A-LICENCE TIMBER GRANTS
Page 30
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Ar Exeter last week applications by Bowdens Haulage (Devon) Ltd. (Sticklepath), A. J. Gregory and Son (North Tawton), and Torridge Transport Ltd. (Torrington) for variations of their A licences were granted by the Western deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. A. C. Caffin. The firms sought to add two artics with a normal user of "mainly timber for Western Sawmills Ltd., normally within 200 miles".
For the applicants, Mr. T. D. Corpe said that Western Sawmills had started a new industry at Winkleigh in the form of a saw mills, and timber was being brought into the mill by pole wagons. It was agreed that British Road Services were first in the field and had carried out seven journeys. No complaint had been made. This was a competitive trade and the whole case would hinge on rates, he added.
Mr. C. Bowden, a director of Bowdens Haulage, was cross-examined by Mr. G. McMurtrie, for a number of objectors, including BRS, who insisted on Mr. Bowden producing his rates (earlier Mr. Bowden had said they were not available).
The rates produced ranged from 26s. 6d. a ton (Bristol) to 53s. (Swansea).
Mr. T. Clelenue, manager of W. Sawmills, said he had no fault to find with the BRS service, but their rates for small lots were high. One of the objectors, Mr. R. Lamey, of Lamey's Transport Ltd., Appledore, said that he had been invited recently to quote for the traffic, which he did. But he had not had any reply. Asked why he did not try to get the traffic before, he said that he knew BRS were the first in and would do a good job. "I knew the applicants had quoted below BRS rates and I had no intention of entering a rat race or a Dutch auction."
Mr. L. Jenkins, traffic assistant of BRS, asked the deputy LA to consider the facilities offered by BRS with their bases at Barnstaple, Exeter, Plymouth and St. Austell. In addition many vehicles were regularly coming into the area, with some going back empty. "I will move the traffic as it becomes available without asking for additional vehicles, thus proving my objection."
Mr. Corpe: "But you are not prepared to carry small loads for the same rate as the large ones." Mr. Jenkins: "BRS intend to stay in business and to do what you are putting to me is asking for financial trouble. However, we confirmed to the mill that we would carry 12-ton loads at the 15-ton rate."
In granting the application, the deputy LA remarked that "they will only be able to deal with 30 tons a day. There is still 70 tons left for someone else."