28 Witnesses Called for Annis : Pickfords Under Fire Again
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nUR1NG the resumed hearing by the Metropolitan Licensing Authority, on Monday, of an application for A licences for Annis and Co.. Ltd., further criticism of Pickfords, Ltd., was expressed. References were again made to an occasion in 1948 when, it was alleged, Pickfords refused, unless expenses could be guaranteed, to convey a giant excavator which had to In taken quickly to the scene of a cliff subsidence, at Shoreham, to rescue three trapped men. Cross-examining Mr. J. R. Martin, of the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Co., Ltd., Mr. Norman Lens. for the Road Haulage Executive, an objector, refuted any suggestion that Pickfords caused delay. Pickfords desired to inspect the cross-country route beforehand and wanted an assurance that expenses in this direction would be met by the Associated Portland Cement concern. This company, however, decided to move tWo smaller excavators to the site, one of which was transported by Pickfords from Leamington and the other locally hired.
Mr. G. C. Ames, office manager of the applicant company, gave details of a telephone call from Mr. Drummond, of Pickfords, after Mr. F. Annis had written to Mr. Drummond with regard to opening discussions over Pickfords proposed acquisition of Annis and Co,,
Ltd. Mr. Annis said that Mr. Drum-. mood asked him whether arrangements could be made to postpone the hearing of the application, so that a suitable transfer agreement could be reached.
Mr. C. A. Richards, plant manager of G. Percy Trentham, Ltd., stated that his company had 23 excavators, among other plant. Those hauliers nearest the company's depots were generally engaged tor transport, Annis and Co., Ltd., .working for the Uxbridge depot.
Mr. Letts, however, pointed out that whereas £298 10s. had been paid to the applicant for haulage in the financial year ended March, 1943,' the amount had increased yearly, until in the eight months ended January 1. 1950, £517 had been paid. The employment of E. W. Rudd, Ltd., had diminished and Pickfords had not been used at all in 1948. A case was cited in which Pickfords quoted £88 for a certain job and Annis and Co. Ltd., which obtained the work, £40.
Mr._ G. A. Pitt, Of Gilbert-Ash, Ltd.. referred to his company's appreciation of the personal nattire of _Mr. Annis's service. With other hauliers there was occasional delay in preliminary arrangements. •
. At this week's session,. the case for. the applicant was completed. 28 witnesses, besides Mr. Annis. havirtg. been called. Further hearings will take place on February 27, -March 7 and 13.