WHEELS of INDUSTRY
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
CONFERENCE OF THE INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC CLEANSING.
The 37th Annual Conference of the Institute of Public Cleansing will, as already announced, take place at Newcastle-on-Tyne, from June 3-7. The following is the preliminary programme :—June 3: 8 p.m., civic reception by the Lord Mayor at the Old Assembly Rooms. June 4: 10 a.m., official welcome, installation of President, Mr. T. Robinson (of Newcastleon-Tyne); paper, "Street Cleansing To-day," by Mr. Gavin C. McArthur (Glasgow); 2.30 p.m., annual general meeting of members. June 5: 10 a.m„ Symposium of Essays on Refuse Disposal (A) " Refuse Disposal and Power Production," by Mr. C. H. Mac farlane (Glasgow); (B) " Ref use Disposal oy Incineration-separation," by Mr. J. H. Codling (Birmingham); (C) " Refuse Disposal by Utilization," by Mr. H. Edridge (Chesterfield); (D) 'Refuse Disposal by Controlled Tipping," by Mr. C. Clegg (Tynemouth); 2.30 p.m., garden party at Jesmond Dene; 7 p.m., annual dinner, Royal Station Hotel. June 6: 10.30 a.m., exhibition of public-cleansing vehicles and appliances; 2 p.m., demonstration of above, June 7: 10 a.m., papers" Public Cleansing in Paris," by Mr. J. W. Partridge (Paris); "Municipal Bin Provision : Experiences at Salford," by Mr. H. S. Whitehead ; 2.30 p.m., visit to Benwell refuse-disposal . works,
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has approved the following types of vehicle for display at the demonstration: gully and cesspool emptiers, refuse collectors, road sweepers and street-washing machines.
Police Arrangements for Enforcing the 30 m.p.h. Limit.
Although no commercial vehicle is permitted to travel at more than 30 m.p.h., and many are limited to lower speeds, the arrangements made by the Commissioner of Police to trap offenders against the 30 m.p.h. limit in built-up areas (with the exception of specially freed modern by-pass and arterial roads), which comes into operation on March 18, will be of interest, because it will affect all classes of user.
A number of police cars will be employed on patrol and will, from time to time, be travelling at 30 m.p.h. Any vehicle overtaking such a police car will infringe the law and action will be taken. The transport used by the Police will be of various colours and types. It will include saloons, touring cars and commercial vehicles. Additional vehicles have been specially enlisted. The officers will be in plain clothes, and women police will be employed.
B20 Offenders will be required to stop by the sounding of a gong and the display of police signals. Trapping will also be carried out by the existing fixed controls and by the following of offending vehicles. There will be no cautionary letters or verbal warnings. Every case will be dealt with by a summons. NEW REGISTRATIONS IN JANUARY: IMPROVED TOTALS.
The number of motor vehicles registered for the first time under the Roads Act, 1920, during January, 1935, was 37,160, as contrasted with 30,637 a year earlier. In this year's total are included 7,080 goods vehicles and 377 hackney vehicles, the comparable figures for January, 1934, being 6,839 and 243 respectively. In our next issue we shall publish our usual analysis of the monthly returns.
The Financial Position of T.S. Motors, Ltd.
T.S. Motors, Ltd., has notified us that the chairman of the company has made satisfactory arrangements for financing it, and the present position is such that it can assure past customers a continuity of supplies in respect of both chassis and spare parts.
The well-known Express model, which has been considerably improved, also the coach and six-cylinder chassis for double-deckers, are in production. Any of these models can be supplied with an oil engine. Deliveries of the Express can be given immediately, and of the others within three weeks. R.H.A. AREA MEETINGS.
A number of meetings of the Road Baulage Association's local areas is to be held during the next few weeks, and the following is a list of the meetings announced to date:—
Northern Metropolitan Area: Northampton House, St. Paul's Road, London, Ni, March 18, 7.45 p.m. Speakers, Mr. J. F. E. Pye and Major the Hon. Eric Long, T.D. J.P. Western Area: Meeting of short&stance operators, March 15. Stroud sub-area, March 16. West-Midland Area, annual dinner, Grand Hotel, Birmingham, March 16. Warrington• sub-area, March 19. Mid-Cornwall sub-area, March 27. Penzance sub7 area, meetings every Tuesday.
Unless otherwise mentioned, the meetings will be held at the usual places, and full particulars may be obtained from the local secretaries.
Shipping Guide for Hauliers.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from March 15-23 inclusive:—Docks:—King George V. 8; Royal Albert, 7; Royal Victoria, 8; Surrey Commercial, 7; West India, 4; East India, 2; South West India, 3; Tilbury, 7; Tilbury Stage, 2; Millwall, 3; London, 2. Wharves:—Hays, 5; Middleton's, 1; Mark Brown's 1. Tilbury Jetty, 1.
A Big Order for Tankers.
Following the delivery of a number of large Leyland tankers and pipe carriers, details of which were given in our issue dated January 18, the AngloPersian Oil Co. has placed a further order with Leyland 'Motors, Ltd., for 26 tankers. The previous order called for a mixed fleet of vehicles, consisting of four-wheelers and six-wheelers, some being built for use with trailers, but the present order is for 2,000gallon tankers, having four-wheeled liormal-control petrol-engined chassis as their bases, These vehicles will he used to maintain a regular service between the refineries and the bulkstorage depots.
Road-accident Returns.
The Ministry of Transport returns of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended March 2, 1935, show that in England 65 persons were killed and 2,938 injured, whilst 23 died as a result of previous accidents. The figures for Scotland were 7 killed and 274 injured, and for Wales 4 killed and 122 injured.
Brown Brothers' Good Trading.
The report of Brown Brothers, Ltd., for the year ended January 16, 1935, shows a net profit of £79,778, the amount available for distribution being £126,576 after adding the balance brought forward. The payment of the dividend on the 71 per cent, cumulative preference shares absorbs a sum of £13,078, and a final dividend of 71 per cent, on the ordinary shares (making 10 per cent. for the year) accounts for £29,063.
A sum of £5,000 is transferred to the employees' dependents' fund, and the reserve receives an allotment of £20,000, bringing it up to £230,000. After these disbursements a sum of £59,436 remains to be carried forward., Goodwill and patents are being written down by an appropriation of £49,000 from the general reserve, reducing it to £181,000.
Canadian Exports Rise Sharply.
During last year, 12,094 vans, lorries and commercial chassis, valued at £843,085, were exported from Canada, as compared with 4,575 units (£338,614) in 1933. The aggregate output of Canadian commercial vehicles, in 1934, is returned at 24,362 units, as against 12,069 in the preceding year.
The death occurred, last week, of Mr. Thomas Grieve, proprietor of Grieve's Haulage Co., Ltd., New Ferry. He was 66 years of age. PERSONAL PARS.
Mr. L. G. Prowse, who is well known to many traders and commercial users in south and west London, has joined the staff of the India Tyre Department of The Car Mart, Ltd. He will continue to operate in these areas in place of Mr. J. E. Jeppe, who has resigned.
We publish on this page a portrait of Mr. E. Rawdon Smith, who has been appointed Public Relations Officer of London Transport. The Public Relations Department is a new one, which is charged with the responsibility for the whole of the relations between the public and the London Passenger Transport Board. Mr, Rawdon Smith was previously assistant secretary to the Board, a position which is now being filled by Mr. H. S. Chapman.
We include on this page a portrait of Mr. C. J. Becker, M.I.A.E., who has recently joined T.S. Motors, Ltd., as general sales manager. Mr. Becker was employed in a technical capacity by the Air Board during the war, and in 1919 he was engaged on the engineering side of the Maudslay Motor Co., Ltd., later becoming London manager, which post he occupied until 1925, when be was appointed sales manager. His pleasing personality and the quality of the vehicles with which he is concerned should prove a successful combination.
Mr. A. j. Simpson has been appointed the representative in South Africa of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. He was born in South Africa and, after receiving training in mechanical and electrical engineering in Edinburgh, was employed as sales manager in India by the Angus Engineering Co. Later, he joined Albion Motors, Ltd., acting as depot manager for a number of years, before proceeding to South Africa as the company's factory representative.
Mr. Simpson expects to sail for Cape Town at the beginning of May.
The Future of the Traffic Manager.
The next London meeting of the Industrial Transport Association will be held on Tuesday next, March 19, at 6.30 p.m., at the offices of the British Iron and Steel Federation, Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, S.W.1, when Mr. J. J. Hughes, M.LT.A., a vice-president of the Association, will deal with " The Future Prospects of the Industrial Traffic Manager."
West Country Appeal Protracted.
The appeal of Mr. S. I. Norman, Plymouth, and others, against the granting of an A licence by the Western Licensing Authority to the Great Western Railway Co., was continued, in London, on Monday last. Arguments were heard regarding the application for vehicles to be acquired for the Exeter base. The hearing was adjourned until March 26.
SLOUGH'S LATEST FIRE-FIGHTING PURCHASES.
Mitch interest was recently shown in the district when the Slough Fire Brigade's two new Dennis fire-fighting appliances were dedicated by the Bishop of Buckingham. Among the visiting chief officers who were present were those of the Ascot, Datchet, Eton, Sonning, Staines, Uxbridge and Windsor brigades.
The two new appliances, which are shown in an accompanying illustration, comprise a Dennis Ace tender and a Dennis six-cylinder motor pump. A wagonette-type body is one of the features of the tender, which is equipped with a first-aid apparatus, fed from a 35-gallon tank. A 304t. telescopic ladder is carried on the offside of the body.
The engine of the motor pump is a six-cylindered unit, developing 100 b..h.p. The pump is located in the forward position, with two deliveries and a suction inlet at each side. In addition, there is a third suction inlet facing forwards. The body of this
machine is of teak, finished in the natural grain of the wood. This appliance has a 50-ft. wheeled escape.
Transport for the Ideal Home Exhibition.
The Ideal Home Exhibition at Olympia, London, W., organized by the Deily Mail, will be opened on March 26 and remain open until April 18. Special excursions will be run from all parts of the country, and there should he good opportunities for coaching companies, apart from the considerable haulage work in connection with the carrying of exhibits. The dominant feature this year will be Jubilee City.
Blackpool Association Gaining Strength.
Mr. J. Leavesley, . a prominent official in the road-transport industry in the North Western Area, was reelected chairman of the Blackpool and District Road Haulage Association, at the first annual general meeting, on Friday last. Mr. J. C. Wild was appointed vice-chairman_ Messrs. Kirkham, Fox, Stubbs, Brewer, Barnbet, Peat, Hothersall and Whiteside were elected to the new committee, E22 Mr. H. Hardman and Mr. F. 'W. Knott being confirmed in the offices of secretary and hon. treasurer respectively. The Association now has nearly 100 members.
Mr. Leavesley and Mr. T. A. Titchener, delegates to the North Western Joint Conciliation Board, gave an account of their work on the Board, referring to the temporary placing of Blackpool and district in Grade 3. Mr. Titchener warned the members, however, that the Trade -Unions had put forward a demand for Grade 1 wages in many districts, including Blackpool, from July 1 next. Against this the delegates had handed in a resolution suggesting that, with certain exceptions, Grade 2 wages should apply in the North Westrrn Area.
Mr. Peat put forward the proposal that the Association might adopt a fixed scale of rates for haulage, as in Yorkshire. A fter discussion, the matter was left to the committee. Mr. Titchener pointed out that local operators would have to base their charges chiefly on one-way loads, owing to the difficulty of obtaining traffic out of Blackpool.
Redistribution System Illegal ?
During the hearing of an application by the Eagle Transport Co., Hull, at a sitting of the Yorkshire Licensing Authority, last Friday, Mr. Charles Leake (manager of the applicant company) said that he had a redistribution scheme under which other hauliers left their vehicles at his garage and he provided drivers, who drove the vehicles around Hull distributing the goods brought in by these lorries. The company was responsible for the drivers, but not for the load or the lorry.
Mr. E. P. Merritt (for the London and North Eastern Railway Co.) said that Mr. Leake was acting illegally. He contended that, under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, the driver would be Mr. Leake's agent, and, although the latter . limited his liability, that fact did not alter the position, for he had no licence for the vehicles he was thus using.
The Licensing Authority refused the application. INTERPRETATION OF 1933 ACT QUESTIONED. '
The question of the interpretation of the Road and Rail Traffic Act was raised at Dunfermline, on March 7, when Mr. Anthony Muir, a Kelty coal merchant, applied to the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority for a variation of his licence. The object of the application was to permit, at busy periods, the transport of coal for another firm. The coal would be collected within 10 miles of Kelty and delivered in Fifeshire and Perthshire.
For the applicant, it was pointed out that no variation in the district was being sought. A railway representative, hbwever, contended that the district was extended if there were an increase in the goods carried.
Mr. II. Riches, the Authority: "Flo is not applying for au extension of district. He has already obtained authority to carry his loads within Fifeshire and Perthshire. It is an interesting point." Consideration was deferred until March 20 to have the point debated.
Railway Pressure to Restrict Road Transport.
That the Yorkshire Licensing Authority should take action with regard to alleged pressure exerted by the railway -companies in connection with the haulage of coal, was suggested by Mr. Frank G. Bibbings, general secretary of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association, at a meeting at Sheffield, last Sunday (see page 139).
He said that the railways were entering into agreements with various colliery companies, forcing the latter to restrict road haulage to a radius of seven miles, under the penalty of the loss of contracts for the supply of coal to the railways, If everybody were allowed to exercise such pressure, added Mr. Bihhings, there would be no need for a Licensing Authority.
G.W.R. Applications Withdrawn.
Recently applications by the Great Western Railway Co. for additional vehicles have been published by the Western Licensing Authority. Strong objections were lodged by over 30 road. -operators and, as a result, the G.W.R. has withdrawn the applications for Bristol, Taunton and Wiveliscombe. : C.M.U.A AND R.H.A. JOINT DINNER.
The joint dinner of the West Midland Areas of the Commercial Motor Users Association and Road Haulage Association, which is to be held to-morrow at the Grand Hotel, Birrningham, will constitute a momentous occasion, as it will be the first function of this nature in which the two Associations will participate, and it should do much to smooth the way for closer co-operation.
Sir Herbert Austin, K.B.E., has consented to act as chairman, and acceptances have been received from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and other civic dignitaries, several Members of Parliament, the Presidents and Council Members of the two Associations, Colonel Redman, the Area Licensing Authority, and members of his staff, Mr. T. hevin, etc.
Overseas Trade in Tipping Gears Developing.
Edwards Bros. (Tippers), Ltd., Bradford Street, Bolton, the wellknown concern of tipping-gear makers, is extending its Empire and foreign markets. Recent orders include one for six hand-operated hydraulic gears for shipment to JohartneSburg, South Africa, and another for two sets from Las Palmas, Canary Islands.
The works are also busily occupied \vitt: home-trade orders, and an average of nearly 70 tipping gears per month is being produced. Five types of gear are available for tipping loads up to 7 tons, prices ranging from £20 to £40 (fitting extra).
Excessive Drivers' Hours: Leicester Magistrates Inflict Fines.
Al Leicester City Police Court, a few days ago, Mr. A. J. Bryan, trading as the Speedon Transport Services, Ltd., w as fined £2 in each case of three drivers for permitting them to work hours in excess of those laid down in Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and £1 for permitting a vehicle to be used with defective brakes, lie was also called upon to pay the special and ordinary costs of thc proceedings.
The case in respect of another driver was dismissed on payment of costs.
In announcing the decision of the magistrates, the Mayor said he hoped that in future special consideration would be given to the men who were• going away from the city on long journeys, and that every effort would be made to see that the requirements of the Act were complied with.
Strong •Evidence Essential for Extra Vehicles.
At a recent sitting of the Western Licensing Authority, the necessity of t he production of the strongest evidence to prove the need for extra vehicles was emphasised in connection with an application by H. W. Hawker, Ltd., Bristol, for five additional vehicles, weighing 15 tons lf cwt., three of the vehicles being in possession.
The application was supported by five merehants from Lancashire, who gave evidence, and strenuous opposition was put up by the railway companies, the only objectors. The hearing occupied a whole day and the Licensing Authority's decision was deferred. It has since been decided to allow only the three vehicles in possession and, in view of the strong evidence submitted, an appeal may be made.
The Affairs of Simonis, Ltd.
Messrs. Simonis and Bremner, Victor Works, Victoria Road, London, NW., have purchased the goodwill of Simonis, Ltd., which is in voluntary
Road-safety Instruction for Schoolchildren.
The Minister of Transport has been in consultation with Sir Godfrey Collins, Secretary of State for Scotland, and Lord Halifax, President of the Board of Education, as to the best means for promoting road safety among schoolchildren. It has been decided to set up two inter-departmental committees, one for England and Wales and the other for Scotland.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Arthur GriffithBoscawen, J.P., has been appointed chairman of the committee for England arid Wales; other members are: —
Mr. H. R. V. Ball, H.M.I. (Board of Educa
tion); Mr. A. Matheson, D.S.O., • 0.B.E. (Ministry of Transport.) ; MT. J. C. Maciver (Home Office); Mr. W. R. Nottidgo (ohairrrien of Kent Education Committee), Mr. A. 7.. Binns, MC. (Director of Education, Ealing), Miss Gertrude Sanson, M.B.E. (inspector of infants' methods under the London County Council), representing local authorities; Mr. E. Barlow Butlin (headmaster, Barrow Weald Conn r•y School), Mr, A. E. Baxter, 0.B.E., J.P. (headmaster, Queen's Road Council School, Wimbledon), Miss M. Itt. Pavey (headmistress, Ashburton Junior Mixed and Infants' School, Croydon), representing teachers. Mr. S. Lamplugh, WILL , of the Board of Education, is secreta ry of the committee.
In our list of " Useful Names for Users," embodied amongst the displayed advertisements, the address of the Massa Sparking Plug Co., Ltd., has been given as Teddington. This is incorrect, as the company has moved its headquarters to 175, Merton Road, Wimbledon, London, S.W.19.
• DRIVERS MUST USE CARE IN ENTERING RECORDS.
A warning that drivers of commercial vehicles must keep their records of hours worked in a more satisfactory manner than that which the prosecution had revealed, was issued by the magistrates, at Doncaster, last week, in a case in which a fine of 10s. was imposed on each of 10 summonses against a woman haulage contractor for working all five of her drivers for longer periods than those allowed by the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933. Owing to the way in which the records had been kept, calculating the hours occupied much of the bench's time.
It was submitted, for the defence, that practically all the times entered on the records were exactly at the hour or half-hour, and, in cross-examination, several of the drivers admitted that they recorded the times when they reached a clock, and were not particular to five or 10 minutes. The defence also alleged that the drivers wasted time in road-side caf6s.
The case came to the knowledge of the police as the result of a driver being dismissed on refusing to go to Hull to fetch a load of fruit for Nottingham, after having completed 104 hours' work that day. Drivers' records covering 144 driving days were inspected, and, according to the prosecuting solicitor, 79 offences, involving a maximum penalty of £1,580, were disclosed.
Junior Salesman Required_ An old-established and important manufacturer of 'commercial vehicles requires a junior salesman with a Loudon connection and a few years' experience in the selling of vehicles. There should be good prospects for a keen, energetic young man. Applicants must state age, experience and salary expected. Letters should be addressed "Junior," care of the Editor. RAILWAY FACTS AND FIGURES.
Some interesting facts and figures about the four main line railways arc given in a little handbook that has recently been issued by the British Railways Press Office, 35, Parliament Street, London, S.W.1. In the section devoted to rail, road and air activities, it is stated that the passenger-motor vehicles in which the railways are interested number 15,000, whilst the total of parcels and goods motor vehicles is 7,655. The number of horsed-vehicles in service is 26,940. Between them, the railway companies have 1,596 mechanical-horse tractors in use, of which SOO are owned by the London and North-Eastern Railway Co.
Reduced Taxation Called For.
At a recent meeting of the Crewe branch of the Commercial Motor Users Association, when Mr. W. E. Macve, chairman of the Manchester branch. addressed the meeting, a resolution was passed calling upon the National UMWcil of the Association to press for a 25 per cent, reduction in the taxation of commercial vehicles. The resolution stated that this reform was long overdue.
A Brighton Road Improvement.
West Sussex County Council has accepted an offer by the Minister of Transport of a grant from the Road Fund towards the cost of constructing a by-pass, about 24 miles long, west of Crawley, on the London-Brighton road. The scheme is estimated to cost over £90,000 and work is expected to begin next month.
A New Oil-bath Air Cleaner.
There is a growing demand, particularly in connection with export vehicles, for air filters of the liquid oilbath type. To meet this need, C. G. Vokes, Ltd., 95-97, Lower Richmond • Road, London, S.W.15, has recently marketed a suitable filter.
A star-shaped viscous filtering element is used and the body is of spun aluminium. Air entering the body of the filter is directed downwards through a passage into the oil bath at the base. The velocity of the air carries the heavier, dust particles into the oil, and the mixture of oil and partially cleaned air then passes upwards into the filtering element. The upward motion results in a slowing down of the air stream, allowing the oil to flow back to the base, down the conical centre to the filter element.
The filter is strongly made and the element may easily be removed for cleaning or replacement.
Municipal Haulage Tenders.
Cardiff Corporation's works committee has accepted the tenders of Mr. F. Preston and Mr. David Lloyd for haulage for 12 months, as well as the quotation of Mr. Preston for the haulage, for 12 months, of coal and coke at day rates, with 30-cwt., 3-ton and 5-ton vehicles.
B24 Newport (I.O.W.) Corporation's paving committee recommends the acceptance of the tender of Messrs. H. Rolf and Sons for the supply of a 30cwt. lorry and driver, at 2s. 9d. per hour, for six months.
The following are the successful tenderers for the supply of haulage, at day rates, to Liverpool Health Cornmittee:—J. Wallace and Co., Wellington Haulage Co., Robert Jones and Son (Haulage), Ltd., F. L. Kirk and Co., Mr. J. A. Leece, Mr. J. Mason, T. J. Shillington, Ltd., Mr. J. Stansfield, Mr. C. A. Mortis, L. F. Briggs (1932), Ltd., Messrs. John Hardman and Son, and Mr. Vincent Stansfield, all of Liverpool.
BIG BEET TONNAGE BY ROAD.
A report by the growers' representative at the Central 'Sugar Company's Peterborough factory shows that the total deliveries of beet during the campaign just closed were 395,380 tons, of which 123,422 tons were received by rail and 271,958 tons by road.
Motors in Silver Jubilee Processions.
The SOciety of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has authorized participation by local motor agents in Silver Jubilee Processions and parades organized by local municipal authorities or chambers of commerce, but trade contributions to prize funds are debarred.