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An Uninvited Visitor A N amusing incident at the at Harrogate Confer1---1 P.T.A. Conference at
ence Harrogate was the arrival of a dog, who, although not wearing the badge of a member or guest, wandered about the hail, saying "How do you do?" to various people while the chairman and mayor were making their opening speeches. Perhaps the animal had heard of certain bones of contention which were likely to be brought up during the papers and discussions.
Road Transport Oper('NE part of the programme ators See Moquette of the recent Harrogate Being Made . . . Conference of the Public Transport Association was a visit to Bradford to inspect the Manningham Mills of Lister and Co., Ltd, This company is probably the most important manufacturer of moquette for the upholstery of motor vehicles; particularly coaches and buses. It also provides much of this material for the seats of Underground trains. Although this was only one of several establishments owned by this concern, the visitors saw some 250 weaving machirtes in operation. To many their complicated design and size were a revelation. Some of the largest, which are surrounded by many racks carrying bobbins for the threads, which rotate as the weaver requires, A28
take as long as four days to set up for a run. Much use is made of patterns pierced in a manner similar to that employed with music rolls on automatic pianos. On one machine was seen a new 5-ft. roll or reel being replaced by another; this involved the operator in knotting individually some thousands of threads. Patterns and colouring were much admired, and the interest was added to by the showing of a film of the process. A staged display of Lister products in almost dazzling profusion was also given.
The Law is an Ass, T HE case in which it was
According to TaxiI decided that it is illegal cabbies for a taxicab driver in the.
Metropolitan Area to accept a ' tip has caused a great deal of interest. It seems that the judgment was founded upon an Act dating as far back as 1853, which makes it an offence, in the case of a hackney carriage, for the driver to request or accept more than the correct fare. Incidentally, it is probable that a person giving any extra amount would also., be liable to prosecution. As the offence must be committed many thousands of times a day on both sides in the area in question, the law is virtually brought into disrepute. The case does, however, throw light upon the need for revising or repealing some of our 'ancient legal requirements. SOCIALISTS lost control, in last week's elections, of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council, the largest municipal operator in the area proposed to be covered by the first scheme for the nationalization of road passenger transport. Despite the former Labour majority, the city council has twice thrown out recommendations by its parliamentary and transport committees for the handing over of the municipal undertaking to the .British Transport Commission. Now there should be no doubt about the council's future attitude, and resistance throughout the area should be stiffened.
Transport
Spicy Excerpts From TO hear Mr. L. P Lord, the a Speech by Mr. L. L Austin chief, making a P. Lord speech is usually quite refresh
ing. He is not verbose, and keeps down to facts, but they are interspersed with a nice touch of humour. Two remarks he made at a recent convention caused much amusement. One was that no stigma attached to those sitting at the top table. The other, that if the Government were in difficulties, he was always prepared to help it out, the emphasis being on the last word. Incidentally, he referred to the new Austin enterprise of producing, in conjunction with the Girling Group, at the latter's Monmouth factory, pedal cars for children, the work being largely done by blind miners suffering from silicosis. We are wondering whether there will be any suggestion of Technical Press road tests of these new models.
A First Step Towards 'VERY haulier will wel Harmony In Road 1—`come the action that has Haulage .. .. been taken by the State trans
port undertaking and the Road Haulage Association to set up machinery for practical co-operation between the British Transport Commission and the free haulier. There is to be a comprehensive organization for consultation down to divisional level, with a Road Haulage Liaison Conference at the head to determine policy The official statement issued after the first meeting of the conference leaves much room for elaboration, and it is to be hoped that an early opportunity will be taken to answer certain obvious questions, such as the Commission's precise position in relation to the conference and the power of veto.