Decision Makes the Commissioners Sad
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DIFFICULTIES over running a miners' bus service were resolved by the Western Traffic Commissioners at Bristol, last week. They granted a licence for a. service between Clinton and Norton Hill to Mr. A. W. Carter, High Littleton, but refused a licence for Mr. P. J. Riggs, Clutton.
The National Coal Board had rejected a suggestion by the Commissioners that the service should be shared.
Mr. Riggs said he was willing to share the service with Mr. Carter because if he did not he would operate at a loss.
The •case arose from the closure last November of Pensforci Colliery, when the services run by Mr. Riggs and Mr. Carter had to be reorganized. The N.C.B. accepted Mr. Carter's tender for a new service because it was 2s. 6d, a day cheaper than that of Mr. Riggs.
The Board's objection toa shared service was that such an arrangement would lead to confusion.
Giving the decision, Mr. S. W. Nelson, chairman, said: "Mr. Riggs and Mr. Carter are operators of many years standing. It is rather sad to see Mr. Riggs going out as apparently he is, and we hope that whatever arrangements he will make will be to his satisfaction and that he will be able to' continue useful service, perhaps in private hire."
Mr. Riggs and Mr. Carter were said to have worked and co-operated in complete hdririony for 34 years.
LABOUR THREATENS DRIVERS
THE danger to the employment of lorry drivers implicit in the Labour. Party's renationalization policy was stressed by Mr. R. B. Brittain, chairman of the Eastern Area of the Road Haulage Association, on Wednesday.
Speaking at Southend Sub-area's dinner, he said: "After the high praise the lorry driver earns for his contribution to safety, his courtesy and his sense of responsibility, to talk of kicking him out of his driving cabin in order to feather-bed the railwaymen is like offering him an Irishman's rise."
Some people regarded commercial vehicles as a nuisance, but those who drove regularly knew that the professional driver was a model of helpfulness.