LICENSING OF TRANSPORT

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28019, 13 July 1956, Page 11

LICENSING OF TRANSPORT

OXFORD FIRM GIVEN EXTRA PERMITS EXPANSION OF BUSINESS SINCE 1952 An application for three additional vehicle authorities by Oxford Transport Service, Ltd. (Mr J. G. Leggat) was granted when the No. 9 Transport Licensing Authority sat in Christchurch yesterday. Mr R. A. Young appeared for Jeal and Skurr, Ltd., who opposed the application. . Peter Richard Womersley, managing director of the applicant company, said that in 1951 and part of 1952, the firm had seven vehicle authorities. In July. 1952, a further two authorities were granted for spreading bulk lime and fertiliser The present application was the result of an increase in the firm's general cartage business in and near Oxford. Because of the firm’s limited number of trucks, the longer hours required to be worked constituted a heavy burden in overtime. Walter Arnold Hadlee, consulting accountant of the company, said the company’s affairs were gradually expanding. The firm’s turnover this year would exceed that of previous years. Assessing overtime at a mean rate of one and three-quarters ordinary time, he calculated that the company lost £BOO through paying overtime. Mr Young said he did not wish to labour his clients’ objections. His clients had applied for an additional authority last year, and the Oxford Transport Service had opposed them. They felt they should not let the application go by default.

The Authority (Mr J. A. Bretherton) said the company’s business warranted the application, which would be granted accordingly. John Mair (Mr J. S. Haywood) was granted an additional vehicle authority to his goods service licence. The turnover of his business in the last three years was £3042, £5360, and £8464. In the same three years the firm’s wages bill had been £823, £1260. and £2381. He had been offered a contract with a French firm under contract to the Drainage Board to carry spoil, shingle,, timber, cement, and pipes. There would be 18 months’ or two years’ work in this. He also carted a considerable quantity of peas. Cross-examined by Mr J. B. Taylor, for the Carriers’ Association, Mr Mair said that last year pea cartage would amount to about £2OOO of his turnover, and general goods cartage to about £6500. His drivers averaged about 50 hours a week, and generally worked on Saturdays. Granting the application, the Authority said there was a sufficient increase in the firm’s cartage to warrant the additional vehicle authority.