News and Comment.
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This journal has an exclusive, genuine and maintained circulation: members of its Editorial stall have practical experience and knowledge of the construction and use of commercial motors.
Oldham Corporation is the latest authority to resolve upon the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
The Paris Road Congress.
Communications on any matters connected with the International Congress on Roads, which is to take place in October, should be addressed to M. Heude, the General Secretary, 244, Boulevard St. Germain, Paris.
Licensed Horses.
Mr. H. Thomson Lyon, Chairman of the Highways Committee cf the Westminster City Council, is advancing the suggestion that the time is nearly at hand when horses will require to pay an annual license fee in large centres. Our comments are on page 273.
A Works Assistant Free.
Should any of our manufacturing readers require the services of a capable works assistant, we shall be pleased to put them in touch with one who has had two years at a technical college and three years in the shops, followed by four years as assistant to the works manager of one of the leading motor manufacturers in Great Britain. He is very energetic and conscientious, and can be relied upon to give his best efforts in any similar capacity.
Buchanan's Horses.
Although James Buchanan and Company, Limited, of 26, Holborn, E.C., has, as announced in our last issue, purchased a " Commer Car " vehicle, the purchasing company desires to correct any false impression which may have got abroad as to its intention with regard to horse delivery in London and other centres. Motors will only be used, at least, for the present, for long-distance trips, and they will be supplementary to horses.
Brighton Cab Licenses.
The Watch Committee of the Brighton Town Council recommended that the motorcabs in the town should have a special tariff for hiring by time, but the Council, by a considerable majority, has thrown out the recommendation. This leaves the rnotorcabs on the same time basis as horse-drawn vehicles, which is a bit awkward.
Hire-Purchase Deals.
We are happy to be able to include (pages 274 anti 275) an able article, iron-t the pen of Mr. Samuel J. Sewell, the Secretary of the Hire Traders' Association, Limited, on the important question of hire-purchase contracts. the above-named association has been in existence for 18 years, and its membership now exceeds 500 firms and companies which supply goods on hirepurchase lines. The annual subscriptions are London members, one guinea; and country members, nos. 6d.
Motorcab Difficulties.
The sudden alterations in the London cab industry, which are attributable to the advent of the motorcab, have created a condition of affairs which is almost without precedent. The Home Secretary, who is empowered to issue Orders in respect of London's hackney carriages by virtue f powers conferred in tne Metropolitan public Carriage Act, of 1869, did not find it necessary to make any material regulations for 36 years. Ten they came, thick and fast, as follow 26th December, 4905; 19th February, 1906; isth March, 1907; and 30th December, 191)7. There were, of course, other regulations, such as the " conditions of htness " set out by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and dated the rsth November, 1906. A footnote to these conditions has probably given the greatest trouble to manufacturers and proprietors. It reads " Though the above conditions may have been complied with, yet if there be anything in the construction, form, or general appearance which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, renders the carriage unfit for public use, it will not be licensed." Bald uncertainty was the consequence, although people are now better able to obtain hints from the Scotland Yard authorities than they were a year ago.
A peculiar anomaly is found to exist in connection with the question of hiring by time. Members of the public can still insist upon taking a taximeter motorcab by time, when the driver cannot he compelled to drive faster than four miles an hour. We do not know how often such hirimzs take place, but, in view of the fact that the clock-work is set. to record at a minimum rate of six miles an hour, or 4s. in revenue, we wonder how the difference is adjusted at the end of the day. Of course, until this provision he repealed, a driver would clearly be guilty of an offence if he were to refuse such a fare.
Another South Wales Ambulance.
Hard upon the heels of the lead front Swansea, Cardiff hopes to have its motor ambulance very shortly. Subscriptions are being collected by Mr. Herbert Lewis, of bt, Cathedral Road, Cardiff, and the vehicle will unquestionably be of great service in connection with individual mishaps at collieries in the district.
On Builders' Work, Mr. Albert E. Farr, builder and contractor, of Frinton-on-Sea, purchased a Mann steam wagon towards the end of 1906. We illustrate the machine herewith, and we are glad to know that the owner is in every way satisfied with the results which have been yielded in his work. The wagon is one of the best known en the Essex roads Latest Cab Registration.:
Another provincial cab company, the Gloucester Motor Cab Company, limited, has been registered, with an authorised capital of Lso,000 in A.1;1 shares, and with its principal financial support in Cardiff : there is to be no initial public issue. Mr. C. F. Twist, of 4, Bloomsbury Place, W.C., filed the papers at Somerset House.
1908 Albion.
A very satisfactory reception has been accorded to the 1908 model of the Albion Motor Car Company, Limited, of Glasgow. There is no question that the company's design of chain casing is a welcome modification, chiefly by reason of its insuring a reduction in upkeep expenses and a practical elimination of noise when running. One of the latest deliveries of this type, for a 25-cwt. load, is to Messrs. Stewart • and McDonald, of Buchanan Street, Glasgow. As is usual with this and other approved makes, the driver is a man who previously handled the reins of a pairhorse delivery van. Old horse drivers quickly take to the Albion system of driving control, which is easily learnt.
The Municipal Exhibition.
A comprehensive display of exhibits which are of interest to all branches of Local Government employees, surveyors, and builders was held, from the ist to 12th of this month. Several tarspreading machines were staged, and Savage Bros., Ltd., showed one of its 5-ton steam wagons, of the same model as the trials competitor. An exhibit which possessed interest for all users of our town thoroughfares was that ot the Jarrah wood blocks : the samples included a number which had seen hard wear under all sorts of conditions in most of the large towns in England.
An exhibit worthy the attention of the omnibus-body builder was that by Messrs. Brawn and Co., of 2ol, Queen's Road, Battersea, S.W. Ingeniously-constructed seats for wetweather use were shown in which the slats are so bevelled as to allow no chance for the rain to lodge thereon. The slats are held together by a strip of suitably-shaped, pressed steel. A patent apron frame was also exhibited, and for this all sorts of advantages are claimed. This firm has produced a. spring-mounted wooden seat, which. should be worth consideration for inside and outside seats on motorbuses.
Our representative was rather astonished to find the exhibition lavishly placarded with contents bills headed " L.G.O.," and thoughts of heavy transport soon made him feel at home. Closer examination, however, revealed the fact that it was not the London General who were journalistically inclined, but that the initials formed the laconic title to one of the enterprising trade journals dealing with municipal, sanitary, and other matters, i.e., " The Local Government Officer."
Helping the Horse.
Under the title of " Auxiliary Horsepower " we give some particulars (pages 290 and 291) of the useful and valuable work, which has been done during the past five years, by a "Little Giant " tractor in the neighbourhood of the Crystal Palace. We sincerely trust that this service will not be allowed to lapse for want of support, because, if for no other reason, it must be the means of. converting ninny an observer to the merits of mechanical haulage. We even go so far as to suggest that the Commercial Motor Users' Association might assist.
On Wednesday, the 6th instant, the Norwood Dramatic Society gave a performance of the well-known, three-act comedy, " Cousin Kate." The crowded state of West Norwood Public Hall was evidence of the sympathy of local residents. for the good work that is being carried on by the " Little Giant " tractor, and the whole of the proceeds are to be devoted to the maintenance fund.
At Sheffield.
Two of Sheffield's largest jobma.sters, Mr. Reuben Thompson and Joseph Tomlinson and Sons, Limited, are about to give motorcabs an opening in the city and its beautiful surroundings.
Thornycrolt Improvement.
The report of John I. Thornycroft and Company, Limited, for the year ended the 31st December last, shows a trading profit of -4;27,052, compared with £23,700 for the preceding year. The paid-up capital of the company is .4;6(36,6o°. A SUM of LI2,5oo is set aside for depreciation, and debenture interest absorbs L.-13,600. Preference and ordinary shareholders are once more to go without dividends, whilst Li,000 odd is carried forward to the 1908 accounts. Prospects appear to be very much brighter.
Motor Mowers !or L.C,C.
The Parks and Open Spaces Committee of the I,.C.C, has had under consideration the desirability of obtaining motor mowing machines for use at some of the larger parks and open spaces in London. A 42-inch machine has been in use, at Victoria Park, for over three years, and, having regard to the advantage gained in both efficiency and economy, the Committee has decided in favour of purchasing seven additional machines. By the adoption of the machines, it will be possible to carry on mowing work at times when the ground is unfit for the use of horse machines, and, owing to the absence of hoof marks, and to the motors' serving the purpose of rollers, the condition of the surfaces of cricket and other grounds will be materially improved. Moreover, it is expected that the cost of the machines will be recouped, within two years, by the saving of labour and horse-hire for mowing and rolling. The places which the Committee has selected as being the most suitable for the use of the new machines are Battersea Park (199 acres), Clapham Common (22(4 acres), Blackheath (267 acres), Dulwich Park (72 acres), Peckham Rye and Park (112. acres), Parliament ME and G6lder's Hill (3o3.1 acres), and Hackney
Marsh (339 acres), The Committee has been in communication with some of the principal makers of the type of machine required, and has ascertained that Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Limited, is prepared to supply 42-inch machines for .15o each, and Alexander Shanks and Son, Ltd., for L'ISo each, subject to a discount of 6 per cent. in each case for cash. The Committee has decided (subject to the usual sanction) to obtain four machines from A. Shanks and Son, Ltd., and three from Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., of Ipswich, Suffolk. Demonstration Trials.
William and Thomas Robson, Limited, of 6o, Farringdon Road, E.C., is prepared to give practical demonstrations of " Lotis " vans to any likely purchaser.
A Dublin Project.
Mr. Hubert Murphy, of the Motor Market, 72, Harcourt Street, Dublin, in sending a communication for our correspondence pages, informs us that he is prepared to consider the proposition of putting a few motorcabs on the streets of Dublin. Colonial Orders.
John I. Thornycroft and Company, Limited, whose sales department is at 2, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, W., reports an active demand from the Colonies, some of the vehicles being specified to have the company's fittings for the use of paraffin as fuel.
A Cab Liquidation.
At a meeting, held on the 41h instant, of the Landaulette Motor Cab Co., Ltd., a resolution was passed that the company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue business, and that it accord ingly be wound up voluntarily. Mr. Herbert Charles Underwood, of 6, Drapers' Gardens, London, E.C., was appointed liquidator.
Dennis Vans.
Two Dennis vans are illustrated on page 287, and it is interesting to know that these were supplied through the local Dennis agents, the Midland Counties Motor Garage Company, of Leicester. No manufacturer is giving closer attention to the development of its country agents than the well-known Guildford company, and we must certainly compliment it upon the activity and standing of its representatives.