ILLUMINATIONS A SPECIAL OCCASION?
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TWO cases in respect of summonses with regard to the operation of a private car to Blackpool during the Illuminations were dismissed, at Leek, last week, the chairman stating that the Illuminations were a special occasion.
Mr, Edgar Blackford was charged with permitting a vehicle to be used as an express carriage without a public service vehicle licence or a road service licence. It was related that, following a notice being seen in a Leek shop to the effect that the defendant's wife would take passengers to Blackpool during the Illuminations at 10s. per head, a witness (instructed by the Potteries company) booked two seats, and later be and another man, with two other persons, travelled to Blackpool by private car, which was driven on this occasion by the defendant.
For the defence, it was submitted by Mr. Morris Shaw that the vehicle was constructed to carry fewer than eight passengers, and that the Illuminations were a special occasion within the meaning of the Act. It had been admitted previously, he said, that the Illuminations were a special occasion.
Mr. W. H. Abberley. prosecuting for the Traffic Commissioners, said that it was ridiculous to suggest that the Illuminations, extending over seven weeks, were a special occasion. It would be equally reasonable to suggest that Summer Time was a special occasion.
The chairman announced it was found that the Illuminations were a special occasion, and, therefore, the cases would be dismissed. Mr. Abberley said that he would apply for a case to be stated.