Answers to Queries.
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request tor privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our spac., are held several weeks.
The Provincial Co.'s Report.
[1,756] " POSTMASTER writes :—" Can you inform me whether the Provincial Motor Cab Co., Ltd., has yet issued its balance-sheet? Last year it came out on the 2nd November, so that, if it is not yet out, it is long overdue. I am curious to see it, as I am surprised at the manner in which the depots at --and --are being conducted."
ANSWER. -.It is anticipated that the annual report in question will be published within the next few weeks, but we cannot give you the exact date. We are conversant with the state of affairs to which you draw our attentinn. We shall deal with the balance-sheet in due course.
Refusal of Licences.
1-1.731] " TOTTENHAM " writes :—" You state in your paper that you ‘vili give advice on commercial-mot:lir subjects. Can you advise me on the following points ? Taking for granted that motors are not mentioned in the local by-laws, can an urban district council refuse to issue a licence to ply for hire with a taxicab? l they can, what would be the result of running without one ? Do you have to get a licence to run a motor as a carrier in the country? I have only enough capital to start one cab . '
ANSW FR. --Only those towns Ishich have adopted the Town Police Clauses Act have power to issue licenves for taxicabs to ply for hire. You should ascertain, from the local authorities, under what provisions they would propose to summon you if you ran your taxicab as a hackney carriage, without its previously having been licensed by them. Are other public conveyances in the same district provided with licence plates? Perhaps you will let us know if the district which you have in mind has its own police or only county police. Any licensing authority has: power to refuse licences, but the point for you to ascertain is if a licensing authority exists in the district. If not, you are free to " ply for hire " without a licence, just. as you could on the country high-roads. If you " ply for hire," without a permit, in a district which requires you to be licensed, you will be smartly fined. With regard to your last query, if your " carrier " is used only for trade purposes at all times, you need not pay any tax, but you must be registered and must bear a net tax of 1:?1. per gallon onlyon your petrol.
Private-hire Inquiries Again.
11,758j " CONFECTIONER " writes :—" I would be greatly' obliged to you for information on the following points respecting hackney-carriage motor licences:—
" I have a car, whose weight unladen is a little over 18 cwt., and I wish to hire it out. I intend to have a notice to that effect put in my shop window, but I do not wish to have the car standing in or plying about the town for customers. What taxation am I liable to pay to cover this ? Would I be liable to any further charges if my wife wanted the car for a drive, if she paid for the hire of it to me? Also could I use it for the following purpose'? I have motor vans delivering bread. etc., to the country ; if a breakdown occurs, would I be safe from being prosecuted, if I went to fetch the breakdown with the above-mentioned car and if I towed it home when found that a roadside repair could not be effected ? If I gave my wife a receipt for the hiring fee, would that be good enough evidence that she was hiring the ear? "
ANSWER.—The service in which you wish to employ your car is that of " private hire," and the taxation for which you are liable is therefore clearly that to which the ordinary private ear is subject, on the horse-power basis. under the Finance Act, 1910. You can use such a car for any private purpose you wish without additional taxation. You certainly need not charge your wife for its hire, and you can use it for breakdown purposes if you wish. You must not use it to " ply for hire " unless you obtain a special licence to do so.
To sum up : you are at liberty to use your car either as a private car for any purpose of your own, or as a " private-hire car," and the taxation is that of a private touring ear. You cannot obtain the 1(1. rebate on petrol used on such a ear.
Unfair Endorsement.
[1,159]" DORSET) writes :—" I was summoned last week for, as the police say, passing a constable's hand. I was lined 5s. and 2s. costs, and my licence was endorsed in such a way that I was given the impression that, had I killed 20 persons, more fuss would not have been made. I drive a two-ton commercial-motor van, with the firm's name painted in large lettering on either side of the bodywork. I told the magistrate that I did not see the constable, and he said We get. plenty of those excuses.' I should be glad to have your opinion on this matter. Had the magistrate any right to endorse my licence? "
ANSWER.—The regulation of London traffic is so complex a matter that it frequently involves the individual in personal hardship ; magistrates invariably feel that they must uphold the by-laws in such eases. We regret that there is no remedy in this case; the magistrate had no option under the Motor Car Acts but to endorse the licence. There is no way legally to obtain the cancellation of the endorsement. We have' inspected the endorsement, and we agree that this is a hard case, as the terms in which it is expressed might equally well apply to a most-serious offence.
Provincial Cabs and Buses.
[1,7601 '' WHEELs " writes a-" I shall be glad if you will furnish me with statistics relative to the numbers of tnotorcabs, motorluises, pleasure cars and commercial vehicles in the following towns: London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield, Bradford, Leeds, Newcastle, Hull, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen. I shall also be glad to hear what you consider is the percentage of increase in each class annually."
ANsweit.—We have arranged the figures, for which you inquire, in tabular form. The motorcab and motorbus totals are for 31st December, 1910, whilst the other totals are up to the 30th November of last year.