WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
Page 38
Page 39
Page 40
Page 41
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
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.
British Road Federation Activities.
The British Road Federation, in common with other organizations, realizes that one of the paramount needs of industry is to plan operations as far ahead as possible and so stabilize the demand for labour and finance, and, at the same time, impart a feeling of security.
In the Road and Rail Traffic Bill the proposal to give the licensing authority power to withdraw licences from hauliers if, in its opinion, the services rendered are redundant, is checking enterprise and is being strenuously opposed by the Federation as being grossly unfair to put out of business and deprive of his livelihood a contractor who scrupulously observes the conditions laid down in the Road Traffic Act and in other legislation applying to his business. Such a clause makes planning impossible and thus works to the detriment of industry as a whole. Other clauses in this Bill and in the Finance Bill are being vigorously resisted by the Federation, particularly those which impose a penal taxation on transport. The efforts to secure fair treatment have the backing of the Federation of British Industries and of many Chambers of Commerce throughout the country.
R.H.A. Northern Regional Area Meeting.
The first annual general meeting of the northern regional area of the Road Haulage Association took place a few days ago, when Mr. W. W. Walton, M.Inst.T., presided over an enthusiastic muster of members. Following the reading of the report, three members were elected to the area committee, these being Mr. 3'. H. Turnbull (North Shields), Mr. P. A. Orrell (Messrs. Orrell and Brewster), and Mr. H. G. Martin (H. G. Martin and Co.).
Mr, H. Clark, one of the divisional organizers, congratulated the area committee on its good report of the first year's work.
A special meeting of the regional committee was subsequently held to deal with the question of a proposal that the Northern Road Transport Owners Association should become affiliated with the northern regional area of the and a special sub-committee to report on the matter was formed.
Next Week's Congress at Leeds.
The 23rd annual congress of the Tramways Light Railways and Transport Association opens at Leeds on Wednesday next (June 7) and closes on June 9. During the congress the headquarters of the Association will be the Queen's Hotel, Leeds. An informal reception by Mr. E. II. Edwardes, J.P., chairman of the Council, will take place at 9 p.m. on the Wednesday. On the following day there will be an official welcome at 10 a.m. by the Lord Mayor of Leeds. An hour later Mr. W. Vane Morland, M.Iust.T., general manager and engineer of Leeds City Tramways, will read a paper entitled "Modern Mass Transportation Methods," after which there will be an inspection of new types of bus engine and transmission system. The members' annual dinner and dance takes place on the evening of June 8.
• On the Friday morning Mr. W. A. Stevens, M.Inst.T., will read a paper on "Regeneration on Trolley Vehicles," and Mr. D. E. Bell, A.M.I.E.E., general manager, Yorkshire (W.D.) Electric Tramways, Ltd., will read another on "Various Types of Fuel Used in Omnibus Engines." The congress will close with a reception, dance and cabaret.
Guy Chassis for "Lancashire United."
Amongst orders which Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, has in hand is one for 16 four-wheeled double-deck trolley-bus chassis and two four-wheeled double-deck bus chassis, equipped with Gardner oil engines, for the Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., Ltd.
Commer H.Q. in London.
The new premises which Rootes, Ltd., has recently opened at Francis Street; Tottenhit'm Court Road, W.1, areqgto constitute the headquarters in London for Commer commercial vehicles. A range of models, from the 6-8-cwt. to the 6-tonner, will be on view, and there will be demonstration vehicles available. Commer dealers are invited to use the depot for the benefit of their prospective customers.
Mr. P. G. Watson is the manager of the depot, which is centrally located and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
W.D. Buying Further AX.C.-Hardy Vehicles.
The demand for A.E.C.-Hardy vehicles (in which all the wheels are driven) for specialized transport work is, we learn, showing considerable development, and a sixth repeat order has just been received from the War Department. This is for seven A.E.G.Hardy' R6T vehicles, which will be equipped with the A.E.C. 120 h.p. petrol engine. Five of the machines are to be used as anti-aircraft gun tractors and two will be equipped as breakdown vehicles.
Haulier's New Depot in Norwich.
In connection With the acquisition of the road-transport business of Mr. H. A. Roberts, Norwich, Messrs. Giles and Bullen, of King's Lynn and Birmingham, have now taken premises in Sussex Street, Norwich, as an office and depot for the city.
. Experienced Salesman Needed.
An important commercial-vehicle manefacturer requires an experienced salesman for the London district and Southern Counties. Letters, addressed Salesman," care of the Editor, will be forwarded. An announcement concerning the vacancy also appears in our small-advertisement columns in this issue. - "Maidstone and District" Profits.
The accounts of the Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., for the year ended March 31 last show a net profit of £51,660 (after allowing £122,199 for depreciation), as contrasted with £59,664 a year earlier. A final dividend of 7.1. per cent, is recommended for payment on the ordinary shares, making 12i per cent, for the year. The amount to be carried forward at £20,135 is higher by £1,161 than that in the previous year.
Mr. Dieksee on Oil Engines.
Mr. W. E. Gough presided at a meeting at the South Wales Institute of Engineers, Cardiff, when Mr. C. B. Dicksee, M.LA.E., A.M.I.Mech.E., lectured on the compression-ignition engine and its development.
The speaker, in addition to giving technical explanations, dealt with the lower running costs, greater safety and efficiency, which he claimed could he achieved by the oil engine. He stated that a higher measure of prosperity might be brought to the South Wales coalfields by the oil-from-coal researches.
Mr. Gough is chairman of the Motor Omnibus Proprietors Association (South Wales): A Publicity Expert Available.
Mr. W. T. Bishop, who has been for over 10 years in charge of the publicity department of John I. Thoroveroft nod Co., Ltd., is relinquishing his appointment on June 30. He has had a unique experience of motor-trade publicity, having been connected with several of the leading makers of accessories, tyres, cars and commercial vehicles. Concerns or agencies handling motor or technical Publicity which may be interested in obtaining his services should write to him, care of the Editor.
The Benevolent Fund Handbook.
The Motor and C:gole Trades Benevolent Fund, 28, Bedford 'Row, London, W.C.-1, of which Mr. A. EL Dawson is general secretary, has issued its annual handbook for 1933. It contains, as usual, the rules and by-laws of the Fund, anoual reports and statements of accounts, and complete lists of donors, members and associates as at December 81. 1932. A new feature is a table giving full particulars of the membership of each branch centre and the amount granted to it in relief.
Personal Pars.
The transport -committee of Salford Corporation recommends the appointment of Mr. John William Blakemore, noiv deputy, as general manager of the transport undertaking.
Mr. E. R. Caslake, a member of the staff of the highways department of the Isle of Ely County Council, has secured a prize offered in connection with a motor-park designing competition.
Mr. E. C. Marston has intimated to the road-transport section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commeree that, owing to taking up his residence in London. he might have to resign his office as chairman. The section has decided to leave the matter over for a mouth or two.
Councillor H. H. Nuttall, of Best and Co., Liverpool, a well-known member of the Liverpool branch of the Road Haulage Association, has been elected chairman of the Liverpool section of the Industrial Transport Association, of which he has been a member almost since its inception.
We extend our congratulations to Mr. P. W. 'McGuire, who has been appointed managing director of Armstrong-Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd. It will be recalled that Mr. McGuire, whose portrait appears on this page, undertook the duties of general sales and service manager to the company in May, 1932.
Owing to pressure of other •duties, Mr. 14'. Marshall, of Leeds Corporation's tramways department, has resigned the post of hon. secretary of the Yorkshire Regional Fares Committee, which he has ably filled since the committee was established a little over a year ago.
Mr. Thresh, of the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., has been appointed a,s his successor.
His many friends in the industry will learn with interest that Mr. V. 0. Skinner, late joint managing director of the Gifford Motor Co., Ltd., has acquired an interest in Setright Registers, Ltd., maker of a well-known type of ticket-issuing machine. He is taking over the management of the new branch works which this enterprising concern has found necg.ssary to cope with its rapidly expanding business.
Mr. W. H. Goddard, A.M.I.Mech.E., who is well known for his activities in connection with the oil engine, and is agent for Yorkshire and Lancashire for Gardner engines for road-transport conversions, will be abroad from June 1 to Juue 30. During this period inquiries and business concerning the sale and fitting of Gardner oil engines for the above counties should be addressed to the Pelican Engineering Co., Ltd., Pepper Road, Hunslet, Leeds.
Cancellation of Insurance Policies.
According to the Ministry of Transport ruling, an insurance company has no right to "cancel" a policy of insurance in respect of a vehicle, apart from some express terms in the policy.
The road-transport section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce has had before it complaints of policies having been cancelled, and, as a result, has communicated with the Ministry of Transport. The Ministry points out that what is usually described as cancellation is almost, in every case, merely an intimation by the company that it regards the policy as void ab initio on the ground that, owing to misrepresentation or withholding of material information by the proposer, the foundation for the contract was gone, and that there was never any effective insurance. The Ministry further intimated that it would Impart an entirely new principle into Insurance law in the event of a policy a insurance being indisputable unless and until a month's notice of cancellation has been given.
The road-transport section of the Chamber has decided not to accept the reply from the Ministry as being final, but to bring the matter before the council of the Chamber of Commerce for further consideration. It is held that conditions have changed entirely through the enactment of the Road Traffic Act, 'which has made it impossible for a company to carry on without insurance.
Specializing in Oiler Sales and Conversions.
We are advised by Fuel Oil Motors, Ltd., Cullompton, Devon, that it has been appointed the agent for Karrier petrol and oil-engined vehicles for Devon and Cornwall and the major por tion of Somerset. Fuel Oil Motors, Ltd., has been formed for the purposes of specializing in oil-engined vehicles and oil-engine conversions, and the company is finding that users in the southwest are most receptive to the advantages of the oiler, and it has several conversions from petrol to oil in hand.
Polytechnic Transport Club.
The first annual report of the transport club, organized in connection with the North-Western Polytechnic, Kentish Town, London, N.W.5, was placed before members on May 26. Some interesting meetings and visits to the depots of transport undertakings have taken place since the first session on November 4, 1932.
The Inernbership at present stands at only 30, and it is hoped that more students, both past and present, of the North-Western Polytechnic will join, to ensure a successful 1933-1934 session.
Canadian Trade Commissioner in This Country.
Mr. A. M. Wiseman, M.C., His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in Toronto, is now on leave in this country and will be available at the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, to interview United Kingdom trade associations and representatives of business houses. He will be prepared to discuss with those who are contemplating an application for a review of duties by the Tariff Board, under the United KingdomCanadian Trade Agreement made at Ottawa, the procedure with which it would be desirable for them to conform. Applications for interviews should indicate the subject to be discussed, and reference 0Y4141 should be quoted.
Soutlidown Motor Services Profits.
During the year ended March 31, 1933, Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., made a net profit of £73,478, as compared with £89,643 a year earlier. The distribution for the year amounts to 15 per cent., a final dividend of 5 per cent., together with a bonus of a like amount, now being proposed. A sum of £10,000 is allocated to reserve, leaving a balance of £20,543 to be carried forward.
Local Haulage Association Affiliates With R.H.A.
An open meeting of hauliers was held on May 27 at Hexham by the Tyneside Livestock and General Hauliers Aszoelation, the chair being occupied by Mr. W. W. Sanderson.
The chairman mentioned that, whilst the Association was only a small body to local hauliers, it claimed the distinction of being the first association in the country consisting of hauliers solely engaged in the cattle-carrying business. It was now felt, however, that, whilst it was still able to tackle its local problems, there were many national matters, such as the Road and Rail Traffic Bill, which were beyond its scope, and the object of the meeting was to discuss. the possibilities of affiliation with the uorthern regional area of the R.H.A.
Mr. Harry Clark, a divisional organizer of the 11.H.A. explained the details of affiliation and instanced several cases where small local bodies had linked up with the R.H.A. In reply to a question, he stated that over 75 per cent. of the membership of the Association consisted of firms owning from one to three vehicles.
After a discussion, it was unanimously decided to affiliate with the R.H.A.
Motors to Save Manchester £1,000 a Year.
• The cleansing 'committee of Manchester Gthtotation proposes to reorganize the transport system in the Withington area. This reorganization is part of a larger scheme for the complete modernization of the collection and disposal of refuse and street-cleansing throughout that area, and the committee recommends the purchase, for this purpose, of six low-loading motors at £670 each, a tipping lorry at £960, and four Karrier Colt collection vehicles.
The 11 motor vehicles would displace 38 existing horse-drawn carts and would provide a more hygienic -and efficient transport service. Recent costs figures have proved that there is an economy of 25 per cent. by the use of mechanical refuse collectors in place of horse-drawn carts, whilst the saving shown by tipping wagons in conveying clinker and dust from depot to tip, compared with horse transport, varies from 5d. to 7d. per ton-mile. , Final costs over a period are not available with respect to the suggested Colt vehicles to be utilized in the collection and removal of street sweepings, but an economy of not less than £200 per vehicle per -annum is expected, Altogether, the committee anticipates that the conversion of these transport
• methods will result in a saving of at least £2,000 per annum.
Brighton Urged to Centralize
Transport.
The motor vehicles sub-committee of Brighton Corporation has considered the advisability of setting up a transport centre for the whole of the motor vehicles owned by the corporation, and recommends the council to take steps to bring under one control (1) the purchase of cars, vans, lorries, tyres, etc. ; (2) the repair and maintenance of all motors; (3) the garaging of all motor vehicles ; (4) the issue of vehicles as required by each department.
The sub-committee emphasizes that the whole of the corporation motor vehicles should be brought into the scheme, and further recommends that it be authorized to report, as early as passible, with details of the plan.
Largest Fleet of Electric Refuse Collectors.
The salvage committee of Birmingham Corporation reports that, at present, 86.75 per cent, of the house, trade and -market refuse removed by the salvage department is carried by electric vehicles. It has been conclusively proved that these vehicles can be operated on refuse-collection work in the city at a considerably lower cost than can horsedrawn carts, and the committee has decided to proceed with the policy of
• abandoning horsed wagons. This action will be made possible when the new Montague Street scheme is completed. In 1918, the department was employ
lug 239 horses for refuse removal, as compared with 30 at the present time, and it is estimated that if horses were still exclusively employed, a stud of at least 300 animals would be necessary. The maximum number of electric vehicles required for the work will be approximately 155.
The department has in service 130 electric vehicles, which is the largest Beet of electric refuse collectors in the
country. All these vehicles have been bought out of revenue, with the exception of the first 25 machines, which were purchased by loan. The loan raised has been repaid, so that no loan charges have now to be met.
Oilers for Refuse Collection?
The cleansing committee of Stoke-onTrent Corporation has received a report from the cleansing superintendent with reference to the use of oil-engined vehicles for refuse collection, and has deferred consideration of the matter for the time being.
Important New Lancashire Coastal Road.
A few days ago Lord Derby opened the new coastal road at Morecambe, which has coat about £130,000 to con.struct, and. has provided work for miners from distressed areas in Cumberland and Scotland. Mr. Oliver Stanley, the Minister of Transport, attended the luncheon which followed the opening ceremony.
The new road is approximately 21 miles long and 30 ft. wide, there being a footpath 10 ft. wide on each e[de.
Mr. Sidney J. Hine has been appointed to the board of Rootes, Ltd. He is well known in London motor trade circles and has been with Rootes, Ltd., for the past four years, latterly as general manager. Mr. Hine has recently also been made a director of Thrupp and Moberly, Ltd., the well-known London coachbuilding concern.