• Home
• Used vehicles
• Product news
• Dealer news
• Compliance
• Buying advice
• Archive

NEWS of the WEEK

MORE MEETINGS BETWEEN ROAD AND RAIL.

MEMBERS of the Liaison Committee on Road Transport Rates met the railways' general managers in further informal conferences on January 6 and yesterday. It is hoped that these meetings will improve the relationship between these two important branches of transport, and result in some agreement regarding the respective charges for carrying merchandise.

Death of Mr. E. F. Mays.

WE much regret to. learn of the W death of Mr. E. F. Mays, joint managing director of Coaches and Components, Ltd. He was ell known and respected in trdde circles ' and among operators in all parts of the United Kingdom, having been associated with -the Coaches and Components concern for 10 years, the last five of them as joint managing director.

New Goodyear Compression-built

ANEW tyre, known as the G-100, has been produced by the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. (Gt. Britain), Ltd., Wolverhampton, .as a result of four years' research. In the conventional tyre, inflation tends to stretch the tread rubber, and when rubber is stretched it is weakened, in the sense that a small cut is apt to spread. On the other hand, if compressed it becomes tougher, more resilient, less likely to cut, and if cut the tendency will be 'for the cut to close.

The G-100 tyre has high, flat-side wall construction: The natural tendency under air pressure is for the tyre to become circular in cross section, and when the side walls extend they may be said to pivot on the tread and compress the sides of this towards the centre. It is claimed 'that. as a result of this compression, the new tyre will give a 33 per cent, better mileage performance than its predecessor, which, itself, has won much praise.

It is claimed, also, that the method c20 of construction ,prolongs the life and efficiency of the non-skid properties of the diamond-shaped tread, increases the cushioning qualities -and aids stability by reducing tyre roll when cornering.

Operators will be pleased to know that there is no increase in price for the new model.

Dog Eats Dog in Traffic Court!

rIPPOSITION was given, by the ‘.../ London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., to the application of one of its own authorized carters, at Coventry, last week. Dr, W. DawSon Sadler (West .Midland Deputy Licensing Authority) rejected the petition of Mr. 0. G. Clarke, of Rugby, for an additional B-licensed vehicle, to enable him to cope with the increasing work he is doing for the L.M.S., for which he is district cartage agent at Brinklow and Shilton Stations.

Free Transport Choice and National Chamber.

THAT the National Chamber of Trade stands for the trader's freedom of choice of methods of transport is reiterated in a memorandum which the Chamber has circulated among affiliated organizations, with reference to the railway companies' -" square dear' campaign. It is stated that

the Chamber stands for the preservation of the rights of C-licence holders as users of road-transport ancillary to their business, and particularly so in the case of retail traders. I.A.E. RESEARCH ON DIFFICULT . STARTING..

'THE recent cold weather has drawn 1 attention to the matter. of -ease of starting under such conditions.. This is of particular importance in relation to our export trade to those countries where much lower temperatures are reached than here. At the Research

Laboratories -of the work has been carried out on a single-cylindered engine, on which 'a special study has been made of the .power . developed during the first few explosions after a start from cold.It is Obvious that forthe sthrt. to be successful the power obtained Must. be' "sufficient' to overcome internal frictional resistance.

The .investigation has included such factors as ignition timing and pistonring gas-tightness, and Comparative tests have been carried out in a cold room.

Pye Business Extending.

WE are informed by H. Pye and VY Son, Ltd., that expansion in sections of its transport business has necessitated the . enlargement of its present premises in Cranham Road, London, S.E.I6, to deal solely with long-distance traffic, and the moving of the offices and the contract and workshop sides of the business to 53-57, Southampton Way, London, S.E.5. (Telephone: Rodney 2001-3.) North-country Haulier's Appeal Adjourned.

BEGUN on January 3, the appeal of J. M. Burgess, Ltd., North Shields, against the refusal of the Northern Licensing Authority to vary an A licence, was, last week, adjourned until January 31. The variation was in connection with the addition of four vehicles to the company's fleet of six.

Grounds for the appeal were that the decision was against the weight of evidence, that suitable transport fatilities were not in excess of requirements andthat the objectors (United Automobile Services, Ltd., and the London and North-Eastern Railway Co.) did not provide suitable facilities. VINES totalling £10 Ss. and costs of £2 12s. 6d. were imposed on Frank Thompson (Hauliers), Ltd., a Boston (Lines) concern, and some of its drivers, for alleged breaches of the Road Traffic Acts, at Boston, last

Friday. Mr. L. W. A. White prosecuted on behalf of the East Midland Licensing Authority, and Mr. E. W. Roythorne defended. Except for two summonses which the prosecution withdrew, there were pleas of guilty in each case.

Mr. Roythorne, whilst admitting that certain records were false, in that they did not give correct hours of work, said there was only one summons for which he had not got " a completely good and honourable excuse."' Two of the summonses, one against a driver, William Patrnan Green, of Boston, for driving a vehicle so that he had not 10 consecutive hours of rest in 24, and the other against the company for permitting, were dismissed.

Diesel Engine Dinner,

THE 26th annual dinner of the Diesel Engine Users Association, 56, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, will be held at the Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, London, W.C.2, on February 1 at 7 p.m.

New Distributor for Scammell Mechanical Horse.

SCAMMELL LORRIES, LTD., Watford West, Herts, advises us that Spurting Motor Bodies, Ltd., the Hyde, Hendon, London, N.W.9, has been ippointed a distributor for the Scam.. mell mechanical horse.

New Zealand Needs Buses, cHRISTCHURCH Tramway Board

calling for tenders for the supply of six, or alternatively 13, bus chassis. Tenders have to be sent to the chairman of the Board, Christchurch, New Zealand, by February 24. The Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S,W.1, can supply fuller details, reference 1%17108/39 being quoted.

News of the week (continued)

ADVERSE TRENDS IN U.S. PETROLEUM INDUSTRY.

CONFUSING and contradictory 1--.,trends, with a slightly reduced total volume of business and substantially curtailed net earnings, characterized the operations of the American petroleum industry in 1938, says the American Petroleum Institute. Domestic demand declined, whilst exports increased. Crude-oil production, welldrilling activities, and refining operations were below those of 1937. Prices, both of crude oil and refined products, moved to slightly lower levels.

World production of crude oil, in 1938, is estimated at 1,980,331,000 barrels, or 3 per cent, below the record production of 1937. The United States 'produced 61.3 per cent, of the world total, this output of 1,213,000,000 barrels representing a decrease of 5 per cent, on the 1937 output.

Ulster Transport Committee Meets,

LAST Friday was the occasion of the second meeting of the Northern . Ireland Joint Parliamentary Committee to consider •the recent reports of the Recorder of Belfast and the McLintock Committee. Following a discussion on procedure, the committee heard evidence from Mr. D. L. Clarke and Mr. A. Morrison, chairman and general manager, respectively, of the Northern Ireland Road Transport -Board. It was intimated that the committee's sitting would be held in private and that no statement of progress would be made until the final report.

Those Apathetic Applicants. WHEN two hauliers' applications

• W HEN two at the Northern Traffic Court; last week, for additional information to be furnished, Sir John Maxwell,: Licensing Authority, complained of the inadequacy of facts which applicants brought before him. On an average, he said, 50 per cent. of the applications could not be proceeded with because the information necessary to justify the application was not supplied.

Sir Malcolm Campbell at Operators' Annual Function.

OPTIMISM and good cheer characterized the third annual dinner and dance, held at Kingston,. last Friday, of Adams Bros. (Super Transport), Ltd., and Adams Gatages, New Maiden, Surrey. A notable guest was Sir Malcolm Campbell, who, in a brief speech " as a very satisfied customer " of the company, paid generous tribute to its drivers, who had been responsible for carrying his speed boat safely across the Alps, some months ago.

The toast of "The Firm " was proposed by Mr. S. J. Parker, the company's oldest driver. Replying, Mr. A. E. Adams, one of the directors, c22 • made reference to the position of transport at the time of the national crisis. During those black days, he said the company's drivers were not worried in the least, and were, in fact, prepared to serve their country in any way. Ile added that the railway's insinuation that road transport was snowed-up in the " other crisis " was totally unfounded. Every Adams vehicle had carried out its normal duties.

Changed Activities—Lost Licence.

(-IN the grounds that the applicant's

business had been changed since his last licence was issued, the Northern Licensing Authority, Sir John Maxwell, last week refused to renew the licence of Mr. H. McNaughton, of North View, Great Ashby, respecting a vehicle of 2 tons 9 cwt. unladen weight. Prior Lo June, 1937, the applicant admitted he had carried livestock and general goods for various customers, but from June, 1937, onwards he had been employed exclusively by the Thistle Transport Co., Carlisle, carrying general goods (excluding livestock).

Sir _John said he had taken into consideration the hardship which might be placed upon the applicant, but he had no alternative.

Reconstructing Bristol's Street. cleansing Services.

THE final stage in the big scheme of reconstruction of the transport system of Bristol's street-cleansing services was marked when an inquiry was recently held on the application of the city council to borrow £36,310 for the erection of a new garage at Albert Road, Bristol. The town clerk stated that the new garage would accommodate 200 vehicles, He added that out of 130 horse-drawn vehicles only 10 were now left, and within 12 months the change to motors would be completed.

FROZEN-RABBITS PROBLEM BAFFLES RAILWAYS.

AT the South Wales Traffic Court in Carmarthen, last week, Mr. Ford, a haulage contractor, of Pembroke, was successful in obtaining licences for two additional vehicles in face of strong railway objections. He wanted the vehicles for the conveyance ot frozen rabbits to London. The conditions were such that the rabbits must be delivered within 14 hours of leaving cold storage in Pembroke.

The railway companies objected on the usual ground: that they had suitable facilities. The managing director of the factory where the rabbits are prepared—and, incidentally, this is a new industry—gave evidence and said that the railways could not give the service and that they were unable to effect delivery in time. He had twice tried the railways, using passengertrain facilities, and on both .occasions the consignments were refused as being in bad condition on arrival, Bristol Haulage Licences Renewed.

WE learn that the Bristol Haulage V1r Co., Ltd., has won in its application for the renewal of. certain. of its A licences. Having proved that it had not lost more than 5 per cent, of its haulage work during the period under review, the railway objection was withdrawn. •

Karachi's Big Call for Municipal Buses.

THE municipal authorities at Karachi are inviting tenders for the supply of 17 32-seater motorbuses, and these have to reach the accountant, Municipal Corporation, Karachi, India, by February 8. Further details may be obtained from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference T.30916/38.

RAILWAY REPRESENTATIVE ALLEGES ABSTRACTION.

IN the course of a sitting of the Southern Scotland Licensing Authority, at Dumfries, last week, it was stated by the London, Midland and Scottish. Railway representative that the increase in traffic claimed by an applicant was partly due to the fact that he had abstracted traffic from the railway by quoting cheaper prices. D. Hunter and Co., Dumfries„ asked for the renewal of its licence, with power to replace a 4i-ton vehicle with one of 6 tons. Mr. David Hunter stated that.. his business had increased and that he gave a more expeditious delivery than the -railway.

For the L.M.S., Mr. . McKay contended that the railway company gave • as quick a service and that, with its delivery • fleet of five motor and nine horse-drawn vehicles, facilities were

Siaice September, . applicant had been conveying goods, for a former railway customer, to the extent of 15 tans weekly and there had been no complaint about the railway service, the. traffic .; haying been .lost purely on•the.ratea-questiOn. " To grant the apPlitation • worrld be to create facilities in excess of requirements. Mr. Archibald Henderson, • the Licensing Authority, • refused the application.

Farming Progress Benefits Haulage.

CrIANGES in agricultural methods, Which have given rise to an increased demand for road haulage, formed the subject. of expert evidence given at the West Midland Traffic Court last week-end, when the railway objection to a haulier's application for an additional vehicle was withdrawn, Major A. D. C. Clarke, farmer, of Warwick, an official of the National Farmers Union, and of the Warwickshire committee of the East Midland Region of the Milk Marketing Board, said that it was becoming increasingly obvious that. ploughland farming, as carried out, was not really profitable, and land formerly under the plough was now being put down temporarily as grassland; for perhaps a year or two, in order to store up the fertility. That meant that the stock-changing value of the land was increased. There had been a big increase in the output of milk, in addition.

The application, that of Messrs. Blake and Sons, of Warwick, for .an addition of one vehicle to their existing A-licensed fleet (engaged mainly in carrying milk for the Midland Counties Dairy Co.) was granted by .Dr. W. Dawson Sadler (Deputy Licensing Authority).

Fire-engine Needed by Pretoria.

PRETORIA City Council is calling for tenders for the supply of a 600 g.p.m. fire-engine, with an all-steel body providing inside seating for the personnel. Tenders have to be in the hands of the town clerk by January 23. Further details of this call may he obtained from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, SW.!, reference 1'.30825/38,