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NEWS of the WEEK

The wheels of wealth will be slowed by cill difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

PREFERENTIAL TAXATION FOR MILK DEALERS.

After several summonses had been Issued against produce-retailers of milk for non-compliance with licensing regulations, the National Farmers Union took up the matter with the Ministry of Transport. It was now reported that the Minister agrees that a producer distributing his own milk, or other produce, is qualified for the preferential agricultural rate of taxation for his vehicle, The preferential rate means that it is unnecessary to take out a C licence, and the keeping of records is not required. It should be remembered, !however, that the preferential rate applies only when the produce of a person's own farm is carried. The carriage of any goods from any other farm will render vehicles liable to the full rate of taxation.

Gilford Development: New Company to Continue the Business.

We are notified that most of the assets of the Gilford Motor Co., Ltd. (in voluntary liquidation) have been acquired by Lt.-Col. T. W. Thompson, chairman of the directors of High Speed Gas (Great Britain), Ltd., 26 Victoria Street, .London, S.W.1, as trustee for a new company which proposes to continue the business. The Gilford factory at Brenaaile Works, North Circular Road, London, N.W.10, has been reopened.

How Can Increased Tonnage be Justified ?

Is an increase in cash turnover per ton of unladen weight a suitable basis on which to assess the need for additional tonnage? This question arose in a discussion before the Appeal Tribunal last Friday, during an appeal by the L.N.E. and L.M.S. Railway Companies against the decision of the Metropolitan Licensing Authority to grant an additional vehicle to Mr. J. M. Beasley, 9, Leopold Road, London, N.W.10.

c20 Mr. Beazley originally had two vehicles and was authorized to increase the number to three. He was represented by Mr. J. R. Amphlett.

A formula somewhat on these lines was employed in the Hawker appeal. and was approved by the Tribunal. Subsequently, in the Forrester case, the Tribunal ruled that it was not sufficient to prove that an increase hod occurred in the applicant's business; an expansion in the trade of the applicant's customers or in the industries in which they were engaged must also be shown.

Decision was reserved.

New Albion Valkyrie Six-wheeler.

Hitherto available only as a fourwheeler, the Albion Valkyrie passenger chassis is now offered with six wheels. Equipped with either a petrol or an oil engine, this new product of Albion Motors, Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow, can be supplied for 39-44-seater bodies. WORDIB CO. BUYS CATTLE.. TRANSPORT FIRM.

The haulage business carried on by Messrs. John Russell and Sons, West Calder, has, it is understood, been sold to Wordie and Co., Glasgow, incorporated with the L.M.S. Railway Co. The new company took over the business on February 3.

The equipment includes 17 large lorries, six trailers, and several private cars. The chief business is the conveyance of store cattle from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanark and Wishaw markets to Dundee, Arbroath, Perth, and Aberdeen, and the transport of fat stock from these towns to the south.

New Date for I. of T. Dinner.

The annual dinner of the Institute of Transport, which was postponed because of the death of King George the Fifth, will be held on Friday, April 3, at the Connaught Rooms, London.

LEGAL QUIBBLE ON SAND HAULAGE.

The practice of hauliers to pay for sand at the quarries and deliver it, on orders from their customers, at the price of the haulage, plus the cost of the sand, is probably illegal under A licences, but, as the facts emerged during a Manchester inquiry, the position is such that Mr. H. Backhouse, solicitor to the C.M.U.A., described it as one of the finest red herrings the Tailway cornpanits have drawn across the track of the haulier.

Mr. J. Rigby (for the railway) contended that, as this form of obliging his customers was followed by Mr. A. Holden, of Bolton, he must be allowed only a B licence and not an A licence.

Mr. Backhousereplied that if any irregularity of the kind had occurred, it was of a highly technical nature, and it was not for the railways to dictate the punishment. Mr. Holders would see, in future, that orders for sand from quarries were in writing.

The application was for an extra 2-ton vehicle to meet increased trade, and it was granted.

"Closed Shop" for Furniture Removers.

The effort of furniture removers in the North-Western Area to restrict coal dealers and other small carriers from this specialized business is meeting with considerable success, the radius being, in many instances, reduced and the carrying limited to " customers of the coal business."

Mr. J. Irvine Caulfield, for the removal contractors, at an inquiry, oil Monday, suggested the limit of "oneload removals only " on all carriers who had not special furniture-removal equipment. The suggestion was not entertained.

St. Albans Chamber Supports Road Transport?

The case for road transport was put forward by Mr. R. W. Sewill, national director of A.R.O., at a meeting of the St. Albans Chamber of Commerce, on Monday.

Mr. Sewill told The Commercial Motor representative that, although the St. Albans Chamber has not yet reached a decision on the Association of British Chambers of Commerce memorandum, it was clear that there was, amongst the members, a large measure of support for road transport.

Efficiency of London Fire Brigade Much Increased.

The reorganization of London's fire brigade has been a success. A year ago the London County Council decided that all escape vans should be replaced by dual-purpose appliances (combined escape vans and pumps), the pumps should be equipped with 40-ft. extension ladders and that the nearest appliances, except the dual-purpose appliances at 28 key stations, should attend a, fire, other machines being moved in at once to protect the areas which had been left. There are now 43 dual-purpose outfits in commission and 11 more on order during the present financial year.

As a result of the reorganization, when the great wharf fire at Wapping was at its height, last September, 36 pumps were available for other duty, instead of only nine. The first attendance at all fires now includes more than one appliance equipped as a life-saving unit. The augmented attendance for large outbreaks is accelerated in consequence of the new arrangements.

South Wales Conciliation Problems.

The South Wales Conciliation Board, at a meeting at Cardiff, on January 30, discussed the operation of the existing wages scale. Further efforts towards securing uniformity of wages and conditions in the industry were discussed.

Meetings are to be held to deal with grading difficulties.

Tower Wagons Wanted in South Africa, Johannesburg City Council is calling for tenders, which have to be presented in Johannesburg by February 20, for the supply of two petrol-driven tower wagons. Those in a position to supply products of United Kingdom manufacture may obtain further details from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35. Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference number TY5872 being quoted. RAIL ONSLAUGHT ON COAL CARRIERS.

The railway attack on coal carriers has resulted in various passages of arms before the North-Western Licensing Authority, and in case after case, renewal, of a B licence has been granted only after specifying that coal may not be carted from the collieries; but only from railhead. '

One 'applicant asked Sir William Hart, Deputy Licensing Authority, What he was to do when a railway strike occurred, but received no consolation. His licence was endorsed:— " Sblid fuel from railhead."

" For 18 years he has been as much a general carrier as the railways have," said Mr. Leslie Walsh, the lawyer for a client who wanted to retain his Carrying freedom. "There is no more reason why he should be limited than the railway companies. If, as they say, my client is going to be no worse oft for the limitation, they are going to be no worse off if he remains as he Sir William granted the renewal with a new limit of 25 miles.

Mercedes Benz Distribution in North. G. A. Mangoletsi and Co., Market Place, Higher Broughton, Salford, has been appointed sole distributor for MercedesaBens_commereial vehicles for a large part of the North of England. A NEW COACH HEATER.

Named the S.H.R. (scientific heat regulation), a new heating apparatus for passenger vehicleS has been introduced by the Equipment and Engineering Co., Ltd., 2 and 3, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.2. It incorporates a hot-water system, quite independent of the engine-cooling arrangements, which derives its heat from the exhaust pipe, and a radiator, mounted within the saloon, through which fresh air enters by way of ventilators at the front of the vehicle.

The boiler is of the saddle type and is clamped on to the exhaust pipe, just behind the manifold joint. A onegallon tank, mounted at the uppermost part of the system, keeps it supplied with water. A control, beside the radiator on the inside of the front bulkhead, regulates the proportions of hot water circulating to the radiator and to the header tank. All connections are made with reinforced hose.

The apparatus is easily installed, simple to maintain, and weighs 30 lb.

Road—Transport's Part in Coal' Traffic.

Members of the Birmingham Graduate and Students Society of the Institute of Transport recently paid a visit to the Arley . Colliery, near Coventry, with the object of studying the methods of transport employed at a modern colliery. The tour was arranged with the co-operation of the Coal Utilisation Council.

The party was transported to the colliery in Midland Red coaches, and, after some of those participating had made a tour of the underground workings, the pithead plant was inspected, special attention being given to the methods of transport employed from the time the coal reaches the surface to the time that it is loaded into lorries or rail wagons.

Under modern conditions, all coal traffic is not sent by Tall, and, although the colliery was originally designed so that the whole of its output should be dealt with in this way. road transport now plays a big part in delivery.

Peculiar Ground for Refusing Contract Licence.

When Mr. H. H. Crutchley, 307, Corporation Road, Birkenhead, applied to the North-Western Licensing Authority for a B-licence for a 2i-ton vehicle to carry gravel, sand, chi2pings, etc., for R. Abel and Sons, Ltd., Liverpool and Birkenhead, Mr. Allan Walters, for applicant, said that this was an application similar to that previously heard, when he unsuccessfully applied for a Contract A licence.

The applicant had, for a number of years, been carrying solely for this con-. cern and the Contract A licence was refused on the ground that the named company itself operated transport. Actually, R. Abel and Sons. Ltd., was carrying goods by its own barges on the canal. Mr. Walters contended that his clients should not have been refused a Contract A licence on such a ground, as the concern had nothing to do with the distribution of the goods from the wharfside.

It was intimated at the previous hearing that Mr. Crutchley should apply for a B licence and the present application was, therefore, made. The licence was granted.

Fire-brigade Services to be Paid For ?

There is a clause in Liverpool Corporation's Parliamentary Bill of importance to owners of commercial vehicles. This measure will give the corporation authority to charge for services rendered by its fire brigade in dealing with a vehicle on fire on the road.

Action has already been initiated for the purpose of securing the withdrawal of the clause and, if this be not successful, it is probable that it will be opposed in the House of Commons.

As far back as 1923, a Royal Commission reported that it did not appear to be right, in principle, for an individual to have to pay for the services of a fire brigade belonging to a local authority to which he paid rates.

A.R.O. Changes Offices.

The Northern Area offices of Associated Road Operators, at 90, Grey Street and 18. Bigg Market, Newcastleon-Tyne, have now been transferred to 34, Grey Street, in the same city.

No Remission in Tunnel Tolls.

Mersey Tunnel Joint Committee has replied •to the representations of the road transport section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, intimating that it is unable to make any change in the existing schedule of tolls in respect of empty coaches and goods vehicles using the tunnel.

Centralization at Morecambe A sub-committee has been formed to consider centralization for Morecambe Corporation's transport facilities (excluding bus services). TRADERS SUPPORT HAULIERS. A resolution that the Spen Valley (Yorkshire) Chamber of Commerce is not in favour of further restrictions on road hauliers, without first being informed what the restrictions are and what they mean, was passed at a meeting of the chamber, after a discussion on the Association of British Chambers of Commerce memorandum.

Mr. G. H. Brook, secretary of the North-Eastern Division of the C.M.U.A., spoke.

Ilkeston's New Fire Tender.

Ilkeston Fire Brigade has recently taken delivery of the Commer first-aid fire tender shown in an accompanying illustration. It was supplied by Messrs. Andrew's Garage, London Road, Derby, and the smart bodywork was constructed by Superline Bodies, Ltd., of London. The basis of the machine is a Commer 30-cwt. chassis, and it is equipped with a rotary pump, supplied and fitted by Charles Winn and Co., of Birmingham. This pump is capable of maintaining a pressure of 180 lb. per sq. in. through a i-in, jet, and it is used to pump water direct from a service tank on the chassis, or to increase the pressure from water mains. Foam equipment for dealing with oil fires, chemical extinguishers and an extending ladder are also fitted.

The machine is designed principally to deal with minor outbreaks and for work in connection, with the initial attack on big fires, pending the arrival of larger vehicles and full equipment.

Glasgow Haulage Business Changes Hands.

It is understood that the haulage business carried on at 90, Brownside Drive, Glasgow, W.3, by Mr. A. R. Brown, under the name of A.R.H. Transports, has been acquired by Mr. W. M. Carmichael, who is to conduct it at 13, St. Ninian Street, Glasgow, under the title of Regal Road Transport. RAILWAY " PROTECTS" HAULIERS' INTERESTS.

The only objector to the application of Manchip and Co., Portsmouth, for an additional vehicle to be acquired, at a sitting of the South-Eastern Deputy Licensing Authority (Col. Tangye), at Chichester, was the Southern Railway Co. Although no local hauliers engaged in similar work—furniture removing— objected, Col. Tangye held that there were ample facilities in Portsmouth.

Opposition was based on the fact that there were 16 other hauliers in Portsmouth in a similar line.

Shipping Guide for Hauliers.

The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from February 7-15 inclusive :—Docks : Ring George V., 5; Royal Albert, 6; Royal Victoria, 4; Surrey Commercial, 5; West India, 2; East India, 2; South-West India, 1; Tilbury, 10; Tilbury Stage, 2; Millwall, 5; London, 1. Wharves: Hays, 6; 1Vliddleton's, 1; Butler's, 1, Regents Canal, 1. Tilbury Jetty, 4.

New Firestone Northern Office.

The new district office and warehouse of the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., at 133a, Bentinck Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was opened on Monday last, and is under the management of Mr. R. L. Allen. Comprehensive stocks are being maintained and full service facilities are available.

Death of London BodyEttilder.

We regret to announce the death, last Friday, of Mr. R. P. Wray, proprietor of Messrs. Wrays Motors, bodybuilders, Waterford Road, London, S.W.6. Mr. Wray, who was 55 years of age, had been connected with the industry for some 40 years.

2,000 Leyland Oil Engines Sold in 1935.

In addition to its well-known petrol engine, more than 2,000 oil engines were manufactured and sold by Leyland Motors, Ltd., during the past year.

A number of these power units was exported, principally to South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, although the majority was built for use in this country. Leyland Motors, Ltd., claims that it supplied 39 per cent. of all the new oil-engined chassis registered in Great Britain during the 12 months ended September, 1935.

Association Membership Refused: Authority's Question.

When a Liverpool operator sought a B licence for a 2i-ton vehicle, in place of two horses, the North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority asked him whether he had applied for membership of a local haulage association and had been refused. Applicant admitted that this was the case.

The application, which was refused, was to carry gener^1 goods, mainly perishable, within 20 miles. Applicant left the room stating he had been in the haulage business all his life and lie did not intend losing his living.