STAFFS HAULIER'S LICENCE SUSPENSION.
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Suspending, for four weeks, the A licence for two vehicles belonging to Darlaston (Staffs) haulier, as a penalty for their haying been used for purposes other than those for which they were licensed, the West Midland Licensing Authority (Mr. H. Trevor Morgan, K.C.) declined to accept the excuse that the haulier, Mr. J. H. Hodson, was not responsible for the infringe ments. The fact that no B-licensed vehicle was available was' no s rt of justification for using an A-licensed vehicle improperly.
At the inquiry, last week, it was strongly urged by the reinforcement officer that the withdrawal of the 13 licence should he seriously considered. as Mr. Hodson had had repeated advice and instruction and had given assu:ances which he had not kept.
The Authority, however, in giving his decision later, said he was adopting a lenient course with regard to the B litence, and disregarding, in formulating the penalty, speeding offences and other convictions for failing 'to keep proper records.
A Perkins Lecture in Dumfries.
The relative merits of the oil and the petrol engine came under critical review at a large gathering of traders and haulage contractors in Dumfries, last week. In answer to persistent demands by users throughout the south of Scotland, arrangements were made by Messrs. Irving and M'Kinnon, Dumfries, for a series of talks by a representative of F. Perkins, Ltd., Peterborough, on the development of the high-speed oil engine and the economic justification for its use in medium-type vehicles of the 30 m.p.h. class.
The lecturer, Mr. L. W. J. Hancock, stated the case for the oil engine, particularly the more popular six-cylindered type. The technical side of the lecture was illustrated by lantern slides, 020 after which he described the company's perpettni y plan.
The plan, he said, had been introduced to popularize the oil engine in the 30 m.p.h. class of lorry. The object of the scheme was to overcome the obstacle set up by the extra cost of the oil engine.
Agricultural Tractors Show Their Paces.
A tractor ploughing match and implement demonstration was held in Elgin, last week. The use of the tractor for haulage was seen when a Ferguson moved through newly cultivated land with a two-wheeled trailer of manure, the gross weight of the load being 31 tons. Two types of grass harrow were pulled by a Model B. Allis-Chalmers, whilst Messrs. Grant's Steadfast toolbar, attached to a Fordson tractor, was working as a cultivator. George Bruce and Co.. Aberdeen, had a power-driven Massey-Harris potato digger. The match was held under the auspices of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture.
Shipping Guide for Hauliers.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from November. 25 to December 2 inclusive:—DocKs: King George V. 7: Royal Albert, 7; Royal Victoria, 4; Surrey Commercial, 6; East India, I; West India, 2; South West India, 2; Tilbury, 11; Tilbury Stage, 4; Millwall, 6; London, 3. WHARVES: Hays, 6; Butler's, 2. Tilbury Jetty, 2. Regent's Canal, 1: For a Better Great North Road.
Opposition to the scheme having been largely overcome, the Minister of Transport has served on the North Riding of Yorkshire County Council, notice bf his intention to make an order approving three by-passes on the Great North Road near Londonderry, Barton and Catterick respectively. 5.TONNER COSTS 0.33d. PER MILE IN FUEL.
Operated by the Nostell Ltd., Wakefield, an H.S.G. 5-ton producer-gas lorry has averaged since June last 1,200-1,500 miles per month at a fuel cost of 0.35d. per mile. This statement was made recently by Mr. H. P. Hird, a director of British Carbonised Fuels, Ltd., Bradford, and inventor of the Hird process of producing Nostlite semi-coke, which is practised at the Nostell colliery.
Running on this fuel, the H.S.G.. we understand, has functioned satisfactorily. Its hopper can carry 350 lb., which is enough for 200 miles, the con. gumption being 1.75 lb. per mile Starting from cold, the vehicle is out of the garage within five minutes of lighting the fire. Cleaning of the ga., scrubbers—a weekly job—occupies only half an hour. Chassis embodying the H.S.G. plant are now produced by Sentinel,Waggon Works (1936), Ltd., 72-74, ViCtoria Street, London, S.W.1. and a full description of the models available appeared in our issue dated November 11, 1938.
According to Mr. Hird, it appears probable that the end of this country's liquid-fuel resources will be reached in 20 years, but, in spite of this, and of the disastrous consequences of our dependence on imported fuel in a nations' emergency, little or no encouragement has been given, in Britain, to the development of alternative home-produced fuels. The policy of successive Governments, he says, seems to be to safeguard the Exchequer against a. declining revenue from theduty on imported oils.
In his view, a large proportion of the road vehicles in this country could be run on producer gas, with financial advantage to their operators and benefit to the country. The recent crisis, he points out, brought home the dangers that lie in continued dependence on imported oil.
Germany's Flourishing Sales.
The official returns for August last show that the sales and first-time registrations of motorvans and lorries in Germany, including Austria, are being well maintained, the total for that month being given as 4,604 units, contrasted with 3,745 machines in August a year ago. For the eight months ended August, the aggregate is given as 32,773, compared with 27,845 units in the corresponding period of I937—an increase of 17.7 per cent.
The August total was made up of 608 vehicles with a carrying capacity of under 1 ton, 1.053 between 1 ton and 2 tons, 1,575 between 2 tons and 3 tons, 783 between 3 tons and 3i tons, 201 between 34 tons and 4 tons, 197 between 4 tons and 5 tons, 173 between 5 tons and 74 tons and 14 over 7?.: tons. The most popular vehicles at the present .time, with their August totals, are:—Ford 1,113, Opel 1,096, Daimler-Benz 615, Magirus 269, HansaLloyd 248, 13ussing-N.A.G. 219, Krupp 177, Frain° 177, Phanomen 120, D.K.W. 86.