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Bankruptcy case awaits decision

17th October 1969
Page 34
Page 34, 17th October 1969 — Bankruptcy case awaits decision
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• The Western LA, Mr. J. R. C. Samuel-Gibbon, will give a written decision to the applications for five A and five B licences by hauliers B. W. Aldridge and A. R. Cory, heard at Plymouth on Tuesday.

Mr. Brian Aldridge, of Launceston, Cornwall explained the licences were required by his own haulage firm which had taken over a similar business previously owned by Mr. Hugh Jory, now bankrupt.

He was represented by Mr. John Evans, also of Launceston. Objectors, from British Railways, BRS Ltd. and several other traders in the Launceston area were represented by Mr. E. Spry, Mr. E. A. Stocker and Mr. I. Jenkins.

Mr. Aldridge said he had bought Mr. Jory's business for £7,000 although he had never seen any books of accounts for the business and did not know how a figure of £3,500 for goodwill was arrived at.

The kind of business which he intended carrying out included transporting machinery, feedingstuffs, fertilizers and agricultural produce. Heavy vehicles would not be based in Launceston but at a village about seven miles from the town, Mr. Aldridge admitted that without having seen the accounts books he could not be sure that he was not being "taken for a ride".

In cross-examination, Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Aldridge if, after having decided to take' over Mr. Jory's business, he had ever seen Mr. Jory's former customers to see whether they would be prepared to offer him work. Mr. Aldridge said he had laot because Mr. Jory—now in prison—was not around to introduce him to customers.

Appearing on behalf of the applicant, Mr. D. Biddick said that Mr. Aldridge was the only haulier willing to take his agricultural produce to northern markets, such as Newcastle and Manchester. Told of the alternative of using the railway he replied "British Rail is a big joke."