Accuracy of Certificate Doubted
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T DO not see anything insidious about 1 this accountant's certificate," said Mr. S. W. Nelson, Western Licensing Authority, at Bristol, on Monday, when he granted a change of normal user for 11 vehicles of 47 tons 7 cwt. to Edwards Transport (FrOme); Ltd, The grant, for the carriage of general goods within 200 miles, would be subject "to verification of the taxation position," said Mr. Nelson.
An alleged copy of the accountant's certificate had been produced by Mr. J. R. C. Samuel-Gibbon, who appeared for a number of independent objectors. He said that his clients disputed the accuracy of the document. or the'aPPlicants, Mr. J. M. Huntley said that it was a confidential document. "It appears to have got into the hands of certain unauthorized persons, and now an attempt is being made to use it against Mr. Edwards." He submitted that this was grossly improper procedure.
More Capital At the outset, Mr. Arthur R. Edwards, managing director of the company, said that he had got into difficulties with his affairs and had entered into a moratorium with his creditors. He was now endeavouring to get additional capital.
The accountant's certificate, said Mr. Samuel-Gibbon, purported to show the number of vehicles operated and the earnings for the year ended last May. The number of vehicles was stated to be 12 and the earnings £30,000.
In his evidence, Mr. EdWards said that he lost traffic to two of the objectors who were appearing. He admitted that the certificate in question was supplied by a different firm of accountants from those he had previously employed. That was because his original accountants were now acting for his creditors. Answering the Authority, Mr. Edwards said that none of the objectors appearing that day were creditors.
A tepresentative of Messrs. J. Button and Sons, who objected, told the Authority that in his opinion only five or six vehicles were operated by Edwards Transport during the past year. Drivers who had left his employment to work for Mr. Edwards had told him so. These drivers would give evidence if necessary, he told Mr. Samuel-Gibbon.
Mr. E. J. Bennett, another objector, said that he knew Edwards Transport operated only two or three vehicles last year. At the present moment he believed there were six. Witness added that he knew bids had already been made for Edwards Transport, and he believed the mention of 12 vehicles had been made to improve the prdspects of a sale.
Granting the qualified application, Mr. Nelson said that he considered the total amount of earnings had been borne out to some extent by three of the principal supporting concerns. Between them they had paid Edwards Transport something like £13,000 and he was satisfied that the applicant was doing a good job for his customers. He told Mr. Edwards that he would require, within 10 days, a clear statement as to the number of vehicles operated last yehr.
FINES FOR DRIPPING LORRY
THE driver of a lorry loaded with sand, which dripped water on the road, was fined £1, at Maldon, Essex, last week. When charged, William Alfred Rawlinson, Cedar Chase, Heybridge, Essex, said that he had been instructed to wait 15-20 minutes to allow water to drain off. He had waited 40 minutes, be said.
His employers, A. J. Bush, Ltd., were fined £5.