Goods Licences For Security Vehicles

Press, Volume C, Issue 29523, 26 May 1961, Page 21

Goods Licences For Security Vehicles

Christchurch could support only one firm operating a security service. Otherwise , there would be a price war with a subsequent lowering of the standard of service offered to the public, said Mr D. K. Montgomery, general 1 manager of Armoured Transport and Security Services. : Ltd., at a hearing before the No. 9 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr J. S. Haywood) yesterday. Mr Montgomery was giving evidence in objection to an application by Arthur Theodore Ramsay <Mr J. A Bretherton) trading as Crown Security Services, for a goods service licence for two vehicles to carry cash, and other valuables. The two firms both applied for new continuous goods service licences and entered objections to each other’s applications The Authority disallowed the objections and granted both applications. Mr A. D. Holland, who appeared for Armoured Transport and Security Services, Ltd., submitted the firm was able to give a good service because of its experience in the field. It was a subsidiary of Mayne Nickless. Ltd., an Australian firm with assets of £3 million, he said. To establish the subsidiary in New Zealand £17.000 had been spent. Montgomery said all the men who would be employed by his company would be screened by the police. The men would be issued with .32 Browning automatics. Cross-examined by Mr Bretherton. Montgomery agreed that his firm had New Zealand rights to operate its business but had not yet begun in Christchurch. He did not agree with Mr Bretherton's contention that his firm wanted a monopoly of this type of service for New Zealand It considered it could provide better service than Crown Security Services. Ramsay told the Authority that he had spent six months planning the business venture. Already the nightwatchman part of the business was showing a profit and there were assurances of takings from shops that remained open over weekends. An armoured car had been purchased and would be used to transport pay rolls and cash, he said.

Questioned by the Authority. Ramsay said the armoured car would have armoured plating, fire-proof material and steel plates “However, that does not mean it is bullet-proof. A .303 bullet would penetrate the car if fired from within 10 yards. We are trying to make the car thief-proof, not bullet-proof.” he said. Ramsay said his employees would be permitted to carry arms. Ramsay said he was convinced there was a public demand for his proposed service. He was now employing 11 men and if the application was granted he would be able to employ more than 30 men. Supporting evidence of the need for a service which could safeguard week-end cash takings was given by John Parry, a grocer. John Kelly, a garage proporietor and Graham Oakley Adcock, a jeweller and manufacturer. RENTAL LICENCE A demand for four-wheel drive utility vehicles from farmers and contractors

who patronised his garage had led to his application for a rental licence for two vehicles, David John Patchett (Mr A. I. Cottrell) told the Authority. The application was opposed by D. Oldham. Ltd. (Mr E. B. E. Taylor). Mr Cottrell said Patchett specialised in repairing that type of vehicle and was assured of business from customers whose vehicles were under repair. Mr Taylor contended that from his client’s experience there was not a sufficient demand from the public for four-wheel drive utility vehicles. The Authority granted a conditional licence allowing the use of one vehicle only, which was to operate from Marshlands road. The licence was ordered to be reviewed within six months. RACEHORSES Costs in transporting racehorses to race meetings were increasing and were the reason for C. L. Rhodes applying for a good service licence to carry racehorses, said Mr B. A. Barrer. Mr Banrer said Rhodes owned one of the biggest stables in the South Bland and wished to carry the horses in his own horsefloat. The Authority granted the application, but made a condition of the licence that only horses owned or leased solely by Rhodes could be carried. The condition was mode after submissions were heard from objectors on the matter of horses trained by Rhodes being carried, thus competing with other licenced horsefloat operators. RENTAL CAR LICENCES Baylis Motors, Ltd., Lincoln (Mr W. P. G. Cunningham) was granted an application for an additional rental car licence. David Crozier, Ltd. (Mr C. G. Weston) was granted the transfer of a rental car licence from McDonald Brothers. Amberley, Ltd. OTHER APPLICATIONS An application for an amendment to a goods service licence to allow the carriage of general goods was granted David Arthur Roland McBeth (Mr L. G. Laughnan). Approval was given to the transfer of a continuous goods service licence from Edgar Onslow Heald to Eric WilHan Beaumonth. A change of domicile, from Pigeons Bay to Barrys Bay, was granted to Griffin Brothers. Duvauchelle.