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NEWS of the WEEK

14th April 1939, Page 32
14th April 1939
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Page 32, 14th April 1939 — NEWS of the WEEK
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ELECTR1C-VEH/CLE EXHIBITION IN LONDON.

WE have already given brief reference to the fact thatthe Electric Vehicle Association of "Great Britain, Ltd., 2, Savoy Hill, London, W.C.2, is staging an electric-vehicle exhibition on April 25-27. The venue will be the Eagle Hotel, Wanstead, London, E.11, where the vehicles will be displayed in the car park.

Associated Electric Vehicle Manufacturers, Ltd . will stage a lightweight tower wagon and a 1-ton van, both of Morrison make ; T. H. Lewis, Ltd., will show two of its latest-type electrically assisted hand carts, one equipped for milk delivery, the other for bread; Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co., Ltd., has selected two vehicles from its standard range of 7-9 cwt., 12-14 cwt. and 18-22 cwt. carrying capacity ; Partridge, Wilson and Co., Ltd., will show an 8-cwt. light vehicle and a 12-14-cwt. Bulldog-type van. Other exhibits will include chargers and battery parts.

Movement of Vehicles Without Consent.

DEFINITTON applied by Southampton Bench to certain clauses relating to movements of commercial vehicles on routine duty is of considerable importance. In a case heard at Southampton Police Court recently it was alleged that a laundry van was driven in a quayside shed without the owner's consent, without a heavygoods-vehicle licence and without insurance in relation to the driver. Evidence was that while the Ion-y driver was delivering laundry aboard the liner " Queen Mary," defendant moved the lorry about 30 yds. down the shed, damaging the roof against a gantry.

822 Mr. C. F. Hiscock, defending, submitted that the lorry was not driven on a road. or .highway, as defined in the Act, but on private property, to which the public had only limited access. In this case, the defendant's aim had been to expedite unloading.

The Bench upheld the submission of the defence and the summonses were dismissed.

Wages Regulation on an International Basis.

WE learn that the International W Labour Office has drawn up a draft convention for the regulation of hours in the road-transport industry. A section of the Government's reply to the preliminary questionnaire states that " It is suggested . . that, pending further experience, an international convention or recommendation might be formulated which would provide for appropriate and adequate machinery in each country for the regulation of hours and associated conditions." The I.L.O. (12, Victoria 'Street, SW.!) has published the Government replies, a commentary, and the terms of the proposed draft convention in a blue book (price 3s. 8d.).

Motor Repair and Overhauling.

ANEW publication, in weekly parts, entitled " Motor Repair and Overhauling," will appear next Wednesday. It will be produced by George Newnes, Ltd., and C. Arthur Pearson, Ltd., 8-11, Southampton Street, London, W.C.2, and its title conveys an indication of its objects. The complete work will make four volumes, containing more than 1,500 illustrations, charts and tables. Each weekly part will cost is.

ENCOURAGING THE BATTERY-ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

CONSIDERABLE space will be .-devoted in our next issue to the subject of battery-electric vehicles. Articles will deal with their employment by well-known operators, and the pros and cons of their use will be discussed. Information, will also be given concerning vehicles which will attend the Wanstead Exhibition, to which reference is made on this page.

Rubber Wings Finding a Market.

CROM remarks made by Sir George, Beharrell. chairman of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., at the company's annual general meeting, a few days ago, it appears that the extended use of rubber wings for commercial vehicles Is anticipated. He said that the sales of such equipment continue to increase and there was every indication that the success achieved in the bus field would be repeated in the goods-vehicle market. Inasmuch as this•type of wing is flexible, weatherproof, and cannot corrode, it is a useful contributory factor in reducing maintenance costs.

New Institution of Factory Managers.

TE.factoit manager occupies a." key pbsition in indUstry, but his importance has not received real recog.riition. With the object of raising his professional status, a new body, known aS the Institution of Factory Managers, has been organized. The inaugUral meeting was .1ield 4 the College of Technology, Manchester University. on MaY 25; /938, and the first "council • meeting in Manchester on August 10 of last year. The secretary-treasurer is Mr. L. M. Angus Butterworth, M.I.Mech.E., Ashton New Hall, Ashton-on-Mersey, Cheshire.

FOOLISH APATHY TO EMERGENCY GROUPING.

REFUSAL, by several undertakings in Bradford, to join other operators in the formation of vehicle groups, under the emergency scheme, was reported at a recent meeting of the Bradford and District Chamber of Trade: This non-co-operation attitude was strongly criticized and described as foolish. The view was expressed that if a national emergency arose operators whose vehicles were not already in groups would either get no petrol, or, if they did, they would have to come under • emergency control. It was also suggested that if war broke out such operators' vehicles might be commandeered immediately.

Mr. Robert Barr, chairman of Barr and Wallace Arnold Trust, Ltd., who presided, mentioned that there would be central repair depots for the use of vehicle groups in wartime.

Mr. Barr also raised the question of using compressed gas. It had been indicated, he said, that there would he no restriction in the use of compressed gas in wartime

Road-Rail Central Conference.

THE first meeting of the body, now 1 the Road and Rail Central Conference, appointed to co-ordinate rail and road activities, was held on Wednesday. General principles as to the work of the Conference were discussed, approval given to rules of procedure, and sub-committees formed for licensing, conditions of carriage, classification of goods and rates, and general purposes.

Mr. A. E. Sewell (L.N.E.R.) was appointed chairman, railway panel, Mr. R. W. Sewill (A.R.O.) chairman, road panel, Mr. J. E. T. Stambra (secretary, Railway Clearing House) hon. sec., railway panel, and Mr. F. G. Bristow (C.M.U.A.) hon. sec„ road panel. Chairmen will alternate at meetings. Joint regional committees will be appointed.

Public Need—The Add Test.

IT was contended by Mr. E. Russell Gurney (acting as North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority), in Manchester, last week, that public need must be proved before even a coal merchant can be allowed to fill in, with

haulage for hire and reward, " that portion of the year when the sun takes the place of the coal fire."

The application before him was by Mr. B. Holden, of Bacup, for whom a trader witness said he used nine vehicles of his own and all the available .tonnage in his area and still had enough to keep Mr. Holden busy. For the railways, Mr. P. Kershaw submitted that neither the railways nor the A-licence holders who depended upon haulage for their living had been utilized by this trader witness.

Mr. Russell Gurney held that public need had been shown and he granted the licence for work for two named concerns, with a 10-mile radius, say ing that did not think such a radius would hurt the railways much.

The " Square Deal " Report.

WE understand that it will be at least two weeks before there is any likelihood of the Transport Advisory

Council's railway " square deal " Report being published. Included in the Report is a number of appendices, the contents of some of which have already been published.

Personal Pars.

Ma, T. E. THOMAS, the general, manager (operation) ' of the London Passenger Transport Board, has accepted the presidency of the Institute of Transport for the year commencing October 1 next, He is a foundation member of the Institute, served as a Member of Council from 1930-32 and in -1935 and 1936, and was a vicepresident from 1932-35.

MR. WILLIAM FISH has been appointed joint managing director with Sir Raymond Dennis, K.B.E. (who, we regret to say, is still very ill), of Dennis Bros., Ltd. Mr. Fish joined the company as secretary in 1911), and became a member of the hoard in 1928. We wish him every success in his new position. OPERATORS' DIFFICULTIES OVER "SPEEDING."

OPERATORS who were warned by Mr. Henry Riches (Northern Scotland Licensing Authority), at Dundee, last week, because their drivers had been convicted of " speeding," were defended by Mr. R. W. Currie, who suggested that operators frequently did not know when their drivers were charged with " speeding," as a result of the protection extended to the men by their union.

Mr. Currie alleged that it was the practice of the Transport and General Works' Union not only to pay •the drivers' fines but to pay them a day's wages when they have to attend court. The result is that operators frequently know nothing about it. " If somebody else be paying the fine and a day's wages besides, it will be appreciated that there is not a strong incentive for a driver to keep within the limit. • I have had cases where drivers have been dismissed for speeding, and very serious trouble has arisen with the Transport and. General Workers' Union over such dismissals," added Mr. Currie.

Mr. Riches said the operator's licence was being jeopardized.

Mr. Currie: ' Exactly. That is where the operator is between the devil and the deep sea."

Mr. Riches said he appreciated the difficulty, and representations would probably be made.

Leeds I. of T. Elections.

THE new chairman of the Institute of Transport's Leeds and district section is Mr. D. E. Bell, general manager of the Yorkshire (Woollen District) Transport Co., Ltd., which iS one of Yorkshire's leading bus companies. Mr. Bell was elected at the annual meeting last week, in succession to Mr. Percy Beetham.

Other officers elected were:—Vice-chairmen. Masers. J. C. Dean, A. A. Harrison and A. K. Townend; hon. secretary, Mr. H. II. Lancaster; hon. assistant secretary, Mr, A. Stone; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. C. Clark; hon. auditors, Messrs. S. H. Dunn and kr. W. Simmons; committee, Messrs. P. Beetham. A. If. Hutterwick, L. L. Christie, R. E. Clough, G. F. Craven, R. A. Gale, W. E. Green, D. M. Gracie, C. E. Douthv.-aite, E. B. Hutchinson, R. H. Hunt, W. Vane Morland, C. R. Tattam, R.. Harrison and N. A. Scurrah.

The annual report stated that the section's numerical strength was 262, a slight increase on the year. WELCOME HELP FOR FARMERS.

"I DO all I can to help the farmers 11. nowadays," said Mr. E. Russell Gurney, acting as North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority at Manchester, last week, on an application to add a 2i-tonner, on a B-licence, to the fleet of Ashcroft (Haulage), Ltd., of Appley Bridge, Lancs, for the purpose mainly of manure work and the distribution of foodstuffs. This new vehicle was particularly required when farmers ran out of fodder.

Mr. P. Kershaw, for the railway companies, stressed the highly competitive nature of the transport of foodstuffs for farmers, but Mr. Gurney pointed out the difficulties of distribution and granted the extra vehicle asked for, with the unusual restriction that this smaller vehicle 'was not to be utilized in Manchester or Liverpool, from where the supplies were secured.

Old Gloucester Bridge to Go.

QHARP bends on the Gloucester

Ledbury Road, at _ Maisemore, where the road crosses the River Severn, are to be eliminated by building a new bridge on an improved alignment, at an estimated cost of over £50,000, towards which Gloucester County Council has received a grant from the Road Fund. The new bridge is to be built in reinforced concrete, with a single span of 150 ft., and will replace a structure built in 1785.

British-made Harris Bushes,

XCLUSIVE manufacturing and sell1-ring rights for the Harris range of bushes, which are used extensively in many industries, also for the Torflex Coupling and the Torflex Sleeve Bush, have been acquired by Howard Graham, Ltd., Tiddington Road, Stratford-on-Avon.

The Harris Products Corporation of America is supplying its bushes to the motor, aircraft and industrial trades, railways, etc., and the English company is already producing considerable quantities to the same formula. These bushes are claimed to have exceptionally long life, and there are 200 designs to meet various applications.

"Speedy " Company's Speedy Drivers.

W/HEN the Speedy Transport Co., W Dundee, applied for a renewal of its A licence before Mr. Henry Riches, Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, at Dundee, last week, Mr. Riches warned the company not to live up to its name too literally. He called attention to the fact that its drivers had been convicted of "speeding."

Mr. R. W. Gibson, a partner of the concern, said the drivers had plenty of time. It was only a case of their wanting to get home.

The responsibility is yours," said Mr. Riches. "From the convictions s24 against your drivers, it appears to me that the name you have prescribed for yourselves is amply justified, but it is not very helpful so far as your licence is concerned," Mr. Riches granted the licence, adding that he would endorse his case sheet, " Warned seriously as to drivers."

An R.A.S.C. Reunion.

THE annual reunion dinner of the First Cavalry Division Supply Column, R.A.S.C., will take place on April 29, at the Gresham Hotel, Surrey Street, Strand, London, W.C.2. The honorary secretary is Mr. Stephen Roberts, The Carlton Club, 74, West Hill, Sydenham, London, S.E.26,

A BIG BUYER OF A.E.C.s.

ON February 27 last, it was announced that the London Brick Co., Ltd., had signed a contract with the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., for the supply of an additional 29 vehicles, and this number was increased in March by a further 10 vehicles. Now, a third order has been received for another 42 vehicles, comprising Monarchs and Mammoth Major eight-wheelers.

When these three contracts are fulfilled the London Brick Co., Ltd., will have an active fleet of 239 A.E.C.s of Various types. The fleet will be among the largest, made up of one make of vehicle, in the whole of Great Britain. OPERATORS RESPECT LADEN-WEIGHT CONDITIONS.

IfT is stated by Manchester's Weights Measures inspector, that the work of checking the laden weight of heavy vehicles on the road continued throughout the past year, and out of the hundreds of vehicles examined, in only 16 cases was there found to be such overloading as called for legal proceedings, compared with. 18 cases in 1937, 14 cases in 1936, 33 cases in 1935, and 96 cases in 1934.

Importance of " Normal Use " Clause.

STATING that a good many holders of A licences thought they could go anywhere at any time, Mr. Henry Riches, Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, at Dundee, last week, pointed out that the Appeal Tribunal had held that when applying for these licences, applicants must state what the normal use was to be. It was highly important that operators should disclose, when applying for a re-grant .of the licence, the districts for which they were prepared to provide facilities.

Mr. Riches was giving his decision in an application for a renewal of their A licence by Messrs. Ritchie Brothers, Forfar, it having transpired that whilst applicants' normal use was Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow, journeys had twice been made, with removals, to England. Renewal was granted.

Dealer's Coke-carrying Part of Business.

TFIAT the carrying of coke was a 1 purpose other than that for which the vehicle was authorized to be used, was contended at Dundee Sheriff Court, last week, when Messrs. Arnot's Auto Spares, Dundee, were charged with having, as holders of a general trade licence, used a lorry under that licence for the purpose of carrying coke. It was stated that the coke was used for burning in braziers to prevent cars from freezing up in frosty weather, and that some of it was used for drying a concrete floor built by the firm's workmen in the 'firin's showroom.

Mr. David Amot, a partner, said that about a year ago two policemen had stated to him that the firm was breaking the law in carrying anything but motor parts. He had written to the Minister of Transport, who had replied that the police court was the only place where a ruling could be obtained.

The prosecution submitted that the work of building a showroom was not work in connection with the business of a motor dealer.

Sheriff Malcolm, however, held that there had been no contravention of the regulations. The coke had been used in connection with alterations or additions to a building which was to be used in connection with the business.

Mr. Riches Rallies Laggards.

RECALLING his recent remarks regarding the delay by some lieence-holders in returning their index sheets, in order that he might complete•

the register of vehicles, Mr. Henry Riches, Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, said at Dundee, last week, that the response had been good.

He would be grateful if those who had the oranizing of groups in hand would complete their work with the least possible delay, in order that he might make arrangements for the appointment of sub-district managers.

Portsmouth's Groups Near Completion.

UNDER the emergency grouping )scheme, about 500 vehicles have been tabulated for the conveyance of goods at Portsmouth. This was revealed at a recent meeting of the local chamber of commerce. Those Operators who have not yet been included are urged by the chamber to take immediate steps to do so, as the Minister of Transport, the chamber understands, will shortly announce that grouping should cease.

Scots Haulage Chief Dies.

WE regret to report that the death occurred, last week, of Mr. David Callander, head of the haulage-contracting concern of David Callander, Ltd., Forfar. He was SO years of age. His company, to-day, has a fleet of over 60 lorries.

DISREGARDED PROHIBITION BRINGS HEAVY FINE.

ATOTAL of 17 charges of using a goods vehicle while a prohibition was operative, were preferred against Mr. George Thornley, Church Lane, Westhoughton (Lancashire) at Bolton County Police Court, when he was fined 410 on the first count, ordered to pay costs of the other charges, plus an advocate's fee of four guineas and witnesses' expenses. It was stated that defendant had been given notice to remedy a defect in the hand brake, which was ineffective, but, on October 31, to November 18, last year, the vehicle was used in more or less the same condition.

For Mr. Thornley, it was stated that the work was not carried out at once because the garage proprietor had not the facilities to do the necessary repairs.

"Greedy " to Want 25-mile Radius?

THAT 25 miles was a " greedy" 1 application, was the comment of Sir Haviland Hiley, Eastern Licensing Authority, at Norwich recently, when Mr. Arthur Harmer, coal merchant and dealer, applied for a licence for a lorry -to replace two horses. He asked for a 25-mile radius from Sprowston.

Sir Haviland questioned whether his horses did 50 miles, there and back, in a day, and in refusing to grant a licence which would extend beyond the normal radius, suggested 15 miles. The applicant said he would have to go farther afield than that.

Vehicles for Work in Team Valley.

IN the Northern Area, application has been made by Orrell and Brewster, Ltd., Kingsland Road, London, E.2, to take over the A licences of three leading haulage concerns which it has acquired. The application is for 18 vehicles, aggregating 61 tons 7 cwt., for a base at the Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead. The three concerns mentioned are joynson Laugh ton and Co., Ltd., Atkinson Transport (Newcastle), Ltd., and County (Glasgow) Transport Co., Ltd.

Minister Urged to Approve Forth Road-bridge Project,

THE Convention of the Royal Burghs of Scotland, at its annual meeting in Edinburgh, last week, carried the following resolution:— " This convention, recognizing the necessity of a road bridge over the Forth at Queensferry, requests the Minister of Transport to give his approval to the scheme which has been unanimously agreed to, by the various local authorities -concerned, and in connection with which a Bill is being prepared and will shortly he presented to Parliament."

Provost Peter Walker, Queensferry, said that various Ministers of Transport had rejected the project on the grounds of expense. The sum required would be only £500,000 a year for six years, SOUTH AFRICA MAY USE SUGAR FUEL.

SOUTH AFRICAN Government authorities are considering the possibilities of creating a fuel reserve frcim alcohol, extracted from sugar and from coal, according to a statement made by Mr. Pirow, Minister of Defence, in the Union House of Assembly. About a year ago, a departmental committee was appointed to consider proposals submitted by the Natal sugar industry. The scheme was dependent upon the compulsory mixture of petrol and alcohol. Similar proposals submitted some years ago, to the Government, with regard to the compulsory mixture of petrol, with alcohol produced from maize, were rejected. The committee has not completed its investigations.

Private companies in Natal and Germiston, on the Witwatersrand, are producing about 3,000,000 gallons a year, of alcohol, from sugar ,cane and maize.

Sweden's Motorization Proceeds.

nURING 1938 the number of motor LJ vehicles registered in Sweden increased by over 28,000, compared with the preceding year, the total being 264,267. The largest increase was, naturally, shown by cars, being followed by heavy commercial vehicles, which were up by 4,600 to over 16,000, whilst the number of light and heavy commercial vehicles was nearly 58,000. Buses increased by some hundreds to 4,900.

S.M.M. and T. Players' Effort for Benevolent Fund.

MHE S.M.M. and 1'. Players are to present "'The Middle Watch " at the Fortune Theatre, Russell Street, London, W.C.2, on April 24-26 inclusive. This will be the sixth annual production of these players, and the whole of the proceeds from three performances will be devoted to the funds of the London centre of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund. Tickets range in price from is. 6d. to £2 2s. and may be obtained from Mr. F. S. Miller, honorary secretary. S.M.M. and T. Players, Hobart House, Wilton Street, London, S.W.1.

Making Motors at the World's Fair.

AT the New York World's Fair, which opens this month, visitors will have an opportunity of witnessing one of the most remarkable demonstrations ever staged of the motor industry. The exhibit, which covers an area of nearly seven acres, has been arranged by the Ford organization, and is designed to show the benefits that the motor vehicle has brought. One of the most striking features will be an industrial halt where it will be possible to see the actual manufacture of parts for Ford vehicles, from melting and casting to machining and finishing. LONDON'S BIG ROADRESURFACING PROGRAMME.

RESURFACING, during the next six months, in the London traffic area will be carried out on 1,730,000 sq. yds. of the principal roads, which, compared with the corresponding period of last year, shows a decrease of about 18 per cent. Streets scheduled for reconstruction in Central London include parts of some of the main arteries, like Oxford Street, Piccadilly, Strand and Threadneedle Street. Charing Cross, from the Strand to Whitehall, will be entirely closed to vehicles for a period beginning in September, and part of Queen Victoria Street will be under reconstruction during July and most of August. On Kingston By-pass, Sutton By-pass, the Brighton Road and the Sidcup Road, the construction of dual carriageways will be continued.


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