An Albion Van in Australia.
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From our Sydney Correspondent.
The member of the staff of ME COMMERCIAL Moron who writes the " One Day's Work " articles is given to complaining about the unholy hours kept by cartage firms, and the weather. Food and drink always appear to have been plentiful with him. One of my recent experiences, with an Albion van, owned by J. F. Ashwood, Ltd., of Sydney, makes me quite envy the Editorial staff, as, not only was the start disgracefully early, and the weather abominable, but fend (except for pilfered biscuits) and drink were not obtainable throughout the day.
On my arrival at the garage (it was raining then), I. found the driver preparing for the start, but very dubious as to the advisability of my going that day; his rounds had been changed, and, with the weather so bad, he seemed doubtful whether his machine would make a very good show, I, on the other hand, felt certain that the Albion would rise to the occasion and put up a performance well worth recording. I wa.s not mistaken. During the run from the garage to the head office, the new scheme of working was explained to me. It appears that .1. F. Ashwood, Ltd., has a large number of branches round Sydney, each of which formerly employed a horse and cart for delivery purposes, but, under the now arrangement., four branches have been grouped together, and these are now served by the Albion van.
On our arrival at the central office, the driver obtained the way-bill, on which were to be recorded the number of deliveries effected, and the time occupied in each instance, together with the initials of the manager of each branch. Before leaving for the first depot, at Newtown, some stores for the branches, weighing about 3 ewt., were taken up, and the start made at eight o'clock. On ar rival at Newtown we found a number of boxes were awaiting delivery, one having to be taken to Cook's River, a distance of nearly five miles. The van was then sent, on to the second depot, at Marriekville, with instructions to return, to Newtown, for a second load. At Marrickville, the men were nowhere near ready, so the third depot, at Dulwich Hill, was visited with a like result. At Summer Hill, they were both ready and eager to see
what the motor would do, especially as " the other shop over the way " had stolen a march by converting an aged Gladiator ear into a 15-cwt. van, and with this load it had actually succeeded for a time. When we had eompleted the round from this depot, we returned to Dulwich Hill, there to find a large consignment of
goods awaiting delivery. As the road: was a strange one to the driver, a boy. was deputed to show us the way.
We started about noon, and 1 spent. the next three hours running beside the yen: with the aid of a piece of rag and some stout wire netting, endeavoured to improve the driving. wheel's grip of the road (track I should have said). The "roads" in the neigh
bourhood had not then been metalled. True, railings had been put up on each side, and a board with a name on had been erected, but otherwise it was more or less virgin " bush." During, all this time, particular care had to be taken to keep the groceries dry, as the rain was driving straight into the van. On our return to the shop, we left both the boy and empties;, and then rushed off to Marrickville again to do the deliveries from there. This was completed without incident, and as it was between 5.30 and 6 p.m. when we returned we thought that a rest, and some food, had been fairly earned, but it was not to be.
The weather conditions had certainly improved, but the mud was as. thick as ever, when we returned to. Dulwich Hill, for the next load ; this was delivered in about 60 minutes. We then discovered that this branch had had a run on the butter and supplies were short, and. therefore, we were required to double back to Marrickyille and fetch up a. fresh supply. We then proceeded to Summer Hill, where another good load awaited us. This time, a particularly smart boy accompanied us, and we got on splendidly. As it was already late we decided to get the last delivery from Newtown finished before attending to the wants of the inner man. No assistance was forthcoming at this branch, so the houses had to be found as well as could be managed without the aid of a guide. It was 9.30 when three thankful men and a motorvan steered for the head office once more, and 9.50 when I left the driver and his mate waiting for their way-bill to be checked. The run had proved a heavy and trying one. Between 70 and 80 miles, partly over roads such as one never sees in England, except in farmyards, had been covered, and nearly 70 parcels delivered, apart from the branch-to-branch work a truly-excellent performance.
I had taken an opportunity, the day before, of having a chat with the ecmpany's manager, Mr. Savage, and
he spoke highly of the capabilities of the van, which, he informs me, during the last two months, has done the work of 2'; horse vans. So satisfied is his company that it is purchasing another two-tonner for use exclusively on branch work. It will not be long now before all delivery work for this company is done by motorvan, arrangements having already been made for the replacement of its horses.
After many failures, mostly with second-hand machines, the Albion van is presented to Australian business men as a successful type; much interest is being displayed in it, and many questions are being asked as to its capabilities.
A speedometer is about to be fitted, and by its aid the exact number of miles travelled may easily be recorded, and the company will thus be enabled to arrive at an accurate estimate of the cost of its running, but, at present, the manager considers that ad. per car-mile will cover everything ; that is probably too low when everything is taken into account. Still, the van is doing excellent work, and is a credit to its manufacturers. The City Motor Works represents the Albion Company out here (Sydney).