WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness a the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
EGYPTIAN DEMAND FOR 60 CHASSIS.
The Commercial Secretary to the Residency, Egypt, reports that the Mechanical Transport Department, Ministry of Communications. Cairo, is calling for tenders, which have to be presented in Egypt by September 4, 1935, for the supply of 27 1i2-ton chassis on pneumatic tyres, 30 l2-wt. box-van chassis and three 5-ton chassis on pneumatic tyres. Those concerns in a position to offer vehicles of United Kingdom manufacture may obtain further details from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35. Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference TY5159 being quoted.
Another Records Burden.
The area committee of the SouthEast Lanes division of the Commercial Motor Users Association has had under consideration the clauses of the Finance Act, 1935, concerning the keeping of records of oil fuel used by motor vehicles. According to the new regulations, the vehicle owner must keep records of oil fuel used, stocks, etc., as part of the machinery for the payment of the oil tax. The committee of the C.M.U.A. considered this machinery to be burdensome and unnecessary, and recorded the opinion that it would be better for the tax to be paid at the time of purchase. If the oil is intended to be used for purposes other than traction, the purchaser should be enabled to claim a rebate. It was decided to urge the national council to lodge a strong protest against this part of the regulations.
Mr. Riches Advises Applicants.
At a sitting, last Friday, Mr. Henry Riches, the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, advised applicants to present their cases as fully as possible. Many applicants, said Mr. Riches,, did not seem to realize that they must submit evidence in support of their applications. Petitions and letters were not looked upon with favour by the railway companies. It was, therefore, in the applicants' own interests to bring forward persons who could vouch for the
requirements of the district. Otherwise, an applicant, who might have an excellent case, might well fail.
The Work of the Motor Legislation Committee.
The Motor Legislation Committee is to be congratulated on the amendments it has obtained in motoring interests in connection with private Bills. There have been about 130 of these Bills this year, and the Committee has initiated action in respect of many of them.
814 An outstanding problem was that of ribbon development, 'the Bill concerning which was strongly supported. Glasgow Corporation again raised the old issue of the right of municipalities to manufacture, and sought powers to build bus bodies. This was opposed, and the Bill was rejected at the second reading. In one locality an attempt was made to compel all dealers in second-hand goods to be licensed. As this would mean a licence to trade in second-hand motor vehicles, the clause was opposed, and was struck out.
Many local authorities try to dabble in the motor trade, erect garages and sell fuel and supplies. This was successfully opposed in all cases.
2,600 Members of Y.S.C.O.A.
Since February last, the membership of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association has grown from 2,000 to 2,600. This figure includes more than 2,000 operators of goods vehicles.
Fined for Underpaying Drivers. Further information has come to hand concerning the case in which Messrs. Richards Bros., of Tanygroes Street, Port Talbot, was prosecuted by the Ministry of Labour for not paying the minimum rate of wages to certain of its employees. There are two partners in the firm; one of them, Mr. H. Richards, accepted full responsibility, and the summonses against Mr. E. Richards were therefore withdrawn.
We learn that there is another firm of the same name, Messrs. Richards Bros., of 21, St_ James Street, Port-Talbot, and we are .informed that the latter firm was not concerned in any way with this matter.
Canadian Motor Industry Busier.
The motor industry in Canada is much more active this year than last year. The number of new motor vehicles sold retail in June was 11,637, of whicri 2,031 were lorries and buses. The total gain was 14.9 per cent, on the figure for June, 1934. and 73.7 per cent. on that for June, 1933. YORKSHIRE CONCILIATION , CONFERENCE ADJOURNED.
The question of a permanent settlement of wages and conditions in Yorkshire was again discussed by the Yorkshire Area Joint Conciliation Board, at Leeds, last week, but the meeting bad no definite outcome. It was adjourned until August .22, at the request of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association, which desired to consult its members as to the policy to be pursued by the organization.
It is understood that the members of the Y.S.C.O.A. will be circularized, and that mass meetings will be held in Leeds and Sheffield, The Association opposed both the interim proposals of the Area Board, conducted a campaign against the application of the findings of the National Board in Yorkshire, and later protested against the putting into operation, with the National Board's conditions, of the Yorkshire wages award for the interim period, which was made by the National Board, because the Yorkshire Board failed to reach agreement. It seems likely that the Y.S.C.O.A. will now put up another fight for its counter-proposals on wages and condi tions. These provided that 'there should be one grade of wages throughout the area, that there should be no guaranteed week, and that rates of pay should he on the basis of a 53-hour week, instead of 48 hours.
L.N.E.R.'s New Haulage Interest.
It is announced that the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. has secured a holding in Messrs. John Grocock, the well-known haulage firm of Sheffield. The firm was established in 1887, and has a fleet of about 50 goods vehicles. Earlier this year, the passenger-carrying side of the business was acquired by Sheffield United Tours, Ltd.
A new company, under the title of John Grocock, Ltd., has been formed to acquire the business, and three of its directors are connected with the L.N.E.R. and an associated company, Mr. IL Grocock being the other director.
Crossley Capital-reduction Scheme Confirmed.
A few days ago a petition was heard in the Manchester Chancery Court to confirm a reduction of the capital of Crossley Motors, Ltd., from £1,250,009 in shares of 10s. each to £919,547 by cancelling 6s. per share
on the 1,101,510 shares issue. The unissued shares will be reduced to the same figure, and the, creation of 1,652,265 new shares of 4s, each will increase the capital to Z1,250,000 in 6,250.000 Shares of 4s. each. The proposed reduction was confirmed.
OFFICIAL ORDERS IN JUNE.
During June last, the following Government departments gave orders: The G.P.O. authorities, for MorrisCommercial, Bonallacks and Harrington bodies, for Morris-Commercial vans, and for Brockhouse and Dyson trailers. The Crown Agents for the Colonies ordered Cornmer lorry chassis from Rootes. Ltd., and' Scarnmell mechanical horses. The War Office placed orders for lorry chassis with Rootes, Ltd., and Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.
A C.M.U.A. Show Conference.
The Commercial Motor Users Association has accepted an invitation from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to organize a conference in connection with the Commercial Vehicle Show at Olympia in November next. The conference will be held at Olympia on " November 13, at 10.45 a.m., when Mr. C. le M. tiosselin, M.I.A.E., M.Inst.T., a pastpresident of the C.M.U.A., will read a paper on a subject of importance to the road=transport industry.
374 New Vehicles for the G.W.R.
On Tuesday last,. the Great Western Railway Co. announced that it is to purchase 374 new motor vehicles it the forthcoming year, at a cost of £144,000. They will include vehicles ranging from light vans for express parcels delivery up to 6-tonners, whilst a number of tractors and trailers is also included. Some of the vehicles are to replace worn-out motors, others will displace horses and the remainder are for dealing with the company's increasing traffic.
Warning to Lorry Driver Brings Fine.
A lorry driver who, on a West Sussex road, warned the driver of another commercial vehicle that he was being followed by a police patrol car, was summoned at Chichester and fined 10s. " for obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty." The defendant, it was stated, switched on his headlights and extended his arm, with his thumb downwards, as the other lorry approached, whereupon the driver, warned of the presence of the police, immediately slackened speed.
The defendant claimed that he thought the approaching lorry was driven by. his brother-in-law, and that he signalled him a greeting.
Evidence of Governed Engine Ignored.
Although a light van was stated to be goVerned to a maximum speed of 30 m.p.h., the driver was fined Ll at Wakefield West Riding Court, last week, for exceeding the 30 m.p.h. speed limit. Notice of appeal to Quarter Sessions was given.
The defendant was Mr. Harry Halsworth, a driver employed by John Newbould and Sons, Ltd., Bradford. Two police officers alleged that, during the distance for which they, followed the vehicle (a mile) it travelled at between 40 m.p.h. and 42 m.p.h.
For the defence it was stated that the company, which had a large fleet of vans; had had fitted to all its vehicles governors which prevented a speed of 30 m.p.h. .from being ex ceeded. Each governor had a lead seal, which was intact when Mr. thisworth returned to the works, and the foreman in charge took out the van and found that he could not exceed 39 m.p.h.
A representative of the manufacturer of the governor, and an expert motor engineer, had also been unable to make the vehicle travel at a greater speed than 30 m.p.h. on the stretch of road in question.
More Oilers for Leeds.
Leeds Corporation has recently ordered a further 10 A.E.C. Regent oil-engined double-deckers. When these vehicles are delivered, the corporation will have 114 machines of this make, of which 72 per cent. are of the compression-ignition type. PERSONAL PARS.
Amongst important visitors arriving frcirn overseas and visiting the works of Leyland Motors, Ltd., last week was Mr. T. J. Hartigan, Chief Commissioner of the New South Wales Government Railway. Mr. Hartigan is at present engaged on a world tour inspecting transport of various forms.
Under the powers conferred on the Lord Chancellor by Section 79 of the London Passenger Transport Act, 1923, Mr. Roland Burrows, KC,, has been appointed the standing arbitrator, under Sections 73-78 of the 14th schedule to the London Passenger Transport Act, in the place of Mr. D. R. Thomas, K.C., who has resigned.
This year's popular President of the Furniture Warehousemen and Removers' Association is Mr. H. V. Bishop, of Bishop and Sons' Depositories, Ltd., Belgrave Road, London, S.W.1. Mr. Bishop has had a long association with the trade, being one of the third generation to control his company. For some time he has been chairman of the publicity committee of the Association, and edits its instructive journal, Removals and Storage. He was elected chairman of the London centre in 1932, and made a great effort to stabilize warehousing charges at an economic level, a large measure of agreement being reached.
Mr. C. II. Built retires to-day (Friday) from the position of divisional superintendent for the Worcester area of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., which he has held since 1928.
In 1904, Mr. Built joined the Worcester Electric Traction Co., being previously with an electrical concern. In 1909, he had the distinction of collecting the fares on the first motorbus to run in Worcester. The bus company was taken over by the "Midland Red" in 1914. He was manager of the Worcester tramways from 1917 to 1928, when this undertakingwas also taken over by the "Midland Red."
Mr. Harold Muscroft, assistant to the chief engineer of Bradford Corporation's transport department, has been appointed manager. of South Shields Corporation's transport department, in succession to Mr. E. L. Fitzpayne, now deputy manager at Edinburgh.
Mr. Muscroft, who is 37 years of age, has been with the Bradford municipal undertaking since boyhood, with the exception of the war period, when he served in France for four years with the Royal Engineers.
Big Leyland Fleet in Yorkshire.
The Yorkshire Woollen District Electric Tramways, Ltd., has recently placed an order for 33 Leyland Tiger chassis equipped with oil engines. This company has had considerable experience in operating Leyland vehicles and now has nearly 250 machines of this make. • A MOBILE .AMPLIFIER FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING.
One of the exhibits at the Radio Show at Olympia will be the AllPurpose mobile amplifier for fitting to a motor vehicle. It will be shown by the Ardente Acoustic Laboratories, 11-12, Pollen Street, London, W.1.
The consumption is 8 amps. and it works entirely from a six-volt battery. It is designed to fit easily under the dash of any car or commercial vehicle, and can be unshipped in three or four minutes. A control is mounted on the steering column, and the change from speech to gramophone records can be made whether the vehicle be moving or stationary. The amplifier gives 12-14 watts undistorted output and is intended for addressing large outdoor or indoor crowds. The price is £63.
New Power Harvester in Britain.
The Case model-Q combine harvester has been introduced to this country, this season, for the first time, and may be seen working near Bury St. Edmunds, drawn by a Case pneumatictyred agritnotor. The machine, taking a 12-ft. cut, dropped the grain bags in " threes " and left the straw in heaps ready to be picked up by a sweep. The cutting height can be adjusted to a level of 4 ins, from the ground.
Liverpool Cutting Out Hauliers.
The haulage services of Liverpool Corporation's electric-supply department are in process of reorganization.
Mr. P. J. Robinson, the city electrical engineer, states, in his annual report, that, for many years, haulage work in connection with the laying of underground mains and the delivery of material to consumer's premises has been carried out by motor vehicles owned by the department, augmented, when necessary, by motors hired from contractors.
The policy is now to acquire a sufficient number of vehicles to enable the whole of the haulage work to be carried out by the department.
R.H.A. Sub-area's
The first report of the committee of the Cambs. and Ely sub-area of the Road Haulage Association was recently issued. This sub-area was formed in January, 1934, and has held 37 committee meetings and seven general meetings, at which such important topics as wages, pig haulage, rates, sugar-beet transport, etc., have been discussed.
The committee has assisted in drawing up a scale of wages and conditions of employment which, it is felt, is fair, and will have the support of reputable employers in the area, as opposed to the scales drawn up by the National Joint Conciliation Board.
On the question of rates, the report makes mention of the difficulties that are being encountered. The position is not rendered easier by competition from the C-licence agriculturist.
• The committee is pressing for a weekly basis for the surrender or renewal of Road Fund licences, owing B18 to the heavy losses involved in laying up big vehicles for overhaul or repair under the present system of monthly renewal or surrender.
In order to foster a spirit of unity amongst members of the sub-area, a social sub-committee has recently been formed.
Rival Haulier Gives Evidence in Favour of Licence Application.
At a recent sitting of the Western Licensing Authority (Mr. A. F. Nicholson), a rival Bideford haulier gave evidence in support of an application by Messrs. Foley and Son for a variation of a B licence. In asking for an additional vehicle, Mr. Templeman, representing the applicants, said that no other hauliers had objected and evidence in support of the application had been given by Mr. H. Hopkins, from whom the applicants had increased trade at Bideford. Mr.
Nicholson said that he was justified in granting the application.
The application of Mr. F. Hashing, Newton Abbot, for an additional vehicle was refused, In evidence Mr. Hasking agreed that, at one time, he had been guilty of "undercutting." He also admitted that he had operated one vehicle in an illegal manner. Furthermore, he suggested that if he failed to obtain a licence he would be prepared to run the risk again rather than lose work.
In view of the applicant's remarks, Mr. Nicholson said that further inquiries would be made, and if the applicant was found to break the conditions of his licence he would be prosecuted.
300 More Trolleybuses for London.
Yesterday (Thursday) London Transport announced the placing of an order for 300 trolleybuses, in addition to the 120 machines now under construction. This is one of the largest orders, ever given. Prospective developments in Yorkshire, following the formation of Associated Road Operators, were referred to by Mr. M. C. Vickers, secretary for the Yorkshire Area, at a meeting of members of the Mahon Sub-area last Friday. The measure of decentralization of organization which was to be introduced in Yorkshire, was, he said, really an outcome of the constitution of the new body. It was felt that the strength of the movement would be increased if the sub-areas, whilst still linked together by the Yorkshire Area Committee, were more self-contained than hitherto.
When the subject of haulage-rates stabilization was brought forward, Mr. Vickers said he thought that once wages and working conditions were placed on a uniform basis, the rates problem would largely solve itself. So far, how ever, no permanent settlement on wages and conditions had been reached.
Mr. Vickers officially confirmed reports that negotiations are taking place with a view to Yorkshire Motor Coach Owners, Ltd., joining the A.R.O.
Mr. A. C. Bell, vice-chairman of the Malton Sub-area, presided.
Scottish Haulier's Licences Revoked., At a public inquiry held at Edinburgh last week, the Licensing Authority revoked the licences of a Carstairs haulier, Mr. J. Henderson. It was admitted that he had been convicted of several breaches of the Traffic Act, and of contravening the conditions of his licences.
In mitigation it was said that whilst one vehicle had been used when under a prohibition Order, in order to carry out work offered, this machine hart now been discarded and replaced by a vehicle in perfect order.
In giving his decision, the Licensing Authority said that, in view of the breach of conditions, he had no alternative but to revoke the licences. POLICE SPEEDOMETER UNRELIABLE.
When Mr_ Robert Baxter, of Birtley, Northumberland, was summoned at Wetherby, last week, on a charge of speeding, he and his companion stated that, when the speedometer of the lorry in question was compared with that of the police car, the police speedometer varied as much as eight points at an estimated speed of 30 m.p.h., and that, consequently, no reliance could be placed upon it. The summons was dismissed.
R.H.A. Meeting in Birmingham.
A general meeting of the members of the West Midland area of the Road Haulage Association will be held at the White Horse Hotel, Congreve Street, Birmingham, on August 16, when details of the formation of Associated Road Operators, Ltd., will be explained.
Shipping Guide for Hauliers.
The following is the number. of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from August 9-16 inclusive: —Docks: King George V, 5; Royal .Albert, 2; Royal Victoria, 3; Surrey. Commercial, 5; West India, 4; East India,. 1; SouthWest India, I; Tilbury, 6; Tilbury Stage, 1; Millwall, 6; London, 2; Regent's Canal, 1. . Wharves: Hays, 6; Middleton's 1. Jetties: Tilbury, 1.
Road-accident -Returns. _
The following figures arc extracted from the Ministry of Transport return of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended July 27, 1935, the figures in parentheses being those for the corresponding week in 1934, The number of persons who died as a result of accidents during previous weeks is included in th^ total. In England 97 (136) persons were killed and 4,380.(4,711) injured, whilst in Scotland 12 (13) were killed and
465 (459) injured. The figures for Wales show that 3 (7) persons were killed and 255 (202) injured. .
Is 10 Years' Life Too Long?
Is 10 years too long a life for a motor vehicle on municipal work? This question has been raised by Cardiff city engineer, as a result of the consideration by a committee of the expenditure of £2,7£l9. on repairs.
The engineer reported that the apparently heavy cost of repairs was due to conditions under which the vehicles worked, whilst the covers -of the refuse collectors (the bulk of t."--e machines were of this type) were subjected to rough handling. In some cases, where the average age of the, vehicles was seven years, the cost of repairs exceeded the original purchase price, and the engineer considered that vehicles should be abandoned at a shorter period than 10 years. It was difficult to say whether it would be cheaper, in the long run, to discard' machines. at an age' of, say, five years,
or, if they were still giving good service, to continue to maintain them.
Even with the high cost of repairs, the average charge for the hire of municipal vehicles compared favourably with the rate for contractors' lorries.
The concern reported in last week's issueto have made a successful application to the West Midland Licensing Authority was Messrs. Hurst and Payne, and not its associated company, Red Arrow Deliveries, Ltd.
UNDERCUTTING CAUSES FAILURE.
When Mr. J. S. Farquhar was examined in bankruptcy in Perth Sheriff Court, he stated that his losses had
been incurred by undercutting. He started business as a* haulier at Bridgend, Perth, in March, 1931, and was forced to give it up three years later. At first he could obtain from 12s. 6d. to 14s. per ton for the carriage of goods from Perth to Glasgow, whereas latterly the rate was 75.