Unlicensed Bus Work Miner Fined
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THE activities of " pirates " who run unauthorized works services with small vehicles can result in licensed operators having to put up their fares. This warning was given at Mansfield, Notts, last week by Mr. R. S. Whitby, when he prosecuted on behalf of the East Midland Traffic Commissioners.
Dennis Spalding, a 13Iidworth, Notts, miner, admitted illegally running a small bus to and from the National Coal Board's headquarters at Sherwood Lodge with evening-shift women cleaners as paying passengers.
Mr. Whitby said that people using private vehicles for hire or reward were creaming-off the best of the traffic, while bus companies had to take the "sour milk" in exchange for their own cream, There was evidence of this practice being engaged in to a considerable extent in the area, and an indirect result could be that established operators would have to ask for higher fares to cover their passenger losses.
Spalding had been charging 10 women cleaners fares of 2s. or 2s. 3d. on his route from Blidworth to Sherwood Lodge, yet his vehicle was insured only in respect of the owner and the insurance conditions prohibited its use for hire purposes.,No road service licence had been takeh out to cover the service.
When police intercepted the vehicle it was being driven by a roundsman, Bernard Farrington. He admitted driving without either insurance cover or a correct driving licence. Spalding pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting him.
Mr. Whitby said that, in a statement, Spalding claimed that he had made hardly any profit since he started the service after Whitsuntide. He was ignorant of the need for a licence.
Mr. P. A. Foster, defending, explained that Spalding had begun by driving his wife and mother to Sherwood Lodge in his car, but other cleaners—who were losing an hour in travelling—persuaded him to get a larger vehicle. Farrington was an innocent victim who had taken over the driving to give Spalding a fortnight's rest.
Spalding was fined a total of £27 and Farrington £11, and they were ordered to pay £7 7s. advocate's fee between them.