Conditional Grant; Illegal Running Alleged
Page 15
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A LLEGATIONS by objectors that an rA Essex haulage partnership had illegally operated four vehicles without discs or licences were admitted by the lsauliers, Hatter Bros., of West Thurrock, during an application before the Metropolitan Licensing Authority, Mr. D. I. R. Muir, on Tuesday.
A director of the firm, Mr. H. K. Kerr, told the Authority that he made an application for a Contract A licence, and when he had explained to a clerk that the contract was still at the stage of negotiation, he was told that it would be in order to use the vehicles, pending the signing of the contract.
For Hatter Bros., Mr. E. S. Fay, Q.C., said that his clients operated 70 vehicles altogether, the majority of which were or had been, specified on contract lieences. The partnership's work was carrying bulk liquids, particularly petroleum—traffic which was expanding, but mainly seasonal. Ti appeared that the customers relied for their transport on their own C fleets and partly on the use of contract vehicles. But, to help during peaks, they had to have " spot hire" vehicles.
During last winter, Hatters had obtained short-term A and B licences which had since been extended and the application—for five A and five B vehicles -was to make these permanent.
Mr. Fay said that Hatters had received a notice from the objectors—Crow Carrying Co. Ltd., Tyburn Road Tanker Services, Harold Wood and Sons Ltd., Bulwark United Transport, Thomas Allen Ltd., and several other operators—that they proposed to raise evidence regarding illegal operation.
Mr. R. W. Spear, transport manager for Hatters, cross-examined by Mr. M. H. Jackson Lipkin said that some 10 vehicles were lying idle, but contracts were being negotiated. After being cautioned that he need not answer questions which might incriminate the partnership, Mr. Spear said he was connected with two firms, Hatter Bros., and Hatter Bros. (Grays) Ltd. He then gave particulars of vehicles operating under Contract A licences and when he mentioned a licence under which four vehicles had been operating for D. C. Fuels and Beneole Producers for about four months, Mr. Muir said that no such licence existed. An application had been made for one, he said, but no contract had been produced.
Questioned about the use of vehicles which were on short-term A licence, Mr. Spear said that when not required for the customers named, the vehicles were operated for other customers.
Mr. C. Zimmerman, transport manager of Benzole Producers, said his company commenced using Hatters in May. He had inquired whether the vehicles were operating legally on eight or nine occasions because it had been intimated to him that they were operating illegally. " My own impression was that it seemed that there was a campaign to force them out of business ", he said.
After supporting evidence had been given by representatives of Charringtons, Ease Petroleum and Aero Petroleum, Mr. Kerr, of Hatter Bros. was warned by Mr. Fay not to use the four vehicles concerned in the Contract A licence until they were authorized.
Before the application was adjourned Mr. Muir granted a Contract A licence in respect of the four vehicles, Provided the necessary documents were lodged, and despite an objection by Mr. Jackson Lipkin.
Sutton Refused THE application by Sutton and Son (St. Helens) Ltd. for eight articulated dual-purpose vehicles on A licence has been refused. This was made known on Wednesday, the North Western deputy Licensing Authority having reserved his decision at the previous day's hearing (see page 45).
Mr. Jolliffe refused the application as it stood but suggested that a new one shbuld be lodged, confined to six vehicles to carry bulk liquids. He did not think the objectors could supply a service similar to that which Sutton sought to offer; because the present system was working well it was not necessary to say that the application would imperil it.
Action Deferred .1-1 A PROPOSAL by the Metropolitar.
Licensing Authority, Mr. D. I. R. Muir, to consider whether or not to revoke or suspend a licence held by Reliable Haulage Ltd. of London was adjourned on Tuesday. Having ascertained that the licence holder was not present in court, Mr. Muir said that he understood that a petition for winding up the company had been presented to the High Court. He proposed to defer any action with respect to the licence until he had heard from the receivers.