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Manchester motored) users are rebelling against the chaotic state of the motoreal business in Cottonopolis, and are arguing that all such vehicles should be compelled to fit taximeters and make use of them.
Bristol's Hopes.
Bristol City Council is asking the Local Government Board to sanction a regulation which no other council in the kingdom has been able. to get, namely, a by-law, governing the hiring of taxicabs, which will make it clear that the charge for hiring will commence when a faro is picked up.
Argylls in New York.
Visitors to the Knickerbocker Hotel, the Catlton of New York, are often struck by the smart appeara ace and comfort of the Argyll taxicabs which are always in madiness at the doors. Although 50 of these cabs have been on the New York streets for periods up to four years, they are as good as ever, and are universally recognized as he best in the city.
Wanted—a Four-cylinder.
A two-cylinder cab was recently hired from Tottenham Court Road for a tour in Wales. The fare would not take the first cab as it was clearly one of the two-cylinder type. The second cab, although also a two-cylinder, had a long bonnet, and the fare asked the driver whether it was a fourcylinder. The driver asked in reply where the fare wanted to go, and, as he had an intimate knowledge of Wales, he was finally hired. The cab is the driver's own property, and carried sufficient spares to enable him to do the journey without any preparation.
Preferred a Two-cylinder.
A short while ago, at four o'clock a.m., a messenger was sent from a West-end club to Trafalgar Square rank for a taxicab. There were nine cabs of different types on the rank, the last one being a twocylinder Renault. The messenger' had instructions to hire no other type except a Renault it subsequently transpired that the cab was driven to Aldershot and carried an army officer to the barracks. The officer told the driver that he had never experienced any difficulty when he had hired a Renault, but on several occasions had had a breakdown with four-cylinder cabs. Express Creditors Get Nothing.
Meetings of the creditors and shareholders of the Express Motor Cab Co., 8, Rochester Road, Camden Road, Camden Town, N.W., were held on 7th September at the London Bankruptcy Court. The statement of affairs showed that there was owing to 321 unsecured creditors 240,561 and to preferential creditors £306.
The assets were returned at £6,304, the main item being stockin-trade (costing 223,631) estimated to produce 25,580.
There were debenture bonds outstanding to the amount of 29,617, and afi.er deducting from this amount the value of the assets, there remained a balance owing to the debenture holders of 23,619. As regards the contributories there was a total deficiency of £70,143. From the observations of the Official Receiver it appeared that the company was formed in March, 1907, with a nominal capital, -£40,500. It was promoted by the Cornpagnie des 'Vultures Automobiles Express of Paris; and the parent company was to supply the Express Motor Cab Co, with 100 cabs delivered in Paris complete. but excluding the tires, at a price of 2310 per cab. The French company also agreed to subscribe or Preen re subscribers for 6,000 preferred shares of Li each. Business was commenced in October, 1907, nine cabs having been delivered by the French company. Subsequently a further eight cabs were delivered, but, as the French company failed to obtain the necessary subscription of capital to complete the purchase of the number of cabs contemplated, it became necessary to obtain fresh capital. With funds provided by debenture bonds the company completed the purchase of a further 33 cabs, making 50 cabs in all. In addition the company also purchased from an English firm 26 cabs, and there is still owing to the English firm in respect thereof £2,052. It was desired to obtain more cabs, but as further capital could not be procured, it was arranged by certain debenture holders to hire cabs to the company on a hiring agreement, with option of purchase. This arrangement commenced in January, 1909, and in all 114 cabs were se) hired to the company. The amounts paid for hire were credited on account of the purchase price This sum was capi
talized, and appears on the balance-sheet of 31st December, 1909 (the last balance-sheet prepared) as'instalments on account of cabs in course of purchase, £12,129." Since that date £23,0:32 has become payable in respect of hire, and of this amount 4;18,988 is unpaid. According to the company's books, the result of the trading was up to 30th September, 1908, a loss of :0,861 10s. 2d., while on 31st December, 1909, there was a profit of 21,991, no provision being made in the latter figure tor depreciation_ In May, 1911, the court appointed Mr. Lionel Maltby to act as receiver, and he had since disposed of the whole of the assets for S.:5,207 gross. There was nothing available for payment to unsecured creditors The directors attribute the failure of the company to increased working expenses, principally in regard to tires, competition, and the failure of drivers to account for all their takings, also to the exiting regulations as to passenger fares.
Tampering with the Taxi.
It is now customary for the cab companies to apply to the police magistrates for summonses against drivers who do not pay in the day's takings. These summonses are obtainable under the provisions of the Hackney Carriage Acts, and the clause states that the proprietor must produce an agreement in writing between the parties relating to the transaction. In the ease of Rex v. Solomons, which was a criminal prosecution for tampering with the taximeter (the first case of its kind which went to the Court of Criminal Appeal), the daily taximeter sheet was produced as an agreement, and the Common Sergeant, Sir A. Bosanquet, said that in his opinion it should be regarded as a daily agreement between the parties, and it is now generally accepted as such. The General and the British Motor Cab Cos. have since issued a considerable number of these summonses. At the hearing of the summons the magistrate usually gives judgment for the amount claimed, and 3s. costs. If the amount be not paid, the company may then apply for a judgment summons and obtain a commitment order. Several drivers have served short terms of imprisonment, in Brixton prison in respect of the " last clay's money."