Alterations to Log Sheets Following Adjournment
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AT a resumed hearing of an application by J. Pickavance Ltd. of St. Helens (The Commercial Motor, November 19), the North Western deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. A. H. Jolliffe, made a part-grant.
The application involved the variation of conditions of four vehicles on B licence, confined to open-cast coal, to read: "sand, soil, stone, fly ash and other excavated materials within 15 miles ", and to add, with like conditions, 21 tippers of 1121 tons.
Mr. Jolliffe assessed the need at seven vehicles—four specified on B licence and three that had been working on shortterm B licence.
When Mr. J. E. Jones, appearing for four road objectors, called for log sheets it was revealed that alterations had been made since the adjournment. Mr. Jolliffe remarked that this was the first time that he had experienced the alteration of documents. Mr. J. Backhouse, for the applicant, said he had no knowledge of the alterations.
To clear up uncertainties prevailing at the last hearing as to the working of the fleet of the four vehicles on B licence and a varying number of short-term vehicles, additional documents were submitted showin gross earnings of the company, details of work under B licence, analysis He posed the question as to what real confidence one could have in the figures submitted and why it should be necesof gross earnings, payments to subsary to make alterations to log sheets. contractors, tonnage carried and analysis of log sheets.
One of the objectors, H. H. Crutchley Ltd., had offered to work for Pickavance provided a deposit was received, which Mr. Jones suggested was not unreasonable in view of accounts Crutchley had rendered in November and December, 1961, for work done for the applicant company amounting to £681.
Mr. Jones referred Mr. G. Wolsey, office manager of the applicant, to his cross-examination on November 11 relating to the log sheets of vehicles which had shown no work for hire or reward, they being largely confined to the carriage of the applicant's own shale. " Muck " had now been added to " shale " on some sheets and on others " shale " had been deleted and "muck and clay" added.
Mr. Wolsey agreed the log sheets for July-September had been looked over since the last hearing to ascertain if they were in accordance with the work done.
Mr. Jones submitted there was no evidence of future requirements of customers, some of whom had not given evidence, and equity required that as between one haulier and another 21 vehicles should not be allowed on shortterm licence.