JOINT DELIVERY VAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23953, 1 May 1941, Page 11

JOINT DELIVERY VAN

LEGALITY QUESTIONED (0.C.) NAPIER, Wednesday The legality of an economic delivery scheme maintained and operated bv two well-known Napier retail stores was the subject of an argument heard by Mr. J. Miller, S.M., in the Napier Police Court, when Clausen's Keen Kut Stores, Limited, and Blythes, Limited, were charged with a breach of the Transport Licensing Act. The Main Highways Board traffic inspector, Mr. J. W. Coddington, to.d the Court that the van in question was owned by Clausen's and Blythes, the former holding a two-thirds interest, while the, latter held the remaining share. Operating and maintenance expenses were borne in a similar proportion. Me had interviewed the genera managers of the firms concerned, and tliey had been perfectly frank about the matter. For the defendants. Mr. M. K. C™'• said that the facts were admitted. I lie dispute was really a question ot whether two owners could do what one wa- clearly entitled to do, ho said. Mr. li. Dickson, who appeared for the Transport Department, said that n the principle was admitted shopkeepers won Id club together, with the restut thai carriers would have to go out. or business, "In this ease," he said, the van is carrying each firm's goods, and the resultant, saving in operational expanses is a material reward." The magistrate said that lie would take time to consider the matter.