BUS LICENSE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 99, 17 December 1931, Page 6

BUS LICENSE

APPLICATION MADE COUNCIL CONSIDERS SHOULD BE DEFERRED FOR REPORT CHARGES UNDER NEW BILL When it was intimated at last evening's meeting of the Rotorua Borough Council, that an application had been made by Mr. J. Carliquist for a license in connection with another passenger bus, it was decided to defer the matter for investigation and report. In this connection, letters were received from the Rotorua Bus Company and the R.M. Company entering a protest against the granting of any additiopal licenses for the Rotorua Borough. It was pointed out that the Transport Bill had been passed, and it would therefore not be advisable to issue any fresh licenses which would tend- to complicate the situation. The Mayor (Mr. T. Jackson) said that the Town Clerk had written to the Minister of Transport inquiring what the position would be as a result of the passing of the Transport Bill. Defer Consideration 6 Cr. Albert Smith said that the company in which he was interested considered that at a time when drastic changes were pending, it would be wise for the council to defer consideration of the matter. By granting che application, the council was going to cause further loss to the companies which had been established in Rotorua for some time. Already there had . been a lot of price cutting, and more. of this would do a great deal jf harm. In his opinion, every tourist vho came to Rotorua and went away .vithout spending his ordinary quota, vas a loss to the town. Cr. W. Galbraith moved that the matter be referred to the General Jommittee for investigation and report but Cr. Smith moved as an amendment that the application be leferred pending further advice. Drastic Changes The Mayor said he had gone very arefully through the bill; there was io doubt that it projected very dras.ic changes in the transport systems )f the country. Rotorua, bowever, vvas not part of an omnibus district and he had therefore instructed the fown Clerk to ascertain the posiion. If Rotorua was included in a notor omnibus district, it would not lave the legal power to grant any lew licenses, but as the position tood at present, aetually the council xould issue a license if it wished to do so. At the same time, the points , .aised by Cr. Smith must be considered and he thought it would be a proper course to refer the matter to a committee.

Cr. E. ' T. Johnson said he thought he council should defer the whole .natter in the meantime. The Mayor said that althougn drasic changes would certainly takc ilaee in all motor omnibus districts, 'here was no indication as to how he act would affect Rotorua. Person,lly, he thought the Act might have a great effect upon Rotorua for it ;ave the Minister of Transport thc • right to determine ,all roui»;s and ' ?ervices. Cr. Smith said he had received pri'ate advice that day that Rotorua . .vould undoubtsdly be inciuded in the listricts under the Act. i Cr. O. H. Coleman thought that the committee should investigate the position thoroughly and report back ';o the council. Cr. Smith said he would withdraw 'lis amendment, as such an investigation would meet the position. Thc motion that the matter be referred to the General Committee for investigation and report, was then putto the meeting and carried. ..