Agents Differ on Who Should Carry Cruise Passengers
Page 42
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THERE is likely to be an interesting I hearing when, eventually, applications are heard by at least two operators who have been asked to provide express services to Southampton and Tilbury docks to connect with cruises operated from those ports by P and 0 Steamship Co. Ltd.
The confusion would seem to lie at the door of Escombe, McGrath and Co., who act as agents for P and 0 with offices at Birmingham and Manchester. The company's Birmingham office, it would seem, is supporting an application which was due. to be heard before the West Midland Commissioners in Birmingham last week, by L. F. Bowan Ltd. of Birmingham who, in point of time, were the first contenders for the carriage of intending P and 0 passengers.
In the meantime, however, Midland Red, jointly with the North Western Road Car Co., has applied to the North Western Commissioners for similar facilities to operate from Manchester with a picking-up point in Birmingham.
I understand that Bowan's Birmingham application has been adjourned and will be heard when the North Western/ Midland Red case comes before the West Midland Commissioners for a backing— when, presumably, Mr. John Else and his Commissioner colleagues will want to hear why the Birmingham and Manchester offices of the same company differ over their support in what must be quite an important matter to P and 0. I gather that support for the North Western/Midland Red is forthcoming by the agents because of the larger network of services operated by the two. As say, quite an interesting situation for the Commissioners to sort out.