Mr. Hanlon Attacks Overloading
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A HALTWHISTLE haulier, Mr. Nicholas Elliott, was warned by the 1-1 Northern Licensing Authority, Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, at Hexham, on Monday, that he proposed to consider whether he should suspend or revoke the operator's special A licence. He had been told that a vehicle which Mr. Elliott sought to have added to an ordinary A licence was nearly a ton heavier than had been authorized under the present licence.
Mr. T. H. Campbell Wardlaw. for Mr. Elliott. told Mr. Hanlon that the matter originally came before him last November, Mr. Elliott, who had had another special A vehicle placed on an A licence last November, had later appeared. with several other hauliers. before the Licensing Authority, and had given evidence that be had purchased a vehicle from K. and B. Motors (Newcastle), Ltd.
Mr. Hanlon had asked the applicant to have the vehicle weighed and to send in the weight ticket. It came to light that, instead of weighing 2 tons 19 cwt., as authorized, the vehicle weighed 3 tons 14 cwt. Mr. Elliott had said he had made no alterations to the vehicle.
Asked by Mr. Hanlon whether K. and B. Motors had been told of the inquiry, Mr. Wardlaw replied that he had no power to request them to attend, Mr. Hanlon said that, as they had expressed their willingness to come forward, he would, in future, not hear such cases unless the people concerned were notified. although he was not going to he responsible for asking them to attend.
Mr. Elliott said the registration book showed that the vehicle (a new 7-ton Commer with special A licence) had previously been owned by Orrell and Brewster, Gateshead. But he had never had dealings with them and did not know why they should be shown as owners. He had written his name and address on the application form for the licence and signed it. It was then completed by K. and B. Motors.
Asked by Mr. Hanlon what weight he had been carrying, Mr. Elliott replied. " 8-10-tons." which, he said, was the normal load for such a vehicle.
Why Call it a 7-loaner?
Mr. Hanlon: "Will you tell me why it is called a 7-ton Commer, if that is the case? If it was capable of properly carrying 10 tons. arc you saying that the makers wouldn't advertise it as such? "
Mr. Elliott, who was unable to give an answer, said that he did not think the description "7-ton Commer " bore any relation to the weight of the vehicle.
Mr. Hanlon said that, unless Mr. Elliott could call evidence to the contrary, he would deal with the case on the basis that the makers had intended the vehicle to carry loads of up to approximately 7 tons, and he would consider that the. vehicle had been overloaded. A vehicle carrying a 50 per cent. overload would 74 underpowered and underbraked.
Mr.•Wardlaw formally applf)d for an inquiry to be held to consider suspending or revoking the licence, and the application was adjourned "to enable Orrell and Brewster, the R.H.A. and K. and B. NI atom to attend, if they so desired,"