Spurrier Trust Deed Handed to Inst. of T.
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AT the invitation of the President of the Institute of Transport, we attended a function which marked a very interesting event. This was the handing over of the Henry' Spurner Memorial Trust Deed to the Institute. The Deed covers a considerable sum to be dedicated in perpetuity for the purpose of applying the income derived to the promotion and encouragement of study and rwarch in every subject connected with the development of road transport in all its aspects.
This will be carried out:—(a) by establishing and maintaining Henry Spurrier Memorial Scholarships to amounts and to such persons as the Council shall deem proper: (b) the granting of financial aid to persons who, through lack of means, are unable to advance their education in the appropriate subjects: (c) the arranging of Henry Spurner Memorial Lectures.
There is an interesting proviso that if at any time hereafter the evolution of transport shall be such that, in the opinion of the Council, the perpetuation of the memory of thelate Henry Spurrier would be better served by substituting the words " transport generally " for the words " road transport," the Institute can apply to the appropriate judge of the High Court of Justice to make such variation.
The chair at the meeting was taken by Mr. J. S. Nichol', President of the Institute, and those present included the majority of the Council of that body, together with Mr. A. A. Liardet as personal representative of the Spurrier family, Mr. E. S. ShrapnellSmith (chairman of the Henry Spurrier Memorial Committee), and the other members of that body—Messrs. H. Shankland, W. F. Mallender, and E. L. Cadwallader (honorary secretary). The Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, G.B.E., also a member, was unable to be' present.
Mr. Shrapnell-Smith said that this was a special occasion, for he believed that the Institute had no similar fund. The object was to pay tribute to a man with whom many present had most pleasurable associations. Mr. Spurner was a lovable man, whose first considerations were not to make money, but to do his job and help, those who bought his vehicles.
So far there were 310 contributors representing £13,600, and more was coming in, so that he could promise a second sum of some £5,000.
To avoid difficulties, the Trust had been made broad in its scope. The ,Fund was not a benevolent one, but designed to help young men to develop in the field of transport. The income would probably allow for three scholarships of £130 each per year. Mr. Liardet, replying, welcomed the opportunity to pay tribute to a great man and a great friend. Mr. Spurner was thorough in everything he did and had the courage of his convictions. An example of this was the way in which he backed the oil engine. .
Mr. Nicholl said, that if a man can be judged by his friends, then Mr. Spurner must have been a remarkable personality. There was not a better way of keeping his memory living than by helping in the education of those who would follow his way of life. He was devoted not only to the technical side, but to the wider sides of operation and management. Mr. Nicholl gave an assurance that the Institute would do its utmost to carry out the Trust in a fitting manner. To-day, more than ever, the business of transport held vast opportunities of service to the community. The Institute had set up a Committee to deal with the best methods of carrying out the Deed, and Mr. Shrapnell-Smith would be a member of this.