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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all cligiculties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by , the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crosier.

Taxation Anomalies.

It is contended by the writer of our regular feature, " Transport Tips for Tradesmen" (who is particularly qualified to pass an opinion on the subject), In his notes this week that the owners of quite a large number of motor vehicles 'engaged in the canine of goods and or of passengers have a wider choice in'tlie categories in which they should be registered and licensed than appears on even a thorough examination of the schedule of licerice fees. He puts it (and he is undoubtedly right) that the owner of a vehicle registered as a private car on which the tax is based on horse-power is unrestricted in the uses to which he may it such a vehicle. He may carry goods, hire the vehicle out for the carrying of passengers, and no one can say him nay. If the same vehicle (because its horse-power is low) would cost him more to register as a hackney vehicle or as a goods vehicle, he should register it as a private car, and then would be unrestricted as to the number of persons he chose to carry in it or their relationship to him. and his business.

Many a taxicab is of low horse-power (below 12 h.p.) and is driven by an engine constructed before January 1st, 1913. Where the latter condition occurs there is, further, a rebate of 25 per cent. on the tax. Thus a 7-9 h.p. Renault built in 1912 or earlier gets off with a tax of .£6 per'annum instead of RV—or £15 if garaged in the 'Metropolitan district. The position on the matter of the ta.x on electric vehicles is even more humorous, as is clearly explained by our contributor.

Death of Mr.. H. E. Dodge.

Information is now to hale] from Detroit theft Me. &race B. Dodge, one of the famous Dodge brothers, died at Palm Beach on December, 10th last, surviving his brother less than a year.

The two brothers were at the New York Mow a year ago, and both of them became ill from influenza. The case of John, the elder brother, WGB, unfortnintely, complicated by pneumonia, and he died on January 14th at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New York.

Thesuccess of them two brothers the automobile industry has been quite phenomenal. They -started a small automobile manufacturing plant employing about 11 men some 20 years ago. Soon after they began work they made an arrangement with Henry Ford whereby they' were to take a 5,000-dollar interest in the Ford motor plant, and they entered into a contract with Ford to manufacture engines and transmission sets for the Ford vehicles. When Henry Ford bought up the minority holdings in his company last year, Eiciclge RrOf4. reeived 27,000,000 dollars for their shares and for their chase of the 1916 profits, having _already received 5,500,1000 dollars in dividends.

They had various disputes with Ford, and in 1910 commenced the production of plant for the manufacture of their own car, the output of tale Dodge oar beginning in 1914, in that year artive connection with the Feed Co., eing severed. Dodge Bros.' prod. di product rapidly took a leading plade in the motor world. It had reached the eighth place in point of production in 1915, the fourth place in 1917, whilst, it is now probably second only to the Ford production, the. present normal output being 625 care a day. Dodge Bros. did excellent work in the manufacture of munitions during the War.

Technical Aid for Users.

The considerable increase of late' in the activities of the engineering department of the Automobile Aseociation, in connection with the inspection, the pur.

chase, repair work, or extensive reconditkoning of lorries and 61rs, suggests that members only require to 'be made conversant with the fact that this assistance is available---especially where the disbursement, of considerable sums of money is involved—in order to 'make snore ace of this benefit of A. A. membership. Technical advice and help is given free in consultation or in correspondence, while nominal fees only are charged for inspections. A .staff of expert engineers is exclusively engaged on this work, and although the examine-lion of vehicles is confined to members, in certain oases this is extended to no-n

members. •

Mr. E. J. Mitchell, who -has been emaciated for so many years with the Palmer Tyre, Ltd., has resigned his position as general manager. A 3LTon Ford.

Although officials of the Ford Motor Co. of Detroit, U.S.A., refuse either to am or to deny the reports', it is per. sigtently and authoritatively asserted in commercial vehicle ciroles in the U.S.A. that Henry Ford has completed experimental work on a 31-ton commercial vehicle chassis which will be sold either at 1,000 drillers or 1,290 dollars. It is stated that production will start some time this year, perhaps as early as June.

Whet seem to be 'like well-founded reports are circulating that Ford will Make material reductions this year in the prices of the touring car and the agricultural tractor.

Thee is not much probability of a new passenger vehicle being placed on the market in the near future, although considerable experimental work has been done along this line.

The New Registration.

Readers are again reminded that every mechandoelly-propelled vehicle mute now be re-registered (although this does not involve the issue of a new Mark or -registration number or the provision of new identification plates). The month's grace which is being given by the euthorities will expire on the 31st inst.

Application forms for licensing and registration must be applied for at the post-office, where instructions will be given for the despatch of the registration particulate to the local registering authority.

There are a number' of problems arising out of the-new registration and the regulations thereunder, which beset the owner of the cartarnercial vehicle and the hackney vehicle. The Editor and staff of rite Commercial Motor place themselves unreservedly at the disposal of readers, and are prepared to answer any question' pet to them, on, if they do not know the answer, to find it out.

The C. M. U. A. Yorkshire Division.

An exceedingly interesting 24-page pamphlet has been published by the Yorkshire Division of the C.M.U.A. entitled " A Review of the Division." The review deals; with the work carried out by the chairman, secretary, and pornmittee of the' Yorkshire Division, end contains quite a large amount of interesting information sufficient to justify any person who is not, a member, and therefore who will not automatically receive a copy, in writing to Mr. Freest Harrieon, 'Bond Street, Dewsbury, asking for a. copy to he sent to him.

Imperial Motor Transport Conference.

Copies of the report of the proceedings of the Imperial Motor Transport Conference, held at Olympia, October 10th to 21st, 1920, a,re now available at a charge

of 8s. 6d, (post free). The report includes all the papers reed and tbee discussions in full, aad is Obtainable, in response to postal application, from the Hon. Secretary to the Council, Mr, H. Wyatt,•R.A.C., Pell Mall, S.W.1.

Lincoln Buses.

The new bus service at Lincohi is a success; at least, so the chairman of the Electricity and Tramways Committee stated at a. meeting of the Lincoln City Council, held last week. But he added that it was only a success go far as it has gone.

Only three buses have arrived so far, owing to delay in delivery of threemore, but these three buses havebeen employed on the up-hill see-viee, taking about £220 per week, thus clearing expenses. However, the chairman warned the Council that this state of affairs would not obtain when the remaining eight arrived, which he hoped would be by the beginning of April. The Council at last gave way to the repeated attacks of a small minority of meinbers, and have granted reduced fares for foundrymen at certain hours, Other concessions, such as stage fares, will be considered, when the new traffic manager for the city, who will shortly take up his Mies, has given a report On the con dition of both services '

'Leicester's Motor Traffic;

Mainly by reason of the great growth of commercial motor traffic, problems of street reconstruction are now being forced upon many of the Midland muni.cipalities whose central thoroughfares lia.ve long been inadequate to modennday requirements.

At its last meeting, the Nottingham Corporation availed itself of the opportunity of entering into an arrangement by which a belated improvement for the partial widening of an important street in the heart of the city will be rendered possible, but this, although constituting a ueeful link in a chain of much-needed public works, was a trifling matter in comparison with the ambitions undertaking decided upon by the Leicester Corporation a few days ago, when it was decided to proceed with a Bill to acquire Parliamentary powers for widening central avenues of traffic at an estimated cost of three million pounds. There was a resolute attempt to destroy the scheme upon the score of the expense involved, and opposition was further threatened in connection with t.'he ratepayers' Confirmatory meeting. But of the merits of the project—apart from the question of the in,opportune nature of the period for undertaking such outlay —no serious conflict of opinion has arisen. The Leicester authorities have effected many notable public improvements in recent years to which this would form a erownuig addition, affording facilities for motor and other traffic.

New Arterial Road for Preston.

• Preston Corporation is asking the Ministry of Transport for permission to borrow £94,000 for the construction of a new arterial road running along the northern boundary of the town from New Haat Lane to Garsta,ng Road, and the building of a bridge over the Preston and Longridge railway, Ploughing Demonstrations in Egypt.

The motor ploughing demonstrations now in progress at Benha are arousing interest among the native agriculturists, who consider that the cheaper tractors, such as the Austin and the Fordson, are within reach of their pockets, but have some fears as regards technical difficulties, the expenses of driving, and repairs,

The Finance Act Explained.

Mann, Egerton and Co.. Ltd., of Norwich, are showing considerable enterprise in preparing and issuing a small pamphlet explaining clauses of the Finance Act under which motor vehicles are now to be taxed, and giving a schedule of the duties, together with notes upon clauses in the Roads Bill and the requirements with. regard to licence cards. For those vehicles which are taxed on horse-power there are some useful tables.

We understand that this pamphlet is sent post free on application.

R. M. Wright and Co., Ltd., of Lincoln, have issued a very interesting booklet on the new taxation which they are prepared to supply fer the use df motorists. It, is put together • in a very interesting and concise form, and should materially assist users in observing the 'hew regulations.

Personal Pars.

In all branches of the motor industry, in which he was widely known, the information will be received with regret of the death of Mr. Henry Beleher,which occurred somewhat sKizdenly on December 31st at his residence, 309, Mansfield Road, Nottingham. The deceased, who was a. Gloucestershire man, entered the service of the Humber Co. soon after its formation, the first position which he undertook over 30 years ago being at Wolverhampton. He subsequently became manager at Bevston, -which remained for many years the centre of manufacturing operations, until the removal of the works to Coventry, where he Was also engaged.. Latterly he had ha/I-control of the motor business established at Nottingham by Mr. Robert Grippe, and he had exorcised considerable influence in the development of the commercial car side of the undertaking, as of its larger enterprise represented by touring and other cars. An old member of the Masonic craft, deceased was held in high esteem.

Mr. R. McKean Cant, advertising manager of the B. F. Goodrich. Co., Ltd., has just been appointed manager of the Northern Advertising Agency, Edinburgh, and leaves London on January 22nd to take up his new work. In returning North Mr. Cant is going back to a city in which he worked. for 15 years and has many friends. Mr. Cant has beets a student of .the theory of advertising, as well as a practical worker in the advertising field, from the beginning of his advertising career.

Ideas for Next Season.

Most of the motor coach proprietors in the popular seaside towns will at this time be conjuring up in their mind's eye the lines upon which they will compile the handbooksthey usually issue to interest holiday makers of the attractions of their meter eoachtours. They usually appear just before Faster. We have -heard of one firm who contemplate during the forthcoming season issuing time-table arrangements of their tours, indicating stoppages en route and the times to which the coach will run

Those. Bad Buses.

The special sub committee of the Liverpool Tramways Committee appointed to deal with matters affecting the motor omnibuses is continuing its experiments with the view to improving the prospects of the bus undertaking. So far as the vehicles themselves are concerned, we note that the general manager has been authorized to convert one of the singledeck conveyances into a double-deck omnibus, as an experiment. Two of the routes—Moss Lane and Lawrence Road— are to have a restricted service, and until the end of March there will be no service between the houra of 10 a.m. and 4 jam. There has been an experimental service between Gersten and Woolton, and in view of the expiration of the trial period, notice of anotem has been given. the City Council that the Tramways Committee should submit in February a scheme either for the continuation, of this service or such modification as will, meet, the needs of the district. The fares an the Lark Lane and Old Swan route have been rearranged on the basis of a minimum fare of Pd. and a maximum fare of 63. .

The traffic returns for the fortnig_ht ended December 18th indicate a -decrease in receipts, passengers, and mileage. The following are the details :—

• 1020

1919.

Receipts .£1,485 . £1,547 Passengers ... 156,941 ... 222,002 Mileage 24,716 ... 26,289

Annual London Motor Parade.

The, fifteenth annual parade of commercial motor vehicles, organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association, with the abject of encouraging drivers to take a-personal interest in the driving and the condition of their vehicles, and to run them without accident, will take place in London On Saturday, April Pad, 1921, under the patronage of:

Majesty the King.

The handsome silver challenge oup, which was presented in 1910 to the association by the proprietor's of The Commercial Motor, will again be awarded to the owner whose 1 tearn," in the opinion of the Judges Committee, is in the best condition, having regard ta the drama:if work upon iv' hich the units are employed, the ages of the machines, and the total distance run by them. The driver of

• C8 each vehicle in the winning team will be given a cash award and a silver medal as a souvenir of the event. The-drivers of each vehicle in the "runners up and third team will also receive a cash award, and drivers of each vehicle in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh teams will be "highly commended."

Full particulars of the parade may be obtained on application to Mr. F. G.

Bristow, general secretary, the Commercial Motor Users Associatioia 50, Pall Mall, London, S.W. 1.

Motors First: Consent After.

The Ministry of Health has written to the South Shields Corporation concerning the application for sanction to bOTTOLV £7,500 for the purchase of motor vehicles for the collection of house refuse. The Ministry regrets to learn that the motors were evidently ordered, by the Corporation before the Ministry had an opportunity to inquire into the merits of the application, and on the evidence before it the Ministry has some difficulty in arriving at a conclusion as to the eoonomia value of the proposal. The Ministry requests an explanation Of the action of the Corporation in anticipating the Ministry's sanction to a loan. The Corporation has asked the borough engineer to reply.

Motorists' Purchasing Association, Ltd.—better known perhaps, as the M.P.A.—have changed their address to 62, Conduit Street, London, W. 1, the telephone number being Mayfair 4775.

It will interest many of our readers to learn that S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., have received the order from the Metropolitan Police for licence holders for fitting to the whole of their lorries, vans, cars, and cycles.

In our issue for December 21st, 1920, we published an illustrationpurporting to show the works of LeYland. Motors, Ltd., of Leyland. In case the wording beneath the picture-may have created a misleading idea as to the size of the company's premises, we would iitention that the illustration showed only the South Works of the company.

A.G.E. Overseas Trade.

Following their policy of sending e'ut specially-trained representatives to report on the markets, investigate trade prospects, assist local agents, and appoint ethers for the sale of A.G.E. products where arrangements in this connection are not yet completed and generally expand the company's activities, Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd. (whose head effices are situated at Central House, Kingsway, London), advise us that the following gentlemen are now handling their interests at the addresses given :— • South America : T. II. Dryden, Calls Victoria. 450, Buenos Aires. Balkans : Hugh Le,dward, care of The 13ritisu Legation, Bucaresta South Africa : Gordon Lyall, P.O. Box 650, Port Elizabeth. New Zealand-: T. W. Cranch, 5, Cameron Street,. Davenport, Auckland. Australia : J. W. Godfrey, Beacon Grange, Enatwood, Sydney. Mr. Sargent haa also been appointed for similar duties in Northern Africa, and is at present in Morocco.

New Motor Roads in the Cape.

The Cape Times Jaays that among the new, roads forecast in the minute of the chairman of the Divisional Council of the Cape is one from a point in the Durbanvine Avenue, through the Rasebleom Valley, to a junction with the Koeberg main road in the neighbourhood of Potsdam., This, with a new connection betwcaa the avenue :and the Pearl main road, apart from the chief •consideration of serving local needs, will provide a convenient short cut for through traffic . east and west wishing to avoid the present long detour and the crowded main .road to the city. Incidentally, it, will add yet another to the many beautiful motor rims of the Cape division,

Three Medals in a Month.

The Austin farm tractor has been remarkably successful in ploughing matches of late. Early in Deeem,ber it secured a. silver medal in the open class at Heighington ; first prize at Brearton, near Harrogate, in the open class on the 10th and first, again at East Boldon, near Sunderland,• in the farmers' class on the 22nd. This light-weight British tractor, -which is growing so rapidly in fa,vour with farmers throughout the country, is ef robust construction, and its ada-ptaa bility to a greaa variety Of work, in addition to ploughing, renders it a useful unit for the modern farm.

Anglo-German Debts.

British nationals who have registered claims against German nationals in respect of prc-war debts will shortly re-. ceive a netificatien from the Clearing Office that the last day for making the necessary • statutory declaration in supportof their claims is Marcia Slat, 1921. No claim in respect of pre-war debts will be admitted which in, 'lodged after that date, unless the Controller, of the Clearing Office is satisfied that the omission to lodge the declaration by the date mentioned arose from circumstances for which "the creditor could not justly be held responsible.

Vickers, Ltd., 247, West Qeoxge Street, Glasgow, have been appointed sole agents for Scotland for B.L.I.C. magnetos and far B.L.I.Q. lighting and starting sets. .

South Shields Buses.

South Shields Watch Committee has further coneidered an application from the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., of Gateshead, who propose to inetittite regular service of motorbuses between South Shields, Halton, and Sunderland, for permission to open forthwith a portion of the proposed service routes within South Shields and to grant licences for the omnibuses. The committee has decided to grant licences for a reasonable .nember of omnibuses, provided a certain Ante is adhered to with such stopping places as may be approved by the chief constable.

Defective Street Lighting.

The town clerk of Glossop is circularizing local authorities witli reference to an action in which_ damages were given against the Corporation for injuries alleged to have been sustained in consequence of the defective lighting of a highway. The Corporation of Glossop considers thatoif the ,decision is allowed to stand, it will cast upon a lighting authority an undue liability, as it 55 now perilous to extinguish or even reduce the lighting at any hour ofthe night, which, is believed, to be the practice of many lighting authorities. The. -cost of an 'eppeal against the judgment, if unsuccessful, -would be about £500, and local authorities are asked if they are willing to contribute.

The Penalty Clause.

Ilford Council's Works Committee reports that it has had a letter from Electricars, Ltd:, who have taken over the vehicle business of Edison Accumulators, Ltd., having reference to their previove request for an increase inthe contract 'price for the supply and delivery of a 34--ton chassis with a tipping body, asking if the council can see its way to increase the purchase price from £1,604 to £1,800, and stating that with regard to the penalty provided in Alio contract in the event of nendelivery by a certain date, the delay lies been due to circumstances over which they have had no control, and, in view thereof, asking the council, not to insist .upon the penalty clause being adhered to.

The committee has instructed the clerk to write in reply tequesting delivery of the vehicle within 21 days at the eontract price of £1,604, and to inform the vendors that after such delivery has been made, consideration will be given to the, question of waiving the penalty clause.

-A Municipal Experiment.

The Works Committee of the Greenwich Borough Council has been considering the desirability -of adopting mechanical haulage, and now has had reports from the acting borough engineer on the subject. . In addition, it has had the benefit of the experience derived from tbe working of a. petrol lorry and a steam wagon for a month on trial. The resuits of such trials, says the committee, have proved conclusively that the adoption of meeleanieal haulage would effect considerable economy.

The committee ConsiderS that steam wagons will be the most advantageous _type to use in the borough, particularly when it is remembered that the council already has other steam-driven plant. It is desirable to decideon a particular standardized type, so that when the principle of. eteain hanlage is extended, the council will be in possession of One type of vehicle only. It has accordingly come to the conclusion that a five-ton robber-tyred steam wagon, fitted with a tipping body, should be purchased at a cost of about £1,400. The committee has requested the Mayor, the chairman of the committee, Councillor Horne, and the acting borough engineer to consult together regarding the most suitable vehicle for this purpose.

Oil Turbines for Motor Vehicles.

In the current issue. of The Motor S'h,ip an illustrated deseriptien is given of the first, oil turfbine which has ever been built for cominercial purposes. It has been coustraoted under the .Hoizwarth system, to develop 500 blip., and it is understood that much larger machines are now on order: Tho new turbine runs on heavy oil at a high speed and, compared with reciprocating internal-cop:dans{ion engines, occupies less sP&e,e and weighs lees. T e.se two facts have an important bearing on the possibility of the application of the oil turbine to ceeneriereial vehicles. Whilst the Diesel engine, generally speaking, is too heavy for driving a lorry, it in, ight be possitle -to produce oil turbines sufficiently smell and 'light foe the purpose.

An Important Amalgamation.

The amalgamation of -the two companies imperial Light, Ltd., and Dissolved Acetylene Co., Ltd., with AllenLiversidge, Ltd., was defy celebrated at' the annual dinner of the second-named concern a few days ago. We have been present at these D.A. funetions. for some years past, and' it interested us greatly to hear in the speeches of the directors how the fusion of the three firms came about. Allert-Livereidge, Ltd., is now a powerful combination-, and it will be able to produce, at a greatly advantageous rate, and, from what we gathered, the consumer willsoon share in this benefit: East Ham Corporation is complaining to the police and the L.G.O.C. about excessive motor omnibus speeds.

Commer Car Trade.

. With a view to developing Cornrner Car sales overseas, Mr. S. E. Brett, the overseas representative of COMMer Cars, Ltd., left England in December for a tour of India, Straits Settlements, Far East, Australia, and New Zealand.

Communications should be addressed: Mr. S. E. Brett, Representative of Commercial Cars, Ltd., care of Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, and rinaeked "To await Call." We include approximate dates of Mr. Brett's arrival and departure at the various places he is visiting. Mr. Brett will not be back in London again until January, 1922 :—Madras, January 14th to January 22nd; Bombay, January 26th to February 8th ; Calcutta, february 12th to February 26th; Rangoon; March 4th to

March 18th; Singel:191'e, March 27th to April 10th; Batavia and. Sourabaya April 16th to May 4th; Hong Kong and Canton, May 16th to May .'31st-; Shanghai June 7th to Juno 21st; Yokohama and Tokio Juele 29th to July 20th; Freemantle and Perth, August 16th-to August 26tb ; Adelaide, "September 1st to September 15th; Melbourne, September 18th to October 2nd; Sydney, October 5th to October 19th; Brisbane, October 21st to October 31st; Wellington, November 8th to November 22nd.

Saving by Steamer. •

The surveyor to the Leyton Urban District Council reports that the haulage of clinker was now being done at a cost of 5s. per ton by a five-ton ironwheeled steam -lorry, as compared with

the previous cost of 6s. 9d. per ten by n

-horsed veiiieles.

Delhi Motor Show.

It is announced that Lord Rawlinson, Commander-in-Chief in India, has consented to be patron of the Delhi Motor Show, which operia on February 14th. The ors-enemy will be followed by an official luncheon; and it is expected that • 38 firms will exhibit at the Show. -

The Plymouth Co-operative Society's chews-II-banes carried 33,015 passengers

1 during the past summer, ,296 trips being undertaken.

New Warning Signs.

Without suggestion of compulsion in the matter, ihe adoption of road direction posts and danger signs of a standard character is strongly recommended to the local authorities by the Ministry of Transport. It is desirable that the pre sent diversity of signs in various parts of the country should be replaced by uni formity as involving less strain upon the driver and greater clearness and intelligi bility to any person driving in a part of the oountry strange to him.

Unclei the Ministry's road classifies, tion scheme, each road will have a number and be classed according to importance Cal the direction posts. The letter A in black or white will signify a first.-class road, and the letter B in white or black will signify a second-class road, the number of theroad follow. ing the letter.

The existing red triangular caution sign is in future to be known as the danger sign, and the special danger to be guarded against will be indicated by a symbol, of which there will be six, indicating a school, a level crossing, crossroads, a corner, a double corner, and a steep hill. The use of village and place-name signs is also recommended.

Buses for Bridlington.

The Highways Committee of the Bridlington Corporation has considered the advisabibitry of pamvidiing motor omnibuses as authorized by the Corporation Act of 1920, and also interviewed Mr. R. Williamson, the proprietor of the motor omnibus -plying for hire in the borough. Mr. Williamson told the committee he was willing to continue' to

C10

run his motorbus -and,if necessary; purchase and run another upon the following conditions :—To collaborate with the council in all matters relating to the running of buses by him in the borough; to submit timetables and lists of fares for, approval. The committee now recommends the Corporation to defer for the present the question of running buses as authorized by its Act, subject to Mr. Williamson providing an omnibus service to the reasonable satisfaction of the Corporation. •

British Oil Concessions in Thrace.

The correspondent of the Chicago Tribune in Athens reports-that a British company has obtained oil concessions in Thrace from the Greek Government.

Anglo-Pers'an Oil Agreement.

The Canadian Government announces the completion of an agrement with the Anglo-Persian Oil Co., whereby the company undertakes to prospect all upgranted Crown lands in the Colony during the next five years at the company's expense. The Government, in return, undertakes not to grant any mineral areas to other parties during this period, thereby protecting the company's interests.

Rotax Dimmer Switch.

itotax Motor and Accessories, Ltd., have sent us details of a dimmer switch which they are in a, position to supply promptly. A switch of this description would largely obviate the difficulties met with through headlight -glare. The switch can be fitted in a. few minutes, and results in switching the headlight over from parallel to series windings, thus reducing both the light and current consumption by half.' The switch retails at 20s. (brass) and 21s. (nickel-plate), and is supplied complet3 with a simple wiring diagram.

Local Proceedings.

Guildford Town Council has obtained permission to borrow £1,700 for a motor fire-erigine.

Essex County Council has purchased another Clayton steam wagon at £1,425 from Clayton Wagons, Ltd.

Hastings Town Council has obtained sanction from the Ministry of Health to borrow £2,278 for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.

Manchester Corporation Tramways Committee has purchased a four-ton tipoing drry and trailer from the Sentinel Wagon Works, Ltd.

Charley T.C. is recommended to purchase a 5 ton steam wagon.

Estimates for the provision of two motor vehicles, with trailers, are being prepared by the Atherstone R.D.C.

J. I. Thornyeroft and Co., Ltd., have successfully tendered to the Aberdeen T.C., at £5,415, to supply five motorbus chassis.

Birmingham Corporation has decided that all committees using motors shall purchase petrol by contract through the Tramways Committee.

Manchester Corporation Electricity Committee has accepted the tender, of Electronobi7e (Leeds), Ltd., for the supply of an electric tipping wagon.

Kendal Corporation Streets Committee has asked its -chairman and the borough surveyor to obtain particulars of mechanical haulage for submissioci to the committee.

Leeds Watch Committee has refused. to agree to the request of the local branch of the Taxi Proprietors and Drivers Association for permission to increase the fare for the first mile from Is. 6d. to 2s.

, A NOTABLE CENTENARY. The Trial of the First Steam Road Coaches Recalled.

PRESUMABLY, the centenary of the. .first practical railway, namely, that opened between Stockton and Darlington in 1825, Will be. appropriately eelebrateel, but probably few people will give a thought to the fact that this current year marks, in effect, the centenary of the trial of the first steam road carriage. The years between 1821 and 1840 make up a meet interesting period in steam Jecometien on ordihary reads in this country. There are, no doubt, a few people now living who, as very young children, can :rememberseeing steamdriven om.nibuses running in London and a,leng country roads, such es between London and Birmingham and -London and Bath. Fortunately, there are numerous old prints in existence, and well pre',served, that convey a. very interesting impression -of the early days of steam locomotion on reads, but there-does not appear to be any actual survivor of the many ingenious machines invented in those days, as is the ease with the old railway engines, such as the ." Puffing Billy' of 1825 and the " Rocket" of 1829, fortunately preserved as national treasures.

It Is a striking fact, however, that, judged from illustrations, come of the old steam omnibuses; notably Hancock's ." Autopsy," " Automaton,' and " Enterprise," look nothing like so antiquated as do the old locomotivesThe design of these machines was such that, even

• to-day, if they appeared in the London streets, they would probably not cause much. eommeet, in view of the great diversity of types of motor vehicles now in use.

Of' the many steam vehicles put on the road between 1821 and 1840, those produced by such inveetera as Dance, Gurney, and Hancock seem to have been the most practical. Many freakish vehicles were. tried and, as one would expect, soon came to grief, notably one enaeli which Was propelled by a series of levers-or legs pushing against the road mirfate.

Tti will be news to some that publicserape steam coaches were running with

i

a considerable measure of success n the 'thirties. Hanceek's vehicles ran is regular service from the City to Paddington and between Stratford. and the, City, and there was invariably keen competition on the part of the public to obtain ;seats on these vehicles. Road surfaces

• were extremely bed, consisting mostly of .loose, unrolled metal. At least ono of the vehicles had a. tweepeed gear. which enabled it to negotiate the loose roads and get up Pentenville Rill better than the others. Allowing for stops, the speed average was 84 miles an hour. Considering the period, in which they were made, the engines., boilers, and transmission generally must have been of very good and solid construction. ' Beth chein awl bevel gearing were used in the transmission, and the chief source of trouble, when it. occurred, appears to have been with the: boilers, owing to the. muddy water that had to be used. Whilst the short-distance service of vehicles was dieing will, it is no lees

interesting to learn that long-distance steam coaches were simultaneously creating considerable stir, particularly as what Was known EIS the iailway boom had already set in.

The remarkable state of affairs prevailing at that, period may be gauged from old prints depleting one of the early railway treble, :a stage meth and a steam coach, all travelling within sight of one another in the open country. A record run for a long-distance steaan coach that created much public interest was inside in 1852 by a three-wheeled vehicle fitted with a theme-cylinder engine. Curious to relate, aping wheels were used on this coach. This ran from Southampton to Liverpool with 19 passengers aboard at an average speed of 15 m.p.h. The teach, it is recorded, met with a great' reception en route at Oxford and Remingliam. A fairly regular service was also run between London and Bath. elt was not until the early 'forties that the steam coaeh 1111aVerllent died out under the pressure of railway develeepenent, tells, and lack of financial support.

• TRAMS v. BUSES.

Derby Tramway System Losing £250 per Week.

MIDLAND municipal authorities responeible for, the control of tram. way. undertakings are finding themselves faced with increasing difficulties tion to remunerative working. The question continues to lie seriously discussed whether the amplification of existing motorbus services. will not furnish an alleviation, of present financial troubles, which, apart from augmented wages. claims, have become aggravated by an inordinately large expenditure upon rigid tracks. The demand for the reduction of the present minimum trani fares of lid. has beeerne insistent of late beth a:t Nottingham and Derby, hut in each case it has been declared by the responsible administrative committees to be. impracticable under present exigent conditions. e ••

It was suggested at the last meeting of the Derby Corporation that penny fares might constitute a popular election cry, but that a a business preposition they were not feasible. The mover of the resolution in favour of the reduction had, however, some strong condemnation to utter against what he -characterized as the "disorganized, chaotic and inefficient tramway" system which now obtains in the city, his suggestion being that the plan prevailing at Bolton was one worthy of especial emulation.

The argument that penny stages for short journeys would be conducive to a substantial development of the returns was, however, met by the contention that short-distance passengers would crowd out these undertaking longer journeys, .

with consequent lose of revenue. The most portentous factor to be considered was that with the increased coat of working represented by 26.72 against 10.62 in 1914, the Derby tramway undertaking is now losing at the rate of 250 a. week.

Moreover, the formidable prospect was presented that, concurrently with further increase of wages, the imposition of a twopenny minimum fare, as in' other towns, might have to be considered, but it waif. only by • a majority of one vote that the Council declined to entertain the proposal as to penny stages, evidencing the strong feeling which may he turned 'locally towards' an attempted solution of the difficulty by the greater encouragement of motorbus traction.

NOTTINGHAM TRAFFIC.

THROUGH its sparing support of motorbuses, which ore urgently needed to meet the requirements of insportant areas of the. city at present unserved by inflexible mutes, the Nottingham Corporation has lent colour to the oft-repeated suggestion of antagonism to any material departure from its settled tramway policy. 'The notion has been assiduously c-ultivatedelocally that buses can never represent a paying proposition, an assumption which obstinately ignores the consideration that no attempt upon. a comprehensive basis la.s been hitherto made to test their financial • value as feeders to the tramways.

An opportunitynow occurs for a review of the whole position in the light of developments of road communication between the city and Beeston, the former centre of the Humber works, and one of Nottingham's principal extra municipal areas, which there was an nnsuccesslel attempt made to annex under the ourporation's recent abortive scheme for the extension of the city's boundaries. Parliamentary powers had been applied for alternatively to run trams er buses to the neighbouring residential townehip, hut their grant was opposed both by the urban and county councils, the suggestion being that the scheme was in the nature of a baiti to stave off opposition from the larger annexation projeet

New the matter is again being broughtinto the range.' of practical realizatitm through a munificent addition which Sir Jesse Boot, head of the great chemists' business, which had its origin in Nottingham, has signified his intention adding tn. his previous princely gifts for the furtherance of public objects in connerAion with his native city.

Already Nottingham's latest honorary freeman has denoted sums approximate ing to R3.50,000 fer various projects.

But supplementing his previously announced generosity, Sir Jesse. Boot, who in a recent speech, declared his entire agreement with the late Mr. Carneglies policy Of distributing as much of his wealth as ' possible in his own lifetime, has now come forward with the intimation of his readiness to •defray the -whole cost of the construction of a new • boulevard, 150 ft. wide and 3 miles lone-. connecting Nottingham with Beeston, end affording the much-needed improvement in road eummunie.ation which has been no long desired between the two pieces, the question again arising as to the relative value of the form of traction to be utilized on the new highway.

Tho suggestion has -been put forward that a. further elaboration of the rnenicin pal tramway service will best meet the purpose, but, there arfi those -Who net unreasonably contend that if a spacious .beiderva,rd flanked by treee is to he constructed upon Continental Linea, a lease disturbing element to the picturesqueness of environment might] 'be found in the running of motorbuses than by the multiplication of the cumbrous, linabledecked tramcars which have been hitherto

almost exclusively relied upon in Nottingheine entailing, in addition to their present high initial cost, a. perpetual recurrence of inordinate expenditure upon the renewal of the permanent way.

Already the possibilities in relation to bus traction between Nottinghani andBeeston have been abundantly demonstrated by private enterprise.

What Class of Passenger•Vehicle is to Use the New Boulevard?