MOTOR LICENSES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 472, 14 October 1919, Page 2

MOTOR LICENSES.

Anomalous and Unjust,

At the Auckland Magistrate's Court, on Thursday, before Mr J. E. Wilson S.M. Michael Butter (Mr Hanna) was charged with having committed a breach of the city bylaw by plying for hire with a vehicle without a license. Counsel explained that the defendant drove a motor vehicle between Auckland and Waiuku via Pukekohe during the period the railway restrictions were in fitree. The service was really a return one between Waiuku and Auckland, and the vehicle was properly licensed at Pukekohe. The defendant had interviewed the traffic inspector as to whether it was necessary for him to have a license in the city, and had been informed that the inspector would look into the matter and communicate with the defendant. The only communication the defendant had received was a summons Counsel contended that the registration at Pukekohe entitled the defendant to run the service to and from the city without a city license. The magistrate held that the defendant should havo takon out a license in the city, but in tho circumstances he would merely order the defendant to pay tho costs of the proceedings. The traffic inspector intimated th it proceedings against tho owner of the vehicle would be withdrawn as he merely wished to have the position mado clear. He added that the defendant in the previous case had evidently misunderstood him when the tormer inquired about a city lie 'rse. He had looked up the by-law and intimated that a license would have to be taken out IWe trust that the Franklin County Council and the Pukekohe Borough Council will make some sort of protest in regeid to the above case. Things are coming to a pretty pass when a taxi-owner already having to pay for two licenses is liable for another in every borough he takes his car into, that is, in the event of his taking a new passenger aboard. If Mr Parker, say, takes a carload of passengers into Auckland, none of whom wish to return, he must come back with an empty car, even if passengers are offering for Pukekohe or Waiuku, unless he likes to pay for a license in Auckland city as well. The thing is a piece of daylight robbery, a scindalous injustice that ought to be removed at the earliest possible date, in the interests of the general public, as well as in fairness to taxi owners. In the above case the car was mere'y bringing back passengers taken to Auckland some days previously. — Ed. F. and P. Times. ]