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News of the Week

MR. NOEL-BAKER TO INSPECT NEW ELECTRIC.S

PROTOTYPES of some new batteryelectric vehicles will be inspected .by Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker, Parliamentary Secretary, M.O.W.T., at 11 a.m., on April 23, in Fitzmaurice Place, Berkeley Square, London, W.1.

The particular interest regarding this demonstration is that some years of development lie behind these models, in which many improvements are embodied. Their production was authorized about a year-ago.

Further details will be given in our next issue.

THOMASTILLING ACQUIRES CHARLES A. WELLS, LTD.

THAT well-known concern, Thomas Tilling, Ltd., has acquired the share capital of Charles A, Wells, Ltd. It is not a case of a small concern being forcibly swallowed by a large one: The present managing director of the company, Mr A. A. Wells, has, since the death of his brother, the late Mr. E.,0: Wells, been sole manager of the business, but owing to advancing age and indifferent health, he finds it too great a burden: Therefore he Made the approach to Thomas Tilling, Ltd. . The latter concern has for-some years carried on a road transport business almost identical with that of Charles A. Wells, Ltd., and the two concerns have been on most friendly terms.

The business will be carried on as hitherto, under its present name, and, Mr. A. A. Wells will remain a director, retaining his present duties:

CAPTAIN STRICKLAND, M.P., AGAIN HELPS THE INDUSTRY

FOLLOWING the discussion in the House concerning concessions in respect of allowances for income tax as applied to buildings connected with industrial enterprises, Captain W. 'F. Strickland, M.P., has asked the Chancellor of the. Exchequer whether such concessions will apply, so far as buildings are concerned, to garages, workshops and loading banks used in connection with road-transport undertakings. in his reply, Sir John Anderson said that the new allowances proposed in Part 1 of the Income Tax

Bill would apply to building i or structures in use for the purposes of a transport undertaking, and capital exPendititre incurred on the construction of garages, workshops and loading banks by a person carrying on a road' transport undertaking will, accordingly, quality for allowance, MORE NEW BUSES

IT is anticipated by the M.O.W.T. lthat if the war continues to follow a favourable course, these further makes of p.s. vehicles may become available in small numbers towards the end of the year:—Albion, A.E.C., Maudslay and Leyland. They will be in addition to the makes now available, viz.:— Bedford, Bristol, CroSsley, Daimler and Guy.

M.C.W. RETURNS TO LONDON

As from May 7, MetropolitanCammell-Weymann Motor Bodies, Ltd., will be operating from its peacetime permanent address, viz., Vickers House, Broadway, Westminster, London, S.W.1.

NEW ALUMINIUM DEVELOPMEN1 ASSOCIATION

THE aluminium industry in Britain has announced the formation of the Aluminium Development Association. The leading British concerns in the aluminium alloy production and fabricating industry have joined in this enterprise, which is timed to deal with war-to-peace problems.

Great expansion and many improvements in technique have taken place, hut almost the whole effort has been directed towards the production of ahiminium alloys for aircraft, and the Association's main objective is to developnew and extended uses for these alloys by initiating or assistingin the production of prototypes. encouraging research, and undertaking propaganda to inform the public of the manyuses of this versatile metal, •

Membership is open to users of t:ie metal, who should apply to the Association's offices at Union Chambers, 63,, Temple Row, Birmingham, 2. Offices will be opened in London as soon as possible. We understand that, at a later date, the Wrought Light Alloys Development Association will he absorbed, within the more comprehensive body. IMMENSE OUTPUT OF SPARES • FOR ROAD VEHICLES

ATRIBUTE to the work of the Ministries of Supply and War Transport was paid in Birmingham, last week, by Air. W. G. Graham, general commercial manager of Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.

" The T.T.3 Supply Branch and the Directorate of Vehicle Main] enance have controlled the smooth distribution of . really.. astronomical quantities of spares," ;said Mr. Graham. The Mortis-Commercial contribution of over 36,000,000 parts for home users alone is an indication of the immense amount of organization involved in the equitable distribution of spares, usually on a priority -basis. The majority of applications for major parts had t•o he ' vetted ' by the departments before authority could be given to deliver."

He went on to say that_with civilian vehicles being called upon for total mileages far in excess of normal peace:time usage, the allocation of spare parts had to be organized on a very flexible basis to avoid any breakdown in the

service. " Spare parts output. was Largely diverted to the Services, and that was a further complication, but the vehicle pooling scheme helped to ariieliora.te the position in that a smaller number of units Was in use at any given time," 'added Mr. Gsaliarn.

BIRMINGHAM ROAD TRAFFIC SECTION RESUMES ACTIVITY

WE are glad to learn that the Road Traffic Section of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce; which was inaugurated in 1935 under the chairmanship of Mr. L. W. Gupwell, has recently recommenced activity. This move is for the reason that questions -of post-war policy are now arising which will need close attention on behalf of interested operators, and the Section will hold quarterly meetings preceded by meetings of the ExecutiVe. Cortimittee.

Mr. C. E. Jordan, of Accles and Pollock, Ltd., has been appointed chairman of both the Section and Executive Committees and .Alr. P. Colin Campbell, of J. Campbell and Sons (Smethwick), Ltd., vice-chair man , •

The members have expressed their cordial thanks-to Mr. Gupwell for the services which he has rendered for the past nine years.

As regards the work of the Section, matters Of national policy on which further action is necessary will be reported to the Council of the Chamber and, -in turn, will be remitted to the Association of British Chambers Of Commerce, which is in close touch with Government 'Departments responsible for the formation of policy on transport questions.

R.A.S.C. EXHIBITION AT HARRODS

A WELL-STAGED exhibition cover

ing some outstanding work of the R.A.S.C. is being held at Harrods, Ltd., Knightsbridge, London; S.W., where it was opened last Monday by the Quartermaster-General to the Forces.

Two of the exhibits,siiecial work

shop trailers towalg by Jeeps and used by the Army in general for vehiefis repair purposes in campaigns such as the Far East, are displayed in appropriate surroundings of trees, ferns, etc. The trailers are remarkably Compact and can be carried by air, whilst they provide bench space for several men. There are also generating and other types of trailer. • .

Next is a field, or rather jungle, bakery. Another attractive exhibit is a working model showing how Jerricans are washed and filled in the field by portable equipment.

In connection with supply and maintenance by air, there is a section from a Dakota transport airrraft from which 2 tons are unloaded in eight seconds, or approximately one second per 100 yds. of ground. This time reduction is effected by carrying the load on a roller conveyor, which, however, is used only when the necessity for speed is great, and no return flight over the smile ground is permissible.

Reverting to the Jerricans, it is interesting to nate that between D-day and March, 1945, the number of these exported to the British Forces -in NorthAVestern Europe' would, ',placed end to end, reach from Southampton to New York.

No charge is made for admission to this small but fine show. MANCHESTER'S OPINION OF THE " SAFETY BUS"

THE pros and cons of the " safety-type " bus recently given trials by Manchester Corporation at the request of the M.O.W.T., to test its suitability for use in large cities, will 'be discussed when Manchester Transport Committee Meets on Tuesday next.

The vehicle, one of Blackpool Corporation's fleet, baying a central entrance and power-operated sliding doors, was operated on the '16-mile. return Manchester-Altrincham route far three weeks before being given a further seven days' trial on the Royal Exchange, West Didsbury, and Chorlton service... Although a nu.mber. of the features incorporated in the bus is likely to find favour with the committee and may be adopted on the Manchester system, the drop in passenger accommodation is a drawback.

Councillor A T. Barratt, chairman of Manchester Transport Committee, said the central loading meant that eight of the Blackpool . type of bus would needed for each seven of the present kind now operated by the corporation, ;led added " we should not only have to get from 100 to 200 more vehicles on the streets, but also a eorresponding _ inimber of %Yorkers."

LONG-DISTANCE HAULIERS TO HOLD MEETING

WlTH regard to the proposed formation ot a new company d6igned • expressly to co-ordinate the services of 1ong7distance hauliers; with which scheme we dealt. in our issue dated April 6, under the title " Linking Long-distance Transport" a meeting is being held at the Waldorf Hotel, London, W.C., at 11 a.m. on May 12. and is expected to last Until about 4 p.m. Admission is by invitation only. The organizer is Mr. M. W. Harris, 320-2, King Street, London, W.6.

NEW CHAIRMAN OF R.H.A. SOUTH-EASTERN AREA

SOUTII-eastern Area chairman of the original R,H.A., then of from 1932 to March, 1945—then of the present R.H.A., without a break until be resigned, in March last, all offices above that of an ordinary area committee, member, is the record of Mr. D. Richardson.

Mr. Richardson has decided he must ease up in his activities generally, and has passed the leadership of the Southeastern Area into other hands, although he is to. remain a member of the area committee, which should benefit by his vast experience. He played a major part in bringing about the recent .merger of associations, and during the last year of its existence was national chairman of A.R.O.

-At its recent meeting the Southeastern Area Committee elected Mr. G. A. Streeter, M.C., J.P., chairman of the Guildford Sub-area, as its chairman, member of the National Council and Area representative on the National Executive Committee. He has served the Guildford Area as its chairman since it was formed; and from that time he has been a member of the -South-eastern ' Area Committee.

R.H.A.'s NEW HORSHAM SUB AREA.

AT a wellsattended meeting of Horsham (Sussex). hauliers, held recently, it was unanimously resolved to form a sub-area of the R.H.A. based on Horsham. A number of Chichester Sub-area members, led by their chairman, Mr. B: C. Floyd, and Mr. R. W. Angell. honorary secretary, were present to give the Horsham operators a good send off in their new venture. These two inen and Mr. P. S. Woodhouse, South-eastern Area secretary, addressed the meeting.

The first meeting of the new Sub-area will be held at the offices of H. Kay, Ltd., 1, Stanley Street, Horsham, on Monday next, April 23, at 7,30 p.m.

ENCOURAGING ACCIDENT PREVENTION

LAST Saturday, Mr. J. H. Watts, managing director of Red and White Services, Ltd.,. was the chairman at a supper given by the directors of the company to its employees at the Cinderford depot The object was the presentation of a shield to this depot for the record of its drivers of being responsible for the least number of acci

dents during the past year. •

Mr. Watts mentioned that the company: was nearing its. 25th, anniversary, and he gave a brief history of its commencement and progress.

SCOTTISH OPERATORS HELP WAR-RELIEF FUND

THE R.H.A. (Scottish Area), in conjunction with the' T.R.T.A., the P.V.O.A.., and the Scottish Cartage Contractors and Horse Owner's' Association in the Glasgow and West of Scotland Sub-area, held its annual function in Glasgow recently. The• main purpose of the event, apart from bringing haulage contractors and their friends together, was to raise money for the, Central War Relief Fund and, together with the proceeds from the auction conducted during the evening by Sir Patrick Dollan, a sum of over 26,000 was, raised.

The main speakers of the evening were Mr. Archibald Henderson, Scottish Regional Transport Commissioner; Mr. David Maxwell, member of the Scottish Executive: Baillie Hector McNeill, of Glasgow Corpoiation ; and Mr. Isaac Barrie, J.P., M.Inst.T., chairman. • HAULIER WINS APPEAL AGAINST . FUEL-OFFENCE FINES THE road-haulage concern of Bowyer

. and Jackson, Ltd., of Dewsbury, successfully appealed, last week, before the West Riding Quarter Sessions.. Appeals 'Committee, at Wakefield, against convictions under the petrol rationing regulations hy. _Dewsbury borough magistrates, who had fined the company a total of .290, plus costs.

The appeal was against four convictions and penalties for transferring petrol coupons; and against two convictions and a penalty for accepting petrol coupons otherwise than under . the authority of a licence: .Por the appellant, it was stated that exchanges of -couponsbetween the company and . other defendants convicted at the police court were made, because. Bowyer and

Jackson, Ltd., wanted coupons of smaller unit value than those issued to it by the petroleum authorities, such coupons being more suitable for use by the company's drivers when on journeys. Appellant submitted that the convictions against it were unjustified, and that, alternatively, the penalties imposed were too severe.

DEATH OF MR. L. G. OLDFIELD Wi'E, mu& regret to announce that VV Mr. Laurence G. Oldfield, F.C.A., M.Inst.T., who was for many years secretary to the Omnibus Owners' Association, and who retired during the war, died suddenly on April 15

"DEVON GENERAL" RESULTS FOR 1944 I N 1944, the net traffic and other receipts, after deducting depreciation, of the Devon General Omnibus and Touring Co.. Ltd., were 2247,144, compared with £220,853 a year earlier. Provision for taxation amounts to 4210,000, the net profit coming out at £42,912, as against £54,728 in the-previous year. The preference 'dividend absorbs .£10,500, and after •a dividend of 10 per cent. onthe ordinary shares, plus a bonus of 4 per 'cent., has been met, there is an a-Mount to be carried forward of 219858, compared with 218,636 brought in, PROFESSOR ABERCROMBIE North-Western Unit

CRITICIZES PATCHY MOTORWAYS

AT the 46th annual meeting of the Town and Country Planning Association,• held recently, -Professor Sir Patrick Abercrombie, who has just returned from a tour of the Middle East, where he was lecturing to troops._ made some interesting observations. • He strongly criticized the Government, which, although it had done a 'certain amount of valuable work in connection with planning, was continually trembling on the brink of doing the right thing, and Would not advocate any over-riding authority.

Motorways, for example, were essential. All agreed about this, but recent pronouncements indicated that they were to be provided only in places where they were considered necessary, in stretches of 20 to 50 miles, but fitting in with existing road systems. Sir Patrick emphasized that it was hopeless to build motorways in patches. Hy-passes were not enough. The. aforesaid stretches, built here and there, were not the way to solve the traffic problem. It was even more dangerous to give road users a good stretch of motorway and then expect them to readjust themselves suddenly to the old type of road where farm traffic and pedestrians were wandering.

Future transport plans should be co-ordinated with the Board Of Trade's scheme for the allocation of industry and with the policies of the Ministries of Town and Country Planning and Agriculture.

1044 PROFIT OF CITY OF OXFORD MOTOR SERVICES

NET traffic and other receipts of the City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd., in 1944, totalled £314,731, contrasted with £294,410 a year earlier. After deducting income tax and E,P.T. amounting to £238,000, and £17,894 for depreciation, etc., the net profit is £16,581,, compared with £18,726 io 1943. After deducting an arneent to meet the 6 per cent, dividend on the ordinary shares (3 per cent, of which was paid as an interim), there remains £8,386 to be carried -forward, against £7,770 brought in.