Haulier Pin-points Fault in Forms
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1-% A FAULT in the application forms
which are issued to hauliers seeking additional vehicles was shown up by an operator who conducted his own case before the Northern Licensing Authority, Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, on Tuesday.
Figures .put forward by the haulier, Mr. T. James, Bedlington Station, had been criticized by the objectors, British Railways. But Mr. James pointed out that on the application form it was not stated that figures for different types of licence had to be separated.
Mr. Hanlon said it was the first time the matter had been raised, but Mr. James was correct, and it would appear that the forms needed amending. Howeve-. the Transport Tribunal had emphasiceJ many times the necessity for figures to be broken down.
In evidence, Mr. James said he operated nine vehicles, three on A licence, one on contract-A, and five on B licence. The whole fleet was included in the figures. An additional vehicle was required to carry coal from stocking grounds to screens, etc. New work included 150 tons a day from Choppington to the Co-operative Wholesale Society at •Newcastle.
Mr. G. P. Crowe, for the railways, submitted that the figures were not certified and neither they nor a supporting letter from the National Coal Board justified any grant.
Although substantial hiring figures and an increase in business since 1956 were shown, it was impossible to compare them or separate the coal haulage from other work. Also, three additional vehicles were added last year.
Mr. Hanlon pointed out that a business with gross receipts of nearly £80,000 a year should be conducted in such a way that certified figures and breakdowns could be produced. The application appeared genuine, but accounts must be prepared showing names of customers, hauliers hired, separate figures for the different licences, coal carrying, and other items.
A witness from the N.C.B. should also attend. A short-term licence would be granted limited to carrying from the fields to screens.