News of the Week
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
M.O.W.T. HIRED-VEHICLE RATES WE have received many complaints W that the rates for hired vehicles in the M.O.W.T. Haulage Scheme are much too low. Some users have even suggested that they hardly cover additional tyre costs. We would point out, however, that machinery is available by which any complaints of this nature can be forwarded in a proper manner. They should, therefore, be sent to the Standing Joint Committee of National Road Transport Organizations Coastal Chambers, 15, Elizabeth Street, London, S.W.1. We are assured from authoritative sources that if a proper case can be made out and submitted to the Ministry by the S. J.C„ the 'rates will be reconsidered.
One of the difficulties is, of course, that payments cannot be altered to meet individual "hardships." The average age of the .vehicles concerned is about four years; consequently, an operator with high overhead costs .and111 new vehicles may feel that he is hit rather badly.
HENRY SPURRIER MEMORIAL " AWARDS
THE Council of the Institute of Transport invites, without restriction of age, nationality or sex, applications for the award in July, 1844, of
• one Henry Spurrier Memorial Scholarship not exceeding £150, and at least 12 Henry Spurrier Memorial Grants of not over £25 each. Application should' be made on a form to be obtained from the Secretary, Institute of Transport, 15, Savoy Street, London, W.C.2, and it must be deposited not later than May 31, 1944. Candidates may be required to attend, at . their own expense, for interview with the Coinmittee or a Board appointed by it.
HIRED-VEHICLE DRIVERS AWAY FROM TFIEIR HOMES
AT a recent meeting of the Hired Vehicles Regional Committee for the North-western area, consideration was given to vehicles retained at a
" foreign " base. The prevailing opinion was that when a vehicle had been away from its home base for more than a reasonable period, the Unit Controller should keep the owner informed as to the movement of the
. vehicle and should see that it is loaded back to its base at the first opportunity, or whenever requested to do so by the operator. It was pointed out that drivers are not. equipped to stay away from their homes for periods of seven to twelve days, and that personal requirements must be given reasonable consideration.
On the question of debiting the cost of telephone charges, it was reported that one Unit Controller had informed his operators that telephone calls necessarily incurred by the driver of a hired vehicle when away from his home base, in reporting availability of -the vehicle. for the Ministry's organization, would be admitted as a charge. The
cost of telephone calls from hired operator's premises to his home Unit Controller would also be admitted.
Concerning hours of working, it is stated that Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, 'has not been suspended for the duration of the war. The permissible relaxation from the requirements of the Section do not relate to traffic normally tarried by vehicles on hire to the M.O.W.T.
SPURLING MOTOR BODIES EXPANSION
I T is announced by Spurling Motor Bodies, Ltd., Edgware Road, The Hyde, London, N.W.9, that it has purchased the freehold premises, assets and goo dw ill of Greenwood aod Iperen, Ltd., 2-18, Rushton Street, London, N.1, and arrangements are under way for speedy and reliable service to be given to Bedford vehicles at this depot.
RETURN YOUR EXCHANGED ENGINES
ENGINES for motor vehicles are in short supply, and it is most important that worn engines for which others have been received in exchange from manufacturers and specialist repairers should be returned immediately, in order to maintain the flow of reconditioning. At present, the delay in many cases is interrupting the overhaul programme.
BIG INCREASE IN A.E.C. PROFIT A FINAL dividend of is. per £1 unit of stock, free of income tax, making Is. 6d. for the year ended September 30, 1943, is to bepaid on its ordinary stock by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. This is equal to 15 per cent, for the year, subject to tax. It has also been decided to pay a bonus at the rate of 5 per cent. free of tax. The net profit of the company for the year is given as £227,500, compared with 2141,500 in the previous year.
PROPOSED BUS DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS I T is understood that the Conimittee representing the passenger roadtransport interests and the S.M.M.T. has submitted the following proposals to the M.O.W.T.:—Maximum over-all length of any bus, 30 ft.; maximum over-all width, 8 ft.; limit on over-all height, IS ft.; .limit on laden weight, 14 tons. It has also asked that no specific restriction be placed on axle weight.
TRADING OF SMITH'S STAMPING WORKS I N the year ended July 31 last, Smith's Stamping Works (Coventry), Ltd., made a net profit, after making all provisions, of £21,484, compared with £19,394 in the previous year. A dividend of 10 per cent. (less tax) is to be paid, and this will absorb £12,500 and leave £80,384 to be carrieeforivard, as against £71,400 brought into the accounts. BRISTOL CO-OPERATIVE PERMITS REVOKED
THE Transport Commissioner, SouthWestern Region, has announced that defence permits in respect of three battery-electric vehicles operated by the BristolCo-operative Society have been revoked, but as they are also used for the essential work of milk delivery he has issued, in lieu, defence permits which limit their use to the carriage of milk and milk bottles. •
As part of the national scheme for rationalization of the soft drinks industry, it was decided that house-tohouse delivery of mineral waters should cease, and a direction to this effect was issued by the Minister of Food in August, 1942. The direction did not apply to the trade of the Bristol Co-operative Society, and it was for some time unwilling to give up retail delivery, but at a conference in February, 1943, it agreed to do so in consideration of the R.T.C. approving an arrangement under which 'the Society would sell from vehicles used as " mobile shops " at times and places laiddown.
The R.T.C., however, received complaints that the Society was not observing the agreement. It subsequently expressed regret, but further complaints were received, and the action above mentioned was then taken.
TROLLEYBUS EXTENSION HELD UP
iT was officially announced on November 12 that the M.O.W.T. had vetoed the proposed, extension of the Carlton trolleybus service of Nottingham Corporation, from the present terminus to Manor Road, until after the war.
"FALSE PRETENCES " IN DRIVE R 'S.SUBSISTENCE CASE
ALORRY driver who drew s'u bsistence allowance in respect of a night which he did not spend away from home was, in consequence, fined 20s. at Bradford City Police Court, last week, for obtaining 9s. by false pretences from his employer, Blythe and Berwick (1928), Ltd., the Bradford haulage concern.
The prosecution stated that defendant, George Lockwood, of Leyburn Grove, Shipley, drove a lorry to Preston on October 14. Next day, Mr. Thomas, Lister, cashier to 'the Blythe and Berwick concern, who 'Also lived at Shipley, saw the vehicle purely by chance parked on some spare land in Shipley. On October 16, however, defendant claimed and was paid subsistence allowance for the night of the 15th: His time record was made out as though he had left Manchester at 5.30-a.m. on the 16th whereas he had in fact driven home on the previous day.
Defendant told the court that when he got to Manchester he-had worked up to the legal limit of 11 .hours. As' he could not get lodgings he drove on to Shipley the same day, put the journey from Manchester on his time sheet as though it had been made on the Saturday morning, and drew the 9s, subsistence allowance.
DRIVERS' APPRECIATION OF SWANSEA REST CENTRE
ANUMBER of drivers employed by Mr. G. Oldroyd, of Batley, and other Northern hauliers has, signed a letter of commendation concerning the St. judes Rest Centre. at Swansea. They state that, during the past few years, they had experienced a difficult and' most trying time owing to lack of facilities, and their gratitude is due to the officials in charge of this centre and the W.V.S. for the attention to their well-being. The centre is described as a home from home, and almost heaven after their, experiences in other, parts of the Louritry. _ They suggest that other towns should follow Swansea's good example.
BALLAST RATES TO AIR MINISTRY SITES agreement with the Air Ministry
concerning rates for hauling sand and ballast to Air Ministry sites has been revised. There are two important alterations:—(a) certain branches of the Ministry had interpreted the schedule as applying only to vehicles on direct 'contract to the Ministry; it has now been agreed that the rates shall apply to all vehicles, inelading those on sub-contracts, 'and retrospectively to June 4; (b) The S. J.C. proposed arrangement for allowing 5 peK cent, discount to concerns which organ.ized transport is cancelled, the rates being strictly net to the haulier. The terms -" sand " and ".ballast " are also now defined.
TRANSPORT PAPERS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS Sr-papers of interest to our
will be read this session before the Institution of Chill Engineers, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W.1. They are as follow:—November 23, 5 p.m., " Postwar Transport in Great Britain," by Mr. B. D, Richards, B.Sc. (Engineering); December 14, 5 p.n.i., "*. The Alcan Highway," by Lieut.-Colonel S. A, McMillion, U.S, Army; February 1, 5.30 p.m.., " Modern Plant and Road Construction," by Mr.. R. U. Law; February 22, 5.30 p.m.. " The Engineering Evolution of London Transport," by Colonel V. A. M, Robertson, C.B.E.
BIG MILEAGE BY B.E.T. BUSES ON PRODUCER GAS
DURING September, the number of vehicle miles operated on producer .. gas by the bus. companies in the British Electric Traction group was. %20,000, or . 50,000 more than in August. This increase reflects the progress which is being made by the group with the ,installation of producer-gas units under the M.O.W.T.. scheme.
VEHICLE NUMBERS ON FUEL COUPONS
BY the Control of Motor Fuel (No. 3) Order, 1943, every person tendering to a supplier of fuel coupons marked Priv. " E " and " S must see that the registered number of the vehicle speced in the application is entered in ink in the space provided.
DIRECTORY OF FOOD AND LODGINGS FACILITIES
THE first two editions of the Directory issued by the S.J.C.—which is proving so helpful to drivers in obtaining food and accommodation on the road—representing 10,000 copies, have been circulated, and a third edition has gone to press. Despite this, only half the long-distance drivers in the country have copies, and it would be most helpful if employers would provide these fcir all their drivers. They can be obtained, at 6d. per copy, from the Standing Joint Committee of Road Hauliers National Organizations, Coastal Chambers, 15, Elizabeth Street, London, S.W.1.
PROGRESS WITH PRODUCER GAS
-rHE number of p.s. vehicles operat
ing on producer gas, on October 15, was 739. Actually, many more producers have been delivered, but one of the difficulties in putting them into use lies in the organization of suitable service stations.
On the goods side, producers are coming off the line in fair numbers, but in this case operators have to place their orders direct with the manufacturers' agents. The number of these placed so far. is 314. The vehicles to be thus equipped are selected by the R.T.C.s from the most suitable types available. What is now required are more orders.
SCOTTISH HAULIER DEFRAUDED
BYpretending that he had been authorized by the War Depltrtment to sell used motor vehicles, Jesse Vernal Evans defrauded Mr. John M'Call, haulage contractor, Kilmarnock, of £500. This was revealed at Glasgow Sheriff Court Last week, when Evans, who had several previous convictions, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for fraud,
It was stated that Evans arranged a " sale," to the extent of £28-;000, with Mr. M'Call, who agreed to purchase 56 vehicles. Forms were filled up, and Evans told Mr. M'Call that he would require to lay a deposit, and by this means obtained a cheque for £500. Mr. M'Call later became suspicious and notified the police.
pUBLIC TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION PROCEEDINGS HE membershiP of the Public I Transport Association up to November 15 was 373, representing a fleet of over 39,700 vehicles.Analysing the membership, we find that it comprises 104 companies, 23 municipalities, 137 contractors, 101 associates, 2 extra, Ordinary (L.F.T.B. and the Nerthern Ireland Tran%port Board), and 6 overseas.
In connection with major repairs to p.s. vehicles, the M.O.W.T. is taking up with the Ministry of Supply the points raised by the recent deputation from the Association to the Director of Vehicle Maintenance.
It has been agreed to set up a Technical Joint Committee, formed from the manufacturing and operating aides, to advise on technical matters of corordon interest concerning p.s. vehicles.
Regarding the use of producer gas, the Association has asked the Director of AlternativeFuels to consider two important points: (1) That the R.T.C.s should have complete discretion to permit operators to convert oil-engined or petrol-engined vehicles to suit their convenience; (2) that more maintenance staff should be made available to undertakings if they are to continue progress with the fitting and operation of producer-gas vehicles.
• CHANGE OF ADDRESS
AS from November 29, the temporary head office of the British Aluminium Co., Ltd., will be Salisbury House, London Wall, London, E.C.2. From the same date the offices of the company at Shrewsbury and at Marlborough Court, e8, Pall Mall, London, SAVA, will be.closed. TRANSPORT PROBLEMS DISCUSSED AT I. OF T. LUNCHEON SPEAKING at an Institute of Transport Luncheon on Nov-ember 12, Mr. P: J. Noel-Baker, Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the .M.O.W.T.,s said that we now had an opportunity of making transport progress which it would be criminal to miss. The railways were being overloaded. They carried 50 per cent. more -passengers and goods traffic with 30 per cent. less mileage.
The chairman, Sir William Wood, said that one of the difficulties with transport is that people remain in it for generations, and it takes many years to alter their views. Actually, transport is under capitalized, because there were so many advancements to be made. He urged operators to arrange for the 'quicker turnround of their lorries and wagons; this was a vital point,
ABERDEEN LOSING ITS
REPUTATION THEmanaging director of Aberdeen Tyre Service, Ltd., Mr. W. C. Lyall, points out that, despite our " One Hears," " That a tyre-economy exhibition in Aberdeen seems like carrying coal to Newcastle," he is afraid that Aberdeen is losing its reputation. The deplorable fact is that the proportion of returned tyres fit for retreading is over 10 per cent, less in the North of Scotland than the average_ for the whole country. This . was -revealed and stressed by Lord Rothes when opening the Tyre Economy Exhibition in Aberdeen.
-. Perhaps this loss of" prestige " will awaken vehicle owners and drivers to the need for responding to the Government's urgent request to pay regular attention to their tyres.
BRUSH FOREMEN'S ASSOCIATION HOLDS CONFERENCE
nURING a recent week-end the FoieLi men's 'Association of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., of Loughborough, convened its first annual conference, which is believed to be amongst the first of its 'kind in industry, and forpnen from many parts of the country were invited to take part. The delegates were representative of a number of important companies..
. The convention opened with a dinner, Which was attended by. the Regional Controller of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, and representatives of the Supply Ministries, whilst the opening address, on Industrial Relations," was given by Mr. R. Lloyd Roberts, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Labour and National Service, Mr. Alan P. Good, managing director. of the Brush concern, in welcoming the delegates, said that the problem of fore
manship was the biggest and most difficult in front of us, and the only -way we can learn is from, other people's experience and by exchanging experiences with them.
DURHAM'S BIG ROADS AND BRIDGES SCHEME
DURHAM County Council has approved a 'four-years' roads and bridges scheme to be put into operation
immediately after the war and to cost' g11,000,000. About 3,000 men will find work in connection with it.
MINISTRY LOOKS INTO BAN ON I0d, RETURN -BUS FARES
ON November 25, Mr. P. Noel ..."Baker, Parliamentary Secretary to the M.O.W.T„ is to visit Sunderland to meet representatives of local authorities in the, area to discuss the-. withdrawal of return taus fares 'costing more than 10d.
"RETREADING WITHIN THE SCOPE" OF ALL OPERATORS
WE have been asked by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., to point out that as it is not in a position, at the present time, to develop the process of retreading as dealt with in our issue dated November 5, the company cannot undertake to attend to inquiries in -connection with it.
A.G.M. OF LONDON CENTRE OF BENEVOLENT FUND
TEE. annual general meeting of the London and Home Counties Centre of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund will be held at the Euston Hotel, London, N.W.1, on November *30, at 2-.15 p.m. The Agenda includes the chairman's report and the election of officers and general committee for the ensuing year.
FARMER WHO " OBLIGED FINED ON FIVE COUNTS
I AST week, at Otley, a farmer was fined for offences arising from the transport 'of pigs to Otley AuCtion Mart, and was stated to have informed the police tliat he was carrying only -to oblige other people. His . solicitor stated that On the day in question no other transport was available, and that the offences were uninte.ntibnal.
Defendant was fined a total of nine guineas, including costs, . on the following counts : Using a vehicle withOut a Road Fund licence; not having the necessary insurance certificate; having an identity plate which was not easily ,distinguishable; failing to Carry a record of conveyance of animals i failing to disinfect the vehicle after the conveyance of the animals.
REGULATING MEMBERSHIP OF INDUSTRY'S RETAIL SIDE . THE idea of establishing a system
of' -licensing, with Government authority behind it, to regulate post war membership of the retail side of the-motor industry, was discussed last week at a special general meeting of members of the Motor Agents.' Association Yorkshire Division,. in Leeds. It was convened by the Yorkshire Divisional Committee afterthe Leeds Section had put the question of licensing forward for divisional consideration.
The :proceedings, under the presi• (Juicy of Mr. P. R. Baugh, of Sheffield, divisional chairman, were private.. An address. in which he dealt with. the licensing idea in detail, was given by Mr. T, I. Bennett, of Bramley, a member of the M.A.A, Council. After.. wards,various opinions were voiced in .a .lengthy discussion, and many questions were asked and answeted. It is understood that the meeting did not ' adopt any resotution taking .a *finite line as to the principle of licensing.