THE SERVICE CAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3565, 20 November 1926, Page 2

THE SERVICE CAR.

“The service car driver, comes in for a. good deal of unfair criticism at times,” said a driver on one of the S.O.S. Wanganui-Wellington cars, to our representative, who sat beside him on a trip from Wanganui recently. “Our drivers are instructed to rigidly observe the rules of the road and to take no risks and when passing through or stopping at townships to adhere, strictly to the local by-laws. In this connection,” he added, “traffic inspectors pay more attention to us than to owners and drivers of private cars.” In the distance we observed three children trudging along to school. Upon the car coming up to them, the driver pulled up and shouted: “Come along, youngsters, hop in!” They needed no second invitation, and their smiling faces showed how they appreciated such kindness. Aboiit a mile further on two more children were picked up similarly and wore set down at Bulls. As they left the car they chorused: “Thank you very much for the ride, sir.” “I never pass by any school kiddies on the road if I can squeeze them in the car,” said the driver. The driver, who was apparently a lover of children, went on to say that the youngsters riding on horseback to school were well educated in the matter of road etiquette, “I suppose you often meet motorists in trouble along the road?” we queried. “Yes,” said the driver, “and our instructions are to give them a tow to the nearest settlement —that is if they signal us. I have done this on several occasions, and people have been surprised when they have been informed that the service has been gratis. You would be surprised to see the letters of appreciation which arc sent to the “boss’’ for little ads of gratuitous services rendered by the service car drivers.” These little points convinced us that (lie service cars had come to stay, and were becoming an essential means of locomotion to city and country dwellers.