Answers to Queries.
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
First Olympia Motor Show.
L1.733 " LONDONER " arrites:. " I should be much obliged if you would have the following information looked up for me. I would like to know in what month the motor show at. Olympia was held in 1901or e-as there one very early in 1905? "
ANswER.--The first motorcar exhibition at Olympia, at e hurl certain commercial models were also shown, took pline in February, 1905.
A Good Boiler Wanted.
LI.73-17 " DISSATISFIED " writes:--" We want to change the holler in our ---steam wagon. Do you know whether en) can buy one from Beyer, Peacock and Co.. Ltd., and cnn you give us an opinion on the merits of that make of steatn-wagon boiler? "
ANswen.--We have ascertained that Beyer. Peacoek and Co., Ltd., cannot supply motor-wagon-type boilers. We recommend you to buy a boiler from Alley and MaeLellan, Ltd., of Sentinel Works, Polmadie, Glas±eow.
Next Year's All-commercial Show.
[1..;.3.5] " CONSFL-GENERAI. " writes:" Til your issue of Ow let December. I note a referenee to next. year's Commercial Vehicle Show at Olympia.' I should like Lo know more about it, and I should like to know whether or not entries will be limited to commercial rooter vehicles, what the date of the exhibition will be, and the name of the secretary or other individual to whom applieation should be made by intending exhibitors."
ANSWER. -The All-Commercial Show at. Olympia, from the 31st March to the 8th April. 1911, will be organized by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The Secretary of that body is Mr. T. F. Woodline. and the address Maxwell House, Arundel Street. Strand. W.C. It e ill he limited to commercial motor vehicles and traetors.
Delay Caused to Tramcars.
[1,736] " STEAA1 WAGON " writes :—" I enclose you herewith a copy of a letter from the -Trame ay Manager, and I shall he pleased to have your opinion ns to how I stand in a case like this. He claims 25s. I certainly admit that I did obstruct the car for about 10 minutes, Owing Ti) the condition of the road being frosted at the time. which prevented us front travelling on the other part of the road. I had two men with me belonging to the firm, who did everything in their power immediately to help me to get the motor out of the wny, and we certainly lost no time in doing this. 1 do not think. unless they can prove wilful obstruction, they are entitled to any compensation, but. shall be pleased to have your opinion."
ANsWER.—We recommend you simply to write back to the manager, and, to point, out that he is under some misapprehension if he thinks that his tramcars have been granted a monopoly of the highway under the running powers, and that you repudiate the suggestion -that your company is in any way liable for the loss of revenue which he alleges. You might proceed to add that, whilst you extremely regret to learn that certain delay did wcor, you deny that there was any obstruction of a nature for which yen can be held liable. lit is probably as a-ell to keep the point of " wilful " obstruction in reserve, as your putting that into a letter mayimply that you admit sonic degree of culpelde obstruction, which yon do not. So long as your men made all possible efforts to get off flue lines, and did mot block tire wholf 'width of the high rray, the tramcar people cannot have any remedy. We have known cases where steam wagons have broken beck axles and delayed the whole of the tranwnr traffic for half a day or more. and the tramcar people had no legal remedy. You
should loin the Commercial Motor Users Asseeiation, so as to he in a position to avail yoerself of that body's assistance—see fourth advertisement page. A Good Yet Low-priced Book of Information on Mechanical Points.
[1,737-1 " NIEcilANIC READER " writes :—" Will you be so kind as to advise me what books I could read on timing motorvan (30-40 h.p.), either magneto (H.T. or LT.) or accumulator and coil? 1 am working at — es S fitter and turner, but the governor is going to buy some motor lorries, so I shall have to look after them, or lose my berth. I want a book with drawings that will explain fully. I have bad experience with engines, gearcases, etc., but have not had any tinting work."
ANSWER.—We advise you to purchase a copy of the latest edition of " Then Motor Manual," published by Temple Press Ltd., 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, E.C., pa-e is. 8d. post free. You will find much information of velue to you in that book on the timing of engines. Makers ot ignition supplies usually include directions abouttheir own magnetos, ete., and you nuty also care to write to several of them hereafter, when you find whatmake ie fitted to your governor's purehases.
Anti-friction White Metal.
[1,738j " INIumesins " write :—" We are having MU.,;iderable trouble with the white-metal bearings of the petrol engines on our commercial vans. We cannot get these to wear longer than about 10 to 14 days without requiring adjustment, and we have come to the conclusion that the white metal which we are. using is not quite suitable for the work. We shall be very midi pleased if you can recommend. a suitable metal to us, and where we can obtain it."
ANSWER.—We agree that there must be something wrong with the white-metal bearings of your engine, if they only last from 10 to 14 days. They are either very much too small for the load, very-badly fitted, or the material which you use is most unsuitable for the purpose. We have had under observation, for some months -past, some white-metal bearings on gunmetal shells, in which the alloy used is the Glacier Anti-Friction Co.'s copperhardened white metal. The company's address is 112a, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.
About Motor-hiring Data.
1,729] " Biansi-E MANTEAcruRxris write :--" We here been asked by a syndicate at present in formation to subunit to it reports and balance sheets of companies working motor transport (hiring out) in England. If you could kindly point. out the date of such reports which may have 1),e.)leit.trrpnblished from time to time in your esteemed peper. or any other information, We should be very grateful to . ANSwEn. -We have not in our possession copies of reports Of' balance sheets from motor-transport hiring corni)ztties in this country. althongh we daresay such pertien. _
lars are duly tiled at. Somerset House, in respect of, for
example. Viney and Co., Ltd., of Preston, and Commercial Car Hirers, Ltd., of London. Such reports, in all probahility, are not wholly encouraging in their terms to the end of 1909, although improvements during the year 1910 have been, according to our information, most satisfactory. Do you not think that your friends could get the information they desire from our " Motor Hiring Special number of the 15th October, 1908. We know that it accorded closely with MeNamarat's experience in that department of its contracting business.
The important change, since that date, is in the running cost of afive-ton petrol lorry, which class -of vehicle was then in a comparatively-unproved state of development. We should say that. the cost shown in that issue for the five-ton petrol lorry could now be brought down from 30 to 35 per cent. We much regret. that this issue is out of in-int, but you can no doubt turn it up in your awn files fie. the information of your friends, or at the offices of the Commercial Motor Vsers Association.