TAXI LICENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1943, Page 4

TAXI LICENCE

REFUSED TO MASTERTON APPLICANT.

TRANSPORT AUTHORITY’S DECISION.

. An application for a taxi driver’s licence by William Innes, a former taxi proprietor of Masterton, was refused by the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr P. J. Skoglund at a sitting of the authority in Masterton today. Mr R. McKenzie, who appeared for Innes, said there was an acute shortage of taxis in Masterton. He alleged that four-fifths of the taxis in Masterton were engaged in driving Marines all over the country. Mr Skoglund: “Do you think 1 he could resist the temptation offering?” Mr McKenzie said h,e had too much experience as a taxi driver for that. In evidence Innes said he had received rings late at night since he had sold his business from the Masterton Hospital and doctors who stated that they could not get taxis. He had sold his business some time ago on account of ill-health.

Mr R. R. Burridge opposed the application on behalf of ten licensed taxi proprietors of Masterton.

Under cross-examination applicant said that if all the taxis in Masterton banded together they could obtain a comfortable living and provide a good service to the town.

Mr Skoglund said that in normal times 10 authorities were sufficient for Masterton. The fact that Innes had sold his business to a competitor and then tried to obtain a licence in competition with the man who had bought his business warranted the refusal'of a licence. The lack of taxis, through the influence of Marines, was universal in the North Island and was no reason for the granting of extra licences. Also, petrol had to be conserved.