WHEELS of INDUSTRY " The wheels of wealth will be
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slowed by an difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Appeals in Connection with Road Service Licences.
The Minister of Transport has recently had under review certain appeals against the decisions of Traffic Commissioners in relation to Metropolitan suburban motor-coach set-vices, where only a relatively small part of the route lay outside the Metropolitan Traffic Area, i.e., outside the Metropolitan Police District.
In such cases, where the appeal is against the decision of provincial Traffic Commissioners, the Minister, after consideration of the appeals, which have already been before him, has reached the conclusion that the case in respect of such services cannot be fully presented until the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner has heard the corresponding applications for road service licences or backings in respect of his area and has given his decisions.
It seems clear that the extent to which any proposed service of this nature is necessary or desirable in the public interest can only be determined, in relation to the circumstances of the Metropolitan Traffic Area which is the area chiefly concerned.
In these circumstances, the Minister has decided to withhold his decision on such appeals until the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner has heard and reached a decision on the corresponding applications for road service licences or backings in that area.
Instruction in Road Transport.
The classes for the instruction of students of road transport which commenced last autumn are to re-open in September of this year. The courses of study are primarily intended to enable students to prepare for the graduateship and associate membership of the Institute of Transport, but they are also admirably adapted to be of use to employees in all or any branch of transport. They include instruction in operation, in the economics of road transport and in accountancy and the law as applied to transport. The fees for a session amount to only 80s. per student, subject to certain residential qualifications.
The two institutes in which these classes are 'being held are :—NorthWestern Polytechnic, Prince of Wales Road, Kentish Town, London, -1`..T.W.5; and Kennington Commercial Institute, Kennington Road, London, S.E.11, and full particulars can be obtained on application to the principals.
New Deputy Commissioner.
We understand that Alderman W. T. Richardson, the deputy 4 mayor of Stafford, has been appointed Deputy Traffic Commissioner for the West Midland Area. Important Coventry Climax Developments.
We are informed that Coventry Climax Engines, Ltd., Friars Road, Coventry, has arranged an extensive programme of development, which includes the manufacture of engines for goods vehicles, passenger vehicles and cars, whilst a series of power units for industrial purposes is also included in the range. Several important contracts have, we are told, already been secured.
In order to carry out this programme the works and staff have been rearranged, and Mr. :T. W. Mills, M.I.A.E., M.S.A.E., has been appointed general manager, and Mr. W. P. Riley works manager. Both have had a long association with the motor industry, and Mr. Mills has had lengthy commercialvehicle experience. Mr. H. D. Turner, who for a number of years has been with the company, will continue as an active director and have control of sales.
In connection with the reorganization, Mr. H. Hayward has resigned his position and severed his connection with the company.
Southend Corporation Appeal Lost.
The appeal of the transport committee of Southend Corporation against the refusal of the Traffic Commissioners for the Eastern Area of licences to run a fleet of buses on a route within the municipal area has been dismissed. It is probable that the corporation will apply for permission to operate On a different route, although nearly all the main routes in the town are already served by private bus undertakings.
Sales Representative Wanted for Oil-engined Vehicles.
, A well-known manufacturer of oilengined commercial vehicles requires for its sales staff a representative capable of handling its business in the north-west of England, and one who is conversant with the commercial-vehicle business in Lancashire and district will have an advantage. He will be required to operate from Manchester. Letters marked "Oil Engine" and addressed to the Editor will be forwarded to the proper quarter.
Western Area Licence Appeals.
Two appeals by Burnells Motors, Ltd., against decisions of the Western Traffic Commissioners were heard last Wednesday by Mr. R. H. Tolerton nt the Ministry of Transport. The first concerned the service formerly run between Weston-super-Mare and Sand Bay, whilst the second related to a winter service along the western sea front from the old pier to the village of Uphill. Decisions will be announced later.
Developments in Carlisle.
Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., has arranged to take over practically all the Carlisle bus services, and the question of abandoning the tramways in Carlisle is being considered by the corporation and the other interests.
Oil-engine Study in France.
M. Eugene Mathis, the President of the French Association of Automobile Engineers, has put forward a proposal that a centre should be • established in France for carrying out research work in connection with oil engines for motor vehicles.
The Power Harvester Demonstration.
The demonstration of combined harvester-threshers and agrimotors, mentioned in last week'e issue of The Commercial Motor, will be held on the land of Elton Estates, Ltd., and not at Berry Leas, near Peterborough. It has not yet been possible to fix the date, owing to the bad weather. As the spot is rather isolated from Peterborough, visitors are advised to use their cars.
Minimizing Inconvenience at Commissioners' Sittings.
According to a report by the Morecambe town clerk the Society of Town Clerks has decided that its members should assist each other in certain eases before the Traffic Commissioners, such as when an objection is raised and conditions are agreed. In this way it would be possible to have such conditions endorsed on the licences so that the town clerk of the place in which the sittings were held would represent others in towns some distance away.
Booking Agents' Insurance Scheme.
At the committee meeting of the Booking Agents' Association, held a few days ago, progress was reported in the matter of the insurance scheme to which we referred in our issue for last week. Letters were read from the Central London and London Terminal Stations supporting the scheme, whilst favourable expressions of opinion have also been received from operators. 1VIr. Bailey, the chairman, has accepted an invitation to attend the ,next meeting of the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association to explain the whole scheme.
'Bus Results at Rawtenstall.
In the year ended March 31st, 1931, the 20 Leyland buses in the service of Rawtenstall Corporation were operated at a gross profit of £11,410, the total revenue having • amounted to £39,012 and total expenses to £27,602.
During the year the buses covered an aggregate mileage of 678,620 and carried ‘3,745,820 passengers. Interest and sinking fund charges accounted for £5,317, leaving a sum of £6,173 to be carried to the appropriation account, after adding bank interest to income.
The municipal bus services were commenced in Rawtenstall in August, 1924.
Cast-iron Plates for Road Paving.
The first stretch of iron road to he laid was recently opened in Connaught Road. which is in the neighbourhood of Victoria and Albert Docks, London. It is estimated that this stretch carries approximately 80,000 tons a day and it is for this reason that it has been chosen for the test.
The surface is laid in triangular castiron slabs, each of which, has a series of truncated pyramids. A concrete foundation is used and the slabs are laid in hot bitumin. Strengthening ribs are employed on the underside of the slabs, which have what the inventor terms three-point suspension, thus avoiding the tendency for traffic to tip them up. All experiments in London are being carried out in the borough of West Ham.
The inventor of the cast-iron system of paving is Major Frank Small, and the concern' responsible for its introduction is iron Roads,. Ltd., which owes its inception to Mr. Frank Hough, joint managing' director of Henlys, Ltd., the well-known motor distributing concern. Municipalities and Bus Stations.
The chairman of the North-Western Traffic Commissioners has emphasized the opinion of the Commissioners that local authorities should regard the provision of parking places for publicservice vehicles as their duty. In this way municipalities would be able to retain the control of transport to a larger exient than if private companies were to build their own stations'.
A Mobile Showroom with Removable Bodywork.
Ferguson, PaHin, Ltd., of Higher Openshaw, Manchester, has recently put on the road a travelling showroom incorporating an A.E.C. chassis of the forward-control pattern with a 35 h.p. engine, the body having been Constructed at the F.P. factory. The floor measures 21 ft. by 7 ft., the overall height is 11 ft., and the overall length 26 ft. The body walls and roof are built up as a removable unit, which, when lifted off, permits the electrical machinery carried for display purposes easily to be lowered into position.
A film-projecting apparatus travels with the van. A collection of photographs, mounted on the inside walls of the van' illustrates the company's wide range of products.
French Imports and Exports Drop.
During the six months ended June last 221 commercial vehicles were imported into France, as compared with 1,114 in the corresponding half of 1930. During, the same period there was an appreciable drop in the exports of commercial vehicles—from 3,890 to 1,335 units.
Demonstrating Ford Capabilities.
A few days ago the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., exhibited at its headquarters at 88, Regent Street, London, W., an interesting film showing the various phases of its activities. Ford commercial vehicles were depicted negotiating most difficult surfaces, alarming hairpin bends and performing other remarkable feats. The outstanding progress that has been made in the construction of the Ford works at Dagenham was also demonstrated.
Personal Pars.
Further to a paragraph appearing in liur issue dated August 11th, we are informed that Mr. 3. G. Looker's sole interest in Lookers, Ltd., of 5-85, Hardman Street, Manchester, has been purchased by Messrs_ E. A. Radford, P. Tongue and Herbert W. Luff.
B22 Mr. Radford will occupy the position of chairman, and Mr. Luff is now director and general manager.
Mr. F. 1 0. Clutterbuck, who has been Northumberland district manager of the United Automobile Services, Ltd., for 41 years, recently retired from the service of the company. Mr. Clotterhuck also retired from the passengercarrying business, but not from the• road-transport industry.
He first joined the passenger-carrying business in 1918, when he was demobilized after four years' active war service with the Machine Gun Corps. He was appointed to the engineering staff of the Devon General Co., and a little more than five years ago went to Northumberland, where he was placed in charge of the United Co.'s traffic de
partment. A year later he was appointed district manager. Municipal Purchases and Proposals.
NORWICH Corporation has purchased two Morris-Commercial tipping lorries.
The corporation of RYB is buying a Morris-Commercial 250-400-gallon fire-engine.
TOTTENHAM Urban District Council requires a 30-cwt. utility van for the fire-brigade.
The question of buying a new firetender is under consideration by HASLINGDEN COrpOratiOn.
The transport committee of MIDDLESBROUGH Corporation is considering the purchase of more buses, GREAT YARMOUTH Corporation has received sanction to borrow £7,990 for the purchase of buses.
In connection with refuse collection, the WEST HAM authority is experimenting with a Thornyeroft 2-ton tipping lorry.
FLINT Town Council has taken delivery of a Morris-Commercial 250-400gallon fire-engine with first-aid equipment.
EASTBOURNE Corporation has renewed for three years a contract with the India Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., for the supply of bus tyres.
Dux LAOGEA/RE Corporation requires a fire-engine with a pumping capacity of not less than 250 gallons per minute. Tenders have to be delivered to the.
• town clerk by September 7th.
The public assistance committee of MANCHESTER. Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs. A. and 3. Barrison, Manchester, for the supply of three Daimler 25 hip. chassis, and that of Herbert Lotnas, Ltd., for three ambu7,
17ehe police T authorities of EDINBURGH require a combined ambulance and patrol wagon costing between £400 and £500. Further details can be obtained: . from the chief constable, Parliament Square, Edinburgh, and tenders have to be lodged with the town clerk by September 5th. • ' .Free State Imports Up.
The June return of the imports and exports of the Irish Free State reveals that whilst the value of commercial vehicles imported showed a slight decrease, actually there was an increase in the number as compared with that in the corresponding period of 1930. In June of this year 145 commercial motors valued at £18.885 were imported, as compared with 87 (£22,257) in June, 1930. In the first six months Of this year 711 machines (£103,625) were imported, whereas in the first six months of last year the number was 667 (£104,383).
Small Loss on Ashton Transport.
During the past year the bus and tram undertaking of Ashton-underLyne Corporation worked at a gross profit of 122,856, an amount equal to 1 per cent. profit on the total capital sunk in trams and buses by the department. Of this sum £8,596 has been paid in interest on loans, and the sinking fund has been increased by £16,847. Finally a deficit of £1,851 was left, but it is not proposed to call on the rates for this amount.
During the past year several new services Were inaugurated, and it was recently decided to open up the route to Sniallshaw, where there is a new housing estate. In March last the municipality owned 29 buses.
A London Salesman Wanted. •
A well-established concern marketing in this country a reputed make of commercial chassis for goods and passenger carrying is seeking to engage a salesman for the London area, mainly to handle a promising line of light goods models. An experienced tan with a .good record is required. Applications addressed to "Light Goods Carrier," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.