LARGE SERVICE STATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1938, Page 5

LARGE SERVICE STATION

TO BE ERECTED IN AUCKLAND DRIVERS’ RECREATION ROOM (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 18. Negotiations for some time past culminated in the sale to the Atta Taxi Company Ltd of a quarter-acre property in Upper Queen Street leased by the company for its service station during the last two years and a half. It was a private sale and, though the actual price was not disclosed, i| is understood the figure ran into several thousand pounds. Plans will immediately be prepared for the demolition of the present building and the erection of a modern fourstorey structure, in addition to an enlarged service station to cope with the work on the company’s fleet of taxicabs.

An interesting feature will be the provision of a public parking station. Almost all. of one of the floors, probably the second will be used for this purpose, The space available will be about 14,000 square feet. Another innovation in the new building will be a large recreation room for the company’s taxi-drivers, which will be available for use at any hour of the day. Modern facilities for enjoyment by the drivers of their leisure will be provided and it is expected that this service will be greatly appreciated. The manager of the company, Mr Francis Drumm, referred to the purchase as the biggest step forward ever taken by any taxi company in New Zealand. It was a tribute, he said, to the success of the co-operative spirit in which the company was formed and which had always been preserved. When the company was formed seven years ago it controlled 15 cars, whereas at present there were 190. The service had become so extensive that the present facilities to service cars had become totally inadequate and it was hoped that the new building would end such anxiety for many years.