Where Credit is Due
Page 49
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EVERY praise is due to Mr. Leslie Stokoe. secretary of the Scottish Area of the Road Haulage Association, and his staff for their splendid work in arranging the annual conference in Rothesay last week. So often the conference committee tend to get the praise and the'secrelary the kicks, so I place on record my appreciation of Mr. Stokoe's work.
He had great difficulties to contend with in finding accommodation for delegates in a number of hotels spread over a distance of more than two miles, and in co-ordinating complicated transport arrangements to and from the various functions. But the programme was carried through without a hitch, and it Was generally agreed that Mr. W. E. Foster, secretary of the Devon and'Cornwall Area who will be the hosts at next year's conference at Torquay, will be hard pressed to surpass the organization at Rothesay, True, some of the delegates found themselves the unwilling victims of temperance, but I understand that the defect was quickly remedied.
Happy Thought
ONE of the things I appreciated most was a large wallet, which came with the compliments of the Gourock Rope' work Co., Ltd., of Port Glasgow. It was made of Pluviac, a tough waterproof material now used for tarpaulins. It was leather-embossed and inscribed with gold lettering, and was most useful for carrying all the papers that a conference delegate acquires and so frequetitly loses.
Space Traveller
THE distinction of having travelled farthest to attend the conference went to Mr. W. I. Duckham, of Falmouth, who made a round trip of more than 1,500 miles. He conveyed greetings from his friend, Mr. Percy Lobb, Mayor of Falmouth and a member of the motor trade, to Mr. D. W. McDonald, Rothesay's gay provost.
In return, Mr. McDonald sent Mr. Lobb a plaque bearing Rothesay's coat of arms. As rising holiday resorts, both towns have a common interest. Indeed, the coastal scenery of Bute is strongly reminiscent of that of South Cornwall.
Stowaway
QHORTLY after the steamer that took the delegates on a is-) trip round the island had left Rothesay, a stowaway— albeit an unwilling one—was discovered. A woman who. wished to go to Glasgow to visit a friend in hospital mistook_ the vessel for the ferry to Wemyss. She had a most enjoyable afternoon, but I am afraid she did not reach Glasgow.
Genius at Work
THE inventive genius that niade Britain great shows no siga of flagging.. A London man has secured a paten! for a device which enables a driver to signal without exposing his lily-white hand to the harsh elements. It consists of a transparent plastics sleeve set in the middle of a window.
But even greater solicitude for the driver's welfare has been shown in America, where a basic attack has been made . on the problem of keeping awake on fang, boring journeys. It is being solved by a lumpy belt driven by an electric motor, which revolves beneath the driver's seat.
Another equally effective, but less expensive, method is a trickle of cold water from a tank mounted on the cab roof. I shall expect a royalty from anyone who exploits this idea.
Tit for Tat
I-1 A LARGE fleet operator was standing beside a couple of empty vehicles when a leading tyre company's representative arrived at the depot on a goodwill call. A flash of inspiration came to the haulier. "Listen," he said, " either I get some traffic out of your works, or I won't run anothei one of your tyres on any of my vehicles."
The loads were forthcoming so readily that four other tyre makers received the same ultimatum—and all took the bait. Then it was the turn of the battery concerns and other component manufacturers, with equally successful results.
Obviously, none of them received additional orders, but the haulier has increased his well-paying traffic, so everyone is happy.
Left in the Air
Bus passengers in the Bedford area were left in the air for nearly thre.e hours one afternoon last, week while employees of the United Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., took themselves, without warning, to a union meeting. They, apparently, objected to new schedules, which, they claimed, put their working conditions back 20 years.
I seem to remember that 20 years ago there was quite a lot of unemployment and if busmen continue to treat the public in this cavalier spirit, they will put their own clocks back with a vengeance.
Apartheid for "Sportsmen"
SUCH is the heat generated by football in Scotland that the Glasgow police arc now directing the buses of
opposing supporters to different parking sites. After last week-end's fracas, in which 17 men were arrested after a football match; apartheid seems to be highly desirable.
The police are driving waiting vehicles off Glasgow streets, and Queens Park Recreation Ground is being used as a park for cars and coaches visiting sporting events.
LUV Letters
EVERY wise operator makes his vehicles sell his commodity or service. Batchelors Peas, Ltd., have done better than most—either by accident or design—for the other day I saw two of their vans bearing the registration letters PEA.
But one of Britain's lurid publications has gone even further. It not only sells its product but epitomises the interests of its readers in tne registration letters LUV.