NEWS
Page 32
Page 33
Page 34
Page 35
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
of the
WEEK
NATIONAL BODY OF PARCELS CARRIERS TO BE FORMED?
Nine questions of vital importance to parcels carriers ware discussed at a meeting held on Tuesday, in Birmingham, by Red Arrow Deliveries, Ltd. Representatives .attended from most of the carrying concerns which act as Red Arrow agents in various parts of the country.
The questions discussed were as follow :—(l) The method of charging returned empties and allocating the charges among the carriers concerned; (2) notification of discrepancies; (3) settlement of claims; (4) rates between carriers—whether to be flat, with minima, or scales similar to rail schedules, or some other method; (5) settlement of accounts between carriers; (6) cost of giving proof of delivery by telegram or telephone; (7) possibility of pooling, with a view to quoting fiat rates; (8) holiday luggage; (9) advisability of forming a permanent national committee of parcels carriers.
The discussion on the last-named issue was exceptionally full and it was eventually deeithd to ask Mr. S. Richardson to call a national meeting of parcels carriers at the time of the Commercial Motor Exhibition. All parcels carriers will be invited.
No Extra Vehicles.
The Western Licensing Authority has now announced his decision on the application, made in May last, by Huxharn and Co., Plymouth, for the renewal of A licences, with a modification to permit the acquisition of additional vehicles. The extra tonnage has been refused. but licences in respect of the current tonnage have been renewed, B22
IT is almost impossible adequately to describe the enthusiastic manner in which the members of the German Roads Delegation, both individually and as a whole, have been welcomed to Germany. The organization of the tour, the entertainments provided and
the sightseeing are on so great a scale as to be almost overwhelming—and this is being written on the Monday, after only two complete days of the programme have been completed.
The first reception and dinner were given by the Lord Mayor of Berlin. Since then, we have received similar hospitality from the mayors of Leipzig and Nuremberg, " enjoyed " the death scene from the opera " Tristan and Isolde," lunched in the canteen 01 workers who are building a remark
able concrete bridge, spent tea-time in a road-workers' camp, been entertained by two choirs and an organ recital, and received with wild cheering by some 500 boy and girl representatives of the Hitler youth movement from Bayreuth.
The first introduction to the motor roads was afforded to 25 members by taking them from Hanover to Berlin by private cars, but Monday was more interesting, because we travelled from Leipzig to Thiremburg by coach, keeping to a constant 45-50 m.p.h. between stops to visit sections where work was in progress.
About 90 per cent, of the motor roads are of concrete, the remainder being tarmacadam or surfaced with small cubes of granite arranged in curved formation, so that the thrust is well distributed. Concrete roads are being finished at the rate of about 14 miles a week per road; except where the work is held up by extensive cutting or banking.
it is estimated that the 4,500 or so miles of purely motor roads will be completed within five years, but there are further sections being built through the Bavarian Alps, which will certainly take longer than this, partly because of the extra expense involved and the need for spreading it over a longer period.
The money for this marvellous road system is mostly obtained by a tax on liquid fuel, amounting to about 2d. per gallon (15 pfennig). This brings in about 40,000,000 marks annually. and permits further large capital sums to be obtained on loan, while meeting the interest on that already expended. Exactly how this snowball method can be continued and for how long, is a problem which we must leave to financial experts.
Certain changes were made in the original programme to permit all but a few of the delegates to return to Berlin, on Tuesday. to see the parade of about 600,000 people before Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini. This involved much travelling and a night journey by train. 1938 FODENS TO HAVE LOCKHEED BRAKES.
Chief among the improvements that have been effected to the range of medium-weight and heavy goods vehicles offered by Fodens, Ltd., Sandbach, Cheshire, for 1938, is the use of Lockheed hydraulic brakes.
The foot system is of enhanced efficiency and incorporates exceptionally wide shoes and a servo motor. In the case of the hand brake, which operates on only the rear wheels, a servo motor is also employed.
Other new features are the use of rubber mountings for the engine; the substitution of a five-speed gearbox for the eight-speed unit formerly offered as an alternative to the standard fourspeed box, and the employment of a Still tube radiator of improved design and larger capacity.
No Back-door Approach to Haulage.
At a Liverpool sitting, last week, the North-Western Licensing Authority remarked to a coal merchant who applied for a B licence: "I am not going to support, in future, the introduction of newcomers into the coal business for the purpose of making that an entrance into the haulage industry."
A New Wilson-Electric.
A new Wilson-Electric is announced by Partridge Wilson and Co., Ltd., Davenset Works, Leicester, and we hope shortly to give full details of its design and construction. We understand that a number of new features will be incorporated in this new model which is intended for 12-cwt. loads.
Deptford's Street-lighting Distinction.
The first part of the street-lighting installation in the Borough of Deptford, which the General Electric Co., Ltd., is carrying out with its new Osira 80-watt and 125-watt lamps, has recently been completed, and the official opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday next. It is stated to be the largest installation in the world employing discharge lamps of this type for lighting a complete area.
Mobile Laboratory for Equatorial Africa.
The Veterinary Research Department of Kenya has decided to use a mobile laboratory van to help in its research into contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. The manufacture of this machine has been entrusted to Leyland Motors, Ltd., by the Crown Agents for the Colonies. Although the van will operate in equatorial Africa, a standard Leyland Cub 3-ton chassis will be supplied, but special clearances will be allowed between the wheels and mudguards to accommodate heavy chains, in anticipation of occasional hard going oter muddy roads.
Allot insulation will be inserted between the outer and inner sides of the body, and a rubber seal around doors and windows will keep the research equipment free from dust. Fittings in the van will include two work benches, patterned on the laboratory type with localized lighting, recessed white enamel sink and cupboards and drawers to hold bottles.
Move for New Trade Association.
At a meeting recently held in Birmingham, which was attended by a representative group of crankshaft and cylinder-grinding concerns, it was decided to form a National Association of Crankshaft and Cylinder Grinders.
Paper on Light Alloys.
At a meeting of the Lpton centre of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, to be held at the George Hotel, Luton, on October 19, at 7.30 p.m., Mr. W. C. Devereux, of High Duty Alloys, Ltd., will read a paper entitled " The Use of •Light Alloys in Modern Design." It will also be read at certain other centres later. EUROPE'S LONGEST BRIDGE OPENED.
Europe's longest bridge, built by British engineers at a cost of nearly 42,000,000, was opened at Copenhagen, last Sunday, by King Christian of Denmark. The structure, which is over two miles long, spans the Storstroem Channel, linking the Danish islands of Masnedo and Falster.
Among the British representatives present at the opening ceremony were Mr. Leslie Burgin, Minister of Transport, Mr. Oliver Stanley, President of the Board of Trade, and Sir William Brown, Director of the Board of Trade.
The bridge carries a single-track railway, a 20-ft. motor road and an 8-ft. footpath. It embodies over 20,000 tons of British steel.
Abnormal Loads Do Not Damage Roads.
Although. according to a report by Shropshire Highways Committee, 27 abnormal loads were carried over the county roads during a certain period, no damage was caused to the highways. The gross weights of the vehicles varied from 7/ tons to 48 tons.
Hawker Case: Objection Withdrawn.
Referring to our report, in last week's issue, of the Hawker case at Bristol, we understand that Hurst and Payne, Ltd., withdrew its objection to the application of H. W. Hawker, Ltd., on receiving a satisfactory assurance that the applicant company did not intend to compete with the objecting concern's Bristol-Birmingham trunk service.
Reading Calls for Reforms.
The transport committee of Reading Chamber of Commerce, having reviewed the present position of road transport, has decided that relief from taxation should be granted so soon as possible, that the validity of A and B licences should be increased to five years, and that C-licensees should not be restricted as to area of operation.
Complaint is made of the restriction on the trader's right of choice of transport, imposed under the administration of the Road and Rail Traffic Act.
Comprehensive Road-transport Classes.
Those who are desirous of preparing themselves for the diploma in road transport will find a three-years' course, which is obtainable at the Ealing Technical College, Warwick Road, London, W.5, of value. The diploma is awarded in connection with a scheme prepared by a committee representative of road-transport operators, the Institute of Traisport, the universities and the technical colleges. Success involves a knowledge of the subject of road transport from many
aspects — geographical, statistical, legal, accounting and economic.
The Royal Society of Arts will conduct the examinations. Full particulars are obtainable from the Principal of the college, at the address given above. TOPHAM APPEAL HEARING.
Intimation has been received from the Appeal Tribunal that the hearing of the appeal of Topharn Bros. (Manchester), Ltd., against the decision of the North-Western Licensing Authority, " is unlikely to be put in the list for hearing before Christmas."
This was the decision in the big cotton-transport test case, by which extra vehicles were refused, notwithstanding powerful evidence on behalf of the Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' Associations.
Big Operators of Electrics.
To mark the delivery of 20 MorrisonElectric vehicles to the Bristol Cooperative Society, a luncheon was held in Bristol on Wednesday last. Amongst those who attended were Lt.-Col. L. P. Winby, chairman of the Associated Electrical Vehicle Manufacturers, who occupied the chair ; Lord Delamere, of the Corporation of Electric Transport Mr. A. J. Newman, chief engineer of Bristol Corporation; and other authorities on electricity.
/ It is interesting to note that amongst the biggest users of electric vehicles are Midland Counties Dairies 190. Prices, Ltd., the bakers (60), Derby Co-operative Society (95), Harris, Ltd. (150), Express Dairy CO. (50). and Bristol Co-operative Society (S3).
Second "Smart Case" Coming.
A second " Smart case " is in the offing. When the Smart Transport Co. applied to the Western Licensing Authority, last Friday, for two additional vehicles under A licences, Mr. B. de H. Pereira, for the railways, declared that he intended to snake another "Smart case" of this application_
He challenged statements contained in letters written by customers and an adjournment was granted to enable customers to be called as witnesses.
1. of T. Premium Awards.
Included in the premium awards made by the Council of the Institute of Transport in respect of the session 1936-37 are the following:—
Road Transport. Medal idonor, The Coroner. Mal Motor Lsers Association) to Mr. G. F. Bilbrough, railway and traffic expert to the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, for his paper on " This Road and Rail Traffic Business —Some Further Reflections and Conclusions. Road Transport. (Passenger) Medal (donor, London Passenger Transport Board) to Mr. A. E. Kirkus. 0.B.E. Director of Statistics,
Nto"atilr'Y 'oPraiTsrpaonrrortaft‘isrticht_C le.Clunfilituotne Graduate Medal, to Mr, C. F. Klepper, of 'Modern Transort,," for his contribution on " The Organization of the Omnibus Industry In Great Britain.'
Speeding Charge Based on Driver's
A driver's log was used as evidence against his employers in a case at Liverpool Police Court, last week, in which R. W. Evans, Barkhill Road, Liverpool, trading with another as Evans Brothers, hauliers, was summoned for an alleged breach of licence conditions. One of his drivers was said to have exceeded the speed limit of 20 m .p.h .
Prosecuting for the North-Western u24 Licensing Authority, Mr. D. H. Mace declared that the driver's record, which was admitted to contain an error, showed an average speed of 34.6 m.p.h. from Colwyn Bay to Liverpool. An inspector said that he accepted the record as being true, despite the mistake.
For the defence, Mr. G. B. H. Currie submitted that the record was not conclusive and that, in view of the error,
it could not be accepted as a statutory record. Futhermore, it would have been physically impossible for the vehicle to have completed the journey at the speed alleged.
Holding that the case had been proved, the Deputy Stipendiary dismissed the case under the Probation of Offenders Act.
Allen to Handle Waukesha.
John Allen and Sons (Oxford), Ltd., Cowley, has been appointed distributor for England and Scotland for the Waukesha range of engines.
Safety Congress Next Week.
The National Safety Congress will be held at the Park Lane Hotel, London, from October 7-9. Safety in its various aspects will be dealt with by way of addresses and visits. A feature of the session will be an address by the Minister, of Transport, on October 7.
PERSONAL PARS.
MR. R. F. BALDWIN, formerly of Barrett, Tagarit and Got Is, Ltd., has joined the sales staff of W. B. Dick and Co., Ltd., the well-known lubricants manufacturer.
MR. W. LANGLEY has resigned his position as secretary and sales manager of Multiwheelers (Commercial Vehicles), Ltd„ along with MAJOR G. H. J. HOOGHW/NKEL, a director of the company.
An invitation to take office in November next as Mayor and Mayoress of Wakefield has been accepted by ALDERMAN and MRS. TOM CROWE, who are both members of Wakefield City Council. Alderman Crowe is secretary of the local branch of the Vehicle Builders Union, a position which he has held for 32 years.
MAJOR-GEN. S. CAME PECK, CB., D.S.O., whose portrait appears on this page, is the new president of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, for the session 1937-38. He has had a long military career and, in 1922, was assistant director on the staff of the Master General of the Ordnance at the War Office, and, as such, was responsible for the technical development of mechanization and chemical warfare. In 1928, as Director of Mechanization, he was responsible for bringing into being the design, experimental and inspection branches_
Major-Gen _ Peck was responsible for the origin of the Mechanization Board_
I.A.E. Opening Session.
The opening meeting of the session of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held at the Royal Society at Arts, John Street, London, W.C.2, on October 5, at 7.45 p.m., when the president for the 1937-38 session, Major-Gen. S. Capel Peck.
D.S.O., will be inducted and will deliver his presidential address. Before the end of the month the new president will deliver his address in Manchester, Bristol, Derby, Coventry, Glasgow and Birmingham. THIRTY OBJECTORS TO B-LICENCE GRANT.
Thirty objectors appeared in a case before the North-Western Licensing Authority, at Liverpool, last week, when the A.S.P. Co. (Liverpool), Ltd., Garston, applied for a B licence for four 3-ton vehicles to carry building and constructional materials within 50 miles and, occasionally, as required.
Mr. Ian Macaulay said that the applicant was a company incorporated this year, with a quarry at Rainhill and a tip at Widnes. Numerous requests had been received from customers and business associates to carry their goods and the A.S.P. Co. felt that it would be convenient to be able to do so.
Mr. W. Chamberlain refused the application, saying that if he granted the licences he would be doing a grave injustice to those hauliers who depended upon the work in the district for their livelihood. He refused to allow any concern to come forward and abstract the work from them.
New Depot for Dodge Servicing.
Messrs. King and Taylor, the commercial-vehicle specialists and coachbuilders of Godahning, Surrey. have erected a new service depot at Portslade, Sussex. It occupies a commanding position on the main Brighton-Worthing road, and will be devoted entirely to the sale and servicing of commercial vehicles.
As distributors for Dodge commer
cial vehicles for the major part of Sussex, a comprehensive spare-parts department is being maintained by the firm, and the latest models in the maker's range are available from stock.
How to Pack for Transport.
The first ordinary meeting of the London branch of the Industrial Transport Association, for the forthcoming autumn and winter session, will be held at the Victoria Grill and Restaurant, 24, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, on Tuesday next (October 5), at 6.30 p.m., when an address on "Packing for Transport" will be given by Mr. E. Watts.
Death of Well-known Operator.
Haulage and coach circles in the West Riding of Yorkshire have lost a familiar and respected figure by the death of Mr. W. H. Hoyle, head of the concern of James Hoyle and Son, Ltd., King Cross, Halifax.
He was a member of A.R.O. Yorkshire Area committee and of the Central Yorkshire passenger sectionaf/ board.
C.M." Bound Volumes Free.
We have some bound volumes of back numbers of The Cornmerciai Motor available, free of charge, to those who are interested in road transport, if they -vill apply for them at our Birmingham Office, 61-65. New Street.
AUTHORITY'S CONCERN FOR THE SMALL MAN.
Referring to objections by furniture removers to an application by a coal merchant for a B licence with cohditions limiting furniture removals, Mr. W. Chamberlain, North-Western Licensing Authority, remarked:— " I don't think Parliament intended that the Act should be used for the purpose of giving these large carriers an opportunity of making the public pay their price and push the small. ' fittings' man out of business. . .
This opposition can be carried too far, and, in my view, it is not in the public interest that the small man should be put out."
Coal Convention Next Week.
The Third National Coal Convention, organized by the Coal Utilisation Council, takes place at Harrogate on October 6 and 7. Several important addresses figure in the programme.
Qualified Man Available.
We know of a man with many years' experience in the commercial vehicle industry who has a thorough knowledge of sales, in addition to costing, accountancy and company law, as well as being conversant with present-day legislation as it affects road transport, who is in a position to accept a post in which his qualifications can be used to advantage. Letters addressed "Sales," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.