HEAVY HAULAGE LICENCE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 13

HEAVY HAULAGE LICENCE

Decision Reserved On Application As the problem of weight against bulk had caused considerable concern in the control of cartage, especially during the last two years, the result of this case should clear the air, the No. 9 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr J. S. Haywood) said yesterday when he reserved decision on an application for amendment to a continuous goods-service licence for authority to carry indivisible overgauge loads throughout the South Island with exemption from rail restriction. The application, by W. A. Habgood. Ltd. (Mr S. H. Wood), was opposed by the Railways Department (Mr L. C. Brown) and T. P. Gilroy. Ltd. (Mr B. S. McLaughlin). There was no evidence of sufficient work of this type available to warrant the granting of an authority, as T. P. Gilroy. Ltd., was already providing an adequate and efficient service in the haulage of goods of excessive size or weight throughout the South Island. Mr McLaughlin said. This firm had the necessary equipment, and had not had occasion to refuse work. Two other contractors in the South Island undertook the same specialised type of cartage, he said. “W. A. Habgood, Ltd., has given evidence of only two specific customers who are likely to use its proposed haulage service out of Christchurch,” said Mr McLaughlin. For W A. Habgood, Ltd. Mr Wood said the opposing company was asking for a formal monopoly of this type of work in the area. Its equipment, designed for particularly heavy loads, was more cumbersome than the type that would be used by the applicant company, which could thus operate more cheaply, he said. “With the equipment used by T. P. Gilroy, Ltd. it is often a case of using an elephant to carry a donkey’s load,” said Mr Wood. Routes which had to be used by this gear were often not as short as those which could be managed by lighter, more manoeuvrable machines, and this meant more unjustified expense for the hirer, said Mr Wood.

For the economic operation of local companies it was desirable that awkward gear be shifted quickly and efficiently, he said.

The two extensions requested were for a truck and trailer, not two trucks, said Mr Wood. These units combined would be more flexible than those used by the opposing company, and the distribution of axle-weight would be well within the classification of most roads