BIRD'S EYE VIEW
Page 30
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By The Hawk
Should a driver help with maintenance and overhauls? After travelling a considerable distance in a converted Dodge six-wheeler with Mr. F. J. Bunting, a driver-mechanic employed by Lineker's Garage, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts, I am convinced that he should—provided that a high standard of driving is matched by an equally high standard of mechanical ability. This is a rare combination, but if, like Mr. Bunting, a driver is responsible for overhauls, including engine reconditioning, and he knows his stuff, he is obviously much more in tune with his vehicle than the average driver—and he can get the very best out of it. The Best Drivers ?
Transport Managers The largest-ever gathering of any Transport Managers Club, anywhere in the country. That was how London-area chairman Peter Goodrum described their Christmas Dinner, held last week. Some 270 members and guests were there—and witnessed three unexpected presentations.
Number one was to Richard Lyon, secretary of the London Club. " Quiet efficiency " describes everything Dick Lyon organizes, and his long and sterling work was recognized with the presentation of a certificate of life membership. A thoughtful touch this—especially since, as he remarked with a broad grin, he was elected secretary by unanimous vote during a meeting at which he wasn't present.
Services Rendered The remaining two present
lions were of silver cigarette boxes to Albert Searle at George Morris. "For services rendered" is one way putting it. As, respectively, M.C. and pianist, Albert at George have for years made all the functions go with tremendous swing.
Fares Reductions? If the fuel tax were abolishe would bus fares come down? The additional revenue woul almost certainly be used to meet increasing workir .expenses, and to meet the wage claims which would r doubt be lodged immediately on behalf of bus crews.
What, then, are the chances of lower fares as a stimuli to increased bus travel? Or, if the tax is not remove of fires staying put? Sometimes the elimination of od halfpenny amounts on general fare revisions leads to actu: reduction of fares for many passengers. Removal ( anomalies also leads, on occasion, to fare reductions.
I was interested to see an application from a lari North West England operator, in respect of two service which increases some fares by one penny, but reduct two fares by the same amount—by twopence in the ca of return fares. The same week an application from large Midland operator to remove anomalies would lea to a reduction by one penny on quite a number of fan on several routes. Steps in the right direction.
Tale of Export Leyland Motors, very muc
export-minded, of course, recently secured its first orch from the French territory of New Caledonia, in the Pacifil The order, for one Leyland Super Beaver, was not lark —but the story behind it is interesting. It was originate by the Standard-Triumph agent for New Caledonia, M Paul Loupias, of Noumea. He advised a French min prospector M. Clement Brunelet to buy this vehicle fitte with Edbro tipping gear and a 6 cu. yd. dumper hod; M. Brunelet is to make payment with the proceeds of shipment of nickel ore to Japan. He then proposes to in the Beaver to extract more ore to get more money to bu more trucks to extract more ore. . . .
M.C. on the Ball No doubt about it Erni Foster, the congenial Devon and Cornwall R.H.A. are secretary, is a good M.C.—he knows how to wheedle monc Out of people. At the excellent dinner and dance Plymouth last week he collected well over £40 in hall crowns from the 220-odd people present (there was onl accommodation for that number—many more applied How did Ernie do it—by coining in intervals betwee dances various " catch" items like:-" Can anybody give iii a red stick "—alternatively a set of black teeth, a leg that not human, an endorsed driving licence. The first to reac him with these items received a plant with pot—but fir: had to hand over half a crown. Proceeds go to th Plymouth Lord Mayor's Christmas Fund.
Are you interested in wonl records? Most people seem to be. But just consider ho many must be broken each year, month, week or even da A man who thinks he must have established a war] record recently is Mr. Maurice Waterfield, of WaIsal Mr. Waterfield, who is 48, has worked for 34 years in tl vehicle trimming and furniture trade. He is employed foreman trimmer with the Bostrom Manufacturir Company, in Birmingham. His record? He has mac 250,000 vehicle seats. Do I hear 250,001?
A World Record?