The Wheels of Industry.
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This journal, dealing as it does with the " Chariots of War," no less than with the " Wheels of Industry," continues of national importance. Its interests embrace Impartially the transport wagon and the parcelcar, the military tractor and the steam lorry.
Proposals and Purchases by Local Authorities.
Halifax Trarnways Committee wants tenders for motorbus tires.
Northfieet U.D.C. is about to acquire a motor, new or secondhand, to haul its fire-engine.
The Bedford County Council, which has already obtained splendid results with three Commercars, is about to purchase a fourth.
Francis Motors, Ltd., of Manchester, has sold two Ford vans to the City Council, whilst Mr. T. Garner, of the same city, is supplying a Studebaker chassis.
Sunbury U.D.C. has beer obliged to postpone further consideration of the purchase of a . motor fire-engine.
Encouragement of Agrimotors.
The Yorkshire Agricultural
Society carried out some interesting tests, at Bawchfre, near York, on the farm of the North Riding Asylums Committee, on the 5th inst. Professor R. S. Set-on, of Leeds University, took an active part in the trials, whilst Mr. John Maughan, the secretary of the Y.A.S., was largely responsible for the organization. Nine agrimotors took part.
Barnsley's Time-table.
The Barnsley Town Council, as we reported in our issue of the 14th lilt., communicated, through its Town Clerk, with the whole of the owners of motor vehicles plying for hire in the borough, in respect of certain modifications of control. It appears that such users as desire to utilize a central stand in the borough will be required by the borough to run to an approved time-table, but other owners, who may not desire to take advantage ef this central station, will not be so required to submit or conform to a time-table.
Sunbeam Report.
The annual report of 'the directors of the Sunbeam Motor Car Co., Ltd., for the year ended the 31st August last, shows a profit, after paying all expenses of management, and allowing for depreciation and income tax, but before providing for directors' remuneration of 2241,357. This has to be increased by 220,111, the balance from the previous year. The directors place 2120,000 to reserve, and carry forward 275,668, paying a dividend on the ordinary shares of 15 per cent., free of income tax, together with a bonus of 2s. per share, free of income tax. The total number of licensed motorbuses operating on the London streets on the 31st of last month was 2171. This shows a decrease of ,L9 as against the figure for the previous month, and compares with a total of 2485 one year ago-311 more.
Our Fund.
We find that the average expenditure per case of comforts despatched, going back to the. first weeks of the Fund, now more than 12 months ago, has been slightly in excess of three guineas. This is after making allowance for stocks in hand and the value of the case, which is at all times looked upon as 'a valuable comfort. During the past six months, however, the size of individual cases has been in creased, right up to the maximum which is allowed by the military, viz., 56 lb. The general average, of course, is brought down by the odd weights of certain packages of tobacco, cigarettes and sweets, which cases, in order to meet the Customs requirements, have been despatched by the contractors.
We find that the present value of a case approximates 25, which is ,considerably higher than the earlier average of 23 3s. We venture to hope that not a few individual readers of this journal will now see their way to contribute the value of a single case.
The second concert, in aid of the Fund, will take place to-night (Thursday), at the Winter Assembly Hall, Luton, beginning at 7.30 p.m., under the auspices of the Commercar works, and with willingly-given aid from the Vauxhall and other works in the• district. We shall report the proceedings next week.
We have no space available, this week, to deal at length with the progress of the Fund. We have pleasure in stating that the total receipts, to Saturday last, were 21358 17s. 6d. No allocation has yet been made from the Central A.S.C. (Headquarters) Fund.
Colonel Crompton Loses a Son.
Sympathy will be felt for Colonel R. E. Crompton, C.B., chairman of the C.M.U.A., over the loss of his second son, Lieutenant Nigel George Crompton, B,.E., who was one of the first to be nominated by the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers for a commission, A. few days after war broke out. He was wounded nearHooge seven weeks ago, but returned to duty after effecting a recovery, and was killed in action on the 5th inst. Lieutenant Crompton was well known to us, and his energies will be missed in the future when road problems are again allowed to assume their normal place.
A Recent Registration.
Stirling Tyre and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (i10,000), by Messrs H. Dade and Co., of 14, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.
Aluminium Wanted.
We shall very soon see an embargo placed on aluminium. This will mean heavier crankcases and gearboxes, and will hit the lighter sides of the motor industry.
Admiralty Recruiting.
We are requested by the Inspector of Admiralty Recruiting to give publicity to the fact that there is a shortage of skilled electrical artificers and engine-room artificers for the Navy. The headquarters of the Admiralty Recruiting Department is 15, Spring Gardens, London, S.W.
Dennis Ambulance List.
We have on several occasions in the past had occasion to include short notices in our columns concerning special Dennis ambulances. Dennis Bros. (1913), Ltd., has always specialized in this class of machine and it is now going far to maintain for itself as good a name in this particular branch of activity as it has in the fire-engine business and in the production of subsidy and ordinary commercial lorries. We are prompted to return to this subject because of the publication of the new Dennis catalogue that has been issued concerning these machines. This is well illustrated, and it in addition directs particular attention to the special features of Dennis ambulance chassis construction, all of there designed to minimize vibration and make for ease of travelling.
Quick Painting.
Paints and their application are subjects of interest to all trades, and for that reason we make no apology for drawing attention to an interesting publication having reference to the most up-to-date methods employed in this branch of industry, and having particular reference to the use of compressed air and painting by immersion. Economies. possible by the utilization of these processes, are indicated by the fact that the body of a four-seated touring car can be completely coated with enamel in two minutes. Other facts of interest to both body makers and chassis manufacturers are contained in the handbook to which we refer. It is amply illustrated, and op-to-date works managers will derive much information from it. ("Panting by Immersion. and by Compressed Air," by . Arth-nr Seymour Jennings, published by " Thr Managing Engineer," 93 and (04, Chancery Lane, B.C.) B36
The following is the list of roads in the administrative county of Lancashire, as to which negotiations are now proceeding between the users societies and the County Council. It is suggested that these roads shall not be used by through -running heavy motor wagons, but only by such wagons as have to collect or deliver :-
(1) Liverpool to Blackburn.— Route suggested to be used by heavy wagons is the main road via, Aintree, Ormskirk, Preston, Brock holes Bridge, Sandesbury and Preston New Road, Blackburn : alternative route from Ruffoal through Croston and Euxton, etc., not to be used by wagons ; alternative route through Bretherton and Leyland not to be used by wagons; alternative route from Preston via Blackburn and Walton Cop main road not to he used.
(2) Preston to Bolton.—Route suggested for heavy motor wagons via Walton-le-Dale, Chorley and Horwich : alternative route via Walton, Hoghton and Belmont not to be used.
(3) Preston to Wigan.—Route for heavy traffic via Walton, Bamber Bridge, Chorley, Duxbury
Hall and Boar's Head Station: alternative route from Penwortham to Tardy Gate, through Euxton, Charnock Richard and Standish not to be used ;• alternative route via Secondary Road, Earington, Leyland and Eccleston not to be used.
(4) Preston to Clitheroe.—Heayy traffic to go round by main road to Mellor Brook Five Barred Gate to Mellor Brook via Secondary Road not to be used.
(5) Blackburn to Burnley.--Heavy traffic via Accrington and Rose Grove : road via White Birk, Rishton, Clayton, Altharn and Padiham not to be used.
(6) Burnley to Rochdale.— Heavy traffic via Ramsbottom and Bury : road via Shattlevvorth and Norden not to be used.
(7) Liverpool to Warrington.— Heavy traffic to go via Knotty Ash, Prescot, Rainhill : Secondary Road via Huyton and Cronton not to be used.
We shall be pleased to receive comments, from any readers of this journal who do not happen to belong to the C.M.U.A., the North and East Lancs. C.M.U.A., or the Manchester, Liverpool and Counties C.M.U.A.
We wish to acquire Vols. 1, 2 and 4 of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, which are now out of print. If any of our readers have these volumes and wish to dispose of them, we should be pleased to purchase either bound or unbound, provided
they are clean and complete. Please communicate in the first instance with " H.P.," cio Temple Press Ltd., Rcsebery Avenue, E.C.
C.M.U.A. Notices.
The has recently circu lated, in addition to a proof of the Editor's evidence for the L.G.B.
Committee, the following : summary of the handbook for commercial-motor drivers ; reprint from this journal of "New Tire Sizes for Old " ; circulars from the Motor Trade Association (157, Great Portland Street, W.), re standard diameters and allowances for old solids with steel bands.