WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
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by all difficulties of Transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which It rans."-John Beattie Crozier
Hospital Treatment and Compulsory Insurance.
The Select Committee of the House of Lords on the Road (Emergency Treatment) Bill in its report states that the Bill provides for the payment of a maximum remuneration of three guineas to doctors and hospitals for treatment, but as a maximum rate might tend to become a standard rate the Committee decided to substitute a standard rate for all cases of 12s. 6d. and a charge of 6d. for every mile a doctor travelled over two miles to attend a case. The Committee further states : "As experience has proved that a fee cannot usually be collected from an injured person, the only possibilities would therefore seem to be to throw the cost of this service either on the motoring community or on public funds. Last year the official return issued by the Home Office shows that in Great Britain 5,745 persons were killed and 162,920 persons were injured in accidents involving mechanically propelled vehicles. On the assumption that all these cases required emergency treatment, the cost at 12s. 64. a case would be £105,416. The number of cars using the roads being roughly 2,200,000, this would work out at about 1s. a car per annum."
This charge the Committee proposes' to make to the motoring community because it "sees no other satisfactory way" of raising the fund ; it does not propose a charge on public funds. It proposes to make the liabilities thirdparty risks compulsorily insurable under Part II of the Road Traffic Act. It even considered an addition to the driving-licence fee.
• Dennis's Final Dividend.
The directors of Dennis Brothers. Ltd., recommend the payment of a final dividend of 84. per is. share, making 1s. per share for the year ended September 30; this distribution is the same as for the previous year. They also propose to transfer £1,000 to an employees' benevolent fund. The amount carried forward will be slightly increased.
Show Attendance Figures.
The official attendance figures for theCommercial Motor Exhibition are now available for the whole period of the Show, and in the table below a comparison is made with the 1931 statistics :
,. Distributing E.R.F. Vehicles.
James Bowen and Sons, The Mall, Musselburgh, have been appointed sole Scottish distributors for E.R.F. vehicles made by E. R. Foden and Son. They are also sole agents for Gardner oil engines for the east of Scotland.
Experienced Salesman Required.
An important British commercial vehicle manufacturer requires an experienced and well-educated salesman to represent the company in the London district and southern counties. Letters addressed " Southern Representative," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.
Death of Mr. A. J. Crump.
We regret to learn of the death of Mr,A. J. Crump, sales manager of H. M. Hobson, Ltd. He had held this position with the company for a period of 21 years, having joined it in May, 1912.. He was known to the principal concerns in the commercial-vehicle industry, in which he had many friende.
Marking of Cubic Capacity.
In Parliament this week Sir A. M. Samuel asked the President' of -the Board of Trade whether he would consider an agreed method for the standardization of the cubic yard as, the legal measure when sand, ballast and similar materials were sold by the volume ; and whether, for the • protection of the public, he would require that the cubic capacity should be marked on road Vehicles used for the conveyance of such materials.
Mr. Runciman replied that he was award that there is ademand for such legislation, and he was considering what steps should be taken.
This matter is referred to on page 542 of this issue.
1933 1931
Season Tickets Season Tickets
and Paying and
Invitations Invitations
5,894 2,675 5,849 5,351 3,515 5,589 4,999 11,815 5,050 6,099 6,034 5,616 7,036 6,854 6,609 7,522 8,234 6,583 7,698 8,699 6,825 6,8% 6,187 6,355 5,521 14,610 5,929 • 65,727 57,016 68,623 54,405
Registration of New Vehicles in September.
A return issued by the Ministry of Transport shows that, during the month of September, 1933, 17,090 motor vehicles were registered for the first time under the Roads Act, 1920, as compared with 16,596 in September, 1932. This year's total includes 4,280 goods vehicles and 276 hackney vehicles, the comparable figures for 1932 being 2,867 and 343. The improvement in goods-vehicle registrations is most marked. The largest increase is in the 2-21-ton class, which shows 901 registrations as against 332 a year earlier, The figures for each class of internal-combustionengined goods vehicle are shown below, for September of both 1933 and 1932:
Sept.. Sept.,
Not exceeding 12 cwt. ... 695 432 Over 12 cwt. but not ex ceeding 1 ton 566 379 Over 1 ton but not ex
ceeding 11/2 tons 492 475 Over 1312 tons but not ex
ceeding 2 tons .. 1,113 925 Oxer 2 tons but not exceed
ing 21,4 tons 901 332 Over 21/2 tons but not ex
ceeding 3 tons .. ... 192 114 Over 3 tons but not exceed
ing 4 tons ... .. 174 59 Over 4 tons but not exceed
ing 5 tons ... .. 45 65 Over 5 tons .. ... 56 . 72
In spite of an increase in taxicab registrations, from 47 to 134, the registrations of hackney vehicles were lower by 801 13 trolley-buses were registered, as compared with none for the com parable month last year. Analyzing the returns by seating capacity, -we find that the biggest decline was in the 26-32-seater class, the registrations for September last being 10, as compared with 91 a year earlier. In the 48-50seater class registrations fell from 98 in September, 1932, to 60 a year later.
Lower Rail Rates for Cattle Carrying.
• On Tuesday last the Railway Rates Tribunal granted an application on behalf of the Great Western Railway and the London, Midland and Scottish Railway for the introduction of an experimental schedule for the conveyance of livestock in the Gloucester area, the schedule being based on a head rate and varying for each class of animal. It was mentioned that the railways formerly had a substantial and profitable business in the conveyance of livestock, but that this had practically disappeared since the introducti,on of specially built road vehicles, except in cases of large consignments for trimsporting over long distances.
A Clayton Dewandre Function.
At the invitation of Major S. A. Curtin, acting for the Clayton Dewandre Co., Ltd., some 60 chief engineers and designers in the automobile industry were entertained to dinner on November 8 at Restaurant Frascati, the chair being taken by Mr. C. H. Dade, chairman of the company. The speeches were Informal, Mr. L. H. Pomeroy giving an interesting résumé of his impressions of a recent trip to the U.S.A. Commer Price Reauctions.
Commer Cars, Ltd., Luton, announces reductions in the prices of certain of its chassis. The 6-8-cwt. van chassis now sells at £115, the 20-25-cwt. chassis at £165, and the 30-cwt. (Raider) chassis at £199, the list price of the 4-ton chassis now being £645.
New Welsh Transport Services.
Pembroke Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., Station Road Works,. Pembroke, has inaugurated a goods-transport service to all parts of the country from Pembrokeshire and West Wales districts. The company has for many years maintained a local hire and transport department.
Increased Scottish Ferry Service.
The London. and North-Eastern Railway Co. has informed the Ministry of Transport that Wm. Denny and Bros., Ltd., Dumbarton, will operate the Queensferry ferry service from next spring. Modified charges will be introduced, there will be a half-hour service, and a new approach road to the North Queensferry Bridge will be made.
Death of A.E.C.'s Chairman.
We much regret to learn of the death of Mr. H. A. Vernet, who succeeded Lord Ashfield as chairman of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., when the latter relinquished his position as director and chairman of the board of the company consequent upon his appointment as chairman of the London Passenger Transport Board.
Mr. Vernet was a director of the banking concern of Robert Benson and Co., Ltd., and was chairman of the boards of a niimber of important concerns, including the British Power and Light Corporation, the Traction and General Investment Trust, and the Central Argentine Railway, Ltd., whilst he was deputy chairman of the Metropolitan District Railway Co. and the London United Tramways.
A Brown Brothers' Purchase.
We learn that Brown Brothers, Ltd., Great Eastern Street, London, E.C.2, has recently purchased the goodwill and assets of James Bridger, Ltd., Poplar Walk, Croydon. The business will be carried on at this address until the end of this month, when it will be transferred to Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon. Mr. Leslie C. /3ridger will retain close touch with his friends in the trade as a representative of Brown Brothers, Ltd., whilst Mr. W. J. Bailey will be assisting in the management of the new depot.
S. Smith and Sons' Profit.
In the year ended August 5, 1933, S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., recorded a trading profit of £131,663, as against £85,833 a year earlier, the net profits being £100,265 and £61,647 respectively.
After a lapse of two years, additional payments are to be resumed on the preferred ordinary shares, which rank for half of the distributable profits after receiving a non-cumulative 7 per cent, dividend, the balance belonging to the deferred ordinary shareholders. The additional pre
ferred payment is 7 per cent., making 14 per cent, for the year, whilst the deferred ordinary shareholders receive a
dividend equal to 25 per cent. The profits suffice to meet these payments, together with the preference uivnieus, :led to write £5,000 off patents. The
margin of £15,765 is added to the balance carried forward, making it £65,241.
A New Vehicle-littings Company.
Owing to the retirement of Mr. G. W. P. Johnston, of G. Johnston, Ltd., 86-88, Roseman Street, London, E.C.1, a concern ading as a manufacturer's agent for fittings for bodies, buses, etc., Mr. E. W. Matthews (late manager), Mr. W. H. Woods (late London representative), and Mr. F. W. Lyne (late Midland and Northern representative), to start in business under the title of E. W. Matthews, Ltd., 17, Tudor Place, London, W.1, and will deal in similar lines.
Lord Rochdale Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex, accompanied by Councillor H. Leigh Mossley, JR., chairman of Willesden U.D.C.. recently visited the works of S. Smith 2nd Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd. They were conducted through the works by Mr. A. Gordon Smith, managing director, to be seen on tl-e left of Lord Rochdale, and Mr. Haviland, works manager, who is on the extreme left in this picture. Personal Pars..
We learn that Mr. G. A. Usher has joined the sales staff of the India tyre department of Car Mart, Ltd., under Mr. D. G. Cameron, sales manager. It will be remembered that he was previously associated with Mr. Cameron, for some two or three years, with another tyre manufacturer.
Mr. G. Walter Henley, the resident director at Swansea of Morsmith's Motors, Ltd., Cardiff, has, we understand, accepted an important position in London with the Texas Oil Co., Ltd. Mr. Morley has acted for four years as the West 1Vales representative of the Cardiff concern, of which he is a director.
Mr. J. E. Grist has been elected chairman of the Torquay and District Motor Hirers' Association, in succession to the late Mr. James Blackler, and Mr. Grist's place as honorary secretary has been filled by Mr. F. • Downing. Mr. J. S. Grist has been appointed deputy chairman of the Association.
Further to the paragraph appearing in our issue for last week, we now learn that the city Council has approved the recommendation for the appointment of Mr. W. G. Marks, general manager of Nottingham's transport undertaking, as general manager at Liverpool. There were originally 170 applicants frir the position. It was four years ago that Mr. Marks was appointed municipal passenger-transport manager at Nottingham, having previously had municipal experience at Chesterfield, Rotherham and Middlesbrough.
Having !leen secretary of Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., Preston, for the past nine years, Mr. R. T. Ebrey will, in December, take up duties as general manager of East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., Hull.
During the period that he has been associated with Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., Mr. Ebrey has witnessed a series of remarkable developments. t• ,When he came to Preston the company had 49 buses, a capital of £60,000, and 300 employees. To-day, it has 800 buses, a share capital of £800,000, and about 3,500 employees.
Tilling and British Automo-' bile Traction, Ltd., and the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. are large shareholders in the company.
I.F.S. Vehicle Imports Low.
Few complete commercial vehicles are now being imported into the Irish Free State. Only 37 such vehicles, valued at £7,100, reached the country during the nine months ended September last, as compared with 562 and £108,700 respectively in the corresponding period of 1932.
As previouslymentioned in these columns, there has been an increase under the heading of "chassis," which, however, includes those for cars as well as commercial vehicles, but the advance does not counterbalance the decrease in complete vehicles.
Successful I.A.E. Dinner.
The annual dinner and ball of the Institution of Automobile Engineers were held last Friday at the Park Lane Hotel. The function was much better attended than last year and was a most enjoyabl affair. The president, Mr. C. It. F Engelbach, was in the chair, and short speeches were made by him and the Rt. Hon. Earl Howe, P.C., C.B.E., whilst an interesting and amusing letter from Mr. B. W. Peudred was read by Mr. Basil Joy.
Yorkshire Operators to Support Local Association.
Reference to unsuccessful negotiations with a view to amalgamation with the Commercial Motor Users Association was made at a mass meeting of hauliers and ancillary users at Leeds last Monday, in support of the newly formed goods-transport section of the Yorkshire Coach and Transport Owners Association (until recently called Yorkshire Motor Coach Owners, Ltd.). About 120 operators, owning 1,600-1,800 goods vehicles, were present, and Mr. A. Butterwick (chairman of the Association) presided.
Mr. Gilby, of Wakefield, who is a member of the C.M.U.A., proposed that the meeting should defer discussion until a joint mass meeting with other associations could be called. He suggested that the time was not opportune for operators to form a local body and that action should be taken nationally.
Mr. Butterwick replied that, following the introduction of the Road Traffic Act, the Y.M.C.O. attempted to negotiate with other associations, but the
efforts were fruitless. Again, since the introduction of the Road and Rail Traffic Bill, they had opened negotiations with the C.M.U.A., with a view to an amalgamation, butthey could not see eye to eye with that body. The door had, however, not been finally closed.
The meeting decided to support the goods-transport section of the Yorkshire Association.
Benevolent Fund Annual Meeting.
The annual general meeting of members of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund will take place at the Holborn Restaurant, London, W.C.1, on Wednesday, December 6, at 4.30 p.m.
Well-known Cardiff Haulier Dead.
The death has taken place, at the age of 64 years, of Mr. Howell Edwards, a well-known haulage contractor, of the Manse, Wenvoe, Cardiff.
Trailer Taxation.
In the footnote to a letter published on page 482 of our issue dated November 3 we referred to the annual tax for using a trailer as being £6, or £10 after January 1, for a trailer "weighing not more than 23 tons unladen." This should have read, "in the ease of a vehicle weighing not more than 23 tons unladen," because there is, actually, no tax on a trailer itself, the vehicle being taxed for the right to draw a trailer. After January 1 the tax will be increased to £15 for a vehicle exceeding 23 tons but not exceeding 4 tons, and to £20 where the vehicle exceeds 4 tous unladen. Fords on View in Glasgow.
Following the success of the Ford Motor Exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall, London, the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., will show certain oi7 its products, in:Jading tractors, in the McLellan Galleries, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, from November 22 to 25. The different types of commercial vehicle produced by the company will be staged adjacent to this hall. The Scottish Motor Show opened in Glasgow on November 17 and continues until November 25.
Price of Bedford Refuse Collector.
In the advertisement of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., appearing in our issue dated November 10, the price of the Bedford 2-ton general-purpose refusecollecting vehicle of 7 cubic yards capacity was incorrectly given ; the figure should have been £299, and not 1.279.
An example of this type, and a 3-ton vehicle of 10 cubic yards capacity are on view on Stand 126 at the Roads and Transport Exhibition, now being held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, N., and reviewed elsewhere in this issue British Cabs for Capetown.
A fleet of 20 Hillman 3finic• saloon cars, equipped with taximeters, has recently been shipped to South Africa for operation as taxicabs in Capetown. With the exception of the red wheels they have an all-white finish. The vehicles have been supplied through Messrs. Nash Cape Motors, the Hillman distributors for the district, to an important local transuort-operating organization.