OPINIONS and QUERIES
Page 59
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More Tributes to Our Exclusive Guide to Thames Wharves and Docks A Modern Lorry Severely Criticized. Company Formation and P.S.V. Licensing
The "C.M." Guide to Wharves and Docks.
The Editor, THE ComMERCIAL MOTOR.
14219] Sir,—May I compliment you on your Guide to Docks and Wharves?
When you have this in booklet form, will you kindly advise me, as I can usefully place at least half a dozen copies amongst my stag?
T. W. READ, Forwarding Manager, London, S.E.16. For Peek, Frean and Co., Ltd.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[4220] Sir,—As a reader of The Commercial Motor
I take this opportunity of thanking you for publishing the valuable information on wharves and docks in the Metropolitan area, and I am sure that hauliers all over the country will welcome this information.
Should you in the near future reproduce this information in book form, I shall be pleased if you will be good enough to send me a dozen books.
High Wycombe. WILLIAM H. MF.ALING.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[4221] Sir,—Will you kindly forward us a copy of your list of wharves as soon as it is in publication? We hope that you will produce it in large-scale form, showing traffic-free routes from main arterial roads.
Our old drivers, of course, are conversant with these, but at times we have to put on men who are not so well informed. B. IL JOHNSON,
rOr W. H. Johnson and Son, Ltd.
King's Lynn.
A Driver's Criticism of a 30-cwt. Vehicle. The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[4222] Sir,—I have just been reading Mr. L. Mantell's article on seating comfort, etc., in The Light Car, and it has prompted me to write this letter on behalf of the "commercials."
I have just taken over a 30-cwt. model for door-todoor delivery in the London " e:ose area." So far as sitting is concerned, the driving seat is satisfactory, but the controls I should think were fitted for a navvy, and an acrobatic one at that. Steering and hand brake are much too heavy for the class of work mentioned, and the driver has to lean well forward to reach them. As to the foot brake, the driver's leg is in the knee-up position with the brake on, and he is not able to use the full strength of his leg. The clutch is heavy and the engine switch is situated low down on the near side of the dash The driver has nearly t6 lie down to reach it, which is annoying, for it is used 50 to 100 times daily. Tight switches of the pull-and-push type that require some energy to operate them do not facilitate matters. The magneto is so fitted that it has to be removed for the slightest adjustment. I have-four speeds and, using only three, I must change thousands of times daily. The top-gear performance in traffic, etc., is decidedly poor.
The grease-gun nipples on the front-spring shackles require to be turned with a spanner before the gun can be used on them. Four out of the eight fitted on the rear springs are a lie-on-your-back job. Angle nipples could have been fitted here.
It seems to me that some designers have an idea that lorry drivers' time and effort are of no consequence, but I might tell them that many of us have business to attend to in addition to the care and driving of their badly thought out jobs. T. FAnatm. London, S.W.11.
A P.S.V. Licensing Problem.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[4223] Sir,—Some time ago you advised me how/to make application for a road-service licence. This application is now lodged, in my own and my brother's name. It has since been decided that the better plan would be for a limited company to be formed, and I shall be glad if you will answer the following questions : (1) Would it be advisable to adopt any of the following courses :—Form a limited company and (a) cancel the original application and submit a fresh one in the name of the company. (b) Wait until the application is granted and then withdraw the right and allow the company to apply for permission to carry on the existing service. (c) If application be granted-the present applicants to carry on the service, but to be financed out of the funds of the company. This would really mean that the company would be exercising the right to run the service, and it would not therefore seem to be practicable?.
(2) Is it necessary to notify the Commissioners that a company is to be formed, and would it prejudice the application at the hearing? P.T. Llandudno.
[As we assume that it may be some time before the company is formed to take over your business, it appears to us that the best course to adopt is to continue with the present application, but that when it is -heard by the Commissioners you should inform them. that it is intended to form a company, and that when the company has been registered application will be made to them for the licence to be transferred to the company. In our view it would not be advisable for you to continue the service in your own names after the. formation of a company which had acquired the vehicles. We consider that the Commissioners would appreciate your being frank with them at the outset, although it is possible that they might require • the application to be postponed until the company had been formed in order that the licence might be granted direct to the company.—ED.]