Answers to Queries.
Page 15
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Another Australian Opening.
[1,646] " NEW SOUTH WALES " writes :—"1 have a friend who does a large carrying business, and I am trying to persuade him to change from horses to motors. Would von kindly ask some of the motor-lorry people to send
_ prices, terms and catalogues to me, and it may result in business.•'
ANSWEE.—We are asking some eight makers to send out catalogues to you, and we are sending under separate cover a copy of our Overseas Special issue of the 9th December last, which you may care to pass on to your friend. He should therein find exactly what he wants.
Secondhand Two-ton Petrol Lorry Wanted.
[1,647] " BREWERS " write :—" We are looking out Ica' a sound secondhand two-ton petrol motor lorry of hout 2ih.p. to replace partially our present horse traction. I own and drive a 30 h.p. pleasure motorcar, but have no experience with commercial cars. I am writing to ask you if your expert—for a fee—could give me the benefit of his advice and help me in finding what I want E"
ANSWER.—We should advise you to apply to Martin's Motors, Ltd., of Burghley Road, Fortess Road, London, NW., who will no doubt have a vehicle to meet your requirements. We could also arrange that one of the Editor's assistants should inspect and test the machine, and prepare a report, if you desire it.
Taxicab Points.
[1,148] " Sorre TOTTENHAM " writes I have been much interested in your useful penny booklet called
Twenty points for users of London taxicabs,' but you do not include a very-important point, viz., whether or not the eab is dismissed, and the registration of fare stopped from going on, by usual raising of the flag, when the hirer arrives at the destination and alights from the cab, or not until the money is actually put into the hand of the driver ? Often, 2d. will register while the hirer is getting the money out from his pocket.
" Would you kindly advise me upon this point—just one way or the other ? I think the driver usually wants to wait till he actually gets the money, before he puts the fag up. The question is, is he right?"
ANSWER.—We do deal with the circumstances yon mention. in Point. No. 10. The driver will, as was pointed out last week in the course of our leading article. try to alloit a sufficient interval to elapse for the dial to show another 2d., if the passenger does not immediately tell him to " stop the clock." It rests with the passenger to show the necessary elementary knowledge of the working of the taximeter to protect himself against this inclination to a small imposition. The man fihould unquestionably put the flag to the "stopped position at once, and not after he
has got his money. He need not raise the flag to the vertical position until after payment is made. Such raising throws the '• hiring " and " Extras " counters to zero. zero.
Private-hire Landaulets.
[1.649] HOTEL-KEEPER " writes :--" I should be obliged if you will give me the following information. I have a 20-32 h.p. 1906 — landaulet, used solely for private hire; this conies under the eight-guinea rate. Am 1 not entitled to a rebate of half or the whole of this amount? Will the taxes date from 1st July, 1910, to 30th June, 1911, or will they date for six mouths only—to 31st December, so as to bring the dates as before, viz., January to December
ANswta.—You are not entitled to any rebate upon the new touring-car tax, Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910, if your vehicle be used for private hire; the only relief for privatetype cars is in respect of ownership by medical men and by members of the Army Motor Reserve. In accordance with a special provision (section 86, par. 8) of the Finance Act, any licence to keep a motorcar which was in force before 1st July, 1910, became void on the last day of last month (June). The new duty became payable on all cars on the 1st July; allowance will be made from the new tax taus claimed, to the amount of the licence duty paid 1 eic,re 30th June. Carriage licences will still expire on each 31st December.
When Does a Taxicab-hiring Properly Start in London?
[1,650] " M.H.J." writes:—" In your Twenty Points for users of London Taxicabs,' I do not quite learn what is right about a taxi coming to the house, from the nearest stand, to fetch people with luggage. It does not seem fair that the pay should begin before the passenger and his effects are on board, and it was not so with the old horse-cabs. One would, of course, have baggage ready, hut it does need putting on and in, and, if one has to pay from the rank, and a short wait, it. would add 8d. in no time to the cost. So far, I have never used a taxi for luggage, but, as the others disappear, it will be necessary, Perhaps in a new edition you will allude to this point."
Assive.e.—There is no question whatever that a taxicab driver is fully entitled to put down his flag the instant he is summoned, should he elect to do so. The reason for the non-occurrence of the same apparent difficulty, in the case of the driver of a horse-drawn cab, is due to this fact : no driver of a hansom or a four-wheeler is entitled to make a waiting charge until 15 minutes of waiting has been completed, whereas every taxicab driver is allowed to make a charge for any and all a-siting time. without any initial free period. We did not think it expedient to do more than to make the references and explanations which are giN en in Points Nos. 3 to 7 inclusive.