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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

13th March 1928, Page 50
13th March 1928
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"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 runs."—John Beattie Crozier,

Loss on the Royal Show.

There was a loss on the Royal AgriculturalShow held at Newport last July of £10,827, but the Royal Agricultural Society was able to meet the deficit out of its ordinary revenue for the year, although the balance at the end of the year was only £419. It is hoped by the finance committee that the Nottingham Show next July will Produce a better result financially.

It is announced that Their Majesties the King and Queen will visit the Show on Wednesday, July 11th, and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will be there on the following day.

The Popularity of the Coveredtop Bus. •

Lord Ashfield, speaking of the covered-top motorbus to the shareholders of the Underground Electric Railways of London, said that it was very. quickly made plain to those responsible for the introduction of this type of bus that the public looked upoji it favourablY. The result has been that during 1927 practically all the N.S-type omnibuses were equipped with covered tops. The reason for this is not hard to find, as the number of seats actually used in On open-type bus is reduced by wet weather to less than half, the result having been that passenger were drivento use the . Underground. and tube railways at a time when those systems were already heavily taxed. The use of the allweather road vehicle tends to eliminate climatic conditions as a factor determining the varying popularity of the different forms of transport and to aVoid an additional and irregular number of .passengers beiug thrust upon the tube railways beyond their proper capacity.

Trolley-buses for Hastings.

Guy Motors, Ltd., has recentlyreceived an order from the Hastings and District Electric Tramways Co., Ltd., for ten six-wheeled single-deck trolleybuses. In this connection it is interesting to relate that at a recent general meeting of the company the chairman mid managing director of the concern, Mr. G. T. Moody, gave some indication of the company's -plans in connection with its change-over from the existing tramways systeui to trolley-buses.

The conversion of the existing system to trolley-bus operation was authorized by Parlianient last year, and the change-over was not decided upon until ,the company was convinced that, so far as Hastings was concerned, the day of the rail-bound system must pass. The company is; by the use of modern pneumatic-tyred vehicles, providing a means of transport which, it is said, will revolutionize the position of public passenger services in the town.

A Road-transport Illumination Demonstration.

Many of our readers v,-ill remember that in 1925 the Royal Automobile Club held an interesting demonstration in Richmond Park, London, of devices

c20 designed to eliminate or reduce the risk of dazzle from headlamps. This demonstration served to show that .at that time little progress had been made towards the solution of this problem. It is felt that headway has now been made, and accordingly the R.A.C. announces that it will hold a similar demonstration in the same park on March 29th at 8.30 p.m.

By widening the title to that of "Road-transport Illumination Demonstration," it will be possible to include anti-dazzle headlamps and devices, swivelling headlamps, illuminated road signs--including warning signs and signposts—illuminated traffic signals, road Works danger lamps and -similar appliances.

As in 1925, the Ministry of Transport will be represented at the demonstration. Those of our readers who may have ideas that they would like to bring to the fore can obtain further particulars and application forms from the secretary of the technical department of the R.A.C., Pall Mall, London. A.E.C. Dividend.

At the annual meeting of the Underground Electric Railways of London, which company owns the whole of the ordinary shares of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., Lord Ashfield announced that the company had again had a successful year and had paid the same rate of dividend as in the previous year, viz., 8 per cent. free of income tax.

The new factory at Southall is now in full operation and capable of meeting any likely demand for lorries or passenger vehicles, its highest record for, the year being 110 chassis produced in one week. This, of course, is above the average output.

A Longdistance Service Extended.

We learn that the service operated between Loudon and Cambridge by the Westminster Coaching Services, 91, Pentonville Road, London, N.1, has proved so popular with the travelling public that its provincial terminus has lately been extended to Bury . St. Edmunds, in Suffolk. The undertaking is operated on a daily basis, the route passing' through Hatfield, Stevenage, Balclock, Royston and Cambridge to Bury St. Edmunds.

As is usually the case with up-todate services of this kind a high standard of travelling comfort is pro' vided and, moreover, it is stated that the fares compare very favourably with those charged for corresponding journeys by rail. We understand that the London terminus of the undertaking is near the Underground railway station at Charing Cross.

A Concession to Coach Owners.

The Birkenhead Ferries Committee proposes, subject to the council's approval, to reduce the Sunday charges for motor coaches using the Woodside luggage boats. The present tolls, which are double those charged on weekdays, have been a source of grievance to owners On both sides of the Mersey. The proposed new scale is as follows, the old charges being given in parentheses :—Up to 14 seats, Os. 9d. (9s.) ; from 15-20 seats, 8s. 3d. (15s.) ; over 20 seats, 11s. 3d. (15s.).

Municipal Bus Operators in Conference.

To consider the formation of a joint passenger-transport board, a conference of local authorities has been held at Blackburn. The conference was attended by representatives from Charley, Darwen, Accrington, Bolton, Burnley, Rawtenstall, Haslingden, Wigan and Preston. After a thorough examination of the " terms of reference," the conference was adjournedfor a month.

Municipal Action Supported.

At a meeting of the Wakefield Watch Committee a letter was received from the Ministry of Transport stating that .the Minister had decided not to interfere with the decision of the corporation not to grant permission to Messrs. Halstead Bros. to run a bus service between Wakefield and Barnsley, via Woolley 'and Crigglestone. British Fire-engine Deliveries.

We publish on this page illustrations of interesting fire-fighting equipment which has just been supplied from the works of two well-known British' concerns. One of the pictures shows a Halley-Simonis machine which has been supplied to the Colombo fire-brigade

authorities. It is the latest product of Simonis, Ltd., and Halley Motors, Ltd., and is similar to the vehicle which was described in our issue dated January 10th last. It is equipped, however, with a large searchlight, which is housed between the struts of the front ladder support. This searchlight can he moved in any direction around the vertical and horizontal axis. The machine is also fitted with brackets to carry scaling ladders and two large cupboards which accommodate the foamextinguishers used by the.brigade. The fire-fighting equipment is mounted on a

low-built chassis having a wheelbase of 12 ft. 10 ins., which is shod with pneumatic tyres and propelled by a sixcylindered engine. It is intended as a first turn-out machine.

, In tho other picture a Martin sixcylinder 80 b.h.p. 500-gallon motor fireengine is shown, This has just been supplied by Martin's Cultivator Co., Ltd., of Stamford, to the .Castleford Urban District Council, and it is equipped with first-aid apparatus, Chemical extinguishers and telescopic ladder.

Diesel-engined Lorries in France.

It is reported from Paris that the Peugeot Co. has acquired the patent rights in a new Diesel engine for use in motor lorri&s. It is also stated that a new company, in which the Peugeot concern will hold a controlling interest, is being organized to build lorries fitted with the new engine.

An Important Lancashire Company's Progress.

The annual general meeting of the .Lancashire United Transport / and Power Co., Ltd., was recently held in London, when the Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, G.B,E., presided. Sir Arthur gave some indication of the progress which has been made by the company and said that the company's buses and trams carried 5i million more passengers in 1927 than in the previous year. Furthermore, an additional 26 buses had been 'purchased, whilst 20 others were on order and with these the fleet would total 130 vehicles.

He referred to the fact that agreements have been entered into with the municipal authorities of Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Wigan, St. Helens and Leigh to run joint bus services. He indicated that financial provision would have to be made for the extension of the company's bus services and that ultimately some of the tramways services might have to be abandoned.

Coaches for Postal Use.

In the future, motor coaches are to be used in the collection and delivery of mills in the principal towns in north County Down.If successful the scheme will probably be extended to include other portions of the north of Ireland.

Co-operative Transport at Leeds.

During the past six months the traffic department of the Leeds Cooperative Society undertook work to the

value of £6,333 for the society's productive departments, and £32,285 for the distributive departments. It received £2,735 from its motor coach services and from work in connection with furniture removals. On the other side £24,587 was paid for wages, £4,758 for repairs and £1,997 for petrol and oil.

Extending a Trolley-bus System. Darlington Corporation has recently decided to extend its trolley-bus'system, and apart from a pew service to Cockerton, which is in hand, work •uPon the Neasham route will be started shortly, whilst .a 31Cib, route along Victoria Road is under consideration. The corporation has on order two Ransome 36-seater trolley-buses and may 'shortly require further vehicles of thM type. Official Orders for January.

The number of orders for motor vehicles given out by Government departments during January last was very much smaller than .usual. The orders consisted of one for six-wheeled chassis and a number of Crossley-liegresse halftrack vehicles placed by the War Office with Crossley Motors, Ltd., and one for a number of six-wheeled chassis for the same department, placed with Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.

York's Fire-brigade and Ambulance Equipment.

In his annual report the chief constable of York mentions that the piincipal equipment of the fire-brigade consists of three motor engines, two of which can deliver 600 gallons per minute and one. 450 gallons per minute, and a steam engine which delivers 500 gallons per minute. The Morris engine carries a 65-ft. telescopic escape, whilst one Dennis engine is fitted with a 35-ft. extension ladder, and the other, which is used for country work, carries a 45-ft. ladder. Two of the motors carry Pompier ladders.

The department also has two motor ambulances, and the ever-growing demand for the services . of these vehicles makes it difficult to realize that scarcely seven years ago there was only one horse-drawn ambulance available for any emergency in the city. One ambulance is used in the city and the second for calls from country districts.

Bus Routes in Irish Free State.

The advice of various local bodies in the South of Ireland is being sought by the Free State Government as to the routes which should be used by the buses it is planned to run in connection with the Great Southern Rail-Bus Service.

An Attempt to Restrict Road Traffic.

A clause which will empower county councils to prohibit buses and goods transport vehicles on third-class roads is, it is stated, to be inserted in the new bus Bill which is shortly to come before the Northern Ireland Parliament. At a meeting of the Maze (County Down) Unionists' Association

a resolution was passed intimating that the members would not give support at the next election to ally candidate who . favoured legislation which directly or ririlirectly gave power, to any authority to prohibit. bus or 'goods traffic on any class of road.

The New High-level Bridge over the Tyne.

The position in regard to the proposed high-level bridge over the river Tyne at St Anthony's is explaned by the chairman of the works ffmraittee of the Durham County Council. The Consulting engineers submitted a report setting oat the scheme for a new bridge and approaches, the bridge itself to have a main span of 500 ft.

clear, with two side spans of 250 ft. each, the elevated approaches spanning the railways, and works on each side of the river to consist of six spans of 125 ft. each. The clear headway above high-water mark will be 110 ft.

The total estimated cost of the scheme as at present suggested is £928,000, and the joint town-planning committee has suggested that the cost of the construction of the bridge should be borne equally by the authorities on the north aide of the river and by those on the south. side, the proportionate amounts to be settled by the Ministry of Transport.

022 The committee is also of the opinion that a Bill should be promoted by the Durham County Council and the Newcastle Corporation to obtain powers to construct the' Ile* bridge.

Northampton Prefers Buses.

The tramways committee of the Northampton Corporation has for some time past had under consideration the question of relaying the Wellingborough Road tram track, which will have to be carried out not later than 1929. The committee recommend that the track be not relaid, but in due course buses be substituted for trams on this route. Tenders for bus bodies and chassis were received, and it is recommended that the tender of Grose, Ltd.. for the supply of two 50-seater doubledeck bus bodies, at £725 each, and that of Guy Motors, Ltd., for the supply of two six-wheeled chassis be accepted.

£.5,000 Motorbus Profit.

It is stated by the Wallasey Corporation that the municipal motorbus fleet is estimated to yield a profit of £5,000 for the year ending. March 31st, . as against a gain of £11,782, which was the result for last year. • Distinctive Vans from British Works.

We reproduce on this page a group of illustrations of three distinctive vans which have recently been delivered by prominent commercial-vehicle manufacturers. The first is a Leyland 4-tonner, which has been built to meet the needs of a Newcastle-upon-Tyne haulage contractor. The chassis has an extra long wheelbase and the length from the back of the driver's cab is 15 ft. 111 ins., thus making it possible to fit a very capacious body. This particular pantechnicon body was built in Newcastle, and it will be noted .that the loading space is carried above the top of the driver's compartment.

-In the second picture a brewer's covered-tilt body, of smart and workmanlike design and built by Messrs. Wadham Bros., of Waterlooville, Hants, is shown mounted on a Thoruycroft 3-ton KB chassis. •

In the other illustration a Dennis 30cwt. boxyan is depicted, this having been supplied to the order of LH Majesty the King. The chassis is the company's standard model, and is shod with Dunlop pneumatic tyres. The body, which is

9 ft. 8 ins. long, 5 ft. 9 ins, high and 6 ft. 6 ins, wide, is painted maroon and carries gold lettering. A door, 1 ft.

10 ins, wide and 4 ft. high, leads from the driver's compartment to the interior of the van, in which a row of detachable shelves is fitted. At the rear is a detachable tailboard, above which the main door opens in halves.

Castrol's 1927 Achievements.

During the past year Castrol motor oil, marketed by C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., has been associated with a number of successes achieved by the internal-combustion engine on land, sea and in the air. The story of these achievements is tOld in a well-illustrated booklet entitled "Achievements of 1927," which , the company has :jus..‘ issued from its headquarters at Wakefield House, London, E.C.2. Another Regular Bus Service from Plymouth to London.

A second passenger-vehicle road service between Plymouth and London was inaugurated on March 6th, when Modern Travel Services, a London organization, ran its first bus. A regular service will be maintained between Plymouth and London three times a week, the route beim',b via Torquay, Dorchester, Bournemouth, Southampton, Winchester and Staines. The single fare is £1, the same as is being charged by Highways,. Ltd., to the service of which we referred in our last week's issue, but on the return ticket Modern Travel Services offer passengers an advantage of 2s. 6d.; the charso for the return journey being 32s. 6d., and the ticket being available for one month. Bookings for intermediate stages of the journey arc, of course, also available.

A New Electric Soldering Iron. Constructed in a novel manner, the electric soldering iron, which is marketed by Brown Bros., Ltd., Great Eastern Street, London, E.C.2, would appear to constitute an advanCe in this class of tool, inasmuch as its shank is made in one • piece from heavy nickel

silver plated tubing with a special recess to hold the element. This singlepie ea construction obviates the possibility of the shank coming apart -when heated. With regard to the element, this is stated to be of genuine steatite,' and, moreover, each turn of the heat, jag wire lies in a separate groove, thus avoiding any possibility of fusing. Another feature of the tool, which sells at the low price of 12s. 6d., complete with two solid copper bits and all the necessary flex, etc., for its operation, is the spring-wire guard where the flex enters the handle. This guard 'prevents the wearing of the flex by rubbiag and thus avoids short-circuiting.

An Italian Standard Motorbus.

It is reported from Milan that negotiations are proceeding between the leading motor-vehicle manufacturers in Italy which have as their object the designing of a standard design of motorbus chassis suitable for ' use in that country. It is considered that such standardization would greatly assist in the development of new bus services and, without interfering with individual makers' activities, materially simplify the work of supplying spare parts.

Double-deckers for Stockton.

Stockton Town Council has sanctioned the purchase by its motor omnibus committee of a number of enclosed double-deck motorbuses for use on the Stockton-Billingham sections where

there is now a heavy volume of traffic on account of the development of large chemical works at Billingham. This type of machine has not so far found very great favour in the north, for hitherto the only undertaking to run double-deckers iri this area is the Newcastle' Corporation, which recently took delivery of several Associated Daimlers.

A New French Gas-producer.

A company has lately been formed at Rouen, with the title La Societe du Gazogene Fajole, to introduce a new gas-producer known as the Fajole for use on motor lorries.

Bus Developments at Accrington. The Accrington Tramways Committee has recommended the council to approve the purchase of six motorbuses for delivery at an early date. Accrington will thus be in a position to commence a motorbus service within the borough, for which, , under an Act of 1905, it has already secured powei's. It will also be in a position'to build up a fleet of buses from this nucleus should

the wider running powers which the corporation seeks in its Parliamentary Bill be granted. Accrington is committed to supply a motorbus service to lifuncoat.

. Daimler-Benz changes. .

• Certain changes have recentlybeen effected in manufacturing, plans as a result of the amalgamation of the German Daimler and Benz sundertakings. Thus it is Anne-limed that the . works at Marienfelde, near Berlin, in which the German Daimler lorries an buses were formerly built, is in future to be used as a 'repairing establishment. On the other hand, the construction of Mercedk-Benz bus and lorry chassis is being mainly carried out at the works at Gaggenau (Baden), where it is hoped the production will shortly reach a total of 500 chassis per month.

Spenborough Tipping-gear Agent.

Spenborough Engineering Co., Valley Works, Ifeckmondwike, informs us that it has appointed Stewart, Miller aid Co., Ltd., 218, Bothwell Street, Glasgow, which is a specialist and stockist in commercial-vehicle parts, as its representative for Scotland, and that it will hold stocks of the company's gears and parts at its Glasgow and Edinburgh depots, the address of the latter being 10, Glenogle Road.

French Commercial Motor imports and Exports. • Official figures lately issued show that 118 commercial motor vehicles, valued at 5,050;000 francs (about £40,725 at current rate of exchange), were imported into France during last year as compared with 57 vehicles in 1926. The bulk of the imports came from the -United States and Belgium.

The. exports of French commercial vehicles during last year reached a total of 5,143, of a value of 171,115,000 francs (about £1,380,000), as against 5,095 in 1926. The principal markets for French vehicles in the order of their importance were : Spain, Algeria, Corsica, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, French East Africa, Indo-China, Great Britain, Poland, Madagascar, Tunisia and the Argentine.

Potato Transport in Lancashire..

Being an important -potato-growing area, there is always in south-west Lancashire a continuous. stream of farmers' carts wending their way, in the early hours of Tuesday and Friday mornings,

to the , wholesale vegetable market at • Liverpool. Here, daring the market

• hours, are -scenes of, great animation. From the transport point of view the tendency to strike contrasts between the antiquated horse-drawn vehieleS used by. the farmer arid the up-to-date motor units of gie wholesale and retail dis-tributors is irresistible.. Produce after being sold is transferred fromthe horSe carts to the sniart little" lorries belonging' to tradesmen or haulage contractors, the latter always having vehicles on the spot ready to take loads anywhere.. An accompanying illustration shows a consignment of potatoes being transferred front a horse-drawn vehicle to a Morris-Commercial lorry.

Describes Moss Worm Gearing.

The Moss Gear Co., Ltd., Crown Works, Birmingham, has just issued an interesting catalogue which deals with power transmission by the medium of worm reduction gears, in the manufacture of which the company has special

ized for many years. The catalogue contains much interesting matter relating, to all classes of reduction gear and embodies a host' of valuable data: It is well illustrated, and gives brief details of some of the machines used in the course of manufactisring Moss gears. A copy can be obtained from the address we have given. Personal Pars.

M. Charles Weiffenhach, a director of the Delahaye Co., of Paris, has been appointed a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour in recognition of his work in the development of commercial motor vehicles.

Mr. J. A. Bromley, who has been general manager and engineer of the York Corporation tramways and motorbus undertaking for the past six years, has been appointed general manager of the Durban (Natal) Corporation trading undertakings. There were 40 applicants for the post, which includes the management of the corporation water, electricity, tramways, omnibus, markets and telephone departments. Before going to York in 1922. Mr. Bromley was general manager of the tramways department of the Keighley Corporation, and prior to that he was for 14 years with the tramways department of the Leeds Corporation.

During his stay at York Mr. Bromley has built up the bus department, which now runs 17 vehicles, as compared with • four when he went there: Since 1922 the annual tar and bus mileage has increased from 852,000 to 1,250,000, and the outstanding debts on the two undertakings have been reduced from 1202,000 to £175,000.

Mr. Bromley is a member of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, the Institute of Transport and the Industrial Council for the tramways industry, and an associate member of the Xiastitute of Electrical Engineers. He will sail in May to take up this new appointment.

• Pontypridd Appeals Upheld.

The Ministry of Transport has communicated its decision in the matter of the appeal by the Rhondda Tramways Cu., Ltd., the South Wales Commercial Motor's, Ltd., Cardiff, and the Associated Bus Services, Llantwit Fardre, against a recent bus decision of the Pontypridd Urban District Council.

The Mtnistiy's inquiryiVo the appeal was recently conducted at Pontypridd. At that time the ease of the three concerns was presented, when objection was raised to the endeavour to alter the terminus of the Pontypridd-LlantwitLlantrisant-Bridgend and Portheavs-1 buses from the centre of Pontypridd to the tramways terminus at Treforest, more than a mile from the heart of the town. It was stated that the companies had for a number of years been allowed to carry passengers to the centre of Pontypridd.

The council's case was that the increasing number and size of times made it imperative to change the terminus, because of dangers that existed on the Pontypridd-Trefore8t route. It is reported that the Ministry has now decide& that no alteration of the bus terminus can be permitted in this case and that the bus companies must enjoy their former rights of carrying pkiSsengers into the town.

G.W.R. Developments in South Wales.

The Great Western Railway Co. has been authorized by the Merthyr Tydfil Watch Committee to run, buses between Merthyr G.W.R. station and Aberdare. Additional G.W.R. road services are being introduced in Monmouthshire where, too, the new motor rail services are being instituted in the Pontypool, Talywain and Panteg districts.

A Scottish Amalgamation.

It is stated that the motor-coach business carried on by Mr. Peter Crerar, of Crieff, is to be amalgamated with the Scottish General Omnibus Co., Ltd., the lleadquarters of which ere in Edinburgh. It is said that this

company has acquired a half interest in the business, the other half of which is being retained by Mr. Creiar. About 30 motorbuses and coaches are included in the tranSactio-ii, Mr. Crerar has maintained bps Mivices to Crielf, Connie, St. Aliens and Perth, but it is announced that under the new formation the services will lie considerably extended. The amalgamation does not affect the bodybuilding business carried on by Mr. Crerar. • Commercial Vehicle Salesman Wanted.

We would draw the particular attention of those interested in salesmanship to a vacancy advertised in this issue. A well-educated man of from 30 to 35 is required to represent the maker of a leading commercial-motor vehicle in London and/or the Home Counties.

Transport Services in Lancaster. The Lancaster Corporation has received a communication from the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., inquiring whether the corporation would be prepared to consider the operation by the company of all transport services required in the borough, including those now operated by the corporation. The tramways committee is to receive a deputation from the company to discuss the matter. Parking for the Cup Final.

In connection with the Football Association Cup Final, which takes' place on Saturday, April 21st, the R.A.C. has, at the request of the authorities, again accepted responsibility for the parking arrangements. The vehicle park will actually be inside the Stadium grounds, and accommodation will be provided for approximately 2,0.00 ears. The charges will be as follow : Motor coaches, 58.; cars, 2s. 6d.; motorcycles, is.

Dig Mileages from Rubberinefilled Tyres.

We have on several occasions in the past referred to the value of Rubberine tyre-filling and claims which are made for this compound by Rubberine, Ltd., Church Works, Offord Road, London, N.1, are re/0y borne out by the experience of a removals contractor of Richmond. Over three years ago this user had the four 36-in. by 6-in, giant pneumatic tyres on a Kerner 30-40-cwt. vehicle filled with Rubberine and, since that time, the tyres are stated to have covered at least 30,000 miles and are still in a condition which suggests that they are. good for several thousand miles more service. Apart from this extremely good mileage, it is Particularly satisfactory to note that, during the whole of this period, no tyre trouble has been experieared. The vehicle in question is shown in an accompanying illustration.

It would, perhaps, be as well to remind our readers that Rubberine is a rubber-like cenipOund which is pumped into the tyres at a suitable pressure. When it Ms set it acquires a permanent resilience and possesses shookabsiirbing properties which are claimed to lie equal to those possessed' by the

pneumatic tyre. As indicative of its faith in Rubberine, the maker gives a guarantee of 10,000 miles for new cord tyres filled with this compound, hut we are told that the average service ugually obtained from such tyres is in excess of 30,000 miles.

It is of particular interest to note that the company is now filling many giant pneumatic tyres up to 8-in. section, so that it is now in a position to deal with equipment ranging from the smallest to the largest sizes used on commercial-motor vehicles.

Wiesbaden's Trams to Go.

Wiesbaden has decided to discard tramcars and to run motorbuses instead for the convenience of the townspeople and visitors. This decision was made at a private meeting of the town council when the qUestion of renewing the concession held by the lessees was discussed. This concession expires about 12 months' hence and the town council decided not to grant a renewal.

Traffic Outgrowing Roads.

The need for ample provision for traffic in the layout and construction of new roads was emphasized by Mr. I. A. T. Shannon in a paper recently read before the Liverpool Engineering Society. He quoted figures showing the amazing growth of Liverpool traffic.

A census taken over the 10 principal roads Crossing the Liverpool city boundary showed that the total weight per yard width in 1921 was 634,802 tons, whilst in 1927 it was approximately 1,542,068 tons, an increase of 250 per cent., or thereabonts. It was estimated that the weight per yard width in 1937 would be 2,548,065 tons, and in 1048 9,798,866 tons.

The construction of a portion of the new East Lancashire road-was the beginning of a main • artery which some day would stretch across to the East Coast.

Devon Traffic Increase.

Reference was made at a recent meeting of the Devon Standing Joint Committee to the enormous increase -in the number of mechanically, propelled vehicles licensed in the county. It was stated that in 1921 the number was 13,033, in 1923 it was 22,494, by 1926 it had grown to 45,386, and it was 60,386 in the following year, since when there had been a further increase.

Haulage Costs in Watvvickshire.

The county surveyor of Warwickshire has recently isined his annual report for the year ended March 31st, 1927, and this shows that the quantity of material hauled by road vehicles from the various stations and wharves in the county was 81,917 tons, the total cost being £11,366, equivalent to an average of 2s. 9d. per ton delivered at the point on the roads where it was required.

The council had ten Clayton and Shuttleworth steam wagons in use during the year. The total cost of working the fleet was £7,155, being an average of £3 is. 6d. per working day, this figure including the wages of drivers, two loaders and the cost of fuel, oil and repairs, but not taking depreciation and interest on capital into account.

The tonnage of ,material hauled during the year was 55,377 and the coSt was 2s. 7d. per ton, as compared with 2s. 6,id. per ton in the previous year. The former figure actually shows ft reduction in working costs as compared with the return of the previous year, because the increase in licence duties is equivalent to 14d. per ton of material hauled. In spite of the fact that the steam wagons have seen many years' service, the county surveyor reports that they continue to give good results and their working costs are economical.

A Co-opergtive Society's Coaching Results.

The Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society had a turnover of £7,018 on its Motor coach services in the past half-year. The expenses and charges for depreciation and interest amounted to £3,052, and there was a balance of £2,515.

Assisting the Spanish Industry.

The Spanish Cabinet has just decided to establish a fund of 5,000,000 pesetas (am000) for the Purpose of fostering the manufacture of motorcars and lorries.

Military Transport in India.

Good progress is being made in the mechanization of the Army in India, and it is expected that the work will be developed a further stage now that a branch of the Indian Army Service Corps is well advanced. A number of six-wheeled tractors will be brought into commission at an early date. Horse and mule transport will still be indispensable for military purposes in certain areas, but bullock-cart transport wilI, it is considered, eventually disappear.

Another Conversion to Buses.

Another Lancashire triunways route is to be abandoned and is in future to be served by inotorbuses. The Caine Corporation has placed an order for six 26seater buses and thes,e will work what was hitherto the Trawden section of the tramway system.

Arterial-road Schemes Deferred.

Durham County Council has deferred the following arterial-road schemes until the Ministry of Transport is able to guarantee grants:— New arterialroad, Chester Dene, via Picktree Lane, Portobello and Springwell, to Jingling Gate, Lingey Lane ; estimated cost ; £310,310.

Now arterial road, Jingling Gate, via Follingsby and Three Horse Shoes, to site of proposed Hylton Bridge ; estimated cost, £240,860.

New arterial road from site of proposed Hylton Bridge, via Silksworth, to Seaham; estimated cost, £335,836.

Diversion of Durham-Stobkton main road at Shincliffe; estimated cost, £17,000.

"Blackwell Bridge, reconstruction and road diversion ; estimated cost, 152,500.


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