Niotorcab Topics.
Page 12
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We illustrate, on this page, one of the handsome new Calthorpe motorcabs, %%hose introduction to the streets of Newcastle we recorded in our last issue. The wire wheels, Kempshail tires and long wheel-base are noticeable features.
The B..4. Motor Cab Co., Ltd., with an authorized capital of £5,000 in £1 shares, and with its office at College Bill Chambers, College Bill, E.C., has been registered. This company is to carry on the business of owners of motoreahs, omnibuses, etc.
Glasgow's New By-laws.
The new regulations for Glasgow taxicabs have now been passed, after a public: hearing of objectors in the Appeal Court. The Magistrates' Committee, which framed the new set of by-laws, has now authorized the charging of double fares after midnight—a state of affairs which will complicate the taximeter, and puzzle the public.
Eccles Not Quite Sure.
The Watch .Committee of Eccles Town Council has considered replies received by the Town Clerk to his inquiries as to the practice in other towns with regard to the compulsory provision of taximeters on motercabs. It has decided that the operation of the resolution, requiring every taxicab plying for hire within the Borough of Eccles to be supplied with taximeters, shall be suspended until the matter be further considered.
Aldershot's Exclusive Requirements.
Certain members of Aldershot District Council are endeavouring to persuade the local manager of the Provincial Motor Cab Company to agree to fix a charge for the hire of taxicabs by the hour.
"From Information Received."
On Wednesdayof last week, the Watch Committee of Bolton Corporation considered information which had been obtained from other towns, with regard to suitable regulations for the control of taxicabs. A new set of rules is to be compiled for Bolton.
Poor Progress.
An unsatisfaceory state of affairs was revealed in the balance-sheet of the Universal Motor Cab Co., Ltd., which was presented to the shareholders last week, at a meeting at which Mr. Carlton Roberts, the chairman, presided. Only £8,000 was subscribed of the authorized capital of £50,000. £4,000 of this sum was absorbed in preliminary expenses, and £3,544 was expended on motorcabs. The available cash balance appears to be £73. The chairman claimed that the eight cabs, out of the fleet of ten, which had been kept running durine the year, had earned £179 profit, each. Another concern, the Consolidated Motor Cab Company, is now to be absorbed, with its 10 cabs and its option to secure 25 more, whatever that may be worth.
.Petrol Famine in-Paris.
Motor owners have been affected by the floods in Paris, by reason of the shortage in the supply of petrol. As this is brought to Paris almost exelusively by river, and as all river traffic was stopped for over a fortnight, road motet's had to be laid up. The case of cur Paris correspondent is doubtless that of many hundreds of motorists. The supply in Paris diminished to such an extent that the price in some districts went up 50 per vent. In view of this rise, taxicab drivel's grumbled when asked to run at the ordinary fares. 'fhe General Omnibus Co. had a three weeks' reserve in hand for its motorbuses, and ens not obliged to stop a ey of its vehicles on this score.
French Taxic • bs for India.
The chairman of the Indian Motor Taxi-Cab On. Ltd., has resigned his seat on the board of this concern. It will be remembered that, when the shares of this undertaking were offered to the public, in November last, the prospectus stated that Charron taxicabs were to be employed. It is understood that the members of the board of directors now want to manage the company's business from Paris, and with this arrangement Sir Charles Stewart, Forbes, Bart., the chairman, cannot agree. Mr. Stephen Gorringe, the secretary of the company, has also resigned—for personal reasons, we understand. The gentleman who has taken his place is Mr. I. Brettin, Messrs. Tate and Co., a well-known Bombay firm of merchants, are interested in this venture. With reference to the invasion of Bombay by these new machines, it is interesting to read in " Capital," an Indian financial paper, as follows: "We were patting ourselves on the back the other day for being the first people in India to luxuriate in a taxicab hackney service ; but already we are finding out to our coet that there is a reverse side to the picture which is far from pleasant. The taxicab, with its present tariff, is only for the millionaire bookmaker. Nobody else can afford one A day's ride means nearly ;1 month's pay to an ordinary citizen." We would suggest that a day's ride in a taxicab is rather an expensive luxury anywhere! The Indian Motor Taxi-Cat Co., Ltd., 'has also applied to the Municipal Council of Colombo for permission to run 60 machines in that town. The municipality is likely to consider the proposal favourably and to grant the necessary licences.