BIRD'S EYE VIEW
Page 68
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By The Hawk
Spare a Thought Professor Colin Buchanan, on
his own admission, must be one of the most wined and dined men in the country in recent months. So spare a thought for both the Professor and his persistent reporters desperately trying to wax enthusiastic—for the umpteenth time—about vehicles stuck in a traffic jam.
At the annual luncheon of the Mansion House Association on Transport held in London last Friday the Professor warned members and guests of a peculiar apathy to traffic congestion in some quarters, a "just let it sweat" attitude in fact. If that prevailed we would produce urban areas not worth living in.
But to redress this gloomy picture the Professor did dissertate on the revealing possibilities of hovercraft dependent upon whether one was the startled householder or just the driver—or should it be pilot?
Don Oliver, who as reported elsewhere in this issue has been appointed general manager of Palmer Coachbuilder is, I think, better known as a body designer. His many friends will, I am sure, be pleased to know that he is now fully recovered from his escapade with a go-kart. For the less well informed, Don was racing in an international meeting at Kimbolton, Beds, when he had an accident and broke both his legs.
He tells me that go-karting is not all that safe. Speeds are much higher than they were—his spill occurred at about 60 m.p.h. He thinks now that go-karts should have a body. But not his, it seems. Don is thinking of taking up cycling. Not So Safe!
Standing Ovation i must say there were some
rousing moments and a wealth of verbal tributes at the T.R.T.A.'s London and Home Counties lunch last week. Tributes to Reg Brown for his indefatigable work as divisional secretary; to the area hon. secs. who bear such a heavy burden so cheerfully; to " Bill " Billings, who has just retired as the division's chief clerk after 40 years with the Association and its predecessors; to S. J. Lamborn, deputy president, who has now given up divisional office after such sterling service; and to the national president, K. C. Turner, for the time and effort he puts in.
This praise of the president was brought to its peak by Mr. Lamborn who, in the voice that traditionally needs no microphone, said that if the national conference could produce a standing ovation for the president, this division could not do less—and had us all on our feet to produce a fair old thunder of clapping.
B42 Another rousing moment— this time marked mainly by laughter--came when divisional chairman G. F. Page said they were pleased to see that Nine Elms was now being recommended for the new Covent Garden market, as this was the site put forward originally by the Association's traffic committee! Told You So!
Tipper Tribute A grand time was had by all,
Norman Tilsley tells me, at last Friday's annual " smoker " of the Fife and District Tipper Operators Association which was held in Dunfermline in true Scottish style.
Biggest surprise of the evening came to the chairman of the group, Bob Wilson, who was presented with a eine camera and projector by his many grateful colleagues in the group. His reaction (according to members) was typical.
I have always wanted one of these ", he said. "It may be that now I can photograph some of these unlicensed vehicles."
Get Well, Eddie There was a sad little incident,
though, when Eddie Hemphill, chairman of the Scottish R.H.A.'s tipper group, was taken ill soon after making an after dinner speech. A doctor was called and Eddie—who lost his father in the Lakonia sea disaster—was ordered home to Glasgow. I do hope he feels better now.
There were about 130 people at the dinner. Norman was told that this number would probably be increased next year when the Forth road bridge is open for use of the Edinburgh tipper boys. The 30-mile detour via Kincardine, deters them at the moment!
A British Railways driver, fined £7 at a Huddersfield court on Monday for driving without due care, seems to have put the cat among the pigeons. He asked for time to pay—so that the money could be drawn out of a drivers' pool fund! The clerk of the court was taken aback. He said " It is a very objectionable practice. It means that the offender does not pay.' But in a sense he does—he provides against a possible unfortunate contingency—a kind of insurance, in a way. A further remark from the clerk sounded ominous—" If this practice continues it may well be that the courts may have to think of different ways of dealing with offenders."
Another driver said later that he had been a member of the pool since it started 20 years ago. It seems that some 70 drivers contribute 6d. a week to it. "The pool does not make drivers any less careful," he said. "I have held a driving licence for 42 years and have never been before a court." After all fines had been paid, he declared, what remained in the pool was spent on a day's outing for the drivers. This year they are going to Blackpool in August. Fine Goings On