WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"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 The Road Fund Report.
A Blue Book of interest to users of all types of motor vehicle is the annual report on the administration of the Road Fund, the volume just issued, at the price of is., dealing with the 12 mouths ended March 31st, 1928.
Some of the material statistics have, of course, already been referred to from time to time in The Commercial Motor, for example, the total receipts credited to the Road Fund, the number of vehicles licensed, etc.
Information is given in the Report concerning amounts spent upon the roads, detailed according to the classification of highways. The work of the Department in connection with the strengthening and reconstruction of bridges has been considerable, and negotiations are pending in the case of many bridges which are not suitable for modern traffic. We are glad to hear that it is hoped that an early opportunity will present itself for the reintroduction of Col. Windsor-Olive's Bill dealing witlj. the bridge question.
Some very interesting matter appears In the Report regarding the many bypasses that have been constructed since the war, and with respect to the scheme of the Minister in connection with All experimental station, and the experimental branch road, a quarter of a mile long, which is being constructed along the Colnbrook by-pass. It is hoped that the road and station will be completed by the spring of 1929.
A copy of the Report can be obtained through ELM. Stationery Offices or through any bookseller.
Scammell Lorries Report.
The report of Scammell Lorries, Ltd., for the year ended June 30th shows a net profit of 122,459, after providing for depreciation of plant, machinery, interest on loan and debentures and directors' remuneration. Adding the amount brought forward from the previous year, the amount available for distribution is £37,349. It is proposed to pay a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, less tax, on the issued share capital and to place £10,000 to general reserve, so that a sum of £19,148 will remain to be carried forward.
The company is making an issue of 123,016 ordinary shares of 6s. 8d. each. Part of the proceeds of this issue will be used in redeeming the second and third debentures now outstanding, which will account for 127,000, and the balance will be available for the general purposes of the company.
Reduced Fares for Winter Travel.
At the beginning of the present year Westminster Coaching Services, Ltd., established a daily road service between London and Bury St. Edmund's, and we gather that the company has experienced a very successful season. In fact, on one Sunday during August as many as 160 passengers were carried from Bury St. Edmund's, Cambridge and Huntingdon, and on many occasions it was found necessary to duplicate and triplicate the service.
The service is being maintained durB20 log the winter months, but the fares • have been reduced, and it is now possible to travel from Bury St. Edmund's to London for 7s. single or 12s. day return, period returns being available at 113s. Three new vehicles are being provided for the service.
Star's Reduction of Capital.
The petition presented to the High Courts on October 19th last for confirming a scheme of arrangement and reduction of the capital of the Star Motor Co., Lid., from £300,000 to 1122,000 will be heard before Mr. Justice Eve on December 11th.
Thornycroft's Good Year.
For the year ended July 31st last the accounts of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., show a profit of £128,512, but directors' fees (£2,000) and debenture interest to July 31st last (£13,500) reduce this sum to £113,012, which is more than double the amount for the previous year, when the net surplus was £52,126. The available balance is increased to 1158,682 after adding a sum of £51,670 brought forward from the previous year and deducting an interim dividend on the preference shares, which absorbed £6,000.
A dividend of 15 per cent, to be paid on the ordinary shares (as against 6 per cent. last year) absorbs £45,000, the payment of which entitles the participating preferred ordinary, shares to the maximum dividend of 9 -per cent., as against 7i per cent.• paid in the previous 12 months ; this will account for a further £22,500. A final dividend of 3 per cent. on the cumulative preference shares, making 6 per cent, for the year, absorbs £6,000. Last year no allocation was made to the reserve, but this year the fund benefits to the extent of 125,000, whilst 15,000 is transferred to the bene4lent fund as against 13,000 a year earlier. After these allocations have been made there is a balance of £55,182 to carry forward.
It is made clear in the report that commercial-vehicle sales have continued to show satisfactory results.
London Traffic Co-ordination.
Having discussed from 3 p.m. on Tuesday of last week until 7 o'clock the following morning the proposals for the co-ordination of London traffic services, the London County Council eventually agreed, by a majority of 19, to the scheme and, accordingly, it will now be possible for Bills to be introduced into Parliament to enable the necessary steps to be taken to secure such coordination. The lengthy debate was due to the opposition of the Labour Party, there being about 30 amendments, all of which were proposed with the idea of delaying the scheme.
Allen-Liversidge Dividend.
Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., announces a dividend at the rate of 6j per cent, per annum, less tax, on the preference shares of the company, for the six months ended October 31st last.
More A.E.C.s for a Railway Company.
We learn that the London and North Eastern Railway Co. have placed an order with the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., for 23 28 h.p. 2-ton chassis and ft 45 h.p. 5-ton chassis for their auxiliary road motor services.
A Bodybuilder's Change of Title.
In consequence of recent changes in connection with the well-known coachbuilding firm of Messrs. Strachan and Brown, we understand that the business will, in future, be carried on under the title of Messrs. Strachans, with Mr. James Reith Strachan acting in the capacity of manager. Commercial Outfits at the Motorcycle Show.
Those interested in light delivery vehicles found much to interest them at Olympia last week at the Motorcycle Exhibition. Naturally, sidecar outfits predominated in point of numbers, some 21 being shown separately or complete in a collective exhibit.
Trucks, floats and light vans were exhibited by the makers of the following well-known motorcycles : Ariel, B.S.A., Chater-Lea, Douglas, Dunelt, Levis, Matchless, New Imperial, Norton, RexAcme, Royal Enfield, Rudge-Whitworth, Sunbeam and Triumph. Sidecars only were shown by Dorway (a folding chassis design), Millford and Watsonian. Vans on three-wheeler chassis were staged by Coventry-Victor and Morgan, whilst an interesting sidecar of the dual-purpose type—for goods or passen
gers—was attached to a Baker motorcycle. All these vehicles can be driven by a youth over 14 yaars of age, and the annual tax is, of course, only £4. Purchase prices of these vehicles range from £50 upwards.
One of the outstanding machines, from the commercial standpoint, was the D.K.W. three-wheeler, with four wheel driving and steering. The pressed steel chastis is carried upon semi-elliptic rear springs attached to an H-section axle. Both brakes are in the rear wheels. The front of the chassis is sprung at the steering head, on which are carried the complete engine and transmission system. The steering is by direct tiller.
A 300 c.c. turbo-cooled two-stroke single-cylinder engine is carried between the fork members, the cylinder being horizontal. Chain drive to a three-speed Burman gearbox is employed, and by chain again to the sprocket on the wheel hub.
All three wheels are quickly detachable and interchangeable, the right-hand blade of the front fork being hinged for wheel removal. The chassis costs 95 guineas, plus £7 8s. for lighting. Bodies are priced as follow :—Four-seater taxi, £45; traveller's brougham, £45; open van, £12 10s.; box van, £25. The British representative is F. Shirley, 68, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1. This vehicle bears only a £4 annual tax.
Glasgow's Bus Bureau.
A bus information and motor tours bureau has just been opened in Glasgow. Mr. A. J. Thomson, the chief organizer for Scotland of the bureau, opened premises in Carlton Place some time ago, but the increasing development of passenger road transport and the requirements of the public, have made it desirable to secure more central premises, and these have now been opened at 263, Hope Street. The bureau is said to be the only one of its kind in Great Britain at which con siderable information regarding timetables, fares and distances concerning bus services in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales can be obtained.
Trying to Free a Toll Bridge.
Negotiations between the county authorities of Cheshire and Lancashire for freeing Warburton Bridge from toll have failed, because the Ship Canal Co. are not prepared to discuss the question of the commutation of the toll unless the public authorities reconstruct and assume control of the bridge.
Distributing A.E.C. Products.
Albert and Tristram, Ltd., City Road, Chester, have recently entered the commercial-vehicle side of the motor industry and the company is acting as the distributor for A.E.C. products in North Wales and a portion of Cheshire. The new workshops 'of the cornpsany cover an area of 1,100 square yards and consist of offices, reception rooms, stores, electrical department, examination and report departments and workshop, Night Coaches on the Newcastle-London Route.
The Majestic Motors, Ltd., of Newcastle, which on • Wednesday of last week inaugurated a night coach service between Newcastle and London, can claim the distinction of being one of the first motorbus undertakings in this country to tun both day and night services.
The company was one of the pioneers of limited-stop passenger transport services in the north country, and over a year ago it instituted a daily service between Tyneside and the Metropolis, which has been run ever since, without dislocation, in all kinds of weather and at all seasons of the year.
The new night service will be worked from Newcastle and London at 8 each night. It is the intention of the company to purchase a fleet of specially, equipped vehicles provided with reclining chairs, and each passenger will be provided with a rug. Lavatory and buffet facilities will be provided on each machine.
Another night service which has only recently been instituted is that over the same route by the Nite Coach Services, but this is only worked three nights each week in each direction. Both firms are charging the same fares as those which apply on the buses making the journey by day.
A £20,000 Order for Trolley-buses.
Richard Garrett and Sous, Ltd., hag just received a repeat order from the National Electric Construction Co., Ltd., of Salisbury Square, London, E.0.4, for a further 12 Garrett singledeck trolley-buses for the Mexborough and Swinton Tramways, the value of the contract amounting, we are told, to approximately £20,000. The complete vehicles will be manufactured at the Garrett works.
Pontypridd's Application.
The terms of the application being made to Parliament by the Pontypridd Urban'District Council for bus-running powers have now been decided upon. The council is asking for authority to substitute trolley-buses for tramcars inside the urban area, and to ply for hire with motorbuses outside the area.
Motors and the Marketing of Agricultural Produce.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has recently issued its third report on markets and fairs in England and Wales, and this edition deals with northern markets. The object of the reports is to provide a survey of agricultural markets in connection with investigations being made by the Ministry into the marketing of agricultural produce.
From the latest report we gather that there are 496 separate markets for the sale of agricultural produce and live stack in the northern counties, although only small quantities of home-grown produce are handled in the retail roarkets'of the towns.
A part Of the report deals in detail
with the markets of the different counties in the area, and herein is contained an observation which is not without significance, indicating, as it does, the tendency to transport ever-increasing quantities of agricultural produce by road motors. Although the proportion of farm produce passing" through local markets is said to be probably . larger in Cumberland than in most other counties, it is Stated to be decreasing as a result of the development of mechanical road transport and the consequent tendency of wholesalers to • collect supplies direct from farms.
Manchester Tries the One-way, System.
The one-way traffic system, which has already proved its worth,in•eertain London areas, has recently been started in the 'centre of Manchester. Pedestrians have been advised by the chief constable to cross, when possible, only at the established junctions and to bear in mind that a general speeding-up of traffic is natural with the adoption of the gyratory system. Special illuminated signals have been erected at B22•
corners for the purpose of directing the drivers of vehicles wishing to cross from one side of one-way streets to the other.
A Memorable Test.
A few weeks ago we had an opportunity for dealing at some length with the remarkable performance of a standard International 1-ton lorry in crossing the African continent, taking in the Sahara Desert, some months ago. The International Harvester Co., of Chicago, have seen fit to embody details of this historic trip in a booklet which has just been issued, and the narrative makes most memorable read
ing. Sir Charles Markham gives his own account of the trip across the Sahara Desert with Baron Von 131ixenVineelce in the same International lorry which was driven by Mr. C. N.
King; of the general office of the International Harvester Export Co., on his journey from Nairobi to Kano.
The story is well told and the hardships and difficulties which were encountered not only serve to stress the hazardous nature of the journey, but afford remarkable testimony of the efficient running of the International lorry under most trying conditions.
Electre-ehemical Deposition of Metals.
A most interesting booklet has been sent to us by Fescol, Ltd., 101, Grosvenor lload, London, S.W.1. It concerns the deposition of metals as applied commercially, particularly for the building up of worn parts and the prevention of corrosion, the metals used being nickel, chromium, etc. The brochure gives valuable information on the subject, and is well illustrated by actual examples of the work undertaken. It is priced at 2s. 6d. net. Those requiring a copy should write to the company, asking for brochure No. 16.
A Demonstration of Firefighting Methods.
In a report to the corporation on his attendance at the International Service Congress held at Turin, Mr. Stanley W. Thorpe, chief officer of the Brighton Fire Brigade, declares that it was the most practical demonstration of firefighting methods he has ever had the opportunity of attending. To enable tests to be carried out on different classes of fire likely to be encountered, a range of buildings had been erected at a cost of £10,000. These comprised a girl's school, hotel, cinema, post-office, hay store, hospital, a building constructed with a basement, a wooden bungalow treated with a fire-resisting material, and other structures. These were erected in the stadium and on four days were set on fire under conditions simulating, as near as possible, those likely to be met under actual service conditions. Inmates had to be rescued and the fires properly extinguished.
Brigades from all parts of Italy and others from Switzerland and France took part, and the event was carried out in the form of a competition for which prizes were offered. It was a most remarkable demonstration of the different methods adopted by various brigades, and there were between 150 and 200 motor appliances at the congress.
Mr. Thorpe was much impressed with the really wonderful ladder and line work carried out by many of the brigades. The ladders used were different from those in use in England and, in his opinion, are worthy of consideration and test. As regards motor appliances, after having inspected many of those which took part he considers that, with the new machines now on order, the Brighton Fire Brigade will have the finest fire-fighting appliances available for the protection of the town.
Heavy.oil-engined Tractors.
At the recent annual meeting of Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd., it was announced by the chairman that its associated firm, Messrs. Blackstone, of Stamford, are now ready to place on the market a high-speed heavy-oil engine which has successfully passed exhaustive endurance tests. Two, four and six-cylindered models of 171 h.p., 35 h.p. and 521 h.p. are to be made. It is claimed for tho new engines that they can be run for a quarter of the cost of petrol engines. As a result of the success of the new power unit we Understand that the first British heavyoil traetor is shortly to be placed on the
market by the firm.
Overseas Orders for Thornfcrofts. John I. Thornyeroft and Co., Ltd., continues to receive a large number of orders from overseas, and latest arrivals call for the shipment of eight chassis to the Sydney (Australia) City Council, four 20-seater bus chassis to the Municipal Council of Canton and a 2-ton, 3-ton and 5-ton chassis to the Ministry of. Communications of the Egyptian Government. The Sudan Government, which is already operating a large fleet of type A3 Thornycroft six-wheelers on cotton transport, is buying a further six-wheeler, this being of the A4 forward-control type. Other orders received have emanated from South Africa, Buenos Aires and Holland. The Coventry Chain Co.'s Profitable Trading.
The report of the Coventry Chain Co., Ltd., for the year ended August 31st last, reveals a particularly healthy period of trading. The profits for the 12 months considerably exceed any during the pre-war years, and the total of £101,439 for the past year compares with 147,596 for the preceding 12 months and 173,123 in 1924. The distribution for the year on the ordinary shares is raised from 71 per cent. to 121 per cent., whilst the directors have allocated £20,000 to the reserve fund as against 110,000 in the previous year and set aside £15,000 for income-tax reserve. The amount which is being carried forwasd is £18,975, as against £10,456 in the previous year.
A.E.C.s for the G.W.R.
We have had several occasions recently for referring to the road transport policy of the Great Western Railway Co. and to its decision to purchase large numbers of new vehicles for goods and passenger services. We now learn that the company has placed an order with the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., for 94 chassis for developing these services. The chassis will be equipped with A.E.C. 35-50 h.p. poppetvalve engines and will be of the forward-control type, in which the driver is accommodated alongside the engine, thus affording maximum body space.
A Patent Form of Belting.
We have recently received a specimen section of a patent form of belting intended for fan, dynamo and other forms of drive which is marketed by H. Brammer and Co., Ltd., 207, Kirkstall Road, Leeds. The belting is intended for a variety of industrial driving purposes and is constructed on the fish-scale principle. It comprises a series of units which are interchangeable and detachable.
The unit consists of a leather or rubber-impregnated fabric link, at one end of which are a large and two small holes, these being connected by a slit, whilst a stud is riveted to the other end. The belt is built up of a series of these units by threading the stud through the large hole and pushing it back into the smaller hole at one end.
When three or more links have been placed this way, the top overlapping end links are threaded on to the stud in the same way and pulled into the small hole at the front end.
As we have indicated, Brammer V belts are made in two materials, i.e., raw-hide leather and rubber-impregnated fabric, it being claimed that the latter is the only detachable link-belting of its type on the market.
PetroI-station Amenities..
Reporting upon proposals for the regulation of petrol stations, the London County Council states . that on the question of appearance, . it would: probably be difficult to frame by-laws in definite terms, but it . feels . that advertisements should be . prohibited. The power to prohibit the establishment of stations in streets or places which are of interest by reason of their picturesque character will probably be one of the most exercised in London.
Henley's Interim Dividend.
The directors of W. T. Henley's Telegraph Works Co., Ltd., have declared ' an interim dividend of 1s. 6d. per share, less income tax, on the ordinary shares of the company.
Success of Municipal Buses at Leeds.
A. half-yearly return issued by the tramways and transport department of the Leeds City Council shows gross receipts of 1514,545 from the municipal passenger services for the six months to September 30th, this figure being higher by 18,43/ than that for the comparable peried of last year.
The total increase in the number of
passengers carried during the period was 2,781,501, and of this number 1,233,866 were additional bus passengers. There was a reduction of 155,925 passengers carried on -the trolley-buses, but this is accounted for by the abandonment of • this -sfstem, which has been ieplaced by motorbuses.
It is interesting to note that although the gross receipts for the undertaking are higher, the actual receipts from the operation of the tramways were less by 11,306 :.nd from trolley-buses by i1s341. Thus it will be seen that the • motorbuses were entirely responsible for the higher receipts recorded,those obtained from.the. operation of such vehicles being 111,078 higher in the 'six months of this year than in the corresponding period of last year.
Air Cleaners for the Guy 30-cwt.
We are informed by Mr, Birt Hudson, A.ALI.A.E., that he has been favoured by Guy Motors, Ltd., with a contract for a supply of Air Maze carburetter air cleaners for the Guy 30-cwt. vehicle, svhich, it will be remembered, was recently described in this journal.
Firestone's New Headquarters.
The Complete organization of the Pirestone Tyre and Rubber Co. (1922), Ltd., is now accommodated at the company's new factory, Great West Road, Brentford. The administrative staff, hitherto. accommodated elsewhere, has been removed to the new works.
Municipal Purchases and Proposals.
DURHAM County Council has decided to purchase a Leyland 4-ton hydraulic end-tipping lorry at a cost of £1,050.
The LONDON County Council recommends the purchase of a motor lorry at a cost of about £310 for use on the Becontree housing estate.
The education committee of the LONDON County Council reports that it may shortly be necessary to purchase more motor ambulances for the physically defective school service.
The. BIRMINGHAM Watch Committee is inviting tenders for the supply of a motor fire-engine, and these have to be delivered to the fire-brigade headquarters not later than December 10th.
The tramways and motors committee of the SHEFFIELD Corporation recommends acceptance of the tender of Leyland Motors, Ltd., for the supply of 10 Titan double-deck motorbuses at £1,798 15s. each.
Elesenees Corporation recommends acceptance of the tender of Mr. 3. Hollingworth, of Hastings, for the supply and maintenance of a Dennis 2-3-ton lorry at £330 per annum, seven Ford 30-35-cwt. lorries at £185 each per annum, and two Ford 10-12-cwt. lorries at £135 each per annum, for a period of five years.
WALTHAMSTOW Urban District Council is inviting tenders for the supply of two petrol motor combinations for its fire-brigade, and these have to be delivered by November 28th. The equipment must include pump, fireescape and first-aid appliances.
The highways committee of the GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council is prepared to receive tenders for certain road materials, oils, petrol and stores for lorries and rollers for the year ending March 31st, 1930. Tenders have to be delivered not later than November 23rd.
Llanelly Bus Traffic Increasing.
In his annual report on bus traffic during 1927-28, the inspector to the Lie/lolly Borough Council shows that the number of journeys to and from Llanelly is now 3,402 weekly, as compared with 2,702 weekly in 1926. All these journeys connect Idanelly and neighbouring centres and are not purely concerned with local services. Passengers carried to and from Llanelly number over 20,000 per week.
The inspector states that the standard of vehicle employed by proprietors shows a great improvement and that the introduction of doubledeck buses on the Llanelly-Swansea route had resulted in the avoidance of -complaints of overcrowding. Linking Up Birmingham and Bournemouth.
Cheltenham Watch CoMmittee has granted licences to the Pioneer Motor Services in respect of a road service which they propose to run from Birmingham to Weymouth and Bournemouth.
The same committee has granted 24 licences to Elliot Bros. (Bournemouth), Ltd., in respect of a bus service proposed to be instituted between Bournemouth and Birmingham, via Salisbury, Swindon, Gloucester and Coventry.
A Paper Before I.A.E. Centres, One day last week Dr. E. C. Wadlow read a paper entitled "The Con:man/live Methods of Road and Dynamometer Testing for Motor Vehicles" before the Bristol centre of the Institution of Automobile Engineers. This paper will also be read at other provincial centres of the Institution on the following dates :—Coventry, to-day (November 13th) ; Glasgow, November 19th Wolverhampton, November 20th; Manchester, November 26th, Davenport's New Address.
We learn that the headquarters of Davenport Accessories, Ltd., are now at 12, Pembroke Street, King's Cross, London, N.1, at which the offices and works are located.