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LONDON APPEAL DECISION RESERVED.

DECISION has been reserved in the appeal case, Edward Box and Co., Ltd. (Southwark Street, London), v. the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. It will be given, however, during the week commencing May 254. Appeal is against the refusal of the Metropolitan. Licensing Authority to grant an A licence..

Transport of Animals: Position Clarified.

A MONGST the Diseases of Animals Pt Acts are regulations requiring the cleansing of vehicles used in their transport, also the keeping of records. Trouble has recently arisen owing to the somewhat narrow interpretation of the term " dealer " used in the Order of 1927. These Orders and the Swine Fever Orders were never meant to apply to the transport in farmers' vehicles of animals taken to farms for rearing, fattening, etc., or from these to market, To avoid misunderstanding, the Minister of Agriculture has, therefore, made an amendment Order,

• which will come into operation on May 8, in which the term " dealer " is more precisely defined. It will then indicate a person habitually engaged in the business of selling animals purchased by him for resale.

Has Benefit from " The Agreement " Started?

LTHOUGH not yet in force, the ti" square deal" agreement would appear to have resulted in a lessening of the opposition of the railway representatives 'in the North Western Traffic

Courts. Last week, at Manchester, Hodkinson Haulage, Ltd., of Atherton, 75 per cent, of the work of which is from Manchester and Liverpool provision warehouses, to shops in various districts, obtained without objection three 2i-tonners for two vehicles of 31 tons and 4 tons respectively.

Delay and other inconvenience to customers were stated to have arisan from the applicant having been unable "c22 to cope with deliveries, whilst other evidence by Mr. W. A. Hodkinson was to the effect that each of his eight vehicles was working every day.

I.A.E. Summer Meeting.

THIS year's summer meeting of the .1 Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held in the Oxford district from June 90 to July 2, The following programme has been arranged :—June 30, 3 p.m., visit to Morris Radiator Works, Oxford ; evening, dinner and dance at The Randolph Hotel. July 1, 11 a.m., steamer trip to Abingdon-on-Thames, disembarking at Shillingford, about 5 p.m., to participate in the Graduates' Rally at " The Beau Regard "; about 7.15 p.m., coach to Wallingford for dinner; 8.30 p.m., informal evening and dance at the Masonic Hall, Wallingford, returning to Oxford at midnight. July 2, 10.30 a.m., tour of chief Oxford Colleges. NEW SCHOOL FOR G.W.R. MOTOR DRIVERS.

A TRAINING school for Great rAWestern Railway road-motor drivers has just been opened. near Taplow Station. It consists of a class-room for instructional purposes, mess room, garage, and a system of roadways. The last-named include a specially prepared skidding patch; various types of road junction for turning and backing ; gradients; portable lights and road signs, so that drivers will be accustomed to their use before going on the public highway.

A permanent instructor is in charge of the school, to superintend the practical and theoretical side of the training and to give lectures on road sense, avoidance of accidents, the care of vehicles, and complete understanding of the Highway Code.

The men will he instructed in the use of three principal types of vehicle— light and heavy models and the articulated lorry.

It is expected 150 to 200 drivers. recruited from the company's staff in London, Birmingham, Midlands, and parts of the %Vest of England, will pass through the school annually.

New Minister of Transport Receives His Baptism.

E.ROM the proceedings in the House of Commons, since Captain Euan Wallace took over the reins, the following excerpts are relative to road transport:— Speaking on the increased car tax, Lieut.-Col. Moore-Brabazon remarked that, in view of the Lords' road-safety recommendations, the refusal of the Treasury to spend money on roads was largely responsible for the death roll of 6,000 in the year.

Replying to a question by Mr. Pilkington on the Bressey Report, the Minister said the London County Council was proceeding with the Cromwell Road extension, the duplication of Blackwall Tunnel, the reconstruction of Wandsworth Bridge tnd its southern approach, and the construction of a bridge to connect Wood Lane and Latimer Road. Later, be expressed the hope that the Wandsworth. Bridge operations would be completed early next year.

With reference to the report of the Transport Advisory Council on the railway " square deal " proposals, Capt. Wallace said he proposed to publish it as soon as possible. He was not yet in a position to make a statement. There woald be no avoidable delay, he assured Mr. B. Smith, but the Stationery Office was very hard pressed. s. CHASSIS EXPORTS RISE IN MARCH RETURNS.

AccoRDING to Board of Trade returns for March, 1939, the value of commercial vehicles, cars, chassis and accessories imported during that month was £403,860, which represents a big drop on the figure of 1512,867 for March, 1938_

There was another fall in the figures for exports of commercial vehicles, in spite of a large increase in the total relating to South Africa. In March last, 244 complete vehicles were exported, their value being £99,474, the comparable figures for March, 1938, being 300 vehicles and £113,180.

The export of commercial chassis showed an increase in number, although their value fell to some extent. The actual figure was 1,086 chassis, with a value of £178,284, whereas, in March, 1938, the number was 972 chassis and their value £197,149.

Siam's Call for 68 Vehides.

TH E. Department of Public and Municipal Works of the Siamese Ministry of the Interior is calling for tenders, which have to be received by May 30, for the supply of 68 vans and lorries. Fuller details may be obtained from the Department of Overseas "frade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1. reference T.21,831/39 being quoted.

Novel Electric Tanker.

ANOVEL type of electric vehicle has lately been put into service on the military aerodrome near Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. Mounted on small road wheels, the platform body is fitted with an aluminium tank, the two compartments of which have a total capacity of 660 gallons of petrol. The battery and motor are both located at the forward end, the driver's seat being high up at the front.

Do You Want Driving Tuition?

r\l/R1NG the past two or three 1.! weeks we have received numerous inquiries relative to obtaining driving instruction on the heavier types of machine. This is ho doubt due to the demand, by the various Services, kir licensed drivers. In this connection we have every confidence in mentioning the Commercial School of Motoring. 51, Chesilton Road, Fulham, London, S.W.6.

We understand that over 95 per cent. of the pupils who have received tuition at this establishment have successfully passed the Government test.

Rail Did Not Fulfil Onus.

IN Manchester, on Friday of last 1 week, Walsh Bros. and -Co., Ltd., Swinton, Lanes, was challenged by the railway representative in respect of live out of 12 vehicles held by that company on A-contract licences, for one of

its customers. The submission was made that the vehicles authorized should be only seven.

Mr. Henry Backhouse pointed out that the 12 vehicles were fully

employed and that the onus was on the objector to show that new work had been taken on and the old work put on the contract vehicles. No evidence was offered by the railway representative, and Mr. Joseph Farndale, North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority, granted the licence for the 12 vehicles.

Sales Representatives for London, Midlands and Lancashire.

A LEADING manufacturer of com

inemial vehicles requires wellqualified sales representatives for London and the Home Counties, Midlands and Lancashire. It is essential that applicants Should have had considerable experience in the sale of commercial vehicles and possess good connections in one or other of the areas concerned. There will be good opportunities for the right men. Letters giving full particulars, age, experience, references and salary required should be addressed to " Salesmen," care of the Editor. G.W.B. DESIGNS NEW DRIVER'S CAB.

UNORTHODOX in design, a cab which enables lorry drivers to obtain an unrestricted view when reverting and yet keep both feet on the controls and hands on the steering wheel, has recently been built by the Great Western Railway at its Swindon works. It has a somewhat one-sided appearance as it extends to the full width of the vehicle on the right side, whereas in orthodox designs, the body often protrudes by as much as a foot beyond the cab on both sides, blocking the view to the rear' and necessitating the driver leaning out—often through an open door —with consequent partial loss of control.

The new cab overcomes these difficulties, as the vehicle can be driven from the extreme right-hand side, which has sliding doors. Five vehicles have been fitted with the new cab and a further 15 cabs are now under construction at Swindon.

LARGE .CAPACITYTIPPER UNDER 2.i TONS. AN accompanying illustration shows a Commer LN5 forward-control chassis of 10-ft. 6-in, wheelbase, equipped with a Spenborough 6-cubicyd. body and 6-ton power-operated hydraulic end-tipping gear of the same make, known as Model EP46, the power being obtained from the gearbox. The tipping-gear controls are within the cab and a quick lift up to 45 degrees is afforded. The gear is of robust construction, although the weight is kept under 2 cwt., so that with the light but strong body the unladen weight of the complete vehicle is kept under 21 tons.

The Spenhorough body is especially designed in accordance with the regulations applying to the carriage of sand and ballast, The sideboards are hinged,

but not detachable. Corner posts are embodied and the tailboard hinges at the top. The floor is metal-lined, and the dimensions of the body are 10 ft. 6 ins. by 6 ft. 8 ins., with sides 2 ft. 4 ins. deep.

Features Held Over.

AS this Special Issue is devoted mainly to articles dealing with goods haulage, it has been necessary to hold over certain of our regular features, including Financial News of the Industry, Opinions and Queries, a Résumé of Recently Published Patents, and S.T.R.'s weekly contribution on Solving the Problems of the Carrier. They will all be resumed in our issue for next week.

Stone-crusher is Trailer, Said Police.

LAST Tuesday, at Wiveliscombe (Somerset) Petty Sessions, Mr. Ernest George White, of Golden Hill, Wivefiscombe, was fined £5 10s. and costs for using a goods vehicle to which was applicable a higher rate of duty

c24 than that paid. P.C. Udall stated that on March 14 he saw a goods vehicle, driven by Clifford James White, drawing a trailer in the form of a stonecrusher, a plant used in the building trade, weighing about 30 cwt. He examined the Road Fund licence and saw that trailer duty was not being paid. He pointed this out to the driver, who said he was acting on the instructions of Mr. Ernest George White. The latter arrived on the scene and said he would accept full responsibility, adding that he had instructed the driver to tow the plant. He said: " You cannot call this a trailer; it is not carrying any load. I am perfectly in order in towing anything in connection with our own business, provided it is not for reward."

Mr. Ernest George White said he had a full comprehensive insurance policy for the vehicle. He did not realize that by drawing the stone-crusher behind the vehicle he was breaking the law. On previous occasions, during the past seven or eight years, he had drawn smaller plant behind vehicles, and the police had made no complaint. He had taken immediate steps to see that he was insured for the purpose. He did not move this plant more than twice a year.

Two-speed Axlefor Fordson 3.tonner. nPERATORS will be interested to know that a two-speed axle is now available on the Fordson 3-ton chassis. The two ratios are 5.83 and 8,11, and with the lower gear it is possible to obtain a final reduction of 51.9 to 1. Under haulage conditions, where a good deal of light running is inevitable, the two-speed axle has special advantages.

The Fordson two-speed axle adds only 30 lb. to the weight of the chassis and costs £35 10s. when supplied with a new vehicle. ONE OFFENCE, THREE COURTS, THREE FINES!

HOW a lorry driver was ordered to pay fines and costs amounting to £33 for the same offence on the same day, by three different courts, was revealed at Stoke-on-Trent, last week, when the man, Frederick Egerton, at present unemployed, was summoned before the local magistrates to show cause why he had not paid £7 8s. 6d. -fines and costs imposed on him in Somerset for failing to produce records.

Egerton said that on the day in question he passed through three counties on his journey and was summoned in each for the same offence.

Chief Inspector Goodman, of Stoke, mentioned that it was the custom in that city to withdraw a summons when a defendant had been summoned elsewhere in respect of a similar offence on the same day. The Bench decided to adjourn the case for six weeks and advised defendant to get in touch— through the local M.R—with the Home Secretary.

Unjustified Haulage on Trade Licence.

LAST Monday, a King's Bench Divisional Court, composed uf Lord Hewart and Justices Humphreys and Lewis, heard an appeal against a decision of Leamington Spa magis-. trates in favour of the Standard Motor Co., Ltd. It was stated that the magistrates had dismissed an information which charged the company with contravention of the licensing regulations.

It was stated that the company used one of its lorries under a general tradelicence to carry an employee's furniture from his old home to a new one in the company's housing estate at Canley, Coventry. The object was that he should be near his work. No charge was made for the carriage of the goods.

Delivering judgment allowing the appeal with costs, Lord Hewart saidthe facts disclosed a pleasant and interesting relationship between employer and employee, but they did not warrant finding that the company could use a lorry with a general trade+ licence for the purpose of carrying furniture, even in the circumstances in which this particular load was carried.

Searchlight Brigade Recruits Wanted. A BATTERY of the 75th (Middlesex) .1-1. Anti-aircraft Searchlight Regiment, R.A., TA., has been placed under command of Major Eric Long, T.D., 120,

Pall Mall, London, S.W.1. Major Long will welcome inquiries from fitters, drivers, motorcyclists and telephonists, also from men with reasonably sound technical knowledge who wish to help in this interesting, instructive and essentially useful work. Immediate application should be made.

BRITISH SALES IN THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET.

ALTIIOUG11 there was a fairly active demand for new commercial vehicles in Australia during 1938, the sales were not quite equal to those during the record year of 1937, having amounted to 21,080 units, as contrasted with 22,684. Most of the vehicles were of American or Canadian origin, 4,239 being credited to Great Britain.

The most popular British makes, with, in parentheses, the numbers sold in the Commonwealth during last year, were:—Bedford (2,978), Morris and Morris-Commercial (736), Comfier (169), Leyland (162), A.E.C. (95). Albion (49), Thornycroft (23), Dennis (15), Scammell (9) and one each of Daintier, Jowett and Vulcan make.

Death of Col. Ruston.

I T is with regret that we learn of the

death of Col. J. S. Ruston, chairman of Ruston and Hornsby, Ltd. He had been associated with the corripany during the whole of his business life and had been chairman since 1901.

Two-tonners Wanted in Egypt.

THE Municipalities Department of the Egyptian Ministry of Public Health is calling for tenders for the supply of 10 2-ton lorries and a chassis of the same capacity. Tenders have to be sent to the Director, Municipalities and Local Commissions Section, Cairo, by June 5. Further details of this call may be obtained from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference T.21,948/39 being quoted.

Free Technical Training.

nURING the past year Stewart and

Ardern, Ltd., has placed its technical instruction school at Morris House, The Vale, Acton, London, W.3, free of charge, at the disposal of various national-service bodies. Over 200 members of the women's voluntary organizations have been trained there, also 50 Territorial officers have attended lectures. The scheme has now been extended to include the personnel of any London service organization requiring instruction in the mechanical features, care and maintenance of private cars or commercial vehicles.

Each course comprises 11 lectures, each of an hour's duration. Arrange

ments can also be made for driving tuition at special rates.

Application from Commanding Officers should be made to the Chief Instructor, Stewart and Ardern School of Mote:ing, at the above address.

Battery-electric Exhibition for the North.

AN electric-vehicle exhibition is to be held at the Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, on May 10 and 11. The Northern Counties Area Electric Vehicle Committee is holding a

luncheon to inaugurate the exhibition, at which Sir John Maxwell, C.M.G.. Northern Traffic Commissioner, will preside. At the same time, short addresses will be given by Mr. F. C. Pette, of Middlesbrough, and Mr. A. E. Bailey, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Shipping Guide for Haulers.

THE following is the number cf ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from May 5 to 13 inclusive:—Docxs: King George V. 9; Royal Albert, 9; Royal Victoria, 3; Surrey Commercial, 8: East India, 2; West India, 8; SouthWest India, 2; Tilbury, 11; Tilbury Stage, 2; 111illwa11. 4; Royal 1; London, 3, WHARVES: Hayes, 5; Mark Brown, 1; Butler's, I; Tilbury Jetty, 2.

To-day there will be a meeting of the Road and Rail Central Conference, to the formation of which body we referred in a recent issue. NEW FIRE-FIGHTER FOR SPEKE AIRPORT.

ASPECIAL type of loam-fighter fireengine, designed to deal with aeroplane-crash fires and carrying its own water and foam-making compound in a 650-gallon tank, has been completed at Leyland Motors, Ltd., for the Liverpool Fire Brigade. It is shown in a picture on this page. Built to the requirements of Mr. Oakes, chief officer of the Liverpool Brigade, it will augment the fire-fighting machines already installed at Speke airport.

When attending crashes on the flying field, the surface over which the machine will travel is flat grass, which is liable to become soft in rainy weather. Accordingly, a Leyland Cub double-drive six-wheeled chassis has been employed, equipped with a fully articulated bogie, main and auxiliary gearboxes giving altogether eight speeds, and 9.75-in. by 20-in. Trakgrip tyres all round. A standard two-stage 500-700 g.p.m. pump, placed amidships in the chassis, is coupled to the large water tank carried over the rear bogie. There are four individually controlled deliveries, direct-coupled to four reels, each carrying 100 ft. of 11-in. non-kinkable hose. Four Pyrene foam "guns," each separately controlled, are mounted on the sides of the tank. It is estimated that each gun will produce about 600-650 gallons of foam per minute, thus giving a total foam output of no less than 2,500 g.p.m. PERKINS INAUGURATE INSTRUCTION SCHOOL.

FURTHER oil-engine enterprise on the part of F, Perkins, Ltd., of Peterborough, is to be noted in the institution of a lecture room and a series of weekly courses for mechanics, maintenance engineers and field service engineers. The course is open to maintenance men employed by haulage and ancillary operators and mechanics employed by motor traders interested in oil-engine servicing. A fresh course will start each Monday and will end each Friday. There is 19 charge for this instruction, if mechanics be Suitably introduced.

An instructive syllabus has been prepared and, at present, it is intended that the class should be limited in number to six or, at the most, eight men, so that personal instruction can be given. The schoolroom is equipped with engines, pump-testing equipment, graphs, etc., and a lorry fitted with a P-series engine is attached permanently to the school.

Gardner-enghied Buses and Empire Development.

WE are asked by Norris, Henty and Gardners, Ltd., Patricroft, Manchester, to mention that the type of oil engine used in the buses referred to in the article entitled The Part Played by Oil-engined Buses in Empire Development," published in our issue for last week, is its 4LK model.

Scots Hauliers and Paid Holidays.

CONSEQUENT upon the passing of the Wages Act, 1998, certain of the functions of the Scottish Conciliation Board have been transferred to the Scottish Wages Board established under the Act, which, with the Holidays with Pay Act, 1938, authorizes, among other things, the formulation of a compulsory scheme, directing that holidays with pay shall be granted to workers employed on roadhaulage work in connection with any A-licensed or B-licensed vehicle.

The Conciliation Board has intended to recommend that employers in Scotland should grant to those who have been in their employment for 12 months a week's holiday with pay for this year, in addition to the three recognized holidays which have already been granted.

Brakes on Commer Superpoise Range.

W-have been asked by Automotive 1'roducts Co„ Ltd., and Joseph Lucas, Ltd., to point out that the brake assemblies on the new range of Commer Superpoise chassis are being supplied by Bendix, Ltd., and are of the Cowdrey wedge-operated type, the actuation of these being by the Lockheed hydraulic system.

100 PER CENT. MECHANIZATION FOR LEEDS CLEANSING.

CURTHER steps in the adoption of

mechanical transport by Leeds Cleansing Department were foreshadowed by Mr. A. Mann, the city's director of cleansing, at South Leeds Civic Forum, last week.

Unfortunately, the department could not, at the moment, introduce 100 per cent. mechanization for this work, because of difficulties in the way of discharging loads at certain older disposal depots. That 100 per cent. would come eventually, however, as the cleansing committee had evolved a scheme whereby within three years all the collection of household refuse would be done mechanically.