Respect of Heavy Locomotives

Prosecutions at Exeter in Respect of Heavy Locomotives

Three summonses were heard the Exeter Police Court, on Saturday, of considerable importance to firms using locomotives which draw two or more trucks in the City area.
William James White, engine driver, of Cowick-street. Exeter, was summoned for driving a locomotive on Exe Bridge without having paid the required fee, on April 8th, and again in Alphington-street, on April 10th.
The Chief Constable pointed out to the Magistrates (Dr. Vlieland, in the chair, Mr. H. J. Munro and Mr. P. Kelland), that a light locomotive, when drawing two or more trucks, required heavy locomotive registration. White was seen by P.C. Gregory, on April 8th, driving a light locomotive, called “The Queen of Devon," over Exe Bridge, drawing trucks, and when he was asked if he had a permit, he admitted he had not. The circumstances were identical in the second case.
A fine of 20s. was inflicted on the first summons, and the second was thereupon withdrawn by the Chief Constable, who remarked that perhaps the defendant acted in ignorance but this was not an isolated case, and there might be further prosecutions. A heavy motor car license was £2, and a heavy locomotive license was £10. In this case, the vehicle was only registered as a heavy motor car, and it would thus be seen that in such instances there was a considerable loss to the City revenue.
William Frampton, engine driver for Messrs. Anderton and Rowlands, Stonehouse, was summoned for a similar offence on April 12th, in Alphington-street.
In this case, P.C. Gregory said that Frampton was driving a traction engine with the letters “0.H.M.S.,” and drawing three empty wagons. When asked if he had a permit, his reply was that he didn't need one, he was on His Majesty's service. Gregory, however, informed him he would be reported.
The Chief remarked that during the past two months or so, several locomotives had used the City's highways, and because their engines bore the letters "O.H.MS the drivers thought this fact released them from the necessity of getting permits. Some of the constables in the Force were also under that impression, and allowed them to pass. The letters, however, did not release them as was clearly shown in regulations forwarded by the War Office. The fine was 20s. as in the other case.
Western Times - Monday 26 April 1915