Metric tonne too heavy for partners
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OVERLOADING convictions sustained by R. and R. Newhouse of Settle had arisen because the partners had not appreciated the difference between metric and imperial tons, Yorkshire deputy licensing authority N. F. Moody was told at a Leeds public inquiry last week.
The partnership which operates as a haulier and farming business with a licence for five vehicles had been called to disciplinary proceedings in the light of 24 convictions against the partners and nine against their drivers.
For Newhouse, Miss L. Cadwick said it was the company's first appearance at such pro ceedings. Many of the convictions were duplicated, because both brothers were charged when an offence had been committed.
All the offences have been caused by misunderstandings and there had been no wilful disregard of the law.
There was an outstanding conviction for unauthorised use sustained after the partners had applied to add a new vehicle to the licence and had thought they were able to use it before a decision had been made.
The overloading convictions were due to the partners' confusion between metric and imperial weights plus the fact that it had been impossible to check weight as there has been no weighbridge at the loading point.
There were a number of convictions for failing to keep records. In fact records had been kept but they had been left in the cabs of the vehicles and were not handed in to the office.
One of the partners, Robert Newhouse said that some of the records offences had also arisen because it had not been realised that there was no longer an exemption from keeping records when working within 25 miles of base.
Prematurely terminating the licence so that it expires on April 30, 1980 instead of in 1982, Mr Moody said he had taken into account that the partnership had a good maintenance history. However, if it continued to breach the regulations, it could very well lose its licence.