TRANSPORT LICENSING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1943, Page 3

TRANSPORT LICENSING

SITTING OF AUTHORITY POLICY DEFINED. OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETURNED MEN. At a sitting of the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr P, Skoglund) in Masterton yesterday afternoon the Authority indicated as a matter of policy that he did not favour the issue of further vehicle authorities as a survey was being made to see if returned transport operators could be placed in the industry. The issue of further authorities, he added, would restrict possible opportunities for returned men. “We all know how'urgently lime is needed. My first consideration is that the farmers should get it,” observed Mr Skoglund regarding an application by J. W. Thornton Junr. for two extra vehicle authorities to operate within the Masterton county for.the cartage of lime. Mr T. Jordan, who appeared for Thornton, said the application was for extra authorities to cart and spread line quarried from a new pit at Rangitumau.

Mr J. MacFarlane Laing appeared for Transport Wairarapa Ltd. and indicated that he did not oppose the carting of lime but opposed the granting of extra Vehicle authorities when his company had two vehicles which could be made available for hire by Thornton, Mr Skoglund said he would not grant the extra authorities. He would be prepared to take part in arranging the contract price for the hire of the lorries and indicated that it would be a more economical procedure than putting new lorries on the road. As the lime was wanted urgently Thornton could arrange with the Transport Company to hire the trucks at a price to be later determined.

J. J. O'Donoghue was refused an authority to operate from Western Lake to Featherston for the cartage of cream, mail, bread, and small parcels. The applicant told the Authority that zoning was to be brought in in the South Wairarapa and the Hon. Ben Roberts had advised' him to make the application. “The zoning authorities have nothing to do with this court,” observed Mr Skoglund. Tie said the district concerned was well served and it was a waste of time considering the application. In any case, he added, the residents of the district, who had signed a petition stating that they did not receive an efficient service had not considered the matter so important as to warrant attending the hearing. Other applications were dealt with as follow: — Goods services, ancillary users, new applications: Estate J. H. Tatham, Robert Russell and Son, W. J. Pope, all gi’anted. Goods services amendments: Tait and McKenzie, adjourned; T. C. O’Connor, granted. Transfer: C. J. Dillon to A. S. Edmonds, granted. Passenger services, amendment, N.Z.R. Road services (alteration in scale of charges for cartage of bread) granted. Reviews were made by the Authority of Smith and Wrigley’s service to Palmerston North, an extra trip per week being granted; F. H. Seward, Featherston to Lake Ferry service, an additional trip per week granted; W. G. Marflitt, extra trip per week granted. Goods services, new application: T. Beder (Mr H. H. Daniell) resumption of service relating to cartage of skins to Wellington, granted. Taxi service transfer: G. Brasell to Ramsden and Kelly, granted. F. J. Staniforth to C. K. Burling, granted. Review: W. E. Jeffrey, D. P. Ryan and Sons Ltd., no alterations. For the benefit of taxi proprietors Mr Skoglund defined the difference between a licence for public hire and a licence for private hire. Where a public hire licence was granted a taxi man was required to operate from a public stand and to be in continuous attendance. Where a private licence was granted a man operated from a private residence and was contacted by the person who wished to hire the taxi. The proprietor was not required to be in continuous attendance. The Transport Department preferred the issue of public hire licences to make taxis available on the stands.