WARNING GIVEN

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 292, 8 September 1942, Page 3

WARNING GIVEN

Over-Charging By Taxi-

Driver

The decision that a warning be given but that no further action be taken, was made by the Wellington City Council last night when W. J. Fowler, a taxidriver, was called upon to show cause why his licence should not be cancelled because of his conviction for overcharging a.fare. This was the second case of. its nature to come before the council, which, in dealing with the previous one, had intimated that it intended to adopt a strong policy. Cr. M. F. Luckie, chairman of the by-laws committee, said that Fowler had been fined for charging 20/- to convey five passengers to Petoue, when the correct fare should not have exceeded 9/-. He had been a taxi-driver in the city for about. three years and bad had a very good record. *. Explaining the circumstances, Fowler said that he was with his wife and family in the taxi, which he owned, when he was approached outside the railway station on a Sunday b,v a soldier, who asked to be taken to Petoue. He refused, saying he was not working, but ultimately agreed to accept £1 for giving mJ his Sunday afternoon to convey five passengers to Petone. He did not want to go, but did it as a favour.

■The mayor, Mr. Hisiop, moved that the taxi-driver’s licence be cancelled. Cr. It. L. McAlister said he would seco-.J this provided'the driver be allowed to apply again in 14 days’ time for a renewal of his licence.

Cr. Luckie opposed any cancellation of the licence iu this issue.

Considering that a fare of only 9/- for a trip to Petone was absurd, Cr. Appleton moved as an amendment that in the present case the driver be warned, and fio further action be taken. Seconding this, Cr. W. Duncan commented that 'Wellington was the cheapest' place, in New Zealand for taxi fares. Cr. Appleton’s amendment was carried by seven votes to live.