Objectors Fear New Spate of Tippers
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HAULIERS in the Mendips fear that if an application by Senator Transport, Great Elm, Somerset, for four new vehicles totalling 17 tons and one low-loader of 6 tons, is granted, it will lead to a spate of demands for additional tippers in the area. Some of the 14 objectors at last week's hearing in Bristol were granted extra tippers two or three years ago and are anxious to protect their gains.
Mr. T. D. Corpe, for the objectors, put searching questions to the firm's spokesman about rates. He asked Mr. B. P. Harvey, a partner in the firm: "Since you started this business have you been going round the Frome area canvassing customers and quoting rates substantially below those which existing operators are charging?" Mr. Harvey denied this, but agreed that he had sought haulage work in Frome.
Mr. Corpe suggested that the highest rate quoted was Is. 21d., and in answer to a question, Mr. Harvey said this was economic to his concern.
Mr. Corpe then produced published operating cost tables but the witness said he did not agree with them. He did not concur that his company had been charging rates which did not cover operating costs, but stated that earnings in recent months had decreased.
This Leyland Octopus with Roberts 4,000-gal. tank was built for Major and Co., Ltd.
Mr. Corpe: "Then how do you justify doubling your fleet?" "By the amount of work we have to refuse."
Opening the case for the applicant, Mr. Gordon McMurtrie said Senator's reasons for wanting to acquire new vehicles were that their customers required additional facilities. Their freight consisted principally of roadmaking materials and road-making machinery; and he reminded Mr. S. W. Nelson, the Western Licensing Authority, that this was the time of year when local authorities were anxious to spend what was left of their funds. He produced several letters supporting the application and called a number of witnesses, one of whom, Mr. Wilfrid Bennett, of Bradgate Granite Quarries, London, described his company as one of the biggest tarmacadam providers in the country.
Cross examined by Mr. Corpe, this witness agreed that some time previously he had supported an application by W. Viney, Ltd., for additional tonnage and that since then his company's payments to Viney's had been reduced. His explanation was that Viney's were either unable to do the work required or that they had no suitable vehicles.
Mr. Corpe suggested that Bradgate's had also had the same experience with E. J. Bennett and Sons, and went on to ask: " The real reason why you are supporting this application is that you think you can get your haulage done more cheaply?" Mr. Bennett denied this allegation.
Another witness supporting Senator's application, Mr. Robert Francis, office manager of John Wainwright and Sons, quarry owners, Shepton Mallet, also agreed that his firm had previously employed Viney's and had paid them as much as £5,000 in one year. They discontinued their association because Viney's could not transport loads to Hampshire.
When yet another supporter was asked whether he had any financial interest in Senator's, he declined to answer.
At the end of a day-long hearing, the case was adjourned until May 13.
28-ton Tankers : Decision Soon
AN early decision may be forthcoming from Mr. Ernest Marples, Minister of Transport, on the proposal to raise the permissible gross vehicle weight for bulk liquid tankers from 24 to 28 tons, writes our political correspondent.
Mr. G. A. Pargiter (Lab., Southall) pointed out to him last week that delay in settling this question was causing difficulties among manufacturers and operators.
The Minister replied that he was aware of these, but other considerations, including that of safety, had to be taken into account.
Mr. Marples was firm in dealing with the Opposition's complaint that trade union representatives had been left out of the Railway Planning Board. He replied that one member spent millions of pounds a year with the railways, and was well qualified to speak on matters concerning their efficiency.
The Board's terms of reference are wide enough for it to recommend anything they wish, and Mr. Marples said that he was sure they would take other forms of transport into account when advising on the railways.
Irregular Carriage for Three Years
THE irregular carriage of racehorses under C licence, over a period of three years, evoked a severe warning from Mr. W. P. James, West Midland Licensing Authority, to Mr. P. E. McElin, director of various associated companies, at Hanley last week.
Pell Wall Stables Co., Ltd., Market Drayton, of which Mr. McElin is a director, were applying for a B licence to carry racehorses to meetings within 250 miles of base.
Mr. McElin said the company bought the stables in 1957. A qualified trainer acted for them and there were 20 racehorses in training which had been regularly carried in a C-licensed horsebox. It had only recently been realized that this was irregular as the carriage was included in the owners' costs. There were no licensed facilities in the area. British Railways were not objecting.
Questioned by Mr. James, he agreed he had never tried to get other facilities, there had been no reason to do so.
Mr. McElin's other companies were licence holders, said Mr. James, and he should have known what was required. He had not acted as he ought to have done, but as there was no evidence that anyone else could do the work, he did not propose to penalize those requiring transport by inflicting a penalty. The application Would be granted, but should any of Mr. McElin's companies be concerned in further irregularities, penalties would result.
EIGHT TANKERS A MONTH
FORMERLY devoted entirely to designing and making railway rolling stock, Charles Roberts and Co., Ltd., Horbury Junction, Yorks, are now making special road tankers on a regular production basis at the rate of eight units per month.
At present only mild-steel tanks are being made, but stainless-steel containers are scheduled for the near future. Two of the latest tankers were demonstrated last week when they were handed over to Major and Co., Ltd.