WHEELS of INDUSTRY
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Scilly Road Transport Will Run Its Own Steamers.
Following the meeting held at St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly, on November 26, which was reported in this paper, the London and Southern Counties Transport Co., Ltd., has decided to run its own flower steamer from the islands to Newlyn every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, to connect with its motor service to Covent Garden. The steamer will sail at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., arriving at Newlyn at about 2 a.m., so that lorries leaving there from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. will reach the London market at midnight. From reports to hand in the past day or two the flower season will open within the next week or two and a bumper crop is expected.
R.H.A. Mass Meeting in London.
A mass meeting of hauliers in the metropolitan traffic area will be held under the auspices of the Road Haulage Association in the Great Hall of River Mate House, Finsbury Circus, London, B.C., at 2.30 p.m. on January 5, 1933. Mr. E. C. Marston, the chairman of the Association, will address the meeting.
Next I.A.E. Dinner.
The secretary of the Institution of Automobile Engineers believes in giving long notice regarding the Institution's functions, and, as an example of this, it has just been announced that the annual dinner will be held on November 17, 1933.
Tour by a Giant Tanker.
A giant Leyland Hippo tank wagon for the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., is to commence to-day a tour of the country, in charge of the company's giant demonstrator, known familiarly as "Mr. High Test." The vehicle is equipped with a tank by Thompson Brothers (Bilston), Ltd., and the sendoff ceremony is arranged to take place at that concern's Bilston works this afternoon: "East Kent" Operations.
The sixteenth ordinary general meeting of the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., was held a few days ago, when Mr. Sidney E. Garcke, M.I.Mech.E., presided. The chairman said that the. revenue for the year showed a drop of less than 3 per cent., which he thought satisfactory, having regard to the conditions now prevailing. The maintenance of the company's revenue has been accomplished only by running a slightly increased mileage. Mr. Garcke said that the percentage of net profits on grins earnings was 7.89 for the past year, as compared with 5.89 in the previous year.
Having regard to the continued inability of the public to spend much money on holidays—and it must be remembered that the expenditure of holidaymakers at the various Seaside resorts served by the company provides much of its income—and to the increasing cost of fuel, the directors have decided that they must now proceed with B20 the necessary steps to increase revenue by some adjustment in fares. It has not been thought necessary or desirable to bring about a reduction in wages. Increases in the fare charges now contemplated are very moderate. The chairman mentioned that it is impracticable to segregate the working costs as between one route and another, although the exact revenue from each service is known, and it is obvious that a number of them is giving unsatisfactory results, although it is not always possible, for various reasons, to bring about increases in the fares on those particular routes and thus make them self-supporting. It is, therefore, neces sary to obtain extra revenue where it is possible, some of the less profitable services being admittedly carried on the backs of the others.
U.A.S. Bus Profits.
During the year ended September 30, 1932, United Automobile Services, Ltd., made a net profit, after deducting all items chargeable to revenue, of £61,688, this sum being increased to £92,574, when the amount brought forward is added. After deducting the dividend on the preference shares, paid to July 1, 1932 (18,750), directors' fees (£1,950), and capital-issue expenses written off (11,541), there remains a sum of £80,333. The directors now recommend that a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum (less tax) be paid on the ordinary shares, which will absorb £49,000 and leave 131,333 to be carried forward.
A Well-written Story on 011 Production.
"An Adventure in Oil" is the title of an interesting publication recently issued by Shell-Mex and B.P., Ltd., Shell Corner, Kingsway, London, W.C.2. It is a readably written story, dealing with the many-sided aspects of oil production, not in a manner that is technically difficult to understand, but in a style which holds the reader's interest by reason of the way in which the facts and figures are given. The reading matter is supplemented by a series of excellent illustrations which show various phases of activity at the company's different refineries throughout the country.
International and Whys-Over land Agreement.
We learn from America that final arrangements have now been completed for the production of International Harvester 10-cwt. lorries by the WillysOverland Co. The agreement between the two companies provides that the Willys-Overland concern will produce the engines and chassis, whilst the International Harvester organization will manufacture at its own works most of the body types.
Advice on the Canadian Market.
The Department of Overseas Trade announces that Mr. A. M. Wiseman, M.C., His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Toronto, is now in this country on an official visit. He will be available at the offices of the Department on January 2-4, 1933, and during the period from January 16-24 for the purpose of interviewing the representatives of concerns interested in the export of United Kingdom goods to Canada. Subsequently, he will visit a number of industrial centres in the provinces.
Those concerns desiring interviews should apply to the ComptrollerGeneral, Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, quotingreference 15340/1/32.
The N.F.B.A. Demonstration in 1933.
The South Wales branch of the National Fire Brigade Association is to hold its annual demonstration at Barry in July, 1933.
Officers re-elected at the annual meeting included Chief Officer Lyne, Newport, president ; Chief Officers James (Abersychan) and Newbury (Rhondda), vice-presidents; and Second Officer J. T. Edwards (Rhondda), secretary and treasurer. Chief Officer James will be council chairman.
Seammelrs Report.
The report of Scammell Lorries, Ltd., for the year ended September 30, 1932, shows a gross profit of £44,898, before providing for abnormal losses. After deducting general expenses, including depreciation, directors' fees, etc., amounting to £45,903, there is a loss of £1,005, to which has to be added £51,583, being abnormal losses incurred in connection with overseas trading, bad debts and extraordinary depreciation of stock, making a total loss of £52,588. The amount brought forward from the profit-and-loss account was £7,648, and, adding an amount of £48,666 transferred from the reserve account, there is a total of £56,315, so that, after deducting the loss for the year, there is a balance of £3,727 to carry forward.
The report mentions that the abnormal losses were due to the conditions of business throughout the world, to the considerable fall in prices, and to the influence of the Salter Report. It is mentioned that these losses should be mainly non-recurrent, and if is hoped that the introduction of a new type of vehicle will prove profitable.