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• Busy DAYS FOR APPEAL TRIBUNAL THE Appeal Tribunal will hear an appeal by Mr. H. G. Powell against a decision of the East Midland Deputy Lkensing Authority; at HalifaxHouse, Strand, London, W.C.2, at 10.30 a.m., on May 13,
On the same or following day an appeal by Mr. J. R. Hewitt and Mr. John Boagey against a decision of the Northern Deputy Licensing Authority will be considered. In the latter case there will be eight respondents.
The Tribunal was due to hear a number of appeals this week. In one group there were 15 appellants against a grant to G. Wimpey and Co., Ltd., by the Metropolitan Deputy Licensing Authority, DOCK ROUTEING SCHEME AT BIRKENHEAD
DIRECTIONAL routeing has been extended to the Birkenhead dock area by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.
The road transport section of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce has brought to the notice of the Licensing Authorities a suggestion that it would be helpful to lorry drivers entering the port if shipping notes issued by shipping companies contained, an indication of the number of the dock under the routeing scheme, DAY SCHOOLS FOR TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES?
WHEN Mr. J. A. Dow, organizer of WV continuation schools, attended the presentation of prizes to students of the transport classes at James Gillespie's Commercial Professional College. Edinburgh, he said he hoped that the day was not. far distant when, under the terms of the new Education Act, it would be possible for transport employees to attend classes during the day.
The fact that there was no regular form of apprenticeship for road transport employees made it all the more necessary that proper educational facilities should be made available.
Mr. L. D. S. Garden, of Mutter, Howey and Co., Ltd., presided, and presented prizes given by the Road Haulage Association.
120 VEHICLES IN PROTEST • PARADE
AS a protest against the drastic use of the guillotine during the proceedings on the Transport. Bill, a parade of more than 120 vehicles was held in Tunbridge Wells and neighbouring towns last Saturday (May 3). The vehicles toured Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough, Southborough, Tonbridgc, Hilde.nborough and Sevenoaks.
Some of the vehicles carried representative loads to indicate the service given by road transport to the public, and others bore placards and tableaux. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INLAND TRANSPORT
1-IN Wednesday (May 7) the Interna
tional Labour Office Committee on Inland Transport met in Geneva for its second session. The Government representatives of the United Kingdom delegation are Mr. M. D. Tennant (Ministry of Labour) and Mr. S. R. Walton (Ministry -of Transport), with Mr. R. Abraham, M.C., M.M. (Ministry of Civil. Aviation) and Mr. G. W. Cole (Control Commission for Germany) as advisers.
Employers are represented by Mr. Frank Gilbert (Southern Railway) and Mr. G. W. Quick Smith (National Road Transport Federation). Advisers are Mr. D. F. Macdonald (National Association of Port Employers), Mr. G. Shrosbee (British Overseas Airways Corporation) and the secretary on the employers' side of the National Joint Council for the Civil Air Transport Industry.
Mr. H. E Clay (Transport and General Workers' Union) and Mr. J. E.. Binks (National Union of Railwaymen) represent the workers.
The session is expected to last for a bout 10 days, and problems connected with the recruitment, training and use of labour in inland transport will be considered. A survey will also be made of the organization amongst employers and workers in the various branches of transport, developments in the machinery for regulating wages and adjusting differences, and experience in co-operation between employers and workers.
The collection and standardization of labour statistics will be studied.
STILL HOPE THAT BILL MAY BE DROPPED?
LI OPE that the Government might 1 'still be prevailed upon to order suspension of proceedings on the Transport Bill was expressed by Mr. S. C. Bond, chairman, at a luncheon which preceded the second annual general meeting of the East Midland Area of the Traders' Road Transport Association.
Other speakers were Col. A. Jerrett (chairman of the Association), Mr. B. L. C. Barton and Mr. F. D. Fitzgerald, national secretary.
At the annual meeting, a 50 per cent. increase in membership was reported. Messrs. S. C. Bond and B. C. L. Barton were re-elected chairman and vicechairman respectively.
PROF1T-SHARING AND NATIONALIZATION " UOW could profits be shared in the 'trades which are to be nationalized?" Sir Harold Kenward, director of distribution of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., asked the Rotary International Conference during its industrial session at Douglas, Isle of Man, on Monday.
Shall we expect much profit from these State undertakings and, if so, is it good economics for the State to make profits by charging 21d. for a pennyworth of service, as in the Post Office? Is the postman to share in the spoils of public exploitation and are the porters' tips to be taken into consideration before allocating to him his share of railway profits?" Sir Harold continued. AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION IN GUY ARAB
A UTOMATIC chassis lubrication by rIthe Clayton Dewandre R.P. system is now available, at extra cost, in the Guy Arab passenger chassis. The R.P. lubricator is a self-contained 24-feed unit adapted for vacuum operation and positioned in the chassis cross-member immediately behind the gearbox.
Lubricant is carried in a one-gallon tank and is fed by gravity to the lubricating mechanism, A Small pneumatic cylinder works in conjunction with the vacuum braking system, and the unit comes into operation each time the brake pedal is depressed.
Supply a lubricant to all points can he modified by adjusting the piston stop screwed through the pneumatic cylinder end cover, thereby governing the stroke of the piston and travel of the main plunger. Each point in succession is
lubricated once during 24 depressions of the brake pedal.
Weight of the complete installation for a bus using a standard 24-feed unit is about 85 lb.
AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST TROLLEYBUS ORDER THE largest order for trolleybuses ever placed by Australia has recently been awarded to Sunbeam Commercial Vehicles, Ltd. It is a contract for the supply of 50 single-deck vehicles and has been negotiated with the Western Australia Tramways Board, through the Agent General for Western Australia.
This order follows other large overseas post-war contracts for Sunbeam trolleybuses, including fleets for Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban— all repeat orders—and Pretoria. In addition. the Sunbeam company has a large volume of trolleybus business in hand for municipal and companyowned undertakings in this country.
RUSSIAN OUTPUT RISING
AREPORT just issued by the State Planning Commission of the U.S.S.R. shows that the output of commercial vehicles, farm tractors, and
other agricultural machines in Russia is being rapidly increased.
During the first three months of' ibis year, tractor production is stated to have increased by 193 per cent. The output of tractor-ploughs rase by 223 per cent., tractor sowing machines 397 per centtractor cuhivators 900 per cent., goods vehicles 13-2 per cent, and buses 107 per cent.
PLAIN BEARINGS—A VALUABLE BOOK OF REFERENCE THE innovation of the standard wrapped bush, which was introduced last year by the Glacier Metal Co., Ltd., Alperton. Middlesex, and mentioned in "The Commercial Motor," has, we understand.. met with considerable response front the motor industry.. Now from the same company camas the publication of a book which gives full details of all the standard bearing products for which the concern is responsible.
It is a publication which should be in the hands of all production engineers and designers. forming as it does a most valuable book of reference. Application for copies should be sent direct to the company at the address given.
In a Line or Two William Jones, Ltd.' has taken new offices at 21, Russell Square London, W.C.1, and will move in on May 16,
The Scottish Road Passenger Transpart Association will hold its annual conference at Pidochry from May 29-31.
A petition against nationalization, signed by 55,000 persons engaged in or using road transport, was presented in the House of Commons East week by Brigadier Mackeson.
Pickard Balmer and Co, Ltd., Rothwell, near Leeds, a well-known transport concern, is to-morrow (May 10) holding its annual works trip to the British Industries Fair, London. POLICE LOSE APPEAL IN INSURANCE CASE.
A NORTHAMPTON garage pro
prietor and vehicle repairer, Mr. Lloyd Lewis Labrum, was summoned last August for permitting a lorry to be driven Without having in force a policy of insurance.. He was convicted Had disrmalifred from driving.
On appeal to the Quarter Sessions. the Recorder held that there were special reasons which justified the removal of the disqualification. The police. last week. appealed against the decision before the Lord Chief Justice Mord Goddard) and hatices Atkinson and Oliver is the King's Bench Divisional Court.
It was stated that Mr. Labrunt took a lorry into his garage for repair. He had made a proposal for general trade cover for all vehicles used in connection with hi a trade, and received a cover note on October 5, 1945, holding him covered against third-party risks. in respect of all vehicles used in connection with his trade.
When the lorry was repaired, Mr. Labrum instructed one of his mechanics to take it out for a road test. While Out the lorry was involved in a collision'. and it was then discovered that the vehicle was not covered by Mama= because the. policy was limited to one named driver, Mr. Labrum.
That was not in accordance eithar with Mr. Labrum's proposal or with tha cover notewhich he received. It was submitted that it was ME. Labruas duty to read his policy.
Giving judgment, Lord Goddard said Lee. regarded is as a wholly exceptional case. It was clear that the policy which Mr. Labram received wasnot one which conformed with the cover note. nit Recorder had evidence on which 1 a could reach the decision: be reached, awl the appeal failed.
Justices Atkinson and Oliver agreed and the appeal was dismissed.
COMPANY APPLIFS FOR FEWER VEHICLES
A PPLICATION has been made ba .1-111nited Automobile Services, Ltd., to the Northern Licensing Authority for A licences. for 32 vehicles (101 'tons) to be operated from bases at Darlington. Middlesbrough and Newcastle-upon Tyne. These totals represent a decrease upon. 1939 figures for the company. which then operated 39 vehicles (12.4i tons) and six trailers (11 tons).
The application states that the vehicles are to be run in the Northern counties. Twenty-four vehicles based at Newcastle ran under Defence Permits during the war. In. 1939 the concern had 33 vehicles and six trailers based there.
CLEAN-HANDED MAINTENANCE
ANEW form of protective cream which prevents dirt from penetrating into the pores teas been produced under the name of Democlean by Clay and Abraham, Ltd., 87. Bald Street, Liverpool, I. Although this cream forms. a barrier again* oil and grease when the hands are washed in the ordinary way it will dissolvetaking the dirt with it.
LOAD FALLS OFF LORRY: DECISION ON LIABILITY
AQUESTION of responsibility concerning goods in transit which fell off a lorry and caused the death of a passing motorist, was raised in an action at Leeds Assizes on May -L
One of two iron grinding wheels, each weighing 2 tons 16 cwt., fell off the lorry while it was passing a car travelling in the opposite direction at a road bend at Wragby. The car was wrecked and the driver received injuries from which he died shortly afterwards.
For the death of her husband the widow claimed damages from Messrs. James Oldroyd, haulage contractors, Chancery Lane, Ossett, owners of the lorry, Mr. Stanley Wilily Oldroyd, brother of the proprietor, who was the driver, and Bradley and Craven, Ltd., • of Wakefield, which manufactured and loaded the grinding wheels.
Counsel for the plaintiff said that on the near side the wheels were supported by a solid baulk of timber, and on the off side by two pieces of timber, which were not fastened together and were not lashed to the wheel.
Mr. Justice Hallett awarded £7,157 damages and costs to plaintiff equally against Messrs. James Oldroyd and Bradley and Craven, Ltd. There was, he .said, no negligent driving.
His lordship held that it was the duty of Bradley and Craven, Ltd., to see that the load was made secure and .of the haulage contractor to take reasonable care that the load, when carried along the highway, did not fall off.
EX-SERVICEMEN HONOURED WHILE members of the staff of the TV Marsham Tyre Co., Ltd., were on war service, a fund was inaugurated to arrange celebrations when they returned home. Celebration dinners have already been held at Bristol, Northampton, Leeds and Birmingham, and others will take place in Nottingham on May 10, Ipswich on May 17, and London on May 24.
NEW GRINDER WEIGHS 4R LB.
WEIGHING only 41 lb., a new W midget grinder has been produced by Messrs. Runbaken Electrical Products, 71-73a, Oxford Road, Manchester, I. A number of attachments can be fitted to this tool, including 'drill chucks, pulleys and buffing mop.
Two models are available, one with a motor of 1/20 h.p. and the other with a motor of h.p. There is a foot switch that gives various speeds.
SALISBURY IN BRIDGWATER
AFACTORY at Bridgwater, Somerset, has been purchased by Birfield Industries to house the Salisbury Transmission Co., Ltd. Ultimately, all equipment at the Salisbury Transmission Company's factory at Witton, Birmingham, will be transferred to Bridgwater.
"SHUN NATIONALIZATION"
ADVICE to Americans to "shun Government ownership of essential industries as they would shun the plague," was given by Mr. Stassen, a prospective Republican candidate, on his return from an. 18,000-mile tour of 16 countries. A FURTHER 1,200 British vehicles rthave been handed over in the British Zone of Austria as a contribution towards alleviating Austria's transport problems. The vehicles, mainly lorries, were assembled at a large depot near Leoben, in Styria, and were disposed of to the Federal Government at agreed prices. More than 5,000 vehicles have now been handed over in this way, and another 2.,000, which were not in roadworthy condition, have been made available for spare parts.
I.MECH.E. AUTOMOBILE DIVISION CELEBRATES INNOVATION
THE first dinner-dance of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Automobile Division. was held at Grosvenor House, London, W.1, on May 1. with the chairman, Mr. F. G. Woollard, M,B.E., presiding, the guest of honour being Lord Dudley Gordon, D.S.O., president of the Institution of Mechanical Enaineers. The occasion marked the passing of the LA.E., and its rebirth as the Automobile Division of the I-Mech.E.