Mr. Hanlon Advises Hauliers on Keeping their Yearly Accounts
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ADVICE to hauliers on keeping accounts was given last week by Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, Northern Licensing Authority, when he heard an application by J. and W. Watt, Ltd., Carlisle. Watt's had not supplied advance copies of their figures to the objectors, the British Transport Commission, nor to Mr: Hanlon. Consequently, their case was adjourned for the figures to be studied.
Mr. Hanlon said hauliers had to keep accounts from year to year in a businesslike manner. A full working year had to be shown, so that the figures could be certified by an accountant.
"It is no use having figures which start in May on one application and run from October to October in another," he declared. "There must be some consistency."
Watt's wanted to add two vehicles to their eight-vehicle B licence, covering general goods within 60 miles of Carlisle and eggs for West Cumberland farmers to and from Carlisle, Kilmarnock and Stranraer. It was stated that they already operated a further five vehicles on A licence, one on special A, and two on contract A.
Mr. J. B. Watt, a director, said one of the contract vehicles—a tipper--was used for coal, and his two other tippers, both on B licence, worked exclusively for the same coal factor. He had other important customers, carrying for the R.A.F., hospitals and factories, and he also worked for the National Coal Board. Mr. Watt produced four letters in support, claiming that there was a shortage of tippers suitable for carrying industrial coal, and added that he was unable to meet the demands made upon him. He had tried hiring, but was able to get only one vehicle locally, so now he was having to seek transport 25-35 miles from base.
Asked by Mr. Hanlon why the figures had not been put in earlier, Mr. Watt said he wanted them to be up to date.
Mr. Hanlon: "But they are no later than October."
Mr. Watt: "I think that is bringing them up to a reasonable time."
Mr. T. H. Campbell Wardlaw, for Watt's, submitted that the number of times people distributed figures in advance was small.
However, a request for an adjournment was put in by Mr. F. J. McHugh, for the B.T.C., and Mr. Hanlon agreed.
"STANDING" FEUD GROWING IF, as is likely, the provincial bus com
panies join with the municipal employers in rejecting the unions' demand for the prohibition of standing passengers, the unions will ask Mr. Harold Watkinson, Minister of Transport, to amend the permissive regulation which enables a maximum of eight passengers to be carried standing at certain periods. If the Minister does not concur, the unions will consider revoking their agreement with the employers.