Fines Follow Tombola Coach Outing
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riA COACH company who hired a vehicle to a branch of tie British Legion, to take people to a tombola evening being run in aid of an old persons' charity, were fined a total of £6 with £2 10s. costs by Tisbury magistrates, last week.
For the Western Traffic Commissioners, who prosecuted, it was stated that Nadder Valley Coaches, Ltd., East Knoyle, Wilts, who pleaded guilty, had used the coach outside the terms of their licence. They were also charged with permitting 51 passengers on a 36-seater and for allowing standing passengers.
It was also stated that fares of 6d. single and Is. return had been charged.
Rahn Lambert, the driver, was summoned in respect of the excess loading, standing passengers and for not carrying a work ticket. He was fined a total of £4 10s.
A charge against Mr. Henry John fieltham was withdrawn when it was discovered that he was the branch secretary and not the organizer of the trip.
The coach was hired for II for the
evening as the event was organized for charity. "It was a purely nominal charge to cover expenses," said Mrs. Bartlett, director and secretary. Employees and the organizers had been told not to collect fares.
The company did not advertise the trip, and when she found that the organizers had done so she did her best to have the bills removed. The company did not know that there were 51 persons aboard and no -extra charge had been made, she added.
The driver explained that he had the work ticket when he set out, but returned to the garage and forgot to put his coat on again when he left. Concerning excess loading, he said that 11 passengers were children. He had no knowledge of who should have been travelling. It was late at night and to settle a dispute would have meant turning everyone off.
For the defendants, Mr. Nicholls said that although the company had no knowledge that there were more than 36 people aboard the coach, they were forced to plead guilty.