Revocation for Haulier with 60 Convictions

2nd October 1959, Page 58

2nd October 1959

Page 58

Page 58, 2nd October 1959 — Revocation for Haulier with 60 Convictions

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A N Aberdeen haulier, Andrew Geddes, I—I had one of his special A licences revoked from October 1 when he appeared before the Scottish Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. Alex Robertson, at Aberdeen last week, to show cause why his four special A and four C licences should not be revoked or suspended.

Mr. Robertson had before him a list of more than 60 convictions obtained all over the country. They included the operation of unlicensed vehicles, permitting drivers to work excessive hours, failing to keep records, forging licences, overloading and failing to keep vehicles in a serviceable condition.

Giving his decision, Mr. Robertson said that he had never before had a haulier before him with such a comprehensive list of convictions. "I must have regard to the interests of other hauliers who comply with the law," he declared.

Regarding the excessive hours, Geddes said that he was entirely at the mercy of his drivers, who imagined that they had been doing him a good turn by staying at the wheel for long periods. The charges against him for operating unlicensed vehicles, said Geddes, were purely technical. The vehicles in question were eventually authorized under special A licence, but he had operated them before the paper work was completed.

Mr. Robertson added that it was likely that Geddes would find himself in further

trouble soon. An application which Geddes was to make for five vehicles and a trailer, to be based in Aberdeen, in place of licences which he held for the same vehicles but with a base in Edinburgh, would, no doubt, bring to light further irregularities regarding the declared base.

BID TO RECOVER LOST TONNAGE PARTLY SUCCEEDS A,GLASGOW haulier, Mr. John White, who sought to bring his fleet back to its previous size, was partially successful at Glasgow last week. Mr. White, a nephew of the previous owner, told the Scottish Licensing Authority, Mr. W. F. Quin, that he had acquired the business (which traded under the name of Matthew Pollock) which had previously owned five vehicles. Two of these had lapsed before the purchase, and the actual sale was of three vehicles.

Increasing work and difficulty of satis fying his customers had caused the present application, which sought additional B licences for two vehicles of 6 tons. Mr. I. Law, for Mr. White, led supporting evidence from customer witnesses, who spoke of an increasing volume of business and the need for additional transport.

Mr. Mackenzie, for several private objectors, and Mr. Farrell, for British Railways, claimed that earnings did not disclose a need, with which Mr. Quin agreed. A grant was made for one vehicle of 3 tons, for road and building materials and solid fuel, over a 15-mile radius.

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