_Bird's Eye View
Page 50
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THE Hawk has spread his wings! Discerning readers,
this bird feels, will be in transports of delight over this particular innovation in The Commercial Motor. Seriously, it is hoped that the additional space granted your feathered friend will be used to best possible advantage—and that readers will be amused and enlightened to an even greater degree from now on.
The Editor of The Commercial Motor, I know, feels that this page, lighter than most though it be, can prove of value to the majority of readers of our journal. The Hawk then, in view of his greater responsibilities, must now be more vigilant than ever!
Ossbatsdewspenwikefield .
READ recently of a proposal to create a new county borough in the West Riding. A Local Government Commission has suggested the amalgamation of Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett, Spenborough, Heckmondwike and Mirfield. The name canvassed for the new borough is Ossbatsdewspenwikefield. Picturing in my mind an application in "As and Ds ": "General goods between Ossbatsdewspenwikefield and Penrhyndeudraeth," or something similar—this should prove good training for when we have operators carrying, as a matter of .course, goods between this country and, say, Poland or Russia. Imagine a driver seeking directions for Timiryazevskiv (in Russia)! But having previously mastered the correct Yorkshire pronunciation of Ossbatsdewspenwikefield, the former would be a piece of cake!
Dangerous Precedent
WATCH out for a spate of applications for new licences from newspaper delivery boys, butcher boys, and even, perhaps, Boy Scouts.
Last week the Deputy West Midland L.A., Mr. R. Hall, granted a B licence to a Wednesfield man authorizing him to carry grocery, wine, beer and spirits within five miles. The evidence of need? Well, the applicant told Mr. Hall that he "does it on foot four nights a week." No doubt guided by recent utterances by Sir Hubert Hull, the Tribunal's president, Mr. Hall quickly made the grant, fearing the possibility of an appeal!
Anti-dazzle Pills
MANY approaches have been made to the problem of dazzle, but none so remarkable as that of the German chemical-pharmaceutical firm Bayer. Were the company not the discoverers of such household products as Aspirin, the reader might suspect a misplaced April Fool's joke. Bayer have developed a substance called "Adapt inol " which, when taken orally, guarantees protection against dazzling and against night-blindness, claim the German company. The substance is based on the carotin-type compound " helenien," which is contained in certain cellular layers behind the human retina—and also in the leaves of the ornamental " student-flower " (Latin: tagetes), from which Bayer extract it. The compound's presence in the body is necessary for the adaptation of the eye's function to darkness and dazzle. " Adaptinol," which is recommended for
use by long-distance lorry drivers amongst others subject to night-blindness and dazzle, is said to have no ill effects. Personally, I prefer to squint.
To Fill a Need
A S a footnote, so to speak, to the tipper story on the -1-1. centre pages of this week's issue, manufacturers might be interested to know that Mr. Jack Male would welcome the availability of a four-wheel-drive vehicle of 5-6-ton capacity which would represent a compromise between the heavy dump truck and the 2-3-ton four-wheel-drive type. He says a reduction in payload would be acceptable in return for the improved traction available and the increased life of the running gear. He would also favour a limitedslip differential if it were reliable and could be obtained for a reasonable price.
Rings a Bell?
A GRICULTURAL economists report that the average
earnings for farms of less than 150 acres in a sample taken in 1960-61 averaged only £266. hi the Same year the average earnings of regular adult farm workers came to £562.
Many hauliers may ruefully reflect some similarity in their own industry. Perhaps the wheel will turn full circle and far from throwing up one's arms in horror at yet another take-over, we shall come to regret the lot of hauliers who cannot be taken-over and so revert to the state of employee.