Answers to Queries.
Page 17
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The Weight of Accumulator-driven Motorbuses in London.
1 REGULATION writes:—" The electrobuses weighed more than six tons gross. Was that one reason for their disappearance from the streets of the Metropolis?"
ANSWER.—Yes; one reason. No. 8 of the Motor Omnibus Regulations of 1909 provides that in no case may the total weight of such vehicle exceed six tons, when it is fully loaded and in every respect ready for service. This regulation applies to all types of motor omnibuses.
Another Private-hire Query.
11,732] " DEALEtt " writes 1—" Will you please inform me what licences, registration, or permission I require to keep a car to let out on private hire?"
Axswea.--Full information with regard to private-hire machines has been published frequently in our columns recently. We cannot do better than refer you to an answer to an inquiry (No, 1,709) which appeared on page 165 of eli i. issue of the 27th October last. You require no police plate or police licence to ply for hire privately. and you cannot at present get the petrol-tax rebate. You must take out the usual county registration numbers, secure the ordinary driver's licence, and pay the old motor licence, as your machine, although not plying for hire, is still, technically, a hackney carriage.
"A Road Made of Iron Filings."
1,7531 " CYNIC " writes:—" I hear great accounts, based on a notice in a London evening paper, about some wonderful new road in Kensington. I have not seen the cutting, but I believe it stated that it was made of iron filings and tar. Can you identify the reference. and tell me to what it really applies?"
Asswsat.—We have not seen the paragraph, but it probably refers to one of the Fulham roads. If so, it is either an early road that the borough surveyor made partly from destructor clinker with some tar, and which has been fairly successful, or, possibly, it refers to Ongar Road, which is the first road in Fulham that was treated on the Macadam-asphalt principle, which is being worked by the Trinidad Lake Co. Ongar Road is one of those on which an extremely-heavy traffic of motorcabs. motorbuses, and motor lorries can be noted, on account of its being near the entrances of some of the big garages, and the wear is surprisingly small; it is, therefore, a financial success, For this reason, additional lengths have been laid on the Kingston Road, and in other places.
Certificate of Depreciation Rates.
[1,754] "CHAIRMAN OF HAULAGE CO." writes:— " We have practically come to the conclusion to do as follows: We assume a life of 100,000 miles for our four-ton types, 120,000 miles for our three-ton types, and 140,000 miles for our one-ton and 30-cwt. types. We intend to depre ciate on this basis, by dividing the capital sum expended on chassis by the above figures. Ile bodies, we intend to dapreeinte at 20 per cent. per annum in any case, and the tires are, of course, treated separately. At the end of earth year, however, in order to be as conservative as pas we intend to create a special reserve fund, quite apart from the depreciation fund, to allow of any possibility in the way of present types being entirely super ceded however remote such possibility may be. The result of this will be that, while in effect the company will really be setting aside a sum equivalent to 17., per cent. to 20 per cent, in the way of depreciation per annum. they will be calculating this depreciation on a logical and nonarbitrary basis, via., that of mileage.
" As you are aware, the above ideas are largely founded upon opinions expressed ILL THE COMNIERC1A1. MOTOR. I should add, that we intend to adopt a minimum mileage of 200 miles per week, whether the car does such mileage
or not, and I should be very glad if you could give me your own expert opinion on the above proposition for the satisfaction of our auditors."
ANSWER.—We note the bases of depreciation set out in your letter. These rates are more generous than we consider absolutely necessary, and to which we have given support in the columns of this journal. The extra safeguards which you mention appear to us to render the scheme thoroughly sound, provided the vehicles are maintained in an efficient running condition, and we have pleasure in expressing this opinion for the satisfaction of any parties to whom you may care to refer this answer.
Obstructive Scarborough.
_1,7,55_1" INTENDING MOTORCAR OWNER " writes :—" I am about to apply for a licence for a taxicab at one of our resorts (Scarborough) where at present no such vehicle is run, owing to the authorities refusing to grant licences. A company sought these about two years ago, but they were opposed by the horse-cab owners, as you reported, on the grounds that thesmall owners would suffer if a company were allowed, to start with a fleet, and that the
motors might 'cleanout ' in the winter. I know the place well, having driven a motor char-a-bancs there for
four seasons; I also have a licence to ply for hire with same at Scarborough. I think I could make a success of one or two cabs, which would he driven by myself and brother, as we also should be small owners.
" Can you suggest anything that I can put forward to strengthen my case? How should I handle the affair? The district is hilly; about what horse-power do you think will be best? I have thought of a 20 lip. Lotis, if I can come to terms with the firm. Would a 15.9 lip. be sufficient? A good amount of touring would be done in the season—rank and private work at other times. Would the is. per mile (with ' extras ') be a paying fare P Is it hest to have a meter on or not ? What is the total cost of registration and licence for a motorcab?"
ANSWER.--It is indeed difficult to suggest any line of argument which you can use with the licensing authorities at Scarborough in order to induce them to grant you permits to run taxicabs; especially is this so, since, as you say, licences have already been refused to previous appli cants. The excuse for such refusal to issue permits is largely the old one that has been advanced in so many towns, both in this country and elsewhere, and is that based on the supposition that the public convenience should be subordinated to the alleged well-being of drivers of obsolete horse-cabs.
Scarborough is known quite well to us, and there is little doubt that you will need to acquire a chassis of ample
horse-power.It is probable that the make which you
suggest will serve your purpose quite well. The class of hiring from which you are likely to make most money will include a lot of long-distance work, especially during the season. . With regard to a fare-schedule, you will probably find that, if you are enabled to secure a first-class connec tion amongst hotel proprietors and other influential
people, you will obtain your most-profitable employment by way of private hiring, telephone orders, and that class of work, and that Is. a mile is all right. if you decide to
operate your in:whine solely as a private-hire vehicle, yon will not need to obtain a police lit-once to ply for hire, or a public-service driver's licence from the police authorities. You roust, of course, obtain the county or borough registration plates, as technically a private-hire carriage is a hackney carriage. Although you may not be called upon to secure a police licence, you must pay the old motor tax of two guineas and the Inland Revenue tax of 15s.
The incidence of the various classes of taxation for motoreabs and private-hire machines is a somewhat-com plex matter, but we would advise you carefully to study a number of replies which have appeared under the heading of " Answers to Queries " in recent issues of this journal.