A CABBY’S FARE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3, 8 May 1913, Page 3

A CABBY’S FARE.

o - AN INTERESTING CASE. Before the P.M., at the Manly (Sydney) Police Court, P. Purcell s licensed cabdiiver, sought to rccovei from W. G. Parish, a solicitor of the Supreme'Court, and living at Bowerstreet, Manly, Is 6d for cab fare.

I Giving evidence, the complainant stated that on the night in question, at about 11 o’clock, he was driving his cab in Bower-street, and the defendant hailed him. After waiting for a few minutes, another cab appeared in the street, and defendant came out of his house and said, “I am sorry, old chap; I can’t take you on. I had called this cab, but thought he was not corning.” He handed witness who told him his fare was Is 6d, as it was after 10 o’clock—a shilling. Defendant asked for the shilling back, and when witness handed it to him, he said, “Now you can get it the best way you can.” The defendant (who pleaded not guilty) said that as far as he could recollect, the cabman wanted 2s. He admitted stopping him, but that he had barely pulled up when the other cab hove in sight. He then explained to Purcell that he had engaged the other cab, and gave him Is for his disappointment, whereupon the complainant said, “This is no good to me.” Witness then asked him to give | the shilling back, and said, “You mustn’t come that game with me. I tried to treat you fairly, and I must leave you to enforce your rights. I don’t think you are entitled to anything. If you think you are, fight i it out:”

After argument, the P.M. said he would have to rule against the defendant. ’The latter contended that according to the rules a hireling who was not engaged off the “stand” was not entitled to a fare, as it was not fair to other cabs on the stand if one could go out of his turn and pick up a fare in the street. The P.M. overruled the point, and remarked that cabmen were liable to a fine if they loitered for fares, and although he was of opinion that Is would have covered the expense, still the cabman was entitled to the fare and a naif, it being after 10 p.m. A verdict for Is 6d, and 10s costs, in default seven days, was entered against the defendant.