Motorcab Topics,
Page 14
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Messrs. H. G. and F. G. Sharp are shortly removing to more-commodious premises at Lupus. Street, Pimlico— the F.I.A.T. Motor Cab Co.'s old premises.
Notice of intended dividend has been given in the bankrupt estate of the Lancashire Taxi-Cab Co., Ltd., 7, Berry Street, Liverpool. Proofs had to be lodged on or before 4th October with A. J. Parkinson, Commerce Court, ii, Lord Street, Liverpool.
Two horsed cabs, which belonged to Mr. S. C. Howard, the proprietor of the North-Western Hotel, Stafford, have now ceased running, and two motorcabs have been substituted for them. The new service has been arranged in connection with Bailey's Garage, Lichfield Road, Stafford.
The fitters of the Gamage-Bell Motor Cab Co., Ltd., struck work on Wednesday of last week, owing to a difference of opinion between the management and the head fitter, which had led to the latter's discharge. It is stated that Mr. Horace Bell very quickly had a large number of applications for the various vacant positions in the shops, which latter were at once filled. On the following day a deputation of the fitters, together with several of the drivers who evinced a sentimental feeling towards their confreres, was received by the manager, and some of them asked to be reinstated. Mr. Bell, however, refused to consider their re engagement, as he thought that the trouble which had been caused would be likely to be aggravated in future by the same men.
As announced in our last issue, the. Do Cros Swimming Club held an entertainment at Hammersmith Baths on the 26th ult. Amongst those who were present were Mr. and Mrs. Harvey du Cros, Junr. The 100 yards amateur championship of the cab trade was won by W. J. Rice, and the 200 yards senior championship of the London Business Houses A.S.A. was won by C. Finch.
Drivers Deficiencies.
During last week several cases dealing with the relations between rnotorcab proprietors and drivers have been heard in the courts.
One driver, in the employ of Mr. Richard Boll, of Horseferry Road, was summoned for keeping his cab out for seven days and for converting £6 to his own use. The taximeter showed 900 miles, and the star wheel appeaied to have been tampered with. Mr. Horace Smith, at Westminster Police Court, committed the prisoner for trial.
On Thursday last, a driver in the employ of the British Motor Cab Co., Ltd., was also charged with the fraudulent conversion of £4 17s. 54d., 75 per cent. of £6 10s. 2d. ; he was also committed for trial. The charge was framed under the Larceny Act, of 1901. For the defence it was urged that the company had offered to accept a sum on account, and that the case should have come under the Disputes Section of the Hackney Carriage Act, 1843. It was pointed out that after the information had been laid to commence the proceedings, the company had signed the licence, which action implied that the defendant was a fit and proper person to drive a hackney carriage. This was not denied, as the licence was deposited at the police court by the company and then fetched by the driver, who started work for another employer.
On the previous day, Wednesday, the 27th ult., Mr. Hopkins, at the same court, had had two drivers charged before him by the Chesham Automobile Cab Co., Ltd., for exactly similar offences, and this magistrate refused to regard the alleged offence as a fraud; he simply made an order under the Hackney Carriage Act for payment of the amount owing with costs. In the case of the "British " driver, Mr. Horace Smith said that he could not understand the application of the Act to the ease and therefore would undertake no responsibility,in spite of his colleague's decision.
May Increase His Fleet.
Mr. H. J. McCarthy, Pindock Mews, Maida Vale, has a fleet of 30 Belsize cabs. Of this fleet nearly 20 have been licensed for the second year. At the present time only two out of the entire fleet are in the workshop for overhaul. Mr. McCarthy has been a cab proprietor and coach-builder for 20 years in West London. He states that he sees no reason why motorcabs should not pay under the existing conditions. His drivers, of which there are 60, receive 25 per cent. of the gross takings, but the petrol is paid for by them at the rate of d. per mile, which, in practice, has been found to work out satisfactorily both from the proprietor's and the drivers' points of view. Recently, however, Mr. McCarthy has started a new system by which the driver pays so much per day for the cab, with a fixed mileage. If this mileage be exceeded, an agreed rate per mile is paid.
At Pindock Mews, all the coachwork and repairs are carried out, and at the present time several new bodies are being made for Belsize chassis, as Mr. McCarthy anticipates increasing his fleet.