BLACKPOOL COACH OWNERS' MEETING.
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE QUESTION of rates loomed large at the annual meeting of the Birkenhead and District Motor Char-h-barics Association, which was held on Friday; April 136, at Blackpool. Councillor J. Leavesley presided. ' Mr. J. F. Taylor, the secretary, in presenting the annual report., stated that a great deal of time had been spent in endeavouring to obtain better conditions for motor coach proprietors. The president and he had consistently advocated the owners' claims at the Commercial Motor Users Association meeting's in Manchester and Preston. The president, in the interests of the Association, gaveevidence before the Parliamentary Departmental Committee of the Ministry of Transport regarding public stands and various matters concerning the regu
lations governing chars-hbanes. He strongly advocated the necessity for public -stands, with better provision than now obtained.
The question of rates, it was said, still caused the committee anxiety. During the last few weeks a deputation from allied associations of the North-Western Division of Lancashire waited upon the members with a strong appeal to obtain and maintain uniform rates for the ensuing year. Whilst nothing definite was done, the committee was very anxious to fix rates which would tend to the betterment of business.
The president remarked that the gibes-. tion of rates was bristling with difficulties, and if they could only get a settled minimum price it would eradicate a lot
of undercutting. Referring to the inquiry on the general administration of hackney carriages, the President said a lot of points at issue were put to him. The question of conductors on chars-as banes was raised, and it was suggested that they should be carried at the rear of the vehicle, but he was able, as their representative, to show the impracticability of this scheme. It was thought that by carrying a conductor the driver would be able to learn through signals from the rear of the present* of fastermoving vehicles desirous of passing, but the president suggested that a mirror on the side of the windscreen would servo the same purpose. He would not be sur prised if the committee did not insist upon the compulsory carrying of a mirror.
The officers elected were as follow :— President, COWL J. Leavesley; vicepresidents, Messrs. J. W. Dewburst, J. E. Taylor, and T. Clarke; hon. treasurer, Mr: J. Stead; hon. secretary, Mr., E; Hardman ; committee, Messrs. J. W. Horsfall, W. Armitage, R,. Marshall, A. Hodges, V. Standerwick, and J. Hill.
Speaking at the annual sinner which preceded the meeting, Mr. T. Clarke said the council tried to improve the appearance of the town by taking the chars-h-bancs off the streets, but, being gentlemen of business conceptions, when the owners' position had been put to them in a proper manner, they had looked at it from a business standpoint, and came to acknowledge that concessions must be made in the interests of those who visited the town.
The president alluded with regret to the impending resignation of their secretary on account of ill health, and paid a tribute to Mr. J. E. Taylor's enthutiasm and loyalty to the Association.