TAXI STANDS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17112, 6 April 1921, Page 10

TAXI STANDS.

CITY BY-LAW UPHELD. M S. E. McCarthy, S.M., in a reserved decision delivered by him yesterday morning, held that the city bylaw that drivers of licensed motor-cars, while waiting for hire must remain on a, public stand, is a \ reasonable measure. The case in question was Herbert Macintosh, City Traffic Inspector (Mr Louglman) v. Dennis Casey, taxidriver (Mr Thomas) heard on March 15th. The information was that defendant beinjj the driver of a licensed motor-car* permitted his vehicle to stand in Cathedral square, on other than a public stand. Similar charges against about 40 other taxi-drivers, were held over pending the Magistrate's decision in the information brought agansc Casey. ,«■•»» In concluding his judgment, Mr McCarthy said' that there was a grave distinction between a by-law affecting only local residents, and one affecting only an important public right, such as the common uso of a highway. In this case the by-law applied only to drivers of licensed vehicles, and in essence provided that suoh drivers should only stand for hire in l a public stand.' - It was objected that this* by-law was unreasonable, in that it prevented a ( licensed driver from having a- fixed place for standing for hire. On the other hand, it may not unreasonably be contended that the confining of licensed vehicles to particular stands while waiting for hire was a convenience to the public, in that the latter always knew where they could procure a car for hire. The by-law in providing for this, was quite a reasonable provision, and the defendant's remedy was not to challenge the by-law, but to change the personnel, of the local 'body. Defendant would'be convicted and fined Is, and ordered to pay the costs.

Other drivers against whom informations were laid, .were convicted and discharged. - v