Mr. Alderman Thompsonpresented a Petition from certain hackney-coach proprietors, praying the House not to allow stage-coaches to interfere with them, by plying for fares within the streets of the metropolis. The petitioners stated, that they had already suffered very materially from the introduction of cabriolets, and that, if the privilege was extended so far, that common stage-coaches were allowed to ply in the streets of London, they should be completely ruined; they also stated, that much inconvenience would be felt by the public, from the constant stoppages that would occur, if coaches were allowed to take up passengers in the street. They looked upon the introduction of an increased number of cabriolets as an additional hardship. He believed, that too many vehicles had been licensed, and that 88 was the cause of the bad state, both of the coaches and horses.
§ Lord Althorpobserved, that he did not believe any mischief arose from the extension of licenses to hackney-coaches; but, on the contrary, a free competition had a tendency to prevent mischief. He would take care, in framing the bill, that the changes introduced should be so gradual as to obviate all the nuisance that was anticipated from stage-coaches plying in London.
§ Colonel Sibthorphoped the proposed change would procure clean and wholesome carriages, and civil and honest coachmen. If any thing was likely to produce cholera morbus in London, it was the filthy condition of its hackney-coaches. A more disorderly and uncivil set of men, more miserable vehicles in the shape of coaches, or more wretched horses, could not exist, than at present afforded the only means of conveyance in this great metropolis. He had some knowledge on this subject, as he had paid 25l. in fares in the course of six weeks.
§ Petition to be printed.