YOUTHFUL CAB-DRIVERS.

Evening Star, Issue 4060, 1 March 1876, Page 2

YOUTHFUL CAB-DRIVERS.

A t yesterday’s meeting of the City Council Cr. Chapman presented the following merxiorhl from twenty-six owners and drivers of cabs in Dunedin:—

We beg most respectfully to suggest the immediate necessity of the Co mcil taking means to prevent lads having charge of cabs on the rank at the Custom-house ; also driving through the streets of Dunedin, Several complaints of misconduct have occurred lately upon the rank', which, we are compelled to acknowledge, are not without a cause; but we assure you it is not the fault of men in charge of cabs, but a lot of larrikins belonging to the boy drivers. We would respectfully suggest that no license be granted to any person (say) under twenty years of age.

On this subject Inspector Nimon reported:— The Inspector of Licensed Carriages would respectfully bring uuder the notice of the Council a paragraph in the ‘ Daily Times ’ of 22nd ult. with reference to boys being permitted to act as drivers of licensed vehicles, and the conduct of a number of boys who assemble about the cab-stand. The Inspector would again report that no boy is recommended by him for a driver’s license without producing from some well known resident a certificate or character and competency to drive. As to the age at which they shall be licensed, there is nothing in the bye law, neither has the Council instructed the Inspector, but left it to his own discretion; and he hos exercised it wisely, as there is not a hoy driving who is not able and. competent to do so. 'Jhe youngest boy driving has driven in his cab a prominent member of the Press, who, if required, would willingly grant him a certificate. With reference to boys of the larrikin class assembling about; the cab rank, the rab-drivers cannot prevent it—they are not .con? stables. Let those having authority look after the larrikins, and the luspeotor will answer for the conduct of the boy oab-driTcrs,