No Answer to L oading Problem
Page 42
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
1-1. A LOW FELL, County Durham,
haulier, who pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle which was overloaded by 1 ton 13 cwt. on the back axle, was given an absolute discharge by Newcastle Magistrates on Monday after being told by the Chief Weights and Measures Inspector for Northumberland that the vehicle could not have been loaded in any other way_ Mr. C. L. Arlidge, prosecuting, told the court that a vehicle, owned and driven by Robert Nixon, was carrying a load of asphalt. There was no suggestion that the vehicle itself was overloaded, but the offence concerned overloading on the rear axle.
Mr. Arlidge: I cannot suggest what the answer to this problem is. It may be a matter for vehicle manufacturers."
For Nixon, Mr. T. H. Campbell Wardlaw said that his client had instructed him to say that he too did not know the answer.
The asphalt had to be loaded in a hot, semi-liquid form on to the rear of the vehicle, and usually the movement of the vehicle in transit " self-trimmed" the load. On this occasion, however, this did not happen. "Perhaps it was due to atmospheric conditions, or the temperatures—I don't know," added Mr. Wardlaw.
He asked the magistrates to say that it was a matter beyond the control of the person driving the vehicle. There was no question of overloading with any motive of gain. He hoped that what was being said would be brought to the notice of vehicle manufacturers.