BRISTOL -.OFFER TO BATH CONCERNS
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A N offer has been made by the .MBristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., to purchase the Bath Electric Tramways, Ltd., and its subsidiary, the Bath Tramways Motor Co., Ltd. The latter concern operates over a wide area of West Wiltshire and North Somerset,
Shareholders of both the Bath concerns have been notified of the terms of the Bristol company's offer to purchase, and the directors strongly recommend acceptance. The issued capital of the Bath Tramways concern is £180,606, and of the Bath Tramways Motor company £40,000.
It is understood that, in the event of the purchase being completed, Mr. E. R. H. Trenow, chairman of the Bath concerns, will be appointed to the board of the Bristol company, and probably to . one of two of the associated companies' directorates.
If the present negotiations materialize, another big step towards the completion of a great passengertransport combine will have been taken, for the Bristol concern is controlled . by the Western National Omnibus Co., Ltd., which is, in turn, 'controlled jointly by the Great Western Railway and the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd. The authorized share capital of £2,183,576 is held by the controlling companies.
ACTION AGAINST LONDON TRANSPORT SETTLED.
CLAIMING various declarations as to his contractual rights, and alleging that he had been wrongfully dismissed from the post of district engineer for Watford and district, Mr. Frederick Lewis, of Mulberry House, Bourne End, Bucks, brought an action, last week, against the London Passenger Transport Board. The case was before .Mr. Justice Porter in the Ring's Bench Division,
The Board denied that Mr. Lewis had any contractual rights against them, and they alleged that they were justified in dismissing him.
Mr. Lewis's case was that in 1929 he became managing director of the Lewis Omnibus Co., Ltd., a company formed to take over a business which he had built up. His service contract was for 15 years, the appointment, at the end of 15 years, to be terminable on 12 months' notice.
In 1933 the Lewis Omnibus Co., Ltd., was taken over by the London Passenger. Transport Board, and Mr. Lewis contended that the Board took over the company's liability under the contract. He was appointed district engineer at Watford.
Following a proposal to move him to Windsor and Slough in 1934, which he resisted, and which was not pressed, he was instructed to report to Reigate and take over duties connected with the, supervision of reconstructed garages. He refused, in substance, to do that work, and was first suspended and on July 18, 1935, was dismissed.
Mr. Lewis gave evidence in support of his claim.
Following a conference of the parties, a settlement was announced, on terms not disclosed.
For the Board, Mr. J. W. Morris, K.C., said it had now become apparent that throughout, Mr. Lewis's attitude was that he desired to protect his legal position, and that desire explained what may have seemed, to the Board, to be misconduct.
In those circumstances the Board withdrew all suggestions of misconduct against Mr. Lewis, and they did not feel that anything had transpired in the action which ought, either as regards the competence or character of Mr. Lewis, to militate against his prospect of getting employment.
BUSES REPLACE TRAMS AT BLACKPOOL.
THE first change-over from tramsto buses ever to be made at Blackpool was carried out last week. when trams ran on the Layton-Talbot Square and Central Station-Waterloo Hotel routes on Monday night for the last time.
The bus services that have been substituted cover a much greater distance and not only link up the old tram routes, but also the resort's two main railway stations. To meet the demand for new roiling stock required for the services, Blackpool Corporation is to increase its bus fleet with several Leyland vehicles.
MORE TROLLEYBUS ROUTES FOR LONDON?
DOWERS are being sought by 1 London Transpbrt for permission to run trolleybuses in the Lewisham area. Lewisham Council has been informed that it is intended to operate these vehicles principally over existing tramway routes in the borough. The Council has reserved the right to oppose any part of the Bill.