Time of Sunset.—As the period of sunset has been found constantly liable to dispute, it is therefore now regulated that the sunset hours shall be after eight in the evening between Lady-day and Michaelmas, and after five in the evening between Michaelmas and Lady-day; and the back-carriage after such hours shall be taken to the carriage-way pavement, or next standing beyond which the coach was hired from, (if hired at any stand off the pavement) at the full fare back to either, at the option of the party discharging.
Articles left in a Coach.—By a late Act, all parcels, &c. left in a hackney coach are to be taken to the Hackney-Coach Office, on pain of paying 20l.; to be recovered on application to the commissioners or a justice.
The coachman can demand his fare from the place he is taken from, either for time, if he be kept waiting, or for distance. He is to take the shortest way, and to charge accordingly; but if he, from choice or ignorance, does otherwise, he can make no extra charge.
The coachman may refuse to take heavy luggage, unless he be paid something more than the fare; but he must object to it before it be put into the coach; he cannot, however, object to take small trunks, or parcels that may be carried in the hand.
If a coach be drawn off the stand to the side of the pavement, the coachman may be made to go with you, if not hired, or if he refuses, he is liable to be fined.
Note—When a coach is intended to be kept waiting, notice should be taken of the time when it is called, in order to prevent disputes; and the coachman may demand a deposit.
Always take the number of the coach you hire, that, in case any thing be left in it, or the coachman conduct himself improperly, he may be summoned.
LAWS RESPECTING SEDAN CHAIRS.
By 7 Geo. III. 44, the following rates of fares are allowed to be taken by licensed hackney chairs; viz.