Answers to Queries.
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Thomas Electro-Mechanical Transmission.
[1935] " MIDDLEMEN " write :—"We have an inquiry fur particulars of a covered van with the Thomas electric transmission. We do not know who are the manufacturers, and we should be glad if you would give us this information."
ANSWER.—The Thomas Transmission, Ltd., 14, Leonard Place, Kensington, W.
War Office and Petrol Lorries.
L1936] •' LANCASHIRE OWNERS' MANAGER" writes:— " You have, of course, seen the W ar Office circular relating to the registration of petrol vehicles. Personally, it appears to me to be a paying scheme for an owner who keeps the wagons in good order ; but, to the best of my recollection, you commented somewhat unfavourably on the scheme some time ago in your paper. We declined to do anything in the first instance, and we have received the enclosed letter— [Not reproduced.—En.]—from the local inspector. Before replying, my directors desire me to communicate with you and ask your opinion. If, with your usual kindness and courtesy, you will oblige us, I shall be very glad."
ANSWER.—We note that the W.O. local inspector asks the reasons for your decision and hints at modifications in the scheme, We would suggest that, before you give any reasons, you ask him to inform you upon the several points in respect of which modifications have been sanctioned. Our chief objection to the scheme is this: it professes to offer a bonus in case of compulsory purchase, but that bonus can in no case bring the payment in excess of the purchase price. Hence, if the vehicle were purchased compulsorily during the first 18 months or so of its life, your entry into this subsidy scheme would merely furnish the War Office with a means to obtain immediate delivery of a, vehicle which you might ill be able to spare, and which you would be unable to replace in the open market without several months of delay.
Recovery of Material Damages from Driver, Owner, or Insurance Company?
[1937] " OBSERVANT" -writes :.•—" I see that. the owner of a motor lorry in Lancashire has had to pay, on the order of a County Court. judge, damages caused by his vehicle backing into a shop window, breaking several panes and damaging the goods displayed. Mr.. 0. (as I shall call the aforesaid owner), notified the judge that the proprietor and tenant of the shop had preferred to sue himself rather than the driver. The judge was not surprised at this, he retorted. But,' Mr. 0. contended, I expressly warned my driver that he must not permit anyone inexperienced to touch the driving and steering parts. I am insured against accidents, of course, but the company insists on my driver's being warned in the way I have done, or they won't oay. T put it to you, that the driver, having permitted the fireman to touch the levers, is responsible for the accident and ought to have been sued.' The judge's sympathetic reply was : Well, you must try to recover from your driver—if you ca-n.'
" I want to know precisely the position and liability
in a contretemns like the above. Should the insurance company nay, although the judge holds the ()wrier ? If not., what is the good of insurance ? And if a driver caused 2100 damage is he liable to be sold up to pay up '? "
ANSWER.—You do not say what evidence was ad&teed on the trial of the action, but for the purpose of this answer we assume that at the trial the owner nroved : (1) That it was no part of the duty of the flreman to interfere in the driving and steering of the lorry; (91 that the driver had no authority to per
mit the fireman to interfere ; (3) that the accident was caused in consequence of the driver's permitting the fireman to interfere. On the above assumptions, we are of opinion that the County Court judge was right in holding the employer liable. With regard to the question of insurance, we do not know the terms of the policy, but, generally speaking, the person insures against any damage to a third party caused by the negligence of his servants. In the present case the owner is rendered liable because of the acts of his servant, and, therefore, if the policy be in the usual form, we think the owner is entitled to indemnity from the insurance company.
Where to Get Motors in Emergency.
[1938] WORRIED LONDONER' writes :—" 1 am
about sick of carmen and the threats of more strikes Supposing I want to get help in my transport department at short notice, do I stand any chance of securing, say, 100 vehicles of from one-ton to five-ton capacity ? Later on, I may buy largely."
ANSWER.—We cannot do better than suggest that, should you wish to get hold of some vehicles, you should address the undernoted pasties. Those with an asterisk against them are manufacturers, but they generally have a few demonstration vehicles available., or can arrange to make them available, if there be any proepect of business to follow. As you will appreciate, most owners are pretty full up on their own work, and this state of affairs applies even to contractors.
Carter, Paterson and Co., Ltd., Goswell Road, E.C.
Messrs. H. G. Dunn and Sons, 32, Widinore Road, S.E. Eastern Motor Wagon Co., Ltd., 24, Coleman St., E. C.
McNamara and Co., Ltd., Castle Street, Finsbury, E.C. Pickfords, Ltd., 57, Gresham Street, E.C. E. W. Rudd, Ltd., Page Street, Westminster, S.W.
Metropolitan Garage Assocn., Ltd., Palace Street, Victoria, S.W. Messrs. Yorke, Stoneham and Jones, 88, Bow Road, E. Commercial Car Hirers, Ltd., Cambridge Circus, W. C.
London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., 9, Grosvenor Road, S.W. Metropolitan Steam Omnibus Co., Ltd., 111, Lot's Road, Chelsea. Thomas Tilling, Ltd., Winchester House, Peckham, S.E.
Mr. C. H. May, 358, -Kennington Road, S.E. Messrs. James Bartle and Co., Western Ironworks, Lancaster Road, W.
*Sidney Straker and Squire, Ltd., Nelson Square, Blackfriars, S.E. *Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., 21-22, Upper Rathbone Place, W. *The White Co., Carlow Street, Camden Town, *Milnes-Daimler-Mercedes, Ltd., 132-135, Long Acre, W.C. *Leyland Motors, Ltd., 47, New Kent Road, S.E. *La,cre Motor Car Co., Ltd., 78, York _Road, King's Cross, N. *J. and E. Hall, Ltd., 10, St. Swithin's Lane, E.C. *Hallev's Industrial Motors, Ltd., 36, Causton Street, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W. *Clayton and Co. (Huddersfield), Ltd., 68, Vie toria Street, S.W. *Argylls, Ltd., 6, Great Marlborough Street., W. *Dennis Bros., Ltd.. Guildford, Surrey.