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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

14th September 1926
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is hy the roughness of the roads over which it runs,"—Jo/an Beattie Crozier.

British Buses for South Africa.

The Johannesburg Town Council recently had under consideration a number of tenders which it had received for the supply of a fleet of motorbuses. It has decided to accept those for three British makes of vehicle which were recommended by departmental heads. A large measure of satisfaction must he felt that the order has been placed in this country, especially as 42 different tenders from a number of leading British,. American and German companies were received.

The town council is buying ten Leyland Lion buses at £1,499 each, five Tilling-Stevens buses at £1,450 each and five Dennis buses at £1,549 each. The aggregate value of the contract is over £30,000.

Scottish Motor Traction Expansion.

On Thursday of last week an extraordinary general meeting of the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., was held, when a resolution for increasing the nominal capital of the company from £2.50,400 to £500,000 was considered. The company have recently acquired large properties and interests in several other bus comPanies, and their business continues to expend. In the past year a sum of over £80,000 has been expended on the purchase of new vehicles, • whilst a number of new routes have been opened up and existing services extended. The increase in the size of the fleet has called for increased garage accommodation, and a site covering about 3i acres has been purchased, on which it is proposed to erect a new building.

Licence Duty on Six-wheeled Vehicles.

In a recent editorial note in this journal we dealt with the question of licence duty on six-wheeled vehicles. In making our comments, we regret to say that we overlooked a clause in the Finance Act of 1923, which specifically deals with the articulated type of six-wheeler, such as the Seammell, laying it down that the combined weight of the hauling unit and. the trailer part is to be taken as the weight of the vehicle, the trailer tax being imposed upon the vehicle according to its unladen weight, and, in addition, the Finance Act of 1926 alters the actual rates of duty payable but does not alter the method of assessment of these particular vehicles.

As an example, we gave the tax on the smallest possible type of articulated six-wheeler. Where the combined weights of the hauling and trailing unite 'eNceed 5 tone, the liability for duty under the Finance Act of 1926 would be £60 for the vehiele plus £6 for the trailer, making £66 in all.

A Tribute to Heavy Vehicle Drivers. police investigation of complaints made to the Gower (Glam.) Council that drivers of heavy vehicles, particularly buses, were habitually endangering the public by fast driving on the 1320 narrow lanes of the peninsula, has resulted in a report being presented which gives credit to drivers for exercising care.

The police report states that on no occasion had it been necessary to report heavy vehicle drivers for dangerous driving. It was true that over Clyde Common, which is in the Swansea police area, some fast running -was Made by buses but, in the view of the Gower police, this did not warrant a prosecu tion as no danger was caused owing to the invariable absence of any other vehicles 'or pedestrians on the road.

Members who bad made, the complaints were not satisfied with this report and the bouncil eventually 'decided to have a report from the :Swansea Council's hackney carriage inspector.

A Birmingham Bus Company's Success.

The accounts of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., for 1925, which have recently been issued, show that the available balance, after including a sum of £26,592 brought forward from the previous year, is £109,508. A dividend at the rate of 10 per cent., plus a bonus of 5 per cent., is being paid, and £30,514 carried to reserve, and after these disbursements have been made £25,994 remains to be carried forward.

A New Bradford Trolley-bus Service.

The new trolley-bus service to Clayton being run by the Bradford Corporation was inaugurated on September 4th and will run in competition with the

service of a private company. It is stated that £17,000 has been expended in connection with the equipment required for this service.

We have particulars before us of a man who has had considerable experience as a transport manager, and whose agreeement with a prominent haulage company has now terminated, and who seeks a position which -will afford him a better salary. We shall be pleased to pass on to him any letters addressed" S.S.C.," care of the Editor of this journal. Overhauling Well-known Chassis.

Our readers will remember that some time ago we ran a series of articles -healing with the overhauling of well;mown chassis. These were reprinted an • semi-art paper, and copies for certain individual chassis can be supplied at the price of 6d. post free. Sonie of them are out of print, but the following can still be obtained :—Foclen (5-ton), Mandslay (4-5-ton), Orwell (all types), Hallford (3, 4 and 5-ton), Guy (2 and 2i-ton), Titling-Stevens (T.8.3), Halley (35 hp.), C.aledon (D aud Fl 4-ton), Atkinson (5-ton), Napier. (30-45-ewt.), Palladium (two models), Sentinel (4ton and 6-ton), Vulcan (30-ewt. and 2ton), Halley (35 h.p. six-cylinder), Bristol (4-ton), Rarrier (K.4), Ford (engine and transmission), F.W.D. (model B).

West Hartlepool Buying More Trolleybuses.

West Hartlepool Corporation, which has thoroughly satisfied itself as to the supremacy of railless vehicles over fixedline traction, from the results secured on the two routes now operated by trolley-buses, is now taking active steps to scrap the remainder of its. trams. The work of adapting the existing overhead equipment for railless car operation is being expedited on the through• route to Hartleplool_ At the last meeting of the West Hartlepool authority the last knell of the trams was sounded when the tender of Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd., for the necessary overlitad work on the remaining tram route, that to Seaton, was accepted at a cost of £4,425.. It is probable, therefore, that trains will have been entirely superseded by the end of the year. At the same meeting a further tender from Messrs. Garrett, for the supply of twelve 32-seater trolleybuses, at a cost of £1,510 per vehicle, was approved.

Agricultural Tractors in CzechoSlovakia.

Hitherto agricultural tractors and motor ploughs imported into CzechoSlovakia have been dutiable at an ad valorem rate of 65 per cent, under the general and 45 per cent. uncle-i the conventional °tariff. As from July 14th a new scale 'of duties, varying in accordance with the weight, came into operation. Thus, machines weighing up to 1,500 kilog. (30 cwt.) are now dutiable at 540 crowns, those between 1,500 kilog. and 3,000 kilog. at 680 crowns. and those over 3,000 kilog at 520 crowns, per 100 kilog. in each case.

Bolivia May Want More Lorries.

A motor road is projected to traverse Bolivia from Puerto Acosta, on the northern frontier, to Villazon, on the Argentine border. A similar road is to he constructed from La Paz. to Lake Titicaca. Considerable activity in road building is also reported from other parts of the Republic, suggesting an increased demand for lorries.

A Straight-eight Omnibus.

The name of IMiesse has, hitherto, been associated with high-powered touring cars of the luxury type, and, during recent years, the firm has been turning out a particularly fine straight-eight chassis. The increasing demand for industrial vehicles in Belgium has now led the firm to develop an omnibus chassis.

The new hliesse bus chassis has a straight-eight engine, with a bore of

mm. and a stroke of 130 nun. The valves, which are in the cylinder bends, are operated by a. single overhead camshaft driven by skew gearing. A fivebearing crankshaft is fitted. The pro

peller shaft is built up in two pieces, which are united by a spherical joint carried on the central cross-member of the frame.

The chassis, which is mounted on pneumatics, has the following dimensions :—Wheelbase, 16 ft. 6 ins.; track, 5 ft. di ins. ; and overall length, 22 ft. 10 ins. It is intended to take a 85-40-seater body.

Farm Products by Railway Lorries.

Following up the interesting experiment made in North Northumberland recently with motor -lorries as a speedy and efficient means for collecting and delivering farm products, the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. have now decided to introduce similar arrangements in the Mahon neighbourhood, an important North Yorkshire agricultural area. As was the case when the company put-their scheme into operation on the Cornhill, Berwick and Kelso branch lines, lorries will deliver goods to farmsteads from a number of railway stations in the new area, and will collect produce of various kinds consigned for outward transport.

A New Safety Glass.

We recently inspected the process of manufacture of the safety glass made by tbe Splinterless Glass Co., Ltd., 91, Stanley Road, Teddington. The patentee of the glass, who is a director of the company, has had considerable experience in the manufacture of this class of article, and during the War eon troika a large factory making safety glass for gas masks, giggles, diving equipment, etc. It is only recently, however, that the financing of the new company has been completed and the new plant has started operations with a special eye to the numerous requirements of the motor trade.

'Owing to the great speeding-up in the time required for manufacture which is rendered possible by this process, prices are claimed to be considerably below those now ruling for this class of article.

As examined by us, the finished glass appears to possess those properties which are usually associated with safety glass—it may be hit with a hammer or thrown about without detaching anything more' than a few small pieces. We understand that Government tests have proved that even under the most severe tropical conditions discoloration or disintegration cannot take place. We are informed that a number of concerns operating large fleets of passenger vehicles are already investigating the claims of the inventor. Personal Pars.

Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., advise us that Major Sir Aston Cooper-Key, C.D., who has recently retired from the position of H.M. Chief Inspector of Explosives, has been elected to the directorate of the company.

Mr. A. Goodge, late of Transport Economy, Ltd., has been appointed branch manager of the new Liverpool office of W. Gammons, Ltd., the wellknown road transport contractors. Mr. Goo-Lige is himself a Liverpool man, and is fully cognizant of the requirements of the locality.

Mr. George Stratton has just seveied his connecticin with the Sunderland District Transport Co., Ltd., Philadelphia, Co. Durham", to take up a position as municipal sales representative to Karrier Motors, Ltd., Huddersfield.....

Mr. Stratton has had a long and varied experience of the passenger transport world, haring been general manager of the Sunderland and District Transport Co., Ltd., since 1907. Prior to this be was engineer to the St. Marylebone Borough Council, after leaving the employ of the St. James's and Pall Mall Electric Lighting Co. as assistant engineer.

Before leaving the Sunderland company he was presented with a silver tea and coffee service, subscribed for by the staff, and a smoking concert, which was attended by over 100 of the staff and friends, was held in the Palatine Hotel, Sunderland.

The appointment of Mr. Duncan P. Morrison as general manager of the Dundee Corporation tramways and motorbus undertaking is announced. Mr_ Morrison has for the past 17 years been engineer and departmental manager of the Gateshead tramways. It is understood that immediately Mr. Morrison takes up his new duties he will take steps to augment the motorbus section of the Dundee passenger transport system. A Hard-working Fleet.

In the latest -issue of the A.E.C. Gazette, which is the house organ of Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., scone interesting details are given of the transport experience of Buck and Hickman, Ltd. It is some six years ago since this company changed over from outside cartage contractors to the establishment of their own transport organization, and at the present time they have eight 4-ton A.E.C. lorries in their service, these being supported by four light vehicles of another make.

The mileage which is covered weekly by the fleet is approximately 3,000, and this is considered extremely good when it is borne in mind that varied articles, from a split-pin to a heavy machine tool, are carried. The company's radius of delivery is roughly within a 25-mile circle of their headquarters in Whitechapel Road, London, E. A regular weekly delivery is made in this area, whilst two deliveries per day are often made to the inner districts. The company have devised a special type of loading platform, which, apart from economizing space, enables the vehicles to be within easy distance of lift service's.

.The work upon which the lorries are engaged is of an arduous nature, and the fact that the -transport of machinery, small tools, iron and steel supplies is carried out with unceasing regularity is striking testimony to the reliability of A.E.C. products.

A Modern Bus Depot.

The new motorbus depot of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., at Murton, which has just been opened, is well in keeping with similar establishments in the company's chain of garages. These are used as local centres for• the control of their extensive system, which has now a route mileage of about 26-i) and is maintained y a fleet of over 200 vehicles.

The Murton garage, which has been erected to enable the company to make developments in the eastern portion of 1122

Durham County, covers an acre of ' ground and has a frontage of 140 ft. The main building provides accommodation for over 50 vehicles, and contains general offices, traffic office, inquiry bureau, conductors' room, mess-room and other staff conveniences. Provision has been made, by means of a flat ferroconcrete roof, for another storey.

India's Increasing Imports.

His Majesty's Commissioner at Calcutta has recently forwarded to the Department of Overseas Trade a survey of the import trade of India during the quarter ended June 30th last—the first quarter of the statistical year. Owing largely to the rapid growth in the establishment of motorbus services, the number of commercial 'motors imported showed an increase from 718 vehicles, valued at Rs.14flakhs, to 1,582 vehicles, valued at Rs.28 lakhs. The manufacturers of Canada and the• United States supplied the largest number of vehicles, the British share being only 83 Vehicles, valued at Its.31 lakhs, although this figure shows an increase of 17 vehicles, . The average value of the vehicles imported from the United Kingdom was Rs.4,600, from the United States Rs.2,000 and' from Canada Rs.1,290.

Demonstrating Fire Appliances.

The annual conference of the Professional Eire Brigades' Association takes place at Margate from September 22nd24th inclusive, and, as is their custom, Leyland Motors, Ltd., will be represented by several demonstration ma

chines. Those which it has already been decided upon to exhibit are a 500-700-gallon fire-engine, a 300-400gallon fire-engine, a Carl-Metz turntable escape and a portable pump.

Motor Spirit from Sawdust.

It is reported from Aix-la-Chapelle that Prof. Classen, of that city, has devised a process for the production of motor spirit from waste sawdust from timber yards and cellulose factories. A Useful Reference Book.

Some time ago we received from the publishers, Finanz-Verlag

Berlin C 2, Neue Friedrich-Str. 47, a copy of their handbook of the international automobile industry. This is really a remarkable example of painstaking work, and constitutes a comprehensive investigation of the technical and productive capacity of practically every factory throughout the world devoted to the manufacture of all classes of motor vehicle.

It was actually published in March, 1926, and the copy which we have has already proved most useful. The particulars given include the names of the directors, date of iregistration, amount of capital, dates of distribution of dividends, banking connections, etc., types of vehicle marketed and brief particulars of each, including prices.

One great advantage of the book is that its details are given in three Ianguages, German, French and English, and there is a small glossary of technical terms at the end.

Orders for Karrier Fleets.

Amongst the various orders which Karrier Motors, Ltd., Karrier Works, Huddersfield, have recently received is a number for fleets of vehicles. One of the largest is for 35 2-ton chassis for the Southern Railway Co., whilst another for goods vehicles is from the South Australian Government, which is buying 10 2-tonners. A repeat order has been received from Wyman and Sons, Ltd., who, we are told, are standardizing on Karrier products and have just ordered eight 30-cwt. vans.

So far as municipal vehicles are concerned, the company have in hand four low load-line tippers for the Colombo (Ceylon) Municipality.

Karrier passenger vehicles are also in demand, and the company are building 12 30-seater single-deck buses for the Leeds Corporation and six 26-seater single-deckers on rigid six-wheel chassis for the Halifax Corporation.

Stockport's Bus Purchases.

The tramways committee of the Stockport Town Council recently had before it eight tenders for six new motor omni

buses which it requires. After consideration of these tenders, it was agreed that that of Leyland Motors, Ltd., for six buses at 11,267 each, should be accepted. The question of providing suitable accommodation for the new vehicles is under consideration.

' On View at Milan. ,

The Ministry of Transport loaned a number of models for exhibition during the course of the' Fifth International Road Congress, which closed in Milan on September 10th. One of these represented the Lea Valley Viaduct, a reinforced-concrete structure, which links up the Middlesex and Essex sections of the North Circular Road. The model itself is 24 ft. in length and was designed by Sir Owen Williams.

Westinghouse Agents.

Millemon (Factors), Ltd., Glenogle Works; Edinburgh, have recently been appointed by the Westinghouse Brake and Saxby Signal Co., Ltd., as sales and fitting agents for that part of Scotland which includes Fife, Kinross, Clackmannan, Linlithgow, Berwick, Roxburgh, Selkirk, Peebles and Stirling, east of and including Falkirk.

A Growing Municipal Fleet.

The Burton Corporation recently took delivery of three new buses, which brings its total fleet up to 12 vehicles. The new vehicles, the chassis of which have been built by Guy Motors, Ltd., are 25-seaters, whereas the older vehicles are 26-seaters, except two, which comprised the first purchases and are built to seat 20 people. The fleet has been built up in the course of two years, and from the start its operation has shown a profit, whichiis highly satisfactory when it is considered that for some time past a less has been recorded on the corporation's tramcars.

The buses are to be housed in the new garage which has been completed by A. Holmes and Son, Ltd. It is constructed of reinforced concrete and is about 165 ft. long and 40 ft. Wide.

It is a generally known fact that Burton water is hard, and to overcome the necessity for using it in the cooling systems of the vehicles, a special soft-water collecting system has been instituted in the building. Special troughs are arranged to collect water from the roofs and conduct it along the sides of the building to a capacious underground tank, from which supplies for immediate use are pumped into a tank in the garage.

Taxicabs in Brussels.

Having disposed of its motorbus fleet to a subsidiary company of the Sociite des Tramways Bruxellois, the Socithe Bruxelloise d'Auto Transports is now devoting its attention to the running of taxicabs in the Belgian capital, having taken over the business of the English concern, the Brussels Motor Cab Co. The cabs are run under a concession from the Brabant Provincial Council, which would have expired in 1929, but a new concession has just been nego

tiated giving the company the exclusive right to utilize the taxicab stand in Brussels and Laeken, in return for certain payments, until the end of 1944. Fifty new taxicabs of a slightly larger type than those at present in use have been ordered and will shortly be placed in service.

Sheffield's Bus Garage.

We are told that 'contracts for a storey garage, garage, said to be the largest of its kind, are now being let by the Sheffield Corporation. The building will be constructed of reinforced concrete, and will cover an area of 4,515 sq. yds. It will cost £100,000 to construct and is intended to meet future developments in connection with the motorbus and tramway departments.

A Long-distance Daily Coach Service.

From information which has just been published, it is likely that a daily saloon coach service will be established between the Potteries and Manchester before the close of the present year. Mr. H. E. Cooke, of Messrs. Cooke, Robinson and Co., has a scheme in mind whereby it is proposed to run a number of 11seater Studebaker coaches on this ser

vice, The type of vehicle which is favoured is that constructed especially for long-distance and private-hire work, and if the service matures there is little question that travellers who use it will secure adequate riding comfort.

South Wales Road Schemes.

Road-improvement schemes of importance are contemplated in the Swansea area. In addition to several town projects, which aim at the relief of traffic congestion, the rural council is to Jay out a new road commencing at Tirdon . kin railway bridge and ending at Penytrees road, this being part of the bilge London-Fishguard road improvement scheme for which plans were prepared by the Ministry of Transport. The Ministry has requested the council to make the necessary arrangements.

The Gower Rural District Council is very dissatisfied at the delay which is holding up the important Kittle Hill road scheme as the result of the attitude of the Ministry of Health in connection' with the proposed gradient of 1 in 14. The council has at length issued instructions that the scheme be proceeded with, it being felt that the Ministry will agree to the gradient.

Berliet's New Prices.

Automobiles M. Bernet, Richmond Bridge Works, Twickenham, have just published a new price list for their range of vehicles, and this came into force at the beginning of the month. Reductions in the price of certain models have been made, one of the most interesting being that in connection with the 35-cwt, chassis which is now priced at £295 instead of £350. This chassis has a fourcylinder engine, four-speed gearbox and overhead worm driven rear axle. Fitted with a standard body with tilt sheet and cab, it sells complete at £850.

The 25-cwt. Berlief chassis, which has the same specification, now sells at £250, and the 5ton heavy-duty chassis at £575. The latter, when fitted with a standard lorry body with tilt sheet and cab, sells at £640.

An Illuminating Census.

At a meeting of the Penzance Corporation the surveyor reported that he had taken a traffic census in the borough in accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Transport, and that the total number of vehicles passing over the Promenade during the seven days was 23,389, over Alexandra Road 13,954, and over Causewayhead and St. Clare Street 14,052.

The committee can compare the traffic on the Promenade only with the results of a previous census taken in August, and this comparison shows that the total number of vehicles increased by 13,214 from 10,175 in 1920. There

were 14 times the number of motorbuses using the Promenade, and 3,587 horsedrawn vehicles.

The total tonnage of vehicles using all the roads was 24,030.49, as against 9,915.82 in 1920.

A Booklet on Piston-ring Design. The British Piston Ring Co., Ltd., Holbrook Lane, Coventry, have just Issued a new brochure entitled " Piston Ring Cast-iron and Design." The foreword makes it clear that half the secret of the success of a piston ring consists of making it of the proper material, this conclusion having been reached by the

• 3324 company after many years of experience, and the object of the booklet is to explain why this is so. The booklet goes into the subject in a very thorough manner and contains much technical data, which makes interesting reading.

A New Gear Lubricant Pump.

A brochure has just been issued by W. B. Dick and Co., Ltd., 26, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.1, which

deals with the company's gear lubricant. The increasing sale of the company's products has resulted in the manufacture of a new mechanical pump whereby the lubricant can be more economically and efficiently handled. A few details of the capacity and use of this /Wrap

are contained in the brochure, wherein its salient features are referred to. Only one delivery pipe is employed, and, as this is made of flex, the appliance can be used under all conditions. For instance, it dispenses with the inconveniences which are often encountered when filling the back axle of a commercial vehicle, for it enables the filling orifice to be reached with ease. The pump has been manufactured as a result of tests carried out by the company in conjunction with Tecalemit, Ltd., and it would certainly appear to be a very useful aid to the problem of securing efficient lubrication.

Local Proceedings.

Henley Corporation is to consider the provision of motor fire appliances.

Blackburn Corporation is urging for legislation to make third-party motor insurance obligatory.

Blyth Corporation is considering the purchase of four motor lorries and a motor sweeping machine.

The cleansing committee of the Glasgow Corporation has decided to obtain quotations for the supply of four streetsweeping machines.

Chorley Corporation has received tenders for the supply of a motor lorry, but referred them back to committee for further consideration.

Mr. G. Bennie is in communication with the local authorities regarding a suggested rail-plane system of transport between Brighton an Eastbourne.

Glasgow watch committee has obtained the consent of the Scottish Office' to the scheme for the purchase of seven motorvans and five motorcycle combinations for the police department at a cost of £4,500.

After carrying out tests with samples of lubricating oil the motorbus committee of the Eastbourne Corporation has made a contract with London Lubricants, Ltd., for the supply of lubricating oil at 1s. 7id. per gallon.

4 A New L.G.O.C. Garage.

On Wednesday of last week a new L.G.O.C. garage was opened at Slough, and this will accommodate buses which are run by the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., between Ealing Broadway and Windsor, Windsor and Hounslow, and Slough and Leatherhead. The present structure houses 15 buses only, but sufficient space exists to enable the accommodation to be doubled.

25 Years' Progress in Motor Construction.

We are informed that at the forthcoming motor show to be held in Berlin there will be an exhibition illustrating the development of motor building during the past quarter of a century. The successive stages in the evolution of a motor vehicle during that period will be illustrated by vehicles loaned by a number of leading motor manufacturers.

Manchester Motor Library Service.

The annual report of the Manchester Corporation libraries committee mentions with regard to the motorvan service that applications for books by the motorvan exchange numbered 10,817, and 6,911 volumes—an average of 27 volumes for each day of the service—were loaned between the various libraries. In addition, the van carries new books, periodicals and supplies daily to the district libraries and frequently collects donations.

Scintilla Service in Wales.

The business of Electric Motors (South Wales), Ltd., the Motor House, Wood Street, Cardiff, electric and petrol vehicle suppliers, repairers, etc., has been taken over by Mr. E. C. R. Macadam, F.I.T1f1.T., who will continue as E. C. R. Macadam and Co. from the same address. A magneto sales and service depot for South Wales and Monmouth area has been vested with the firm by Scintilla Magnetos, whose area representatives they now become, in addition to retaining all former agencies and business connections.


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