LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1136, 25 May 1911, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

— o- —: — THE DEADLY MOTOR. Sir,-On behalf of ourselves and the other taxi-cab and-motor-car drivels using the Kealherstau- Street stand, we ask you to publish-this letter in reply lo the comments which, took place a. the Ci.j Council meeting on May I*>. ' The Mavor is reported in your pap" to have, stated that he proposed to stau a crusade against the whole ot the tax - cabs in Wellington, within a iortniglit. We presume, in referring to the (axi-cai). he means not only the taxi-cabs but also motor-cars of every description used in Wellington. If he does'not .we are a a loss to know-why he should single out the taxi-cab. drivers. ■ • The topic, under consideration was int. appointment of Mr. Spry, ot- Hie r"o Brigade staff, as a motor-export and elec-trician-'to-inspect taxi-cabs on .bchal. ni the City Council. The Mayor is reported to have, said that he desired to prevent taxi-cabs running every day for a week without' a break ; it is rather remarkable that Mr. Wilfonl should have simply referred to the taxi-cabs, notwithstanding the fact that there are only twenty-eight taxi-cabs altogether in Wellington, while there are hundreds of motor-cars. here, and still more so in view of the fact that before a motor or taxi-cab driver can obtain a license to'drive he has to prove to the satisfaction of Mr. Doyle, Chief Inspector, of.the City Council staff, that he is a. fit and proper person and well qualified to 'drive cars through the crowded streets of Wellington. Indeed, hei is obliged—rightly, no' doubt—to exhibit ill Sractieo his skill and capacity to ' Mr. loyleV satisfaction.

.Councillor. Shirtcliffe is. reported, to have said that he considered there were some drivers' in the city of Wellington who should-not be allowed to drive a wheelbarrow, let alone a motor-car.-May we remind Mr..Shirtcliffe that ho allows his daughter to drive his own car: surely he does not think she is more .qualified to drive than men who have been driving -for. a living during periods of from fivo to ten years. We are'quite aware of tho fact that taxi-cab drivers are not

specifically mentioned in Mr. Shirtcliffe's remark, but from the context one is compelled, to infer that he is referring to them. .

Councillor Fitzgerald is reported to ihayo s,aid that a strict examination is wanted to.keep out some of the incompetent men who drive taxi-cabs at present. We are quite-willing, on behalf of all the taxi-cab drivers on the Featherston Street stand,' to place ,£> in your hands for donation towards - any charity vou may nominate if -it be found that Mr. Fitzgerald can prove, after any proper tests, that.'even one taxi-cab driver in Wellington is. incompetent, on condition that Mr. Fitzgerald puts up a similar sum. If on: the other hand the drivers are, in. tho opinion of those qualified to speak, competent drivers, then Mr. Fitzgerald's money shall be donated as above indicated. ' 'It is'all very'well for councillors to speak on the-floor of the council, where..'wc have not an opportunity of contradicting their statements. They do not earn their bread and butter by driving. If any of these-gentlemen would give, specific instances of the incompetency, of .which they : complain, then the persons in. question would ;be able. to take tho necessary steps to .protect themselves. It is most unfair, however, that they should make these general statements, and injure ths whole of tho 'motor-car drivers, when they probably mean to indicate men who are riot professional.taxi-cab or motorcar drivers'af all. Wo would also like to remind the Mayor that some time ago he himself ran over a boy in Featherston Street, while driving his motor-car. Surely, he would not be classed by Mr. Rhirtcliffe'as one of those people who should not bo allowed to drive" even a wheelbarrow. •"•-.- ;.•'•-.'■•

We.may state in .conclusion, that wo consider Mr." Spry.would bo an excellent man for the'purpose mentioned in.your article. AVo believe him to be a man who is'thoroughly competent to deal with the motorcar traffic. .We'think the general public are satisfied that it is not the professional motor-car drivers who are to blame for excessive" speed. 'Most people are aware that these men prefer, to go at a'reasonable speed, as there is less wear and tear on their cars, and. the amount of petrol us:d is: very-much less, than if .'the'cars are continually going at a high rate. It is usually the privately-owned'cars which cause the accidents, and inconvenience the neople of Wellington. This is borne nut by' the .numerous police cases in which private owners'have figured. .We may state, that'wc .would welcome any change in the by-laws which-would tend to improve'the condition or control of traffic in this city, .v- •.-■■■. In conclusion we would like the general nhblic arid- the City Council to know that because a.man drives a; taxi-cab he. is not necessarily a criminal.—We are, etc., (On behalf of Featherston Street Stand)

F. 6.-BUTLER. . G.' FiIKNANDOS.