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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 roads over which it rans."—John Beattie Crozier.

L.G.O.C. Debenture Issue.

Meetings of the holders of the first debenture stock and income debenture stock of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., were held last week, at which final approval was given for the creation and issue of £750,000 further 4i per cent, first debenture stock, ranking pan i passu in all respects with the existing issue of £2,000,000 of such stock, and the creation and issue of £750,000 further 5 per cent. income debenture stock, ranking equally in all respects with the existing issue of £2,500,000 of that stock.

Liverpobl's Motor Parade,

The Liverpool section of the Commercial Motor Users Association has decided to hold its eighth annual parade of commercial motor vehicles during Liverpool Civic Week, September 24th-October 1st. The Liverpool parade was the first of its kind in Lancashire, and a series of consistent successes has been recorded, especially since the fixture as become part of the Civid Week programme.

Control of Motorbus Traffic.

The problem -of small local councils regulating motorbus traffic passing through their townships has been under the consideration of the Ormskirk Urban District" Council. At a recent Meeting of this council, Mr. J. Thompson, the chairman of the highways committee, stated that, at the present time, the small local authorities had power to license and control motor omnibus traffic, but the new Roads Traffic Bill would reduce the powers they had and transfer them to county councils, except in the case of urban districts or boroughs with populations of over 20,000. Ormskirk was a very important centre, where buses started for Liverpool, Wigan, St. Helens and Preston, and he thought the council should be given some powers for the

control of such traffic. The council decided that a meeting of the adjoining local authorities be called to a conference to consider the matter.

Six-wheelers Recommended for Australia.

The use of six-wheeled motor vehicles is strongly recommended by the Commission which was recently appointed by the Australian Prime Minister to report upon the class of mechanical transport considered most suitable for use in sparsely settled areas in Australia.

The Commission, which consisted of Mr. H. W. Gepp, chairman of the Development and Migration Commis sion ; Brigadier-General Dodds, Australian General Staff representative at the High Commissioner's Office in London ; and Major R. G. Casey, formerly Australian Liaison Officer at the Foreign Office, undertook a survey of the use of road transport in Great Britain and attended cross-country demonstrations conducted by the War Office. The Commission has made most favourable comments upon the use of the six-wheeled vehicle for different purposes and has recommended the payment of a Government subsidy to the owners of this type of machine or the granting of a preferential tariff, with the object of introducing a speedy and efficient vehicle, and the encouragement of the use of vehicles approved by the Defence Department for use in times of emergency.

Sidecars and Their Merits.

In connection with the sidecar demonstration organized by the AutoCycle Union for the third year in succession, and which will occupy the whole of this week, there has been published a 16-page brochure entitled "Carry by Sidecar."

This brochure is profusely illustrated with photographs of the various types

of sidecar outfit, showing how the sidecar appeals td the small tradesman. Some valuable figures are included in the way of actual running costs.

We understand that a copy of this brochure will be sent, post free, on application to the secretary of the British Cycle and Motorcycle Manufacturers and Traders Union, Ltd., The Towers, Coventry. In our issue for July 5th we gave details of the commercial sidecar demonstration, including the route to be covered.

A New London Bus Company.

It is announced that the London Public Omnibus Co., Ltd., has been registered with a nominal capital of £600,000, divided into 300,000 preference shares and 300,000 ordinary shares of £1 each.

Users in Wales, Note.

The Cwmaman Urban District Council gives notice that the two bridges at Garnant must not be used by vehicles weighingover 30 cwt., as they have become unsafe. A scheme of reconstruction will be embarked upon so soon as the assent of the Ministry of Transport is received.

The AbertilIery Urban District Council calls attention to the closing to vehicular traffic of the overbridge and road approaches on the main road leading to Hanbery Hotel, Aberbeeg. The bridge and road are held to be unsafe and will be doled from July 18th until October 17th next whilst being repaired.

Rebate for Scottish Farmers.

A. new clause was added to the Finance Bill to remedy the grievance of Scottisif farmers who, under judicial interpretations of the law, had to pay a higher rate of duty for their lorries and vans than English farmers. A rebate is to be given in respect of the licences taken out for the year 1927. Colonel Ashley explained that the clause provided the neceSsary machinery whereby the Scottish farmer who had already paid an extra duty this year should get a refund of that duty, and so pay the same amount as the English farmer.

Parent Trust Result.

The directors of the Permit Trust and Finance Co., Ltd. (which is, of course, the latest form of the original company vending the Dunlop pneumatic tyre), has just issued its report for the year ended April 30th, 1927, showing revenue for the year of £261,542. The balance brought forward from the previous year was £69,482. There is payable in income tax £52.386. leaving on hand an available sum of £278,638. The 5 per cent. dividend on the preference shares, the 8 per cent, dividend on the ordinary shares, and the 7i per cent. paid on the deferred shares have absorbed f123,038, and from the available balance the directors now recommend a enal dividend of 12/ per cent, on the deferred shares (making 20 per cent, for the year), leaving to be carried forward to the next account a sum of £83,534.

The directors now propose to separate the finance branch of the business from the investment side, and it is proposed to form a separate company known as the Parent Finance Corporation, Ltd., to take over all the finance operations, whilst the present company, the title of which will be changed to the Parent Trust Co., Ltd., will be restricted in its operations to. that of an investment trust company.

A Regular 284-mile Passenger Service.

One of the longest, if indeed not actually the longest, regular road passenger service route in the country has been inaugurated by Messrs. Orange Brothers, of Bedlington, near Newcastle, who have instituted a weekly service between Tyneside and London. They maintain a number of useful local service's, operate pneumatic-tyred Lands saloon buses for short-distance routes, and have put a 20-seater Gifford saloon vehicle into commission for the new venture.

The single-journey distance is 284 miles and the journey will occupy 12 hours. The return fare is 35s.. as compared with 71s. by rail, and the single fare 20s., against 35s. 6d. by rail. Intending passengers may book their seats in advance and lunch and tea calls will be made along the route, which follows the Great North Road. The run to London will be made each Sunday and the return trip every Friday.

New Midland "Red" Garage.

The Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., which runs the Midland "Red" Motor Services, has just opened a new garage in Leicester capable of accommodating 110 buses. The maximum length of the garage is 350 ft. and its average width 120 ft. Underground tanks for the storage of 21,000 gallons of motor spirit have been installed.

, The garage was recently opened by the Mayor of Leicester, and at a luncheon which folloived Mr. R. J. Howley, C.B.E„ managing director, said that the company operated services in 20 counties and covered an area of nearly 10,000 sq. miles. It owns between 500 and 600 vehicles, most of which are single-deckers on pneumatic tyres. In Leicestershire last year its vehicles ran over 3,000,000 miles and carried over 10,000,000 passengers.

A Useful Lacre.

We recently inspected a vehicle the body of which has been especially designed for Palmer's Travelling Cradle and Scaffold Co., Ltd., and in which that most remarkable Lacre chassis, the E type, is employed. This chassis was described by us some months ago, and it will be remembered by many that its chief characteristic is a high degree of accessibility, especially as regards the engine, which can be run out of the chassis, complete with its petrol tank and radiator, on to a stand equipped with small wheels, so that in a few 'moments it can either he exchanged for another unit or receive a thorough inspection, whilst adjustments or re

pairs can be carried out while the unit is on its stand.

The body on the vehicle to which we refer has a 13-ft. 6-in, loading space and is mounted on the 11-ft. wheelbase chassis. There is a gantry behind the cab, and the tailboard is cut off, so that the transport of scaffold poles, etc., is facilitated.

The vehicle is finished in Fa4ench grey, with attractive black-and-white lettering.

A Coach Driver's Responsibility. There was an unusual prosecution at Northwich (Cheshire) a few days ago, when a Manchester motor coach driver was summoned for allowing some balloons to be flown from the vehicle in his charge in such a manner as to cause danger to traffic or injury to other persons using the highway. A police constable said a number of balloons was flying from the vehicle as it passed through Lostoek. Gralam, and a motorist drew the driver's attention to the danger they presented to other road users. Defendant said it was the passengers who were flying the balloons. The magistrates' clerk said the people responsible were those who waved the balloons, the conductor of the trip, or the persons who engaged the vehicle. Defendant was ordered to pay the costs, Parking Charges at Chorley.

Charley Corporation has decided that the following daily charges be made for each motor coach standing on the Cattle Market for picking-up and setting down passengers or parking thereon :----Ratepayers, .1.& per day ; non-ratepayers, is. 6d. per day.

• Testing a Friction.Material.

Small and Parkes, Ltd., Hendliam Vale Works, Earpurhey, Manchester, recently submitted a set of Don brake facings for trial under the general competition rules of the Royal Automobile Club. The object was to demonstrate the braking power of the ear in which such facings were used at speeds of from 20 m.p.h. to 60 m.p.h. The facings are of the die-pressed, wirebound woven fabric type and the running weight of the Vehicle on which' they were used was approximately 20 .cwt. The braking system consisted of three pairs of brakes, all operated mechanically. The trial was conduCted on the track at Brooklands, and the result showed that at 20 m.p.h. the car could be stopped in a distance of 37 ft. 7 ins-, at 30 m.p.h. in 82 ft. 8 ins., at 40 m.p.h. in 133 ft. 7 ins., at 50 m.p.h. in 192 ft. 6 ins., and at 60 m.p.h. in 252 ft.

A Successful Bus Experiment.

The experimental motor omnibus service which the West Hartlepool Corporation recently inaugurated between the town and two new housing estates at Rift House and Thornhill Gardens has proved so successful that the authority has adopted it as a regular part of its system, and is providing accelerated facilities to meet growing demands.

Bus Results at Todrnorden.

The results of the operation of the large fleet of Leyland buses run by the Todmorden Corporation for the past financial year show, after meeting all charges, a net profit of £2,148. In the year the vehicles ran 773,176 The total receipts on the buses amounted to £55,257 and expenses, including interest and depreciation, total £42,166. Since the commencement of the corporation's bus undertaking £54,060 has been spent, of which sum £18,587 has been borrowed and 135373 has come out of revenue.

Increasing Use of Motors in Finland.

In spite of the generally unfavourable condition of the roads in Finland motor traffie continues to develop, and, according to a recently issued Department of Overseas Trade report, there is hardly any part of the country in which the motor, vehicle is not to be seen in use. There is an absence of British vehicles, and the German bus and lorry, which were formerly popular, ' appear to have given way to those of French manufacture. No vehicle of over 3-ton capacity is permitted under the existing road regulations. A. large number of the cheaper-type Ameriema commercial chassis is also imported.

That the manufacture of bodies for goods-carrying vehicles and motorbuses has developed in Finland is indicated by the return of imports during the past three years, for whereas 340 complete lorries . were imported in 1924, only 17 were imported in 1926. The tonnage of the commercial-vehicle chassis imported in 1926 amounted to 1,338, Seeking to Remove Bridge Tolls.

The Ross-on-Wye Council has decided to urge the county couneils Sponsibie for the five bridges over the River Wye, which are now subject to tolls, to take steps to free them. It is said that farming and industrial interests are much handicapped by the tolls, because a charge of 1s. per motor vehicle • is made for crossing each of the bridges, iia addition to a fee of Id. per person carried on the vehicle. The Penarth Urban District Council has notified the Cardiff City Council that it is willing to share the expense of freeing from toll the maim CardiffPenarth road, and urges the Cardiff Council to hasten measures to that end.

York's Passenger Transport Services..

The accounts of the tramways department of the York Corporation far the year ended March 31st last show losses on the three forms of passenger transport which are operated in the city, the actual amounts being 12,760 on the tramcars, £946 on the trolleybuses and £307 on the petrol buses.

In the past year the g tramears covered 728.983 miles, the petrol buses 230,80S miles end the

trolley-buses 65,124 miles. These figures represent a decreased mileage for the trams at 96,825 and an increase of 36,310 miles " for the petrol buses as compared with the previous year. The number of passengers carried only increased on the petrol buses, the figure of 1,414,273 being up by 207,o18, as compared with the previous year. The numbers of passengers carried on the trolleybuses and tramcars were 192,035 and 6,451,264 respectively.

The net revenue account for each form of traction resulted as follows : — Tramways, income ±51,859; expenditure, £45,178. Petrol buses, income, £11,200; expenditure, £9,588. Trolley-buses. income, £3,880; expenditure, £2,910. It will thus be seen that the surplus was £6,681 on the tramways, 11,612 on the petrol buses and £969 on the trolley-buses, the net losses, to which we have already referred, being recorded after Meeting interest and sinking fund charges.

Manufacturing the Dewandre System Abroad.

We recently made reference to the fact that an exclusive licence had been granted to the Westinghouse Air Brake Co., of Pittsburg, in connection with the manufacture and sale of the Dewandre vacuum servo for motor vehicles in the -United States and Canada. We now learn that a similar sole -licence for Germany, Austria, Hungary; yugo-Mairig, Czecho-Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden and Norway has been granted to the Robert Bosch Co., of Stuttgart. As our readers will be

fully aware, Clayton Wagons, Ltd, of Lincoln, are the sole licensees for Great Britain and the Colonies (Canada excepted) for the Dewandre system.

Morecambe's Bus Profits.

Morecambe Town Council has recently announced that a net profit of 11,831 was made on the working of the corporation's bus services in the year ended March 31st last. It has been recourimetuled that this sum he set off against the loss of £1,159 on the horse trams, which ceased running in October last. The remaining £072 will be used to increase the reserve fund.

L.N.E.R. versus Stockton Corporation. • Conflict between rail and road interests resulted in a motion in the Chancery Division of Iuly 1st for an injunction by the London and North Eastern Railway Co. to restrain the Stockton Corporation from running motorbuses over a certain route. Mr. Wilfred Greene, KG., who represented the corporation, asked for the case to stand over for a week so that he .could answer the evidence of the railway company, and this was granted.

AllenLiversidge Dividend. . Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., announces a final dividend on its ordinary shares of 5 per cent. (less income tax), making, 10 per eent, for the year to April

'Local Speed Limits : The Ministry's View.

In connection with certain applications made by the London County Council for the imposition of. speed limits in various thoroughfares, the public control committee of the council recently reported that the Minister of Transport had intimated that, pending a decision as to the form which fresh legislation on the subject of road traffic generally would take, he was reluctant to impose further speed limits for motor traffic at the present time. .

The committee recently had under consideration applications from (i) the Woolwich Borough Council . for ten-mile speed limits in Hill Street. Woolwich, and in the portion of Plunistead Common Road between Kirk Lane and Ennis Road, 'Woolwich, and (ii) 436 residents on the Woolwich Borough Council estate, Eltham, for a speed limit in Well Hall Road, Elthara.

In view of the definite attitude adopted by the Minister in this matter, the committee is of opinion that no useful purpose would be served by going to the trouble and expense of making detailed investigations in these cases, or, in fact, putting forward any further applications of this nature until Parliament shalt have had an opportunity of considering the Road Traffic Bill, which has been published for the purpose of eliciting the views of the various municipal authorities and associations con corned.

More Guy Six-wheelers for the W.D.

Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, informs us that the War Office has just placed a repeat order with it for a large fleet of Guy 3-5-ton six-wheeled lorries complete with standard W.D.-type bodies. As many of our readers will be aware, this type of vehicle will carry 5 tons over ordinary roads or 3 tons across country. Its design follows the standard W.D. specification, for which a subsidy of 140 per annum for three years is granted to private users. Ribble Motor Services' Latest Absorption.

From midnight on June 30th the business of CoRingwood Motors, Ltd., Liverpool, pioneers of daily motor coach services,' was taken over by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., the acquisition having been confirmed by a meeting held a day or two before. The coaching department of Collingwood Motors, Ltd., will he continued as heretofore, but with considerable amplification.

The Liverpool to Blackpool daily ser vice, which was established seven years • ago, will be maintained, but in the near future it is intended to institute an hourly motorbus service between the two places. During bad weather saloon coaches will take the place of the Daimler open 28-seaters now in service. A. concession is to be made to passengers honking long-date tickets. In cases where the return journey will be completed within ' ten days the reduction will be 1s., but the longer period tickets will be unchanged at Sc. We are informed that the name " Collingwood " will be retained by the Ribble Co., which has acquired not only the Daimler coaches, but also the property of Collingwood Motors, Ltd.

It is the intention of Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., to erect a motorbus station in Liverpool at a later date.

Transport Services in China.

By the last Chinese mail we learn that an important development is taking place in Chefoo, where the ChefooWeihsien Motor Road Co. has taken definite steps towards the establishment of a road motor service between Chefoo and Weihsien, a distance of approximately 200 miles. It is reported that orders have already been placed for 14 British and 8 American light commercial chassis and one French 2i-ton chassis, and that the bodies for these are to be constructed in Chefoo.

Lorry Building in Spain.

A decree has lately been issued by the Spanish Government setting forth the concessions which are being introduced to encourage the establishment of a motor-truck building industry in Spain. The decree provides that public authorities and private purchasers must purchase Spanish-built vehicles in all cases where the price is not more than 10 per cent, higher than that of an imported vehicle of a similar type.

In the case of trucks costing not more than 25,000 pesetas, and which are constructed of Spanish material to the extent of 75 per cent., the builders will be exempted from all taxes during a period of three years, whilst in cases where only 50 per cent. of Spanish materials are used, only half taxes will be imposed. In addition, truck builders will be able to import all necessary machine tools and component parts free of import duty.

It is proposed that Spanish concerns should concentrate on three sizes of truck-14 tons, 2-3 tons and 5 tons-'and two sizes of tractor.

The Vanguard Switch.

To remind the driver of a van when he has left one of the rear doors open by accident, Mr. K. C. Payne, of 11, Oakfield Road, Erdington, Birmingham, has introduced a switch, aptly named the Vanguard, which automa tically cuts off. the ignition. The fitment is simplicity itself. A small and compact switch is fitted in the door frame which, when the door is closed, depresses a spring-loaded plunger. If the door be left open the plunger is forced outwards, an action which connects the two terminals and so causes a short circuit, or the earthing of the current. A very simple arrangement, but nevertheless effective. The price, without wire, is 5s.

A Shell-Mex Booklet.

" Oil—An Imperial Asset," is the title of a booklet which Shell-Mex, Ltd., Kingsway, London, W.C.2, has just issued. It deals with the world-wide activities of the Shell group and contains an interesting article by Sir Robert Waley Cohen, K.13.E., dealing with our dependence on oil. He stresses the point that, although the utility of oil has been so strikingly illustrated in this country in connection with the motor vehicle, the oil-fired vessel, the aeroplane and the motor ship, as well as in industrial establishments, it is probable that we have yet to see im'portant developments in each of these applications. The booklet contains other interesting articles.

The Foden Steam Wagon Championship Band has been engaged to perform throughout the period of the Commercial Motor Show at Olympia in November.

Service for Associated Daimler Users in Liverpool.

In o'rder that it shall be in a position to give adequate service facilities in connection with Associated Daimler products, R. Woodhead and Co., Ltd., has just opened an extensive sales and repair depot at 138-140, Vauxhall Road, Liverpool. The company is the Liverpool and district agent for the products of the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., of Waltharastow, and the new depot is in addition to its long-established garage and works at Lord Street, Southport.

The new premises take the place of the spares part depot at Dale Street,• and a staff of mechanics is employed in up-to-date workshops for dealing with A.E.C. and Daimler machines. There is also a showroom where the latest model Associated Daimler vehicles are on view, and in connection with the stores organization a full range of spare parts for all models is carried.

We reproduce on this page an illustration of the frontage of the premises, which occupies 101 ft. The entrance to the shops provides ample clearance for covered-top double-deck buses or large-capacity pantechnicons to pass through.

Protest Against Weak Bridges;

A +conference of ,organizations concerned with road transport and including the Commercial Motor Users Association, has met and placed on record its opinion that the grants made by the Ministry of Transport in respect of new bridges and bridge reconstruction should be increased from 50 per cent. to 75 per cent., and that the importance of removing from road transport the present grave interference due to weak bridges with load capacities markedly inferior to the highways on each side of them, be forthwith urged upon the Government.

The Standing Joint Committee of Road Transport Associations is to be asked to convene a conference of organizations representing the road transport industry and organizations representing local authorities, to consider what joint action can be taken.

Cardiff's Bus Applications.

The Cardiff City Council has unsuccessfully applied to the Bridgend.Urban District Council for sanction to run buses into and through Bridgend. Members of the Bridgend Council, who rejected the application by a large majority, took the stand that private enterprise adequately served the area, and ought to be protected from the competition of municipal services which sought to ply for hire in areas a considerable distance beyond the boundaries of the authority concerned.

The Cardiff Council's application for sanction to ply for hire on the route Cardiff-Basseleg-Risca (Mon.) has also been refused by the St. Mellon's Council, The Barry Urban District Council has deferred its decision on an application by the Cardiff Council for permission to run buses on the route CardiffWenvoe-llonvilston-Barry Island, this being an additional route to that now covered by the municipal buses, via Dines Powis, from Cardiff to Barry.

The Penarth Urban District Council has also declined to issue extra licences to the Cardiff Council for aistrict services around Penarth, and has granted licences to private owners for a new service from Penarth Town to North Ward.

The refusals of the Barry and Penarth authorities will form the subject of a conference of local authorities.

Brighton's Successful Coaches.

in his annual report the Brighton Corporation tramways manager says tourist cars were not run during last summer, their patronage having passed to the motor coaches. Started in Brighton in 1905, it became obvious at once that these vehicles filled a longfelt want, but of late years the number of passengers carried had dropped off owing to its now being possible to go farther afield in the time available.

Another Midland Fare Innovation,

The Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd. known locally as the Midland "Red" Nretor Services, has introduced yet another inducement to fare-saving on its bus system. In addition to the daily anywhere ticket costing 4s. 64., the company has instituted a holiday ticket available every day for travelling anywhere *or five days—Mondays to Fridays inclusive—

for 20s. This, it is maintained, is an ideal ticket for holiday-makers and commercial travellers. Seaside services and cheap trips are excepted.

Big Order for Associated Daimler

Buses.

Aeka meeting of the Glasgow General. Omnibus and Motor Services, Ltd., held a few days ago, it was decided to place orders for an additional 50 motorbuses, which the company finds necessary to cope with the increasing demands made upon its services. The vehicles are being purchased from the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., and most of them will be of the low-loading type to seat 32 passengers, although five coveredtop double-deckers are included.

Lorries and Buses in Portuguese East Africa.

The Department of Overseas Trade has just issued a report dealing with conditions in Portuguese East Africa, and it states that the use of a certain type of European lorry during the war and the presence of large stocks of spare parts have popularized the use of this class of machine. Notwith standing this feature, however, about 75 per cent, of the total number of lorries in use is of American manufacture. Furthermore, all buses in use in Portuguese East Africa are of American construction.

A local tramway cof-poration—a British company—is giving careful attention to the use of buses and has recently ,placed three vehicles of this type on the streets of Lourengo Marques. The vehicles are securing considerable patronage amongst the inhabitants who do not live on the direct route of the tramways.

The Manufacture of Files.

We have just received from Sheffield Steel Products, Ltd., Templeborough, Sheffield, a booklet which deals with the manufacture of files from an aspect which is somewhat unusual. The contents of the booklet have been compiled with the object of describing briefly the various materials and processes which are at present employed in file making. The processes described and the machines illustrated are those in general use at the company's works. The booklet is particularly well-produced, and the illustrations are very clear.

Booking Agents Wanted.

In our issue for last week we dealt at some length with a handsome touring coach which is being put into service between Chester and London by Oulu" Mire Service, the head office of which is at 11-17, Nicholas Street, Chester. We are asked to mention that the company, which also has an office at 180, Fleet Street, London, E.0.4, is desirous of getting into touch with concerns controlliug booking offices in connection with motor tours in various provincial cities, with a view to appointing agents.

Municipal Bus Matters at Llanelly.

The Llimelly Borough Council has requested bus proprietors to agree to an independent periodic examination of vehicles and to agree to pay half-aguinea per vehicle examined. Several proprietors have intimated their willingness to meet the council in this respect The council has declared that nonconformity with the proposal may be borne in mind when applications for the renewal of licences are being considered.

The council has now received and approved plans for the proposed municipal bus station and has ordered a site for the station to be found and prepared. It is hoped that the structure will be completed before the winter season arrives.

Testing Blackburn's New Bridges. Four of Blackburn's new bridges were tested a few days ago by an inspector from the Ministry of Trans port. The tests were made with a moving load and a stationary load of 42 tons, made up of two steam rollers and a steam wagon, the latter laden with stone. Constructed on the latest lines of reinforced concrete, the bridges have a big capacity, but as they are State-aided works, they have been built to meet the requirements of the Government.

Blackpool's Flying Squad.

Blackpool Watch Committee has just instituted a "Flying Squad" of motorcycle police, whose chief duty is that of traffic control and the detection and prevention of road offences. From June 3rd to June 22nd, four of the six motorcycles travelled 6,877 miles, an average of 1,720 miles per machine. All parts of the borough are now covered and a speci0 new "Beat Book" has been issued.