Bird's Eye View
Page 70
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IN a column of optimism and bonhomie such as this, I hesitate to broach a subject so potentially painful as that of money, or more accurately the lack of it. But th* condition is apparently becoming considerably more common within the haulage industry.
The question arises from my having recently been handed a squalid list of bankruptcy statistics. I was alarnied to note that this showed that of the trades and industries named, by far the greatest increase in bankruptcies recorded from 1960-61 occurred amongst—guess who?— road transport contractors. The increase, from 90 to 215 cases in fact, represents a growth of close to 150 per cent in a year. Nowhere else in this list, which presented figures for the years from 1958-1961, had an increase of such proportions been registered.
It was of little consolation to note that even with this big inflation in the number of haulage bankruptcies there were still trades with many more to lament in 1961. Notable among these were the ill-fated builders who were way out in front in the Bankruptcy Stakes. What, one wonders, will last year's figures reveal?
Scope for Error?
THEY certainly make sure that a correct record is kept of the proceedings in the Metropolitan licensing court. When I attended recently I saw three methods of recording in use. There was the official shorthand writer, filling up page after page of his pad with Pitman's shorthand. On the clerk's desk, I could see one of the two tape recorders silently revolving. As the first application was continuing, in walked a young lady who, after sitting down at the front of the court, produced a Palentype machine, propped it on her dainty knees and commenced tapping out the evidence.
learned afterwards that she was a trainee colleague of the shorthand writer—lucky fellow.
Ulster Enterprise
BECAUSE of concern over the unemployment situation in Northern Ireland the news (The Commercial Motor, May 31) that M.H. Cars Ltd. are to assemble the chassis for 63 Belfast Corporation'Daimler Fleetlines, as well as building the double-decker bodies, has been widely welcomed locally. Hope has been expressed that this will mean the start of a trend that will materially assist Northern Ireland.
Among the interesting features • of Belfast's 77-seater bodywork is the use of Dean's standstill detector switch which embodies a hydraulic friction unit operated from the main transmission shaft. . This prevents the platform door from being opened whilst the vehicle is in motion in any circumstances, even, for instance, coasting. Another item of the specification which is appreciated by bus crews is the double periscope which enables them to check the position of the destination blinds without moving from the inside of the vehicle.
When I was at the M.H. Cars workshops in Belfast recently 1 learnt that the company has been nominated by Guy as bodywork subcontractors in connection with a tender for 150 single-deckers for use in Beirut, Lebanon. I understand that bodies of 34 ft. 10 in. length with first and second-class compartments, and three entrances and exits, are required.
Sentimental Journey
THE chairman of Associated Commercial Vehicles Ltd., Lord Brabazon of Tara, welcomed 400 A.E.C. pensioners at a reunion held at A.E.C.'s Southall factory on Wednesday.
This involved a large-scale transport operation. A fleet of cars, buses and coaches collected the ex-employees from their homes, and from railway stations. The pensioners made the trip to Southall from their homes all over Britain —from as far away as Kincardineshire in Scotland. Lancashire, Yorkshire and Devonshire.
The oldest pensioner on the invitation list was 85-yearold Mr. H. J. Foster, a former toolmaker, Mr, A. T. Baker, who worked at Southall and the A.E.C. Bradford and Nottingham depots over a period of close to 30 years, travelled 1,000 miles from Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, and back.
Present employees of A.E.C. at Southall collected £400 for the old-timers so that after the reunion meal and a tour around the factory each pensioner made the homeward trip with a crisp new pound note in his (or her) pocket.