The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-02 00:00:00

THE NEW CAB REARM 'LAW.

The new bill, endorsed by the Hon. Henry Fitzroy
and Lord Palmerston, introduced into the House of
Commons for "the better Regulation • of Metropolitan
and Hackney Carriages," contains the following pro-
visions :

After the first of next October all persons desirous of
'obtaining a licence to keep, use, and let on hire any
hackney carriage, must apply to, the Commissioners of
Police. Inspection of vehicles will follow such appli-
cation, and, if approval -succeeds, certificate will be
granted, upon which licence will -issue. Without such
certificate, no licence. - -
Power is given to the Commissioners of Police to
make inspection, as often as necessary, of all carriages,
•and if found unfit for public use, to suspend the licence
of the proprietors. All owners of public carriages
using or letting them for hire uncertificated, and in unfit
condition, are liable to a penalty of five pounds a day
for each day they shall so use or let for hire the carriages,
and in default of -payment a month's imprisonment.
Fares are thus determined ' first," by distance: With
a carriage, four or two wheels, drawn by one horee, for
any distance within, and not exceeding one Mile, six-
pence ; for any distance exceeding one mile, after the
rate of sixpence per mile, and for any fractional part of
a mile, over and above any number of miles completed.
Fares by time. For any time within and not exceed-
ing.. fifteen minutes, sixpence ; for any further time ex-
ceeding fifteen minutes, after the rate and proportion of
sixpence for every fifteen minutes completed. And six-
oence for any fractional part of the fifteen minutes. Arid
for every carriage drawn by two horses ,one-third above
the rates and fares herein above mentioned. It is to be
observed that the above fares are to be paid according
to distance or time, at the option of the hirer, to be ex-
pressed at the commencement of the hiring ; if not so
expressed, the fare to be paid according to- distance.
Under these provisions back fare is not allowed to be
taken.

Tables of fares are to be put up inside and outside of
hackney carriages. In orderto settle disputesa.s regards
distance, the Commissioners of Police have authority to
get due measurement 'made, the book in which the entry
of such distances is recorded is to be taken as conclusive
evidence, the said book being signed by commissioners.
The commissioners are, also, duly empowered to cause
to be placed at the several standings tables of distances,
and such other information as way be useful to per-
sons hiring. Four miles is declared a compellable dis-
tance to drive from the place of hiring. - A reasonable
excuse before a magistrate, however, may be plea.ded by
driver if question arises. All drivers must deliver to every
hirer a card, on which shall be printed, in legible form,
the words hackney carriage," and number of Stamp-
office plate fixed on such carriage. The number of
persons to be painted, or legibly marked on each carriage.
Luggage of a reasonable guantitg is permitted to be
carried in or upon such'carriage. All property left in
hackney carriages is to be.' deposited at the nearest
police-office ; penalty, for default, 201., or three months'
imprisonment. ' The commissioners are empowered to
appoint a number of fit inen to enforce good order at
haekney-carriage stands, and places where such carriages
usually stop or ply for hire. These persons are to ex-
ercise the duties of watermen, and are, to be paid by the
commissioners of Inland Revenue. No printed bill will
be permitted to be put on metropolitan stage carriages.
Fine, for drivers offences, 405.,
,or a month's imprison-
ment. One magistrate can decide cases of abuse which
may arise within the limits of a police-court district ; if
beyond, two justices of the peace for the county are re-
quired ; and, if cause should occur in the city of London,
two justices are requ -red -to hear the case. In case of
disputes,_the hirer may require the driver to drive to the
nearest police-court, or police station, the matter to be
beard by magistrate at the court, if open ; and if not
open, notice given at station, without summons, sufficient
for hearing at next sitting.