LORRY DRIVING TIME

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 152, 1 March 1939, Page 4

LORRY DRIVING TIME

C Hr EXTENSION SOUGHT CARRYING OF STOCK ' 1 .D EC I,SI ON ItSEIKiRY Ei) REMINDER TO OPERATORS ■. ——. • . IN TIME. BOOKS .)%i lj \ • Decision was reserved by Mr. E. J. Phelan, who presided at- a sitting of to No. 1 Licensing Authority in Gisborne ilast week, in respect of an application made by George Brocklebank for aijL extension of hours worked by motor lorry drivers in the transport of live stock. The (applicant asked that the period of note more than hours of coi|tpiuods driving should! be extended'ih 'special eases and that the 11-hours-a----day limit- also should be extended so as to afford operators better facilities to deliver their consignments. In giving notice of his intention to reserve , his decision, M!r. Phelan reminded the applicant that the onus {• was on him to see that the entries of the drivers’ working hours were correct. It had been stated that while

i&f-'tt'" 1 ' :.y • - worjsftig-jbeycind the 11-hour limit none of, fife mien had-filled in his time for a greater period) on any one day.Y '• *• Driver’s Evidence.

.ijohn Newton, driver employed by the applicant, ga.ve evidence that it took, front 7 to 1\ hours to travel by lorry between Gisborne and Taneatua. The, drivers usually did the loading, which took 15 to 20 minutes, so that the trip, including the loading, would take about eight hours. He would prefer to return, to Gisborne the same day, and lie believed that most would father return on the same dlay. Mi;. Phelan: That would ' necessitate 16 o| 17 hours without a spell. . Do •you think that is a fair thing that rt mail’should work 10 hours? „ The witness: We don’t do it every day. M.r Phelan: Would time off suit you?-*—Yes. - To -Mr.' Webber, the witness said ho had never put in moi-c than 11 hours in his time sheets. Mr. Pffelan said lie required from the witness a record of the hours he worked. If that were not prodqcM hccurately he did not intend to vary! the conditions. He said he would accept the witness’ dedarat-ioji of hour,s of work and overtime payments as correct, hut special inquiriej, would lie made into it. ■/i Farmers’ Opinions. -Charles' Tietjen, stud stock breeder, said that the Farmers’ Union,, at a meeting lie attended, was unanimous in support of the application. “If it comes to a question of sheep

v.tpiiah,” said Mr. Phelan,"-/‘we must protest in the interests hot the man, but if: the authority can improve the conditions it will do 50.%

Mf. Phelan then asked)', the Higliinspector, Robcht Metcalf, the witness box; r said that a pro.seeutioiCwa's pending against the applicant oh ' a-', charge of exceeding the maximunv hours last August..' u . Phelan said he was not quite satisfied\\Uth the evidence; The applithat the-onus was on the Amen-• to. keep a record of the hours- worked, hut Mr. Phelan reminded the applicant- that the onus was'also on .the applicant to see that the-;, iuon’s record! of hours was cor'rect.' > '' ( jf'' Carriers’ Association’s Views. NIT-.g A. -J. f>thek, representing the Carriers’* Association. said 'that the assoeiatipii> took the -attitude that the regulations were and on such a difficult Toad as that between Gisborne and Taneatua the regulations wore even more necessary. Ml*. ‘Phelan saidyhfifwas definitely of meal hours must be provkled .i'or-binid' the men. were not expected 'to drive over the whole distance tb a spell. If it was ;g<ling llfkl*!®'"’Jiours to do the double trip,* die wouldl say the applicant was asking for something that- was i.inrpas<.yi^||l|-* f ;a«He considered that, on what see* at present. ; the - Taneatua would take more than. 16 hours, the limit sought-, by ’the , j ■ yyr'z