Big Haulier Loses . Libel Action J UDGNIENT for the six defendants,
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with costs, was given at Leeds Assizes, last week, in an action for alleged libel brought by I. W. Holdsworth, Ltd., the well-known Halifax haulage concern, and Mr. Charles Holdsworth, managing director. The case was heard before Mr. Justice du Parcq and a special jury.
The plaintiffs complained of reports published in six newspapers concerning a labour dispute in Yorkshire earlier this year. The defence was that the reports were not libellous, were fair, and that publication was justified. The action was brought as the =spa, of a statement made in Sheffield by Mr. Ernest Bevin, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, and reported in the newspapers concerned. The statement referred to the alleged refusal of members of the Union at Hull and Liverpool Docks to handle the company's goods.
Mr. Justice du Parcq said that the governing consideration was whether the words were rea.sonably capable of a defamatory meaning. He ruled that they were not. It seemed to him absurd to suggest that to any reasonable mind the words complained of would imply disregard of the fair-wages clans(' COAL SOLD OUTSIDE RADIUS.
How a Bishop Auckland firm overcame a singular difficulty was revealed at a sittipz of the Northern Licensing Authority at West Hartlepool, on Tuesday, when Messrs. S. Morley and Son applied for a B-licence renewal.
Mr. Wardlow, representing the applicants, stated that originally the licence permitted the delivery of coal and coke within a radius of 40 miles from Bishop Auckland. Last year, however, the radius had been reduced to 30 miles. This, the applicants considered was possibly due to the fact that Mr. Sidney Morley had not properly explained himself at the hearing ; consequently the restoration of the 40mile radius was now being sought.
It was explained by Mr. Wardlaw that, in order to meet the requirements of customers, Mr. Morley bought coal and resold it at the same price outside the 30-mile radius. "There is nothing whatever to prevent us from carrying on, but Mr. Morley is very unhappy about it." it was added.
Sir John Maxwell, the Licensing Authority, closed the incident by remarking that Mr. Morley had better carry on as he was doing.
Karrier's Making Good Progress.
At the annual general meeting of Humber. Ltd., held at Coventry on Tuesday last, Lt.-Col. J. A. Cole, 0.B.E., J.P., chairman of the company, made several interesting references to the activities of the commercial-vehicle manufacturers which are associated with the group. With respect to the Ranier business, which was taken over last year, Lt.-Col. Cole said that, despite the enormous amount of development work that has taken place, the company has made a profit, and the business is shaping very healthily.
Much of the credit for this happy state of affairs is due to the efforts of Mr. T. B. Keep, the energetic managing director of the Karrier and Commer concerns.
Next I.A.E. Practical Tests.
The next practical tests for the repair certificates of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held, so far as the 'mechanical section is concerned, in London, Bradford, Bristol and Manchester.on December 5, and in Coventry and Glasgow on December 12, and in London on the latter date for the electrical section. Prospective candidates may obtain full particulars from the Secretary of the Institution, Watergate House, Adelphi, London.
U.S. Will Lead at Belgian Show.
The American commercial-motor industry will have the strongest representation at the annual Belgian Motor Show, to be held in Brussels from January 9-20 next, with examples of 12 makes.
Germany will have seven representatives, including Blitz-Opel, BussingN.A.G., Hanomag, Krtipp, M.A.N., and Daimler-Benz. Next comes Belgium with six—Bovy-Pipe, Brossel, B20 Imperia, Miesse. and Minerva. The four French makers are the Latil, Liberty, Renault and Willeme. Saurer's will represent Switzerland, and Bedford and Morris-Commercial the British industry.
Wellworthy in Liverpool.
Wellworthy Piston Rings, Ltd., is to open a new service depot at 45, Renshaw Street, Liverpool, on December 'T.
£355,000 BY-PASS FOR YORK Approval to a 2355,000 scheme for the construction of a ring road at York has been given by York City Council. The highway, to be 120 ft. wide, will link the Leeds-York Main road with the Melton road to Scarborough. Both these highways are being widened to cope with the heavy traffic to and from the coast.