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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roaas over which it runs."—dohn Beattie Crozier.

Improving London Traffic.

Sir Henry Mayintry,e Director-General of Roads, Ministry of Transport, in his evidence. ono day last week before the Royal COMMiSSiOil on London Govera ment, made suggestions for the improve' merit of London traffic, which may be summarized as follows :—(1) Theeap pointment of a London Traffic Committee to advise the Ministry of Transport or such department as takes over its duties ; (2) traffic area to be dealt with to be within 'a radiusiof 2-5 milesiof Charing Cross; (3) co-ordination between passenger traffic agencies ; f4) selection and prescription of routes in the scheduls dig of certain areas as unsuitable for certain types of 'traffic.

. It was adniitted by Sir Henry Maybury that these suggestions mightitiave to be mcrgedeinRthe generallpowersoof any comprehensive authority which inight be.Set, up, He also pointed to the considerable improvements f which have taken place in London traffic during the past tWo years.

Weighbridges Not Wanted.

At the last meeting of the-Wiltshire County Council• the roads and ,bridges committee reported that it had considered the question of weighieg locomotives and motor vehicles, and it was resolved that information should be oh. taineci!`as totthe action takenrin neighbouring-counties with -regard to . theprovision of weighbridges for these purposes. As a result of the 'replies whiclia have been receiveS. from the authorities in the counties of Berks, Devon, Gloucester, Somerset-and Dorset to the effect that weighbridges are not provided.forthe purpose, the matter 'is to be dropped so far as Wiltshire is concerned.

Plant for Preparing Road Materials.

The new plant of the Midlothian County Council for quarrying and preparing road materials, which has just leen erected at Torphin Quarry, near Juniper Green, was formally opened by Sir Henry Maybury, Director-General of Roads of the Ministry of Transport, a few days ago. Thei,new plant, which has an output of 250 tons,,of material daily has cost something like 222,000.

In,the course of the opening ceremony Sir Henry Maybury referred to the proposal that the State should assume control of the highways, and said that ae could imagine nothing worse than that the scads in that*part of the country should be managed from Whitehall.

The plant for tar-macadam production consists of a belt conveyor which raises the 'rubble from the quarry floor to the beeaker platform,which stands 45 ft. high. It is then fed into two-lever motion stone-breakers, from which the stone passes automatically into two intermediate revolving screens. Metal of 1 in. passes through a dryer, and by means of a vertical elevator is discharged into two main screens, whilst metal from 1.in. to 2& ins, in size is led direct into the main screens. Rejections from the intermediate screens pass

B20

through a chute into a disc crusher, which reduces the size to a in. and under, this product being elevated to the main screens. The graded metal is delivered in ferro-concrete storage bunliers, each having a capacity of 203 tons. These bunkers have bottom discharge doors which enable the material readily to be delivered into motor lorries or other transport vehicles.

The plant was supplied by H. R. Marsden, Ltd., of Leeds, and the powerhouse contains a 200 b.h.p. Atlas Diesel oil-engine.

The company present at the opening ceremony drove out to the site of the quarry from the County Buildings, Edinburgh, in two motorbuses.

A Fire-engine Amalgamation.

The,old-e,stablished business of Shand, Mason and Co., fire-engine makers, of BlaSkfriars, has been purchased by, and is now incorporated with, Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., of Greenwich.

• Cheap Coach Trip.

A co-operative society in Scotland has been running motor coach trips over 60 miles at a charge-of 4s. 6d. per passenger, includine a " purvey " consisting of a cardboard box containing sandwiches, etc., for service at, an alfresco tea.

Keep to the Centre.

The Newport police are on the alert for tra-ffic breaches of the Usk Bridge regulations. Recently a, fine was inflicted on atraction-engine driver for crossing the bridge other than .in the centre of the main way. The employer, who appeared for the man, pointed out that, it was essential on. this occasion to keep to the left, owing to the greasy state of the road. The magistrates remarked that keeping to the centre of the bridge was a regulation to be strictly observed.

Roads Closed in Hampshire.

The Ministry of Transport"ha,s made an order restricting tiae, use of heavy motorcars on certain roads in the rural districts of Christchurch, Fordingbridge, New Forest and Ringwood. The Hampshire County Council sought the closure against such traffic of scene 65 miles of roads, and the order schedules 64 miles. The roads are dealt with in three schedules, features of which are :— 1. Prohibiting heavy motors or any motorcar with seats for more than 14 persons, exclusive of driver.

2. Prohibiting for five years vehicles with an unladen weight exceeding 3 tons, or with seats for more than 20 persons, exclusive of driver.

3. Prohibiting for one year vehicles with an unladen weight exceeding 3 tone, or with more than 20 seats.

The order contains exemptions in favour of any vehicle used for agricultural purposes or for the conveyance of goods to houses on the roads, and it will not be enforced -until approved warning boards are ready for erection. The cou.nty. council has deferred consideration of an application for the restriction of motor chars-l-bance in Hayhag Island.

Traffic in Bucks.

Some traffic census statistics have just been issued by the county surveyor of Buckinghamshire, and the, figures provide illuminating evidence of the growth of modern road transport. The census was taken in August, and of the total number and weights of vehicles which passed over the main roads of the county ire the seven days from August 13th to 19th, the following are examples:— London-Oxford, number, 18,435; tons, 14,280. Amersham Chesham, 11,586; 10,92-3. Chesham-Berkhamsted, 2,830; 2,798. Amersham-Rickma.nsworth, 6,693; 7,361. Wycombe Amersham, 1,860.; 1,408. Wycombe-Ayle'sbury, 10,888; 18,322. Ditto (Stoke Mandeville),. 3.245; 3,264. Aylesbury-Leighton Buzzard, 2,504; 2,546. Aylesbury-Uxbridge, 10,463; 8,659. Aylesbury-Tying, 7,871; 7,426. Buckingham-Aylesbury, 2,367;

1,916. Ditto (two miles N. of Aylesbury), 5,702; 4,387. Bicester-Aylesbury, 5,364; 5,686. Thame-Aylesbury, 5,694; 4,235.

The volume of statistics under review opens with a classification of vehicles and assumed average weight, which is pot at 1.6 in the matter of motorcars, 2.5 for motorvans, 6.0 for motorbuses, 8.0 for rubber-tyred motor lorries, 10.5 for steeltyred motor lorries, and, so far as horsed vehicles are concerned, .4 in the case of light one-horsed vehicles, 1.25 for heavy vehicles of the same class, and 2.5 for heavy two-horsed vehicles.

War Surplus Disposal.

According to a reply given to a questionin the House of Commons last Wednesday, the Surplus Property Disposal Board will, as from March 31st, cease to function as a separate Board under the Disposal and Liquidation Commission. From that date arrangements will be made by the Commission for the sale of any remaining surplus assets on their hands and the completion of the deliveries of stores under block and other contracts.

The work of the Disposal Board has included over 3,003,000 separate transactions, the total sales (including raw materials purchased on trading accounts) amounting to over 2634,000,000. The meohanical transport and road plant have produced about £18,000,000.

A New Design of Piston.

In our issue for November 28th, on page 440, we published a short reference to a new design of piston in which is fixed, above the gudgeon pin, a conical diaphragm, which prevents any lubricating oil striking the underside of the piston head, and thus avoiding the formation of carbon, which will break off and clog the filtere or damage bearings.

We have been sent a copy of patent specification No. 177,387, by Mr. Froude R. Richards, for which he holds the letters patent, the dates of filing and sealing by March 10th, 1921, and June 15th, 1922, respectively, in which is described a piston which is provided with a conical baffle or diaphragm above the gudgeon pin. Mr. Richards informs us that he desires to sell his patent.

New Arterial Roads.

The Special Committee on Unemployment ha-s reported to the London Comity Council that the Ministry of Transport has furnished the details of two impertaue arterial read projects whick could be put in. hand at an early date. The first is a road about six miles in length from Purled t to Tilbury, whilst the second. deals with an eastward extension of the Eltham by-pass road.

The suggested schemes are an extension of the work already in hand. Many unemployed will be absorbed in the work, and, roughly, 2216,500 will be expended upon wages. The opinion is expressed by the committee that the council should contribute one-quarter of the cost of the two new roads, but the sum not to exceed 2110,000.

Subsidy for Somerset Services.

Dissatisfaction was expressed at the recent annual meeting of the Taunton Traders' Association concerning the motor-omnibus service, which has recently been restricted by the operating company on account of financial loss which as been incurred. A member of the association stated that Taunton had suffered -much inconvenience in the matter of transport service, and he urged that a resolution be sent to the town council suggesting that the bus company be subsidized, if, necessary, in order to maintain a more frequent service.

A member of the council expressed the opinion that a motorbus service in Taunton could not be made to pay, and that it was futile to make such a suggestion to the council unless the association was prepared to endorse the expenditure of a 2d. or 3d. rate.

Commer Buses for Scotland.

In a disastrous fire which occurred recently at the premises of Messrs. William Young and Sons' Garage, Bathgate, Linlithgowshire, 11 motorbuses were totally destroyed. We understand that the burnt vehicles are to be replaced. by new Commer Car buses, the order being placed through General Motors (Glasgow), Ltd. 515, Sa,uohieball

Street, Glasgow, the Ltd., Car Scottish agents. The new buses are to be single deckera and the well-known 3P typo passenger chassis befit by the Luton Co. will be employed.

Steamers for Sale.

Right brand-new 6-ton Sentinel lorries with platform bodies, which were deiverecl fram the hrewsbury works in September and October, are being offered in our advertisement columns by Saunders Garage, Golders Green, London, N.W., at the price s)f 2775 each. We have seen these vehicles ourselves, at the request of the proprietors of Saunders Garage, and are satisfied that they conform entirely with the description given. They were constructed for a core-ern which were compelled to realize upon them when They were delivered.

Speed Limits.

Radnorshire County Council has written to Alin Council Councils Association drawing attention to its recent unsuccessful applications to the Ministry of Transport for the fixing of speed limits in towns.

The Highways Committee of the Association, however, expressed the opinion that, it was not prepared to dissent from the view expressed by the departmental committee on the regulation of road vehicles to the effect that the imposition of a fixed speed was not the most effective method of ensuring the safety of the public, •

W. and G. Chassis Prices Down.

W. and G. du Croe, Ltd., inform us that ae from December 1st the price of the W. and G. 2-ton chassis will be 2440 and the 2i-ton model 2490. These chassis carry the eame. guarantee as before, viz., 12 months from the date of delivery, and the company are in a position to give immediate delivery front stock.

No Pumps at Hull.

At a meeting of the Hull Corporation Works Committee the city engineer submitted an application from Darmody and Lamplfigh, Ltd„ for permission to place

kerbside petrol pump opposite 362, Anlaby Road, and 16, Anlaby Road, sod a. petrol tank under the flags in front of 16, Anlaby Road. The committee, however, could not see its way to grant applications for kerbside petrol pumps on main roads.

Cambridge Taxi Fares.

At a meeting of the Cambridge Watch Committee the chief constable presented a letter from a number of taxicab proprietors asking that the existing scale of faces should be retained, but the committee merely " received" the letter.

Spares for the White.

Those users who operate White commercial vehicles, and who may have had some difficulty in obtaining spare parts, will be interested to learn that Allen and Daly, Ltd., of Windsor House, Victoria Street, London, S.W., who are agents for the White Mater Co., of Cleveland, T_T.S.A., have moved their offices from Central House, Kingsway, to the above address. This company possess a large stock of spares. for practically all models made by the American company.

The Disappearing Horse.

A motion urging the railway companies further to reduce their rates wee unanimously adopted at a recent meeting of the Scottish Chamber of Agricultune Mr. J. Paton stated that the railways were being competed .against and were being beaten at every turn by mechanical road transport. On.e'voa,d, he added, in the West of Scotland is now carrying 6,500 tons of goods per day, only two per cent. being horsedrawn, whilst nemy roads in Fife were carrying traffic of from 2,000 tons to Z,000 tons per day, and of that amount old.), four per cent. was horse-drawn.

The New Thames Bridge.

Argument is still rife concerning the construction of the proposed St. Paul'a Bridge over the Thames, and at the Court of Common Council it was recentlr decided to confer with the local authorities concerned before proceeding with

the scheme. It was pointed out that £5C)000 had. already been spent on preliminary work, which would be lost if the plan were not proceeded with.;. moreover, property in the neighbourhood of the site for the bridge has been purchased at a cost of 21,000,000.

It is said that the bridge will take seven years to build, and as the Road Board would contribute one-third of the cost, and the London County Couneil would be responsible for -a like amount, the cost to the City weuld be 2200,000.

Widening a Busy London Thoroughfare.

The report submitted by the Improvement Committee of the London County Council, dealing with the question of the proposal to widen the Strand, between Adam Street and Durham House Street, was recently considered by the council. It was stated that the north end of Durham House Street would be closed to vehicular traffic bya flight of 14 steps, which would be necessary owing to the altered levels, in consequence of the widening. The report of the committee was adopted.

Middlesex Roads.

The following resolution has been received with ,gratification by the Middlesex County Council:—

" The Royal Automobile Club desires to record its appreciation of the way in which the Middlesex County Council, with the support of the Ministry of Transport, is proceeding with the work of new road construction in the county. The Club hopes that, in addition to the schemes now actually in hand, the county council will press forward with the acquisition of the necessary land and the construction of the new Western Avenue and Harrow Road to Oxford Road beyond Uxbridge, as this road is urgently required to relieve the traffic on the Bath Road to the south and Oxford. Road to the north. In addition, it, will give useful employment this winter to a number of men who would otherwise be maintained in idleness at the public expense."

Elements of Lubrication.

"Elements of Lubrication " is the title of a paper by Mr. J. W. G. Brooker, F. 1.0., A.I.A.E., which formed the subject of a lecture to the Royal Automobile and Associated Clubs as long ago as February, 1909, and which has just been reprinted by Prices' Patent Candle Co., Ltd., of Battersea, London, &W11. One or two small alterations have been made from the original, although the general contents remain the same, and it is interesting to note that the principles governing the selection of suitable lubricants, the causes of carbon deposit and other data, which were given in this paper, are still generally recognized. Moreover, several suggestions contained iii it are now almost everyday practice. Those interested in the subject can obtain copies of the paper from the address given above.

A French Magneto for the British Market.

We learn that Mr. A. Picard, of 4, New Burlington Street, London, W., has been granted the sole agency for the United Kingdom and the Dominions for the products of Messrs. Grouvelle and Arquembourg, of Paris. Amongst the specialities manufactured by this company is the Saga magneto. With the object of giving English manufacturers an opportunity for ascertaining the value and merits of this magneto Mr. Picard is willing to supply one magneto free of charge on trial to any manufacturer who will send engine particulars, etc., to the address given.

Railways and Road Transport.

Mr. E. S. Shrapnell-Smith, C.B.E., the President, of the Commercial Motor Users Association, delivered an address at Widnes recently to members of the local Chamber of 'Commerce and representatives of the chemical industries of Widnes, Warrington and St. Helens, on the question of railways and road transport.

The lecturer said that the main points at issue on the question of railways and road transport were (1) the extinction or retention by traders of non-railway facilities, alternative in both character and ownership; (2) equitable, rating of all beneficiaries wine or adjoining the roads ; (3) equitable ''direct motor taxation, which should regard purposes of use as well as physical user.

Mr. Shrapnell-Smith said that, owing to the depression of industry since midB22

summer 1003, there were probably 50 per cent, of the larger types of commercial motors laid up. There. was, he said, surplus provision for traffic on the roads to-day all over the country, and any flooding of the highways by railway motors meant elimination of competition after a spell of strife that must add

enormously to road wear and tear. Better organization of existing road transport facilities was imminent.

British freight trains, the lecturer. continued, hauled an average load of only 155 tons, made an average speed of 9.34 miles an hour, arid had their trucks loaded to only 50 per cent, of capacity.

Mr. Shrapnell-Smith added that he thought the controversy as to methods and incidence of direct motor taxation could not be settled for a year or more.

New Services at Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Watch Committee has granted licences to Messrs. Green Bros., of New Whittington, for two vehicles, each to carry 32 passengers, to ply for hire between Chesterfield and New Whittington, on condition that passengers are not picked up on the Chesterfield side of the Whittington Gas Works, and that only one vehicle shall ply for hire at a time and to Mr. Joseph Disney for a vehicle, to carry six passengers, to ply between Chesterfield and Newbold Moor.

Road Grants.

The County Councils Association has considered a resolution from the Bucks County Council regarding the inadequacy of the road grants to rural counties and also resolutions from Cumberland, Glamorgan, East Sussex, Wilts., and East Riding County Councils urging the necessity for increased taxation of heavy mechanically propelled vehicles in order to meet the heavy increase in the cost of road maintenance due to their use.

The Association has asked a committee to discuss the question Of road giants with the Ministry of Transport at an appropriate opportunity.'

A Tractor on Indian Links.

The ladies' golf links in the centre of the Maiden, Calcutta, have been successfully rolled by an Austin tractor hauling a 5-ton roller, which has hitherto usually been drawn by as many as 50 coolies, or from 7 to 10 bullocks. The tractor, which was lent by Messrs. A. H. Wheeler and Co., of Calcutta, sole distributors for Austin products for the whole of India except the south, had no difficulty in hauling this heavy load. Though spuds could not be fitted, for obvious reasons, and the early morning dew was still on the grass, it was only necessary to wrap a length of thin rope round the steel tyres of the wheels in order to obtain, adhesion.

Oldham Cab Fares.

The Oldham Watch Committee and taxicab owners in the town have secently discussed the question of cab fares, as a result of which a naw list of oharges has been formulated. The existing fare of 2s, for the first mile as a minimum is to be retained. but is. 6d. is to be charged, for each subsequent mile, with proportionate charges for portions of a mile. The new charges include halffares for return journeys, 4s. per hour for waiting time, and double fares after midnight.

BirminghamWolverhampton Road.

At a meeting of the Tipton District Council a few days ago a reference was made to the proposed BirminghamWolverhampton road. A resolution adopted by the Oldbury authority was read, in which it was stated that, in the opinion of the authority, the scheme should be proceeded with at the expenee of the Ministry of Transport, in order to relieve distress in the Midlands, and that the Ministry should be responsible for the maintenance of the road after completion.

The Ministry of Transport is endeavouring to put this work in hand at an 'early date, and a conference was called yesterday(Monday) at Which the Director-General of Roads was to be present, as well as representatives of the Tipton Council.

A member of the • Tipton Council stated that Birmingham and Wolverhampton authorities were favourable to the scheme, but that opposition had come from the Worcester County Council and the Dudley Town Council, which" would benefit very materially by the scheme. It is hoped that these authorities will eventually fall into line..

Northumberland Traffic Growth.

More road census figures for the North Country were given' at a meeting of the general committee of the North-Eastern Automobile Association, held in Newcastle, when the secretary, Mr. J. E. Hodgkin, placed before the members figures relating to traffic at 20 points in the county 'of" Northumberland; compiled by the county atithotity in one day this year, and compared with figures for 1912. The figures show an average increase of road traffic of 317 per cent. and there are now only half the number of. horse

vehicles on the road. On the other hand, the number. of motor omnibuses and motor lorries over 2 tons was ten times as great, the total weight being 825 tons in 1912 and 13,950 tons now. The total weight of traffic of all classes has increased from 7,805 tons to 24,783 tons.

The committee expressed the general opinion that the question of adequate and suitable road maintenance had been greatly complic,ated by the growth in the populariq of heavy vehicles, and, further, suggested that most damage was occasioned by vehicles shod with steel tyres.

Glasgow Market Traffic.

Glasgow Corporation Markets Committee has received a deputation from the Wholesale Most Salesmen's Society with regard to the better regulation of the vehicular traffic in the meat market, and a sub-committee was subsequently appointed to go into the matter.

Leyland Van Deliveries.

Leyland Motors, Ltd., of Leyland, Lanes., have recently delivered the boxvans which we illustrate on this page. One of the vehicles is for a well-known company of biscuit makers, and is of

two-ton capacity. The van body is attractively paineed in a striking shade ef green, upon which the gold lettering stands out in bold relief, and the wheels are painted red. The other machine is a sheet van, which is mounted on a threeton Michelin-tyred standard chassis, and is for a company of carpet manufaeterers in Rotterdam, Holland. The whole of the lower portion of this vehicle is painted in bright red, the canvas covering being a cream colour.

London Embankment Schemes.

The Improvements Committee of the London County Council reports upon the advantages to be gained by extending the. Thames Embankment at Westminster. The proposal is that the Embankment :which extends from Victoria Tower Gardens to Lambeth Bridge should be connected with the existing Embankment in Grosvenor Road. The cost is estimated at £160,000.

A Licence Stipulation.

In permitting Messrs. Henry Halley andSons, of Baslov, to run' their bus service throngls specified streets in Chesterfield, the Watch Committee stipulates that passengers picked up in the borough must not be set down in the borough.

Licensing Vehicles.

The system of licensing vehicles came before the County Councils Association when the Highways Committee reported that, asjegards the areas in which the powers conferred upon county councils should be exercised by them, the subcommittee had reviewed the existing system of licensing and was of opinion that it was defective in so far as it did not make adequate provision for the establishment of control in rural districts, and in so far also as it appears to lead to the existence of an unnecessary number of small licensing authorities.

The sub-comniittee therefore recommended (a) that such powers of control of passenger vehicles as may be conferred'upon , county councils stosuld be exercised in all rural districts, and that in this respect the county councils should be the sole licensing authorities; (b) that provision should. also be made for the voluntary transfer of licensing powers from the councils of non:eriunty. boroughs and urban districts to the county councils.

The sub-committee added that it submitted these recommendations on the assumption that power to control should.

no far as applicable, extend, not only to those passenger vehicles which, plied for hire in the strict sense of the phrase, but also to those vehicles ,(such as motor coaches) which conveyed a number of passengers to a fixed destination without stopping to pick up or' the way. The recommendations were adopted.

No Licence Without Back Door.

At, a meeting of the Hull Watch Committee Mr. Vincent L. Wakefield sought a licence for a 14-seater Ford motorbus, but the chief constable said thevehicle was not provided with a back entrance. The committee ref used to grant a. licence until a back entrance has been provided.

Inst. P.E. Meeting.

A general meeting of the Institution of Production Engineers will be held at 7.30 p.m. on Friday, December 15th, at the Engineers' Club, Coventry Street, London, W.I. On this occasion Mr. H. E. Honer, ALIT.E., member of council, of J. and E. flab, Ltd.. of Dartford, will deliver a paper dealing with

The Production Engineer."

All interested are invited to attend, whether members of the ,institution or not., and no tickets are necessary.

Midland Traffic.

In connection with the recent opening of the new bridge at Muskham, near Newark, which constitutes a notable improvement in relatitrn to the Great North Road, some significant figures indicative of the growth of motor traffic were quoted by the Mayorof Retford (Mr. S. EL Clay), when speaking at a lencheon which followed the inaugural ceremony performed by the Duke of Portland, Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.

Mr. Clay afforded the information that only quite recently, when the road census was taken for this part of the Midlands, over 3,000 vehicles were registered as having passed along the Great North Road in the period-for which the returns wore officially obtained, and it was most astonishing, he added, that only 4 per cent of that number were horse-drawn vehicles.

Observation Mirrors for Lorries.

Specially designed for lorries and heavy commercial vehicles, the observation mirrorsmade by the Eversure Manufacturing Co., Eversurs Works, 16-17, Loveclay Street, Birmingham, are of high-class construction. Several patterns ale made with either circular or rectangularlmirrore,—hi the latter ease the beading is so construrted as to allow the glass to be taken out and replaced if necessary—and they are adjustable. The prices of the Mirrors range from 14s. 6d. to 19s.; they are finished in five styles.

A model specially designed for Ford . —

Niehieles is soundly made and finished in black enamel. With a special clip for fitting to the windscreen and a Isin, diameter mirror, it sells for 7s. 6d. retail, at which price it represents excellent value,

Preventing Cracked Cylinders.

Prevention is -better than cure at all times, and those who are desirous of avoiding the usual troubles associated with cold and frosty weather will see that means are taken for preventing the water left in the engines of their vehicles over-nightfrom bringing about cracked cylinders and similar ills.

A very effective method of maintaining the temperature of the water during the hours that the vehicle is off duty is by the use of a radiator heater, and one of the best accessories -of this type is that for which Bonallack and Sons, St. George's Works, Cable Street, Landon, EA., are the selling agents. This heater was first shown at the last Commercial Motor Exhibition, and that it satisfactorily effects the end for -which it was

B24 designed is indicated by the fact that the M.T. Section of the Post Office Stores Department has just placed another order for WO heaters after subjecting the accessory to exhaustive tests. The general -construction of the device can clearly be seen from our illustratioe.

which shows the heater suspended from the radiator filler cap. The lamp has been improved since last year The price of the heater is now 32s. 64,

A Lighting Exemption.

Chesterfield Watch Committee has acceded to the applicatien of Caveielish Motors, Ltd., for exemption from the requirement of keeping their petrol pump lighted.

Side-line in Motor Economy.

Since adopting motors for street watering, the Hammersmith Borough Council has found that 3.5 hydrants, for which a year is paid in rent to the Water Board, can be dispensed with.

Prohibition of Steel Tyres.

With regard to roads damaged by steel tyres, the Sydney (N.S.W.) Municipal Council has now adopted a recommendation to urge the Government to frame a traffic regulation prohibiting the use of steel tyres an any vehicle licensed to use a public roadway, excluding all horse-drawn vehicles.

Growth of Croydon Haulage Business.

The haulage business of Messrs. John Bennett was first established at the Red Deer Garage, South Croydon, and such was its growth that in a few years it was found necessary to esquire new premises at Drummond Road, Croydon, with additional garages at Southbridge Read. It has now been found by the company that these are inadequate to house the constantly increasing fleet of steam and petrol vehicles operated, and the Thornton Works, Thornton Road, Croydon, have been built, and as from December Ilth the business will be transferred to that address.

The total area occupied by the works at Thornton Road is 5; acres, and they are fully equipped with modern machinery specially installed to deal with all classes of repairs to heavy haulage vehicles. A 275-ton tyre press has been laid down and a Shell kerbside pump forms part of the equipment.

An hnportant announcement of interest to advertisers-appears at the head of our claseffied advertisement oolemus.

• Extractionof Bearings.

The J.A.B., bearing extractor is a very useful and well-made tool, which should appeal to all who have repair work to perform. It is primarily intended for removinDball bearings from blind holes : that is to say, holes in which the homing does not allow a punch to reach the outer ring of the bearing. It is also of the greatest valise where a hole is entirely blind, as, with sueh,e hole, there is no other proper means of extracting a bearing unless a hole is drilled in the housing and as punch used. Even then there is trouble, as a punch has to be used alternately on each aide of the bearing. It is well recognized that, to nee a punch 'against the timer ring to extract a bearing from its housing is very bad practice. It may be said of the J.A.R. extractor that all the force comes to the outer ring through the balls. This is true, but there is a great difference between a blow and the steady pull exerted by the extractor. which is no greater than a bearing has to ; withstand in use.

The action of the tool in extracting a bearing is as follows :—The lower portion of the barrel which goes into the bearing ha a slight radius formed at its base. This part is of hiih-grade steel and hardened and tempered. The radinsed end is put as far into the bearing as the housing will permit, and the ball-faced collar shown is screwed down, which has the affect of forcing the parallel part outwards until it is in contact with the inner face of the bearing. The radius will force its way under the bearing and begin to lift it by wedging itself between the bearing and the housing. When the tool has a firm grip of the bearing, the croes-piece shown is put in place with the two vertical struts which bear against the housing. The nut is then put on the screw, and by means of the arms sufficient force can be obtained to remove the hearing.

One of the arms of the nut is provided with a square hole, which acts as a key for tightening the screw into the bearing. The tool is made in two sizes—one for removing bearings from & in. to 14ins. inside and 3 ins, outside, and from ins. to 4 ins, inside and 6 ins. outside.

Welsh Mining Valley Roads.

. The roads of the Ogmore and Garw mining valleys are to be widened 4nd improved under a scheme in which over £100,000 will be .expended. Certain of the narrow bridges will also be improved for traffic, and with the aid of the Glamorgan County Council. and the Rhondda Urban District Council, the council will develop, by new road const-ruction, the inter.velley communications of mid-Glamorgan. With regard to the latter scheme, application for assistance has already been made to the Road Board.

Local Proceedings.

Hull Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized the purchase of a Ford lorry.

Bolton Corporation Gas Committee has decided to invite tenders for the eupply of a motor tipping wagon.

Chesterfield Corporation has authorized the water engineer to purchase a 1-ton Ford tipping lorry for £235.

In its new Bill the Birkenhead Corporation seeks power to establish motorbus services outside of the borough.

Deptford Borough Council proposes to provide its motor vehicles with Pyrene tire extinguishers at a cost of 49s6d. each.

Chestethold Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted the tender of J. Lysaght, Ltd. for the construction of a motorbus shed.

Bolton Corporation has asked a subcommittee to consider the question of the provision of a motor ambulance for the borough hospitals.

Northampton Town Council has arranged to consider the purchase of a motor ambulance when next year's estimates are being prepared.

' South Shields Corporation has aeked sub-committee to take into consideration the question of fares, and, continuing the running of the motorbuses to BoIdols. Colliery.

Salford Corporation Highways Committee recommends acceptance of the offer of the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., Warwick, to convert a steam wagon into tipping wagon for the sum of 2135.

The Stores Committee of York City Council agrees with a proposal of its Streets Committee to the purchase of a petrol tank, but suggests that it should be of a greater capacity than 1,000 • gallons. Wallasey Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs. Buchanan and Stelfox, of Birkenhead, to supply a Ford 1-ton motor wagon for 2257, elue 25 10s. foi telescopic tipping gear in lieu Of a single screw gear.

Birkenhead Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted the tender of Henley's Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., of Manchester, for the supply of tyres for the motor omnibuses, for a period of one year, commencing January 1st, 1923.

The Gellyga.er Urban District Council has decided to purchase a •new turbine fire-engine of 60 h.p., and capable of pumping 600 gallons per minute, at an estimated cost of about 22,000. A cone m•ittee and the surveyor were deputed to inspect suitable types of engines and complete the purchase.

• F.W.D. Deliveries.

The Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co., Ltd., have recently delivered to the order of the Nugget Boot Polish Co., Ltd., for service with their London House, the F.W.D, lorry and trailer shown on the accompanying illustration. This vehicle is handsomely finished in carriage green, with lettering in yellow, which makes it most attractive.

Of interest will be the feet that a similar combination is now on its way to the company's branch in Melbourne, Australia, where the many advantages dee directly to the four-wheel-drive construction will doubtless be appreciated. These vehicles are intended for hauling 9 to 10 tons of goods regularly, and have given ample proof of their ability tie undertake this strenuous service.