News of the Week
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
HIGHER HAULAGE WAGES RECOMMENDED
THE Road Haulage Central Wages Board decided on January 10 to request the Minister of Labour to-make an Order giving effect to the proposals in R.H. (19) for the amendment of the existing Wages Order governing the remuneration of workers falling within the scope of the Board.
It is proposed that the statutory remuneration be increased by 6s. per week, except for certain classes of worker under 18 years of age, for whom the proposed increase is 3s. 6d. Also that the additional allowance payable for night work be increased from ad. to 4d. per hour or part, and that on and from July I, grade three areas shall be treated as grade two, and grade two rates shall then apply to them.
BIG BIRMINGHAM MEETING AGAINST NATIONALIZATION TN conjunction with the Birmingham 1 Horse and Motor Vehicle Owners' Association, the Road Passenger and Transport Association has been deputed by the National Conference of Road Transport Associations to convene a public meeting in the Birmingham Town Hall on Monday, January /8, to protest against the nationalization of road transport.
The meeting,which will commence at 6.45 p.m., will be under the chairmanship of Mr. D. E. Skelding, M.B.E., M.I.T.A., and the principal speakers will be Sir Patrick J. Hannon, M.P., Alderman H. Roberts, LL.B., M.P., Captain W. F. Strickland, Mr. J. L. Davidson, LL.B., B.A. (general director, Council of Retail Distributors), and Mr. E. B. Howes (chairman, National Conference of Road Transport Associations).
The meeting is open to operators, manufacturers, traders and the general public.
A.E.C. SECURFS • BIG CONTRACT FROM IRELAND 'THE largest post-war overseas con' tract received by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd,, is now announced. It is from Corns Iompair Eireann (Irish Transport Company) and covers the supply of 200 Matador four-wheeled (12 tons gross) goods chassis and 100 Regent Mark 1.1 doubledeck and Regal Mark II single-deck passenger chassis.
The latest contract continues an association between manufacturer and operator which has lasted since 1928, when the original Dublin United Tramways (later Dublin 'United Transport Co., Ltd.) acquired its first A.E.C.sfive model 426A. In subsequent years these were supplemented and eventually supplanted by A.E.C. Regal singledeckers, many of which were acquired between the years 1934 and 1936. This will be" the first time, however, that Coras Iompair Eireann has operated A.E.C. double-deckers.
Corns' lornpair Eireann was formed on January 1, 1945, under the Eire Transport Act, 1944 to take over the Dublie United Transport Co., Ltd., and the Great Southern Railways Co., which, by 1925, had itself absorbed all the railways within the 26 counties.
INSURANCE OF GOODS VEHICLES
THE usual concession by which insurers of motor goods vehicles have agreed to continue and extend, without any additional increase in rates, existing policies, while such vehicles are used in a group scheme, is being carried on until March 31. It also applies to vehicles used for other purposes where a certificate is issued by district transport officers.
LETTING THE PUBLIC KNOW
A T a mass meeting held by the Road rAllaulage Association at the Albert Hall, Nottingham, on January 10, Mr. A. Hanley, of Battley's Transport, Ltd., put forward a suggestion for submission to the headquarters of the Association, and it was agreed that this should be done.
It was to the effect that the meeting was fully alive to the great threat of nationalization and the chaos that would be bound to result should it take place. Therefore, arrangements should be made for an organizer to be appointed immediately for each constituency throughout Great Britain. His duty would be to make a door-to-door canvass with the petition against the nationalization of road transport. Meetings should also be held in every village hall, market place and town so that it would be impossible for the general public not to be fully conversant with the danger.
Mr. Battley, incidentally, offered to undertake this work for the whole of the Holland with Boston Division.
F.B.I. MEMORANDUM ON NATIONALIZATION AMEMORANDUM from the Federation of British Industries to the Chancellor of the Exchequer emphasizes the, importance of keeping separate accounts for nationalized industries and not including these in the general Budget. It is also pointed out that such industries should make their fair contribution to the national finances in the way of taxation, otherwise an additional burden would fall upon other businesses and industries left to free enterprise.
NATIONAL OMNIBUS RESULTS' FOR 1945
(-1 A CCOUNTS of the National Omnibus
and Transport Co., Ltd., for 1945 show a profit for the year of £90,927. The dividend on the preference shares absorbed £17,500, and after adding £29.298 brought in there remains a balance of £102,726. A dividend of 5-1 per cent., free of tax, on the ordinary shares will take £68,750, and, after £5,000 is allocated to general reserve, there rerhains £28,976 to be carried forward.
TEMPORARY R.T.C. FOR SOUTH WEST REGION
PEND1NG the appointment of_ a successor to the late Sir Alfred Robinson, Mr. Trevor Morgan is acting as R.T.C. for the South Western Region.
SUNDERLAND MAY ABANDON TRAMS FOR BUSES ANannouncement that a report Wik being prepared by the transport manager of Sunderland municipaltransport. undertaking, Mr. C. A. Hopkins,on the possibility of converting certain tram routes to bus operation, was made at a meeting of Sunderland Town Council. The chairman of the transport committee mentioned that it was possible there might be a complete change-over from trams to buses over, a period of years.
ROAD-ACCIDENT FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER
ROAD, casualties in November totalled 12,518, ineluding 481 deaths and more than 3,000 cases of serious injury. Compared •,with the previous November, there was an increase of 1,769 in the injured, but a decrease of 26 in the deaths.
An encouraging feature is that fatal aecidentS to adult pedestrians, totalling 132, were 97 fewer than in the previous November. Especially marked was the improvement during the hours of darkness, when the number of adult pedestrians killed fell from 166 to 83. Fatal accidents to children, although fewer than in October, were still above pre-war level, and the victims included 92 pedestrians and 11' cyclists,
The following is an analysis of the .number of deaths according to the type of vehicle primarily involved:— Number of
Type of Vehirie. Deaths. Service Otritish. Dominion. and Allied of the three Services) , 74 Public Service and Hackney 68 Goods . 121 Motorcycles .. 69 Pedal Cycles .. 52
GLASGOW'S EXPERIMENT WITH TROLLEYBUSES
GLASGOW Corporation is to experiment with trolleyb uses to replace trams. On January 10 the corporation approved a recommendation by the transport committee for an experiment on the existing tram" service between PoImadie and Provanmill. The estimated cost of 25 new vehicles, overhead equipment, two sUb-stations and cables is £126,000.
The transport manager has been instructed to submit a further report on technical aspects and the steps to be taken to obtain vehicles and equipment.
MORE NEW YEAR HONOURS
AMONGST over 600 awards of the 0.B.E, in the second part of the New Year Honours List, we note the following:—Messrs. E. H. Edwardes, managing director, Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., . Ltd.; C. E. A. Griffin, works manager, S. Smith and Sons (England), Ltd.; J. L. Hilton, chief engineer, Hoffman Mannfdcturing Co., Ltd.; G. Poppe, works. manager, Sunbeam-Talbot Co., Ltd.; W. A. C. Snook, acting chief engineer (buses and coaches), L.P.T.B.; J. H. Wears, works manager, English Electric Co., Ltd.
MORE OPPOSITION TO NATIONALIZATION
A RESOLUTION opposing the PA nationalization of road transport has been passed by Newcastle-on-Tyne and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce. Sir A. M. Sutherland said he hoped that the Government would realize, in time, the dangers of State-owned transport. He added that there was no reason to suppose that nationalization would lead to greater efficiency in the transport industry.
L.M.S. MAINTENANCE DEPOT FOR 1,000 VEHICLES I AST week we were invited to visit Lathe new road-vehicle maintenance depot which has been erected by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Co. at Bradford. It is modern in every conception of the w,ord, and when it gets fully going it will represent one of the finest establishments of its kind in the country.
In our next week's issue we hope to give a full description of the premises, together with details of the equipment and other interesting information.
VULCAN DEALER FOR DORSET
THE appointment of V. F. Pike and Co., Ltd., Coach and Motor Werks, Shaftesbury, Dorset, as a main dealer for the county of Dorset for the pro. ducts of Vulcan Motors, Ltd., is announced.
METHODS OF TEST FOR GAS-PRODUCER FUELS
THE British Standards Institution has
.recently issued Standard Methods of Test for Transport Gas-producer Fuels (U.S. 1264-1945). They have been drawn up in the light of the best information available and the–recommendations of the manufacturers and operators of producer-gas plant. The active co-operation of the Ministry of War Transport and the Ministry of Fuel and Power has been available.
Whilst, admittedly, not complete, many requests to the Institution have indicated that the tests will prove of immediate value to users and will meet a definite need. The publication will be subject to addition and revision, as further experience is gained.
The standard tests cover methods for s ' r—ipling screen analysis, determination ot strength and friability, total moisture, potential tar, critical air-blast value, ash content, sulphur and chlorine, alkali used for activation, with an appendix giving a graphical method of recording screen analyses.
This publication may be obtained on application to the British Standards Institution, 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, at a price of 2s.
MANCHESTER TO SPEND MORE ON 'T'ROLLEYBUSES NAANCHESTER Transport CornIVimittee plans to spend a further £52.960 on the purchase of 13 additional trolleybuses. Six of the vehicles are to be six-wheeled and tenders for their supply will shortly be invited.
Manchester, which recently placed an important contract with the Crossley concern for 41 trolleybuses, is extendlug its services with such vehicles by 18 miles.
TERRITORIES OF INDIA TYRE REPRESENTATIVES
INDIA tyre representatives now keleased from the Services are operating in the following territories:—Mr. B. L Toll, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghams13ire, Oxfordshire and part Metropolitan; Mr. H. Gregory, Hampshire (part), I.o.W., Wiltshire, Sussex (part); Mr. E. G. Penhall, Hampshire (part) and Dorset: Mr. J. T. Bond, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire; Mr. G. E. Evington, Lincolnshire; Mr. L. F. Cazaley, Somerset and Wiltshire; Mr. D. F. McDowell, Glasgow and district.
GLASGOW swum TO BUSES FOR NIGHT SERVICES MIGHT bus services, to take the place
• I /la all-night tramcars, are to be introduced in Glasgow so soon as possible. •The transport committee of the corporation approved the change some time ago, on the recommendation of the transport manager, who submitted a scheme for the running of buses after the departure of the 12.30 a.m. tramcars. But the approval of the Regional Transport Commissioner had to be obtained.
The Commissioner has now granted the necessary permits for the operation of the night bus services, subject to a reduction in the proposed minimum fare. The transport department con
* IS
ternplated a minimum of 3d. for journeys up to five stages, but the Commissioner suggested a 2d. fare for three stages. That new minimum has been accepted. The night bus fares will be 7d. for three stages, 3d. for five stages, 4d. for seven stages, and 5d. for nine stages.
WHAT SOUTH SHIELDS INTENDS TO SPEND
ESTIMATES of South Shields Corporation for the current year include £42,000 for removing the tram track, £20,000 for a bus station. £16,000 for trolleybuses, £8,000 for overhead equipment, and £6,000 for motorbuses.
CHESTERFIELD PLANS BIG BUS PURCHASES
THE following programme of expenditure has been approved for the next few years by Chesterfield Transport Committee:—Thirty buses as replacements, £80,000, 1946-7; 25 buses as replacements, 166,500, 1947-8; 30 buses as replacements, £.80,000, 1948-9; garage extensiohs, £12,000, 1947-9.
TRIBUTE TO SIMMS' GENERAL WORKS MANAGER
ACOMPLIMENTARY dinner, sponsored by the supervisory staff of Simms Motor Units, Ltd., was given recently to Mr. Jahn Ayres, A.M.I.E.E., A.M.I.P.E., on his deputize fdr Leeds to take up an appointment as director and general manager of 'Flathers and Co., Ltd. The toast of Mr. Ayres' health was proposed by Mr. R. Brealey, managing director of the Simms concern, who paid tribute to his services as general works manager of the company, and wished laim every success in his new sphere of activity.
YORKSHIRE MOVE TO MERGE HIRE-CAR AND CAB OPERATORS
AYORKSHIRE area Of the National Car Hire Association has been formed for the merging of taxicab and private hire-car operators' local associations into the national body, and with the object of generally strengthening the organization among such operators in the county. Pending the election of officials by the committee of the area, the acting joint hon secretaries are Mr. H. Cave, hon. secretary of the Leeds Private Hire-Car Association, and Mr. E. Cooper, hon. secretary of the Leeds City Taxicab Proprietors' Association.
A linking up with the National Car Hire Association was decided upon at a recent Leeds meeting of Yorkshire operators, instead of the formation of a Yorkshire hire-car functional group of the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association.
CO-OP. SOCIETY ORDERS FLEET OF ELECFRICS
ORDERS have been placed by the 's–/Plymouth Co-operative Society for nearly 100 battery-electric vehicles for the use of its various departments. They will replace a number of old vehicles and make provision for meeting additional requirements of the Society
SUNDERLAND TAKES THE LEAD AGAIN
LOCAL authorities in the north-east kaare pressing the Ministry of War Transport to extend the period of availability of 12-journey tickets. Sunderland Corporation, which has taken a prominent part in moves for better transport facilities during the past few years, is again taking the lead. KR. W. YOUNG has been appointed ttade sales manager by the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd.
MR. GERALD NOWELL, recently released from H.M. Forces, has been appointed a director as well as general manager of the South Midland Motor Services. Ltd.
MR. G. H. PERK INS, manager of the 'declaim department of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd:, at Fort Dunlop, has been appointed -personnel manager of the company's new factory at Speke, Liverpool.
MR. A. A. JAcicsolst has been elected chairman for 1945-46 of the Northwestern Section of the Institute of Transport, whilst the vice-chairmen are MESSRS. J. MARSHALL, 0.B.E., W. G. MARKS and D. F. PILKINGTON.
MR. L E. CLARKE has returned to the Dunlop Bristol depot as a general representative. Since 1926 he has been with the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., in, Manchester, London, Cardiff and Bristol. He was an assistant inspector of naval ordnance during the war,
COLONEL A. G. MCDONALD has accepted the important post of chief motor transport officer of the Post Office, and thus assumes responsibility fur some 18,000 vehicles. He succeeds Mr. W. C. Burns. His work includes supervising the design, supply and maintenance of this large fleet. .
' FL-LT. R. L. JONES. a "Battle of Britain" Spitfire pilot, whose portrait appears on this page, has been appointed a representative in the Birmingham area for Henley's Tyre And Rubber Co., Ltd. Loaned to the de Havilland Aircraft Co., as a test. pilot, he has, during the past 4i years, tested over 2,000 operational aircraft.
MR. D. W. COOPER, who, in February, 1942, was seconded from George Cohen Sons and Co., Ltd., to take up the appointment of assistant controller of machine tools at Machine Tool Control, and has for the past year been director of machine tool disposals, has joined the board of the Selson Machine Tool Co., Ltd. This concern is one of the 600 group of companies, of which George Cohen Sons and Co., Ltd., is the parent concern, and Mr. Cooper will not be severing his connection with them.
MR. A. PRENTICE, transport manager of Coatbridge Co-operative Society. has been appointed to a similar, position with St. Cuthbert's Co-operative Association, Edinburgh. He is an associate member of the Institute of Transport, the Institute of the Motor Industry, and the Industrial Transport Association. During the war years he was a sub-district manager of the M.O.W.T., and for these services he received the M.B.E. in last year's Honours List.
MR. F. BINNS, of F. Binns, Ltd., Keighley, has been elected chairman of the Bradford Section of the Motor Agents' Association, whilst MR. H. Swill, of Smith Brothers and Co., Fccleshill, Bradford, is vice-chairman.
MR. F. W. REY, of the Leeds city engineer's staff, retires on January 31 after 48 years' service, during which his work has, to a large extent, embraced bridge construction and maintenance. Responsible for the upkeep of 95 bridges in the city, he has designed many for central areas and for arterial and ring road schemes.
Ma. J. W. BLAKEMORE, general manager of the transport department of Salford Corporation, is to wire upon the appointment of a successor. Continuing during the war emergency, after reaching the retiring age three years ago, he was appointed deputy manager of the undertaking in 1923 and became manager in 1933.
CAPTAIN WALTER ALEXANDER, g.E.m,E., has been appointed assistant technician, grade 1, under the 'Control Commission for Germany and Austria. Prior to the war he was employed as a mechanic at the Larbert Road garage of Alexander and Sons, Ltd., the Scottish bus-operating concern. His father was a brother of Mr. Walter Alexander, director of the company.
MR. C. M. M EDLICOTT, who has returned to the Dunlop Rubber Cc.. Ltd., from the Ministry of Suppl!, where he has been Assistant Director of Rubber Cpntrol since 1941, has been appointed the company's district manager for the Birmingham area. Since he joined the Dunlop concern at Birmingham in 1920 he has been acting district manager at Cardiff and Bristol and assistant London manager of the nasional sales division.
S.M.T. CHIEF'S VIEW ON LOW FARES DROFITS earned by the Scottish 1 Motor Traction Co., Ltd., were not made at the expense of the travelling public, nor were they made at the expense of the employees, said Sir William J. Thomson, chairman and managing director, speaking at the recent annual meeting of the company.
The company had all along believed that the hest results were obtained by giving efficient service at reasonable fares and that belief had proved correct. Handicapped as the concern had been in the war years, by shortage of staff and materials, and with working costs up by over 50 per cent., fares were amongst the lowest, if not the lowest, in the country.
Of the future, Sir William said that, at this stage of the company's history, the directors were not likely to suggest a rate of dividend which they felt could not be continued. It was based on present-day conditions and it was not known what legislation might be introduced to upset those conditions.
FLEET MANAGER AVAILABLE FOR S. OR S.W. ENGLAND
THE transport manager of a C-licensed fleet of 50 vehicles, with 10 years' service with his company, is, for family reasons, compelled to move to the South or South West, and is open to a position in these areas. Letters should be addressed to " T.M.," care of the Editor.
LANCASHIRE CORPORATIONS PREFER BUSES '
AN agreement has been reached between the municipal-transport authorities of Manchester and Salford to substitute buses for trams on the services operating along Deansgate, Manchester, between Hunts Bank and Liverpool Road, together tvith those operated in Trafford Park. No date has been fixed for the change-over, but it will probably be made within the next 12 months.
NATIONALIZATION AN ATTACK AGAINST THE WORKERS
" THE strange thing about the proposal (the Government's plans for nationalization), was that the people who seemed so anxious to change the industry had to come to those in the industry to ask how it was to be done," said Mr. N. T. O'Reilly, Cumberland secretary of the Road Haulage Association, at a recent meeting, held in Rochdale, as a protest against the Government's plans for State-control of the industry. The meeting was sponsored by the Rochdale and District Branch of the Amalgamated Horse and Motor Owners Association, and Mr. W. Tweedale, vice-chairman of the Association, presided.
Councillor E. Thornton, a representative of the local trades and labour council, declared that it was not the intention of the Government to try and run the industry through officials at Whitehall, but to invite co-operation from experienced men in the industry. Replying to Mr. J. A. M. Bright, of Selby, Yorks, vice-chairman of the R.H.A.. who said that hauliers would
not collaborate with the Government, Mr. Thornton said that that statement amounted almost to an incitement to sabotage the running of the industry.
Mr. F. G. Bibbings said that the proposals were an attack against working men and women, not against vested interests. A resolution protesting against nationalization was carried. PRODUCTION AIM OF FORD CO. OF AMERICA
AT its present rate of production, the Ford Motor Co. of Detroit, expects to build 250,000 lorries and buses this year, with a peak output of 500,000 yearly when the concern has reached its full production rate, says Reuter. In 1945, 80,000 light and medium trucks were made.
Six types of truck are now in production, including a 30-cwt. vehicle with a 134 ins, wheelbase, and a bus with a wheelbase of 148i ins. All types are powered with the Ford 100 b.h.p. V8 engine. Refinements in the power unit include a new system of lubrication and triple-alloy connecting rods, whilst four piston rings are now fitted to the aluminium pistons, instead of three as. formerly.
Many synthetic-rubber parts are being used in the new models, said Mr. J. R. Davis, director of sales and advertising of the company, as, he claimed, they resist grease and general deterioration more effectively than natural rubber.
CHAIRMEN OF INST. OF T. OVERSEAS CENTRES
THE new chairmen of the centres abroad of the Institute of Transport for the year 1945-46 are as follow:— Argentine and River Plate, Mr. C. C. Horton; New South Wales, Mr. A. A. Shoebridge; South Africa, Mr. W. Marshall Clark, O.B.E.
STATE CONTROL WOULD BE "UNECONOMICAL"
SPEAKING at a meeting called to protest -against the Government's road-transport nationalization plans, Capt. F. G. Bibbings, P.R.O. of the North-eastern Section of the R.H.A., said that, as road transport was one of the most efficient industries in the country, now was not the time to experiment with it. Operators, large and small, believed that State-control would" be most uneconomical for the industry.
LEEDS PLANS FOR NIGHT TRAVEL ,
LIEEDS Passenger Transport Depart —Intent is making plans to extend, in the near future, its ordinary night services of trams and buses up to a later hour, and to introduce an all-night bus service which will include operation on routes served by trains during general-service hours.
COMMANDEERED BUSES NOT YET RELEASED W/HEN local bus services were under VV discussion = at a meeting of the Ryhope (Durham) Parish Council, a letter from the Sunderland and District Omnibus Cg., Ltd., was read, which stated that 20 per cent. of the company's buses, commandeered by the Army during the war, had •not yet been returned OBITUARY
A well-known man in transport circles in South Africa died recently at the age of 68. He was DR. fiJALMAR REITZ, B.A., LL.B„ who was chairman of the Central Road Transportation Board.
The address of Streamline Filters, Ltd., is now. Ingate Place, Queenstown Road, London, S.W.8. OIL VERSUS PETROL ENGINES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES
NAEMBERS of the Norwich Traffic 1V1Club recently heard an interesting talk by Mr. Owen Wooliarld, of F. Perkins, Ltd., Peterborough, on highspeed oil engines for 30 m.p.h. vehicles. He traced the history and development of this form of power unit from the early days, and said that, over the past 15 years, its progress had been remarkable, particularly in the field of engine speeds, flexibility and power-to-weight ratios. He referred to the success achieved by the Perkins P6 unit, which had won a big reputation not Tally in this country but • also overseas. Mr. Woollard concluded MS talk with a justification of the extra cost of fitting an oil engine, as against a petrol unit.
EXPERIENCED DRIVER REQUIRES POSITION riNE of the members of the C.M. %.../ League of Servicemen, Lance Corporal A. R: Wells, of R.E.M.E., 2, Avondale Street, Ynysboeth, Abercytion, Glam., age 35, with 13 years' pre-war experience as a driver, requires a position in long-distance haulage or coach work in any district.
MORE OPPOSITION TO NATIONALIZATION
it%,:r a meeting of representatives of
organizations interested directly or indirectly in inland transport, held on January 10, under the chairmanship of Colonel E. J. Woolley, M.C., president of the National Conference of Road 'Transport Clearing Houses, considera tion was given to the Government's proposals to set up a State monopoly of inland transport. Steps were taken to co-ordinate a united front in opposition, and proposals were considered whereby the public would receive information to assess the danger to the industry and Nation.
CHINA REOPENED TO TRADE
TRADING with the Enemy controls 1 have been removed in respect of China, and its territories which were occupied by the enemy have ceased to be treated as enemy territory for 411 purposes of the Trading with the Enerny legislation.. Manchuria-is also covered.