Mr. Hanlon on "Reasonable Expedition" Regulation
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A SHORT-TERM application for a B licence, authorizing three vehicles, was
adjourned by the Northern Licensing Authority, Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, at Newcastle on Tuesday, in order that the application could be published in accordance with the statute. The application, prelude to a substantive B licence, was necessary because the applicants—Redpath Brothers, of Wooler, Northumberland—had allowed their previous licence to expire.
For the applicants, Mr. T. Fl. Campbell Wardlaw, told Mr. Hanlon that unfortunately, owing to an oversight, an application for the renewal of the old licence had not been submitted before the expiry date. However, the vehicles had been taken off the road when it was realized that they were unlicensed, and an application for a substantive B licence had now been submitted.
Mr. Arthur Redpath, director, said that the matter concerned a licence and vehicles which his company had acquired from Turnbull's of Chathill, Northumberland. Instead of, as suggested by the Authority previously, amalgamating the vehicles into the company's substantial fleet, they had been kept separately licensed.
He admitted receiving reminders from the L.A.'s office about the necessity for renewing the licence, but, unfortunately, be was under the impression that the notices concerned another B licence, due for renewal at the end of June.
Mr. Wardlaw: "I believe the confusion has been heightened by the fact that the actual licence has been mislaid? " Mr. Redpath agreed, and added that the vehicles had been taken off the road.
Addressing Mr. Wardlaw, Mr. Hanlon, referring to section 173 of the Act, said: " It clearly says that a short-term licence can only be granted where I am of the opinion that the application has been made with reasonable expedition' and that the demand for the vehicles is so urgent as to render compliance with the requirements of the section impracticable."
He continued: " How can it be said that this application has been made with reasonable expedition when the matter has only come before me in May; the licence having expired at the end of January, and, according to the regulations, application for renewal should have been sent in in November?"
Mr. Hanlon said that the application had to be published, unless he was -satisfied that it was made with reasonable expedition. He adjourned the application so that it could be published, and for further evidence.