THE LATEST DRIVERS' HOURS APPLICATION.
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The Scottish Federation of Aerated Water Manufacturers and Bottlers Association has made -an application to the Minister of Transport for the variation, during certain months of the year, of the periods of driving time and rest laid down in Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, as amended by Section 31 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, for the employmen of drivers of certain types of vehicle. The Minister has referred the matter to the Industrial Court, which will meet on May 22, at 10.30 a.m., at City Chambers, Edinburgh, to hear parties to the application.
Road•accident Returns.
The following figures are extracted from the Ministry of Transport return of persons killed• or injured in road accidents during the week ended May 4, 1935, the figures in parentheses being those for the corresponding week in 1934. The number of persons who died as a result of accidents during previous weeks is included in the total. In England 97 (108) persons were killed and 3,457 (3,938) injured, whilst in Scotland 11 (9) were killed
and 387 (397) injured. The figures for Wales show that 4 (7) persons were killed and 155 (176) injured.
Electric Vehicles for the B.I.F.
For the first time, the British Industries Fair authorities have placed an order for battery-electric vehicles for internal transport at the Birmingham section of the Fair, which opens on Monday next and closes on May 31. A number of Wilson-Electric machines is already in operation, being engaged on the erection of stands and the transport of exhibits. It is -also proposed to run a number of these vehicles, equipped with seats, during the course of the exhibition for the comfortable conveyance of visitors on tours pi inspection.
Weymann's Motor Bodies Trading.
During 1934 Weymann's Motor Bodies (1925), Ltd., made a loss of 11,963, as against £18,661 for 1933, the debit balance, which is carried forward, being increased to £35,981. The directors record a gradual improvement in the industry during 1934, although the demand did not become active until the closing months of the year, and orders secured during the last two months could not be completed until after the year's accounts had closed. The works have been fully occupied since the beginning of this year.
Excessive Cost of Merchandising At the seventh annual meeting of the India Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., Mr. H. A. Holmes, the chairman, who presided, said that, during the past year, trading conditions were, on the whole, fairly good in the home market, although export business presented ever-increasing difficulties, manufacturers having to withdraw from several countries. Although competition has been keen, manufacturing understandings have, to some extent, been helpful.
Mr. Holmes thinks that manufacturers could best serve the interests of consumers and the trade as a whole by a. closer spirit of co-operation, and by limiting, in some form, the present excessive cost of merchandising an article which, 'to-day, is a necessity. He referred to the fact that fleet owners at the present time are very much alive to the value of tyre performance, the two big requirements being safety and maximum mileage.
Railway Pressure Forces Haulier to Limit Radius.
At a sitting of the North Western Licensing Authority, last week, Mr. S. Gerrard, Newton Heath, who applied for an A licence, consented, under pressure from the railway opposition, to restrict his operations to a 20-mile radius and agreed not to carry material other than that transported in the past. .
In another case, an applicant was prepared to forgo a hiring margin of i-ton, if sanction were given for a "
discretionary" vehicle of 211 tons to be acquired.
SWITZERLAND BANS NIGHT OPERATION.
It is reported from Berne that, under a new regulation, the use, during the night, of commercial vehicles weighing either empty or loaded over 3 metric tons, has been prohibited throughout Switzerland. The restricted hours are from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. from April 1 to October 31, and from 10 p.m. until 5 p.m. during the remaining months.
Certain exceptions have been provided for, such as vehicles proceeding to railway and other accidents, the conveyance of unusually large and heavy material, and the transport of perishable foodstuffs. The regulations also provide for any delay due to accident or breakdown, which would prevent vehicles from returning in time.
Another Legal Booklet.
A useful little booklet entitled " How Modern Legislation Affects Commercial Motor Users" has been written by Mr. F. G. Bristow, C.B.E., F.C.I.S., general secretary of-the Commercial Motor Users Association, and is published by the Scottish Motor Trade Association, Ltd., 3, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, Types of Greenbat Truck.
In an article dealing with industrial trucks, in last week's issue, reference was made to the Greenbat trucks manufactured by Greenwood and Batley, Ltd., Albion Works, Leeds. It should be noted that this concern
• markets both electric and petrol-driven trucks of a variety of types.