WHEELS of INDUSTRY
Page 30
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
" The wheels of wealth will be slowed 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.
GOODS-VEHICLE LICENSING REGULATIONS TO BE ALTERED.
It is understood that the Goods Vehicles (Licences and Prohibitions) Provisional Regulations, 1934, made under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, are at present undergoing revision. It is possible that the period for lodging appeals may be reduced.
Motor Spirit from Coal: New Factory at Seaham Harbour.
The establishment of a new factory at Seaham Harbour by Coal and Allied Industries, Ltd., was marked a few days ago by the cutting of the first sod on the site. The factory is being erected for the production of motor spirit from coal, and it is anticipated that certain units will be in operation towards the end of the year. With the plant in full operation, it is expected that the annual output will be 4,500,000 gallons of motor spirit.
Vauxhall Motors Good Recovery.
The success which has been achieved by the Bedford commercial vehicle is well reflected in the statement that Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., is resuming payments on its ordinary capital of £450,000, this being the first ordinary dividend to be paid since 1920. The company has just completed a most successful year's trading and its products are gaining ground in both home and overseas markets. The directors have declared a dividend of 75 per cent. (less tax) on the ordinary• shares, which represents a distribution of 1261,562 after the deduction of tax.
Although the final accounts will not be available until March, the directors have every justification for expressing confidence in the future.
Death of Mr. R. Barry Cole.
We regret to announce the death, at the age of 56, of Mr. R. Barry Cole, which occurred on December 26, as the result of a collapse following an operation. He will best be remembered by our readers as the compiler of our Guide to London Wharves and Docks, on which subject he possessed an unrivalled knowledge. Until a few. months ago, he was engaged in the haulage industry, but had had a long experience in other branches of the industry, being with Clement Talbot in 1908, then five years with Commer Cars, and six years with Caledon Motors; later, be was with General Motors in Ireland.
THE NEXT CONFERENCE OF THE C.M.U.A.
The National Council of the Coramercial Motor Users' Association has accepted an invitation from the authorities of Southport to hold its second national road transport conference in the town during the week commencing September 23, 1935. The first conference, a. very successful affair, was held a few weeks ago at Harrogate.
The annual luncheon of the Association will be held at the Savoy Hotel, London, on April 10.
South Wales Reaches Conciliation Agreement.
South Wales is the first area to reach a local agreement in accordance with the report of the National Joint Conciliation Board, which is published elsewhere in this issue.
The local agreement defines longdistance and trunk services as extending beyond a radius of 70 miles from the recognized stai ting point of Cho journey, to which the appropriate rates of wages will apoly. Grade 2 is to apply to the inclastrial district of South Wales, but temporarily it will not be an infringement of the fairwages clause to pay wages not lower than those specified in Grade 3.
The industrial district is bounded by the River Wye in the east, Kidwelly fiats in the west, and, in the north, by a line drawn from Monmouth through Aberga.venny to Ammanford and Kidwelly. The remainder of South Wales is classified as agricultural.
L.M.S. Accused of Undercutting.
Allegations of undercutting by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., to compete with road haulage, were made at a sitting of the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority by Mr. Peter Halley, a Crieff haulier, who sought permission to acquire an additional vehicle.
Mr. Halley explained that his business had been carried on by the family for nearly 100 years, and had been in existence before the railway came to Crieff. He alleged that he had once charged Ss. per ton for the haulage of potatoes to Perth harbour, but had neen forced by undercutting to reduce the charge to 5s. Now the railway company was doing the work for 2s. 3d. or 2s, 6d. per ton. He had lowered his charge to 3s., but had had to refuse to reduce it any further, and had practically lost his traffic in potatoes.
In adjourrieg the case until a sitting to be held on February 16, at Forfar, for the hearing of the railway company's reply, Mr. Riches suggested that further evidence should also be brought by the applicant.