1 A et a ee PAGE 2 Province sets out new classifications for drivers Commencing September ist, 1971 all British Columbia driver licences will be classified ac- cording te the type of vehicle the driver is qualified to operate. There are six classifications of licences, with special classifications being assigned to the drivers of large highway tractor-trailer com- binations, buses, large trucks that carry a gross vehicle weight over 24,000 pounds, and taxis. Any person who drives a vehicle fitting within the description of the vehicles set outabove, who has not yet taken steps to have his driver’s licence properly classified, should immediately enquire for an appropriate form at the nearest Motor Licence Office. Licence amendments will be mailed to all drivers in these - special categories who have applied and have qualified prior to September Ist. The amend- ment will be carried with the driver’s licence held by the person. Mest drivers will fit in the category which will encompass passenger vehicle operators and snuall and medium trucks up to 24,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Drivers in this group do not face any additional licensing requirement and have no need to fill in any special forms as part of the conversion programme. Similarly, persons who have qualified to drive motor-cycles have no need totake any further steps, These persons will receive a driver licence amendment which will form part of the licence and indicate that they are in the proper classification for miotor- cyclists, The programme of Classified Driver Licensing was agreed to by all the Provincial Govern- ments in Canada in 1970. It isa step to up-grade driver licen- sing standards and as a result, to increase the level of highway safety. NEW REGULATIONS ON TIRE SAFETY Recently approved tire safety regulations prohibit the use on motor-vehicles and trailers of tires that have — ~ (a) a cord break .or an air teak; (b) tread damage over one inch in any direction; ; (c) bumps, bulges or lumps caused by tread or sidewall separation from the ply cords, or by partial failure of tire structure; {d) tread worn to less than one sixteenth of an inch’of tread groove depth. CARE OF YOUR TIRES AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FACTOR Correct tire inflation is of the greatest importance from the point of view of safety during the summer months when the heaviest motoring takes place on the roads and highways. Motorists too careless to maintain recommended tire inflation levels run the risk of damage and possible tire failure affecting their only contact with the road. During the summer, there is a special need to keep tires properly inflated to prevent excessive flexing and sub- sequent damage to tires at higher temperatures, Under- inflation causes excessive tire wear at the tire edges. Over- inflation can result in tire wall breakage when obstacles are struck and also causes ex- cessive wear in the centre of the tread in addition to an un- comfortably hard ride. It is said the best things in life are free. Keeping tires properly inflated is one of the best things in a motorist’s life — and it's free. It helps ensure safety. MOTORCYCLE TIRES Motorcycle owners who carry a passenger are urged to be sure their vehicles are equipped with tires of sufficient carrying capacity for the extra load. This is especially important with lightweight bikes, for the rear tires in particular, as the entire extra weight of the double-rider is absorbed by the rear tire. Tires of the next higher ply rating or tire size designation and possibly a larger rim, may be required. Once the bike is properly tired, the most ertical item of maintenance is proper inflation — vitally important for a two- , wheeled vehicle. Under- inflation can result in tire failure, due to rim damage: tube shifting, which tears out valves; and excessive tire flexing, which harms both the tire and tube due to excessive heat build-up. Sufficient tread depth is also of great im- portance. The need for regular tire inspection is specially urgent from a safety point of view, due to the fact that skids or flats with a bike are extremely dangerous — it’s only as safe as the rubber under it, The following tire care and safety rules for bike owners is suggested — — Check inflation when tires are cool, once a week or before all trips. — Never bleed’ tires when hot, as pressure build-up from running is normal. — Check tires regularly, inspecting for tread depth and damage. — Avoid hitting curbs, pot holes, or other obstruction. — Always be on the lookout for the eyclist's main driving hazards, especially in cornering — gravel, sand, leaves, dirt, mud, ete, all of which can result in loss of traction and a slide-out. ~ Reduce speed and be extra cautious in wet weather driving, especially in the first 15 to 30 - minutes after it starts to rain when roads can be as slippery as ice due to road oil film. Labor releases figures OTTAWA — Collectively bargained wage settlements in the first half of 1971 showed a lower rate of increase than thoseof the first 6 months of 1970, according to figures released today by the Canada Department of Labour. The figures are based on a continuing analysis of collective agreements covering 500 or more workers in industries olher than construction. The average annual increase in base rates, expressed in compound terms, was 7.7 per cent in the first and 7.8 per cent in the second quarter of 1971. Comparable figures in 1970 were: 9.0 per cent in the first quarter; 8.2 per cent in the second quarter; 6.8 pesr cent in the third quarter and 7.9 per cent in the fourth quarter. Of the 111 agreements reached in the second quarter of 1971, 34 were classified as three-year agreements, 66 as two-year agreements and 11 asone-year agreements. Base rate increases averaged 9.8 per cent in the first year, 6.8 per cent in the second year and 6.1 per cent in the third year of the three-year agreements; 8.8 per cent in the first year and 6.7 per cent in the second year of the two- year é agreements; and 11.9 per cent in the . one- year agréements. ? ‘ CUBAN ATHLETES ARE aoe eee HUNGRIER THAN USUAL CALI, Colombia (Reuter) — An official at the Pan-American Games village said Thursday Cuban athletes have heen smuggling 45 meals daily out of the dining room and it is believed they are feeding would-be defectors being held captive in their rooms, Following four confirmed Cuban defections, village offi- cials believe the meals are for 15 team members under “house “The Cubans have taken 15 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners out of the dining room for the last few days,” a village official said. Athletes from other countries confirmed that the Cubans, who always eat in one group, were leaving the dining room carry- ing food and drink back to their, _ quarters, The Cuban team flies home Friday DARWIN FRIESEN, OF CHILLI- WACK, is “very happy” with the pro: ‘duction and performance he gets from his Long loader backhoe. He uses it “mainly for water line installation, such as shown kere, but he also does general. ‘contract «work, The machine has: been . trouble free and has proven tobe a real hoe has many interesting | featiires.. The. +. backhoe ‘digs ‘down _ feaches. out more than 20, dect:- The “ *<-bucket has nearly 11,000 pounds digging... “ . - force, with six bucket o tions: from: ipo