Fable Comes to Life
Page 53
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Bird's Eye View By The Hawk
1 INTR. recently Peter Slater has to west-country hauliers I./ been merely a name frequently mentioned in The Commercial Motor. This dynamic Yorkshire haulier is, however, Ceasing to be a fable and is becoming a live competitor in the west. I learn that several of his tankers are now carrying under contract for a tar producer in the west country and some local operators are growing nervous.
Wherever one goes, the question is always the same. " How does Peter Slater do it?"
Not This Side
PAA RECORD attendance turned out for the annual dinner of the Western Area of the Road Haulage Association, last week. Some applicants for tickets had to be refused, despite the Use of an annexe to seat a score or more of the guests. And the function had not been " packed " with trade representatives: the demand was spontaneous. Mr. T. D. Corpe, the leading legal practitioner in the Western Area traffic court, is a personal member of the R.H.A. and was thus able to propose the toast of "The Guests.". He is a keen horseman and one Sunday, while he was driving his horsebox, he felt the need for refreshment. Wearing his self-described week-end uniform of corduroy slacks, sweater and decrepit jacket, he entered the lounge of a smart inn and ordered a pint.
I'm sorry, but lorry drivers are catered for in the public bar," the landlord told him.
Ironic Misfortune
/TR. H. E. SANDERS, general manager of Wincanton ivl Transport and Engineering Co., Ltd., last week returned to full-time duty after a distressing three months or so. Just before Christmas he was returning from the presentation of safe-driving awards at an outlying depot when his car was hit head-on by another which was overtaking on a bend. Mr. Sanders was fortunate to escape with his life, but he suffered severe shock that temporarily affected his sight and hearing. He is, however, fit again now. Among those who are pleased to see him back in harness is Mr. J. B. Wild, Wincanton's transport manager, who has had a heavy burden to bear during Mr. Sanders' absence.
The First 100,000
DRUM-BEATING has made Blackpool what it is. By way of variety, however, the drum was this week rolled by Silver City Airways in Lancashire's famous resort. Thirty bookings for the coach-air service to the Isle of Man were placed in the drum. The one drawn out was the 100,000th made on the service since its inception eight years ago. The lucky passenger will go to the Isle of Man as the feted guest of the municipal authorities, coach operators and Silver City Airways. Twenty-six coach operators feed Blackpool airport with passengers for the air link.
On the Rails
BiACKPOOL will have a distinguished tram driver on May 17 when Lord Merrivale of Walkhampton, president of the Institute of Traffic Administration, will drive a tram-load of members on a trip to Fleetwood. If he has never driven a tram before—and what boy of any age has not wanted to do so —he may be a trifle disturbed by its peculiar braking characteristics.
Prisoners of Independence
SPEAKING at a presentation of long-service awards, Mr. F. R. Carling, managing director of East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., pointed out that many people who ran their own cars and motorcycles had not yet counted the cost. If the cost of motoring were realized, many people who have bought cars would not have done so. On the other hand, having tasted the pleasures of independence in transport, they are unlikely to surrender them lightly. They will either economize in other directions or demand higher wages to enable them to continue to motor.