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News of the Week

23rd November 1945
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Page 18, 23rd November 1945 — News of the Week
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LONG-DISTANCE HAULAGE TO BE NATIONALIZED

LAST Monday, Mr. Herbert Morrison, Leader of the House of Commons, otillined the Government's plans concerning nationalization. He said that this session the Government would introduce a Bill to nationalize the coal-mining industry. At a later stage in the lifetime of this Parliament, it intends to introduce measures designed to bring transport services essential to the economic well-being of the Nation under public ownership and control. Powers will be taken in connection with the railways, canals and long-distance road haulage services. There is a little doubt about road passenger transport, but it is regarded as essential that the undertakings of the companies and municipalities should be ,fully co-ordinated with the national scheme, and it must be considered whether this can best be achieved by transferring ownership to a national authority or by providing the creation of regional or joint boards responsible for their own finances but under national control. Dock and harbour undertakings will also be brought within the scheme.

We would add that our leader in this issue was written before the announcement was made.

MORE CVZRSEAS ORDERS FOR GUY MOTORS

FURTHER big orders from overseas have been received by Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, for Arab bus chassis and Vixen 4-ton goods chassis. Amongst orders for the former are 80 chassis for Brussels, which is in addition to the 20 already on order, and 25 for Johannesburg. Orders for the Vixen 4-tonner include 100 for the Netherlands Relief and Rehabilitation authorities, 100 for the Netherlands State Railway, and 50 for Brussels. Other orders have been received by the company from Malaya and Iceland.

BIG EKPORT DRIVE OF NUFFIELD ORGANIZATION

ABIG drive to expand its pre-war markets and to capture a share of

motor-vehicle sales in new territories is being planned by the Nuffield Organization. In connection with this plan, the following arrangements have already been made: The purchase of a £250,009 London headquarters, with the object of providing a focus for the Organization's export activities; the appointment of a new director and general manager for the exporting company (Nuffield Exports, Ltd.)—this appointment is referred to under "Personal Pars" elsewhere in this issue; and personal visits to different overseas countries by Lord Nuffield, Sir Miles Thomas and other high executives to investigate potential markets. Lord Nuffield will shortly leave for South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, accompanied by his sales promotion executive, Mr. Sidney hlorniblow, whilst Sir Miles Thomas is flying to Calcutta following the launching of the £3,000,000 company, Hindustan Motors, Ltd.

MOTOR SHOW IN 1946

AS we go to press, the latest information concerning motor vehicle shows in 1946 is that the Motor Show will definitely be held at Earls Court from October 17-26, but no final, decision has been made regarding a

Commercial Vehicle Exhibition, although many wish for this.

A.E.C. FINAL DIVIDEND IN respect of the year ended Septemlber 30 last, the directors of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., have declared a final dividend of Is. per El unit of stock, free of tax, on the ordinary stock, making is. 6d. for th:. year, which is equal to 15 per cent. subject to tax.

The -net profit of the company for the ye.r amounted to £218,500, as against £227,500 in the previous 12 months.

AUSTIN DISTRIBUTOR'S INCREASED TERRITORY WE are advised that Marshalls VY (Cambridge), Ltd., Austin House, Cambridge, distributor of Austin commercial vehicles,. has had its territory extended to cover Huntingdonshire and Peterborough for the products of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd. A site has been obtained at 63, Bridge Street, Peterborough, and temporary premises will shortly be opened for supplying spares and the general servicing of Austin vehicles.

The company is also a distributor for Atkinson oil-engined commercial vehieles in the Eastern Counties. DELAY IN OBTAINING NEW VEHICLES QOME operators are complaining as to the time taken in obtaining vehicles for which they have made application. The situation, therefore, requires a little explanation.

Applications have to be made to the R.T.C. of the region concerned. If approved by him, they are passed on to the M.O.W.T., which, however, even if any particular R.T.C, has held them back for a time, deals with them according to the date on which they were made, and not according to the time of their arrival.

Then they must be considered in conjunction with the production programme, and licences are issued only when vehicles are likely to be available within three months. Applications for some ,chassis have been extremely heavy, and it has been found impossible to deal with those received later than last June.

The main point is, however, that no vehicles are held up for the reason that licences are not available for them. Production of all classes of goods vehicle is likely to be much improved in 1946. The position as regards buses is much the same.

As regards cars, many of which are remiired by road-transport operators. the number delivered by the manufacturers up to the end of Octobet was 3,000, but the licences issued totalled 11,000, and the actual demand for them was some three times the latter figure. For various reasons, the estimates given last June by the makers have not nearly been reached.

SALFORD'S PROFITABLE TRANSPORT UNDERTAKING

AFTER allocating £15,000 for the relief of the city's rates, Sall ord Corporation made a net profit of £21,658 on its passenger transport undertaking in the year ended Mfarch 31 last, compared with £12,648 in the previous 12 months.

NEW MUNICIPAL BUSES FOR GLASGOW

GLASGOW Corporation has received authority to purchase 68 new buses. The transport committee has recommended the acceptance of an offer from the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., to supply 20 chassis. The remainder of the chassis will, we understand, be of Albion make. The corporation is to advertise for offers for the manufacture of the lins bodies.

The transport committee has agreed that, as soon as vehicles and man-power can be obtained, the ClydebankDuntocher tram route should be abandoned and the district served by 24 buses, estimated to cost £68,000.

CONDITIONS FOR GRANTING PERMITS FOR VANS

EXCEPT in special circumstanc:s, a licence to purchase a r.:w van as a replacement is not granted unless the vehicle to be replaced has reached the end of its useful life. Mr. A. J. Barnes, Minister of War Transport, gave this information, last week, in a written reply to Dr. Barnett Stross.

SAFE DRIVING FOR TRANSPORT SERVICES

THE important group of companies controlled by Transport Services, Ltd., entered 648 drivers in the National Safe Driving Competition for 1944. They received the excellent figure of 495 awards or 76 per cent. This year it has been arranged for the whole of the drivers to be entered.

LATEST ACQUISITION OF THE "RED AND WHITE" CONCERN T is announced that Red and White 'United Transport, Ltd., has acquired the South Midland Motor Services, Ltd., Oxford, which was incorporated in 1922, under the name of South Midland Touring and Transport Co., Ltd., and catered for private-hire business in the district.

In 1924, the company ran daily services to London (in connection with the British Empire Exhibition) and by 1929 three services a day each way were being maintained, In 1930 a further expansion occurred on the OxfordLondon service, when seven trips a day were introduced, together with a new service between London and Worcester, via Broadway. In the same year a daily service to Southsea was introduced, together with excursions from 'Oxford to various places of interest, including certain-seaside resorts. This expansion made it necessary for more suitable garage accommodation to be obtained and, as a result, the company built its present large garage in Iffiey Road.

In 1931, further additions were made to the fleet and the name of the company was changed to South Midland Motor Services, Ltd. From that date until the outbreak of war there was a steady increase in private-hire, tours, excursion work and express-service operations.

During the war years a restricted service was maintained between Oxford and London until 1942, when all express services were discontinued. A large number of contracts was entered into for the conveyance of workpeople to and from war factories, and some of this work is still being done. It is hoped to make an early resumption of the express services—in all probability in the early part of 1946.

COMPANY TO BUILD HOSTELS I T was mentioned at the recent R.H.A. Rally that a company with a capital Of £80,000 was planning to erect 16 hostels for drivers in different parts, of the country. The men would be provided with food, beds and baths.

OBITUARY

It is with deep regret that we hear of the death, following a brief illness and operation, of MR. V. H. Not, who for many years was assistant sales manager of Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd. He had spent a total of 18 years with the Chrysler and Dodge organizations. "Val," as he was affectionately known to a wide, trade circle, will be sadly missed by his colleagues at Kew and his innumerable friends in the industry. In the 1914-18 war he served as a fighter pilot in the R.F.C., and in the second world war he commanded the Dodge Home Guard Unit.

INCORRECT TITLE We regret that last week, in dealing with the Institute of Transport Anniversary Luncheon, we failed to give the president, Sir Frederick Handley Page, C.B.E., his correct -title. ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO BE • MADE IN SUNDERLAND WE learn that work is to begin in • the New Year on the making of battery-electric vehicles at the Crown Works Co., Sunderland. It is stated that 24-ton lorries and 1-ton vans will be built. The joint managing directors of the company are Mr. J. Steel and Mr. E. Steel.

AVAILABLE FOR SUITABLE POSITION WE know of an ex-Service major, VV who has acted as chief inspector in theory, maintenance and driving at an M.T. training depot, controlling workshop and staff, also with training as Military Government Officer controlling municipal services and road transport in the Ruhr. Pre-war experience in buying and selling motor vehicles. Letters, addressed "Major," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.

IRISH FREE STATE TRACTOR IMPORTS EXPAND

THAT the Irish Free State continues I to be an important market for tractors is evidenced by the official import returns for the nine months ended September last, during which period no fewer than 699 complete machines were imported into the country as compared with 207 units in the corresponding period of 1944. The value of this year's imports is given as £108,806, or an average of just over £155 per unit, as against £33,232 and £160 10s. respectively a year ago.

AERO ENGINES, LTD., TO MAKE ELECTRIC VEHICLES

I1is announced that Aero Engines, Ltd., Bristol (incorporating Douglas (Kingswood), Ltd.) has acquired from A. C. Morrison (Engineers), Ltd., Leicester, a sole manufaCturing and selling licence for A.C.M. electric vehicles, and the chairman, Sir Maurice Bonham-Carter, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., and the managing director, Mr. John R. Phillipson, M.1.Mech.E., have been nominated to join the Board of A. C. Morrison (Engineers), Ltd.

Mr. A. C. Morrison, M.I.Mech.E., M.S.A.E., will continue as managing director of A. C. Morrison (Engineers), Ltd., but his services will be at the disposal of Aero Engines, Ltd., for all matters 'connected with the A.C.M. electric vehicles.

A.C.M. vehicles comprise various types and sizes of electric delivery van and production will be commenced immediately in the works of Aero Engines, Ltd., at Kingswood, Bristol.

ZONAL PLAN TO SPEED-UP TRANSPORT OF SUNDRIES

ARAILWAY scheme to speed-up the transit of sundries, through a combination of rail and road transport and the establiShment of zone centres and sub-centres, was mentioned by Mr. H. R. Statham, District Goods Manager, L.N.E.R., Leeds, in a recent address to the Leeds branch of the Industrial Transport Association.

Of relations between Britain's railway undertakings and professional hauliers, Mr. Statham said that the position had not yet been made clear, but, undoubtedly, there was much willingness on both sides to bury the hatchet.

As to the future of the C-licensed operator of road transport—a problem which appeared to be unsolved, as yet —those calling the loudest for freedom of action for the C licensee failed to realize that the professional haulier and the railway, and particularly the railway, had little freedom and much responsibility. He thought that if the railway and the haulier were to be made to retain the restrictions and responsibility placed upon them, the trader, who always benefited, must be prepared, if he were a C licensee operating longdistance transport as distinct from the retail delivery van, to accept some regulation, and be responsible to some authority for his operations.

THE FLUORESCENT DETECTION • OF FLAWS

THE magnetic detection of structural flaws in iron and steel, by the use of fluorescent-coated particles in the ink, is a recent development of the Equipment and Engineering Co., Ltd., 2-3, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.2.

The liquid medium employed is known as Magnalite, and it is applied in a way similar to ordinary detecting ink in that it is poured over the component being tested while the part is magnetized. Alternatively, the part may be dipped into a bath of ink after being magnetized by the Cirflux or impulse process, reliance being placed on residual magnetism.

Whichever procedure be followed, the sound metal shows up as a purplish

blue background, cracks being revealed as greenish lines within the purplish blue.

As to the practical application of the process, this is best done by enclosing the magnetizing unit in a darkened booth in which there is an ultra-violet lamp fitting, and an ordinary lamp for inspection purposes.

This new process is supplementary to the standard Magnaflux, and is intended to deal with fine cracks in circumstances where the usual markings are not easy to discern.

In many cases cracks have to be found on dark surfaces, or at the base of screwed or threaded sections. With Magnalite, such cracks as exist become vividly luminous and thus are instantly detectable.

R.H.A. TO MEET MR. BARNES

ON.Monday next, the R.H.A. is meeting the Minister of War Transport—Mr. A. 1. Barnes—after which its national council will, on November 28, decide what action is necessary as a result of the more detailed information which, it is hoped, will be available after the interview with the Minister.

SCOTTISH HAULAGE CHANGES

THE business of motor haulage and

general contractors carried on by Joseph Callaghan at Main Street, East Kilbride, has, we learn, been disposed of to R. and J. Adam (East Kilbride), Ltd., 41, Main Street, East Kilbride.

Messrs. Farrell Brothers, carriers, 20, Morrison Street, and Montgomerie's Lane, Duntocher, have been dissolved by the withdrawal of Mr. William Farrell from the firm, which will be carried on by Mr. Martin Farrell on his own account. HOUSE OF LORDS PASSES NEWCASTLE TROLLEYBUS BILL WITH one or two minor alterations,. TV the Bill being promoted by Newcastle-on-Tyne Corporation to permit it to run trolleybuses on all existing tram routes in the city and to run trolleybuses into Gateshead over the Tyne and High Level Bridges, has been passed by a Select Committee of the House of Lords; it will now gg before a Select Committee of the House of Commons. Objectors to the scheme included United Automobile Services, Ltd., Gateshead and District Tramways Co., Ltd., and the Tyneside Tramways and Trarnroads Co., Ltd.

The Select Committee approved the proposals subject to No. 8 route, which goes to Gosforth Park, being converted to trolleybus operation within seven years of the Bill being approved. The Fossway-Wallsend route was passed provided the Tyneside Tramways and Tramroads Co., Ltd., be allowed to run buses on the same route and to set down and pick up passengers and with the same fares as are operating on the present Newcastle-Wallsend route operated by the company. It is Understood that when the Bill is approved the route to Gosforth will be the first to be converted.

ALBION CONCESSIONNAIRES EXPLAIN

FURTHER to a paragraph appearing in our issue dated November 9, we are asked to make it clear that the appointment of the Millburn Garage, Millburn Street, Glasgow, N., as an Albion concessionnaire for Scotland does not affect the existing concessionnaires nor certain marninated Albion users. Furthermore, the firm are not acting as Albion concessionnaires in the County of Westmorland.

I.M.L CENTRE TO BE SET UP FOR BRADFORD .rx

A PROPOSAL to establish a Brad

ford centre of the Institute of the Motor Industry met with good support at a recent well-attended meeting of local and potential members of the I.M.I.

Mr. Frank Lockwood, of Leeds. Yorkshire regional hon. secretary, who explained that the region already included five active centres, at Leeds, Sheffield, York, Hull and Scarborough, said that the move to establish a Bradford centre had been suggested by the Leeds., committee, because it was felt that the Leeds Centre's area was too wide for the attainment of. maximum efficiency.

Alluding to the I.M.I.'s co-operation in the organization of educational facilities for motor-trade apprentices, Mr. F. Lawrence King instanced that the Sheffield Centre was endeavouring to secure adoption of a plan whereby, during their last year at the day school, prospective apprentices would receive instruction specially suited to prepare them for entry into the motor industry.

The outcome of the meeting was a decision to call an early meeting of Bradford and district members of the I.M.I., for the purpose of electing officers and a committee for the new centre.

MR. EDWARD WHITLOCK, a director of the Aluminium Plant and Vessel Co., Ltd., has been elected an alderman of Wandsworth Borough Council.

LIEUT.-COL, LESLIE ASHTON, who, prior to joining the Services, was India tyre representative in the Manchester district, has been awarded the M.B.E. for conspicuous conduct in the field in East Africa.

FLYING OFFICER M. H. CAVE, On his release from the Royal Air Force, has joined Trojan, Ltd., of Croydon, as service manager. He was well known in Midland trade circles prior to becoming a flying instructor in 1941.

MR. E. L. PAYTON, chairman and joint managing director of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., has decided, on the advice of his doctors, to take a complete and extended rest, and has relinquished immediately the more important of his business activities.

MR. ERNE.ST ARTHUR WHITEHEAD is

the new secretary of the Road Haulage Association North-Western (Western) Area. Before the war he was solicitor to the A.R.O. (North-Western (Western) Area) and often appeared on behalf of members at the Traffic Courts. He succeeds the late Mr. Allen Walter.

Maroti R. N. (BON) COLE is resuming his normal duties with Metropolitan Cammell Weymann Motor Bodies, Ltd. In September, 194.0, he was granted a commission in the Royal Tank Regiment, and was quickly elevated to the rank of captain and then major, being ultimately mentioned in dispatches.

MR. W. H. COOPER, London Regional manager for the India Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., is returning to Ireland at the end of the year, and will be succeeded by MR. I. H. HAYMAN, who has been Midland Regional manager for the past 10 years. Ma: H. F. GORMLEY, who joined the company 16 years ago, is appointed acting regional manager for the north. He was district manager at Bristol at the outbreak of war, when he joined the Services, and has recently been demobilized from the Royal Artillery with the rank of Major.

MR. F. G. DIXON, formerly representative for Henley's Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., in the Liverpool area, has been transferred to the Bristol branch of the company. MR, L. YOUNG, returning from the Forces, where, for the past 4i years, he has been with the Intelligence Corps, takes over his old Henley territory in the Devon and Cornwall area. MR. A. W. ADCOCK, who, during the war years, has been acting as personal assistant to the works chemist of the company, is back as representative for the City, East and North London, his old territory. MR. G. R. DEXTER and MR. P. W. POPE, who have been responsible forimportant Dunlop contacts with commercial-vehicle users, have been appointed district managers at the London depots of the company at Brixton and Mile End, respectively. MR. D. G. TAYLOR, district manager at Mile End before joining up in 1939, goes to the Greenwich depot in a similar capacity.

MR, E. W. GERMAIN, whose portrait appears on this page, has been appointed a director of the Maudslay Motor Co., Ltd., having been released from his post as Deputy Assistant Director of Mechanization, Ministry of Supply (T.T.2.). He will be mainly

concerned with sales and distribution for the Maudslay concern, and his activities will centre on the company's Londop office at 3, Clifford Street, W.1.

LIEUT.-COLONEL R. QUINNELL, A.M.I.Mech.E., is remaining in the Middle East after his release from military service, and has become technical director of David Blanga and Fils, Beirut. He is anxious to contact• old friends in the motor, electrical, mechanical and allied industries, with a view to representation on a sole-agency basis. He hopes to be in England shortly and will welcome any inquiries, care of the Overseas Club, St. James's, London, S.W.1.

• MR. SYDNEY OXON, Southern Divisional manager of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., for nearly 16 years, has been appointed manager of the manufacturers' sales division. MR. NOEL MARSDEN, for more than 10 years Midland Divisional manager, becomes Southern Divisional manager, with headquarters in London. The new manager of the Midland division will be MR. FRED FOXLEY, who, since 1937, has been assistant Midland Divisional Manager. These changes become effective from December 1. SQUADRON LEADER H. CLEMENTS has been released from the Royal Air Force to take up his appointment with Silentbloc, Ltd., and its subsidiary, the Andre Rubber Co., Ltd. He will be concerned with technical and commercial developments of the companies' products in the north of England and Scotland.

MR. R. THORNYCROFT has been appointed general manager (sales) of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd. Other appointments in connection with the company's post-war sales organization include MR. G. S. W. HULSE as vehicle department sales organizer, MESSRS. E. G. DALTON and J. JANES as senior Metropolitan area sales representatives, and Mrssas. C. F. GIFFORD, H. R. GRIFFIN and A. G. PRORERT as Metropolitan area sales representatives.

MR. A. DRYSDALE WILSON, who has been acting as a representative of Morris Motors, Ltd., mainly in production liaison with outside suppliers, has left the Nuffield Organization, and is available for a suitable post. He has a great experience of the industry, covering such important firms as Daimler, Karrier and Studebaker, and is the author of many papers on a variety of subjects read before various technical and other bodies.

MR. R. C. Maas, who has been appointed deputy regional manager of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., for the South of England, with headquarters at Albany Street, London, N.W.1, has received the O.B.E. for his services with the British Liberation Army. He joined the Dunlop concern 15 years ago as a salesman in the south. For three years he was in charge of sales promotion knd development work at Fort Dunlop, and for a further three years was -district manager at Bristol. His promotion in the Army was rapid. In September, 1919, he joined the R.A.O.C. as a subaltern, and he was made a Brigadier in March last.

MR. REGINALD F. HANKS has been appointed director and general manager of Nuffield Exports, Ltd., in succession to Mr. S. G. K. Smalibone, who has resigned after 30 years' association with Nuffield companies. He became general manager in May of this year, following a special export mission to India, in which he became staff captain, G.H.Q. Mechanical Transport Inspection Directorate. After the 1914-18 war he was appointed assistant inspecting engineer, Crown Agents for the Colonies, in GlaSgow, and in 1922 joined Morris Motors service technical department. In 1933 he became assistant service manager, three years later chief inspector, and in 1937 production manager. Upon the outbreak of the second world war he became general manager of the civilian repair organization, R.A.F., later fulfilling the same positions at Nuffield Mechanizations, Ltd., at Birmingham and Coventry.

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