For many months we have known that negotiations were taking
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place .between Gilfords (H.S.G.), Ltd., which is responsible for H.S.Q. producer-gas vehicles, that have been mentioned frequently in this paper, and the Sentinel Waggon Works (1936), Ltd. Now we are able to announce that the latter concern will produce machines, probably in the. 4-5-ton class, embodying the H.S.G. patents.
This development strikes us as deeply significant, and we see in it a big step forward in the ptogress of this gas machine.
Clark Appeal on October 22.
Foreshadowed in last week's issue, the appeal of Mr. Edwin Clark against the Metropolitan Licensing Authority's refusal to grant him a Contract A licence for work for Hornchurch Urban District Council, will be heard on October 22. The hearing has been specially expedited, as the case is the first of its kind.
Hands Trailer Development.
Hands (Letchworth), Ltd., advises us that, owing to the expansion of its activities, a new company has been formed under the' title of Hands Trailer Distributors, Ltd., with a day and night service and spare parts depot at 22-28, Woodfield Road, London, W.9, It is under the control of Mr. C. H, Foan, and will handle the home sales of Letchworth products. • • Tractor-tyre Standardization?
The Tractor Users Association is holding a conference at Caxton Hall, Westminster, London, on October 19, at 2.30 p.m., when consideration will be given to " The Standardization of Pneumatic Tyre Sizes for Farm B22 Tractors and Implements." Apart from members of official bodies, most of the prominent tyre companies are sending representatives. The chair will be occupied by Mr. D. N. McHardy, chairman of the Association. The subject matter of the conference will be introduced by Mr. Hay, of the Rubber Growers Association.
August Registrations Slump.
Owing to pressure on our space it is not possible, in this issue, to publish our customary analysis of the latest monthly registration returns, hut these details for the month of August will be given in our issue for next week. In this month, the number of goods vehicles registered was 4,726, whilst the total of hackneys was 307, these figures contrasting with 5,057 and 504 respectively for the corresponding month of 1936. TWO MONTHS' SUSPENSION OF C LICENCE.
The sequel to an allEged case of contravening the conditions governing the use of a C licence, investigated by The Commercial Motor last year, was the suspension, last week, by the Metropolitan Licensing Authority of the C licences held by Mr, F. Collins and that of his son, Mr. J. F. Collins, trading as Collins and Son, butchers, of Wexham Street, Stoke Poges, near Slough, Bucks.
Mr. Collins, who owned a few acres of land and operated three lorries under agricultural licences, is entitled to carry for hire or reward on behalf of neighbouring farmers. The evidence, however, showed that goods, other than those covered by this condition, had been carried. The licence of Mr. F. Collins was suspended for two months and that of his son for two weeks. BIG FINES INFLICTED FOR HOURS OFFENCES.
The normally quiet atmosphere of Jedburgh Sheriff Court was disturbed Last week by the severity of penalties imposed by Sheriff Baillie on five Kelso firms for contraventions of Section 19 of the 1930 Act. Fines amounting to £95 were imposed.
Early in July, an examiner on the staff of the Southern Scotland Licensing Authority made a general survey in the Kelso area and asked to see the log sheets of various concerns. Sheets from March to July were examined and it was discOvered that drivers had been exceeding the statutory periods. A grocer with 27 offences was fined £10 (or 10 days), three other grocers with 150, 52 and 100 offences respectively £20 (or 21 days), and a firm of contractors £25.
Is Timber "Agricultural Produce "?
The vexed question of the definition of "agricultural produce " was again raised before the Western Licensing Authority, last week, when a North Bovcy operator applied for permission to replace horses by a motor vehicle for timber haulage. His application for a B licence was refused.
The applicant stated that he was aware that he could carry agricultural produce for neighbouring farmers under his C licence, but he was not sure of the position regarding the haulage of timber from farm land for the construction of gates and hurdles.
The Licensing Authority pointed out that, if timber were hauled from neighbouring farms and were regarded as agricultural produce—a term that had not yet been defined—the applicant would be within his rights in operating under a C licence. He was sure that the opposing firm would not object to this course.
Over 500,000 Commercial Motors.
At the end of August last, • the number of licences current in respect of goods vehicles was 460,343, compared with 438,565 a year earlier. This is the largest total recorded. In the case of hackneys, the figure was 84,393. contrasted with 84,523 a year earlier.
Night and Day Service for Transport Operators.
Dagenham Motors, Ltd., Balderton Street, London, W.1, claims to be the largest Ford dealer in this country. For some time past the company has operated a special commercial-vehicle department, which is located at its main service works at Alperton, the area of these works being 100,000 sq: ft. The company believes that service in close support of sales is imperative, particularly as its commercial • vehicle department is laid out to handle all types of conversion, special bodywork, etc.
The company also carries a large stock of genuine Ford spare parts and runs an express service to meet urgent requirements, this day-and-night facility having been found of great value to fleet operators.
Good Excuse—But 13 Fine.
Although, it was stated, a reasonable excuse had been given, an East Lothian contractor was fined £3 at Haddington, last week, on a charge of permitting drivers to work for longer than the statutory hours.
U.S. Exports More "Second-hands." During the six months ended June last, 227 second-hand vans, lorries and buses, valued at £19,811, were exported from the United States, compared with 214 and 119,874 respectively in the corresponding half of 3936.
Leeds Transport Committee has appointed MR. JOHN B. Gm, as deputy chief traffic officer (buses).
MR. A. V. DAY, a member of the service staff of British Timken,.Ltd., left England on Saturday last to inspect Timken-equipped rolling stock in India. Java and Egypt.
COUNCILLOR JOHN DAVIDSON, of Kelty, has been nominated by Fife County Council for appointment as a Traffic Commissioner for Northern Scotland.
Mn. E. J. Everls, of Guest, Keen, Williams, Ltd., Calcutta, will take up residence in Birmingham for three months from November 1, and will be attached to the service department ot British Timken, Ltd.
MR. GEORGE BRIGHT has been appointed district engineer in the southern counties for Specialloid. Ltd. For some time past he 'has been in charge of the internal arrangements of the company's branch at Great Portland Street, London, W.1. ABERDEEN FISH HAULIER BUYS MORE BUSINESSES.
Mr. Charles Alexander, the Aberdeen haulier who has achieved fame through the fish-transport struggle. has, it is understood, now acquires' the carriers' businesses operated between Aberdeen and Aboyne, Dinnet, Ballater, Bidmoral and Braemar, by Mr. William Harper. trading as Messrs. James Harper and Son, Ballater, and Mr. A. Thomson, Aberdeen.
Arrangements have been made whereby the collection and delivery depots will be removed from the present carriers' quarters in Denburn and Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen, to more commodious premises at 4. Summerfield Terrace, Aberdeen. The change-over took effect last Friday.
COUNCILT.OR DICK
ELLIOTT. who has been invited to accept the May-oraltyof the ancient borough of Morpeth, is a highly popular northern haulage contractor. He was Mayor in 1923-1924, and has been a member of the town council for 16 years. To perpetuate his public services, the Elliott Bridge over the River Wansbeck at Morpeth was named after him.
Cot. A. S. REDMAN, C . B., chairman of the West Midland Traffic Cornmissioners since January 1, 1931, and one of the original chairmen appointed under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, has resigned. His resignation will take effect towards the end of the year. It is understood that there have been many applications for the post which he is vacating.
MR. CHARLES WATLING, managing director of C. Watling. Ltd., a concern of general carriers, etc., is the Lord Mayor Designate of the City of Norwich for the next 12 months. Our congratulations to him on this welldeserved honour.
Looking after Garner Motors, Ltd.. MR. J. JecxsoN. B.Sc., sales manager. and MR. D. S. MANKTELOW, A.S.A.A., secretary, are, as it were, working in double harness.
The former joined the company about four months ago, and, under his guidance, the sales department has been completely reorganized. He came to the Garner concern from Studebaker Distributors, Ltd., in this country, and before then was with the General Motors Corporation in Canada.
Mr. Manktelow has held his position with the company since its incorporation, and has been connected with the motor trade for many years. Accordingly, his experience is not confined to his special qualifications. TRACTOR TAX CONCESSION RAISES IMPORTANT ISSUE.
A case of great interest to farmers came before Sheriff Martin Laing at Kilmarnock, last Friday, when a Dreghorn farmer was charged with having used on the road an agricul. tural tractor, taxed at 5s., to haul a rick-lifter loaded with hay, a duty of £12 thereby (it was alleged) becoming payable.
For the defendant, Mr. Alexander Inglis objected to the relevancy of the complaint. The accused was, he said, entitled to use the tractor for hauling threshing implements and agricultural appliances. The rick-lifter was an agricultural implement and the fact that it was loaded made no difference. The 5s. duty was appropriate.
The Sheriff expressed great sympathy with farmers, because of the many regu lations affecting them. The point was difficult, but he would repel the objection
Mr. Inglis said that the National Farmers Union and the makers of the tractor were interested in the case, as the result might affect sales. He
tendered a plea of not guilty. Proof was fixed for October 22.
An Excellent Piston-ring Catalogue.
A copy of the 1938 catalogue, issued by the Aero Piston Ring Co., Ltd., Black Bull Street, Leeds; 10, has just come to hand. It contains certain -features of more than usual interest. Besides a reference list, easily used, of piston rings for practically all makes of engine, there is a system by which oversized rings, in multiples of 0.005 in., from standard size to 0.08 in. oversize, may be ordered. A section is devoted to an illustrated description of the manufacturing processes of Aero rings, and useful conversion charts are included.
No fewer than ten piston makers 824 standardize these rings, whilst many successes have been achieved by racing cars in which .they were employed. Aero rings are held in stock by numerous distributors throughout the British Isles.
South Africa Wants Ambulances.
Johannesburg .City Council is seeking tenders (Contract No. 677) for the supply of four streamlined limousinetype ambulances with side and rear loading. The Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London. S.W.1, can supply fuller details.
U.S. Will Top 5,000,000 Again.
American production of motor vehicles in 1937 is sure to exceed 5,000,000 cars and commercial vehicles, representing the second time that this figure has been exceeded, say', Mr. Alfred Reeves, vice-president and general manager of the Automobile Manufacturers Association. In 1936, about 4,616,000 units were produced.
L.M.S. Bridge Limits to be Lifted?
Brechin District Roads Sub-committee is asking the Ministry of Transport to withdraw proposals to restrict the weight of vehicles using two Angus bridges over the L:M.S. railway. The ban would create traffic difficulties between Brechin and Montrose.
H.F . Tyre Groover Now Cheaper.
Harvey Frost and Co.. Ltd., having acquired the entire, manufacturing rights from the patentees of the H.F. tyre groover, is now producing this accessory under economic conditions in its own works at Bishop's Startford. With certain improvements incorporated, the commercial-model groover for giant tyres now sells at £12 13s., as against 2.15 Ss. The standard model is priced at £8 10s. 6d. MISUNDERSTOOD RECORDS REGULATIONS.
1-biding that there was genuine misapprehension in the case, Leicester City magistrates, last week, dismissed summonses, on payment of costs, against a driver and his employer in connection with the keeping of records. The driver, it was alleged. had omitted certain journeys from his record, whilst the employer had infringed the conditions of his licence concerning records.
The defence was that both the driver and licensee thought it unnecessary to enter particulars of journeys with an empty vehicle. The magistrates' clerk called attention to. Section 9 (2) of the 1933 Act, which states that " notwithstanding that a vehicle is an authorized vehicle, the conditions of the licence shall not apply while the vehicle is being used for any purpose for which it might lawfully be used without the authority of a licence."
The case was found proved, but the justices thought that the authorities should make the matter quite clear for the benefit of operators.
Tribute to Transport Manager.
The autumn meeting of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association was held in Glasgow, last week, as a compliment to Mr. James Wilson, a member of the executive and Glasgow Corporation's transport manager, who is retiring next month.
Alderman A. H. Gledhill. of Halifax, who presided, referred to Mr. Wilson's 43 years' service with the department, which he entered as a boy. He and • his predecessor_ Mr. Lachlan Mackinnon, both started in the department in 1894, when municipalization was adopted, and, said Aldernian Gledhill, were probably the only two general managers who entered as boys the services which they ultimately controlled.
Mr_ R. F. Smith, who is to succeed Mr. Wilson, also entered the department as a boy and has given 45 years' service.
Leeds Fire Services to be Split Up.
The first stage of a large scheme for• the decentralization of fire-brigade services in Leeds, to meet the needs caused by the migration of population to the suburbs and the growth of the city • generally, was inaugurated on October 7, when the Lord Mayor (Mr. Tom Coombs) opened a sub-fire station and sub-police station on the fringe of the new Gipton municipal housing estate, where about 2.500 houses are in course of erection. The new sub-fire station, which has cost £27,000 and will accommodate four engines, is to serve the east side of the city.
Speaking at a luncheon held to celebrate the opening ceremony, Alderman Rowland Winn, chairman of the watch committee, indicated that the erection of three other sub-fire stations, on the north, south and west of the city, was provided for in a scheme which had been accepted by the watch committee. 31 MILLIONS FROM ROAD MOTORS.
The gross amount received in payment for road-vehicle licences during the nine months ended August 31, 1937, was 231.217,281. compared with £29,278,245 in the corresponding period of the previous year. Both totals are subject to deductions in respect of rebates and refunds.
The average receipt in respect of a whole-year licence was £21 17s. for electric goods vehicles, £27 9s. for internal-combustion-engined and steamdriven goods vehicles, and £58 16s. for motor hackneys.
Transport Organizer Available.
A man, aged 33, with long experience in the haulage industry, but forced out of business by a Traffic Court decision, requires a suitable position where his organizing ability can be utilized. Letters, addressed • " Organizer," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.
Special Properties of New Vacuum Oil.
At a luncheon given by the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd., in London, on Wednesday last, the chairman introduced a new double-range oil for winter use. This is termed an " Arctic " oil and is the result of much chemical and physical research. It is claimed that it combines not only thinness and ease of flowing when cold, but it also maintains its body when hot, so that it can be used with impunity under the hardest driving conditions.
Cunard's Changed Title.
The new title of the Cunard Motor and Carriage Co., Ltd., is the Cunard Commercial Body Building Co., and not as we were originally informed by the former concern and referred to in our issue dated October 8.
Haulier's New London Address.
Messrs. Greenwood's Transport, a haulage-contracting firm, of Ramsey, Hunts, has changed its London address to Granite Wharf, Banning Street, Greenwich, S.E.10, where it has a depot and storage accommodation.
Leyland Motors, Ltd., has asked us to point out that, in its advertisement on page 26 of our issue dated October 1, it mentions that Chester Corporation has ordered a number of buses. This should have read " Chesterfield Corporation." NO AGREEMENT, BUT LICENCE " TRANSFE RRED."
Although no agreement had been signed by the parties, the Eastern Licensing. Authority, last week, permitted Mr. A. G. Rix, of Foulsham, to take over the business of• Mr. Doughty, whose vehicle and goodwill he had purchased for approximately £100. The whole amount had, it was stated, been paid, but no agreement had been signed. Mr. Doughty did not appear to support the application.
Shipping Guide for Hauliers.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from October 15-23 inclusive :—Docics : King George V, 9; Royal Albert, 8; Royal Victoria, 5; Surrey Commercial, 10; East India, 2; West India, 2; South West India, 2; Tilbury, 8; Tilbury Stage, 3;
; London, 3. WHARVES: Hay's, 6; Middleton's. 1; Mark Brown's, 1; Butler's, 2. Tilbury Jetty, 3. Regent's Canal, 1.
BRITISH GAIN IN INDIA'S IMPORT TRADE.
A survey of the import trade of India for the three months April 1June 30, 1937, shows that the United Kingdom is well maintaining its share of the trade in buses, vans and lorries. In the quarter under review, British makers dispatched 563 vehicles, valued at Rs.10.1 lakhs, to India, contrasted with 140 (Rs.3 lakhs) in the comparable quarter of 1988.
The Canadian share was 816 vehicles in 1937, and 364 a year earlier, and the American quota, 2,009 vehicles in , 1937 and 1,665 in 1936. " Other countries," with 118 vehicles in 1.937 and 34 in 1936, brought the totals up to 3,506 and 2,203 respectively. Although America secures approximately 50 per cent, of the trade, both Great Britain's and Canada's increased.