Coal Prices • Upgraded
Page 49
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HEAVY transport costs were given as the reason for a Newcastle upon Fyne firm of coal merchants " upgrading " coal into a higher price range before being sold in Scotland. This was alleged at Haltwhistle, Northumberland, Magistrates' Court last week when the firm, Clarke Taylor and Co., were fined a total of 1900 and costs for giving false trade descriptions to consignment and delivery notes.
Mr. J. Swinbume, prosecuting, said that the sales were carried on' through Robsons of Haltwhistle, who handled a large contract for the transportation of coal for the defendants. The coal was collected from several collieries in Northumberland for delivery to the Stranraer area, and specific instructions were given by a sales representative of the company to upgrade the loose coal from Grade 5 to Grade 4.
A total excess of 196 1 1 s. 8d. was paid on 140 tons of coal—a difference of 13s. Id. a ton. The instructions were to alter the company's weigh tickets.
When the drivers collected the coal. explained Mr. Swinburne, they were given an N.C.B. weigh ticket made out by the Board's weighman. The drivers then altered Clarke Taylor's weigh ticket in each of the instances. The N.C.B. Group No. was 5, and in every instance the company's ticket was altered to No. 4. For the defendants, Mr. J. R. Johnson said the
. group numbers were altered to recoup the haulage costs—there was no intention to deceive the ultimate customer. It was intended that the tickets should show wording such as "Group 5 coal—Group 4 price." Since the discovery of the mistake the firm had made repayments of the excess amounts charged.
ATLANTEANS FOR BIRMINGHAM
A CONTRACT worth £35,000 has been rl placed with Leyland Motors, Ltd., by Birmingham City Transport for 10 Atlantean rear-engined double-decker chassis. These are for trial service in the city before the Transport Committee makes bulk purchases to replace its present fleet, and the chassis will be equipped with 72-seat bodies. Last week it was announced that 10 Daimler Fleetline rear-engined buses had been ordered by Birmingham for similar trial service.
TRACTOR TAKE-OVER
MASSEY-FERGUSON have acquired the Italian tractor company, G. Landini and Figli, S.P.A. MasseyFerguson has had an indirect association with Landini through its wholly owned subsidiary, F. Perkins, I.td., Peterborough, since Perkins diesel engines, produced in Italy by Landini under design and licence, are used in all Landini tractors.