The

RATTLER Issue number 352, December 2001

Monthly newsletter of the Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia

A 1933 Leyland Lion LT5A, supplied to the Metropolitan Omnibus Company of Perth. It was necessary to sub-contract the bodywork order because Leyland were changing from wooden to metal framed bodywork which resulted in this uncommon Strachan body. Subsequently Metro shipped out LT5A, LT7 and LT9 Lions that were supplied in kit form with metal framed bodies. ( The Leyland Society Journal, Summer 2001 edition)

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Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia (inc) Postal Address for all general correspondence, including membership enquiries and other matters -

Secretary 1 Kobelke Street Dianella, WA, 6059

The Rattler is published monthly and circulated to members of the Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia (Inc) as part of their subscription. It is not sold separately, through newsagents or booksellers, so does not have a cover price. Copyright © 2001 Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia (Inc) and individual authors. Material published in The Rattler may not be reproduced in any form unless prio. written approval is sought and received from the editor, except in the case of information extracted from news items which may be used in kindred enthusiast publications provided that acknowledgement is made of the source. The opinions expressed in articles in The Rattler are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect or coincide with the views of the Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia or of the editor.

Editor: Mark Tattersall Distribution: Christopher Bell

Material for publication in The Rattler, Including news items, articles and photos, should be sent to -

PO Box 879 Mirrabooka, WA, 6941

Or by e-mail - brat@joinet.net.au

The Rattler wishes all readers a merry Christmas and a

happy new year

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Nuts And Bolts

The last working day at the depot will be Wednesday December 12l and will resume in 2002 on Wednesday January 9*.

Dates for BPSWA general meetings for 2002 are as follows: January 25th, March 22nd, May 2 4 , July 26* (incorporating AGM), September 27th, and November 22nd.

Reminder - members were invited to tell us what they do / do not like about The Rattler, for suggestions for improvements please inform the President, Max Hayles.

For those interested in buses of British origin an interesting web site can be found at Dick Gilbert's Classic Buses at http://www.skvlineaviation.co.uk/buses/ This site contains information on a number of Western Australian buses. (C. Davison and N. Pusenjack having made contributions).

Ray Webster has all the right hand windows with new rubbers back into the Guy Arab, with Jim McKenna sorting out and cleaning a lot of the seats.

The bus depot yard clean up is continuing along with cleaning out of the old Leopard underway in readiness for it to be taken away for scrap.

No spare parts, building materials, tyres etc. to be deposited in the BPSWA building or yard without prior consent

from the BPSWA Council.

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Know Your Councilors - Cameron Bell

Cameron Bell is a relative newcomer to our society, being a member of only four years. However transport has always been a part of his life. Born into the family of the major transport and earth moving group of Bell Bros. The eldest son of one of the founders -Rab Bell. He was educated at Guildford State School, Guildford Grammar School and mature age studies at Murdoch University. On leaving school he joined the family business working in the Northern Territory, Wyndham and Barrow Island before being made supervisor of the Port Hedland operations.

In 1965 he left Bell Bros and with his father and brothers brought Brooking Springs cattle station in the West Kimberly. Cameron managed the business for the family until the property was sold in 1980. During that time the company diversified from cattle raising to livestock and general transport, livestock exporting, earth moving contracting, fuel and tyre distribution. Bell's Pastoral Company were the first to introduce double deck trucks to Western Australia, and the first to carry live cattle by road from the Kimberley to Midland Livestock Sale yards. They were also the first people to use aircraft for the mustering of cattle. Cameron also served as counsellor on the Shire of West Kimberley, Chair of the P & G Association (Kimberley Branch) and the Chair of the Fitzroy Crossing Progress Association. On the sale of the business Cameron and his father formed Bell's Racing Stables Pty. Ltd., an investment, livestock and race horse breeding and racing company. Cameron was introduced to the then Bus Museum of W.A. by hL uncle Max Hayles (our current president). He sees his role in the society as primarily "a fundraiser". To this end he with his son Chris (also a member and former councillor) organize our swap meet stalls, sausage sizzles and our very lucrative dead battery sales.

Cameron says he has lead a very interesting and diversified life - with tongue in cheek - he said he has been shot and stabbed and drowned. These days Cameron divides his time between

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travelling with his wife Liz, Rotary, the Bus society and writing for magazines worldwide.

Cameron and Chris Bell at Whiteman Park.

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History of the Metropolitan Omnibus Company: Max Hayles 1927

March 24th Agreed to dispose of old vehicles progressively with or without bodies. April 1st The new Leyland buses were on a ship. May 23rd The first Leyland was now in commission, and running costs were estimated to be 9d. (nine pence) per mile. The Chairman stated that 7 "Lioness" buses would be in use by July 1st (1927) and wished to ascertain Metro's financial position to enable the ordering of 5 more Leyland's to be in commission by September 1st. Existing buses to be surveyed to allow them to remain for some time. Finance was to be sought, and a proposal to purchase American buses was ruled out. The Chairman confirmed that they would remain with Leyland. (Considerable opposition from taxis continued). There was some difficulty in financing, and a restructure was carried out with the staff salaries. The Garage Manager would remain on £6 per week. The existing inspectors Weir, Taylor, Whittmer and Bell would revert to drivers. The Secretary £4 per week and Accountant £8 per week. Several personnel were dismissed and Messrs Samson and Ewing would forgo their fees. June 7th Bank balance was £5335. £1956 had been paid towards buses leaving about £4000 short for new buses. Provided that either the Union or Commercial Banks would agree to an overdraft of £8000, three more Leyland's would be ordered and two more later. June 27th One of the buses had been burned at Craiks Body Works (Maylands) with the body being destroyed. Agreed a new bus be ordered from Leyland. July 7th Mr. Jenkinson (Leyland agent) agreed to finance the buses but without Metro getting half of his commission, as previously agreed. The total for 10 buses with bodies would be about £16,000. Agreed to order only 2 buses at present and another 2 as finances permit. August 18th Complaints of Fremantle - Perth and vice versa journeys being too long. It was agreed to dispose of the "Westralia"

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(a Brockway), "Primrose", "Graham", and the "Ruggles" buses. September 14th Board members at this date were F.E. Fontaine (Chairman), C. Spicer, W. Pearce, G. David, J.L. Weir and W.H. Samson. Bank balance was £1400. Agreed to order one more bus with Campbell and Mannix body (financed by Jenkinson). This would be the 10th Leyland. October 21st Dispute with Boltens re bus bodies, quoted £385 for 3 bodies but now wanted to charge £530. Also dispute with Craiks re bus body said to be a disgrace but demanded £410. October 24th Interview with Boltons who claimed bodies cost £519 to build but Metro agreed to pay only £75 for extras. October 26th Metro offered Craiks £255 for the burnt Leyland chassis. Later offered £225 to the insurance Co., who then demanded £275.

Metro Leyland "Lioness" - possibly feet No 1 1928.

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November 3r Agreed to order 5 more Leyland Lioness chassis through Jenkinson but not by a further Share issue. Discussions with Maher (another body builder) but no decision. November 24th Order placed with Mahers for 3 new bodies and 2 with Campbell and Mannix. Jenkinson had purchased burnt bus. Use of Conductors discussed. A trial had shown that 7 minutes had been saved on Perth - Fremantle run. Enquiries to be made from Employers Federation re Conductors. December 2nd Jenkinson had brought burnt bus for £257, but asked Metro for £700. Offer refused. December 29th MINUTES OF THE FIRST A.G.M.. Profit for 12 months £3851. All old buses used since Metro formation to be phased out and fleet standardized with Leyland. Further 10,000 shares to be issued. Directors satisfied with first year, and expected to pay a dividend in 12 to 18 months. The new directors were - R. Rennie, C. Spicer, G. David, F. Fontaine, J. Ewing, W. Samson and W. Pearce. Further new vehicles to be paid for out of revenue.