CONCESSIONS FOR COALBURNING VEHICLES?
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On many occasions The Commercial
Motor has voiced the claims of the steamer and other forms of vehicle employing home-produced fuel, for concessions in respect of taxation, or weight limits, to enable them to compete on equal terms with petrol or oil machines, It is thought, in certain quarters, that there is a prospect of the Jaw affecting this class of vehicle being modified, and we have reason to believe that certain concessions in this direction may be anticipated in the not-toodistant future.
Fire-engines May Not "Shoot the Red."
For failure to conform with trafficlight signals, the driver of a London Fire Brigade engine was fined last week. In giving his decision, Mr. W. J. IL Brodrick, the Clerkenwell Magistrate, said that it was not for him to say whether the failure to exempt fireengines from the onus of observing traffic-light signals was intentional.
We expressed some views on this matter in a leading article in our issue dated February 19.
Registration of Goods Vehicles in Five Years.
The Minister of Transport announces that the numbers of new goods motors exceeding 1 ton unladen weight, registered during each of the past five years, were as follow :—
Weight unladen
Tons 1932 1933 1934 1935 1956 1-2 _21,652 27,708 23,493 20.260 21,268 2-3 ... 6,966 11,704 19,319 20 840 27,134 3-5 ... 1,945 2,864 3,849 3,266 3,060 5-11 . 1,430 961 774 682 827 Exceed Dag 11 — 2 — 1
Sir Henry Jackson Dies Suddenly.
We much regret to learn of the sudden death of Sir Henry Jackson, which took place immediately after he spoke at a dinner on Tuesday last. Sir Henry, who was 61 years of age, was a native of Hey-wood, Lancashire. He was one of the best-known men in the road-transport industry and a leading expert on London's traffic problems,
82 although by profession he was a physician.
He was chairman of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee and of the Conservative Parliamentary Transport Committee% He was also a trustee of the London Passenger Transport Board, The King Honours the C.M.U.A.
It is announced that H.M. King George VI has granted his patronage to the C.M.U.A..
Commercial Vehicles Pay Most Taxes.
Of the £31,000,000 derived, during 1935-36, from licence duties on motors, 48 per cent, came from private vehicles and 52 per cent, from commercial motors.
Personal Pars.
M. CHARLES BLUM, who is associated with the Latil concern., of Paris, and president of the French Union of Industrial Motor Vehicle Owners, has been appointed a Commander of the French Legion of Honour.
Ms. H. PENDLETON has been appointed service superintendent at the Liverpool depot of Leyland Motors, Ltd. He was previously engaged in visiting operators of Leyland vehicles in the north-western sales area and helping them with technical advice. This position has been taken over by MR. J. H. GILLET.
OWNER-DRIVERS MUST OBSERVE HOURS REGULATIONS.
. The continued existence of the fallacious belief that owner-drivers can avoid the provisions of the Road Traffic Act with regard to working hours, and suffer for their .own gain, was illustrated in a prosecution at Doncaster Borough Court, on Monday, in which Norman Ward, a haulier from Robin Hood, near Wakefield, pleaded guilty to " hours " offences, failing to keep correct current records, and altering an entry in a record. He was lined a total of £14.
The chief constable (Mr. J. Clayton) termed the case as obviously one of those which the Act set out to prevent.
More French Motors Exported Last Year.
During 1936, 21,401 motor vehicles, valued at 441,300,000 francs, were exported from France, compared with 18,933 vehicles (414,810,000 francs) in the previous year. Of the 1936 exports, 10,638 vehicles were destined for French colonies and 10,763 for foreign countries. Exports of lorries rose from 1,307 to 2,558 units. Meanwhile, imports of lorries into France declined from 1,842, valued at 24,100,000 francs, in 1935, to 1,403 (20,070,000 francs) last year.
S.E. Lancs C.M.U.A. Committee Re-elected.
At the annual general meeting, in Manchester, of the C.M.U.A. SouthEast Lancashire Area, the committee was re-elected as follows :— Messrs. 0, W. Leggott (Clayton), S. Kay (Middleton), J. Brareall (Hyde), W. Patton (Bury), J. Clegg (Whitefiehl), I. Smith (11ollin
7=1;),24k.C.ShIeVidlOnn (Busy), E. SButral (Hollinwoodj, J. R. Etheridge (Ratcliffe), S. IL Walsh (Swinton), V. L. Morton (Mostly), W. Bridge (St. Helens), II, Harrill (Littleboronghl, E. Eastham (Bury), II. Allen (Rochdale), G. Barnes (Rawtenstall), R. Sudden (iartIwOrIa), W. Denton (Hyde), E. Higton .(G(ossop) and T. Ingram (Leigh).
B.S.A.T.A. CELEBRATES MEASURES ACT.
The dinner of the Ballast, Sand and Allied Trades Association, this year, was a particularly interesting function, if only on account of the fact that it celebrated the achievement of the Association's principal objective, the Weights and Measures Act, 1930. This Act regularizes the cubic yard as a measure' of capacity for sand and ballast, making It necessary for vehicles conveying materials by this measure to he calibrated.
Mr. Herbert G. Williams, M.P., recommended the Association to keep in close touch with Government departments while the regulations arising from the Act were being formulated.
Mr. A. J. Arnold, chairman, pointed out that, in 1935, 15,000,000 tons of sand and ballast were sold and the only legal measure was that of the bushel. He asked his audience to imagine measuring 15,000,000 tons by means of bushels.
Mr. F. Wells, founder chairman. one of those who had been most active in achieving this objective, pointed out that it had required eight years to persuade the Government to take action.
Leicester C.M.U.A. Officials Elected.
Leicestershire members of the C.M.U.A. have elected the following officials :—Mr. F. Platts, chairman ;• Mr. W. Latham, vice-chairman ; Mr. H. Platts, hon. secretary.. The committee comprises Miss A. Walker and Messrs. J. Simmons, E. W. Hall and C. Bramford. Mr. Platts and Mr. Hall are to act as representatives on the divisional committee.
Water in Tyres for Tractors.
An interesting development affecting giant pneumatic tyres for agricultural tractors is the use of a certain amount of water inside the air tubes, to provide the necessary weight on the driving tyres to enable them to transmit the full engine, power to the tractor drawbar.
Following experiments, the Australian Dunlop Perdriau Co. reports that the use of water in the driving tyres results in greater working efficiency than is obtained by the usual custom of employed metal weights (150-175 lb.) to afford adhesion. Tyres' have been filled with water to three quarters of their volume, the remaining space being inflated to die normal operating air pressure. So long as the recommended •volume of water is not exceeded, there is stated to be no ill effect on the life of the covers or tubes.
Ran Vehicle Illegally: Licence Refused.
A haulier who admitted that, in 1935, he exchanged, without permission, his former vehicle for the one he was now operating, was refused a licence by the Yorkshire Licensing Authority (Mr. J. Farndale), at York, last week. Mr. Sydney Gledhill, trading as the Boothferry Haulage Co., North Cave, sought a B licence for a vehicle in possession. He stated that his business had increased.
Mr. E. P. Merritt (for the L.N.E. Railway Co.) asked that the applicant should be treated as a newcomer, as he had been running the vehicle illegally since December, 1935.
Mr. Farndale said that as the appli cant had been acting illegally, hise evidence as to increased business was of no value:
Morecambe Supports Willesden Resolution.
Further support for the Willesden Chamber of Commerce resolution was given by Morecambe and District Chamber of Trade last week.
Alderman Banks said that a grave injustice was being done to an important industry, and he felt that, ultimately, the 1933 Act would be the means for killing a large number of small businesses. He added that a recommendation should be sent to the National Chamber of Trade, urging concerted action.
250 Guests at Keeling Function.
The staff of Messrs. A. E. Keeling and Sons, haulage contractors and motor dealers, of Leeds, held their annual social function last Friday, when about 250 people were present. RAIL FEAR OF VEHICLE DIVERSION.
" Supposing the railways., in revenge for the Bouts-Tillotson decision, start out with their 320 vehicles on general Foad haulage, you cannot stop them." Mr. Henry. Backhouse addressed Sir William Hart, North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority, ill these terms, in protest against the objection of a railway company to an additional tipping lorry for Mr. J. Clarke, of Stockport, on the ground that this extra facility on a B licence might release his Alicence vehicles for more general carrying.
"What is a man to do? " Mr. Backhouse asked. "He has told you of the shortage of tipping lorries in his area and nobody else has said there is not a shortage of tipping wagons, but the railways are afraid that the extra tipper might release an A vehicle."
Mr. Backhouse added that hauliers were viewing their position with extreme alarm. Because they could not supply the vehicles, that their customers required they were not only losing the extra work, but also the existing work, owing to their customers obtaining C licences.
Decision was deferred.
Soviet Builds Rear-engined Bus.
A new type of bus has been designed by the Soviet Automobile and Tractor Research Institute (NATI). It is a two-axle vehicle, 10 m. long, with a streamlined body providing accommodation for 60 passengers. It has comfortable seating, good ventilation and . lighting, and a separate compartment for the conductor. The .doors are operated by compressed air. The engine—of a new type—is mounted above the rear axle.
L.C.C. Fire Brigade Tests.
London Fire Brigade authorities have recently undertaken various tests for pumping water over long distances, which might be rendered necessary by damage to water mains"cluring'air raids.
A few days ago tests were also carried out in Battersea .Park with a new type of 100-ft; turntable ladder, the pump of which can deliver, water at
m the rate of 400 g.p.. The new machine has a , high, degree of manoeuvrability. and will be used chiefly for big fires. A.R.O. LEVY FOR FIGHTING FUNDS.
A.R.O. committee of management has decided to impose on members a levy of 1s. per vehicle as a contribution towards a fund to finance appeals against the railways and towards a general propaganda fund. This announcement was made at the Metropolitan Area annual general meeting, last week.
Mr. J. F. E. Pye, chairman, expressed the opinion that later an association merger would probably be necessary, but it must be on a fair basis. He added that it was intended shortly to form a new passenger section in the Metropolitan Area.
Major H. E. Crawfurd, the new president of A.R.O., gave his first address to members since he had been appointed to that position, Manchester's Record Bus Orders.
Tenders accepted on Tuesday by • Manchester Transport Committee represented the largest volume of business that it has ever placed at one sitting. This step has been taken owing to delivery • difficulties that might have arisen by deferring any part of the order for later decision.
The aggregate value is • about 250,000, covering 80 double-deck buses and 120 bodies from Crossley Motors, Ltd., and 40 single-decker chas‘ sis from Leyland Motors, Ltd., also 25 Crossley double-deck bodies for replacement purposes. The committee's ' decision win' conie up for confirmation at the Council's March meeting.
More Commercial Motors in ' Middlesex.
A census taken of all vehicles licensed by IVIiddlesex County Council during the quarter ended September 30 last, shows that the increase in the number of vehicles registered was much greater in 1936 than in the two previous years.
More three-wheeled vans were licensed, whilst the increase in agricultural vehicles was probably due to farmers and market gardeners using a greater number of light machines in place of heavy lorries. The popularity of electrics with dairies and bakers, for the replacement of horses, contributes to the increased registrations of electric vehicles.
Steam vehicles numbered only 36, compared with 134 ' five years ago. Over 12,000 of the 14,920 other goods vehicles licensed weighed 2i tons or less.
Ford Scholarship Plan to Raise Service Efficiency.
• The new scholarship plan which is being operated by the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., is a step towards raising service efficiency by increasing the facilities available for technical training. For • some years the company has offered special educational facilities to men already employed with its dealer organization. The scholarship plan goes farther, however, and aims at increasing the supply of trained Ford mechanics by taking selected boys E2 straight from school and giving them a three-year course in the Dagenham factory and at a local technical college, after which employment • is found for them in the main dealer organization.
The plan provides for the payment of wages throughout the period of training in college and factory.
Briefly, the scholarships are awarded to candidates from selected schoOls in the United Kingdom, the age limit being from 17 to 19 years, and the award being based on the results of a competitive examination. At present 50 scholarships are awarded annually.
Mr. N. A, Hardie Reads a Paper in Berlin.
A most comprehensive paper of exceptional interest entitled "The Effect of Legislation on the Design and Operation of Commercial Vehicles" was read' on Sunday last, before the Bureau Permanent Internationale. assembled in Berlin, by Mr. Norman A. Hardie, general manager (sales), of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. We hope to give a precis next week.
Qualified Engineer Available.
An engineer-designer, who is a member of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, an associate member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and has had excellent experience with important commercial-vehicle makers, requires a suitable position. Letters should be addressed "EngineerDesigner," care of the Editor. A PLEA FOR REDUCED MOTOR TAXATION.
The Motor Legislation Committee and the British Road Federation have submitted a memorandum to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of motor taxation, It points out that the new national programmes for aerial and mechanized military equipment depend largely upon the existence of a well-equipped industry for the •production of motor vehicles of all types, which, normally, relies upon the progress of road transport. Each future year will mark a more difficult period in motor-trade expansion and nothing but a substantial eaSement of taxation can ensure the growth of trade, The Chancellor is, therefore, urged to consider reductions in motor taxation along the lines of 25 per cent off all commercial goods and passenger vehicles, 2d. per gallon off all fuel used in road motdrs, 5s. per horse-power in the case of private cars and. a corresponding reduction for motorcycles.
A New Tunnel at BlackWall.
A proposal has been made by the highways committee of the London County Council to duplicate the Blackwall Tunnel. Subject to the finance committee's recommendations, plans are to be prepared and the suggestion is to be discussed with the Ministry Of Transport. The new tunnel will run alongside the present one. ' " PERMITTING " CHARGE CONTRARY TO LAW.
Pleading guilty in Doncaster West Riding Court, on behalf of Thomas Firth and John Brown, Ltd., the big steel manufacturer, of Sheffield, and . one of the company's drivers, Albert C. Rhodes, to overloading offences, Mr. V. Bainbridge • made the following protest:— " It seems to me to be. contrary to the natural rules of justice, and to the recognized definition of ' permitting' in the English law, that there. should he a charge of permitting against a company which had no intention of committing a breach, which was not aware of the commission of a breach, and which would not have countenanced it if it had known."
Mr. Bainbridge said he knew that the company supported its men and would prefer that it should suffer the penalty, rather than Rhodes, and he invited the Bench to deal with Rhodes under the Probation of Offenders Act, This the Bench did and imposed a fine of £1 on each of the two summonses against the employer.
• Paper on Trolleybus Operation.
On March 8, Mr. T. E. Thomas will submit his paper on "Notes on Commercial and Operating Aspects of Trolleybus Operation " before the Institute of Transport. It was pre. • viously announced that it would be read on April 12. The meeting will be held at the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.2, at 5.30 p.m.
When Motorcycle Carrier Does Not Need C Licence.
On Tuesday, Caerphilly magistrates dismissed a charge against the Royal Automobile Club for using a motorcycle box-carrier combination without a C licence and a case against the driver for aiding and abetting.
The prosecution contended that this was a vehicle requiring a C licence.
The defence argued that it had not been proved that the R.A.C. was a business undertaking requiring a, C licence. " Business " implied profit, but no prd-fit was made from the use of the vehicle. The machine and its contents-were provided solely for the
benefit. of R.A.C. members,, who were the owners. Correspondence between the Club and the Ministry of Transport in relation to this issue was submitted.
Mend i Bridge to be Rebuilt.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Minister of Transport announced his proposal for the reconstruction of Menai Bridge at a cost of £228,000, to enable it to deal with all the traffic in the district, Re could hold out no hope, at the moment, that the bridge would be freed from New Blow for Tyne Tunnel.
Yet another blow to the Tyne Tunnel scheme of Tynemouth and South Shields Corporations has been given, this fine through the Commissioner for the Special Areas, who, on request, undertook to see the Minister of Transport on the matter.
The Minister, however, reiterated his opposition to any official grant. Mr. I-forc-Belisha is in favour of the two public authorities acquiring the North and South Shields Ferries from the Tyne Commissioners and running the vessels as a free public service. This proposal finds little, if any, favour.
,Small and Parkes Enterprise in France.
We learn that the Societe Nafra et les Etablissements Don have amalgamated under the name of Nafra-Don, with a capital of 600,000 francs, the address being 10, rue Pergolese, Paris.
The new company, will manufacture under licence the braking materials and clutch discs of Small and Parkes, Ltd., of Manchester. The manufacture of Don products has been steadily gaining ground in France. SIR H. HILLY PROTECTS HAULIERS' INTERESTS.
Special vehicles for work in connection with aerodromes in the eastern counties were the subject of .a recent application by the L.N.E. Railway Co., before the Eastern Licensing Authority, Sir Havila,nd Riley. The company asked for six vehicles and 16 trailers, the latter to include 10 ordinary units and six pole trailers, to be based at Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich.
A witness said that during the past 12.months the railway had dealt with 43,500 tons of material and it was anticipated that within the next 18 months 60,000 tons would be handled.
The Licensing . Authority expressed the view that the L.N.E.R. should withdraw these special vehicles as the traffic. decreased. He was bound, he said, to protect the haulage industry, and he would call for an assurance that each vehicle would be used only for rail-borne traffic. It would be necessary to set up a careful record system, so that the number of vehicles could be autdmatically reduced as the traffic decreased.
Decision was reserved for 'further information.
N,ew 1400,1300 Road for Blackpool. The new road which is to connect the south of Blackpool with the north will commence • at Squire's Gate and run inland for four miles to Peel Corner on the Preston road. From there it will follow the present main road for a mile to Little Marton, where it will diverge again to join the promenade at Anchorsholme, Clevelys.
The total length of the road, including promenade, will be 18 miles. It will cost 2400,000. LONDON LICENSING RECORDS.
Records ia the number of licences issued and the amount collected Were set up by the London County Council during the recent renewal period. From December 16-January 18, 183,361 licences were issued_ by the council, compared with 170,725 a year earlier. Revenue rose from £2,958;394 to £3,112,667.
The number of licences issued by London post offices increased by 2,223 to 27,612, revenue rising from £144,103 to £164,908. New registrations increased by 764 to 6,925.
Inst. of T. Examinations Closing.
The final date for the receipt of applications to sit for the graduateship and asscxffate-membership examinations of the Institute of Transport, which take place from April 29-May 1 inclusive, is Monday. next, March 1. Forms of entry and copies cf examination regulations, etc., may be obtained from the secretary of the Institute, 15, Savoy Street, London, W.C.2.
Plant for Cylinder Liners Completed.
The last of six centrifugal casting machines, designed and built by Leyland Motors, Ltd., has just been in-stalled in that company's steel foundry at Farington, and it now has plant with a capacity for producing 2,000 cylinder liners per week: For some time past, experiments in the manufacture of liners have been proceeding at the Leyland foundry, and, as an outcome, an alloy has been produced known as Faralloy. All engines made at the Leyland works-are now fitted, as standard, with liners of this material.
Paper on Silencing.
" The"Silencittg of Gas Noises in All Classes of Motor Vehicle " is the title of a paper to be read, on 1‘6..rch 9, by Wing-Comdr. T. R: Cave-Browne-Cave, C.B.E., before the Coventry centre of the Institution of Automobile Engineers. It will be repeated in Bristol on March 11, whilst on April 6 it will be read before the Royal Society of Arts, and, a week later, in Luton.
Shipping Guide for Hauliers.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and, jetties named, from February 26March 6 inclusive :—Docics King George V. 8; Royal Albert, 5; Royal Victoria, 5; Surrey Commercial, 6; East India, 2; West India, 2; South-West India, 3; Tilbury, 8; Tilbury Stage, 3: Millwall, 3; Royal, 3; London, 1. WHARVES: Hay's, 5; Middleton's„ 1; Mark Brown's, 1; Tilbury Jetty, 3.
E. R. Plugs, Ltd., has removed its sales office to its factory at Pegamoid Works, Edmonton, London, N.18. ABSENT DEFENDANTS BENEFIT.
How motorists may benefit by not personally attending courts When summoned for alleged Offences was-stressed at Mossley, last week. It was pointed out that previous convictions 'could not be placed before -the Bench, in the absence of defendants, and. the Mayor remarked that the magistrates did not think that they were being fairly treated.
Certain drivers not having answered personally to summonses—one from as far as Norton-on-Tees and another from the neighbouring townof Rochdale— the Bench announced postponement of the cases for six weeks so that .the defendants could arrange to attend or be represented..
'Richmond Bridge Widening.
Richmond Bridge,. one of the .oldest bridges over the River Thames, is to be widened and strengthened at a cost of over £72,000, for which purpose the Minister of Transport has made a grant from the Road Fund. The bridge was built over 150 years ago, and the carriageway is only 17 ft. wide, but under the new widening scheme it will be increased to 21 ft., whilst two 7-ft. 6-in, footpaths will replace the existing paths, which are only 4 ft. wide. It has been decided to preserve, so far as possible, the present architectural design of the; bridge.