Chance for Objectors to Equalize
Page 48
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THE Western Licensing Authority last week adjourned for the second time an application by Wessex Coaches, Ltd., for new picking-up points on tours from Bristol to give smaller operators who objected an opportunity to make similar application.
Mr. T. D. Corpe, for the objectors, said that if his clients' applications were granted they would not oppose Wessex Coaches. The objectors were Western Engineering and Motor Services, Ltd.; Mr. J. G. Vincent; Severn Valley Motors; Mr. I. G. Nicholas; Primrose Motor Coaches (Bristol), Ltd.; Empress Coaches; Monarch Coaches (Bristol), Ltcl.; and British Railways. A witness for the applicants said she was one of a coach load of satisfied passengers brought to the inquiry. All these agreed that they had tried without success on many occasions to book with smaller concedis, although their approaches were always made greatly in advance.
Mr. Corpe denied an allegation that he had stated that Wessex Coaches were trying, with Bristol Co-operative Society, Ltd., and Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd. (The Commercial Motor last week) to run smaller operators off the road.
What he had in fact said in crossexamining Mr. S. C. Bellamy, secretary of Wessex Coaches, was: "The policy of your company has been to co-operate with the two big concerns to try to nut these small operators off the road."
There was no suggestion of those two companies being implicated, said Mr. Corpe.