Hauliers Deny Buccaneer . Methods S TRONG objections were put forward by
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two private hauliers when Isaac Swires and Sons, Ltd., Yeadon, Leeds, sought a renewal of their five-vehicle A licence last week. After hearing the evidence and legal arguments based on the Knight appeal, Maj. F. S. Eastwood, Yorkshire Licensing Authority, reserved his decision and said it would be announced in writing.
In evidence, Mr. M. H. Whaley said that in June, 1957, he acquired control of the business, which consisted of two garages and the haulage work. At that time all the five vehicles were tippers, but three were unserviceable. The main work was sand and gravel haulage.
Cross-examined by Mr. A. Goss, for the objectors, Mr. Whaley admitted that when he bought the business he embarked on a campaign to get all the haulage work he could find. His transport manager had been given a free hand to build up the business because the vehicles were under A licence to carry anything anywhere. Some of them had now been changed to " flats " in substitutions.
Mr. H. Croft, one of the objectors, told Maj. Eastwood that he had 15 platform vehicles and two trailers on special A licence which were based half a mile from Swires' depot. He had known the Swires business for more than 30 years and was invited to buy it in 1955. It was not until June, 1957, that Swires began carrying wool and general goods. He could do with more work himself, as the haulage industry was not enjoying a period of prosperity.
Mr. Goss submitted that Swires had broken their normal user and had done so without excuse. It was a sand and gravel business which justified only one vehicle, yet they had entered the general haulage field in a buccaneering fashion.
Mr. J. Evans, for Swires, replied that the objections were misconceived and unjustified. The vehicles were operated under A licence, so they could carry anything.