WHEELS of INDUSTRY BRINGING INTO FORCE THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1934.,,,
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The Minister of Transport announces that he has decided to bring certain Sections of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, into operation on October 1. They will fall into two portions—those under which Regulations will require to be made, and those which come into force without Regulations. The following come into the first category and will have no effect upon the public until the Regulations are made:— Section 6, regarding tests of competence for motor drivers who have not held licences before April 1 this year.
The Sections which will come into force without Regulations are :— Section 5, under which convictions for exceeding the speed limit or for careless driving must, unless the Court sees fit to act otherwise, be endorsed on the driving licence.
Section 8, which makes it illegal to offer to sell or supply motor vehicles which do not comply with the requirements of existing.Regulations as to construction, or to alter a vehicle so that it does not comply with these Regulations, which are already in force and with which every vehicle used on the road has to conform.
Section 33 requires persons charged' with exceeding the speed limit, careless or dangerous driving, or drunkenness in charge of a vehicle, to have their driving licences available at the hearing.
A new schedule of speeds will also be brought into force on the above date. The principal change is in connection with vehicles previously restricted to a speed of 16 m.p.h„ (i.e. articulated vehicles). These may now run at 20 m.p.h. ; those subject to a speed limit of 8 m.p.h. may now travel at 12 m.p.h. Motor tractors with pneumatic tyres on all wheels, wlien used with one trailer thus equipped, may also run at 20 rn.p.h.
Operation of New Wages Scale Deferred.
A meeting of the National Joint Conciliation Board was held on September 19 last and was presided over by Sir Richard Redmayne. After considering the representations made by the employers' panels of the existing Area Boards and of employers' organizations, the Board has decided to defer the date of the operation of its report on wages and conditions of employment in the goods-transport industry from October 1 next to January 1, 1935This has been done to enable the areas to complete the organization of their Boards, the work of grading, classification and other matters arising out of the report.
It was agreed that all Area Boards should submit their reports to the rr18 National Board by November 12, 1934. They will then be considered by the latter, which will issue its decision thereon in time for the agreed date of operation.
Road-accident Returns.
The Ministry of Transport returns of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended September 15, 1934, show that, in England, 114 persons were killed and 4,852 injured, whilst 28 died as a result of
previous accidents. The figures for Scotland were nine killed and 487 injured, whilst in Wales three were killed and 216 injured.
The 1935 Range Of Jowetts.
The range of Jowett commercial vehicle,s for 1935 is practically unchanged, the only alteration being in respect of the engine front mounting, which is now of the hydraulic type.
The models are known as the standard van at £135; the 10-cwt, van, which has a capacity of 107i cubic ft., and costs. £147 10s.; the covered lorry, which is in effect a van with fabric sides that can be rolled down, at £138; and the drop-side lorry priced at £135. The sole London distributor is Godfreys, Ltd., 366-8, Euston Road, N.W.1.
Many Prohibition Notices in West Midland Area,
The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce recently convened a meeting of goods-vehicle operators in the district, when Mr. S. W. Nelson, the clerk to the West Midland Licensing Authority, dealt with the requirements of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933. He said that, up to date, prohibition notices in respect of 467 vehicles in the area had been issued. In connection with the examination of vehicles, he said that operators should not regard the examiners as enemies, but as advisors.
Mr. Nelson mentioned that, to date, 13,000 applications for licences in the area had been received from operators. PRODUCTION AND REGISTRATION FIGURES HIGHER.
The latest monthly report of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that, in July, the registrations of new vehicles totalled 482 in Northern Ireland and 768 in the Irish Free State, the comparable returns for 1933 being 495 and 686 respectively. As mentioned in our issue for last week, the figures for the same month in respect of Great Britain were 29,895 in 1934 and 26,431 in 1933. The totals for the 10 months ended July were as follow, the corresponding returns for last year being given in parentheses :Great Britain, 297,495 (242,845) ; Northern Ireland, 4,853 (4,291) ; Irish Free State, 5,368 (3,008).
In the nine months ended July last, 65,343 commercial vehicles and 208,577 private cars and taxicabs were produced, as against 48,604 and 177,698 respectively last year.
Assistance in Keeping Records.
A commercial accountant with practical 'experience in costing, maintenance, etc., of motor vehicles, extending over many years, offers his services to hauliers and others in giving advice on, and framing, appropriate systems of work, or in paying regular visits to carry out such book-keeping, recording, etc., as may be arranged. The fees required will be moderate, and inquiries will entail no obligation; they should be addressed to " Accountant." care of the Editor.
Prohibition Order: The First Prosecution.
In our issue dated September 14, in dealing with a case heard at Knutsforcl, Cheshire, we intimated that it was the • first prosecution under the section of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, empowering the Licensing Authority, to prohibit the use of a vehicle until defects had been remedied. The clerk to the East. Midland Licensing Authority draws our attention to the fact that a prosecution for a similar offence was successfully undertaken at the Guildhall, Nottingham, on June 25.
Bakers Seeking Longer Hours for Drivers.
Torquay .and District Master Bakers and Confectioners Association has unanimously decided to support an appeal which the master bakers' national association proposes to make• to the Minister of Transport for the addition of an extra hour to two hours, on Saturdays and on days before public holidays, to the statutory working
hours of drivers. The regulations, made under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, governing drivers' hours, Come info force on October 1. BID TO STABILIZE RATES.
An important move in the direction of co-operation between hauliers in different parts of the country to stabilize rates was made in Bradford last Friday, when a deputation from the North Lindsey (Lincolnshire) Road Transport Rates Tribunal interviewed members of the Bradford Section of the Yorkshire Road Transport Rates TribunaL The deputation suggested an arrangement whereby members of the North Lindsey Tribunal would not transport goods into the Bradford district at rates less than those agreed upon between Tribunal members in Bradford, on condition that the Bradford members would give a reciprocal undertaking with regard to the transport of goods into the North Lindsey area.
The Bradford members indicated that they would welcome such an arrangement, and, indeed, that they would be ready to co-operate on the same basis with any similar body of hauliers.
The Yorkshire Rates Tribunal has done splendid work through its sections in Bradford, Leeds and Halifax, but it is recognized that this work cannot come to the fullest fruition without cooperation from hauliers in other areas.
The North Lindsey deputation, which was led by Mr. Ablett (chairman) and Mr. J. Hind (secretary), reported an interview with Mr. J. H. Stitt, the East Midland Licensing Authority, who had promised to give members every support in upholding economic rates.
National Emergency Met by Road Transport.
An urgent order from the Gresford Colliery for fire-extinguisher refills was delivered by the police• to Minimax, Ltd., last Sunday night, following the disaster in this colliery. There was no train running by which they could be despatched, so it was decided to deliver them by road. A Morris-Commercial 30-cwt. lorry, carrying 2 tons of refills, left the concern's works at Feltham, Middlesex, at 2 a.m., and ran practically non-stop, .covering the 180 miles to Wrexham in eight hours. Road patrols and police along the road were warned of the approach of the vehicle, and assisted its progress, being able to identify it by its brightred colour. Two men shared the work of driving and subsequently worked at the colliery day and night, until midday on,Tuesday. On the Monday a 2-ton consignment of complete extinguishers was sent by train.
Selling from Motors "After Hours."
A case of unusual interest concerning the use of motor vehicles as shops was recently heard in South Wales. Mr. Richard Welding, of Neath, was summoned at Port Talbot for a breach of the Shop Hours Act by selling paraffin from a motorvan, at Abergwynfi, at 8.15 p.m.
A shops inspector said that he saw the defendant canvass at doors at the time stated, and sell oil. He told the defendant that he was committing a breach of the Shop Hours Act by selling " after hours." Mr. Welding stated that he was delivering oil to regular customers, and thus delivering ordered goods, and not selling.
The defendant, in evidence, said he supplied these customers each week with a given quantity of oil, which was ordered. He had supplied them in this way for 41 years and was not seeking orders "out of hours."
The magistrate found that the defendant was selling oil and imposed a 'fine of 20s.
Death of S.M.M.T. South African Representative.
We regret to announce the death of Mr. H. G. Wood, Cape Town representative of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Mr. Wood joined the Society in 1928. He was organizing secretary, and, later, the general secretary of the South African Motor Traders' Association, which he organized from its inception. The Association now covers the whole of the Unions of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. He has also performed valuable work for the British motor industry in South Africa.
Recent Legislation to be Explained.
Under the auspices of the Bradford section of the Yorkshire Road Transport Rates Tribunal, a mass meeting of holders of " A " and " B " licences will be held at the Market Tavern, Godwin Street, Bradford, on October 1, at 7.30 p.m.
Mr. C. Holdsworth. chairman of the Bradford section of the Tribunal, will preside, and the speakers will be Mr. Harold Goodwin, a member of the Yorkshire Area Conciliation Board, and Mr. Harry Clarke, one of the joint secretaries of the Board. They will explain recent legislation affecting headers of " A" and " B " licences, and the report of the National 'Conciliation Board.
• Principality Moving-floor. Development.
The Principality Wagon Co., Ltd., Cardiff, advises us that the sole selling concession for its patent movable floors in connection with refuse-collecting machines, previously granted to Shelyoke and Drewry, Ltd., Letchworth, has now been terminated by mutual agreement. The company is, therefore, free to quote any chassis maker in respect of the Principality floor for such municipal service. PERSONAL PARS.
Mr. Neil Vernal, who, for the past 12 years, has been transport manager of Greenock Central Co-operative Society, has beer. appointed to the same post in connection with St, Cuthbert's Co-operative Association,' Edinburgh, and took over his new duties on September 24.
Mr. Roger W. Sewill, chairman of the Road Haulage Association, is about to pay a visit to the west country to address a series of meetings on the work of the Association. Mr. Sewill will speak at Truro next Monday, October 1, at Plymouth on the following day, and at Exeter on Wednesday.
Mr. A E.H. Griffits, B.Sc., who was assistant warden at Wellington House, Leyland, has secured an appointment as a junior officer in the Admiralty Technical Pool. His place has been taken by Mr. W. G. Gilbert, B.A., who has recently completed his three-years' course of training as an engineerapprentice at the works of Leyland Motors, Ltd.
Mr. Rees Jeffreys, chairman of the Roads Improvement Association, and one of the British delegates to the Seventh International Road Congress, is prolonging his stay in Berlin in order to study further the municipal organization of that city. He will then proceed to Amsterdam to meet the representative of the Dutch Government on whose invitation the Eighth Congress is to be held in Holland in 1938, Mr. Wilfred E. Gooday, who for over 12 years has been manager of the technical department of the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd., has iesigned his position with that company. He is a director of the Stream Line Filter Co., Ltd., and from October 1 will be conducting his business from Brettenham House, Wellington Street, London, W.C.2. Mr. Gooday is leaving London on October 20 on a business visit to the Continent, and will be away until the end of November. Mr. Gooday is a member of the Council of the institution of Petroleum Technologists, an Associate of the Royal School of Mines, a member of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, and a member of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy.
Tilling and B.A.T. Bonus Approved.
An extraordinary general meeting of Tilling and British Automobile Traction, Ltd., was held a few days ago, at which resolutions were unanimously approved increasing the capital of the/ company to £2,700,000 by the creatio/ of 500,000 additional ordinary sharer' £1 each, and authorizing the capis tion of £500,000 of the resery distributed as a capital bony
ordinary shareholders, in tlY of one ordinary share /
already held. //
COMPLETION OF IMPORTANT SCOTTISH ROAD SCHEME.
The formal opening of the reconstructed road between Ballachulish and Dochfour was due to be carried out yesterday by the Minister of Transport. This section supersedes the former tortuous road, which •possessed many blind corners, steep gradients and poor surfaces, the width in places being as narrow as 8 ft. The new road has an 18-ft. carriageway, in which parking places for vehicles have, been formed at certain beauty spots along the route, whilst there are paved footpaths in populous areas.
The opening of this section marks the completion of a programme which provides road users with a complete circuit of first-class roads through Edinburgh to Glasgow, along the western shore of Loch Lomond to Crianlarich, thence by way of Tyndnim, through the Pass of Glencoe to Ballachulish, along the Great Glen to Inverness, and then by way of ICingrissie, Blair Atholl, Perth and Stirling to Edinburgh. The total length of the circuit is 405 miles.
The total cost of the latest section is about £1,012,000, which is equal to approximately £14,000 per mile. The greatest number of men employed at any one time was 1,200, and the wages paid to men directly employed on the work represented 44 per cent, of the total cost.
More Oilers for the L.P.T.B.
The London Passenger Transport Board has placed an order with the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., for 85 Regent oil-engined double-deckers for its country services. Nottingham Corporation has also ordered 10 vehicles of a similar type. The Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., has indented for 25 A.E.C. special single-deck sixwheeled bus chassis.
Rapid Growth of .Welah Association.
A good rate of progress is reported by the Carmarthen and Joint Counties Road Transport Association, which was formed about three months ago, the membership now approaching 80.
A series of winter meetings is being arranged in convenient centres. The entrance fee and annual subscription are 10s. each.
The Association is able to call on the services of four Members of Parliament.
A resolution passed by the Association has been forwarded to the Ministry of Transport, calling attention to the inconvenience experienced by transport concerns owing to the delay in erecting the new bridge needed at Carmarthen over the River Towy.
The Theed Vacuum Servo Brake
We are asked by Hamilton Motors (London), Ltd., 466-490, Edgware Road, London, W.2, to draw our readers' attention to the Theed vacuum brake, which is a popular and inexpensive servo system suitable for in= corporation in, or attachment to, a
r of well-known standard chassis.
This apparatus was not referred to in cur article entitled "Meeting Presentday Braking Needs" in our Special Equipment Number, dated September 21, but was fully described in our issue of June 8 last. We published with this description a report of its efficiency, 'ascertained by a test we carried out of a Bedford 2-tonner equipped with this brake. The brake, with fittings and valve, as constructed for Fords and Bedfords, costs only £4.
Dyson's New London Office.
R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., the wellknown concern of trailer makers, has removed its London office and stores to Tower House, 40, Trinity Square, E.C.3.
Marks Steering Higher Profit.
In the year ended June 30, 1934., the Manes Steering Co., Ltd., made a net profit of £4,013, after providing for income tax, as against £2,895 a year earlier. A dividend of 10 per cent, is proposed for payment, which will leave £1,735 to be carried forward, as against £1,566 brought into the accounts.
RAILWAYS UNDER-CUTTING ALLEGATIONS FAIL.
Allegations of rate-cutting by Messrs. A. and A. Young, of Kelty, were made by the London and North Eastern Railway Co., at a sitting of the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, last week. The applicants sought to increase their vehicles from two to three and their tonnage from 10i to 15i. Evidence was given as to an increase of business.
It was stated that the applicants carried bricks at the rate of 5s. 10d. per ton from Biairadara to Dundee, a distance of 45 miles, whilst the railway company's rate was 6s. from Glasgow to Dundee. The railway representative pointed out that the additional cartage from Dundee Station to the particular housing scheme might be anything up to 2s. 6d. per ton.
Permission was given to purchase an additional 4-ton vehicle.
Ford Vans' 11,000-mile Tour.
Three fully loaded Ford vans, under the leadership of Mr, John Chancellor, of London, arrived at Gibraltar, last Saturday, at the end of a tour in which they have visited 20 countries. They have travelled from Alexandria to Gibraltar, via Stockholm. The party left Alexandria on June 12 and has since covered 11,375 miles. The tour was arranged by the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., and, as related in our issue dated September 7, was intended to demon-. strafe the all-round serviceability of Ford products.
I.M.T. Lectures Next Month.
The south-eastern division of the Institute of the Motor Trade has arranged lectures during October as follow:—October 4, at 8 p.m., "Repairing Motor Vehicles After Accidental Damage," by Mr. E. S. Grinyer, M.I.M.T., at the New Inn Hotel, Sandling Road, Maidstone. October 16, at 8 p.m., "Shock Absorbers and Central Chassis Lubrication," by Mr. G. L. Appleyard, at the Lido Cinema, Hove.
Licence for Horsebox Refused.
Further to the report in our issue dated September 14, the Yorkshire Licensing Authority (Mr. J. Farndale) has refused the application made by Mr. P. Kelly, of Norton, Malton, for a B licence for a 5-ton horsebox to transport racehorses to and from race meetings. The Licensing Authority reserved his decision after hearings in Leeds on September 4 and 7.
At the first sitting, Mr. Kelly said that he purchased the horsebox at the end of June, at the request of Mahon trainers. For the London and NorthEastern Railway Co. it was said that the four railway horseboxes at Malton had not been used since Mr. Kelly started running his vehicle. It was claimed for Mr. Kelly, who produced his account books, that they refuted allegations of under-cutting.
It was stated that the L.N.E.R. attached the utmost importance, to the application.