HACKNEY CARriage Licensed TO CARRY [ (1) The number mentioned in the licence. ] (1) PERSONS. Hiring to be by distance unless at commencement expressed to be by Driver not compelled to drive more than six miles. Waiting: For every period of 15 minutes completed (whether by one stoppage or by several) (4) One fourth of the sum exhibited on flag as the rate per hour if cab hired by time. For any lesser period - (6) One fourth of the sum exhibited on flag as rate per hour. For any lesser period [ ] (7) (7) The same sum as (6). Driver not compelled to drive more than one hour. WHETHER BY DISTANCE OR BY TIME. Luggage. For each package carried outside, an extra charge of Extra Persons. For each person above two an extra charge for the whole journey of . . For each child under ten, being such extra person Remote Discharge.-If hackney carriage discharged at a dis- 2d. 6d. 3d. For every completed mile of such excess (8) The sum exhibited on flag as the rate per mile. For any portion of a mile of such excess (9) The same sum as (8). It will be observed that all the minor charges are fixed either absolutely, or by reference to the rate by distance or the rate by time. These rates are, in respect of each cab, the rates determined by the proprietor previously to the issue of the licence, and are exhibited on the metal flag attached to the cab. The rates may be changed at the discretion of the proprietor, provided that such change be notified a fortnight beforehand to the Commissioner of Police, and endorsed by such Commissioner upon the licence, and a corresponding change made in the figures on the flag. Penalties are provided in case of any charges being made in excess of the rates exhibited on the flag, or of any unauthorised change in the figures on the flag. To prevent any misunderstanding, it may be stated that the police have strict orders not to interfere with cabs plying for hire, popularly called " crawlers," except in instances where such plying for hire is likely to obstruct the traffic of the streets. Disputes. If any dispute should occur between hirer and driver, the hirer may require the driver to take him to the nearest police office, where, if a magistrate be sitting, he will adjudicate on the case at once. If it should be after the closing of the police courts, then the driver is to drive to the nearest police station, where the complaint will be entered, and decided by the magistrate at his next sitting. Property left in hackney carriages should be inquired for at the office of the Commissioners of Police in Great Scotland Yard. Charing Cross. A driver is bound to take property which has been left in his carriage to the nearest police station within 24 hours. The owner will receive it on proving his title to it, and on payment of the expenses incurred. Turnpike or Toll Gates.-On some of the roads leading out of London are stationed these vexatious barriers, which persons on horseback, or driving in a vehicle, cannot pass without payment, according to a settled rate of toll. After paying the collectors, the money is laid out on the repairs of the roads. The repairs now done, amount, it is said, to £40,000 a-year. Various attempts have been made to get rid of the nuisance, but as yet without having discovered any plan which is satisfactory to all concerned. A list of tolls leviable at every gate is conspicuously painted on a board, and should be referred to in case of doubt. Tolls are levied on several of the bridges, not only on vehicles, but on foot passengers. OMNIBUSES AND THEIR ROUTES. There are many lines of omnibuses from one part of London to another, the routes of which will not be understood by a stranger unless he consults a map. They are principally in the hands of a company, styled the London General Omnibus Company, established a few years back, in imitation of the Parisian system. Notwithstanding the promises to employ new roomy vehicles, the omnibuses continue to be very inconveniently small. The system of correspondence with which they started has been abandoned. The use made of these conveyances in London is very great, and in the principal thoroughfares, several omnibuses are in sight at one time. It has been ascertained that 1800 of these vehicles pass the Angel, Islington, daily. The highest fare is seldom more than sixpence for the whole distance, with a lower charge for shorter distance. The top of an omnibus affords a good means for seeing the streets of London, and the exteriors of the principal buildings. Before taking a seat, ascertain that the omnibus is going to the place you wish to be taken to. Inside the door there is a list of fares, which the stranger should consult before paying. In case of overcharge take the conductor's number from his badge, and apply to the nearest police office. The number of passengers to be carried in and upon an omnibus is to be conspicuously painted inside; and no more than the proper number of passengers is to be carried under a penalty of £5 each against driver and conductor. RAILWAYS AND RAILWAY STATIONS. 66 For fuller particulars as to the stations on the several lines, the times of departure and arrival of trains, and the fares, the reader is referred to the official time-tables or to Bradshaw," which latter publication contains a map showing the courses of all the railways in the kingdom. BLACKWALL, Fenchurch Street, City. This line, 3 miles long, is leased to the Great Eastern Railway Company. At the terminus, Brunswick Wharf, are steamers to convey passengers |