HEEDLESS PEDESTRIANS THE CHIEF SINNERS.
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In reply to an inquiry as to the major causes of road accidents and the percentages during 1.936 attributable '..to ?.ach, Mr. Burgin stated that an analysis of 100,000 road accidents, involving personal injuries, which occurred in the six months from April to September, 1936, showed that the major causes attributable were as follow :—
Misled by Published Decision.
Applicants to the North-Western Licensing Authority often complain sub rosa of the way in which decisions are announced in the official " Applications and Decisions." An occasion on which they were caught napping was revealed at a Manchester inquiry, on Monday, when L. M. Deen Transport, Ltd., repeated an application for additional tonnage. The company's previous application was associated with the renewal of its licence and the decision, as announced, granted the renewal, without a word about the other application.
Mr. H. 13ackhouse, solicitor for the G,M,G_A., informed the court that no one had suspected that the refusal of
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the extra vehicle was implied in the announcement of the renewal grant, until the period in which an appeal
might be lodged had gone by. .
Sir William Hart, Deputy Licensing Authority: Are, you anxious to take this matter forward to the Appeal Tribunal by way of a fresh application? "
Mr. nackhouse: " No. We hope by further figures and trader witnesses to succeed this time."
The hearing was only half over at the end of the day and, as a further day would not be available before Christmas, Sir William said he would do what he could in respect of a shortterm licence.
Higher Pay for Plymouth Co-Op. Drivers. .
Improved working conditions in a good many instances and wage increases totalling approximately £3,000 a year, have been secured for about 300 employees on the transport side of the Plymouth Co-operative Society by the Transport and General Workers Union, , FORTHCOMING EVENTS'
• 1938.
Jan. 8-19.—Belgian International Motor Show Brussels.
21-30.--Dutch International Motor Exhibition, Amsterdam.
Feb. P.—Annual Dinner of Diesel Engine Users Association, Connaught Rooms, London. Feb. 113..Mareh 8.--German Motor Show, Berlin. March 4,—Annual Dinner ot the Institute. of Transport, Connaught Rooms, London. April 11.—Associated Road Operators (Metro
politan Area( Annual Dinner, Grosvenor House, London. •
May•Octelber.—Empire Exhibition, Bellahonstan PATk4, Glasgow. May 18.21.—Institute of Transport—Congress. Edinburgh. May 25.2L—Conferepee • of Scottish Road' Passenger Transport Association, Atitoll Palace Hotel, Pitlochry.
June 8-1-0.—Annual Conference of the Tram.way's, Light Railways . and Transport Association, Folkestone.
June 18•July 2.—.Eighth International Road Congress. The IlagUe, flatland.
June -22.—Annua1 Congress of. Industrial Transport Association, Hull. June 21 -14.—Internationar Engineering Con'Glasgow.. June 22-24—Annual Conference of the Municipal Tramways.. and -Transport Associa-• July 5-9.—Royal Show, Cardiff,
Nov. 11-19.—:Sedttlih Motor Show {Commercial Motor Section, Kelvin Hall, Glasgow.
tan, moreeambe. THE NEED FOR TESTING POLICE WATCHES.
The police speed trap at Steeple Barton, on the Oxford-Banbury toad, about which a question was asked in the House of Commons, last week, by Mr. Ben Smith, M.P., was responsible for the appearance of 11 More lorry drivers in Deddington police court, last Friday, on charges of speeding. In every case their licences were endorsed. and fines varying from 10s. to £2 were imposed.
The question asked the Home Secretary in the House was whether he was aware that a lorry driver was fined £2 and had his licence endorsed at Deddington for exceeding the 20 m.p.h. limit, and whether, in view of that and similar cases, the Home Secretary would issue a Circular to chief constables, calling attention to the 'desirability of police watches being tested periodically.
New jowett Model Coming.
Jowett Cars, Ltd., Idle, Bradford.. hopes to introduce another commercial model .early in 1938, stated Mr. jowett, chairman of the company, at the annual meeting in Bradford, on Tuesday.
November Imports and Exports.
. The Board. of Trade returns for November show that the value of Commercial vehicles, cars, chassis and accessories imported during that month was £490,947, compared with £392,822 its the corresponding month of 1936.
The number of commercial vehicles exported was 279, which is almost identical with . the corresponding 1935 return, although it is well down on the total (418) for November, 1936. Despite this fact, however, their value. at £79,921; showed an advance on the R66,457 for November, 1936, and contrasts with . £112,895 for November, 1035, .
The number of commercial chassis exported advanced once again, the total of 1,411 for November last contrasting with 1,219 for the corresponding month of 1936, the respective values being.. R..i273,348 and £.184,901. WHEN FARM TRACTORS NEED SPEEDOMETERS..., RegulatiOns recently brolight. into force call for the use of a S,peed cator on any vehicle having,a legal speed limit of 20 m.p.h. The 'factor Users. Association points out that this applies to farm tractors when equipped with -pneumatic tyres and hauling pneurnatio-tyred trailers, 'Or running light.'
When . the tractor . is hauling
solidtyred implements, or trailers which bring it into a lower speed-liniit,Cate'gory (12 m.p.h:), this regulation a6e,
not apply. . .
We nnderstand, that the Tractor UserS,Association has made representations to the Ministry of Transport.
Canadian Railwaymen Use Old British Arguments. ..
Old arguments used by the British railways were advanced by the affiliated railwaymen's organizations of Ontario before the Royal Transport Commission of Ontario. . The railway-. nien urged the JO= rigid regulation of -vehicle dimensions, the establishment of a 'standard of ',safety for road motors and' the redeSigilineedthe Shape Of vehicles to Offer less obstruction to the view of private motorists. It was fur-. ther alleged that road transport had made unfair inroadsinto railway revenue, whilst wages and chnditions in' the road-transport industry were adversely criticized.
Ontario Movers Association, recommending the regulation of rates and hours of work among furniture removers, stated that a voluntary rates system, introduced by the Association, last year, had proved unsuccessful.
Australian Trade Policy Change..
The abandonment of the' Trade Diversion Licensing SyStem in favour of adequate • duties to protect Australian industry, Where necessary, was announced in the House of Representatives, Canberra, on Tuesday, by Mr. T. W. White, Minister for Trade and' Customs. Mr. White added that there would at present he no change in the import quotas for motor chassis.
Smart Application Granted—With " Hesitation."
The Western Licensing Authority has granted the application of the Smart Transport Co. for two additional vehicles under an A licence. Whilst finding that the Smart concern's business bad increased to such an extent as to justify the additional tonnage, the Authority formed the conclusion that the railway facilities from Bristol to Birmingham were, although underutilized, excellent. He foundit hard to understand why the railway facilities were unsuitable for the additional traffic which it was desired to handle.
." I. do not attach. the. slightest importance," ..the Authority continued, " to the claim that the road service between these points oilers speedier transit, and I have formed the conclusion'that, Whilst in connection with the transport of many Of the goods the
applicant carries, there may be other good reasons why customers prefer. road . to rail, the..rnain reason is'..the lower. cOSt; which, perhaps..-is due jaegely to . simplified packing of goods and reduced handling.
" For the various reasons given, but with Some'hesitation, I have decided to grant the app Ica n.
Engineering Valuers Wanted.
Two or three men, thoroughly
acquainted . with road -transport vehicles, including their mechanical condition and Value; are required by a well-known ,firm of auctioneers in the /:ondon area,. fitpplimtions, shank] be addressed " Valuer," c'Z,re of the Editor,
DRIVING-TIME CHECK QUOTED ' IN COURT.
In 'a ease, at Clerkenwell police Count, Loadrin, last' -AvOik. which
Ltd., „the noted rninerai-water 'coricern, . was charged with petmitting. employees to drive for longer than the "statutory Periods the results of a check on 312 journeys during the busiest, month Of
the year, were:quoted. .
'The' record showed that one man drove for four hours daily; three for he .-bonts each, mine for six hourS, eight for. seven hour-s; 27 for eight
boors; 71 for nine liours and 157for . . .
lb hours. These periods. inChided terVals for rest and meals. Certain fieriod: for _rest 1:1,i.tie'stat6d not to have .bccrn sill e red by drivers on their log -sheets. '
A fine of £17, ali 1(1) 10s. costs, w4s imposed.
London Distributor •Required for American Vehicle.
We know of a progressive concern, acting as the sole concessionnaire,in. this country for a, poPiilar American make of commercial vehicle, which is desirous of appointing a fePutable distributor for''th,e London 'area. The vehicle_ haS a good 'name
be 'prepared, as the keynote, of : his policy on the Salear side, to boa his efforts with a first-class service 'organ ization. . Those concerns interested should mark their letters " Coneessionnaiire," and send them to the Editor, Increased Facilities, Despite Objections.
Increased facilitieS for the 'transport of road material, to cope with the additional road work Caused by the reconstruction programme under which the Government is making 100-per-cent. grants, would have to be supplied, said Mr. Henry Riches, Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, at an, Inverness sitting, last week.
He proposed to grant additional facilities, despite objections, except where the existing' supply of transport was already adequate. He did .not consider that there were sufficient facilities for the transport of road materials in the Grantown district: He made these obsetvations ig granting permission to Mr. William Laing, of Grantown-on-Spey, to carry road material for Moray County Council and Grantown-on-Spey Town Council, in addition to hauling timber.
Another London Borough Adopts Electric Street Lighting.
Camberwell, in common with certain other London borough's, will shortly possess an all-electric streetdighting system. The length of the roads in the borough is about 145 miles and many of them have already been converted to the new form of lighting, although a few of the main thoroughfares will not be completed until 1939, owing to existing contracts not yet having expired: Most of the secondary and residential roads are illuminated by Osram lamps of 150, 200 and 300-watt rating, housed in G.E.C. open-type Wembley lanterns. The North Riding and South :Durham branch of the National Farmers Union has passed_ a resolution .deploring the action of the railway companies in contesting applications for licences by haulage contractors. Mr. T. W. Spihnan, of Ripon, moving the adoption of the resolution, said that, in many cases, the facilities offered to farmers by road hauliers were quicker and more convenient than those of the railways.
He thought the Union should do something to support road hauliers, and it was agreed to notify the road associations that the local N, F. U. would help by providing evidence at hearings.
100 Lorries Put Off the Road.
An effect of a recent decision of the Australian Federal High Court was immediately to put oft the roads a group of 100 lorries and drivers engaged in transport services between the New South Wales district of Riverina, and Melbourne, Victoria.
In its judgment, the Court upheld the 'legality of existing legislation against interstate road services operating in competition with Government . railways in the two States affected. An Australian contemporary expresses the opinion that, although the decision inayt be good in la*, it cannot be accepted as finally, disposing of the claim for unrestricted use of the public highways within and between States.
New Name for Perkins Engines.
Formerly designated, respectively, Panther. Puma and Python, the light six, four and three-cylindered oil engines recently introduced by F. Perkins, Ltd., Peterborough, are now to be called the P6 of 85 b.h.p., the P4 of 56 b.h.p. and the PS of 42i b,h.p.
We learn with interest that this new series of power units has been accorded a splendid reception, numerous orders having been received not only from at home but also from many overseas countries. We are informed that Perkins sales have increased fourfold during the past few months, chiefly fi6 owing to -the introduction of the P6.
In addition to the four= and sixcylinder fields, the company is exploiting the London taxi market for the P3 model.
Engineer-designer Required.
An important public-service-vehicle manufacturer has a. vacancy for an engineer to take charge of the technical and designing side of the busiru:Ss and to replace the present engineer, who is retiring at the end of the year Furtherdetails will be found in a small advertisement.
Service and Demonstration Vans for Farm Machinery.
Ferguson-Brow-n, Ltd., Huddersfield, the maker of Ferguson farm machinery, has recently commissioned for use several service and demonstration vans, which, apart from possessing an attractive exterior appearance, have been suitably equipped to ensure that the
dual functions of service and demonstration are achieved.
The basis of each vehicle is au Austin Ten chassis, and the van body has two cupboards over the wheel= arches, which are divided into fitted compartments with clips for carrying various components, rattle-proof sliding doors being provided. In front of the cupboards supports are fitted to carry units, such as the ram-plate assembly, pump assembly, differential gear and a complete pulley drive. Rails along the floor support a cradle carrying a completely assembled engine. This is normally mounted amidships to give the utmost stability when travelling, but it can be pulled, without much effort, to the rear of the van.
The Leipzig Spring Fair.
The Leipzig Spring Fair of 1938 will, be held from March 644. It is claimed that it will be the biggest ever staged in any part of the world. Apart from the existing 18 halls, two large new halls will be available exclusively for the display of engineering materials. No fewer than 3,300 _manufacturers of machines and technical products will be exhibiting. PERSONAL PARS,
In connection with our article last week on the undertaking of Kent Carriers, Ltd., the -degrees, A.M.Inst.T., M.S.A.E., should have been creditedto MR. F. J. HUGHES.
MR. A. W. JACKMAN, clerk to the East Midland Traffic Commissioners, has been .appointed a principal of the Ministry of Transport and will take up his new duties on December 29, Ma. H, Tasvoi MortGas, M:C., has been appointed Chairman of the West Midland Traffic Commissioners, as from January 1, 1938,. to succeed COLONEL A. S. REDMAN, C.B., who
. signs at the end of this month;
MR. G. MACKENZIE JUNNER, F.R.S.A., M.I.A.E., Editor of . The COMM er.cica Motor,-has been appointed also Editor cif the new high-class inonthly, -Light Metals, which is to be published early in the new year by.,TempIe Press Ltd. MR. A., A. APPLEBY, BSc,, has joined the new .journal as Technical Editor,
both • appointnients dating from November 1.
MR. CHARLES LATHAM, j.P., L.C.C., has been appointed a member of the London Passenger Transport Board for a further period of three years from January 20, 1938, when his present appointment expires. He it an accountant by profession and is the chairman of the Finance Committee of the London County Council. .
MR L STILLIVORTETY has taken over the duties of enforcement officer in the West Midland Traffic Area, consequent upon the promotion to the lands branch of the Ministry of Transport of Mr. A. E. Vete .Robbins. Mr. Stallworthy was in charge of•the goodslicensing section from its inception in 1934 until recently, when he took charge of the road-service -licensing
section, He is well known to both goods and passenger-vehicle operators: LOOPHOLE IN NEW C. AND U. REGULATIONS?
An important point concerning the new Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations was raised by the defence in a prosecution at Morley (Yorkshire) Police Court, last week. The defendant was a lorry driver, who was summoned under the regulation which states that " an efficient automatic windscreen wiper shall be fitted to every vehicle which is so constructed that the driver cannot, by opening the windscreen or otherwise, obtain an adequate view to the front of the vehicle without looking through the Windscreen."
A police constable said that, when it was snowing and raining, he saw the defendant driving a lorry with the windscreen closed and without an automatic wiper.
Mr. S. E. Pitts, solicitor to A.R.0: Yorkshire Area, for' the defence, said that, although the windscreen was not open at the time, it was capable of being opened, and be submitted that it thus complied with the regulations. There was no compulsion on the driver to open the screen.
The magistrates adjourned the case sine •die. • , No Heavy Goods Traffic Through . Shirehampton.
In nu order under the Road Traffic Act, which has been confirmed by the ,Ministry of Transport, heavy vehicular • traffic will not be permitted to pass through Shirehampton, The Order affects .heavy and light locomotives, tractors and heavy motorcars as defined under Section .2 of the Act. Motor. buses, however, are not banned.
.What is Rail Attitude on C. and D. Tonnage? .
Collection and delivery facilities for operators of , trunk road services were under discussion at a Manchester inquiry, last week, when Mr. J A. Dunkerley, for the C.M.U.A., sought to find out the precise attitude of the railway companies on this matter.
WitkinSons Transport, Ltd., Ca.disbead; Which Tuna a• regular service to Birmingham and the Midlands from the 3.1anchester area, was applying for an extra 30-cwt. vehicle and was willing that it should not be used for trunk work, but only for collection and delivery in the Manchester district. At present, it was stated, the trunk vehicles had to be double-shifted by extra drivers, in order to keep pace with collection and delivery work.
Mr. P. Kershaw, for the railways, raised the objection that the extra collection and delivery vehicle would increase the trunk facilities and thus render them more competitive with the railways and other road services.
Railway evidence Was given, showing reduced carryings between Manchester and Birmingham.
Mr. Dunkerley said that he could see no reason for the objection, except fears such as the Appeal Tribunal held to be groundless when entertained against the railway companies.
Sir William Hart, North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority, thought that the collection and delivery vehicle would give greater facilities for the carriage of goods, but said he would look at the matter further and give his decision later. SCOTTISH TRANSPORT WORKERS' NEW CHARTER.
A new agreement between the Scottish Horse and Motomien's Association and the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society for the regulation of wages and conditions of 800 transport employees, was issued to members of the Association on Monday. It provides for rates of 62s. 6d. to 70s. a week for drivers of commercial vehicles. •
Drivers are to receive an extra /s. 6d. a day and assistants is., where a trailer is in use. Youths start at 14s. a week at 14 years of age, rising by annual increments to 42s... 6d. at 20 years of age. Adult rates will be paid at 21. Youths employed as drivers are to receive 5s. above scheduled rates. Men who are collecting money in connection with their duties will receive 2s. 6d. a week extra.
Other conditions include a 48-hour week, payment for overtime, annual holidays with pay and six weeks' sick pay in accordance with the previous agreement.