Febry Employing Own Investigators

6th May 1960, Page 109

6th May 1960

Page 109

Page 109, 6th May 1960 — Febry Employing Own Investigators

Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

BECAUSE of "past difficulties" with the Licensing Authority, R. and W.

• Febry and Sons, Ltd., Chipping Sodbury, Glos, now employ their own investigators to check drivers' activities.

This was stated in court at Staple Hill, Bristol, last week, when one of the company's drivers who had been reported to the Authority was fined a total of £9 and ordered to pay :£5 5s. advocate's fee after admitting two charges of failing to keep records.

He was also prosecuted for driving for a continuous period of more than 11 hours.

The driver was Ronald G. Hobbs, Stanley Park Road, Staple Hill, Bristol. Prosecuting, Mr. R. F. P. Holloway said that Febry, who employed about 100 drivers, had been in difficulties with the Licensing Authority. There had been substantial prosecutions against the concern in the past for matters relating to

drivers, exceeding hours and not complying with the licence conditions.

Mr. Febry, he said, had taken a number of precautions to see that this sort of thing did not happen, and certain senior members of the staff were employed to check drivers' activities.

Two of Febry's staff saw a lorry driven by Hobbs at St. John's Lane, Bedminster, Bristol, at 8.30 p.m. on March 18. They saw the lorry again outside his house at 9.40 p.m. and it was still there the next morning. The records showed that he finished at Newton Abbot at 5 p.m and started at 7.15 a.m. the next day.

In a statement, Hobbs said: "If I was seen, I can't argue. But my intervals of rest were correct. I went home because my mother was very ill. I have had strict instructions from Mr. Febry not to exceed my proper hours."

Hobbs, it was stated, had not been dismissed.