Answers to Queries.
Page 16
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Our readers all 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 for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published.
Motorcabs and the Spirit Tax.
[1,411] " OWNER OF TEN " writes :—" Will a motorcab be deemed to be a commercial vehicle ? Most people have assumed that it would be, but the Hackney Carriage Act does not deem such a vehicle to be a trade or commercial vehicle; otherwise, it would be exempt from the tax. The Chancellor's statement was not explicit. The words used by him in this connection were, if reported correctly in the " R.A.C. Journal," as follow :—` In order to meet the case of commercial vehicles, I propose to give a rebate of half duty on the quantity of petrol used in propulsion.' " ANSWER.—The full report of the Chancellor's Budget speech on the night of the 29th of April shows that he said, inter alia: " In order to meet the case of commercial vehicles, and vehicles such as motorcabs and motor omnibuses, which will not perhaps profit to so great an extent by the improvement in our roads, I.propose to give a rebate of half the duty on the quantity consumed in their propulsion." This will meet our correspondent's query on the point.
Motorcab Hiring by Titne.
[1,412] " GARAGE PROPRIETORS " write:—' OUT local authorities consider that there should be a time scale as well as a mileage scale for our taxicabs, and we have been so far unable to prove to them the unfairness of this system. Could you tell us: (a) whether taxicabs are being hired out at a fixed time scale in any place, and (b) whether such an arrangement has been found satisfactory?
" The local authorities point out that their rules only apply within the borough, and that we can therefore make our own arrangements for trips extending outside the borough, but we have explained the inconvenience this would mean and the disputes it would give rise to. We have also pointed out that a time scale would do away with the principal advantages of the taximeter, namely, a strict record as between employer and driver. Their reply to this is that this is nothing to do with them, and that we must make what arrangements we like for checking our drivers. It is possible that you may be able to produce some other arguments against a time scale which have not occurred to us, and, if we are not asking too much, we should esteem it a great favour if you would give us your views." ANSWER.—It is entirely within the discretion of the local council, under the Town Police Clauses Acts of 1847 and 1889, to make their own conditions in regard to the licensing of hackney carriages. None the less, after a very considerable struggle in various cities, and particularly at Birmingham, it has been generally held throughout the country that hiring by the hour, unless at some greatly-augmented rates, as compared with those for horsed cabs, cannot equitably be applied to motorcabs. If any local authority were -to insist upon the application of the same charge per hour to a motorcab as to a horse-drawn cab, the same authority could not demur
to the observing by the driver of the same rate of travel, and this is usually put in the local by-laws at four miles an hour.
We see no objection to the time scale, provided it is high enough, but we do not think it should be fixed at less than three times the corresponding charge for a horse-drawn cab. The time-and-distance combination is the fair way to ail.
Rebate on Spirit Charges.
[1,413] " K,W," writes :—" We have a motorcar, which we use for commercial purposes, and are given to understand that we are entitled to claim a rebate off the high price of motor spirit now charged in consequence of the Budget proposals. Will you be good enough to let us know if this is so, and also if there are any special papers to be sent by owners of cars in order to obtain this rebate.?
ANSWER.—The matter of your being entitled to claim a rebate entirely depends upon the manner in which you buy. If you are buying from a dealer, without any contract, you certainly have no legal remedy whatever, as you are dealing in a " spot " market. It is, of course, possible that you may be able to get some rebate by arrangement with the vendor. If, on the other hand, you are buying under a contract, then you have a full remedy against the vendor, who is required by law to maintain the original contract price until he can prove to your satisfaction that the duty has been paid upon the spirit which is being delivered and so charged at the higher rate. If you have such a contract, the normal course would be for you to apply to the party with whom you have the agreement to send to you a credit note in respect of such spirit as has been charged at the augmented price and has not been subjected to duty.
No special rebate or other such forms have yet been issued by the Customs or Excise.
About Darracq-Serpollet Omnibuses.
[1,4141" PURCHASER " writes !—" Being a regular reader of your paper, would you kindly answer the following? We are about to buy a 30h.p. Darracq-Serpollet. Would this be as economical to run as an equal-powered petrol motorbus ? Would it not be better for a hilly district. where there would be a lot of gear changing, and also would the steamer last as long and he as reliable?"
ANSWER.. ...The 30h.p. Darracq-Serpollet vehicles are quite practicable if properly handled, and ought certainly to give at least as good results in hilly districts as any similarly-powered petrol vehicle, whilst the point-to-point speed should be better. It depends on your having a good driver, who is experienced in the handling of such vehicles, and an advertisement in this journal would certainly bring applications from such men. The cost of running, including upkeep, is about the same for a steam vehicle as for a petrol vehicle. The burner and generator tubes are the chief items of expenditure for upkeep.