A QUESTION OF UNLICENSED BUSES. I The Result of a
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Case Recently Heard at Darlington. 1 ryinE Darlington magistrates have now given• their decision in the last of the three cases which Were brought against the United Automobile Services, , Ltd., a few weeks ago for plying for hire with unlicensed vehicles. It will be recalled, as was reported in Tke Commercial • Motor dated October 5th, that nominal fines were imposed against the company in two cases and against two drivers for having used the vehicles, and that in another ease an adjournment was Ordered for a week.
The last-named case was one in which the company were summoned for having permitted an unlicensed vehicle to be operated on September 20th, and the driver, John Ward, of Bishop Auckland, was summoned for having used the vehicle. At the rehearing Mr. Philip I. Ifodgos, prosecuting, said that on the date in question an unlicensed bus was sent with passengers from Bishop Auckland to Darlington, and that when it was turned round in the ordinary way at Darlington it drew up at the stand.
The driver told the magistrates that he was driving the bus as a relief vehicle. He received orders not to go any farther than Heighington, but when he got to that village he could not get all his passengers -on board the ordinary service bus, and he had to continue right into Darlington. His object in going to the bus stand was to follow the regularservice vehicle back to Bishop Auckland. The magistrates found that the bus had been plying for hire. The company were fined 103. and 10s. costs, and the driver was ordered to pay 16s. 6d. costs.
The United Automobile Services, Ltd.., were also summoned at South Bank on two counts for having used unlicensed buses at Eston. The case arose out of a dispute between the Eaton Urban District Council and the company with regard to competition with vehicles on the Teesside Railless Traction system, in which the council has a large interest.
When the case was brought before the magistrates Mr. R. Nixon, on behalf of the company, asked for an adjournment for two weeks. Mr. T. Belk, clerk to the Eaton Council, said that they had no objection to this course, providing the company, in the meantime, agreed not to pick up passengers in the council's area. Mr. Nixon said he had not yet been fully instructed, but undertook to inform the management of the stipulation.