Delayed grant in ' what is peat?' case
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• What is the correct definition of peat? Is it an agricultural product or requisite or not?
These questions occupied the attention of witnesses and advocates at a public inquiry before Mr. J. R. C. Samuel-Gibbon, Western Licensing Authority, in Bristol on Monday.
Mr. W. C. Mailing, branch manager, British Road Services, Wells, Somerset, objected to the inclusion of peat in an application by Cheddar Fayre Ltd., Draycott, for B licences for three vehicles which were on A and Contract A licences respectively.
'We have always regarded peat as something more sophisticated than agricultural products", said Mr. Mailing.
He said BRS objected to the carrying of peat over a radius of 50 miles by the applicant.
"We should be interested in any bags of material in any quantity. BAS can easily cope with the proposed peat traffic," said Mr. Mailing.
In reply to Mr. T. D. Corpe, who appeared for the applicant, Mr. Mailing said there were 50 different varieties of peat. He said he did not object to the applicant carrying peat in bulk over a 50 miles radius.
Mr. A. J. Hann, Cheddar Fayre Ltd., said the company was a market gardening concern and the transport section was set up in order to get its products away to market following the closure of the Cheddar rail line.
The company also had three vehicles on B licence. The vehicles were used to transport their own and other market gardeners products, including large quantities of strawberries. -The lorries are often run half empty and we have to use the B-licence vehicles for peat when C-licensed vehicles are coming back empty. It would be better if we could even it out," said Mr. Hann. Coventry, Wolverhampton and Liverpool were among the areas to where goods were transported.
There was quite a substantial increase in earnings for hire or reward. About 90 per cent of return loads were for Fox Roy and Co. Ltd. Mr. D. G, Jay, of Fox Roy, witness for the applicant, was told during his evidence by Mr. Samuel-Gibbon: -There are three applications before me, one unopposed and two opposed. You have not given me a hint so far why should grant other than the one which is unopposed.
Shortly after the luncheon adjournment Mr. Samuel-Gibbon said "Have you had a talk about this? We are within a very narrow compass". The LA granted a five-minute recess.
On the resumption Mr. Corpe said it had been agreed to exclude peat for the Eclipse Peat Co, Ltd. on one application and to add the words "peat in bulk within 50 miles" on another. Two vehicles would be deleted from C licence and a Contract A licence would be surrendered.
Referring to a number of convictions against Cheddar Fayre Ltd. and one of its employees, Mr. Samuel-Gibbon said he would grant the applications but they would not become operative until December 2.
He warned the applicant against unauthorized use and told Mr. Hann that he must check and inspect drivers' logs in future.
"It is your responsibility", said Mr. SamuelGibbon.