Was Container Part of Lorry?
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WHEN Joseph Nixon and Richard W Davison, of Simonburn, both farmers, also trading as Nixon and Co., haulage contractors, were summoned at Hexham (Northumberland) Petty Sessions for using a Bedford platform lorry for a purpose which made it liable to a higher duty, it was stated that the charge was a test case.
Mr. C. W. Hurley, prosecuting for Northumberland County Council, said that the lorry carried a container comprising a floor and four sides, one of which formed a ramp. The vehicle was being used for carrying livestock and a duty of £30, which applied to vehicles of not more than 24tons untaden, had
been paid on it. With the container, it .weighed over 3 tons 8 cwt., and was liable to a duty of £42 lOs
Nixon said that goods, such as wool, had been lifted on and off the lorry in the container, and the same could be done with livestock. He agreed that the container had never been lifted off the lorry while cotraining livestock.
The magistrates decided that the container had been boil' for lifting on and off the lorry, and the defendants were therefore not gu-Tty. Mr. Hurley, who asked the magistrates to state a case, as the matter might be taken further, added that the Ministry of Transport was anxious for a final decision.