Rail Witness Admits Road Advantages
Page 40
Page 41
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE cotton-transport test case, in which Topham Bros. (Manchester) , Ltd., of Weaste, Manchester, is applying for an addition of two motors and a trailer to its fleet of 17 motors and 10 trailers, occupied Sir Wm. Hart, North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority, for a third day on Monday, and will be completed on July 2. Railway witnesses occupied the whole of Monday's sitting, and Mr. Joseph Lustgarten, counsel for the applicant, remarked that, even if the application succeeded, the objectors had achieved something in holding it up for such a time.
In this case, it is common ground that the cotton trade has improved. For the applicant, evidence has been given on behalf of 80 per cent, of the cotton spinners that road transport is more suited for the cotton trade, because of speedy door-to-door handling and the cheaper rates. The railways' case is that their facilities are underutilized, that they are not participating in the general trade increase as they think they should, and that the explanation is that " the rates ate not right."
Mr. James Hollingsworth, assistant to the district goods manager, L.M.S. Railway Co., Manchester, was the chief witness, and he submitted a mass of documentary evidence showing the rail facilities and the actual carryings, particularly of cotton, oil, timber, and other commodities carried by Topham Bros.
"I cannot find," he said, "that Mr. Topham has taken traffic from us, but. generally speaking, he is serving our customers," he said.
The witness agreed that the railways were trying to secure for themselves any increase in traffic that had occurred since 1933, when transport began to be controlled. That was the object of their opposition. He also admitted that road transport could operate more cheaply than rail and that the trader was entitled to transport at the minimum cost.
He further confessed that L.M.S. road facilities had increased by 45 per cent. since 1933 and that the services of other railway companies had expanded proportionately.
At the adjournment, until July 2, it was agreed that the final submissions would not involve more than half a day.
BUS CHASSIS NEEDED IN N.Z.
Christchurch (New Zealand) Tramway Board is calling for tenders for the supply, in a completely knocked-down state, of two or, alternatively, six oilengined bus chassis designed to carry bodies 30 ft. long and 8 ft.. wide. Details of the tender are obtainable from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35 Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, and tenders have to be delivered by July 17.
Irish Railway Buys 30 Buses.
A further 30 buses have recently been ordered by the Great Southern Railway Co„ Ltd., Irish Free State, from Leyland Motors, Ltd. The machines are all single-deckers and comprise 20 Lions and 10 Tigers—all having petrol engines.
Dodge Dealer Appointments.
Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd., Kew, Surrey, has appointed the following as official dealers for Dodge commercial vehicles :—The Abbey Garage Co., Thimblemill Road, Bearwood, Smethwick, and the Castle Garage, Cinder Bank, Netherton,. near Dudley.
Shipping Guide for Hauliers.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from June 18-26 inclusive:—Docics: King George V, 11; Royal Albert, 9; Royal Victoria, 3; Surrey Commercial, 7; Fast India, 1; West India, 2; South West India, 2; Tilbury, 6; Tilbury Stage, 3; Millwall, 4; Royal, 2; London, 1. WHARVES: Hay's, 8; Middleton's, 1; Mark Brown, 1. Tilbury Jetty, 4. Regent's Canal, I.