GOVERNOR PLEAS FAIL IN COURT
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GOVERNORS fitted to the buses in question might have been tampered with, suggested the clerk to Doncaster West Riding Justices, last Saturday, when two long-distance drivers employed by United Automobile Services, Ltd., were summoned for exceeding the speed limit. In one case the speed alleged was as high as 54 m.p.h.
The drivers, each of whom was fined f.1, were Edward Wallace Dodds, of Newbiggin, and Thomas W. Ferguson, of Newcastle. In each case it was stated for the defence that the coaches (Leyland oil-engined 32-seaters) were fitted with governors limiting speed to 40 m.p.h.
Mr. E. W. Pettifer, the clerk, , remarked that, although the two offences occurred a fortnight apart, the evidence in each was that the governor was permitting the vehicle to be driven above the predetermined speed. "There is the possibility;" he said, " that the governor has been tampered with."
Mr. Pryme, who represented both defendants, replied: "The driver cannot tamper with them, because they are sealed."
The clerk: "I am not expressing any opinion about the possibility of interfering with the seal."
Technical evidence was given to the effect that it was impossible for the coaches to travel at more than 40 m.p.h., except out of gear on a steep incline.
Dodds was stated to have driven without conviction for 28 years, and Ferguson was said to have been a driver for many years without any previous conviction. In view of the men's records, the bench did not order endorsement of their licences.
SPECIAL TRAVEL FOR POLICE
SITTING at Dundee, on October 28, the Northern Scotland Traffic Commissioners agreed to an application whereby police constables on duty in Fife can travel by bus in country districts where trains are not available, under an arrangement between Fife County Council and W. Alexander and Sons, Ltd.
The L.N.E. Railway Co. withdrew its objection as a result of a compromise with the applicant.
Mr. Henry Riches, chairman, stated that the application was to legalize a practice which had existed for a number of years. He intimated that the Commissioners had suggested that the county council should pay the bus company £50 for the privilege of using the services.
A suggestion that there should be Government licensing of road-side cafés and places of rest used by lorry drivers, with a view to the prevention of pilfering from vehicles, waS put forward at a meeting of the Leeds branch of the Industrial Transport Association, last week. An .alternative proposal mentioned was the registration of approved calling places by the road-transport operators' associations.
The subject of pilfering was raised by Councillor A. R. Jones, who read a paper on "Goods-in-Transit Insurance." Remarking that there was an enormous amount of pilfering of goods in transit, he quoted the case of a large concern of road-haulage contractors, the pilferage hill of which, he stated, to be no less than £.2,000 per year, principally made up of missing wireless sets.
Mr. Noel Brooks, of London, suggested that the only way to stop pilfering was the strict enforcement of discipline. By making drivers of vehicles personally responsible for the safeguarding of their loads, he said, it had been found possible to reduce pilferage by 00 per cent, Councillor Jones's view was that pilfering would go on until the magistrates of the country dealt adequately with detected offenders.
Baillie Report Deputation from C.M.U.A.
The Baillie Report was the subject of a deputation from the C.M.U.A. to Mr. R. A. Butler and Capt. Austin Hudson. Parliamentary Secretaries to the Ministries of Labour and Transport, respectively, last week. The deputation comprised Mr. W. A. Winson, president of the C.M.U.A., Mr. W. Farnorth, Mr. F. F. Fowler and Mr.• F. G. Bristow, general secretary.
Agreement with many of the committee's recornmendations, including the principle of the statutory Control of wages and conditions, was expressed. The deputation made other submissions on the report, designed to bring the proposed machinery more in accordance with the needs of the industry, without prejudicing the rights of trade and industry, or public safety.
The Parliamentary Secretaries promised to give the points raised their early and sympathetic consideration.
G.W.R. Application to be Opposed.
As the result of a circular issued by A.R.O. Penzance Sub-area, 11 hauliers, including several non-members, have decided to object to an application by the G.W. Railway Co. for eight lorries and four trailers.
A Satisfactory Affiliation.
Mr. Milton, Northern Area secretary of-A.R.O., at a meeting of the directors of the Scottish Carriers and Haulage Contractors Association, held last week, said. that, in his view, A.R.O. had secured the affiliation of a live Organization to represent its interests in Scotland. The terms of affiliation were finally agreed.
It was reported that 4$ new members had been enrolled during the past month, and a further 23 were accepted at the meeting. A.R.O. now has representation in every traffic area in Great Britain.
C-LICENSEES FORM OWN BODY.
An appeal for greater elasticity in the application of the law, particularly as regards drivers' hours, was made by Aid.. Soloman Stephens, Lord Mayorelect of Plymouth, in addressing the first general meeting of the West Of England C Licence Holders' Association, of which he is chairman. This inaugural assembly was held at Plymouth, last week.
"We are appealing for more flexibility of the law and more consideration for C-licence holders," he said. " We are not opposing the Minister in anything he is doing to save life on the road."
A.R.O.'s terms of affiliation, giving members, in return for a percentage of their subscriptions, national and local benefits, were unanimously accepted.
Mr. N. J. Bennett, Devon and Corn wall Area secretary of A.R.O., is acting as the new Association's hon. secretary. The officers and committee are :—Chairman, Aid. Stephens ; vice chairman, Mr. E. T. Lear ; honorary
treasurer, Mr, C. J. Cooper. Committee, Messrs. A. H. Black, G. Fulford, W. J. Keast, NV. E. Leest, W. Luxton and P. D. Morcom
S.T.R. to Address Big Lanes Conference.
The half-yearly conference of the Amalgamated Horse and Motor Owners' Associationand C.M,U.A. South-East Lancashire Area is to be held on November 17, at the Victoria Hotel, Manchester. Members from seven branches will attend the conference, which is a special feature of the programme of the joint organizations. At the conclusion there will be a tea interval, which will be followed by an address by S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert.
Organizing Clearing Houses.
Pertinent items will be discussed at an open meeting of clearing houses at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2, on NOVe111ber 9, at 2.30 p.m. Subjects for discussion include the following:— Organization of the clearing-house business; collective action far opposing adverse legislation ; clearing-house position under the T.A.C. Report; report on the activities and, recommendations of the committee appointed at a previous open meeting in November, 1936, and to read the memorandum submitted to the Minister of Transport.
Four Dates to Note.
Dates have now been fixed for four further lectures by S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert. On November 17 he will address a. meeting at Victoria.Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester, at 7.30 p.m. ; on November 22, at the Yorkshire Hotel, Yorkshire Street, Burnley, at 7.30 p.m. ; and on November 24, at Old Bull Hotel, Church Street, Blackburn, at 8 p.m. All these lectures are under the auspices of the C.M.U.A.
A.R.O. will sponsor a lecture by ,S.T.R. at Quilters Hotel, Southanap• ton, at 7.30 p.m., on January 31.