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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all digiciaties of transPart at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier, An Official Ban on Streamers. •

One of the bad practices indulged in by certain somewhat riotous .parties of

coach passengers has been to trail toy balloons: or streamers behind the vehicles. This is a practice which has been condemned in the columns of this journal, and we are glad to see that it is new to be forbidden by a by-law promoted by the London County Council and brought before the Home Secre

tary. •

If any person On any public coach or other public vehicle hired or used for pleasure purposes shall "attach .:o or hand, throw or trail from the vehicle any streamer, balloon or similar article," so as to cause danger or obstruction, he or she will be liable to a fine of f5.

The conductor of the vehicle will also be liable to a similar penalty, unless he is able to prove that he was unable to prevent the offence.

This by-law will take effect in about one month's time if no objection is sustained. The imposition of a similar regulation has been asked for throughout the country.

Insuring Canal Bridges.

The Lancashire branch of the Farmers' Union, at their meeting at Preston on Saturday, June 4th, considered the following resolution:— "That this branch is of opinion that a deputation from the Lancashire branch of the N.F.U. should approach the Lancashire County Council and suggest that the council should take out an insurance policy covering the users of the canal bridges, and indemnifying the canal companies against accidents to the third party and damage to the bridges until such time as the bridges are repaired to cope with modern traffic."

Mr. S. Rimmer (Liverpool) said the best course would be for the county council to take out a covering policy, which he did not think could be considered an unreasonable proposition. In the Liverpool area notices were being put up that vehicles over a certain weight must not cross the canal bridges.

Farmers contended that the question was one for the county council as the authority over the roads, and that the council should take out a policy to cover the risk and open the canal bridges to traffic, DM they were before.

It was decided to ask the county council to receive a deputation.

Blackpool Motorbus Stands Agreement.

Blackpool Tramways Committee has entered into an agreement with the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., for the right of loading and unloading buses at Talbot Mews. Ribble Motor Services will be allowed to have six buses per hour on the stand, and any additional buses they might require, if the corporation has available space. Councillor Boothroyd pointed out to the council that the Ribble company was bringing plenty of people into Black pool, and provision must be made for them. An equitable agreement had been arrived at which would prove satisfactory to the public and the corporation.

Rivals Meet at Close Quarters.

The factor of demurrage in the case of motor vehicles engaged specifically in dock transport is a serious one, and not only have vehicles to take their turn in waiting for loads at the ship's side, but

must take their chance of not being delayed by open bridges connecting dock with clock, and railway "hold ups." Running along the line of Liverpool docks, parallel to the dock road, is a railway for goods traffic. The speed on this line is about four miles per hour, and preceding the goods engine, which progresses to the clanging of a bell, is generally a man with a red flag, who warns pedestrians and traffic to make way I An illustration appearing On this page explains why a consignment of wooden doors was "held up." Over the ground-level railway is a super-structure carrying the Liverpool Overhead Railway. Encouraging the Use of Electric Vehicles.

It is refreshing to learn that in some parts of the British Empire at least encouragement is being given to the electric vehicle. For instance, the annual report of the Christchurch (New Zealand) Corporation states that the electric-vehicle depot offers charging' and garage facilities for all sizes of vehicle up to and including 5-ton lorries. Rates will be quoted covering charging, topping and general care of the batteries, and, in addition, a garage staff can carry out any repairs required to. the vehicles—of course, only at the request of the owners.

The number of vehicles at present garaged is 43.

This is a big difference to the apathy shown by most of our own charging stations throughout this country.

Aripther Long-distance Service.

A new long-distance daily motorbus service has been commenced jointly by the Central Motor Transport Co., of Felton (Northumberland), and Messrs. Gray's Motor Services, of Alnwick. This links up the Border country in the Berwick vicinity with Tyneside, and is proving extremely popular. The route is by way of Belford, Alnwick and Alorpeth, and two journeys are made in each direction per day. The fare shows a considerable saving as compared with that for the railway.

Mr. C. F. Bulpitt is so well known to those of our readers concerned with municipal matters through his position as editor of the Municipal Journal and of that excellent publication, The Municipal Year Book, that it will interest them to know that he has resigned that position in order to become general manager of the publications Department of the Municipal Agency, Ltd., of Victoria,Street, London. The Value of the Gyratory System.

In connection with the request of the Marylebone Borough Council that the Ministry of Transport should pay the cost of street-refuge alterations rendered necessary by the introduction of the gyratory system, the Minister of Transport states that he is unable to see any difference in principle between the minor works and other road improvements carried out for the purpose of facilitating the movement of traffic, towards which the highway authorities have always been willing to contribute a substantial portion of the cost. The suggestion that the Ministry should bear the whole of the cost raises an important question of principle which affects the relationship between the central government and the local authorities with regard to the meeting of expenditure upon highways throughout the country.

The Ministry also states that the experience which has already been gained of the operation of the " roundabout " system of traffic working at important junctions in Central London has demonstrated that the introduction and extension of this system will render it unnecessary to effect road widenings which would otherwise be required in the near future, with consequent saving of large sums to the highways authorities concerned.

It is suggested, therefore, that expenditure by the highway authority of relatively small sums for the purpose of adapting the more important junctions to the " roundabout " system can, apart from other considerations, be fully justified on the ground that by , incurring this expenditure such authorities will be relieved of the obligation to carry out expensive road widenings at future date.

The Crippling Effect of Speed Limits.

Companies operating long-distance motorbus services will be interested in the prosecution, and the result of the bearing, at Ormskirk on Friday, June 3rd, when Anglo-Scots Motorways, Ltd., of Glasgow, were summoned for aiding and abetting their drivers in offences of exceeding the 12mile-per-hour speed limit.

The company's buses travel between Liverpool and Glasgoiv, vehicles leaving each centre at 9.30 a.m. daily and arriving at their respective destinations at 7.30 p.m. The police pointed out that one of the drivers was timed as travelling at 36 m.p.h. The time allowed by the time-table for the journey between Liverpool and Glasgow was such that the buses would have to travel at an average of 25 m.p.h. to adhere to the drawn-up timetables. The reason the firm was summoned was that the men had to work to a timetable.

Defendants asked for an adjournment of the case, but opposition was forthcoming by the police unless an undertaking was given by the company that the service would be stopped. Mr. Brighouse ,pointed out that the service could not be altered at a moment's notice. Every bus that travelled between one town and another exceeded the speed limit, but these were cases in which the law had an absurd application. The average speed of these buses was the average speed of a motorcar. There was no question of danger.

The company was fined £3 in each of the two cases and the drivers 10s. each.

Czech°. Slovakia's Road Fund: The Ministries of Labour and Finance of Czecho-Slovakia have jointly drafted a Roads Bill providing for the establishment of a special fund for the construction and repair of roads, this being under the control of a board of 24 members with, powers to raise a loan of slightly over 16,000,000. At the same time taxes, the proceeds of which will go to the fund, will be imposed on all means for communication by road.

Expediting the Transport of House Fittings.

We illustrate on this page an Albion chassis owned by Rowe and Co., Ltd., of Birmingham. It is a 30-cwt. subsidy

type, and is employed to deal with the transport of the plumbers' house fittings with which the company is concerned.

A great deal of the work is in connection with new houses which are being erected, and the company states that the success of its business within the past year has been to a great extent due to the extraordinarily quick service which can be given to its customers through the employment of an efficient fleet of motor vehicles. Being mounted on pneumatic tyres,-the lorries can go right on to the building sites with the most fragile articles, such as porcelain baths, etc., and the percentage of breakages is so small, compared with that experienced with railway transport, aud the service is so rapid that the company would never think of reverting to the older. means.

Bus Route Opposition.

Marylebone Borough Council reports that it notified the Minister of Transport it considered the proposed use of Upper Gloucester Place, Dorset Square (north Bide) and Belcombe Street as an omnibus route was objectionable, and asked the Minister to take such action under the London Traffic Act, 1924, or otherwise as might be necessary. The Ministry of Transport proposes to refer the council's representations to the London Traffic Advisory Committee for consideration and report. Residents in Dorset Square have expressed their satisfaction with the action taken by the council, and they are also strongly protesting to the Minister of Transport.

A Leeds Appeal.

Leeds Watch Committee has received a communication from Messrs. Greaves, Atter and Beaumont, solicitors, on behalf of Mr. S. Ledgard, intimating that an appeal had been made to the Ministry of Transport against the decision of the committee fixing the route for motor omnibus. services between Leeds and Ilorsforth, and Ilkley, via Guiseley.

Marylebone's Contract for Motor Spirit.

The works committee of the Marylebone Borough Council reports that the council's supplies of motor spirit are at present obtained from the Power Petroleum Co. at the price of 8.4d. per gallon. This is the cheapest rate at which a supply of motor spirit can be obtained at the present time from any contractor. The Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., and Shell-Mex, Ltd., are at present supplying motor spirit to commercial users at Sid. per gallon, and a further rebate of 4 per cent, is allowed at the end of 12 months if, during that period, petrol has been purchased exclusively from combine companies. The 4 per cent, rebate is applicable to the price or prices ruling throughout the Period of 12 months. On the basis of 80. per gallon the 4 per cent, rebate is equivalent to a price of 8.4d, per gallon, and the committee has given instructions for all petrol supplies to be obtained from Shell-Max, Ltd., subject to the company agreeing to the price being at the rate of 8.4d. per gallon independent of any conditions.

Commercial Vehicles in the Irish Free State.

From the detailed' returns lately issued by the Irish Free State Ministry of Industry and Commerce we have compiled the appended table showing the imports of commercial vehicles into the Free' State during last year, as compared with 1925 :— It must be pointed out that, although the bulk of the vehicles are credited to this country, it does not follow that the vehicles are all of British construction, the returns only taking cognizance of the port of shipment. It will be noted that Germany, as well as France, is competing for the trade in Ireland and that the eight vehicles imported must have been of a heavy type, inasmuch as their average value is over £1.000.

Motorbus Operation in China.

A deficit of 1,168 taels (about £146) is shown in the recently issued report of the -China General Omnibus Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, for the year 1926, notwithstanding that a profit of 10,000 taels (approximately £1,250) was earned during the closing four months of the year. At the annual meeting of the company it was stated that the loss was chiefly accounted for by the difficulty in acquiring the services of a suitable garage superintendent and in connection with traffic arrangements.

During the year the company's vehicles carried a total of 12,358,347 passengers, zts compared with 3,518,744 in 1925. The mileage run during 1926 was 1,566,913, about 100 miles per day being run by each of the 40 buses operated by the company. The fares were changed from a silver to a copper basis in June, 1926, and in September the fares were increased on account of the depreciation of the copper coinage.

c2f;

The rolling-stock account of the company at the close of the year stood at 526,109 taels (about £65,760) and the amount of reserve at 65,413 taels (£8,176). The company is capitalized at 1,000,000 taels, of which 703,000 taels has been paid up in the form of 70,300 ordinary shares at 10 Gaels each.

A Guy for Cattle-carrying.

One of the Guy exhibits at the Bath and West Show was a special type of cattle truck mounted on a 30-cwt. chassis and designed to carry about 30 sheep or pigs, or, alternatively, two head of cattle. The tailboard is hinged at the bottom so that it can be lowered to form a ramp. Light racks are then swung out to form ramp sides.

If a full load of sheep or pigs IS to be carried, the upper deck is lowered on to the floor of the lorry by means of cables and pulleys operated by handwinding gear. Some of the animals are then run on to this deck, which is then wound up to its higher position to allow mere animals to be accommodated underneath it. Alternatively, the upper deck can be let right down so that two cows or horses can be carried. The vehicle is an interesting and useful type and should prove extremely popular.

Tour Programmes in French.

The Southdown• Motor Services, Ltd., of Portsmouth, has issued a programme of its tours in French. This makes an interesting souvenir of the visit of the French squadron, and should make a strong appeal to visitors from the Continent.

Eastbourne's Action Endorsed.

At a meeting of the Eastbourne Watch Committee the town clerk reported that the Minister of Transport has decided not to make any Order on the appeal of the United Service Transport Co., and, therefore, the committee's refusal to grant an application for two licences stood.

• Loading and Unloading Restrictions in Westminster.

The highways committee of the Westminster City Council recalls that at its last meeting it offered no objection to a trial being made of a regulation proposed by the Ministry 'of Transport prohibiting vehicles being left standing in certain specified streets in the region of Piccadilly Circus between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (except Saturdays and Sundays) for any longer time than is necessary to complete loading or unloading operations, or in any case, for longer than 15 minutes. The committee now states that it appears to be important that not only the occupiers of premises in the streets affected but the various carriers of goods should receive due notice of the trial of the proposed regulation. Accordingly it has directed that a letter be sent to the Ministry of Transport suggesting the necessity

for advertising the proposed experimental regulation and asking when the particular regulation will come into operation.

West Hartlepool's Policy Rewarded.

West Hartlepool Corporation is beginning to reap the reward of its enterprise in changing over from the operation of tramways to the use of trolleybuses and motorbuses. The last tramway section was discontinued a few months ago, when trolley-buses were brought into operation, and since that time the transport department has been able to ascertain the financial outcome of the change-over. To date there has been a material saving in maintenance .costs, and it is estimated that as a result the system will produce a net saving of £3,480 per annum.

Indian Imports.

No fewer than 802 commercial motor vehicles were imported into India during March last, as compared with 546 in the corresponding month a year ago.

Vehicles for West-country Farmers,

The Three Counties' Agricultural Show was held at Worcester on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week, and our impression, when we attended the show on the opening day, was that, whilst a fairly good display of motor vehicles was staged by local agents, the stands were by no means representative of the commercial-motor industry, the manufacturers themselves not showing direct and few makes being represented.

One of the best of the exhibits was that of the County Garage (Worcester), Ltd., which showed a number of Chevrolet vehicles with a variety of bodywork suitable for agricultural transport. Amongst the vehicles staged by this company were milk delivery lorries, open-sided lorries suitable for market gardeners and for the direct delivery of farm produce and live stock.

A great variety of delivery vans was shown on the stand, and as the display of this company was well set out, it gave the impression that the concern not only knew how to stage -an exhibit but also how to choose the vehicle that would be likely to attract farmers.

Another high-class exhibit was that of W. L. Cotton, of Worcester, who is the local agent for Morris vehicles. His exhibit included the 11.9 lip. S-cwt. ,van, the six-wheeled lorry, a 30-cwt. live-stock lorry, a 1-ton van, a 12-cwt. van, a horse-box and a MorrisCommercial fire-engine.

The Hill Motor Co., of Worcester, had an extensive display of Ford products, including the van, the lorry, the gar and the Pordson tractor, whilst the Lincoln car was also amongst the exhibits. The exhibit's of R. P. Ravenhill, who is the agent in Hereford for Fora vehicles, was in many respects similar to that of the Hill' Motor Co.

,Birmingham Garages, Ltd., showed an extremely attractive collection of vehicles on Trojan chassis, including vans, floats for milk and market gardeners' produce, etc. Willys-OverlandCrossley, Ltd., had on show a 25-cwt. tilt lorry and a 1O-cwt. delivery van.

A number of different makes of farm tractor was to be seen on the stands of the various agents, these including

the Case, the Fordson, the International and the Clectrac.

The small types of motor cultivator suitable for the market gardener were prominent, and amongst them were the Simar tractor in different forms and the British Monotrac. Practically all the principal motor lawn-mower manufacturers were represented, including Thomas Green and Son, Ltd.; Ransomes, Simsand Jefferies, Ltd.; Chas. H. Pugh, Ltd.; the Auto-Mower Engineering Co., Ltd.; and J.P. Super Lawnmowers, Ltd. The only traction engine which was in the show was a 6 n.h.p. compound-engine machine manufactured by Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd.

Petrol Buses to Replace Trolley buses.

The York Tramways Committee proposes to substitute petrol buses for the trolley-buses at present employed on the City to Heworth services, and to extend services to the Tang Hall Estate.

Railways versus Road Transport.

Speaking recently at the• dinner of the National Council of the Commercial Motor Users Association at Nottingham, the deputy mayor, Alderman C. Foulds, expressed the hope that the railways would never be able to close down on the commercial vehicle as they did on the canals. Honest, reasonable and healthy competition, he remarked, was the best possible thing for the country.

Lifeguards for Use on Dartford Buses,

Dartford Watch Committee has had under consideration a letter from the Commissioner of Police stating that the type of guard at present fixed on buses ,plying for hire in the Metropolitan Police district is considered a pre ventive against persons being run ever by the rear wheels of buses, and that a number of cases is recorded where it has been established that in all probability snore serious injuries bad been prevented by the use of these guards.

The committee recommends that from and after September 30th, next buses licensed to ply for hire within the urban district which are not fitted with running boards shall be equipped with lifeguards similar to those on use within the Metropolitan Police district, and that licences be granted subject to this condition.

Testing a Guy Six-wheeler.

An interesting demonstration of a Guy six-wheeled 5-ton lorry was carried out a few days ago on Neepsend Tip, Sheffield, in the presence of representatives of the Sheffield Corporation, the Sheffield Gas Co. and others. The Tip made an ideal demonstration ground, being slippery and most uneven.

After a severe test over banks of clay and stone, the vehicle was driven up a steep, grass-covered hill with a precipitous clay bank at the top, and this without chains. The demonstration was most effective.

Conductors on Small Buses.

The Folkestone Town Council passed a resolution on March 23rd last that _there must be a conductor as well as a driver on buses plying on certain routes. Letters were received from the East Kent Road Bus Co. and the London and South Coast Motor Services,

• Ltd., urging reasons why the council should reconsider the matter in respect of 14-seater buses. This order has now been revoked in respect of buses running between Folkestone and Dover, and buses with not more than 15 seats are allowed to ply for hire on this route without a conductor.

Swedish Imports.

Official returns just to hand show that only 212 commercial motor vehicles, valued at approximately £28,000, were imported into Sweden during March last, bringing up the total for the first three months of the year. to 475 vehicles (£54,475), as against 556 (£45,120) in a similar period a year ago.

Exhibitors at the Royal Show.

The following are amongst those who will be exhibiting at the Royal Agricultural Show to be held at Newport, Mon., from July 5th to 9th :—Albion Motor Car Co.; Ltd.; Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd.; Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., Associated Manufacturers' Co. (London), Ltd.; Auto-Mower Engineering Co., Ltd.; Aveling and Porter, Ltd.; Berford and Perkins. Ltd.; Blackstone and Co., Ltd.; Boulton and Paul, Ltd.; British Petroleum Co., Ltd.; Charles Burrell and Sons, Ltd.; Clayton and Shuttleworth, Ltd.; J. W. and T. Connolly, Ltd.; Co. operatve Wholesale Society, Ltd.; Crossley Bros., Ltd.; Dennis Bros., Ltd.; Alfred Dugdale, Ltd.; Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd.; Fairbanks, Morse and Co., Ltd.; Fastnut, Ltd.; Fiat (England), Ltd.; Fodens, Ltd.; William Foster and Co., Ltd.; John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd.; Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd.; General Motors, Ltd.; W. Goodyear and Sons, Ltd.; Thos. Green and Son, Ltd.; Guy Motors, Ltd.; Alfred Herbert, Ltd.; J. and F. Howard, Ltd.; International Harvester Co. of Great Britain, Ltd.; J.P. Super Lawnmowers, Ltd.; Leyland Motors, Ltd.; R. A. Lister and

Co., Ltd.; J. and H. McLaren, Ltd.; Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Co., Ltd.; Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd.; Martin's Cultivator Co., Ltd.; Massey-Harris, Ltd.; Merryweather and Sons, Ltd.; Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.; Muir-Hill Service Equipment, Ltd.; Petters, Ltd.; Piccard, Pictet and Co. (London), Ltd.; Price's Patent Candle Co., Ltd.; Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd.; L. C. Rawlence and Co., Ltd.; Robey and Co., Ltd.; Rotary Tiller Co., Ltd.; Ruston and Hornsby, Ltd.•' Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd.; Simar Rototillers; Simonis, Ltd.; H. C. Slingsby ; John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.; William Vincent; John Wallace and Sons, Ltd.; IV. H. Willcox and Co., Ltd.; WillysOverland-Crossley, Ltd.; Yorkshire Insurance Co., Ltd.; Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co.

A Coach Fleet AL sorption.

It was announced recently by the Devon Motor Transport Co. that the Rex Charabanc Tours, owned and run by Mr. R. If. Baker, of 32, Tavistock Road, Plymouth, who has retired owing to ill-health, have been purchased by the company, which will carry out all existing and future bookings. Official Orders for April.

The orders for commercial motor vehicles given out by Government departments during Aprillast included the following :—By the Crown Agents for the Colonies, one for lorries to the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., another for motor ambulances to Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd. and a third for motor fire-engines to Dennis Bros., Ltd. By the Admiralty, one to Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., for Morris-Commercial vans and trucks.

A Device for Loading and Unloading.

We have received from Herbert Morris, Ltd., Loughborough, an interesting brochure, No. 33, entitled "Morris Gears for Lifting and Shifting." This is a very interesting publication, which ghould prove of service to all those who are concerned in the handling of heavy loads. It describes all types of block and tackle, portable cranes suitable for motor work, etc.

Road-making in Morocco.

Despatches from Melilla (Morocco) state that 12,000 men are engaged upon the construction of roads in the Ajdir territory with a view to jointly.ilt up routes of communication with t: French zone.