by W. H. Semmens, this was suspended pending the restoration of the vehicles concei'ned to a mechanical state of road worthiness.