BIRD'S • EYE VIEW
Page 67
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Swan Song ? Was his address on Monday
night to the Institute of Transport in London Ernest Marples' swan song? He offered to give the paper—not, as is usual, having first been asked by the Institute to do so. He made one wry crack about the next Minister of Transport—whoever he may be . " Ministers have, of course (as has Mr. Marples), frequently spoken at dinners and lunches; but this was the first post-war occasion that a Minister of Transport has formally addressed the Institute. Apart from the abnormal years of 1939-45, the only other such occasion was when the very first Minister of Transport, Sir Eric Geddes, did so some 45 years ago.
It was certainly a triumph for our Ernest. The meeting was arranged by the I.o.T. at quite short notice, July being " out-of-season " for Institute main meetings. Despite this, there were between 500 and 550 people present, and their names" read like a Debrett of inland transport. At the close, of the meeting, the Minister was accorded one of the sincerest ovations I have heard in years.
Incidentally, was it just coincidence that the name " Beeehing only appeared once in the Minister's 7,500word paper? Or is there a teeny rift?
Social Sidelight I must admit to considerable sympathy with the Minister when he spoke about the exigencies of Ministerial life. Not only does he have a very full-week's work (no 40-hour, five-day week here); but he has to wade through a positive welter of social engagements which, however enjoyable, are extremely time-consuming.
Tears of pity almost sprang to my mind, particularly since I basically agree with Ernest Marples; the work and social activity bought from any Minister for 15,000 a year is somewhat cheap labour. But then I dried my tears, because I realized how much worse it could be for a Minister who was the prey of shyness—and I'd never accuse Ernest of that!
New Ferry Terminal The growing band of hauliers and C-licensees who run vehicles, trailers or containers to the Continent via the services of Atlantic Steam Navigation ferries from Tilbury will, I am sure, be intrigued to know that the Port of Antwerp is building a new ferry terminal. I was shown this new project last week when, following a ride on the Cerdic Ferry. I spent a day with Joe Van Stappen, a director of West Freisland Eurotransport, of Antwerp. I am happy to report that the new ferry terminal looks most impressive. A spacious dock gives two loading
ramps, there will be 40-ton cranes available, and A.S.N. are building a large. covered area for parking and handling.
Shame on Burghers When the project is finished, it will be certainly much more refined and spacious than the existing Antwerp terminal; though, as far as I can see, there are no plans to move the well-known café on the site of the present terminal. Shame on the burghers of Antwerp! The A.S.N. ferry terminal without the added 8 a.m.-cry of " Zwei Bier" will never seem the same.
I have a message for all the friends of Ken Wilkes, purchasing agent of York Trailers. He is back at work now after a spell in Middlesex Hospital, London. But Ken is considerably embarrassed. Whilst he was in hospital his friends sent him hundreds (literally) of get-well-soon messages, as well as fruit and flowers.
He arrived back at work with a bulging briefcase and no hope of replying quickly to all those letters. So, kind friends, if Ken doesn't get round to saying "thank you" personally, it certainly isn't through lack of gratitude. He is, in fact, quite overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed
Much Removed Just our luck that this 'hot" news should be revealed on a Thursday afternoon after we had gone to press. But there it was—plain for all to see: Mr. C. R. Hodgson actively participating in Metropolitan area affairs. True, he had prepared us for the normality of such a switch when earlier he had disclosed that in 26 years of married life he had had 24 homes.
Lots of Licence For the fourth year in succes
sion the East and West Midland areas of the National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers did battle at cricket with the Metropolitan area for the Winwood Cup at Overstone Solarium on Thursday, last week. After much licence the Metropolitan area broke the Midland's unbroken sequence of wins with a reputed score of 79 for 4 in reply to the Midland's 77 for 5.
What matter if the Metropolitan area's high scorer was a Midiander—or that the East Midland L.A. was active in the field on the Metropolitan area's behalf. Thanks to a sunny day and the effort of that Overstone stalwart Mr. S. W. Stanion and his colleagues, members and visitors alike had another enjoyable day whilst adding to the funds of the Benevolent Association in the bargain.