Repairs Transferred: Council Protest
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'TRANSFER of bus repair work from 1 Inverness to Edinburgh was the subject of outspoken criticism at the May meeting of Inverness Town Council. In the past, it was stated, vehicles of the Highland Transport Co., Ltd., had been repaired in the town, but since the fleet had been transferred to Highland Omnibuses, Ltd., a subsidiary of Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., they were driven more than 320 miles to Edinburgh and back for overhaul.
Speakers said that recently there had been substantial increases in Highland bus fares, but that instead of the money being circulated locally, it was being sent' to the Lowlands. Furthermore, the supplying of components and other requirements was lost to the district.
Mr. James Amos, chairman of Highland Omnibuses, Ltd., later replied to the protest. He said that a garage extension at Inverness probably would be completed on June 1, and normal repairs and maintenance„ of the company's vehicles would be carried out in • the town. He denied that Highland Omnibuses, Ltd., were a subsidiary of Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd. They were, he stated, completely independent. Many of the vehicles taken over some 16 months ago were in poor mechanical condition. Some were discarded, and some were rebuilt in Inverness and Edinburgh. The previous operators used to send work to Aberdeen, Glasgow and even England.
• CONCESSIONS FOR EARLY BOOKING QUBSTANTIAL price concessions for advance bookings have been made by Southend Corporation for the National Air Races which will be held at Southend Airport on June 20. The advance inclusive charge for a doubledecker with passengers is £7 and for a single-decker £4. The charges for payment at the gate are El dearer.
Special routes for vehicles within the borough will be arranged and windscreen labels and route diagrams will be provided.
BIG UNION CLAIMS
THE national committee of the Amalgamated Engineering Union decided in Eastbourne last week to demand the introduction of a 40-hour week in the engineering industries and to press for a 15 per cent. wage increase, estimated to affect 3m. workers and to cost £1_25m. a year. Final demands will be considered next week by the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions in York.
OBITUARY
WE regret to announce the death of YV MR. E. F. B. TOPHAM.
Mr. Topham was formerly chairman of Topham Brothers Carriers (Man chester), Ltd. He was a prominent member of the old Commercial Motor Users' Association.