United Service Transport Report.
Page 44
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The report of the directors of United Service Transport Co., Ltd., for the year ended September 30th last shows that, although the business continues to expand, a slight falling off in the rate of net profits has to he recorded, this being largely due to the increased cost of petrol and to keen competition in the passenger-service world. The actual net profit for the year, before providing for depreciation, amounted to 143,141, as against £40,879 for the previous year. After providing for depreciation and the 8 per cent, dividend on the preference shares, there remains a balance of £3,459. Of this sum £3,000 is placed to the reserve account, and, after the payment of a dividend of 8 per cent. on the ordinary shares, a balance of £159 remains to be carried forward.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the company, Mr. Stewart Cole, F.C.A., the chairman, said that in the period the company's vehicle mileage increased by nearly 700,000 and, because of this, one might have expected increased profits, but he said that the fine summer had dispelled that possibility. First, they had to face price-cutting, secondly, the difficulty, so far as losses were concerned, of their booking agents and, thirdly, the question of loading. A motor coach might be only one-third full, but in fine weather the journey had to be undertaken, with the result that money was lost on the empty seats, whereas, in had weather, a little diplomatic persuasion might• save the expense of undertaking the trip.
A Quick-acting Valve-grinding Compound.
For many years Clover valve-grinding compound has been well known, and an addition to the range of abrasives sold under that title is known as JustRite Clover grinding compound. It is marketed by Brown Brothers, Ltd., Brown's Buildings, Great Eastern Street, London, E.0.2.
The new form is a water-mixed variety which cuts with unusual rapidity. A claim made is that it can be left for a time, if a mechanic be called away, without hardening-up like 022 cement, as might be expected with a
water-mixed compound. It is obtainable in two grades, medium and coarse, the price being is. 3d. per tin of 2 oz. Either grade is capable of being used alone for the complete grinding task.
Further Crossleys for the R.B.C.B.
Crossley Motors, Ltd., Gorton, Manchestee, has just completed a repeat order for three of its 31170 h.p. mediumtype rigid six-wheeled vehicles for the Racecourse Betting Control Board. These vehicles will be used in conjunction with the 12 Crossleys previously supplied, for carrying accumulators, batteries and other equipment for use in connection with the totalisators on the various racecourses.
Specialized Valve Service.
The latest edition—No. 11—of the price list of Standard Valves, Ltd., Northampton, has recently come to hand. The issue has been revised, enlarged and rearranged. The list shows the metal used for each type of valve and gives the dimensions, which greatly facilitate the correct ordering of spare valves. Many of the exhaust valves formerly made in 3 per cent. nickel steel are now listed in Silehrome, stainless steel, KB965 and other heat resisting alloys. A copy of this list will be sent gratis on receipt of a trade card.
Headquarters for the Western Welsh.
The Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., has acquired eight acres of land at Cowbridge Road, Cardiff, upon which the company's headquarters are to be established. Some two acres will be used for a garage, bits depot, etc., whilst upon the remaining space works and a large welfare hall will be erected.
Durkopp Vehicles Cease to be Made. It is reported in the German motor Press that the Durkopp Co., of Bielefeld, has decided to cease the manufacture of commercial motors and to convert that section of its factory to the production 'of special textile machinery. In this connection it is interesting to remember that some of the earliest motorbuses in this country were of Durkopp manufacture.
Double-deckers for Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Ministry of Home Affairs has at last withdrawn its opposition to the licensing of doubledeck buses. Several applications for licences for such vehicles have in the past been made, but they have always been rejected. Now, at the request of the Belfast Corporation, the Minister has agreed, as an experiment, to permit the issue of licences for six doubledeckers, which are to be used by the corporation. At the January meeting of the municipality the tramways manager was authorized to advertise for tenders for six double-deckers.
Activity at Ransomes Works.
Amongst important orders recently received by Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., Orwell Works, Ipswich, may be mentioned one for 60 doublesaloon bus bodies, this having been received from the East Surrey Traction Co., Ltd., whilst nine single-deck bus bodies are being built for the British Electrical Federation. The company is also completing a contract for bodies for Trojan vans for the Air Ministry.
In addition, five complete Ransomes trolley-buses are being built for service in Liege, Belgium, whilst the company has received a repeat order from Bloemfontein, where its trolley-buses have been running very successfully during the past two years.
Welsh Municipal Services Under Discussion.
Cardiff Corporation recently applied to the Caerphilly authorities for permission to extend to Ystrad Mynach the joint Cardiff-Caerphilly service which is operated by Cardiff and Caerphilly Corporations. Caerphilly, incidentally, already runs a separate service to Ystrad Mynaeh. The Caerphilly authorities declined the proposal and Cardiff Corporation now intimates that it may be necessary to abandon the joint Cardiff-Caerphilly service.
Merthyr, Cardiff and Caerphilly Corporations have agreed upon the principal points with regard to the founding of joint municipal services, including one between Merthyr and Cardiff, via Caerphilly.