Maj. Eastwood Calls for an Inquiry
Page 48
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
IVIAJOR F. S. Eastwood, chairman of ILL the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, in Sheffield on Monday adjourned an application by one of the oldest colliery bus services in the country so that it could be investigated.
He said that he would call for an inquiry under his direction into the operation of Booth and Fisher, of Halfway, nr. Sheffield. respecting services they operated between Eck ington and Markham collieries.
East Midland Motor Services and Chesterfield Corporation objected to the present licence for the services being changed from express to stage carriage.
During the hearing it was explained that Booth and Fisher took over the service under defence permit regulations during the war and were still operating it under those conditions, even to carry "
directed" miners free. Mr. Fisher said the Coal Board charged miners 3s. 6d. per week, plus Is. 6d, subsidy, but he only received Is. 6d. per mile plus percentage increases. He had no control over the fares and carried miners on permit.
He agreed with Mr. W. R. Hargraves, for the objectors, that these fares were very much sub-standard. They were fixed before the war. Major Eastwood said obviously there must be discussions between all the parties concerned before a very complicated situation could be resolved.
He Just Didn't Know
AN applicant, in business as a haulier for 35 years. told the Western Licensing Authority, Mr. S. W. Nelson, at Bristol last week he was unaware he could not carry goods " for hire or reward" in respect of a company of which he was a shareholder,
Mr. E. Nobes, of Chipping Campden. Glos., asked for a variation of conditions to enable him to carry goods for North Cot Brick and Tile Works, Ltd., and Littleton and Badsey Growers, Ltd., within a radius of 30 miles.
This was granted in respect of North Cot, who supported the application, but Littleton and Badsey were omitted as they were not present to give evidence.