The Sun.
London, England, 1830-06-14 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.

REPORT FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON
THE HACKNEY COACH OFFICE.

The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the Duties, Sa-
laries, and Emoluments of the Commissioners for regulating
Hackney Coaches within the Bills of Mortality, and the seve-
ral Officers under their controul ; the present state of Public
Carriages within the Bills of Mortality, and the Laws affecting
the same; and who are empowered to report their opinion
thereupon, together with the Minutes of the Evidence taken
before them, from time to time to the House—have examined
the matters to them referred, and agreed to the following
Resolutions :

Resolved, 1. That it is the opinion of this Committee that the
duties of the office of the Commissioners for managing the
hawkers' and pedlars' licenses, and hackney-coaches,. chariots,
and cabriolets, so far as the same relate to the collection and ma-
nagement of the revenue, be transferred to the Board of Stamps ;
thereby effecting a considerable saving of expense, without de-
triment to the public service.

2. That it appears to this Committee that it is expedient that
the present licenses of hackney-coaches should cease, and new
licenses be granted by the Commissioners of Stamps; that such
licenses be granted to the present proprietors of hackney-coaches,
chariots, and cabriolets, and to all such other persons as shall
agree to take not less than three numbers ; and that after the
expiration of three years, the limitation to three numbers shall
cease.

3. That it is the opinion of this Committee, that persons taking
out licenses and obtaining plates, should be permitted to use them
upon any description of carriage they shall think fit.
4. That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the number of
persons to be carried in each description of carriage should be de-
termined by the said Commissioners.
5. That it is the opinion of this Committee, that drivers and
watermen should be registered, and wear a number.
6. That it is the opinion of this Committee, that a plate with
the number of the license, in distinct and legible characters,
should be affixed on the inside and outside of every carriage.
7. That it appears to this Committee, that many persons are
deterred from making complaints at police-offices, and drivers who
have misbehaved thereby escape with impunity ; and that expence
and trouble would be saved to the public, if for the purpose of
hearing and determining complaints by or against drivers, one of
the police Magistrates should sit at eleven o'clock every day, at
one of the present police offices; and that a competent surveyor
and clerk, who shall possess the admeasurements already made,
and take new ones if necessary, should attend the person on
whom the duty should devolve.
.8. That it is the opinion of this Committee, that thepolice Ma-
gistrates shouhl have concurrent jurisdiction for hearing and de-
termining all complaints under the proposed Act.
9. That it is the opinion of this Committee that police con-
stables should be empowered to lay informations against drivers
and others offending against the proposed Act.
10. That it is the opinion of this Committee that the limits of
the metropolis should be extended and defined, for the purpose
of ascertaining back fares.
_ _

11. That it is the opinion of this Committee that a new rate of
fares, by distance and time, should be adopted.
12. That it appears to this Committee that it is expedient to
repeal the laws relative to hackney-coaches, and to ask leave to
bring in a Bill in conformity to the above resolutions.
13. That it is the opinion of this Committee that the clause
prohibiting stage-coaches taking up passengers on the stones
might not to be re-enacted.
June 10, 1830.