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Bird's Eye View

18th October 1963
Page 65
Page 65, 18th October 1963 — Bird's Eye View
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A NOTE in a recent edition of the Northern Area As " and Ds stopped me in my tracks. It concerned an application by a Workington haulier to vary his A licence, his interest being to increase the weight of a single vehicle by 15 cwt.

The note read: "Increase in weight due to strengthening the body by adding a layer of 'Kerning' to platform, steel capping to top of check rail and extra stays to mudguard. A roof rack to carry sheets has been fixed to top of cab."

No doubt the Northern L.A. would want to know why a vehicle should suddenly become 15 cwt. heavier--but is it really necessary to publish this detailed list of reasons? Would a possible objector really care in the slightest whether steel caps had been added to the top of the check rail? Somehow, I don't really think so!

Proud Northampton

THE organizing committee of the Northampton L.D.o.Y.

eliminator are proud of their "lad ", Joe Dakin, who won his way through to become Lorry Driver of the Year. They gave a dinner for him last week to which they invited all Northampton class winners; the Express Dairy winning team and members of the committee (which included two chief constables—Mr. Gott, chief constable of Northampton town, and Mr. Baker, chief constable of the county police). The Mayor was the main guest, after modest Joe, who received a diploma to mark the occasion.

Speechmaking was kept to a minimum. Councillor Cockerel, chairman of the committee, welcomed Joe and reminded us all of the extreme youth of the Northampton eliminating round—only in its second year. Joe was spared the task of replying—his boss, Mr. Sydney Fenn, principal assistant to the transport director of Express Dairy, kindly did this for him. Altogether it was a jolly good show!

Tribunal Changes

cHANGES are about to take place in the seating arrangements at the Transport Tribunal, with a view to improving acoustics.

Both the present president, Mr. Squibb, and his predecessor, Sir Hubert Hull, have quiet voices. The Press and the shorthand writer often have difficulty in catching the Tribunal's words of wisdom—and it is sometimes the case that the parties in the appeals are not even aware whether their case has been lost or won!

Apart from the change in seating, a dais is to be built so that the three members of the Tribunal will be on a higher level, overlooking their court. A tape recorder is also to be installed in the not too distant future. This should certainly help the secretary, Mr.

Callow, and his staff to decipher the Tribunal's often complicated judgments.

Another Sunshine Coach'

ANOTHER "Sunshine Coach" was recently handed over to a Sussex hospital under the scheme organized by the Variety Club of Great Britain. This particular coach, the eleventh donated to a British hospital group, was presented by Mr. Billy Butlin, past Chief Barker of the Club, to Lady Dorothy Macmillan, who received it on behalf of the Chailey Heritage Hospital. It was prepared and supplied by the Lex Group and is constructed to give handicapped children a safe and comfortable ride.

. . . with Hydraulic Tail-lift

THE coaches, built at a specially reduced figure by Lex, are based on B.M.C. 10-ft. 9-in. 2-ton chassis—extended by 18 in. to accommodate the hydraulic tail-lift. The taillift is an innovation which enables wheelchair patients to be raised into the coach easily with minimum jolting. Passenger accommodation consists of 10 double tubular steel-framed seats, which are easily removable, and power is provided by 6-cylinder, 4-litre petrol engines. A generous gesture indeed by Billy Butlin and the Variety Club. We all look forward to hearing news of number 12.

Something in the Ayr !

IS there something in the air at Ayr and Brighton? I hear

that the works committee of Ayr Borough Council is objecting strongly to the introduction of new front entrance double-deckers by Western S.M.T., and lists a whole string of complaints.

Front-entrance double-deckers have been introduced in many places, but I have heard of only one other outcry against them—at Brighton.


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