Defiance leads to revocation
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"T HAVE never heard a worse case 1 and presumably a GV9 imposed in February has not been discharged —the vehicle may be on the road. He is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence," said the North Western LA, Mr. C. R. Hodgson, at Manchester on Friday, revoking the C licence, for one vehicle, of M. Little, of Burnley, under section 178.
"Little had neither the sense nor courtesy to attend and quite clearly intends to defy me and my staff; if he takes out a licence in the name of a limited company, this will be noted and closely watched," said Mr. Hodg son.
Mr. Hodgson referred to his letter of March 13 drawing attention to the dangerous condition of the vehicle and giving Little the option of a 28 days' suspension to which no reply had been forthcoming—there had been a change of address, not notified.
Little refused to accept a notification of this inquiry, sent by recorded delivery, said Mr. Hodgson. He had also said that the vehicle was all right, intimating that he might take out a licence in the name of a limited company.
A vehicle examiner, Mr. K. M. Brigg, spoke of a large number of defects, which led Mr. Hodgson to comment that there was very little right with the vehicle. Mr. Brigg said he had been called to make an examination in February, by the police, after the vehicle had been involved in an accident.
ON THE SAME DAY the LA, reserving his decision in another maintenance case, referred to it as "a pretty gloomy story". It related to vehicles operated by C. Taylor and Sons (Manchester) Ltd., under Contract A licence for Hardman and Holden Ltd. Six vehicles were specified, but the LA was told two had been scrapped.
Three vehicle examiners, Messrs. F. Howell, W. Ashworth and J. Corless, spoke of occasions on which GV9s had been issued for some vehicles and of their refusal to remove prohibition notices because all the defects had not been made good. It appeared that a GV9 issued in February had not yet been cleared.
Mr. Corless said there seemed to be no real system of maintenance, the only accommodation he had seen was a lean-to shed and vehicles were being repaired in the street. Mr. Taylor, apparently, was never informed of defective vehicles until it was too late.
Mr. Hodgson read out a number of prohibitions and referred to an accident with vehicle RIU 877 on February 8, resulting in the death of a pedestrian and a fine by the Darwen magistrates of £50 for failing to maintain brakes and £25 for having a defective door. On January 13 vehicle TDH 581 was stopped by a motor patrol on M6 and found to be a danger to the public, for which offence a fine of £186 was imposed by the Newcastle County magistrates' court. A report as recent as July 20 from the Lancashire police suggested the operation of a vehicle without a carriers' licence.
A director of the company, Mr. C. Taylor, spoke of the difficulties arising from the Illness of his brother, also a director, who had cancer of the throat. He admitted to it "being our fault in a way" and asked for a chance to show they could do better.
"Unfortunately," said Mr. Hodgson, "there are a lot like you on the road and detection is difficult because we have not enough vehicle examiners". He posed the question as to whether Hardman and Holden, Manchester chemical manufacturers, had complained of the condition of the vehicles or when they had not turned up.
Mr. Hodgson said a further inspection of the vehicles and premises would be made and he would get in touch with Hardman and Holden to see what that firm had to say.
EDINBURGH FARES UP
First of the applications for an increase in municipal bus fares was granted last week by the Scottish Traffic Commissioners—to Edinburgh Corp. Transport Dept. It will add Id on 6d and 9d fares and the Is fare will go up by Id or 2d depending on distance. Concessionary fares will rise to 4d, and the £2 15s four-week season ticket to £3.