NEWS of the WEEK
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PANEL FORMED IN GOODS CO-ORDINATION SCHEME.
An advisory council of leading operators from every Traffic Area has now been appointed to handle development in the scheme for the formation of a National Road Operators' Group, the plans for which were announced in The Commercial Motor On December 31.
A panel of accountants has been formed and is working at high pressure to cope as quickly as possible with the volume of financial and other statistics that has been submitted in relation to businesses throughout the country. In addition, a special staff has been engaged to carry on the rapidly developing organization.
Numerous meetings in London and throughout the Provinces are stated to have been largely attended. Objects of the co-ordination plan and proposed methods of working have been explained by Mr. Reginald Hindley, the well-known Manchester accountant, who is one of the sponsors, and by other speakers.
Record Made Out in Advance : Summons Fails.
A summons against a bakery-van driver who had filled in his record in advance, but had not signed it, was dismissed with costs against the Northern Traffic Commissioners, at Northallerton Police Court, last week. The summons was brought for alleged failure to keep a record.
Mr. C. Leveaux, an examiner, said that when he examined the defendant's record book at 10 a.m. on November 3, it contained entries purporting to show hours worked up to 6 p.m. that day. The driver explained to the witness that he had had a little time on his hands, and, knowing his duties for the day, had filled in the record.
Mr. E. H. R. Freeman, for the prosecution, said that the High Court had decided that the entries for drivers' record purposes must he made when the facts had been ascertained.
Mr. Heath argued that the record was not complete, as the defendant had not signed it. Variations could have been made later.
Having dismissed the summons, the magistrates agreed to state a case.
Appeal Dismissed, But Order Delayed.
Unusual circumstances attached to a haulier's appeal before the Appeal Tribunal, at York, last week, and the Tribunal adopted an unusual course in dealing with it. The appeal was dismissed with costs, but Mr. Rowand Harker, K.C., chairman, announced that the order would lie in the office for a month to give the appellant an opportunity, if he so desired, of making a fresh application.
The appellant was Mr. Herbert Shores, 64, Victoria Road, Driffield, a32 and the respondent was the L.N.E. Railway Co. Mr. S. E. Pitts, A.R.O. solicitor, said that the Yorkshire Licensing Authority regranted to Mr. Shores an A licence for five lorries and two trailers, but declined to do so in respect of a sixth lorry. This sixth lorry, Mr. Pitts explained, had been put on by way of substitution, and the Licensing Authority refused to reauthorize it on the ground that the vehicle which it had replaced bad not been used for two years.
The appellant contended that the replaced vehicle had not been used because of a fluctuation of business.
" Not Commercially Suitable ": Rail Admission.
At a resumed hearing, in Manchester, on Monday, of an application by L. M. Dean Transport, Ltd., for two extra vehicles, the railway companies took the opportunity of submitting rebuttal evidence with regard to tests of rail, as compared with road, deliveries, made by applicant's customers.
It was alleged that the rail tests were made in foggy and frosty weather, and that the consignments were marked L.M.S. for places to which the L.N.E. Railway Co. had the quicker service.
Mr. E. R. Cowan, partner in the applicant concern, replied that not on any day throughout the heavy weather was the delay more than an hour.
It was admitted by a railway witness that, whereas the applicant gave nextmorning delivery of all Manchester consignments to Norwich, the earliest rail delivery was in the afternoon, even if everything ran smoothly. The L.M.S. ran no train, but only a wagon from Manchester to Norwich each night, and it was shunted five times on the journey. Fog was the reason for the delay of the parcels. On the evidence from some of the customers, it was admitted that the railways were not offering transport commercially suitable.
Decision was reserved. BIGGEST ROAD-HAULAGE JOB EVER?
Arriving in London on Wednesday last, after making its way at 2 m.p.h. from Aruaarn, in Scotland, was a huge steam accumulator with a length of 70 ft., a diameter of 12 ft. and a weight of 90 tons. According to Pickfords, Ltd., which was responsible for its safe custody to Becton, it comprised the, biggest road-haulage job ever handled. Three traction engines, each weighing 20 tons, were used. The accumulator was mounted on two 16wheeled bogies, weighing 30 tons, the total weight being approximately 200 tons, including the coal wagon. The journey took 18 days, and 10 men were in charge of the load.
" C.M." 1938 Chassis List.
The 1938 edition of The Commercial Motor yellow-backed list of models and prices will shortly be available. Of waistcoat-pocket size, this booklet is an extremely handy work of reference and enjoys great popularity.
All the particulars it contains have just been revised and every care has been taken to ensure accuracy. No charge is made for it and readers requiring copies, who have not already done so, are advised to make application at once.
Electric Vehicle Committee Reorganization.
An extraordinary general meeting of the Electric Vehicle Committee of Great Britain, Ltd., will be held at 2, Savoy Hill, London, W.C.2, on February 9, to adopt new articles of association, changing the name to the Electric Vehicle Association of Great Britain, Ltd., and to adopt new classes of membership. The object of the change of name and reorganization is to divide the members into various sections. In future, they will pay an annual subscription according to their class of membership.