Haulier Describes "Run of Bad Luck"
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PAA NEWCASTLE haulier was warned by Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, Northern Licensing Authority, last week, that if a licensed vehicle was off the road for a long time the operator must expect the possibility of having it struck off his licence.
The haulier, Mr. Edward McBeth. Edward Street, Newcastle, was applying for the renewal of a licence for three vehicles. He said one lorry had been run without oil and the engine had been "simply smashed." Then the local authority served a compulsory, acquisition order against him, forcing him to hunt for new premises instead of repairing the vehicle. His wife had been in hospital, and his house had been broken into three times in a year.
These were the reasons why the vehicle had not been taxed and on the road since December, 1957. However, the lorry was now in a roadworthy condition and if the licence were granted in full he would put it on the road• immediately. He hoped this would see the end of his run of bad luck.
For British Railways, Mr. J. L. R. Croft said they were objecting only to the licensing of the untaxed vehicle.
Questioned by Mr. Hanlon about the fact that one of his vehicles was seen by the police at Consett, County Durham, not exhibiting a carrier's licence, Mr. Mcfleth said his son had taken off the licence while repairing the door frame and had forgotten to replace it.
" There is a special reason why carriers' licences have to be exhibited," said Mr. Hanlon. "If they are not exhibited, it makes one think that the reason is because the haulier is doing something that he does not want either his competitors or the Licensing Authority to know about."
He did not think that was the reason in this case, and he granted the application in full.