AUCKLAND'S BUS TRAFFIC.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18409, 16 June 1925, Page 13

AUCKLAND'S BUS TRAFFIC.

♦- (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELZSRAX.) AUCKLAND, Jims 15. At the Supreme Court, the proprietors of the Auckland Omnibus Company are moving to quash the City Council's new by-law controlling bus traffic, on' the ground that it is unreasonable, partial, unequal in operation, oppressive, discloses bad faith, is in restraint of trade, and is ultra vires.

Counsel tor applicants, Mr \. RMeredith, said' the broad issue was whether the council acted bona fide, the council having an individual interest arising from competition with the tramwav service. Sir James Gunson, ex-Mayor, gavevideuce that the tramways' manager at least twice consulted him on the position regarding bus competition, and indicated that unless buses wer,restricted the Council would be faced with a serious position. Witness had never said that the Council's expenditure of £1.250.000 en the purchase ol .trams in 1919 was threatened by buses, and that they would be justified in' crushing the competition by any means. He had never adopted that attitude. His policy had always been to conserve the interests of the tramways. He . had maintained that it was* neecssary for the Council to got control of the bus traffic for the purpose of preventing wasteful competition. His mind was obviously occupied with the city's finances in respect to this matter. The by-law did not emanate from him, and he was away from Auckland when the discussion took place. G. JR.-Hogah, Chief City Traffic Inspector, also gave evidence regarding the need for relieving the congestion in Queen street. The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow.