WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficultie; of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beat& Crozier,
Ransomes Report.
The report of the directors of Raneomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., shows that, after making provision for depreciation, bad debts, and after deducting interest on debenture stock and deposits, the balance of the profit and loss account is £3,998, to which must be added the amount brought. forward from the previous year's accounts, i.e., £40,811, making in all £44,809. After deducting the preference dividend of 22,750, there remains a balance of £42,059. Having regard to the continued adverse trading conditions, the fall in selling prices, and the necessity for conserving the company's resources, the directors do not recommend the payment, of any dividend on ordinary shares for the year ended March 31st, or on the preference shareefor the half-year ended December 31st.
Pagefield Pictorial Publicity.
Visitors to the Congress of the Institute. of Cleansing Superintendents at Harrogate will certainly be interested in the special film showing the Pagefield method adopted by the town of Southport. for dealing with the collection of its house refuse. The system, which reflects great credit. on its originators—Walker Bros. (Wigan), Ltd., the builders of the Pagefield vehicle—has been in operation for some time and was described by us on page 781 of our issue dated August 2nd; 1921; at that time it. was not. in actual operation, but it. has now proved its worth on the scores of speed and economy, the saving in ,first cost, owing to the fact that only one petrol vehicle is required, being partjeularly marked.
We were recently given an opportunity of seeing the film, and consider that. it forms a very fine means of publicity, showing, as it does exactly how the system is worked and how it compares with the old method. We have not the space here to describe the system in detail, but, briefly it embodies the use of horse-drawn and motor vehicles in their most efficient spheres of employment, the horse being used for snoring from house to house, whilst the petrol vehicle acts as a carrier for the collecting vans, taking these to and bringing them back from the dump. The petrol vehicle is provided with a special ramp and engine-driven winch for loading the vans,
Motor Floats for Race Meetings, Most people who have any knowledge of horse-racing are aware that accidents to the horses sometimes occur, and it is the duty of the stewards of the club or the meeting to see, that any animal thus injured is relieved of pain and suffering in the shortest possible time.
When a horse breaks a leg or a fetlock or sustains any similar injury there is only one course open to its owner, and that, is to have the animal killed at once. Such an operation cannot he carried out in front of a crowd watching a race, and therefore, the injured animal has to be conveyed to some suitable 'place for the purpose of being put out of its misery Ct3 in a humane way. Part of the equipment of many race meetings includes a motor-drawn float, in which the animal can quickly be removed.
Such an accident might, of course, take place near to a spot convenient for the killing operation to be carried out at once, but generally the injured animal manages to get a mile or two away, in which case it is important that a. motor float should be available for immediate despatch. White many race meetings as we have already stated, are equipped with such conveyance, many others are not. Strangely enough, Newmarket, the headquarters of the racing world, is one of the delinquents in this respects It is recorded that a week or so back a race-.
horse broke a fetlock -end must have suffered great agony before it could be removed on a horse-drawn float, moving at the rate of two miles an hour, to be relieved of its suffering. It is time that the Jockey Club woke up to a sense of its responsibility in this matter.
An Advertising Parade.
The ingenious uses to which the motor vehicle can be put for advertising purposes were demonstrated on the occasion of the recent shopping carnival organized by the Newcastle Chamber of 'Trade. During the carnival a special tradesmen's advertising 'procession was held, in which a large number of motor vehicles paraded.. These vehicles; by reason of their striking decoration and spectacular devices, displayed the enterprise of the local tradesmen to a marked degree. The first prize went to the Carlisle Gas Co., who paraded an excellently decorated car, -loaded with -gas fires, stoves•and other appliances; whilst the second prize was awarded to Mr. J. H. Minus, who had on view mm. motor vehicle adapted for use in iceeream delivery. Messrs. Carr, the biscuit manufacturers, carried off the third prize with a vehicle elaborately arranged with a wide range of makes of biscuits ; and the fourth prize went to Messrs. Beaty, printers
No More Chars-a-bancs.
Bournemouth Licensing Committee has informed an applicant that it is not prepared to entertain applications for additional char-a-banes licences.
Conductors for Coaches.
Hove Corporation Licensing Committee recommends that, where motor chars-abanes carry 20 or more passengers conductors must-be provided in addition to the drivers.
Municipal Char-a-bancs Tours.
Despite protests by the local Sabbath Society, the Edinburgh Town Council has decided to maintain the Sunday motor char-a-bancs circular tours, which have become very popular.
In the Prime Minister's list of Birthday Honeurs appeared the name of Mr. Edward M. Iliffe, C.B.E., of Coventry, on whom has been conferred the honour of knighthood. We offer him our sincere ecmgratuletions.
1922 Motor Exhibition.
. The management committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders decided at its recent meeting to postpone the ballot for selection of space (which would in ordinary circume stances be held towards the end of July) until it, can be ascertained whether or not the Olympia extension will be available for the exhibition. The decision cannot be ascerteined until September let, and the ballot will, therefore, be held in the first week of that month. The closing of the application lists will be deferred until the end-of Jule .
Liverpool's Buses.
According to the annual report of the general manager of the Liverpool Corporation Tramways, the motor omnibuses, having in a large measure served the purpose for which they were introduced on a. number of routes, viz,; to assist the depleted tramear rolling stock M carrying the vast numbers of passengers during the years 1919 and 1920, have been withdrawn from these routes, and now only operate in order to connect up the outlying suburbs and to meet extraordinary traffic requiretnents.
A Plymouth Show.
Messrs. W. Mumford, engineers and bodybuilders, of Salisbury Road, Plymouth, recently held an attractive private motor show, which was well attended. The two spacious buildings in which the vehicles are normally displayed are 'sufficiently large to garage over 400 vehicles. There were various types of passenger and goods vehicles on show, including a coach, a Guy saloon bus and Republic lorries. This show was sanctioned by the Seeeety of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and proved a most successful venture.
The Quadruple-purpose Coach Body. •
In our issue for May 16th we published the first illustrated description of a new motor coach body which can be used in fear distinct guises, and We are not surprised to learn that this design, which incorporates many original features, is arousing considerable interest in the motor coach world. The body, which is constructed by London Lorries rd., of Spring Place, Kentish Town, London, N.W.5, can when fitted to a motor chassis, he used as an entirely open coach with both hood and side frames down; as an open coach, with the hood down, but with the side frames up,-thes forming dust maid wind screens; as a semiopen coach with the side frames regulated or entirely lowered, or ers an entirely closed coach with the side windows and hood up. This quadruplepurpose body is likely to play a big part in future motor coach design and construction.
We undersIand from Messrs. W. and G. du Cros, Ltd., of Acton, London, W., that they are requiring sole agents in every district for their 2-21-ton W. and Cl. chassis, and also for the new Makrob separate-compartment gravity tipper.
Developing Electrics.
The Institution of Municipal and County Engineers, in its annual report, quotes the following report,lay Mr. N. Scorgie, the representative of the-Institution on the Electric Vehicle Committee :—
" The activities of this committee have in the main been centred during the past year upon propaganda work throughout the publication of its journal. Further consideration has been given to the question of forming an Electric Vehicle Association, bute the time was not considered opportune, and the matter remained in abeyance.
"'rho committee is anxious to see the extensioueof facilities for charging electric vehicles in the different cities and towns, and it is co-operating with the Electric Vehicle Section of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in the collection and collation of information as to such facilities as now exist.
"The committee has recently represented the need for providing charging facilities where they do not now exist, in a circular letter sent. out to managers or both municipal and company-owned electricity supply undertakings. In this letter it lays stress upon the remunerative nature of the 'business to be obtained when such facilities are offered."
Inst. A.E. Papers.
The programme of papers for the 19222 session of • the Institution of Automobile Engineers has now been provisionally drawn up, and among the subjects to be dealt with are included the following :—" The Economies of Automobile Engineering," " Sleeve-valvet7-Engines," 'The Technique of Calculation," " Roadless Traction," " Rail-less Trolley Traction," " Steam Vehicles as compared with Internal-combustion-engine Vehicles, .both from the point of view of the Maker and User," "Electric Vehicles as compared with Interna,l-combustionengine Vehicles, both from the point of view of the Maker and User," " Suspension," " High-speed Engines of the Diesel Type," " Carburation," "Dynamometers," "Agricultural Tractors," "Vehicles with more than Four Wheels," " The Effect of Motors on Roads," ".Electrical Equipment," " Debate on the High-compression High-speed Engine v. the Low-compression Moderate-speed Engine,"
The complete programme, comprising iome 20 papers, will be distributed among six centres—i.e., London, Birmingham, Coventry, Manchester, Wolverhampton and Glasgow—some of the papers being read in more than one centre.
Smoke Prohibition Withdrawn.
Glasgow Corporation has withdrawn from its Bill a clause which sought power to impose penalties for emitting smoke from mechanically propelled vehicles, chiefly because of the opposition of the local Horse and Motor Contractors' Association.
Power to Make Buses.
The Ministry of Transport has suggested the amendment of the clause in the Glasgow Corporation Bill (seeking power to provide and run motor omnibuses) so as to provide that the corpora, t.ion shall not manufacture vehicles. The corporation, however, has refused, and decided to adhere to the clause.
Road Lorries for Norwegian Railways.
Lorries fitted with flanged wheels are to be used on the smeller railways as well as on all the branch lines in Norway. The present cost of operating a locomotive over 200 kiloms. is 140 kronen. An 11-ton 80 h.p. lorry—the type to be introduced—can, it is said, cover the same distance at a cost of 91 kronen. Some German Opel lorries are at present doing this work, but American salesmen are striving hard to get the order for the new vehicles required.
Blackpool Coach Owners' Loading Places.
The Blackpool Watch Committee granted permission last year to the local char4-banes owners to load and unload their passengers in certain streets and at given times, but intimated that the concession would not, be extended beyond the end of the year. In consequence of the communication from the Ministry of Transport on the matter to representatives of the local char-a-bancs owners, the general purposes committee of the town council recently again considered tbo question and eventually agreed to perinit loading and unloading to continue as last year.
A new motor service is being run from Lynton and Lynmouth to Dulverton from the beginning of next month. There has been no regular communication with Dulverton since a coach service was run in the 'nineties.
American Petroleum.
According to a statistical summary
in
cluded in a -directory of petroleum refineries in the United States, issued by the Bureau of Mines, there were 479 completed petroleum refineries in America at the beginning of theo'year, with 30 additional plants in course of construction. The tremendous increase in the extent of the petroleum refining industry in America is shown by the fact that in 1914 there were only 176 refineries of this description completed. Although the war has undoubtedly had something to do with the increase, the fact that the number has increased by 172 per cent. in eight years is due in a measure to the increasing use of petroleum fuel in motor vehicles.
There are 63 operating plants in Texas, with a daily capacity of 345,150 barrels, which, at the present moment, leads all the other States from the point of view of size, whilst Oklahoma is the second State in the list with 54 operating refineries with a daily capacity of 234,650 barrels, whilst Pennsylvania and California have in operation 48 and 34 refineries with daily capacities of 114,930 barrels and 314,360 barrels respectively.
Although there are, es already mentioned, 479 completed refineries in America, 154 of them were not in production at the beginning of the year, a state of affairs which reflects the present position of the industry.
Ripon's Bus Wants Supplied.
For some time past strenuous efforts have been made to secure adequate mem omnibus facilities for the Ripon neighbourhood, it being considered that the provision of such would materially assist in the development of this busy district. June 1st saw the long-felt waut supplied, when the United Automobile Services, Ltd., the progressive concern who operate a huge network of omnibus systems in Norfolk, Durham and Northam. berland, instituted four services radiating from Ripon to the more important places in the neighbourhood. The routes covered are :—Ripon, Ripley and Harrogate; Ripon, Topeliffe and Thirsk; Ripon, Boroughbridge and Aldborough; and Ripon, Kirby Malzeard and Grewelfhorpe. Special return tickets are available over all routes, whilst penny fares have also been instituted. Season and school tickets, too, can be obtained between all places served, and a cheap-rate parcel system is also being worked, so that the new routes should prove a boon to the entire district
Orders for Thornycrofts.
It is gratifying to learn that, in spite of the trade depression, orders for commercial vehicles are being placed in certain directions, and that trade is gradually improving cannot be denied. One of those manufacturers who are feeling the return swing of the pendulum is J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., who have recently received several substantial orders from municipal authorities. These orders include two B.T. type 2-ton tipping wagons for the Dumbarton County Council, three J type 4-ton tipping wagons for the Derbyshire County Council, two J type chassis for Shanghai Municipal Council, and three RT. type 2-ton chassis for the Crown Agents for the Colonies on behalf of the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board. Messrs. Thornycroft have always devoted considerable attention to the diversified requirements of municipalities, and it may be remembered that at the last Olympia Show they displayed a triple-purpose motor vehicle which combined the duties of gully emptying, street watering and tip wagon. To this machine they have now added a broom, so that, in addition to the aforementioned duties, the vehicle can perform_ the fourth operation of road sweeping.
A Ban on Double-deck Buses.
The route of the motorbuses plying between Llandrindod and Colwyn Bay came under discussion at a recent meeting of the Colwyn Bay Council. Mr. A. G. Balfour, general manager of the electrical railway, wrote pointing out thaL the buses had run on the line of route served by the electric cars since the coal strike of last year, and that this privilege was only granted by the Council in an erner. gency. Ile submitted that he was now in a position to provide an adequate service of tramcars, and that any other service of vehicles should bekept to a separate route of its own. It was proposed that the bus route should be along the main road through the town, with an alternative route via Princes Drive.
Ft was further proposed that the use of double-deck buses be prohibited on 08 the service. A number of years ago the electric railway company sought permission to employ double-deck electric cars, and at that time many objections were raised to this type of vehicle being used on a residential route as that which has to he traversed at Colwyn Bay, and the argument was that it would obviously be inconsistent in view of past policy to allow double-deck motorbuses to use the
roads. .1
An S-type Bus in India.
Wherever British vehicles are in use overseas, whether as goods or passengercarrying units, they appear to render excellent testimony to the quality and serviceability of the products of the Mother Country. An example of this is afforded by the illustration which we publish on this page of an A.E.C. S-type 54-seater double-deck bus operating in Calcutta for Walford Transport, Ltd., who are the Indian agents for A.E.C.
vehicles, and, as evidence of the faith in the chassis which they sell, are running 72 vehicles of this make. The bus illustrated was exhibited at the December Motor Show in Calcutta, at which time it amply demonstrated its adaptability to work under Colonial climatic conditions by carrying 1,000 passengers per day to and from the exhibition grounds with unfaltering The horse gharry to be seen in the picture and the A.E.C. bus form a striking contrast between old and modern methods of passenger transport. The former is fast disappearing, and is being replaced by taxicabs and motorbuses.
A Baggage Van for the King.
Leyland Motors, Ltd., the holders of H.M. the King's Royal Warrant as manufacturers of commercial vehicles, have been honoured with a repeat order for a 3-ton Leyland baggage van for His Majesty. It is understood that a similar machine, which has been in service since -1910, has given complete satisfaction. The chassis is a model C 3.ton type with a 30 11.p. engine, worm-driven rear axle and Michelin pneumatic tyres.
A Sports Showroom Van.
The Navy, Army and Air Force Institute have recently put into service a very interesting 30-cwt. van the chassis of which, is the latest type 20 h.p. model emanating from the Albion works. Asis perhaps generally known, this concern has the sole selling rights in the canteens of the various naval, military and air force depots.
The body was designed and built by Messrs. Manhire, Chandler and Co., of Stonebridge Park, London, NW., and it is so constructed as to be able to carry a wide range of sporting goods, such as tennis balls and racquets, footballs, golf clubs, the last named arranged and fixed in clips on the insides of a wide, two-piece door on the near side of the body. When these doors are opened a series of lockers and other compartments are revealed, in which football shirts and similar sports essentials are accommodated. A folding stepladder gives access to the interior, which is illuminated by roof lights, the current for which is obtained from the C.A.V. lightin.g set.
The vehicle is shod with Michelin pneumatic tyres on disc wheels, a spare wheel and tyrebeing carried in a neat box below the rear end of the body.
An exceptionally well-designed cab ensures the comfort and protection of the driver in all weathers. The van should certainly be instrumental in bringing extra business to the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute.
Railways and Road Transport.
The Urban District Councils Association has decided, in connection with the Railways Bill, that it is undesirable that powers such as those proposed should be conferred upon railway companies in the absence of any provision in the Bill requiring.;- (a) That railway companies should be in the same position as private traders so far as regards the application to road vehicles and buildings and works connected therewith of statutory provisions and by-laws in force in particular districts;'
(b) That the railway companies should be liable for extraordinary traffic on highways under Section 23 of the Highways and Locomotives Act, 1878;
(c) That local authorities should receive contributions towards the additional expense which will be incurred in maintaining and repairing highways over which the proposed road vehicles are run.
Welsh BUS Services.
A new passenger omnibus service is to commence in the Mid-Glamorgan mining area. At a meeting of the Ogmore and Garw District Council application was received for a running permit between Bridgend and Blaengarw and intermediate villages from Messrs. Smith's Services. The proprietors -stated their willingness to ran the buses in accord with the usual regulations of the Council.
The application was granted, subject to the timetable and fares schedule being submitted for formal approval. When the point of the advisability of allowing additional running rights to those already existing was raised no decision to restrict permits was arrived at; several members observed that healthy competition on the road was all to the good of the travelling public---an eminently sensible view to take.
Ford Output.
According to an advice from Detroit, the Ford Co. of America sold in the United States and foreign countries 127,249 motorcars and lorries during the month of April. The scheduled sales for that month were 120,000. The fact that this figure has been exceeded indicates, it is said, an unexpectedly increased demand in foreign countries rather than increased sates in America. The daily average sale of Ford vehicles in the United States reached 5,210 at the end of April.
The Fordson tractor sales totalled 11,811 in April, a daily average of 469 being reached by the end of the month. This is a new sales record for tractors; and shows an increase of 100 per cent. over the figures for the best month of 1921.
The production and sales of Ford commercial chassis approximate 10 per cent. of the total Ford business an approximate sale of 12,725 truck; having been recorded in April. The production figure for May was scheduled at 135.000, but we do not yet know whether this figure has been realized. For the present month (June) 150,000 vehicles have been scheduled for manufacture. The total production of Ford vehicles for 1922 is expected to reach 1,100,000—a figure which represents an increase of 10 per cent.. over 1921.
Illegible Motor Licence Cards.
The Automobile Association recently successfully defended two members at Bromley and Slough Police Courts, who were charged . under Section 4 of the Roads Vehicles Regulations for allowing the licence card to become defaced by the action of the sun or rain.
In each case the A.A. solicitor contended that, while the wording of Section 4 rendered it obligatory for the licence card to be carried so -Iva to be clearly visible whether the vehicle was moving or stationary, there was tie requirement that every, or any, letter or figure should he readable; and, moreover, that where the regulations required this it was stated in explicit language...
The police thereupon argued that under Section 12 of the Regulations it
was necessary, where a licence had become defaced,for the owner of the vehicle to apply to the licensing authority for a duplicate. This, however, was successfully repudiated on the grounds (a) that the prosecution was not brought under that regulation, and (b) that the word used in that particular regulation was may and not must, as suggested by the police
Whiting Prices Down.
Whiting, Ltd., inform us that they have made a substantial reduction in the prices a Whiting Apex chassis.
The 20-30-cwt. chasais, which until now has been sold at £450, is priced at £250, the 4-2-tonner being £295 as against £496, the 2i-3-tonner being .£495 as against 1,750. The company are also giving a substantial discount off these prices to the trade, and do not ask them to bind themselves in any way with contracts or deposits.
Hindering Coach Traffic.
Motor coach proprietors and haulage contractors keenly resent the interference likely to be caused to their business by the insistence upon a limitationweights of vehicles and loads crossng Menai Suspension Bridge from Carnarvonshiro to the Isle of Anglesey. A neW weighbridge has been installed at the Carnarvonshire entrance to the Menai Suspension Bridge, and all cars of a heavy type are weighed before they are allowed to cross. The limit is 4 tons 5 cwt., and no vehicle above that weight iepermitted to cross.
Guarantees by Bus Owners.
Bridlington Watch Committee has decided that no -licences be granted authorizing motor omnibuses to ply for hire within the town until the vehicles have been inspected and approved on behalf of the corporation, and subieet to the specification in respect of motor omnibuses issued by the Board of Trade (if any) being complied with; and, further, that no licences be granted until the proprietors undertake in writing to comply with the reasonable requirements of the corporation, and submit time-tables, lists of fares and stopping planes, which will be strictly adhered to, for the corporation's approval.
Belgian Legislation.
Legislation has recently been passed in Belgium which requires commercial vehicles and trailers weighing 1 ton per axle and over to be equipped with rubber tyres. It is also stated that motor lorries must, have tyres measuring at least 15 centimetres in breadth and must be equipped -with two independent sets of brakes capable of locking the wheels on the sharpest grades in the country. It is interesting to note that existing rules also require the fitting of splashguards.
Chesterfield's Proposals.
Chesterfield Corporation Tramways Committee has decided to include the following new powers in the corporation's Consolidation -Bill :—
Authority to lease motorbus powers. Routes at present authorized for railless traction to be abandoned, arid in lieu thereof power be taken, if necessary, to convert the existing tramway system to a'system of trolley vehicles.
Existing motorbus routes to be continued, and powers inserted to run to Bakewell, =New Brimington,. Barrow Hill andEckington,.and to form a circular route between Chesterfield, Birdhohne and Hasland.
Trolley-buses for Hartlepool.
The West Hartlepool Tramways Committee, which has had the question of the adoption of trackless trolley vehicles under consideration, has, following a thorough investigation of various types of passenger facilities, decided, it is understood, to recommend the town council to introduce the above-named form of locomotion on the Foggy Furzo route. It is inviting tenders for various portions of the work. The running expenses, it is estimated, willbe about a third cheaper than the present system, -fanti it Is further .contputed that the initial expenditure will be only about half that incurred for ordinary trams.
'.Thu business of W. Gammons, and Co., road transport contractors, is now being conducted as Walter Gammons, Ltd. No change has been made in the management, and the business policy will be the same as in the past.
Local Proceedings.
Gloucester City Council is considering the question of the purchase of a second motor fire-engine.
Bath _City Council has asked the surveyor to obtain quotations for a secondhand petrol roller.
Lancaster Corporation has asked its motorbus cornmittee to consider the bus services. of the borough.
Bolton Corporation has purchased a 2k-ton Star motor wagon at an auction sale at the Bradford Collieries.
Plymouth Corporation Works Corn"' mittee has deferred for the present a proposal to purchase four electric vehicles.
Blackburn Corporation has authorized a committee to accept a Lender for the purchase of a motor wagon for the parks department.
Liverpool Watch Committee proposes to purchase a second-hand motorcar' for the use of the' officers of the Fite Brigade, at a cost not exceeding £300.
A report of the Southgate Urban District Council states that the cost of the collection of house refuse by electric vehicles is not more expensive than by horse vans. • A recommendation to accept the offer of Mr. Walkden, of Wigan, to purchase the council's twp Austin wagons at the price of £45 has been referred back by the Blackburn Town Council.
Plymouth Corporation proposes to discontinue the personal allowances to officers for the upkeep and use of private mothrears, and to invite tenders from local motorcar proprietors for the hiring of motorcars and taxicabs.
Plymouth Corporation Hospitals Committee has decided to purchase a 1-ton Ford lorry at an estimated cost of £290. It is estimated that a considerable saving in the cost of haulage work will be effected by substituting mechanical for horse traction. The Blackpool Corporation Health Committee is considering the purchase of four motor conveyances for the use of the committee.
A sub-committee of the Billing° Urban District Council has been asked to report on the question of purchasing a mechanically driven vehicle for haulage purposes.
Birmingham Corporation, which at present has a fleet of 34 electric vehicles for refuse collection, has made provision in the estimates for a further seven machines of A similar type,
The Sanitary and Highways Committee of the Whickha.m Urban District Council has been requested to consider the question of providing its own vehicles for motor haulage. The council has decided to obtain tenders for a tar sprayer.
The Pyle Parish Council has decided to recommend to the Penybout U.D.C. the main governing authority of the area, the purchase of motor lorries for refuse collection at, Pyle. The present arrangements were stated to be quite inadequate.
Valve Caps for A.E.C.s.
We have recently received, and, in cases, published, notes and ideas for overcoming the. difficulty of blowing through the valve cap washers in the Tyler engine of the A.E.C. lorry, owing to cracks which sometimes occur in the bridges between the orifices for the valve caps.
In this connection we have been sent a sample valve cap, which is stated completely to overcome the difficulty and to resider possible the use of the cylinders after being so cracked. The makers are United Transport (London), Ltd., 5-11, Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SAVA, and the cap has been patented by Mr. jack Mills, A.M.I.A.E. In sending the cap he explains that the ordinary Tyler valve caps are held down in pairs by a strolls, bridge locked into position by means of nuts on two large studs screwed into the cylinder head casting. In the original fitting, to make the cap gas-tight, a great force has to be -used to hold them down, with the result that. where the studs are screwed into the cylinder heads the metal is inclined to lift, whilst where the valve cap fits the casting tends to be pushed down.
With the Mills patent valve cap, the holding-down nuts need only be tightened with anordinary-sized spanner, and, consequently,. no distortion takes place, whilst the explosion of the engine is pocketed so that the copper asbestos washers are protected. The cap consists of is east or malleable iron head, with a long copper skirt, securely held in position on the head by a locking groove. When cold, it, is an easy fit into the orifice; when hot, she copper skirt expands. The retail price is £5 per set of eight.
Hull Corporation Tramways Committee has abandoned a scheme for the extension of the tramways on Hedon Road, and decided to inaugurate a motorbus service.