Organizers Should Check Licence
Page 36
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DRIVATE-PARTY organizers who engaged a licensed operator to take them on extended tours should seek a written assurance that the work was covered by the licence, before booking hotels and making other arrangements. Mr. F. Williamson, chairman of the North Western Traffic Commissioners, gave this warning at Manchester last week after being told by a Blackpool hotelier, supporting an application by lkitty Holt Touring Services, Ltd., for variation of an extended tour to 'Great Yarmouth, that everything was booked for a particular tour this year and it would be a serious matter if the party were not able to go.
The applicants were seeking an extension from seven to eight days and to start in April instead of May. Jas. Smith (Wigan), Ltd., objected, Mr. W. Blackhurst, for Batty Holt, said that in March, 1956, there was an inquiry into quasi-private-party operations from Blackpool which had been operated irregularly for a number of years. The Commissioners said then that it was desirable that operators already licensed should take over this work and Jas. Smith and Batty Holt were allowed to do so.
Mr. Fred Webster, managing director of Jas. Smith, said that his company had an allowance of 41 vehicles which was over-sufficient in the spring and autumn. They were willing to apply for a oneyear licence.
This year, Mr. Webster added, Batty Holt were advertising and booking 18 tours on May 18, 19 and May 25, yet their vehicle allocation for May was 16.
Replying, Mr. 131ackhurst said it was common practice to book in this way, but no more vehicles than authorized would be operated. Jas. Smith were not licensed for Great Yarmouth and should not he allowed to obtain a monopoly of this work.
Mr. Williamson said, on the question of booking and advertising more tours than could be fulfilled under licences, that the applicants must not expect dispensation for traffic obtained in this way. The application was granted for one year, with dispensation to run two vehicles.
R.H.A. HONOURS MR. JARDINE
GUEST of honour on Tuesday at a 1,--1 luncheon of the Road Haulage Association's Metropolitan and SouthEastern Area was the former area secretary, Mr. Stanley H. Jardine, O.B.E.
On . behalf of, 520 members of the area and others, Mr. J. T. Turner,_ chairman, presented Mr. Jardine with a 21-in, television set and nearly £700.
Several of the past chairmen, including Mr. F. Fowler, Mr. C. Sparrow and Mr: H. H. Crow, and Mr. B. C. Floyd, representing the southeastern members, expressed their appreciation of the work performed by him, not only on behalf of the area, but for the whole Association.