DEATH OF SIR RAYMOND DENNIS, K.B.E.
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I T was with great personal regret that we learnt of the death, on May 20. in his 61st year, of Sir (Herbert) Raymond Dennis, K.B.E., joint managing director of Dennis Bros., Ltd., since its inception. His loss will be deeply felt by the industry, of which he was such a prominent personality.
The present company grew from the Universal Athletic Stores, founded in High Street, Guildford, in 1895, where the brothers, John and Raymond Dennis, dealt in all varieties of sports gear, including cycles. They began to specialize in the latter and carried out early experiments with motor tricycles and quads, which were in regular production at the beginning of the century.
The first motorcar with a singlecylindered De Dion engine appeared in 1902 and the first commercial vehicle in 1904.
It was during the War that he was created a K.B.E. for his services in the production of vehicles for the Government.
He is survived by Lady Dennis, four sons and one daughter.
National Service and H.G.V. Drivers' Licences.
L./ T AST week the possibility of getting
special licences for drivers of national-service vehicles was discussed at a meeting of Perth City National Service Committee. Lord Provost Nimmo, who presided, pointed out that men who had experience of driving cars and light vans had volunteered for service as drivers of fire-engines, but it seemed that before they could be allowed to drive the vehicles, they would have to take out h.g.v. licences at their own expense and pass the test.
Colonel William Gray remarked that for the safety of the public there would a28 have to be some sort of test for drivers. It should be possible, however, to secure the concession of a special licence, restricted to driving for national-service purposes. Lieut.-Col. E. W. Watt, one of the Ministry of Labour national-service Officers, promised to take the matter up with the authorities.
Welsh Anthracite for Producer-gab Vehicles.
are informed that a new brand VY of South Wales anthracite coal, to be used exclusively in gas produce:s, is now marketed by the Amalgamated Anthracite Collieries, Ltd., of Swansea. It is called " Progasite," and is sold unbagged. This fuel has already been used in Scotland, where it has been utilized in conjunction with lowtemperature coke.
Ford Photographic Exhibition.
AN exhibition of photographs of historic interest, many taken during the late War, is being held in the showrooms of the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., 88, Regent Street, London, W.1, from May 22 to June 3, during the hours 9-6, and 1 p.m. on Saturday.
HOPEFUL AUGURY FOR ROAD-RAIL CONCORD.
I N the June Bulletin of the National Road Transport Employers' Federation it is stated, in reference to the T.A.C. Report, that the Road and Rail Central Conference provided for in the agreement has already been set up, and Regional Committees are in process of formation.
No other country has yet found an entirely satisfactory solution of the road-rail problem. It is, therefore, no exaggeration to say that if the Government implements the proposals contained in the Report, the whole world will await with interest the result of this five years' experiment.
It is hoped that the early moves presage a happy relationship between road and rail, one which will be characterized by friendly rivalry instead of wasteful competition. If this spirit can be maintained, both forms of transport may look forward to a more prosperous future and the trader may expect a more efficient service.
Deputation on h.p. Tax.
ON Tuesday the Chancellor of the Exchequer received a deputation from the motor industry, on which were represented both the manufacturers and the retail side. It was headed by Mr. W. E. Rootes, President of the S.M.M.T., and included Mr. A. Guy, President, M.A.A.
The following proposals were submitted only after very grave consideration of the Chancellor's difficulties in dealing with the abnormal financial situation:—(1) that the h.p. tax should on no account exceed 20s. per h.p.; (2) that registration by monthly licences should be allowed; (3) that some reasonable tax concession should be granted on used cars.
"Shameful Condition" of Rail-borne Fish-boxes.
" SHAMEFUL " was how the condition of empty fish-boxes, which arrive in Aberdeen by rail after a return journey from markets in the south, was described during the hearing of an application in Aberdeen, last week, by Messrs. Watt and Davidson, haulage contractors, Aberdeen, for a variation of their A licence. They asked for the addition of two vehicles riot exceeding 2,i tons each. The railway companies opposed the variation.
Supporting the application, Mr. David C. Spence, manager of Messrs. Allan and Day, wholesale fish merchants and exporters, Aberdeen. said road transport had helped him to build up a substantial business with Ireland. Replying to Mr. Henry Riches, Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, witness said it was a waste of time to make a claim against the railway companies for loss through damage. Their business was continually increasing, stated Mr. Alex. Davidson, a partner in the firm, who added that he had to hire largely to take traffic to Ardrossan. The hearing was adjourned for further evidence. GOOD TRANSPORT SHOW AT "BATH AND WEST."
THE Bath and West Show, which opened at Bridgwater on Wednesday, brought together some good roadtransport exhibits, several leading makes being shown by local dealers. Messrs. Real, Medland and Wills, of Bridgwater, had on view various Morris-Commercial vehicles designed for farm work, including an estate truck for cattle-carrying and general work. The range of other vehicles included a 5-cwt. van and a Bedford lorry.
Four concerns combined to stage a show of the new Austin commercial range. These were the Taunton Motor Co., Messrs. Vincent Motor Works, Yeovil, Henly's, Ltd., Bristol, and the Bridgwater Motor Co_ The vehicles shown were a 3-ton tipper, a 3-ton loeg-wheelbase drop-sided lorry, a cattle lorry, a 2-ton lorry, and 8-cwt., 12-cwt. and 30-cwt. models exhibited as vans.
The Morris-Commercial range also figured on the stand of Marshalsea Bros., Ltd., Taunton, which showed it 5-ton tipper, 2-ton and 3-ton dropsided lorries and a market gardener's vehicle.
Representing Fordson interests were the concerns of Messrs. Hughes, of Exeter, Messrs. Henry Norrington and Son, Exeter, Messrs. White Bros., Taunton, Kingsmead Motor Co., Ltd., Bath, Messrs. Grove Park Garage, Weston-super-Mare, Messrs. 3. H. Swatlield and Sons, Yeovil, Rurasey, Ltd., Bristol, and Messrs. Bryan Bros., Bristol. On the stand were examples of Fordson lorries and tractors, several utility cars being prominent among the exhibits.
C. Allen and Son, Ltd., Taunton,
showed Bedford cattle trucks, dropsided lorries and vans, whilst horseboxes came from Messrs. Vincents, of Reading. The Lambourn horsebox was also on view and attracting considerable attention.
An exhibit of Guy vehicles was made by Messrs. Rhodyate Service Station, of Cleeve, Bristol, who showed a Levin van, a cattle lorry and two clia5SiS•
CHASSIS AND VEHICLE EXPORTS CONTINUE TO FALL.
BOARD OF TRADE returns for April last show that the value of commercial vehicles, cars, chassis and accessories imported during that month was £228,423. It was 4211,171 in April, 1938, and 2442,038 in April, 1937.
There was an appreciable drop in the export of commercial vehicles, the total
• at 227 contrasting with 372. for April,•1938-, Whilst there *as an even greater fall in the value, whieh last year was £146;285 and this year £48,824. Commercial chassis exports showed a decrease in number and in value, the nurnber exported in April last being 863, their tialue being £158,094, the comparable returnsfor April, 1938, being 976 chassis and £186,817.
Government Accepts T.A.C. Report on Railways' Application.
I N the House of Commons on Wed
nesday, Capt. Euan Wallace, Minister of Transport, made the following statement:—" The Government has decided to accept, in principle, the recommendations of the Transport Advisory Council in its report on the proposals of the main-line railways, and I should like to pay tribute to the work of Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen and his colleagues. The specific changes in the law, which may be involved, require careful consideration, but it is intended to introduce appropriate legislation so soon as possible next session."