PARCELS CARRIERS EXECUTIVE MEETS.
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A meeting of the executive of the National Conference of Parcels Carriers was held in Birmingham on December 2. Mr. R. B. Brittain (National Parcels and Goods Services, Great Tarpots, South Benffeet, Essex) was elected honorary secretary, and a subcommittee, consisting of the chairman (Mr. C. S. Dunbar), the secretary, and five other members, was appointed to meet monthly. It was also decided that the full executive should meet quarterly in Birmingham, London, Newcastle and Bristol, and that an annual conference should be held each year.
The provisional subscription was fixed at 5s, per vehicle per annum, Or a maximum of £1.
Engineering Colleges' Dinner.
The annual dinner and ball of the Colleges of Automobile and Aeronautical Engineering: Chelsea, took place last Tuesday at Grosvenor House, Park Lane. As usual, it was an extremely well-attended and enjoyable function.
The chair was occupied by the Principal, Mr. C. H. Roberts, who gave the toast of "The Automobile and Aeronautical Industries." He referred to special designs of aircraft made by students of the appropriate college, and to a special £100 prize competition in this connection. He mentioned that many ideas were lost through lack of facilities to carry them out, and this prize scheme would assist in that connection.
Mr. Mervyn O'Gorman replied in his characteristically humorous style, remarking that, abroad, speed was considered an achievement, whilst here it was almost a reproach. He made a strong appeal for special motor roads and, referring to London, said that its
a20 traffic speed could be doubled without increasing vehicle speed, if stops caused by congestion could be eliminated. He considers that, normally, British drivers are the best-mannered in the world, but "evil communications corrupt good manners."
Mr. F. Handley Page also replied in a speech full of quips.
The toast of " The Colleges " was proposed by Sir Francis Shelmerdine, who said that any pupil taking the course and obtaining his diploma was almost certain of obtaining a post, depending upon his ability.
After a further reply by Colonel Moore-Brabazon, presentations of the Kathleen Drogheda and Mollison Trophies were made by the Countess of Drogheda. and Mrs. Amy Mollison respectively.
507,000 Licensed Goods Vehicles.
At June 30 last, there were 91,101 vehicles authorized ' under A licences (including contract licences), 53,775 under B licences and 362,380 under C licences. These figures do not include trailers.
Monthly Order for A.E.C.s.
An order a month maintains an active link between the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., and the Cooperativa Bus Services, Montevideo, Uruguay. With regularity the company receives almost every four weeks a cable requisitioning additional ACLO single-deck chassis for eVentual service in Montevideo itself, or on the roads leading from the city. So far, this progressive company has ordered 100 ACLO chassis of different types within a period of a year. The heading picture on this page shows one of the chassis being unloaded from a Blue Star liner at Montevideo.
ANOTHER APPLICATION FOR LONGER HOURS.
On Wednesday next, the Industrial Court, sitting at 11 a.m., at 5, Old Palace Yard, Loudon, S.W.1, will hear an application from the joint council for the retail distributive trades section of the road-transport industry for a variation in driving hours during the Christmas and New Year periods. It is sought to authorize those engaged in the delivery of goods from retail shops and stores to their customers to work drivers for 12 hours on not more than two days in each of the three weeks ending December 18, December 25 and January 1.
'Ware Frosty Weather.
The cold snap of the past few days should, in itself, have impressed operators of road motors with the wisdom of taking sensible precautions against the damage that severe frosts may cause to their vehicles. If they be uncertain of the risks that they run in this connection, then they should obtain a copy of an informative booklet issued by S. Smith' and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., Cricklewood, London, wherein they will find a map which clearly shows, by areas, the maximum degrees of frost experienced in the past 20 yeath in Great Britain.
This publication is issued to support the claims made for Bluecol antifreeze, a product of the company. It is non-tacky and flows as freely as water, whilst it does not attack joints, cellulose or hose connections. Furthermore, it is non-corrosive, so that radiators suffer no harmful effects, whilst it prevents foreign matter accumulating.
Bluecol is sold in tins in seven sizes, and a chart shows the correct quantity to ae, according to the amount of frost protection required. We can personally testify to the efficiency of Bluecol as an anti-freeze, whilst the fact that it is officially approved by many commercial-vehicle and radiator makers is not without its significance. BIG EXPANSION SCHEME FOR BRISTOL HAULAGE.
The capital of Bristol Industries, Ltd., is to be increased" from £270,000 to £340,000 for the purpose of considdrably expanding the business of the Bristol Haulage Co., which is controlled by Bristbl Industries, Ltd.
It will be remembered that the parent concern was one of the Principal parties in the negotiations for the establishment of a road transport combine, which were started in October and are understood to be continuing.
Opportunity for Engineer.
Amongst our small advertisements is one for a senior engineer in one of the most important and progressive bus
companies in the provinces. Preference will be given to applicants who have occupied the position of chief assistant with a large company, or an equivalent post.
Scotland Strikes Oil.
Oil has-been struck at Dalkeith after months of boring. At a depth of 900 ft., the bore has at last succeeded. Two bores are working at high-pressure—one at Cousland by the Anglo-Iranian company, and the other at D'Arey by the Anglo-American concern. The Cousland bore was the first to strike oil.
Last Words on Paid-holiday Claim.
Although the existing voluntary collective agreements in the road-transport industry generally stipulate only one week's paid holiday after a qualifying service of usually 12 months, the Trade Union Congress made it perfectly clear, before the final public session of the Government Holidays with Pay Committee, at the Ministry of Labour, last week, that its claim is for a full two weeks' holiday, apart from bank and public holidays.
Big Yorks By-pass Schemes.
Far-reaching plans for by-passing towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire were mentioned at a Ministry of Transport inquiry, at Wetherby, last Friday, Mr. H. A. flosling, deputy surveyor to West Riding County Council, said that county council schemes for bypassing Doncaster, Otley, Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Addingham and Skipton would shortly be put forward. When these were completed they mould enable traffic from the south to the north to have a clear run without going through towns at all.
Birmid Industries Makes Good Progress.
All the component companies. of Birrnid Industries, Ltd., showed an increase during the past year, said Mr. Cyril C. Maudslay, chairman, at the general meeting of the company, and, in some cases, it was as much as 33 per cent, over the previous year. The companies manufacturing aluminium castings had been very busy during the year, particularly in the sandcasting department. The pressure-casting business has increased andadditional facilities for this department
may he necessary in the future. The output of steering wheels made good progress during the year, whilst the demand for magnesium castings has grown phenomenally.
The companies concerned with cylinder and iron castings, which produce cylinders, crankcases, brake drums and a wide variety of light repetition castings, had a satisfactory year and a much-increased turnover. 1933 ACT STIGMATIZED BY TRADE LEADER.
Reviewing briefly the handicaps under which the road-transport industry suffered during the past year, Mr. C. W. Reeve, C.B.E., chairman and managing director of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., said, at the company's annual general meeting, that he placed in the forefront the .inadequacy of preSent-clay roads and the Government's lack of a bold national long-term road policy. He stigmatized the application of the 1933 Act as preventing -initiative, arresting development and restricting the market for new vehicles. He pleaded for greater understanding of the importance to the country of the roadtransport industry.
More Exceptional Loads by Road.
In his annual report, the Worcestershire surveyor mentions that the number of unusually heavy loads, authorized under special permit by the Road Traffic Act, 1930, continues to increase. During the year, 269 notices were re, ceived in respect of such vehicles, the loads comprising as much as 90 tons. The corresponding number of notices for the preceding year was 226.
Leyland's New Scottish Depot.
Work is well advanced on the new service depot beingconstructed for Leyland Motors, Ltd., on the site of the old depot in Mauchline Street, Glasgow. It is expected to be completed by April next, and the groundfloor area will cover approximately 29,000 sq. ft. In addition to service shops, the Leyland Scottish ' sales department will be centred at this depot.
Limit on Goods-traffic Hours?
The German Ministry of Transport is making inquiries regarding some limitation of the hours during which goods vehicles should be used on Sundays and holidays, and has suggested that they should not be allowed on the roads after 3 p.m. Various chambers of commerce are in favour of the change, whilst others are against it.
It is now reported that a plan to prohibit the use of goods vehicles on the days mentioned, between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., is under consideration, General Motors Consolidating Activities.
General Motors, Ltd., which recommenced operations in Great Britain • approximately two years ago, has decided to consolidate all its activities, with the exception of overseas sales, in Southampton. For this purpose, a building will be constructed on the new land in the Southern Railway's docks, and this will accommodate the warehouse, spare parts and service departments and head office. When business conditions justify, it is possible that steps will be taken to assemble some of the products which are manufactured. by General Motors Corporation of America. DRIVING LESSONS UNDER TRADE PLATES.
If driving tuition be part and parcel of the bargain of purchase and sale of a vehicle, the lessons may be given under a general trade licence. This is the effect of a decision given in Dundee, last Saturday, by Sheriff Malcolm, who found George M'Lean, garage owner, 3, Riverside Drive, Dundee, not guilty of a contravention of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing).. Reg-ula-. tions, 1924, by using trade plates for driving-tuition purposes.
British Shutter Maker to Open American Factory.
Steel roller shutters are soon to be manufactured in America by G. Brady and Co., Ltd., Manchester. Key-men from the Manchester staff.are to be sent to Plattsburg (USA.) in January, to initiate the manufacture of shutters for . use in garages, depots and for other purposes.
The Motor World Annual, 1938.
Compiled by our old friend, G. H. Cut bush, M.I.A,E., "The Motor • World Annual," at 2s., is.a useful book . on Scottish motoring; it also includes details of commercial vehicles and motor boats. It-is obtainable from the Motor World Publishing Co., Ltd., 73, • Dunlop Street, Glasgow, C.1.