NEWS of the WEEK
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'The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs.--John Beattie Crozier.
UTILITY VANS ARE NOT GOODS VEHICLES, SAYS BENCH.
As reported in the issue of The Commercial Motor dated October 30, difficulties have arisen in connection with the use of Ford utility vans. In a number of cases magistrates have held that the shooting-brake should rank as a commercial vehicle and, in consequence, should be subject to the 30 m.p.h. speed limit.
The matter was again fought out at Hendon Police Court, last Monday, when two summonses were brought by the police, who contended that these vehicles were constructed or adapted for the carriage of goods, and, as such, a-ere subject to the speed limit.
The Bench decided that the speed limit imposed on goods vehicles did not apply to the Ford utility vans. Both summonses were, accordingly, dismissed, Researches into Oil-engine Injection Systems.
Dr. S. J, Davies, of King's College, in collaboration with Dr. E. N. Rowe, is giving the results of his further researches into fuel injection in 'oil engines, in the form of a paper, entitled " Processes in Oil-engine Injection Systems with Spring-loaded Nozzle Valves," before the Institution of Automobile Engineers. Dr. Davies will read the paper in Manchester on December 9, in Glasgow on December 14, and in Birmingham on December 22.
Big Progress by the Bedford.
Before the Scottish Show closed on Saturday last, a luncheon was given by Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., at which representatives of the company's distributors and dealers in the Scottish area were present.
Mr. A. F. Palmer Phillips, the concern's director of sales, thought that there was no need to be afraid of the regulations affecting commercial vehicles, which were so necessary to the welfare of the country. In the season which opened on September 1, the Scottish demand for Bedford vehicles was 10 per cent, higher than in the corresponding period last. year. He added that, in the year ended August, the Bedford vehicle obtained 32 per el8 cent, of the business of its class throughout the whole country. At the present time, Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., is employing about 8,000 people at its factory at Luton, but Mr.. Phillips said that the number would be increased to about 10,000 by March of next year.
Speaking of future developments, be expressed the view that, next year, the company's output would reach 71,000 vehicles, as compared with 51,000 in 1936.
Sir William J. Thomson, chairman and managing director of the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., in replying, hoped that the Government would not carry the regulation of the industry so far that it constituted a restriction on the country's business.
Big Renewal Case on Monday.
On Monday, November 30, the West Midland Licensing Authority will resume the hearing of the A-licence renewal application of Hurst and Payne, Ltd., Birmingham, which involves Red Arrow Deliveries, Ltd.
Ancillary Users' Evidence on Wages. • To-day (Friday), at 10.30 a.m., the Government committee of inquiry into wages and conditions will hear evidence from the Associated Committee of C Licence Holders, The meeting will be held at the Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Enston Comes to Light_
During the hearing of an A-licence renewal application by the Halkyn Haulage Co., of Bistre Avenue, Buckley. at Chester, on Monday, it was revealed that Mr. Enston (of Enston appeal fame) was now running three vehicles on contract licences for Messrs. Whitley Bros., of Wrexham.
WITNESS WHO REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
On the ground that he had lost business through having " told too much " at a previous hearing, Mr. Thomas A. Duncan, Barnhill, Perth, refused to answer certain questions at a sitting of the Northern Scotland Licensing• Authority, at Perth, last Friday.
Mr. Duncan, who was applying on behalf of Mrs. Jane A. Duncan, asked for permission to run an additional vehicle for haulage work. He produced documentary evidence to show that he had been anabIe to hire vehicles.
In examination by 'Mr. Gibson, for the L.N.E. Railway Co., Mr. Duncan, when asked about his business for the Grampian Electricity Co., refused to answer, alleging that he had lost a contract to Wordie and Co. through his statements in an earlier application. This allegation was at a later stage in the proceedings, withdrawn.
The application was refused.
The Future of Tractor Design.
Mr. D. N. McHardy, N.D.A., A.I.A.E., who has in the past contributed some informative articles to our columns, is to read a paper entitled " Agricultural Tractor Design" before a meeting of the Society of Engineers, to be held at the Geological Society, Burlington House, London, W., on Monday. December 7, at 6 p.m.
The paper records the development of the earliest types of tractor, both in Great Britain and the United States, and comments on the leading features of design and the results of such prac tical test data as are available. The design of tractor components is examined with a view to indicating what may he expected to be the next phases of construction.