Coach Company Withdraw : "In False, Embarrassing Position"
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xi/HEN the South Eastern Traffic Commissioners continued hearing an " application by Smiths Luxury Coaches (Reading), Ltd., last week, they were told that the company were in "a false and embarrassing position." Mr. A. G. Goodeve-Docker, for the company, said they had applied to take over an excursion and tours licence held by Mrs. Laura Townsend, Crowthorne, near Wokingharn (The Commercial Motor, last week) but they now realized that entirely wrong evidence had been given.
Newcomer Told: Mend Your Ways
AN ex-miner, described as a comparative newcomer to the haulage industry, told the West Midland Licensing Authority, Mr. W. P. James, last week, that he thought the grant of a contract A licence was an automatic procedure. Mr. R. Austin, lpstones, Stoke-on-Trent, was explaining why he had operated a vehicle on contract to Lime-Sand Mortar, Ltd., Stoke, without a licence.
On his behalf, Mr. G. L. M. Litchfield said he held' contract A and B licences. He first applied for another contract A licence on October 31, but it was refused because the vehicle had been operated illegally. Since then the lorry had been off the road, although the driver was still being paid.
Mr. James remarked that Mr. Austin was 'under the curious impression that a vehicle could be used before a licence was applied for. The new application would be granted, although it was a risk. Mr. Austin would have to mend his ways if he wanted to remain in haulage.
The Authority-also commented on the proposed conditions of the contract, pointing out that the lorry could not operate for subsidiary concerns. He therefore ordered that the words "and subsidiary companies" should be deleted.
"BEAT THE JAMS" PLAN A SCHEME for providing a ring of in car parks round Birmingham so that drivers can travel into the city by bus was accepted by the city's public works committee last week. It was put forward by the chairman, Ald. F. L. Price, who referred to the traffic problem as "frightening."
Sites for the new car parks would have to be found somewhere, he declared. If the transport committee could not provide the staff and vehicles to operate limited stop journeys from the perimeter, hired vehicles could be used.
HUSBAND AND WIFE FINED WHEN 'a husband and wife appeared vV before York Magistrates, last week, it was stated that the woman employed her husband as a lorry driver, so she was responsible for any offences he committed. Thomas Jackson, Three Oaks, Elvington, near York, admitted eight hours and records offences.
The couple were fined a total of £36, with £12 costs and £7 7s. advocate's fee.
Since the case had been adjourned, new facts had come to light which were unknown to witnesses at the original hearing. As a result, Smiths wanted to withdraw the application.
It had been said that in 1956, the late Mr. Townsend had carried 4,800-odd passengers on excursions and tours, but that figure should have been for passenger journeys. Even if it were halved it would still be high, because it also included private hire passengers.
In addition, the Commissioners had been told that the take-over was conditional upon the transfer of the licence and that injustice might be done to the widow if she were unable to dispose of her husband's business because of an objection by a rival operator. But that statement was entirely false—the transaction had already been completed and Mrs. Townsend .had been paid for the business. She had suffered no loss.
"Nut Wilful"
"We are now in a false and embarrassing position," declared Mr. Goodeve Docker. I hope the Commissioners will appreciate that the fault lies, perhaps, in muddld and lack of co-ordination, not in wilful misrepresentation of the facts to obtain something in a manner we are not entitled to. As the basis of my application has disappeared—taking over on the ground of hardship—I must put myself entirely in your hands."
For the objectors, Brimblecombe Bros., Wokingham, Mr, John May said they accepted the explanation. However, after the original hearing the suggestion was made in some quarters that Brimblecombe Bros. were trying to ston a widow getting her rightful entitlement. It was now clear that they were doing no such thing.
Accepting the withdrawal, Mr. H. J. Thom, chairman, told Mr. GoodeveDocker: "We absolve you from any responsibility for the errors which have occurred, and we endorse what Mr. May has said as to any allegation that a somewhat unfortunate attitude was being adopted against a widow who wanted to
dispose of her business. That is, of course, entirely false."
BUS COMPANY SOLD
'THE largest bus company on the Isle of Skye—the Skye Transport Co.— are to be taken over by David MacBrayne, Ltd. The company were acquired by the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, Ltd., in 1946, and operate stage services and excursions and tours. At one time the owners were Highland Omnibuses, Ltd.