Lloyd's Weekly 17 July 1881

'Westminster

Disputed Cab Fare - General Pitt Rivers, of 4, Grosvenor-gardens, was summoned by John Spalding, a cabdriver, for non-payment of 10d., being the balance of the cab fare. - The complainant said that on June 29th he was engaged by the General at the corner of Conduit-street and New Bond-street, and drove him to the Tottenham-court-road, to Maple's. It was just five o'clock then: at 32 minutes past five defendant came out and ordered him to drive to 2, Grosvenor-gardens. There witness received 2s., and, on saying that his fare was over that, the General gave him 6d. more. The fare was 3s. 4d., having 2s. distance and 1s. 4d. waiting.- In answer to the magistrate the cabman said the distance was about three miles and three-quarters.- General Rivers acquiesced to this, and said the only question was one of time. He did not deny that the cabman was very civil, or that the distance was correct, but at the same time he did not think he had waited the time the cabman had said. He had given the cabman 6d., as he thought, over his fare, and that he deemed sufficient.- Mr Safford, the chief clerk, said he was wrong even then, for the cabman was entitled to 8d. for every quarter of an hour waiting.-Mr D'Eyncourt ordered the complainant to be paid 10d. and 7s. costs.'

Our thanks to Mark Bowden and Stephen Briggs for a copy of this account.

A further account can be obtained from The Times 12 July 1881.