An Almost Incredible Story
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TOWARDS the end of last year, Mr. I SydneY Guy, managing director of Guy Motors, Ltd., saw a 1948 calendar which had been prepared by the company's Dutch agent, De Nederlandsche Motoren Mij. N.V., of Rotterdam. His request for "a few more copies" seemed simple and straightforward. The company said it would be happy to send Mr. Guy a couple of dozen as a gift.
Each calendar consisted of 12 printed sheets of paper measuring 11 ins. by 18 ins., yet the Ctstorns and Excise authorities assessed the value of • each calendar at more than £13 14s. 6d. for the dozen, which included 16s. Id. purchase tax.
But Mr. Guy could not get possession and a large file of correspondence accumulated as more and more of the 12 tear-otf pages of the calendars became obsolete. Officialdom was working.
Customs Take Over In February, the company was informed by its shipping agent that the calendars had arrived in England, and instructions were awaited for "clearing through Customs." It was pointed out by Guy Motors, Ltd., that the calendars were a gift, and inquiry was made as to what procedure was necessary to secure delivery to Wolverhampton.
March, April and May passed, and the file of correspondence grew. There were references to Form C.105 (Pay' ment of Duty), Form P.T.26 (Purchase Tax on Imported Goods), and to the necessity of obtaining a Board of Trade import licence. The last-named was secured; Form P.T.26 was meticulously filled in, with partceular reference to the section calling for an explanation. of the purpose for which the goods would he used.
The answer given to this question was, "For use as 1948 calendars; this holds good only in the unlikely event of our receiving them before 1949."
Perseverance and pertinacity, however, eventually won, and the "free aift" calendars arrived at Wolver
hampton only six months late, accompanied by a bill 'for £13 14s. 6d. Although the item of E8 16s.. Id: 'pur chase tax made up the of -this sum, othars inCluded • postages, and , 12s. 7d. for 'ground • rent while the parcel was held at the port of arrival!
APPEALS FOR HEARING
AN appeal against a decision of the' r-51 -M etropolitan licensing Authority will be heard at Halifax House, Strand, London. W.C.2, from June 29-30. Appellants are Bristol, Hanlage Co.;
Ltd., L. H. Dimond and Co, Ltd., Messrs. Knee Bros., Pioneer Transport, Ltd., and Guest, Wood and Ling, Ltd. The respondent is I. Mileham and Sons, Ltd.
On July 1, an appeal against a decision of the West Midland Licensing Authority will he heard; also at Halifax House. The appellant is Charles Leonard and the respondents are the Railway Executive, and the Red House Garage Co., Ltd. SWEDEN HONOURS BRITAIN MEARLY 500 delegates from all parts Nof Sweden, as well as representatives Irons England, Norway, Denmark and Finland, attended the congress of S.L.F. iSwedish Road Haulage Association) at Gothenburg. M. Bj. Rokling, president • of the Scandinavian -Hauliers' Union, and M. W. H. Greiff, president, and M. Math Peterson, director, of the Danish Road Haulage Association, were among those present.
Mr. J. H. Vincent represented the Institute of Road Transport Engineers and carried messages from Mr. Alfred Barnes, Minister of Transport, and the president and council of the 1.R.T.E. He received a warm welcome.
TYRE BUYERS'MARKET COMING
"T[ERE are unmistakable signs I that the supply of tyres is catching up on the demand, and a buyers' market is looming ahead," said Mr. A. S. Bishop, sales director of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co (Great Britain). Ltd., in an address to the Motor Agents' Association's conference at Eastbourne last week.
He added that British dealers had something to learn from the Americans in matters of service. Every good dealer in the U.S.A. provided wheelalignment ;ind balancing facilities, he said.
30,000 SAFE DRIV ERS
E.AcHof 30,000 London Transport drivers has just received a medal, brooch, cross or bar from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Between 1942 and 1945 the awards could not be distributed, because of the metal shortage. but drivers who had been temporarily furnished with certificates of entitlement have now been issued with medals. The awards altogether weighed 3 cwt.
VAUXHALL SHOW TO CLOSE A FTER running for 21 months, The Story of Vauxhall' exhibition is to close on June 30. Opened in September, 1946, to link up with the motor industry's jubilee celebrations, the exhibition was scheduled for only a 10-week run.
BRITISH AND U.S. IDEAS COMBINED IN COACHES
FOUR Leyland 125 b.h.p. oil-engined coaches with American-style bodies are to be introduced on a 250-mile express service between Rosario and Cordoba, Argentina. The bodywork
has been built by Carnetal S.R.I. on 19-ft.-wheelbase chassis. The framework is of steel construction, and beautifully grained Araucaria pine from the Argentine Lake District is used for interior panelling.
The 34 leather-upholstered seats are adjustable in three positions and are staggered to facilitate movement tilontz the sunken gangway. Four lamps ire mounted under the edges of the seat platforms, so that the gangway is adequately illuminated, but sleeping passengers are not disturbed. The windscreen is steeply raked and deflects air through ventilating ducts.
LICENCES EXTENDED FOR • ANOTHER YEAR
A NY " authorization in force on
July 31, 1948, to act as driver or conductor of a public service vehicle; act as driver or conductor of a tram or trolleybus, or as a driver of a hackney carriage in the Metropolitan Police district; use a public service vehicle; operate a road passenger service vehicle under a permit issued under previous Orders; or use a goods vehicle (A, B, or C licence) will be valid for 12 months beyond the date on which it would have expired.
The Minister of Transport has made an Order to this effect so that no fresh licences will be required until the existing authorizations can be brought under review and replaced by new licences, where appropriate. The extension will be automatic and without fee, and there will be no need for the holders of these licences and permits to apply for renewal.
.They must, however, notify the Regional Transport Commissioner of any change of address or change of vehicle specified. Ordinary driving licences and excise licences are not affected.
The instrument, entitled the Emergency Powers (Defence) Road Vehicles and Drivers (Amendment) Order, 1948, also makes a concession for harvest work. Any goods-vehicle operator may, until November 30, 1948, accept harvest work for hire or reward with out regard to any condition attached to his carrier's licence or defence permit, and need not apply for special authority.
Copies of the Order, which comes into force on July 31, may be obtained from the Stationery Office.
PENZANCE POOL'S SUCCESS
A LTHOUGH this has been a bumper
season for new potatoes in Cornwall, the Penzance Road Transport Pool, set up by the Road Haulage Association, and described in "The Commercial Motor" dated June 4, was able to deliver the entire crop, well within the stipulated period from June 1-21.
The success of the pool was largely due to close co-operation between hauliers, the Railway Executive, the growers, the merchants and the Government departments concerned. It was at no time necessary to call in vehicles from outside.
OBITUARY WE regret to record the death of Tv MR. DOUGLAS LEES, joint editor of "Motor Commerce and Industry." He was born in 1893 and in 1919 joined Motor Commerce, Ltd., as an assistant in the editorial department. Later he was appointed assistant editor of both "Motor Commerce" and "Automobile Electricity". He was acting editor from 1945 until 1947, when he became joint editor with Mr W. C. Stoddart.
MR. E. H. FRYER, secretary of the Automobile Association, died last Sunday at the age of 68. He succeeded Sir Stenson Cooke, founder and original secretary of the A.A., in 1942.
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