“TOUTING!”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9848, 29 October 1924, Page 4

“TOUTING!”

TAXI-DRIVERS AND PASSF.N-

GERS

NEW STAND CREATED

Reference to the fact that taxidrivers were not allowed to ‘‘tout for passengers under toe amended by-laws was made at the Borough Council last evening, and as a result of the discussion a new stand in Gladstone road was created for taxis on race and show days. Cr. Be Cost a said that a unique position had arisen in connection with taxi-drivers in that under the by-laws they were not allowed to tout in aay public street for passengers. He contended that the law was arbitrary in that it was penalising . the drivers hv preventing them from making some money while they had a chance. The Council was over-stepping the limit. Cr. Hill: But you are one of I hem.

Or. BeOosta: I was away. The Mayor pointed out that the bylaw had been framed twelve to eighteen months ago, but had been vilhhcld until there were sufficient regulations to put into book form. Cr. DeCosta suggested that the bylaw should be. withheld on show and race davs. O. Coleman said that there was some dissatisfaction existing among tho taxi-drivers, but he thought that somtelling which the Council had not intended had been read into the bylaws. The idea of the regulations was to stop taxis circling round and about the street. That scheme was entirely wrong and he was against cars wheeling round the street. Regarding tlie alleged objection by the police that taxi-drivers could not placard the price of fares or destination on choir cars, he had been informed by the inspector of police that no such instructions had been given and that this idea was entirely erroneous.

Cr. Do Cost a proposed that a special stand in Gladstone mad at the Peel Street corner should be appointed for race and show days. In the event of the cars not being filled on thoso stands they would then have to go round through 'Customhouse street; and return up Gladstone road. Cr. Hill: Who was responsible for the drafting of the by-laws, the traffic inspector? I don’t think we know our own- by-law's. What is meant by “touting” ?

The Mayor said that if the new stand was appointed the taxi-divers could call out as much as they liked between Customhouse street and Peel street corner.

Cr. DeCosta: That’s touting absolutely.

Cr. Bi'ckforcl pointed out that in the past the taxis had boon driving up and down on both sides of the road and lie thought that the taxidrivers themselves had objected to that.

After further dismission it was decided to create a special stand in Gladstone road between Peel street corned and Customhouse street for taxis for use on race days and show days only, it being explained they could not run up and down the main thoroughfare circling' round and round blit would have to go through the hack street returning into Gladstone road.