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 runs."—John Beattie Crosier.
A Statement Concerning Vulcan's Affairs.
Under an order for the compulsory winding-up of=3 the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., a statement of affairs has been issued, aim ing assets estimated to be worth £270,643. Debenture holders' claims amount to £524,998. The ranking liabilities are set down at £306,200. The issued capital is 1620,000, and as regards shareholders there is a deficiency of £926,200. The nominal capital of the company was originally £75,000, but it was subsequently increased to £620,000, all of which has been issued and paid.
Since its inception, the company's net profits have aggregated £515,169, but losses in certain periods have amounted to £1,092,291.
In December, 1920, a grouping of several concerns of motor manufacturers and distributors was created to carry out a policy of mass production, and Harper Bean then acquired 60 per cent of the shares in the Vulcan concern, the latter taking 50,009 ordinary shares and 100,000 preference shares, all of • 11 value, in the Harper Bean undertaking. Another concern undertook the entire wholesale distribution and servicing organization.
A "Regal" Reception of the Leyland Zoo.
One of our business representatives made a point of attending a return cricket match, on a recent Saturday, at Southall, between those doughty champions, the Leyland and A.E.C. teams. The match earlier this year between these friendly antagonists resulted in a crushing victory for the Lancashire lads, but on this later occasion the A.E.C. made the others take matters very seriously, as it reduced the deficit to a matter of 19 runs.
Interested spectators on the A.E.C. side included Messrs. C. W. Reeve, Norman Hardie, G. j. Rackham, and A. S. C. Chatty. Amongst the Leyland personnel we noticed Mr. Arthur Spurrier, and working hard for their side on the field were Messrs. H. Spurrier, Junr., and A. E. Chadwick.
If there be a business hatchet existing between these two eminent concerns it was carefully concealed, because we noticed that a most cordial atmosphere existed.
How Leicester's Buses Fared.
A satisfactory year of working of the buses of Leicester Corporation is shown by the recently issued report of Mr. H. Pool, M.Inst.T., general manager of the corporation tramways and motorbus department, which covers the year to March 31st last. The traffic revenue from the operation of the buses totalled 19-5,337, whereas working expenses amounted to £82,977. Out of the gross balance of £12,360, interest on mortgages, etc., and redemption of debt absorbed 19,877, so that there was a net sufplus of £2,483, this contrasting with a dencit of 11,829 in 1929-30.
B20 The fleet run by the corporation comprises 52 vehicles, 38 of them being of Guy. make (23 56-seaters and 15 25seaters), whilst 14 Tilling-Stevens 50seater petrol-electrics are also in service.
During the past municipal year the buses carried 13,561,031 passengers and covered a total mileage of 1,439,823, the latter figure being nearly 100,000 higher than the comparable return for the previous year. Although the average receipts per bus-mile were slightly lower than for the previous year, there was a much greater decrease in working expenses per bus-mile. Up to the end of March the gross capital expenditure on the Leicester Corporation bus system amounted to a total of £121,841.
First Appeals to the Ministry.
Last week the first appeals under the Road Traffic Act, against decisions by the Traffic Commissioners, were heard by Mr. R. H. Tolerton at the Ministry of Transport, London. Classique Coaches, Ltd., appealed against the action of the Commissioners in refusing to authorize an East HamGrass service via Dagenham and Rainham. The main-line railway companies and the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd. were the objectors. The decision will be announced in due course.
On the second day of the hearing Southend Express Carriers, Ltd., aPpealed against the refusal by the Eastern Area Traffic Commissioners of licences for a Southend-Aldgate (London) service. Mr. Daniel Hopkin, K.C., M.P., who appeared on behalf of the operating company, severely criticized the procedure of the Commissioners and claimed that they had been biased by evidence not disclosed at the public sitting. Mr. Tolerton reserved his recommendations.
E150,000 Coach Station and Park.,
Plymouth Watch Committee has approved the plans of the city surveyor for the provision of a station for publicservice vehicles and a motor park, at an estimated cost of 1150.000.
Trade With Argentina—A Strong F.B.I. Committee.
The first meeting of the newly constituted Argentine Committee of the Federation of British Industries, which bas been formed to follow up the results of the British Empire Trade Exhibition, held a short time ago at Buenos • Aires, recently took place. Several well-known members of the motor trade are on the committee, and amongst them we can mention Mr. V. Watlington (English Electric Co., Ltd.), who is chairman, Mr. A. Spencer (George Spencer, Moulton and Co., Ltd.), Mr. 3. A. Goodwyn (Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd.), Major F. P. Scott (A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd.), Colonel A. Hacking, D.S.O., M.C. (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd.), Mr. L. Harrel (Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd.), Mr. T. Nightingale (Sheffield Steel Products, Ltd.), Major H. IC. Watling (British Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers and Traders Union, Ltd.), Colonel F. Garrett (Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd.), and Mr. 3. Mauclslay (Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd.).
This committee has decided to form a small executive committee of five members, whose duty will be to study the various problems arising and to initiate suggestions for the development of British trade with Argentina for consideration by members of the main committee.
Passenger Accommodation in
• Edinburgh.
Some difficulty is apparently being experienced by those engaged in running coach trips from England to Edinburgh, in finding accommodation for • their passengers on arrival. In this connection the Scottish Travel Association, 87, George Street, Edinburgh, has pointed out that it has details of excellent boarding establishments in the city, and it has occurred to the' Association that some of our readers engaged in this traffic might find it convenient to get into touch with it, so that they could guarantee goad accommodation for their passengers.
A New Bus-owners' Association.
An association of independent bus proprietors has been formed in the Wrexham and North Wales area with an original membership of approximately 35, representing about 100 public-service vehicles operating over routes in the area. The title chosen is "The Wrexham and District United Bus Owners." The entrance fee has been provisionally fixed at one guinea per member, with a supplementary monthly subscription per bus. Four very successful meetings have already been held.
The chairman of the association is Mr. Joseph Price, of Prices' Motors, the vice-chairman being Mr. A. Wright. The secretary of the organization is Mr. C. T. W. Tooth, who has an office pro tem., at Laburnam Cottage, Chapel Street, Wrexham.
Burnley's Bus Concern.
The report of Mr. C. H. Stafford, general manager of the Burnley tramways and omnibus department, shows that during the year ended March 31st last the revenue from the operation of the corporation's buses was £36,899, whilst expenditure amounted to £40,972. The debit balance was thus 14,073, after debiting the buses with 14,079, or .885d. per bus-mile, for services rendered by the tramways department. The interest and sinking fund charges on buses amounted to £4,603 during the year with which we are dealing. The total loss on bus working was £9,431.
During the year the vehicles, which operate over a route mileage of 16.5, covered an aggregate mileage of 1,106,181 and carried 6,022,422 passengers. At the time when our municipal analysis was published in March last the corporation had 28 buses in operation, 26 of them being of Leyland make.
Free State Tractor Trade.
In the four months ended April last the Irish Free State imported tractor parts to the value of only £47,945, as compared with 1534,742 in the corresponding period of 1930.
Declines are also recorded in the four months' exports of tractors and parts from the Free State, those of complete machines having dropped from 10,660 to 3,377 in number and from £1,105.095 to £318,750 in value, and those of tractor parts from £609,326 to 148,647.
A Staff Vacancy.
There is a vacancy on the staff of The Motor for a first-class advertisement representative. It is an excellent opportunity for a man of about 35 years of age, who has the right qualifications and who can operate in Greater London. Those interested should write to Mr. It. D. F. Paul, the Advertisement Manager, The Motor, 5-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.1.
A New Coach Station for Manchester.
Recently there was opened in Manchester the new station which has been constructed for Fingland's Bookings and Coach Stations, Ltd., a company allied to Fingland's Hire ;Cars, Ltd., which retains its garage at 213, Wilmslo-w Road, Rusholme. The new station is situated in Great Bridgewater Street, and it will be used not only by the Fingland coaches, but also by those of a dozen other companies.
There is room for eight vehicles to be parked under cover. A clear way for the passage of other coaches is retained, and by providing a separate entrance in Trumpet Street there is no likelihood of any congestion, even at rush periods. On the first Boor overlooking the station is the office of the manager, Mr. W. F. Claxton, and close to it is accommodation for the secretary, Mr. W. N. Wright, and for the clerical staff.
More Public Service Vehicle Regulations.
June 23rd is the date of the latest regulations concerning licences and certificates for public-service vehicles. The title of the new issue is "The Public Service Vehicles (Licences and Certificates) (No. 2) Provisional Regulations, 1931." Copies are priced at 3d. each and are obtainable from H.M. Stationery Office, Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2, from any of its branches or through any bookseller.
Provisional regulations in this connection were issued on February 9th, subsequent amendments appearing on March 3i5t. The new issue revokes both of these. All those concerned with publie-serViee-vehicle licences, road service licences, certificates of fitness or certificates of conformity to type vehicles should obtain a copy for reference. Belfast Bus Restrictions.
Touting for passengers, loitering for the purpose of collecting passengers, or "using any noisy form of attrace ton," will be prohibited under the new by-laws for the regulation of bus traffic, which come into force in Belfast on August 1st. The new by-laws also deal with the routes to be followed by buses travelling in the city and with bus stands.
Trading of United Dominions Trust.
The accounts of the United Dominions Trust, Ltd„ which have recently been published for the year ended June 80th, show that the company has had a record year. The profit for the period, before charging directors' fees and income tax, amounted to £94,815, as against £75,945 a year earlier. After adding £20,037 brought forward
from the previous year, the amount
available is £114,852. After paying directors' fees (£3,259) and income tax (£17,455), the directors have transferred £35,000 to the general reserve, which is £20,000 higher than the allocation for the previous 12 months. The dividends remain the same as in 1930, being 15 per cent. (less tax), on the A shares and 5 per cent. (less tax) on the B shares.
In its brief history United Dominions Trust, Ltd., has set up the substantial reserve of £200,000 entirely out of profits.
Profit on Rotherham Light Transport.
The transport committee of Rotherham Corporation reports a net profit of 1131 last year on the light-transport department. The working expenses totalled £1,484, whilst the gross profit was £1,069. The depreciation of vehieles cost £836, and interest on capital £100. The total revenue was £2,553, or 10.70. per vehicle-mile. The working expenses were 6.220. per vehicle-mile. Altogether 57,312 miles were run.
Vehicle Restrictions in Donegal.
Dfinegal County Council has adopted' a report from its heavy traffic committee recommending an application to the Free State Minister for Local Government for an Order prohibiting, subject to such exceptions or conditions as may occasionally be specified, the driving of mechanically propelled vehicles exceeding 2i. tons in weight laden, on all roads in the county, with
B22 the exception of certain specified roads on which the maximum weight to be allowed will be 5 tons, and others on which the maximum weight allowed will be 4 tons. The adoption of this recommendation will mean that all buses of the heavier type will be unable to operate in the county.
A Treatise on Steam-wagon Lubrication.
Steam-wagon users will find a publication which has recently been issued by the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd., Caxton House,
London, S.W.1, of special interest, as it deals with the important subject of lubrication of steam wagons. The general principles influencing lubrication of the different types of steam wagon are dealt with simply and some useful operating notes are incorporated.
A chart of recommendations is included for specified grades of oil which are suitable for different 11SeS on both undertype and overtype wagons. "Northern General" Capital Increase.
We understand that the directors of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., propose to increase the capital of the company by the creation of 150,000 new shares of £1 each and to raise the preference-share dividend from 6 per cent. to 6i per cent, per annum. These Proposals will be placed before a meeting on July 22nd. The present capital of the company is £800,000.
A New Refrigerating Agent.
Interesting developments in the transport and preservation of food are indicated by the production by Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., at Billingham-on-Tees, of a new refrigerating agent which is a preparation of carbon dioxide in solid form. The new material is known as Drikold, and resembles in appearance a block of compressed snow, but since it has a temperature of about — 112 degrees F. (144 degrees of frost) it bar several times the refrigerating power of ordinary ice.
It ig expected that it will be found of much value in connection with the long-distance transportation of fish and meat by road and rail vehicles.
Bus Working at Barrow.
Barrow-in-FurneSs COrporation Owns a fleet of 16 buses, and in the year ended March 31st last the vehiclea were operated at a gross profit of £2,721, equivalent to 1.25d. per bus-mile. Total revenue amounted to £21,348 and expenditure to 118,627. The balance was transferred to the net revenue account, and, after meeting interest on mortgages, a sum of 12,363 was transferred to the appropriation account.
During the year the buses carried 3,616,515 passengers:
Canadian-built Rms.
We understand that the Bee Motor Car Co., of Lansing, Michigan, has leased one of the main buildings of the old Dodge automobile plant at Duff erin Street, Toronto, for the production of commercial vehicles and cars. We are told that the new plant will eventually supply not only the Canadian market, but that it will ship all vehicles required by the British sales subsidiary in London.
Coach Restriction Partly Removed.
EaStbourne Corporation has decided to remove the restriction, so far as Good Fridays and Christmas Days are concerned, on the hours during which coaches may ply for hire on the sea front. The restriction still remains in force on Sundays..
Personal Par.
On this page we reproduce a photograph of Mr. W. Young, who has just been appointed manager of the Birmingham branch of the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd. For the past two years Mr. Young has been in charge of the Manchester branch, and has an extensive connection in the Midlands.
At a recent meeting of the Automobile Electrical Association, Ltd., Mr. E. G. Ford, chairman, who is associated with Autoear Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd., Albert Embankment, London, 5.E.11, resigned from the chair on account of extreme pressure of business. The question of filling the vacancy is to be considered at a later meeting.
Sdothampton's New Coach Station.
A new coach station, with accommodation for over 100 vehicles, was opened, last Monday, at Grosvenor Square, Southampton. Mr. R. H. Keevil, the proprietor of the Holland Motor Coaches, is responsible for the venture, and the building, which occupies over an acre of gtound, has been constructed to his design. The station is said to be capable of dealing with at least one-third more traffic than is at present visiting Southampton.
Special attention has been paid to the free movement of coaches, and the site is admirably situated so far as access to main roads is concerned. The station is open day and night, and other features include a waiting-room and dining and refreshment rooms. The charges to coaching companies for the use of the premises will, we understand, be moderate.
The station was formally opened by Mr. W. W. Graham, director and general manager of the Hants and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd.
White Co. to Manufacture in Canada.
It is stated that the White Motor Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, which concern has been marketing lorries and buses in Canada during the past 22 years, is about to begin the manufacture of vehicles at its Canadian plant at Montreal. The company already has branches at. Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal and Vancouver. It is planned to manufacture the complete range of 27 types at the new plant at Montreal.
New Garage Equipment.
Tangyes, Ltd., Cornwall Works, Birmingham, has recently issued a leaflet giving details of its range of new garage equipment. This; gives particulars of different types of jack for commercial use, run-on-type lifts and turntables and vehicle-washing plant, as well as of air-compressor sets.