Royal Vigilance
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AMONO those who are concerned about the emission of black smoke by oil-engined vehicles is the Duke of Edinburgh. What His Royal Highness thinks desirable today, the public are liable to demand tomorrow. If he believes that the law on " smoking " needs tightening up, watch out.
Profile That Never Was
E announcement of the appointment of Mr. A. J. Burton P4a.5 director of manufacturing services. to the B.S.A. Co.. Ltd., on August 1, ends two months of speculation in automobile engineering circles. Mr. Burton resigned as works director at Longbridge and director of manufacture of B.M.C. Midland factories in May, at a time when his profile for "Men Who Make Transport" was already in type.
It is unlikely, however, that his name will disappear entirely from the industry. Although he would have liked to have been a surgeon, he comes of engineering stock and at the age of 44 is a production executive of distinction. His interests outside the boardroom? Golf, cricket and tennis. •
Competitive Hauliers
ORGANIZERS of eliminating rounds of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition who have tried in vain to persuade hauliers to enter will envy the promoters of the Stepney contest last Sunday. Of the 89 vehicles entered, 53 came from hauliers and B.R.S. Fourteen of the 24 concerns taking part were professional carriers. The secret: vigorous support by the Road Haulage Association.
Canadian Offer
I HEAR that a big Canadian haulier wants to buy an established British road transport business. He will be visiting Britain in the autumn in the hope of making a deal.
Fuel Saver
M" ALF " SUTTON, managing director of Sutton and LIA. Son (St. Helens), Ltd., tells me he is well pleased with the performance of his latest Atkinson eight-wheeler. Operating during the past five months on the company's LancashireLondon trunk service, it has averaged 13.4 m.p.g. It is a standard Atkinson with a Gardner 6LX 150 b.h.p. engine, sixspeed gearbox and trailing axle. The double-reduction differential in the live axle has done much to improve fuel consumption.
United in Safety
YET another association is to be formed—this time, of vehicle safety-belt manufacturers. Its objects include the preservation of a high standard of quality and research into injuries sustained in accidents. Mr. Leonard D. Hodge, national director of the British Safety Council, took the initiative in calling the manufacturers togethtr.
The Council is becoming a lively foil for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, who face " competition " also from the Road Operators' Safety Council.
Recognition
years I have admired the single-minded purpose ol Mr. S. W. Nobbs, a retired insurance official, of Norwich By every means at his disposal, he has advocated sliding door., for cars. A prolific writer on his subject, he has earned a lot of column inches in local, national and technical newspapers.
At last he has achieved a personal success for his idea. He Ls won first prize, a cheque for £500, in the National Safety antest, in which nearly 9,000 persons put up their suggestions, varying originality and usefulness, for improving safety on e roads, in the home and in industry.
The sliding door on the off side, says Mr. Nobbs, eliminates
e risk run by passing cyclists when a driver alights from his bide. There are, of course, vannnen who have found that
e absence of a door all too often puts them at the mercy passing scooter. riders. I suppose you can't please all the ople all the time.
Wird Tragedy
HE Road Haulage Association have suffered their third • tragic loss in six months in the sudden death, last week, Mr. Frank Milton, secretary of the Northern Area. His fluence over many years has been so profound that I have garded him aS the Northern Area of the R.H.A. and the embers as his satellites. It will be extremely difficult to find replacement with Mr. Milton's knowledge of the industry and rength of character.
ilent Exit
HE reticent Mr. B. G. Turner, formerly managing director of Thomas Allen, Ltd., and one-time national chairman of e Road Haulage Association, has slipped quietly out of road ansport with no more than a formal note of his retirement om the company secretary. His nephew, Mr. P. H. R. Turner, es succeeded him as general manager and director, but has )1 taken up the office of managing director.
The Commercial Motor would have liked to have paid tribute " "Men Who Make Transport," hut he gracefully clined the invitation. The limelight is not for him. May enjoy his retirement in peace.