VEHICLE SHORTAGE NOT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.
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Evidence of an acute shortage of tipping vehicles in the Manchester area, in addition to concrete offers of work, were of no avail when Mr. Griffiths Mather, of Failsworth, applied to the North-Western Licensing Authority, last week, for an extra vehicle. Mr. 11. Backhouse, for the applicant, said that the shortage of tipping machines at the
docks was increasing costs. Letters offering full employment for the extra vehicle were put in.
Sir William Hart, Deputy Licensing Authority, said that he was not satisfied as to the evidence of need. Mr. Backhouse then asked for an adjournment so that he might bring further witnesses. The applicant had, he submitted, made out a prima facie case and the evidence had not been challenged. He asked whether a haulier was ever to be allowed to expand.
The Authority refused the extra vehicle, maintaining that there was no strength in the evidence.
Rail Removals Unpopular.
When Messrs. Richard Buist and Sons, cabinet-makers and upholsterers, Commercial Street, Dundee, applied to the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, at Dundee, last Friday, for a licence for a 2i-ton vehicle under a B licence, Mr. G. A. Hamilton, a director of the firm, said that their customers did not like rail removals, whilst it was also easier to obtain an estimate for a road removal.
In the latter case, the contractor estimated for a vehicle, having regard to the bulk of the goods, but in the case of the railway, one had to try to judge the weight of the goods.
Mr. Hamilton added that railway shunting caused extra damage. It was his experience that more damage was done by rail than road.
The hearing was adjourned until July 20.
It should be noted that the address of Jack Olding and Co., Ltd., is now 101, Grosvenor Road, London, S.W.1, and not that given in our issue of July 3.
n18 Is Stamped Objection Valid?
Is a rubber stamp a signature? This question was raised at a sitting of the Northern Licensing Authority, at Northallerton, last week, when a number of applications for hauliers' licences was heard. In every case the applications were opposed by the L.N.E. Railway Co.
Mr. F. Milton, for Associated Road Operators, took exception to the railway company's •objection forms being signed by means of a rubber stamp. Mr. H. F. R. Sturge, for the L.N.E.R., pointed out that it did not fail to be a signature because it was stamped. The word " signature " did not imply the act of handwriting.
The Authority agreed with Mr. Sturge and said that, if the matter were pressed further, it would have to be settled by a higher court.