New Simplified Conditions of
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Carriage by N.C.R.T.C.H.
THE National Conference of Road Transport Clearing Houses on Monday issued its recommended conditions of carriage as forecast by the national chairman, Mr. J. W. Ellis, in his annual report (The Commercial. Motor, April 5).
In drawing up these conditions in simple and concise terms, Mr. Ellis said the Conference were endeavouring to assist their small-haulier members, often unversed in legal phraseology, and to offer more liberal terms to trader customers. They considered it was in line with modern concept that
• such terms should be less onerous on the customer, a trend reflected in the more liberal insurance conditions that • many hauliers now obtained..
More Traffic Additional claims that might result • were expected to be offset by the additional traffic that more liberal conditions should attract. The Conference recommended their members to adopt these conditions of carriage as a minimum.
Following the definition of company and customer, the conditions state that the company shall determine he • manner of carriage, including the right to sub-contract. Collection and delivery must take place at the usual loading and unloading points, the necessary facilities to he provided by the customer.
The company retain the right to recover carriage charges on perishable goods if refused or otherwise nondeliverable. and to require notification by the customer of goods of a dangerous nature, which in any event would be carried only at the customer's risk and -after indemnification of the company.
Clauses 9 and 10 define the company's liability to the customer for hiss or damage. Written notice is required within seven days of delivery for damage and seven days of dispatch. for loss, a detailed .claim being required within 28 days.
Liability is limited to either the actual value of the goods lost or damaged or the aggregate value computed at a maximum of -1:500 per ton gross weight —whichever is less. Goods carried on a capacity-tonnage basis shall he deemed toweigh a ton per 80 cu. ft.
Should loss or damage occur in a mixed load from one custOmer, liability would berelated to the value of individual consignments, and not as a proportion of the gross • weight, as in other conditions.
Receipts qualified by the words " not examined" will be considered a clear receipt if damage is .not notified within three days of delivery. The right is reserved to charge demurrage if loading or unloading times exceed 20 min. per ion.
Containing the comparatively small number of 14 clauses, the conditions are particularly concise. The Conference hopes they wilt provide a common basis of agreement between the haulier and clearing-house sections. •.
STAFF DOWN: SERVICES UP 'THE number of drivers and con
doctors employed by Sunderland Transport Dapartalent is I() per cent. fewer than three years ago, although more services are being operated, Mr.. N. Morton, general manager, has stated. Efforts were being made to recruit more staff, and services Were being maintained by platform staff working substantial overtime.