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In Public Service,

26th February 1914
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Road to Romford.

Sir J. Bothell, M.P. for Romford, moved an amendment to the Address in reply to the King's speech, on the fah inst., regretting that there was no reference in that speech to " the unfair administration by the Road Board of the fends under its control." The amendment was rejected by 268 totes to 55.

Sheffield's Vote.

Orders for chars-a-banes at the Manchester Show were well ahead of last year's total. The jobmaster has now to compete with purchasers from the ranks of carriers, whilst both may shortly, as we have already pointed out, find themselves working side by side with municipal owners. The lattor result is anticipated at Sheffield, in respect of certain Derbyshire routes, where a poll of the ratepayers gave a majority of fully 9G00 in favour of the extended motorbus proposals.

L.G 0,C. Meeting.

Mr. Henry A. Vernet, presiding at the second annual general meeting of the L.G.O.C., Ltd., at Electric Railway House, on the 10th inst., stated that the company, during the year 1013, had carried 676,328,145 passengers, or an average of 1,S53,000 daily, whilst the average fare per passenger had been 1.33d. The record of fatal accidents showed the following deerease: hi 1912, one fatal acei(lent for every 443,057 omnibus, miles; in 1918, one fatal accident for every 663,402 omnibus-miles ;. and up to the 12th February of 1914, only one, fatal accident, for every 1,020,752 omnibus-miles. He: also quoted some of the efficiency figures to which we have given earlier publicity.

Intentions and Purcha ses.

Barnsley County Borettgh Ceuneil wishes to receive tenders, on or before the 2nd prox., for a petrol or steam, motor vehiele witha capacity of from three to four tons; the Corporation of Calcutta wishes to 7.teceive, on or before noon on the 6th April, addressed to its vieechairman, tenders for the supply el two petrol and one steam motor wagon, each of about six tons ears ying capacity, and three trailers of four tons carrying capacity, for, use with the wagons, all required for the removal of refuse, and tho )i/istriet, Engineer, District No.

Calcutta., will furnish copies of the specification; Bournemouth Corporation has ordered two Daimler single-dock omnibuses.

The Buda Pesth Municipality is now proceeding with its proposals for motorbus services.

The receipts of the National Steam Car Co., Ltd., for the week ended 21st February, 1944, were £365. This shows an inceease. of 21673 over the corresponding period of last year.

The receipts of the Tramways (M.E.T.) Omnibus Co., Ltd., for the week ended 14th February, were 28020, and for the Gearless Omnibus Co., Ltd., 2443. These show a decrease of £549 and £19 respectively as against the previous week.

Trapping in St. James' Park.

In a recent case at Bow Street, in respect of exceeding the speed limit in St. James's Park, on the. part of a taxicab driver, the method of trapping was fully explained. This is now carried out by means. of ordinary bull's-eye lanterns. No shutter is used, as would be expected, but the parkkeeper holds his hand in front. of the lantern It was given in evidence that park-keeper No. 2 receives a signal from No. 1, who removes his righthand from the bull's-eye while with his left he is holding the stop watch. When the bonnet of the ear reaches parkkeeper No. 2, he in turn removes his right hand from his lamp, and, of course, presses his watch. He then, it appears, turns right round and shows his lamp to parkkeener No. 3, who has to stop the car. In the ease in question, the park-keepers, who aaended in a body, were ordered out of court.

At Bristol.

Sir George White, Bart., presided at the annual general meeting of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Led., on the 48th inst. He pointed out that the receipts on the carriage side were now 42 per cent. of the total, compared with. only 18 per cent. in 1908, whereas the receipts on the tramways side were. only 58 per cent, compared with 82 per cent. five years ago. The company's motorbus services had been successful, and they were being rapidly extended.

Fire Brigade Matters.

The Bristol brigade may be entirely motorized by the end of this year ; Rhyl U.D.C. has instructed its Water Committee to obtain particulars of motor fire-enginee ; Bradford's discarded horse-di:awu steam fire-engines fetched 28-5, 285, and 219, at auction; Bmnsley Chamber of Commerce has passed a, resolution urging the need for the provision of motor fire appliances; Aberdeen Town Council has referred the matter of a new motor turbine fire-engine to the Lighting and Fires Committee, and that of a motor ambulance to time Watching Committee ; Croydon hopes shortly to acquire two more motor fire-engines, and a motor wagon, and Chief Officer Dane, to whose annual report we hope to refer further next week, finds that the-present motor equipment has saved the ratepayers' money ; Barnet U.D.C. ha,s bought a Dennis motor fire-engine at 2S90, with first-aid apparatus added at 135, and a telescopic ladder at £20; Sheffield T.C. will spend 26500 an telephonic street fire-alarms.

The Albion 24-seated torpedo char-h-hancs, which was recently exhibited at Manchester, has been sold to Mr. T. Magnier, of Leek, Staffordshire.

The new Manchester taxicab tariff is 10d, for the first mile or portion of a mile, and 2d. for each additional fifth. or lesser portion of a mile, with a waiting charge at the rate of 4s. per hour.

An Overtaking Collision.

We reported, in Xovember last (issue of the 27th), the ease of Mr. J. W. Knowles against Commercial Car Hirers, Ltd., in respect of a collision at Alfreton. The plaintiff was driving a motor char-h-nancs, and following behind one of the defendant company's motorbuses which pulled up suddenly. The jury in the County Court returned averdict for the defendant company, but the judge subsequently granted a new trial.. Mr. Justice _Ridley, in the High Court, has now held that it was correct for the County Court judge in the first instance to leave the question of contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff to the jury, and that the first trial was satisfactory. He has accordingly reversed the. subsequent order of the County Court judge for a new trial, with costs.

Melbourne Motorbus Matters.

From advices which we have received from our correspondent in Melbourne, we learn that it was .probable, at the time of his writing, early in January; that the four motor-omnibus companies then ell:ruing on operations in that city were likely to be amalgamated. A draft scheme had then been prepared by a sub-committee, the idea being to fuse the interests of : the Melbourne Motor Omnibus Co., which has 18 buses on the road and seven on order ; Motorbus Services, Ltd., with. four on the road and 12 on order ; the Globe Taxi and Motor Co., which has seven motorbuses ; and Withers and Sons, who have four machines. Should the amalgamation be brought about, it is understood that the capital -of the undertaking will be about half a million. This business step, we understand, is contemplated largely in order to be able to resist any legislative or municipal interference with motorbus operation, and also—we quote from the " Melbourne Argus "Because there is a possibility of, 'foreign capital being introduced to exploit the motorbus in Mel

bourne." Local a malgamati on -contemplates the -establishment of one large central repair shop and probably of coachhuilding works. It is interesting to record that the local bus drivers earn 50s. a week for 48 hours work, and time-andone-fifth for overtime.

c2 The Vehicle Workers' Union's Proposals for the L.G.O.C.

It is perhaps interesting to reproduce the terms of a recent letter which was sent to the chief engineer of the L.G.O.C. by the executive of the National Union of Vehicle Workers. it appears that the requests as to rates of wages and conditions of employment were as follow :

" Washers : 5s. 5d. per night ; five ears ; no cushions or roofs; six nights a week ; no garage work. Cleaners : 4s. fid. per night; six cars ; six nights a week ; no tray emptying ; no garage work. Brass, radiator and steel cleaners, apron men, gearbox fillers, greasers, firemen and board changers : 4s. 6d. per night ; six nights a week ; no garage work. Lamp trimmers and cleaners 4s. 6d. per night ; six nights a week. Paint washers and cushion cleaners : Os. 5d. per night ; six nights a week. Starting time for night workers, other than hourly men 11.30 p.m. Finishing time : 8.30 a.m. When a night worker loses a night's work, bare time only to be stopped. Labourers and improver-s: 6d. per hour ; six nights a week. Responsibility men (all men held responsible for work who sign drivers' report sheets) to -be paid not less than 80. per hour, including brakesrnen, dutchmen, differential men, gearmen, steermen, lorrymen, shunters and examiners ; nine -hours to constitute a night's work. Ignition men : 9d. per hour. Fitters' mates, petrol fillers and engine lubricators : 7d. per hour ; 54 hours to constitute a week's work for six nights. Cartridge fillers, chargers and sifters.: 30s. per week ; 48 hours to constitute a week's work ; six nights.

"All hourly men to be paid time and a-half on Saturday nights till finishing time on Sundays. Mess rooms : Mess rooms with light to be provided for night workers in all grades, to enable them to get meals in reasonable comfort. Pay time : Friday night to be fixed as pay time for all night workers at all garages. Travelling privilege : That all inside workers be granted the privilege of travelling to and from work in the company's buses free -of charge. Any grade of workmen not specified in the above grades to be paid a wage of not less than 4s. ed. per night. Insufficient light : A number of the company's garages are insufficiently lighted at present, and the men request that more light be provided to enable night workers to do their work." The Union seems to have omitted very little. The men who fill the gearboxes should, by all means, travel free in the company's buses -inside for preference, next to someone in a nice frock.

Receptacles for Disused Omnibus Tickets. Kensington Borough Council's Recommendations.

The Kensington Borough Council has been perturbed by the untidy appearance given to streets by the bus tickets which are thrown into the roadway, particularly at the stopping places and at the termini of the routes of buses. A communication was addressed to the Commissioner of Police requesting hint to give consideration to the question as to the advisability of imposing a condition in connection with the licensing of motor omnibuses that a box or other receptable for tickets should be provided and fixed in a convenient position at the rear of all buses. Although the Police Commissioner in his reply stated thata trial of receptacles for disused tickets was made by the L.C.C. upon their tramcars and practically no use was made of them, the Kensington Borough Council at a further meeting decided to send a second letter to the Commissioner urging that the suggestion should receive further consideration.


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