Partial Grant After Adjournments
Page 70
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AN application, by Dent's Transport (Spennymoor), Ltd., Tudhoe Colliery, County Durham, which had been adjourned twice for the provision of a fleet-licensing history and evidence of earnings, was only partially granted by Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, Northern Licensing Authority, at Newcastle upon Tyne, last Week. This was despite the virtual withdrawal of objection by the British Transport Commission, Dent's, represented by Mr. T. H. Campbell Wardlaw, had applied to add three vehicles to an A licence, substitute a platform vehicle for a van on another A licence, and replace a B-licensed vehicle by two heavier. vehicles (The Commercial Motor, February 26),
It was explained by Mr. J. H. Dent, managing director, that warehousing facilities were incidental to the carriage of goods into the area for distribution. No specific charge was made to the customer for this service.
He told Mr. Hanlon that one of the vans was in his possession. He had committed himself with the hire-purchase company in respect of the other vehicles because, in error, he had been informed that the licence had been granted.
The error had since been admitted by the Clerk to the Authority. But when Mr. Hanlon pointed out that „it was something which obviously could not have been granted beca-use of the objection, Mr. Wardlaw submitted that his clients had been under the impression that the objection had been withdrawn.
Representing the B.T.C., Mr. I. Robey said that, having regard to the figures and the oral evidence, his clients conceded e28 that 'a case of some sort had been made out.
Mr. Wardlaw said that the voluminous statistical evidence in support proved the need for the grant. It showed that the company had earned £4,150 per vehicle in 1957, rising to £6,457 in 1960.
Giving decision, Mr. Hanlon said that he was not satisfied that a case had been made for the addition of three vehicles. The increase in earnings had been accounted for by an increase in the fleet, by way of purchase or grants, and by " juggling " the vehicles about.
Since the licence was granted in 1955,
Dent's had had 13 vehicles specified, but there had been more than 30 entries on the licence. Vehicles had been taken on and off the licence so as to increase the unladen weights without publication.
In the circumstances, he granted an addition of only two vehicles. Of the application to add two vehicles to the 13 licence, in place of one already specified, which was unopposed, Mr. Hanlon said he was not satisfied that a case had been made out.
Referring to a short-term licence in the possession of the company and a temporary substitution which had been in existence since last August, Mr. Hanlon Said: " It is time this was put in order."