Answers to Queries.
Page 18
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,The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on
one side of the Paper only, and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for the views expressed is accepted. In the case of experiences, names of towns or localities may be withheld.
-Mittel Engines for Heavy Vehicles.
[1,651] " SEASIDE " writes:—" I shall be obliged if you will give me a reply to the following question :— "(1) Do you know whether the Mutel engine, model 0_ 130 by 150 mm. (bus engine) is a good one for heavy work Some of these engines; are now being offered at a law price. I thought they might b-e faulty, or, perhaps, are toe big to find a sale."
ANSWER.—The Mutel engine has a good reputation, although it, has not been employed in this country to any great extent. It is built in Paris, but we are unable to say whether this particular model is useful for your purpose without knowing more of your requirements. The probability is that the machines are cheap because they are so large, and, therefore, have not a very big market.
Taxicab Hirer's Doubts.
[1,6-52] " CLAREMONT " writes: " I should be glad of information on the following points " (1) If one hires a taxicab in London to take one into the country—to Reigate say—and there dismisses it, is -the charge that which is registered by the taximeter, or has one any further liability for the return journey '?
" (2) Is there any difference in the charge for such a Journey when the cab is hired at night?
" (3) Could one call a taxicab from the rank under the circumstances of query No. 1 or would longer notice for such a journey be required ?"
ANSWER.— In reply to your inquiries we append the following :—
(l) You cannot compel any London cabdriver to take you for a longer continuous distance that six miles for any one hiring. Such six miles may commence from any point inside the Metropolitan police area and may con-tinue outside it. Your liability is limited, under all circumstances, by the registration of the taximeter. "Back money " for the return journey can never be claimed.
(2) There is no difference in charge at any time of the day or night.
(3) A driver must be ready to be hired at all times, .unless he can show reasonable cause, such as insufficiency of fuel, undue time on duty, etc.
Liability;for Broken Crankshaft.
[1,653] " WREXHAM " writes:—" I have been a constant reader of your excellent journal-also The Motor 'from the first issue, and shall be obliged if you will give me advice on a question of liability. As I am in urgent need of your advice, I am taking the liberty to request a reply post paid. The facts of the case are as follow : I have a vehicle which is fitted with a well-known, fourcylinder engine, and, some time ago, while the vehicle was -travelling at about 20 miles per hour, one of the bolts in the big-end of the third connecting rod broke and let out the brasses. The rod became jammed, and the crankshaft was badly twisted. The engine was subsequently taken down and sent to the makers, who fitted a new crankshaft and bearings, and two new connecting rods, at a total cost of £20. After the repairs were completed, the car had been run about 200 miles when the crankshaft broke without any warning. There appeared to have been a flaw in it, and at once I dispatched the crankshnft to the repairers with the suggestion that they should replace it free. I now receive a letter stating that there was no flaw, and, as the maker of the crankshaft only guarantees the steel for three months, theycannot do as -I suggest, but will supply a new one for £8. Have I any legal claim on them ?
ANSWER.—A reply by post has been sent to our correspondent as follows :—If you have no guarantee with the.
machine, it would be a difficult matter for you to substantiate any claim on the makers for the faulty crankshaft. Have you any written or published statement of the makers or their agents which specifies the class and quality of the material which they are supposed to employ? Iles the crankshaft been examined by an expert ?
Exemptions from Carriage Tax and Lettering on Vans.
ANSWER (supplementary) to Query No. 1,633 (issue of 16th June).—We are now in a position, by the courtesy of the Commissioners of Police for the Metropolis of the City of London, to inform interested readers that, whilst, as we have stated, the name of an individual is not necessary to enable a company or firm to comply with the terms of the exemption clause of the 1888 Customs and Inland Revenue Act, they should also pay regard to the undermentioned extracts from other Acts:—
Hackney and Stage Carriages Metropolis Act (Short Title), 1 and 2 William IV, Cap. 22, Sec. 59, which reads: " The owner of every wagon, van, cart, car, dray, or other such carriage which shall be driven or used in any public street or road within the distance of five miles from the General Post Office in the City of London, shall paint or cause to be painted in words at full length, and in one or more straight line or lines, upon some conspicuous place on the right or off side of such wagon, etc., clear of the wheel or wheels thereof, the true christian name and surname and place of abode of the owner or (if there be more than one) of the principal owner of such wagon, etc., and the letters of all such words shall be painted in legible and conspicuous characters of black upon a white ground or of white upon a black ground, and shall be at least one inch in height, and of a proper and proportionate breadth; and all such words shall be repainted or renewed in like manner from time to time as often as the same or any part thereof shall become obliterated or defaced."
A £5 penalty is enacted for default, and " any person " may " take and seize " an unlettered wagon, etc., and lodge it for safe custody " in a livery stables or other place of safety " until the charge has been heard and determined, and the tine and costs have been discharged!
Highways Act, 5 and 6 William IV, Cap. 50, Sec. 76. which reads: " The owner of every wagon, cart oi other such carriage shall paint or cause to be painted in one or more straight line or lines, upon some conspicuous part of the right or off side of his wagon, cart or other such carriage, or upon the off-side shafts thereof, before the same is used on any highway, his christian name and surname, or the style and title by which he is commonly designated, and the place of his trade or abode, or the christian and surname and place of trade or abode of a partner or owner thereof, at full length, in large legible letters in white upon black, or black upon white, not less than one inch in height, and continue the same thereupon so long as such wagon, cart or other such carriage is used upon any highway ; and every owner of any wagon, cart or other such carriage, who shall use or allow the same to be used on any highway without the name, and descriptions painted thereon as aforesaid, or who shall suffer the same to become illegible, or who shall paint or cause to be painted any false or fictitious name or place of trade or abode on such wagon or cart or other such carriage, shall pay, on conviction, for every such offence, a sum not exceeding 40s., with or without costs, as the justices before whom the conviction takes place think fit."