Objector's File Will be Marked : Mr. Nelson Alleges Obstruction
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AN objector was. told last week by Mr. S. W. Nelson, Western 1-1. Licensing Authority, that his objection_ would receive little attention, and that his file would be endorsed with a record of what he had said.
The objector, who was opposing an application for three meat vans by Mob Transport, 15 Charlton Buildings, Lower Bristol Road, Bath,
discouraged from objecting. If this were the Case, it would be most unfair. A haulier had a right to object.
Mr. Nelson replied that he had a duty to pratect the ptiblic against waste of time. Objectors could be of assistance. 'What he had said about endorsing objectors' ,files was not a threat. but if an operator who claimed that his vehicles were not fully occupieil applied for additional vehicles, he would -have to lead es idence to era:se his previous statement from Mr. Nelson's mind. •
" Don't Waste My Time"
"In future," he added, "11 should be glad if objectors would speak to the point and not waste my time, and bring proper evidence."
Moto Transport applied for a B licence for three vehicles to carry meat within 35 mites. The firm, said Mr..
T. D. Corpe, were operating eight vehicles under a special A licence. Four were insulated meat vans and four were platform lorries.
The meat vehicles had been par'chased from the British Transport Commission at Bath, but they were now specified in a licence held in the Metropolitan Area.. Mr. Nelson observed that it might be advisable, when applying for a renewal of the licence, to specify the vehicles in the Western Area.
Mr. W. J. Holloway representing Bath Wholesale Meat Traders and Bath Butchers' Association, who supported the application, said that before Moto Transport began, Ha.ys Wharf did the work with eight vehicles. All these vehicles had now been disposed of, and Mob o Transport were trying to carry on with four vehicles.
Extra Vehicles Granted
Evidence given by Mr. Holloway and other witnesses convinced Mr. Nelson of the need for the extra vehicles, and the licence was granted.
In another case, Mr. Nelson said: "I think the objectors are putting every obstacle in the way, now they have got their additional vehicles, and it is something which I shall remember. This, is not a threat."
Mr. E. D. Inman, of Warminster, was applying for a B licence for 15 vehicles (69 tons 3 cwt.) to carry quarry and building materials and timber over 150 miles. Fourteen of the vehicles were proposed to be transferred from a C licence and the fifteenth was to be ri8 acquired. Nine hauliers, British Road Services and British Railways objected. The applicant operated a sand and gravel business with an annual turnover of £60,000. Mr. T. Thomas, of Man Abell, Ltd., Warwick, who supported the application, said their output of 'crushed and coated granite was about 180,000 tons a year, and had increased by 33 per cent. They had 22 to 23 vehicles on a C-hiring margin and wished to dispense with this Method of transport.
On the previous Friday they had been short of six vehicles, but they did not wish to increase their existing fleet of 10 lorries, because they had recently spent £70,($10 to £80,000 on new equipment for the quarry. Because of the great difficulty in obtaining vehicles, he had come from the Midlands to the West Country in search of them.
A B licence was granted for 10 vehicles (53 tons) to carry tarmacadam and quarrying materials, other than cement,-over. 150 miles. These vehicles were to be transferred from the -C licence.
B. G. Gibson and Sons, Ltd., would, said Mr: Nelson, be expected to delete six vehicles from their C-hiring margin, Lime Kiln Quarry Co., two , vehicles, and Man Abell, Ltd., two.