New Light on Advertising Clause
Page 53
Page 54
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
AT Liverpool Police Court, Miss Ella MacShane, trading as MacShane's Travel Service, Camden Street, Liverpool, appeared on seven summonses of having permitted public service vehicles to be used, without road service licences, as express carriages between Liverpool Stanley football ground and Leigh on February 13, For the Traffic Commissioners, Mr. D. H. Mace said that the coaches were used to convey supporters of Liverpool Stanley Rugby team to Leigh. Liverpool Stanley's official programme, sold at 1d., on February 6, contained an announcement that buses would be run at a return fare of 2s., tickets being obtainable on the ground that day.
A Ministry of Transport inspector bought a ticket and travelled to Leigh. When asked for an explanation, the manager of the company said that the football-club secretary engaged the coaches at a figure per coach for a private party. Mr. Mace contended that the coaches were being used to convey members of the public—not a private party—and that the first round of a cup competition, which presumably took place every year, was not a special occasion.
Mr. S. Scholefield Allen, defending, submitted that, except in one case where the driver had not a work ticket, all the coaches had complied with the conditions of Section 25 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, regarding a special occasion and a private party.
Dismissing all the summonses, the Deputy Stipendiary (Mr. S. C. V. Addinsell) said that he could find no evidence of mala fides or of the absence of bona fides. Referring to the alleged advertisement, he held that even if its existence had been formally proved, he would not have, felt himself entitled to hold that a circular sold at id. to persons of such a limited class as attended a particular football match, was previous advertising to the public. 543
REVENUE LESS THAN 3d. A MILE
rIFE County Council figured as
• objector at a sitting of the Northern Scotland Traffic Commissioners, at Dunfermline, last Friday, to an application by Simpsons and Forresters, Ltd., to withdraw the bus service operated on Saturdays, in the Lochore, Auchterderran and Capledrae area.
Mr. R. W. Currie (for the applicant) pointed out that this matter had been before the Commissioners on several occasions. Although his client did not think the service was really required, it was put on experimentally following representation by the county council. It was later pointed out that the average drawings on the route for the period from April, 1935, to September amounted to 2.89d. per mile. On the Saturday previous to the sit ting, the revenue totalled 5s. 6d. • • Following an adjournment, Mr. Currie announced that he bad made arrangements for a trial service, which, it was hoped, would be satisfactory.
HALIFAX BUSES CARRY TRAMS.
EXCELLENT results were achieved by Halifax Corporation's bus undertaking in the year ended March 31 last. the profit being more than sufficient to offset the loss incurred on the traras. The wholly municipal bus system (known as the A services) brought in a profit of £19,344, whilst that owned jointly by the corporation and the railways (the B system) returned a surplus of £15.889. Against the total profit of £35,233 had to be set a loss of £12,807 on the trams.
The tramways expenditure of £94,203 contrasted with an inccime of £81,396. The A bus services cost £66,383 to run and brought in £95,212, whilst the expenditure on the B system was 4101,773 and the income £158,131.
AGENTS OFF TO THE SEA.
QONIE 60 agents of Blue Belle Coach ing Services, Ltd., were entertained by the company on Monday, when they travelled by two A.E.C. observation coaches to Brighton and ,Bognor.
At the luncheon at Brighton, presided over by Mr. G. Nowell, director of Blue Belle Coaching Services, Ltd., speeches were made by Mr. KeamGeorge. Mr. W. Millar and Mr. Weaire, apart from Mr. Nowell.
BORROWED PLUMES.
E'IVE local councils wrote to the
✓ North Western Traffic Commissioners asking for a bus service connecting Bradwell and Tideswell, a route of six miles traversing the boundaries of the Yorkshire and East Midland Areas as well as the North Western. They said • that there was a public need.
Mr. W. E. Pashley, the only local operator. was of a different opinion, hut was willing to provide the service required if the Traffic Commissioners felt that it was needed, although he would loose money over it.
344 This service, it transpired, had been made a principal plank at the parishcouncil elections. The result had been that those who urged the necessity of securing the buses in this part of the district were elected. Then followed the pressure on the local operator.
Mr. W. Chamberlain, chairman, said that he would personally inspect the route before giving his decision.
SOUTHEND TRAMS TO GO? QOUTHEND Transport Committee is recommended by its general manager to replace the trams. A sub-committee has been set up to investigate the matter, MODERATE SIZE THE IDEAL IN FLEETS?
" nE ideal transport undertaking is f moderate size," This proposition will be argued by Mr. I. Watkin In opening a debate of members of the Omnibus Society at the Institute of Marine Engineers, London, E.C.3, on October 15. He will be opposed by Mr. N. A. BurchilL
BUSES FOR FIRST TIME.
FOR the first time the Island of Bressay, Shetlands, is to have a bus service. On the adjacent Island of Noss is a famous bird sanctuary, and the facilities provided by the bus service will enable visitors to take the ferry boat from Lerwick to Bressay, travel by the bus right across the island, and complete the journey by ferry to Noss.
UNION OBJECTS TO CALEDONIAN LICENCES.
OBJECTION has been lodged by the 4.-"Transport and General Workers Union to the renewal of the licences of the Caledonian .Omnibus Co., Ltd. The Union is claiming increased wages and improved conditions for the company's employees at Carlisle, Edinburgh, Biggar and Stranraer. The matter has been referred to the Industrial Court for settlement.
The Union states that it is asking for the same wages and conditions as are applied to members employed by the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., and its subsidiary concerns.
UNION EXECUTIVE AS ARBITER.
A'a position of deadlock has arisen between the Union and the company, the national executive of the Transport and General Workers Union has been asked to mediate in negotiations with the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd,
An agreement covering the company's traffic staff was reached last May, but a final conclusion was hindered by a lack of settlement in connection with the mechanical staff. The company refused to recognize a claim by the Union for a special allowance of 4s. a week for men who are continually employed at night.
Mr. Hill Davis has submitted plans to Battersea Borough Council for a coach station in St. John's Hill.
POSITION OF MILL SERVICE LEGALIZED
DEDUCTION from the wages of L./mill operatives of small contribtC-dons towards the cost of hiring a special bus to carry them to and front work, led to an application before the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, at Skipton, on Tuesday: Lamb's Motor Services, Ltd., Settle, sought an express-carriage licence for a special service for the operatives, between Hellifield and Laugh-Lie Mills, near Settle.
Mr. S. E. Pitts, solicitor to A.R.O. Yorkshire Area, explained that•for four years the company had been providing these special _facilities on a contractcarriage basis. It had now been discovered that the facilities did not come within this category, as the mill management was deducting from the workers'. wages a small contribution towards the cot of hiring the bus. Application was made with the object of legalizing the position.
Mr. J. R. Lamb said that the average number of passengers carried in the vehicle, a 20-seater, was 12 per journey, and his company received 12s. lid, per day, with an extra shilling in the case of a journey made after the ordinary scheduled time.
The application was granted by the Commissioners.
LAXITY HOLDS UP SALE.
COACH operators appear to lose sight of the fact that the Traffic Commissioners have access to returns required by the Ministry of Transport from passenger-vehicle operators, and carelessness in filling up • these returns is, a Lancashire correspondent reports, holding up more than one big sale.
In one of the take-over cases now stalking adjourned in the NorthWestern Area, the returns put before the court and the returns to the Ministry differed fundamentally, and neither appeared to agree, so it is said, with the books of the concern, MINISTER'S PAT FOR WALSALL.
WALSALL was congratulated upon its municipal enterprise by Mr. E. Leslie Burgin, Minister of Transport, when, last week, he opened the new corporation transport offices and bus station. He appreciated the foresight shown by the corporation in acquiring a large site, so as to provide suitable parking and turning arrangements without causing obstruction on the roads.
The site cost over £28,000, the station nearly £6,500 and the offices, including shops and waiting rooms, some £21,500.
UNREST IN TRANSPORT UNION.
SHORTLY, the Transport and General Workers Union executive will hold a special meeting to discuss applications, for the reinstatement of leaders of the London bus strike, who were expelled or suspended from the Union. Unrest hi the Union is said to be increasing.