A " Ka rrier " char-a-banes is at the present
Page 8
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
time demonstrating in Yorkshire, with convincing results. The vehicle will shortly be touring in other districts.
Exeter Promises Consideration.
At a meeting of the Exeter city council, it was stated that careful attention would be given to a suggested scheme for linking up yarlOUS parts of the city by means of motorbuses.
Aberdeen Tramway Advocates.
The partisans of the tramways on the Aberdeen Town Council have decided to extend the system in the face of all expert advice and warning, in spite of the ominous fact that the trams are already in financial " Queer St."
Taxicabs in Liverpool.
The increase in the number of driver-owners in Liverpool 19 noteworthy. There are now 290 licensed drivers in the city, and 219 cabs. An increase in the number of shelters seems to be needful, as there are only three in the whole of t he town.
Dennis Success in India.
Mahthu, Hoossain and Co., of Madras, will shortly take delivery of two Dennis colonial-pattern 20-seated chars-k-bancs, during the week. The continued successful running of similar vehicles in the Madras district is responsible for this second repeat order.
L.G.O.C.
On Friday of last week, under the chairmanship of Col. Colville, the proprietors of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., met, at th • Cannon Street Hotel, to consider the terms of the proposed sale to the London Underground Electric Railways. Owing to the fact that an application for an injunction to restrain the company in various matters regarding the proposal was still sub judice, Mr. JoynsonHicks, M.P., solicitor to the company, advised that no resolution could be then submitted. Ai% J. Howard Moore, one of the directors, who is opposed to the scheme, moved a resolution expressing disapproval of the proposed terms, and this was seconded, but Mr. Moore bowed to the ruling of the chair and did not put it.
A number of views were advanced by shareholders in desultory fashion, and the meeting came to a conclusion, with a vote of thanks to the chairman, after lasting 1 hr. 45 mins.
It was announced on behalf of Sir .Edgar Speyer, that sufficient. stock had been lodged with the London County and Westminster Bank to ensure the carrying through of the scheme, but we would point out that such completion is dependent upon the alteration of the articles in regard to the voting powers of the stockholders. The present system of voting is : one vote for the first 2-10 up to £400 of stock ; one vote for each additional 2400 up to 24000 of stock ; and one vote for each additional 24000. Sir Edgar Speyer insists that the an icles shall be altered back, to give one vote for each 240 of stock, indifferently to the amount held.
The application for an injunction will be heard to-morrow (Friday).
The M.E.T.
We understand that, although routes have not been definitely settled by the M.E.T. Omnibus Co.. it is extremely likely that Harrow and Wealdstone will be linked up with Sudbury. Elstree, Bushey and Mill Hill will be linked up with the Edgware and Finchley routes. Other localities in the neighbourhood of Barnet, Enfield and Waltham Cross will be opened up during the early part of May next. The Taxicab Arbitrators' Proceedings.
With regard to the appointment of Sir William Plender as accountant to the Taxicab Board of Arbitration, we understand that the duties of this gentleman will include attendance at motorcab garages in order to obtain figures as to income and expenditure. The financial position of the companies is the reek on which drivers have split all along, and it is hoped that this new appointment will put the whole matter in a more-tangible position for both parties.
Mr. G. Pollard was highly complimented by the Board on the evidence which he gave from the master's view point. Mr. George du Cros stated that he adhered to his original position, namely, that the whole question is one of "extras." He maintained that these should be made legally payable to the cab proprietors, who would then be in a better position to decide whether drivers are under or overpaid for their labour. :41r. Du Cros has emphatically asserted that " extras " belong to the proprietors, and he still estimates them at 2s. 6d, a day. At one of the meetings it was alleged that " bilks " were charged up to the driver. The G.M.C. Co. produced documents relating to hundreds of these cases, in which the cashier had been instructed to credit the drivers with the amount of which they had been defrauded.
No Insurance for the G.M.C. Co., Ltd.
Since last October, the General Motor Cab Co., Ltd., has dispensed with outside insurances, and now settles all its own claims. This is due to an increase in premiums by insurance companies. The new departure has, we are informed, yielded a considerable saving since its inauguration.
New Registrations.
N. Hedge and Sons, Ltd., with an authorized capital of £4000 in Li shares, by Jordan and Sons, Ltd., 116 and 117, Chancery Lane, E.C., to take over the business of taxicab proprietors, etc., carried on by N. C. Hedge, 155, Windsor Road, Neath, as N. Hedge and Co.
The Premier Omnibus Co., Ltd., with a capital of 21000 (in £1 shares) by Ashurst, Morris, Crisp and Co., Throgmorton Avenue. To carry on the business of omnibus proprietors, general carriers, engineers, etc. First Directors : R. C. Howell, P. M. Cullen, G. S. Sanders, S. H. Penwarden, E. T. C reh, and A. A. Amos.
The Canny Scot's Taxi Pares.
Aberdeen taxi drivers have a grievance. It has been usual, hitherto, for owners and drivers to regard passengers picked up in the early hours of the morning after attendance at balls and other social functions as an occasional and quite legitimate harvest. Recently, however, a municipal tramcar .has appeared at the hours advertised for the cessation of festivities, and has, as a result, scooped the cream of the business. It is interesting to note that the Council refused to
run special cars for the convenience of persons travelling by the early morning trains.
Poplar Helps Police (?).
The General Purposes Committee of the Poplar Borough Council has directedthat all communications from inventors with regard to the prevention of mudsplashing by motorbuses, shall be brought. to the notice of the Chief Commissioner of Police.
A Two-purp Ise Machine.
Sir Edward Sassoon, Bart., M.P., has just secured delivery of an interesting 30 h.p. Thornycroft fitted with interchangeable bus and lorry bodies. The bus body is of particular interest: it has accommodation for 13 passengers inside, and all the seats are made to fold up. Part of the back of the bus is made to open, in addition to the door, so that, when passengers are not being carried, there is ample room for the loading of bulky luggage.
The Dispute in Paris.
The Paris cab strike has now lasted for upwards of two months. The number of cabs in commission still remains under 400. The fickle public attention has been distracted from the grievances of the taxicabbies to the new motorbuses. The old horse-cabs have taken on a new lease of life, and are beginning to look quite sleek with _constant employment. The drivers who take out their cabs are paying a daily levy to the strike funds, and it is this support which enables the opposition to be so prolonged. Already £20,000 has been spent in strike pay. The men demonstrate daily before the garages and loudly
proclaim that "the companies must surrender," The companies reply is nil.
Taxicab Confusion in Oldham.
The Oldham Watch Committee is anxious to change the present taxicab regulations. The difficulty seems to be that some drivers charge from the moment the cab leaves the rank, while others lower the flag at the moment of taking up the "fare." This is leading to considerable public confusion, and simplification of the bye-laws would appear to be needed.
Motorbus Progress in Cleethorpes.
At a recent meeting of the Cleethorpes District Council, the Clerk read a letter from Mr. A. Wilson, stating that a powerful syndicate had recently been formed with the object of running motorbuses in various parts of the country. They proposed running a continuous express service from Cleethorpes to .Riby-Square. It was decided to give the support of the Council to the suggested scheme.
The L.C.C. and the Combine.
At the usual weekly meeting of the Highways Committee of the L.C.C. the report of the Tramways Management and Constructional Sub-Committee of the 16th January, 1912, with regard to the through bookings of motor omnibus companies, was read. The most interesting part of the reading was undoubtedly the following: " if it were possible to come to some such agreement [through bookings with omnibus companies], it would no doubt be possible for opposition on certain routes to be modified or withdrawn."