TRANSPORT LICENSING

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1933, Page 3

TRANSPORT LICENSING

SITTING AT NEW PLYMOUTH STANTON AND SONS APPROVED. GOODS SERVICES ON THE COAST. MANY GENERAL APPLICATIONS. An adjournment of the matter having been granted on Friday to permit the calling of further evidence of earlier trips on the coast, the application of Stanton and Sons, Vogeltown, was finally disposed of by the No. 5 district transport authority at New Plymouth yesterday. An automatic area license was granted to carry goods in the counties of Taranaki, Inglewood and Egmont and that part of the Eltham county to the westward of the main railway line. The application was opposed by Mr. J. H. Sheat (representing Messrs. S. R. Johnson and R. F. Roebuck) on the grounds that the operations had not commenced on the coastal roads prior to November 11, 1931. Called by Mr. L. M. Moss, Mr. Edward William Garner, secretary of the Mangorei Dairy Company, and auditor for Stanton and Sons, said that in 1920 the dairy company commenced cream and general carrying with one lorry. The business grew, and in 1931 there were four lorries. They were engaged in general carrying business over almost any part of Taranaki. This general carriage had been made necessary to prevent the discharge of the drivers during the off season.

Replying to Mr. Moss, Mr. Gamer gave instances of general cartage business to South Taranaki and down the coast. When Stanton and Sons bought the lorries the firm also bought the general carrying business of the Mangorei Dairy Company. They then set up as general carriers, advertising themselves as such. They developed the business on a larger scale than previously, and added two more trucks to the fleet. The business was certainly not confined to the town area. Mr. Gamer stated that he kept the books of Stanton and Sons, and he could say that they had carried on the business continuously since 1931. They had tendered for some of the coastal contracts.

To Mr. Sheat Mr. Garner said the firm had been carting wood from Koru between September and • November, 1931. The amount of carriage outside of the dairy company’s work was considerable every year. The first contract received on the coast was for the Cape Egmont Dairy Company for the 1932-33 season. The main business would be in the Taranaki county and the north part of the Egmont county. COASTAL TONNAGES. Mr. Moss intimated that he could call evidence to show that the Cape Egmont Dairy Company required the carrying of approximately 1700 tons annually. The output was 1100 tons, while the factory required 300 tons of coal, stores, boxes, crates and salt totalling 300 tons, and manures totalling about 100 tons. Mr. Moss said he had evidence ,of the normal area seiwed by carriers using the same type of trucks. Practically the area amounted to the district served by the harbour. The authority said it did not require to hear this evidence. Mr. Sheat pointed out that Mr. Stanton on Friday said that if he were given the opportunity he would produce records of trips made on the coast prior to November 11, 1931.

Mr. Moss said he had thought it was plain from the evidence of Mr. Gamer that until recently the firm’s system of book-keeping was not detailed enough to show records of the nature required. The books showed conclusively that a general business had been carried on continuously. Mr. Sheat submitted Mr. Gamer’s evidence had taken the evidence no further. He thought the records Mr. Stanton had referred to should be produced. Counsel had not seen the books and so could not cross-examine on them. Mr. Moss said counsel was not going to see the business books that had been handed to the authority. It was not the intention of the Act that rival carriers should be given the privilege of the information contained in the books. Mr. Moss reserved the right to call further evidence on the question of a licensing “In the public interest.” Mr. Sheat submitted that section 28 had not been satisfied, i All that had been shown was that in September, 1931, Stanton and Sons took over four lorries from the Mangorei Dairy Company and then became available for general carrying. Mr. Garner’s evidence concerning early coastal trips by the firm had been of the vaguest kind. The chairman (Mr. P. Thomson) informed Mr. Sheat that the books before him showed a good number of entries before November, 1931, apart from those connected with the Mangorei Dairy Company. Mr. Sheat said he could produce evidence that prior to their acceptance of the Cape Egmont dairy contract in May, 1932, Stanton and Sons did not make trips into the coastal district. The chairman indicated that the authority’s opinion was that there was sufficient evidence to justify a license being granted automatically. Mr. Sheat said that in view of that he did not think he could take the matter any further. - Mr. Moss submitted that on Mr. Garner’s evidence the applicants were entitled to an automatic license. i The authority considered that the evidence had shown that prior to and since November 11, 1931, the business had been carried on continuously by the applicants or the preceding owners in the Taranaki, Inglewood arid Egmont counties and the western portion of the Eltham county. Mr. Garner had given evidence of the actual carrying operations of the applicants and the carrying business of the Mangorei Dairy Company, which had been taken over and extended by Stanton and Sons in 1931. The authority considered the firm was entitled to an automatic area license for the counties of Taranaki, Inglewood and Egmont and that part of the Eltham county westward of the New PlymouthHawera railway line. It would still be competent next year for Mr. Sheat’s clients or other interested persons to show that the service was not desirable, or that a better service could be run. It would then be a question of dealing with applications on their merits. FURTHER APPLICATIONS. DECISION IN ONE POSTPONED. Of the other business dealt with by the authority yesterday the application of Mr. R. N. Sarten for a service over a defined route bet-ween New Plymouth and Waitara was adjourned pending a decision. Every other application was granted, all except one of them being "automatic.” Mr. Reginald N. Sarten, Waitara (Mr. J. H. Sheat), applied for a license over a defined route between Waitara and New Plymouth. He said he had carried on the business continuously since July 18, 1927. A substantial part of his business consisted of .work for the brick and tile company. He also transported a good deal of manure. Counsel said Mr. Sarten had made out

the application for a defined route license. It seemed obvious, however, that what he really wanted was an area license. The chairman said the authority was willing to help applicants as much as possible, but it had to observe certain limits. It would be to Mr. Sarten’s advantage to submit the area application as soon as possible. Mr. Sarten, on being questioned, said his work took him off the Waitara-New Plymouth route about three times a week.

Mr. Sheat suggested the authority, acting under section 28, might amend the application and deal with it. The chairman said tire authority would hear the evidence and then look further into the regulations and orders-in-Coun-cil and decide regarding the powers of the authority.' Mr. Sarten said he had one truck. To Mr. A. G. Grant (Railway Department) he said he made usually one trip a day to New. Plymouth and sometimes three or four, according to the number of pipes. To Mr. J. Pritchard (representing Mr. St. George), he said he was prepared to say he would not carry passengers. Counsel said it would be sufficient for Mr. Sarten if he were granted an area license to include the Taranaki and Inglewood counties and the southern part of the Clifton county. • ■ . The authority reserved its decision. OTHER APPLICATIONS. Mr. E. Whittaker, jun., Okoke (Mr. Sheat) applied for an area license and for a license over a defined route. The applicant said he had carried on the business continuously for 13 years. Most of his trading was done between Okoke and Waitara. He occasionally ran to New Plymouth for carrying benzine to Okoke for his own purposes. He had a contract for carrying cream from the Okoke area to the Onaero factory. He was the only means of transport from Okoke Junction to the end of the road. He carried almost everything required in the district. He ran to a time-table for the delivery of the mail on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. To the authority Mr. Whittakeer said that ,he could carry two passengers, but had refused to do so as he had no passenger license. The authority advised him to apply for a passenger license at low fares as he would not bp competing with any service. Replying to a question, he said that the Urenui riding of the Clifton county would coVer his operations. To . Mr. Grant he stated that practically all the goods he carried from New Plymouth were his own. An area license , for the Waihi, Tikorangi and Urenui ridings of the Clifton county and the Taranaki county was granted and a license for the defined route, from Okoke to Waitara and New Plymouth. The. next application was made by Messrs, Rowe and Son (Pukearuhe) for an automatic license over defined routes. Mr. Charles Rowe stated that the firm had only one truck. He had no mail contract and ran to no time-table. Most of his carrying was back-loading after taking firewood from his own property to Waitara. He paid visits to New Plymouth with stock as requested. Apart from the firewood, his loads were mostly general merchandise. The route for which he desired a license was between New Plymouth and Pukearuhe. He had occasionally. carried stock to the Te Kuiti railway station. To Mr, Grant, he stated that he made about one trip a week to New Plymouth. On. behalf of Scotts’ Motors, Mr. W. Middleton opposed the application. To Mr. Middleton Mr. Rowe stated he did not run a regular service, but considered'himself a general carrier. When he first started he was carrying only his own goods. He could not say when he commenced carrying general merchandise. He did nearly all the pig carting in the district. He did not intend to commence a regular service. Mr. Middleton submitted that the applicant was not a general carrier prior to November 11, J 931. He had not run- a regular service and should not now be allowed to enter into competition with the. established services. If he were now granted a license he could do a great deal of . harm to the other carriers.

OPPOSITION NOT SUCCESSFUL. To the authority applicant said, he commenced general carrying not more than four months after he commenced carrying firewood in May, 1930. ... The authority stated that it was satisfied the business had been carried .on prior to November 11, 1931, and an automatic license would therefore be granted over the route from Pukearuhe to New Plymouth via Urenui and Waitara. An automatic and continuous license over an area and defined route was applied, for by Mr. H. L. Lewis, Ahititi (Mr. L. M. Moss). Mr. Lewis said his wife conducted the local store. He commenced business as a carrier in the district in August, 1925. He had a sawmill contract in the district, involving from 120 to 150 loads a year and 136,000 feet delivered to Borthwick’s. In summer he often did two trips daily to Waitara, and in winter travelled about tri-weekly to New Plymouth. His application was for a license for from New Plymouth to Mohakatino, Okau and Kotare, and intermediate districts. He carried wool from the Okau district and the little there was from Ahititi. This work had been carried on since before November, 1931. His main work was sawmill carting, with carrying for the local settlers. He said he was. sometimes asked to take passengers from the side-roads, where there was no . bus. His service suited them better than the buses on the main route, as it gave tfiem a longer stay at New Plymouth. To Mr. Grant Mr. Lewis said he carted most of the timber to Borthwick’s (Waitara), who were willing to take up to 400,000 ft. .He denied that his chief run was from Ahititi to Waitara until he got the timber contract, since when he had run to New Plymouth. He said he used to run more to New Plymouth before he got the timber contract. The license was granted over the defined route from New Plymouth to Mohakatino, Okau and Kotare and intermediate by-roads, and an area license for the Mokau riding of the Clifton county. Mr. William M; St George, Waitara (Mr. I. Pritchard), who applied for a license for a defined route between New Plymouth and Waitara, said he commenced a service between Waitara and New Plymouth in 1925. He was then practically, the only on,e on the road; now there were over' a dozen. He ran a once-a-day service to New Plymouth. He carried mostly light goods, as he could not compete in heavy goods. He had a contract with the Hume Pipe Company and carted the company’s goods to and from the rail. Under an arrangement with the Taranaki Education Board he conveyed children from the Tikorangi school to Waitara once a week for technical and manual instruction.

The application was granted for one vehicle over a defined route —the main highway between Waitara and New Plymouth and the by-roads for five miles on either side. AN OKAU CARRIER. The application by Mr. Isaac Johnson, Okau (Mr. J. H. Sheat), for a continuous license over a defined route and also an area license was the next considered. Applicant stated that his father and he had carried on the business for 20 years. Applicant took over the business a year. ago. The main part of his business was a contract for carrying produce from the Okau dairy factory to New Plymouth. That necessitated about four trips per week and on the return he took requisites for the factory. He took, also, general merchandise. His contract with the Okau Dairy Company was for

three years. It had just commenced. On the days when he did not come to New Plymouth he came to Waitara, He had no insurance on the goods he carried. An area license was granted for the Mokau riding of the Clifton county and a defined route license for New Plymouth to Okau via Waitara. Mr. Charles William Henwood, Urenui (Mr. Sheat), asked for an area and defined route license. He had been carrying on the business since 1921. A contract for cream collection over Kaipikari, Otara and Motara roads had recently been renewed for three years by the North Taranaki Dairy Company. He had a regular run to New Plymouth on Fridays and ran also when required and he collected goods for Urenui people from New Plymouth and Waitara. He had an insurance on the goods he carried. He did not carry passengers. The authority granted an area license for the Tikorangi, Urenui and Waihi ridings of the Clifton county, and a route license between Waitoitoi and Urenui via Urenui and Waitara. Mr. N. R. St. George, Waitara (Mr. A. A. Bennett), applied for a defined route license between Waitara and New Plymouth. Applicant stated that he had conducted this service personally for four years. His was the only regular timetable service between Waitara and New Plymouth. He had no contract for the carriage of goods. His loads were mostly general merchandise. He also carried a small quantity of timber. The goods carried by his service were covered by insurance up to £lOO. Apart from footballers, for th? carriage of whom he was licensed, he carried no passengers. He occasionally took goods as far as five miles up side roads. The application was granted for the service on the main highway between Waitara and New Plymouth with the right to carry goods five miles along side roads. A TARURUTANGI MATTER. A license for the carriage of goods on a defined route was asked for by Mr. N. D. Greenway, Tarurutangi (Mr. G. Ball). The service he was operating had, been going since before November 11, 1931. He had done the whole of the carting for the Tarurutangi Dairy Company under contract for the past six years. He now had another contract for the next three years. He did the cream collecting for the factory, besides carrying for the company between Tarurutangi and New Plymouth, Moturoa and Bell Block. He took manures to settlers on the by-roads. He did not carry passengers for hire, although he sometimes gave a friend a lift without payment. Mr. Greenway was licensed to carry goods between the Tarurutangi factory and New Plymouth via Hursthouse, Henwood and Main North roads, with permission to go two miles beyond the factory and three miles up the by-roads. Mr. George H. Duke, Omata (Mr. J. H. Sheat), applied for an area license. He had been a general carrier, he stated in evidence. Hfe went as far south as Tataraimaka and as far north as New Plymouth. Replying to the authority, applicant stated that the Taranaki county would cover his operations. He had carried on business since 1918 or 1919. He had three trucks but only two were in use at the one time, the other being kept as a reserve. He carried produce from the Omata dairy factory to the stores at Moturoa. He had no insurance cover on the goods carried by him. An area license was granted for two vehicles, to be restricted to the Omata and Okato ridings of the Taranaki county. Mr. H. W. Aitken, Brixton, whose application for an area license was adjourned on Saturday, produced the books of his business transactions as required by the authority. Mr. William Hall, chairman of the Wai-tara-Taranaki Co-operative Dairy Company, said the company had accepted the tender of Mr. Aitken, who took over .the run from Mr. Sarten in September, 1932. He said it was essential to the factory that it should have a carrier. The produce went by rail to Moturoa and requisites were sent out by the same means. The authority granted Mr. Aitken a non-automatic license operative -within the Waitara riding of the Taranaki county. The next application was by Mr. A. H. Reesby, Inglewood, for a license’ over a defined route between New Plymouth and Inglewood with the right to deviate up to five miles on side roads. ■" To the authority Mr. Reesby said he had been in business continuously for about three and a-half years. He ran the service on five days a week, Saturday and Sunday, being the excepted days. He held a contract with the Kaimiro Dairy Company, but his main business was the general service. His contract had been in force for three years and had four years to run. He carried no livestock. The goods he carried were insured to the extent of £3OO for general goods and £lOO for benzine. He did not run to a time-table. The application was granted between Inglewood and New Plymouth via Egmont Village, with the right to deviate five miles on either side of the main road. The license is to apply on Mondays to Fridays inclusive.