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NEWS of the WEEK

ENCOURAGING THE USE OF HOME-PRODUCED FUELS

LAST week it was announced in the House of Commons that measures had been taken to secure the more effective use of home-produced fuels. Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd said that Sir Harold Hartley had been appointed honorafy adviser on the subject, whilst representatives of technical science, finance and industry, under the chairmanship of Sir William Bragg, had been asked to make a quick survey of the subject, and this was completed within a month. The matters that had been investigated arg the obtaining of oil from coal by synthetic methods, low and high-temperature carbonization of coal, and the use of colloidal fuel.

He stated that crude benzole was being obtained at the estimated rate of 15,000,000 gallons per year, and this should be increased to 27,000,000 gallons.

Annual Meeting of London C.M.U.A.

THE annual general meeting of the London and Home Counties Division of the C.M.U.A. will be held on April 2, at 2.30 p.m., at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1.

Insurers Latest Concession on Rates

I N January last the Minister of Transport announced that insurers who, in September, 1939, had agreed, for three months, to continue and to extend, without any general increase in rates, existing policies for grouped goo4s

A22 vehicles, although the Emergency Powers (Road Vehicles and Drivers) Order, 1939, removed certain restrictions on A, B and C licences, were prepared to extend the arrangement until February 29, 1940. Now the Minister announces that the insurers have further agreed to extend the arrangement until May 31 next.

FIRST LONDON GARAGE TOWNGAS FILLING STATION OPENED r-AN Tuesday of last week the first

rublic garage gas filling station in London was opened. The honour goes to Hyde Park Garage, Ltd., 67, Bayswater Road, London, W.2, which has been equipped, with the co-operation of the Gas Light and Coke Co., for the supply of low-pressure town gas for charging vehicles running on this fuel stored in balloon-type containers. Many other similar charging stations are rapidly being established.

It takes six minutes to supply 250 cubic ft. of gas, which is the equivalent of one gallon of petrol, and costs Is. 8d.

In the picture is seen one of 25 vehicles operated on town gas by Loud and Western, Ltd., and beside the instrument is standing Mr. King, tne proprietor of the Hyde Park concern. An account of the highly enterprising alternative-fuel activities of Loud and Western. Ltd., is contained elsewhere in this issue.

Institute of Public Cleansing to Meet in Manchester

THE Spring Meeting of the Institute of Public Cleansing will be held at Manchester on April 11-12, at the Town Hall. The official welcome by the Lord Mayor will be at 11 a.m. on April 12, followed by the reading of a paper, and luncheon in the Town Hall at the invitation of the Manchester Cleansing Committee. Members intending to be present should inform Mr. B. B. Jones, Director of Public Cleansing, Town Hall, Manchester, 2.

AUSTRALIA'S ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PRODUCER GAS

BY the latest Australian mail we learn that the Ministry of Supply of the Commonwealth Government has approved tenders to the value of £30,000 for the manufacture and supply of 400 producer-gas outfits suitable for use on motor vehicles. The units are, it is understood, to be made available to prospective users at contract prices stated to range from about £64 to £90, including the cost of installation.

It is further reported that, with the object of encouraging the use of producer gas for road motors, particularly those used for heavy long-distance transport, steps have been taken to set up educational committees in all the States of the Commonwealth to act in co-operation with the Federal Supply Department.

Lincolnshire Association's Good Year

ASATISFACTORY year's working,

in spite of difficulties brought about by the war, was reported at the annual meeting of the Lincolnshire Transport Association, held in Lincoln, a few days ago. Mr. Fred Penistan was elected chairman, in succession to Mr, Fred Hunt, who had held the office for three years. Mr. W, ICime was elected vice-chairman in succession to Mr. W. Forman, and Mr, T. A. Everett was elected vice-chairman, as representative of the passenger section. Mr. Jesse Hind was reappointed honorary secretary of the Association for the ninth consecutive year.

Paper on Gas Before the I.A.E.

Qg April 2, at a general meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, to be held in the Hall of the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, London, W.C.2, Mr. E. C. Toghill and Mr. R. V. bowie will read a paper entitled " Applications of Cast Iron in Modern Automobile Construction." It will embody the latest information on an important aspect of materials for motor-vehicle construction, and will include a simple explanation of those metallurgical terms which are not

always understood. \

On April 9, at the George Hotel, Luton, a meeting of the Luton centre of the Institution will be held, when Dr. J. S. Clarke, of Birmingham Corporation Gas Department, will read a paper entitled " The Use of Gas as a Fuel for Motor Vehicles."

. I.T.A. Examinations IT is announced that the annual 'examinations of the Industrial Transport Association will be held on May 31 and June 1 in London and at a number of provincial centres. Although no change has been made in the syllabus, or in the subjects required to be covered by candidates for Part I and for the Finals, due regard will be paid in the actual papers to the changing circumstances attending transport control and operation to-day.

Copies of examination papers set in previous years may be obtained for 6d., and the official syllabus costs the same amount. Entries for the examinations close on April 0. Fuller details may be obtained from the examination secretary of the Association, 250, Halfway Street. Sidcup.

Holland Imports More Oil Engines MOTWITHSTANDING the increasing I importance of the industry in Holland, there is still, in that country, an important trade in imported heavy oil engines. No fewer than 821 such power units, valued (reckoning guilders at 7.54 to the £) at £260,610, were imported during last year, compared with 717 units and £210,743 in 1938.

Of the total, no fewer than 580 of

the engines came from Germany, as against 116 from Great Britain, 60 from France, 51 from Belgium and 14 from all other countries.

Trade Obituaries

We learn with great regret of the death, after a long illness, of Mr. E. H. Dainton, a partner in the well-known concern of Henry Miller and Co., of Skyhi Works, Park Royal, London, N.W.10, which has a variety of commercial-vehicle trade interests. He iaad been associated with the company for 15 years.

We are advised of the recent death of Mr. W. A. Ingham, proprietor of the Jubilee Garage, the Burnley firm of commercial-vehicle specialists. The business is being carried on by his executors, with Mr. John Knape continuing as general manager. C.M.U.A. COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUEL RATIONING

FOR the formulation of suggestions as to the future working of the petrol-rationing .scheme, a special subcommittee was appointed, last week, by the North-eastern Divisional Committee of the C.M.U.A. The sub-committee, which has the advantage of having among its members a large proportion of sub-district managers under the emergency scheme, will forward its suggestions to C.M.U.A. headquarters.

These steps are being taken in view of the Minister of Transport's request to road-transport associations to examine the working of the fuelrationing scheme in the light of experience.

Restrictions on Use of Vehicles Below 3 Tons Capacity

EXTRAEXTRA petrol for vehicles of 3 tons capacity is increasingly difficult to obtain in the Liverpool district. It is understood that an instruction has been given that the supply of petrol for these machines should be sufficient for journeys in the local area only, but no definits ruling has yet been given as to the radius from Liverpool. The object is clearly to prevent vehicles intended for local distribution services engaging in distance work.

Answer to Meat-delivery Complaints

COMPLAINTS were recently made by Liverpool meat retailers that carriers had objected to delivering carcases of meat into the shops. As a result of inquiries by the Meat Traders' Association, a ruling has been obtained from the superintendent of transport that the meat-distribution arrangements include the delivery of meat into shops, but retailers were expected to. give assistance when the load included sides of beef and there was no second man on the vehicle.

Ploughing-up—Misunderstanding

IT is pointed out by the National

Farmers Union that some misunderstanding has been caused by the announcement that the grant period for ploughing-up has been extended to April 30. Actually, where a County War Agricultural Executive Committee has ordered the land to be ploughed by March 31, the farmer is obliged to do this by that date. If, however, he finds it impossible, he should apply to the Committee for an extension of the time to a date not later than April 30.

Uniform dosing Time for Garages?

WITH the object of considering the Vlr question of uniform closing hours for public garages in Leeds a subcommittee has been appointed by the Leeds Section of the Motor Agents' Association. At a meeting last week it was suggested that garages—except those providing all-night service— could, with advantage, be closed at the same hour, as overhead costs would be reduced by eliminating the tendency to remain open longer because of competition.

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS OF COMFORTS FUNDS

FURTHER donations to the Comforts Funds for the R.A.S.C. and R.A.O.C. include the following sums:—

s. Ford Motor Co„ Ltd. ... 300 0 Vauxhall Motors, Ltd. ... 300 0 Daimler Co., Ltd. ' ... 157 10 Rolls-Royce, Ltd. ... 105 0 Lanchester Motor Co., Ltd. ... ... 52 10 Rover Co., Ltd. ... ... 25 0 Scottorn. Ltd. ... ... 25 0 Leyland Motors, Ltd. ... 21 0 The total sum received to last Saturday reached £3,871.

Reductions in Licences Issued

I1s1 the period from December 1, 1939, to February 29, 1940, the number of licences issued in respect of goods vehicles was 315,881 annual and 141,714 quarterly, last year's comparable totals being 337,347 and 143,866. In the case of hackneys, 58,191 annual and 26,809 quarterly licences were issued, the corresponding figures for last year being 61,466 and 23,71e respectiyiply.

In respect or all classes of motor vehicle, the total number of licences issued in the period was 2,683,798, contrasted with 3,525,411 for the comparable period of the year before.

This Transport War QPEAKING to members of the BirOmingham Rotary Club a few days ago, Mr. L. W. Gupwell said that the present state of hostilities was a transport war. We could, he thought, now feel reasonably confident that our defences were such as to avoid contemplation of a substantial closure of east-coast ports and an inland transport problem of almost insuperable dimensions.

In the road-transport industry the war had brought a greater degree of unanimity than ever before. The Standing Joint Committee, representative of the six national associations, was trying to direct policy on a unified basis, designed to eliminate waste and secure a maximum of efficiency and service.

Joint Organization Condemns Unions' Wages Attitude

-THE wages position was considered 1 at a special meeting last week of the committee of the joint organization of the Amalgamated Horse and Motor Owners' Association, Ltd., and the C.M.U.A. (South-east Lancashire).

The meeting adopted a resolution which expressed the view that, so far as the districts covered by the joint organization were concerned, there was no justification for the trade unions' application for an increase on the wages scales laid down in the Road Haulage Wages Order operative from January 29 last. This Order, it was added, had increased the general rate of wages in the joint-organization's districts from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and this increase met any rise which had taken place in the cost of living.

A24 The resolution also registered a strong protest against the procedure which, it stated, resulted in the action of the Emergency Committee of the Road Haulage Central Wages Board in recommending, under threg of a strike, the putting into operation forthwith of the wages increase recommended by the Central Board.

Wholehearted support was given to the Federation of Yorkshire Road Transport Employers in its condemnation of the short-circuiting of the procedure which the Road Haulage Wages Act provides for consideration of Wages applications.

It was decided to forward the resolutions to the Minister of Labour. OPINIONS ON ALTERNATIVE FUELS

OBSERVATIONS on the usc of home-produced fuels in i.e. engines have been requested from the Commercial Motor Users Association by the Chairman of the Committee appointed by the Mines Department and the Ministry of Transport, which is dealing with this matter, and the C.M.U.A. is asking operators for views on the following points :—(1) Taking into account the present price of petrol, what should be the maximum retail price of anthracite and low-temperature coke suitable for producer-gas plants? (2) The present petrol ration for gas vehicles is 50 per cent, of the basic ration, this arrangement being subject to review after six months. The question is whether this period should be extended, and to what extent the basic ration should be modified to enable users of alternative fuels to run their vehicles efficiently. (3) What would be a reasonable period within which operators should be allowed to write-off the capital expenditure incurred by conversion to alternative fuels?

Leicester C.M.U.A. Officers Elected

AT the annual meeting of the Leicester branch of the Commercial Motor Users Association, the election of officers for 1940 resulted as follows :—Chairman, Mr. H. A. Browett; vice-chairman, Mr. W. C. Turner; secretary, Mr. G. H. Ingles; committee, Messrs. Hall, Latham. Platts and Brooks.

ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL TOLD NOT TO DEFEND

AN official of the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association was not allowed to appear in Paisley Police Court last week in defence of a lorrydriver member who was charged with an offence against the traffic-lights regulations. The official stated that he was in court under the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1938. The court assessor said that such officials could appear only at the discretion of the Court, and Police-Judge Webster continued the case for a week to permit a legal representative and the defendant appearing in connection with the case.

Mr. Robert Taylor, general secretary of the Association, has sent a protest to the Lord-Advocate, in which he points out that for two years officials have acted in court on behalf of members charged with traffic offences and asking that a definite instruction be given to magistrates to prevent them from acting contrary to the accepted practice.

Facing Up to a Shortage of Heavy-vehicle Drivers

A DDRESSING members of the Scottl.tish Commercial Motor Users Association at Edinburgh, Mr. A. Henderson, Regional Transport Commissioner, suggested that if there was a feeling that the development of the use of gas-prOpelled vehicles was being retarded because of the price of anthracite, it was a question which they should put before their Association. Transport was a, key industry and any increase in the cost of transport must find a reflection, sooner or later, in the price of the commodities carried. Therefore, the Government was particularly interested in anything that directly affected the cost of transport.

Replying to a question regarding help in retaining drivers, Mr. Henderson said that since the beginning of the war he had been worried about a possible shortage of drivers of heavy goods vehicles. The only alternative for those facing an inevitable shortage, which was bound to take place in the next six months, was to train other drivers. A proposal to start a training school in Edinburgh had not been proceeded with, and he asked the Association to reconsider the question.

The following Association office. bearers for the Edinburgh and District Area were appointed :—Chairman, Mr.

G. S. Vickery; vice-chairman, Mr. John H. Smart; secretary, Mr. John W. Loudon.

Brush Sales Expansion in Scotland

nuE to the expansion of the cornLIpany's sales organization in Scotland and to provide improved service, the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., of Loughborough, has opened new offices at 97, Waterloo Street, Glasgow. The company has appointed Mr. G. B. C. Henderson as its Scottish representative.

New Vulcan Distributor

T1-1E latest distributor appointment announced by Vulcan Motors, Ltd., is that of Aliens Motors (Bacup), Ltd., Central Garage, Bacup, which has been appointed to represent the company for North Lancashire.

"War in the Air" Photographic Exhibition

FOURTH in the series of exhibitions of photographs in the Ticket Hall, Charing Cross Underground Station, is " War in the Air." It opened last Thursday and will close on April 13, the hours being 8 a.m. to midnight. GOLD MINING WITH OILENGINED DUMPERS Sidea of the work which is being TIcE tackled by two Muir-Hill dumpers powered by Gardner oil engines can be gathered from accompanying pictures of the vehicles at work on the Pepe section of the gold mine of Amalgamated Blanket Areas, Ltd. The machines have been in constant service in the Gold Coast district for eight months and are continuing to operate without any falling off in efficiency.

During this period, each dumper has shifted an average of 3,268 tons per month, on an average total fuel consumption of 32 gallons per month per engine. Each vehicle dumps its load in one second and returns to the normal position in about three seconds. As the length of haul has varied quite considerably from time to time, owing to the different locations of the power shovels, it is not possible to give accurate figures of distances traversed per day, although the mine officials give the average as 18 miles, for half of which the machines are unladen.

The dumpers work seven days a week and each is equipped with a Gardner 4LK oil engine, developing 53 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m.

The pictures were taken at a time when the dry season had just set in. Prior to this, there had been at least six months of rain and, during that period, the dumpers had, at times, to work in almost a sea of mud.

Albion's Presentation to the Salvation Army

ALORRY specially built to assist the Salvation Army in its work with the B.E.F. in' France was presented by Albion Motors, Ltd., on March 20, when Mr. J. D. Parkes, director and sales manager of the company, handed over the vehicle to Colonel Narraway, of the Salvation Army.

Some time ago the concern was approached by the director of the Salvation Army special service with the B.E.F., who asked if it would be possible for Albion Motors, Ltd., to assist with the gift of a lorry. The company readily agreed, and built a 30-90-cwt. vehicle fitted with a special body. The lorry will he used for transporting supplies from ports and railheads to canteens behind the lines. AGE OP P.S.V. CONDUCTORS TO BE LOWERED?

D EPRESENTATIONS are being l‘made to the Minister of Transport by the Conunercial Motor Users Association urging an amendment of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to provide that the age of conductors shall be reduced from 18 to 17 years. This is because operators throughout the country are finding difficulty in obtaining conductors for public-service vehicles, owing to the absorption into the various Services and other national work of youths from 18 years upwards.

Leaflet for Cleansing Officer

JUST out is a new Dennis refuse-collector folder, illustrating and describing all the standard types that Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford, produces. One of the objects of this folder is to enable the differences between the various models to be easily appreciated, the, idea being to facilitate selection of the type most suitable for requirements.

There are moving-floor, container. side-loading and barrier types, to name but a few. Capacities range from 7-18 cubic yds. In practically all cases the vehicles can be supplied with A.R.P. apparatus. We understand that more than 160 authorities use Dennis municipal equipment for refuse collection.

An accompanying illustration exemplifies the large van-type machine for side loading. It is of 12-15-cubic yd. capacity and is employed widely for collecting shop and market refuse.

We recommend this new publication to readers interested in this branch of municipal activities, It is well prepared and highly informative.

A.R.O.-C.M.U.A. Co-ordination in West Midlands

OLLOWING agreement by the A.R.O. and C.M.U.A. in the West Midlands to evolve a scheme for joint working in this area, a joint committee was formed, which developed a scheme on the following basis:—

(3.) a unified office and staff; (2) each Association to be rim individually and on the same lines as at present; (3) both name plates to be exhibited; (4) each Association to retain its area or divisional and sub-area or subdivisional committees; (5) finances, books of account, membership files, etc., to be kept distinct; (6) quotas to the two national headquarters to be as at present; 17) a cabinet of eight (consisting of four members from each Association) to be appointed by each area or divisional committee to deal with matters of national importance to the industry, to appoint and control area or divisional stall, and to safeguard the interests of both Associations; 18) any application from members of one Ass-potation to transfer to the other to be examined by the cabinet; (9) no negotiations with local transport associations to be conducted by either body, but only by the cabinet: (1„0) expenditure to be charged to each Association pro rata to their membership.

The title of the cabinet will be "The A.R.O. and C.M.U.A. Joint Executive Committee (West Midlands)." The members appointed are :—Messrs. H. B. Clarke, P. C. Campbell, A. G. Dale, C. Loosemore, J. H. Male, J. Morton, W. Shotton and. E G. Whitaker.

The scheme is subject to ratification by the two headquarters, but we understand that it is being viewed favourably, and will be put into operation almost immediately. The intention

is that Mr. G. F. Goodwin will be secretary of the joint organization, area secretary for A.R.O., and divisional secretary for the C.M.U.A.

The existing offices of the two Associations at Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Potteries will remain, and will be at the disposal of members for service and advice. Should the combined membership increase, as is anticipated, it may be possible to open other branch offices within the area.

Personal Par, MR. T. BLAND nas become sales manager of Price's Garage, EarlShilton,, Leicestershire, which is handling Dennis and Atkinson vehicles, Mr. Bland was formerly with Messrs. Ford and Slater of Leicester. GLASGOW TO STAGE TRANSPORT PAGEANT

T"greatest transport pageant ever staged in Glasgow is to be held in June. The event-is being planned by the local branches of the Scottish Commercial Users' and Horse Owners' Associations, and other members of the transport industry in the \Vest of Scotland. The proceeds will go to the City of Glasgow Central War Relief Fund.

It is expected that several hundred vehicles, in all, will take part in the pageant, which will take the form of a cavalcade of transport down the ages., The earliest forms of horse-drawn vehicle will take part, and other classes used ' in intervening stages up to present-day types will be seen.