B.R. Said to Have Neglected Cattle A T Salisbury, last week,
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Mr. C. J. McDonald, Deputy Western Licensing Authority, heard an application by W. Dewey and Sons. Donhead, Shaftesbury, for variation of an A licence for two vehicles. A witness claimed that the railways had neglected cattle.
Mr. T. D. Corpe, for the applicant, said four members of the Dewey family drove vehicles, and the firm also employed other drivers in connection with their contracting business.
At present, two vehicles were licensed to carry furniture and household goods, as well as livestock, within an area of 45 miles, and other goods within an area of 20 miles. They were asking to be allowed to take livestock and other goods, mainly agricultural produce and requisites within a radius of 100 miles.
The application was made because of additional demands from farmers and other customers., which could not be met with the A licence fleet, which was working to capacity, with average earnings of £3,000 per annum per vehicle. The vehicles under B licences were not fully occupied and averaged about £1,400 per annum per vehicle. The application was supported by Messrs. John Jeffery and Son, auctioneers of Shaftesbury.
Grain Deliveries
The firm were also engaged in carrying for the Milk Marketing Board and it was expected that the production of sugar beet would be increased in the area. They carried grain for Dorset Farmers to London and brought back cake which they distributed to farmers in Dorset. British Railways did not make collections of grain for Dorset Farmers.
Mr. James Wilson, a director of W. L. Stephenson, Ltd., said the applicants did a considerable amount of hauling for his company in livestock and sugar beet. Valuable show cattle had 'been sent by British Railways but this was unsatisfactory. On one occasion the cattle were left without water or heat for five hours. He complained to British Railways and the reply blamed the control men.
The Deputy Authority varied the licence to read " livestock, agricultural produce and requisites for 100 miles, furniture and household effects 45 miles and other goods 20 miles."