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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"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 Crozier.

Railway Rates on Show Exhibits.

It has. been the custom for railway companies to carry the exhibits returned from agricultural exhibitions at half rates on the return journey. As a result of correspondence between the Association of British Chambers of Cominerce and the Railway Clearing House, the railway companies have now agreed to extend to the exhibitors at the various trade exhibitions during 1927 the same terms. Amongst the exhibitions to which this will apply is the Commercial Vehicle Show to be held at Olympia during November next.

Allowances forMunicipal Engineers.

The Ministry of Transport has issued the following scale of allowances for municipal engineers :—Motorcycles without sidecar, 3d. per mile ; motorcycles usedwith sidecar, tricars and light cars up to 7 h.p., 4d. per mile; fourwheeled motorcars over 7 h.p. and under 10 '5d. per mile ; four-wheeled motorcars of 10 h.p. and over, except those mentioned below, 6d, per mile ; four-wheeled motorcars with ordinary seats for four or more persons and over

11 h.p., 70. per mile.

London's New Restricted Streets.

The Ministry of Transport has recently issued a new schedule of roads in London which_ are declared under Section 7 of the London Traffic Act, 1924, to be restricted streets, that is to say, streets in which the plying for hire by omnibuses ought to be restricted or prohibited either generally or 'during Particular hours. The object of the inclusion of these streets in the category of restricted streets is to prevent any further increase in the number of omnibuses now plying for hire thereon, or where omnibuses do not now ply for hire to prohibit the operation of buses thereon until the Ministry is satisfied that new services are required to meet the needs of the public. The new regulations, however, will not involve any reduction in existing services and will permit of the usual augmented summer services being operated. .

Sentinel's Trading.

In spite of the fact that the business of the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., of Shrewsbury, was considerably hampered by the seven-months' coal strike which occurred in the company's past year of trading to December 31st last, the profit which is recorded must be regarded as satisfactory. The actual amount, after meeting interest, directors' fees, income tax and other charges, is £44,711, and this is increased to £46,064 by the amount brought in from the previous year. From this amount has to be deducted a total of £17,505, being amounts for depreciation on property, machinery, etc. (i15,055) and other sums written off (a) patents and (b) expignsers on new preference-share issue (f2,450). A balance of £28,559 therefore remains.

A dividend on the preference shares for the first half of the year at the rate of 74. per cent, per annum absorbed £11,250, whilst a further dtivi

c20 dend on these shares for the latter half of the year at the same rate will account for a further £11,250, and a dividend on the ordinary shares for the year at the rate of 21 per cent, per annum for £5,000. After the payment of these dividends—a total of f27,500—a sum of £1,059 remains to be carried forward.

From the balance-sheet we notice that the reserve fund stands at 140,000.

The report makes mention of the fact that all departments of the company have continued to progress, and it is anticipated that a larger profit will be made in the current year if trade does not suffer any serious interruption.

British Concessionnaire Wanted for American Chassis.

We have received from the office of the Commercial Attache, United States Department of Commerce, Bush House, London, W.C., information that the Stewart Motor Corporation, 90, West Street, New York City, U.S.A., desires to appoint a distributor for the sale of Stewart trucks and bus chassis in England. Any concerns interested in this proposal should send their inqairies to the above address.

An A.G.E. Appointment.

Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd., Aldwych House, London, W.C.2, informs us that Major (1. Fetherstone has resigned his appointment as British Trade Commissioner in South Africa in order to take charge, as from the beginning of this month, of the South African interests of the group of engineering firms which it controls.

Bus Tyres on a Mileage Basis.

The tramways committee of the Portsmouth Corporation recommends acceptance of the offer from the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., for the supply of pneumatic tyres for the corporation motor omnibuses on a mileage basis at the rates shown below.

The figures for the apportionment of rate are those placed before the corporation.

Prospects for Producer-gas Vehicles.

Speaking at a recent gathering of French agents for Latil commercial vehicles, M. Chas. Blum, the head of the concern, stated that the company's engineers were carefully watching developments in connection with the use of producer-gas plants for motor vehicles and had carried out many experiments. They had, however, come to the conclusion that the problem of the producer. gas installation was not yet completely solved. Moreover, it was said that the' efficiency Of such plants is less than that secured by the use of petrol, whilst producer-gas plants, necessitate more careful supervision and tbo employment of drivers specially trained in their use. In M. Filum's opinion, producergas plants will only receive more consideration in the event of a serious advance in the price of liquid motor fueL A Light Railway and Bus Compe-.

tition.

It is announced by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Co. that its light railway service between Burton-onTrent and Ashby-de-la-Zouch and between Swadlincote and -Gresley will be terminated on February 19th. For some time past only a limited service has beenrun. The light railway was opened in 1906 and is about 12 miles long. The working of the service showed a small profit until 1924, but since that time increasing competition from motorbuses has affected the takings to such an extent that a loss is now being recorded.

Hiring Tractors for Territorial Uses.

The Pembrokeshire Territorial Army Association has received a communication in which it is stated that the training of artillery drivers is to be with mechanical vehicles. This command is in consequence of the decision of the association to defer the purchase of tractors until such time as the War Office can indicate the most suitable type of tractor to employ. In view of the new instruction the Pembrokeshire committee has decided to hire eight Fordson tractors from Mr. Hanson, and a mechanic, who will train and instruct the territorial drivers, will be placed at the disposal of the committee.

M.A.B. Acceptances.

The Metropolitan Asylums Board has accepted the tender of Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., at £191 for the supply of a 12-cwt. Morris-Commercial van.

The Board has also accepted the following tender for the supply of pneumatic tyres and inner tubes :—British Goodrich Rubber Co., Ltd., London, £990; Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., Birmingham, £100; Palmer Tyre, Ltd., London, £75. Dunlop Staff Changes.

The Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., announces certain changes in its sales organization. Whilst continuing to be a member of the local board of the company, Mr. E. Healey has relinquished his position as general sales manager. Mr. Healey is succeeded by Mr. H. Shank-land, who will be assisted in his new sphere of activity by Mr. H. L. Kenward, lately the company's regional sales manager in the London area. Mr. Kenward's post will carry the title of assistant general sales manager. Mr. J. A. Taylor, who for many years has

been the company's district manager in Birmingham, is appointed to headquarters as assistant to the general sales manager for special representation duties.

Bradford Owners Meet.

The annual meeting of the Bradford Horse and Motor Owners' Association was held a few days ago, when members discussed the question of the increased scale of taxation. It was decided that for the moment, at any rate, the additional cost of operation imposed by the new taxes should not be passed on to the public, and that the rates charged for goods haulage and for excursions by peseeneer vehicles should continue on the same basis as last year. The following were elected officers of the Association: President, Mr. T. E. Pickersgill '(second year) ; vice-presidents, Mr. P. S. Webster and Mr. T. Aldridge ; hoe. secretary, Mr. N. C. Mansley ; hon. treasurer, Mr. W. T. Sugdeu.

Buses to Supersede Non-paying Trams.

Further motorbus developments are promised in the "town of many indastnies "—Warrington. At the February meeting of the town council the chairman of the tramways committee intimated that for some time eonsideration had been given to the use of motorbuses on the Longford tramway route. When the term for the loan on this tramway service had expired, the council intended to maintain this service with motorbuses, but, at present, it would not pay the committee to scrap the trams and tram track. On this and any other tramway route that was not paying, it was mentioned that the tramway system would be abandoned when the lines required to be renewed.

Contracting for Steam Rollers.

Haverfordwest Rural District Council has decided to accept the offer of Messrs. Jenkins and Sons, Merlin Bridge, Haverfordwest, for the hire to the council of steam rollers at 37s. per day, with an allowance of 8s. per day when rollers are held up for want of materials for the roads. ' Plymouth's Bus Profits.

The accounts dealing with Plymouth Corporation's motorbus services for the nine months ended December 31st last show a profit of £398. The passenger receipts in this period amounted to £40,294 and the total receipts to 142,538. So far as expenditure is concerned, £10,685 was disbursed under the heading of maintenance and repairs, £14,550 under traffic expenditure, £7,449 for petrol, £1,656 under general expenses and £7,800 under interest and sinking fund. Traffic receipts per busmile amounted to 11,065d. (total re ceipts 11.681d. per bus-mile) and the. total expenditure per bus-mile 11.5724., the actual net profit per bus-mile being .109d.

British Fleets in Australia.

The Australian Leyland Co., of Melbourne, has recently issued an announcement which is of considerable interest as indicating the progress of British commercial vehicles in the Commonwealth. Thus we learn that the Royal Australian Air Force has now no fewer than 64 Leyland vehicles in service, being followed by the British Imperial Oil Co., Ltd., with M, the New South Wales Government Railway with 22, the New South Wales Public Works Department with :11 and the Sydney Municipal Council with 30.

Speed Limits Not Favoured.

Surrey County Council has refused to grant an application from the Epsom Rural District Connell, supported by the (Amin Parish Council, for an extension of the existing speed limit area in Cheam Village. As the Ministry of Transport is evidently not now disposed to impose speed-limit areas, the council considers, after its recent experience of the holding of a local inquiry and the refusal of the Ministry to make an Order when a very strong case was made out, it would be a waste of time and expense in preparation of evidence, etc., to support an application.

Large-capacity Vehicles in Jeopardy.

Already a few municipal authorities are getting rid of their big vehicles because of the increased taxation charges. For example, a committee of the Manchester Corporation reports that the new scale of taxation has doubled the amount payable annually under this head, and the committee has decided to replace a 4-ton steam wagon by a small petrol lorry, for which full work on economical terms can be found.

The 1927 Albion Viking.

The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow, has just issued an attractively produced booklet which deals with the company's 1927 model 30-60 h.p. Albion Viking motor coach built to carry 20 passengers. A brief description of the outstanding features of the chassis is given, as well aa particulars of types of certain open and all-weather body which can be mounted on it. This Albion passenger model has a four-cylindered engine with a bore of 415,1 in. and a stroke of 41 in. and a It.A.C. rating of 29.8 h.p. The clutch is of the single-disc type and the power is conveyed through a four-speed-andreverse gearbox to a worm-driven rear axle.

An Informative House JournaL •

The January issue of the " A.E.C. Gazette" is, as is the rule with this monthly publication, full of many interesting items of news. From the information which the journal contains

it is obvious that the company's products are achieving considerable success overseas. Particulars are given of a dual-purpose municipal vehicle which can not only be used for street cleaning and watering, but which, when the tank body is removed, can be equipped with a tipping body. A short article deals

with the road-transport agivides of the Crow Carrying Co., Ltd., which uses a number of the company's vehicles, not only for the transport of fuel in bulk but for ordinary goods haulage. The publication is issued by the Associmied Equipment Co., Ltd., Waltharnstow, London, E.17.

Investigating Australian Conditions.

Mr. Bruce, the Commonwealth Prime Minister, addressing the Commercial Travellers' Association of Atudridia in Sydney recently, quoted figures showing that Great Britain's contribution accounted for only one-tenth of Anstralia's imports of motors and pointed out that the British motor industry had arranged to send a delegation to Australia to investigate the position. Licence Costs and Bus Fares.

The bus superintendent of the Merthyr Corporation reports that the new scale of taxation increases the department's payments in respect of licences by over £180 per annum. He mentions that on account of this addi

tional cost many omnibus concerns are increasing their fares, but as in its case the increased duty equals an addition of about one-seventh of a penny per mile he does not think the corporation need consider any increases yet awhile.

Talbot Commercial Vehicles.

We are advised that Talbot commercial motor vehicles are now being marketed through W. and G. Du Cros, Ltd., of 177, The Vale, Acton, London, W.

London County Council Contracts.

The London County Council has placed contracts with the United Service Transport Co., Ltd., for the hire of petrol lorries for the tramways department at a cost of £3.500 and with G. Bailey and Son, Ltd., for the hire of motor vans at £8,550.

Representing the C.M.LT.A.

We notice on a committee recently appointed by Mr. Lynch, Minister of Fisheries for the Irish Free State, to inquire into the Irish fishing industry and to formulate practical suggestions for its improvement, the name of Mr. F. J. Heatley as the representative of the C.M.U.A. in Dublin.

Petrol Licence Fees.

The London County Council reports that the Petroleum Act, 1926, imposes a graduated scale of fees according to the quantity of petroleum desired to be stored. Cases of difficulty occurred when it was desired to increase the amount of storage, thus altering the amount of the licence fee from one category to another, when only a portion of

the licence period had expired. To meet this difficulty it has arranged that in such cases a new licence shall be issued, the fee charged being that applicable to the increased storage, less a rebate for the unexpired period of the existing licence, calculated on the basis of one-twelfth for each complete month of the unexpired period. Testing Petrol Pumps.

The highways committee of the Notts County Council calls attention to the necessity for making provision in the near future for the examination and testing of petrol pumps, of which there iq a considerable number in the county.

The committee has been in communication with the Board of Trade with regard to the type of measure which It would be prepared to approve, but it is not yet in a position to Issue the necessary Order designating the class of measure to be used.

It is essential, however, that orders for the necessary appliances should be placed with the manufacturers at the earliest possible date, and the committee recommends that, so soon as a type of measure has been definitely approved by the Board, three sets be obtained at a price not exceeding £30 per set. This expenditure will be more than covered by the fees to he received for stamping the petrol pumps in question.

S.D. Freighters for Government Service.

During last year reference was made to machines supplied by Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., of Letchworth, for service with the Royal Air Force, and that these S.D. Freighters have given satisfaction is indicated by the fact that a further large contract has been placed with the company. The S.D. Freighters supplied to the General Post Office for cable-drum haulage have also given satisfaction, and, after careful trials extending over practically a year, the anthorities are convinced that such vehicles are handy and economical for this duty, and as a result have placed orders for further machines.

Municipal Conference to Consider Bus Proposals.

At a meeting of the Oldham Watch Committee the town clerk submitted a letter from the clerk to the Royton 'Urban District Council intimating that the Royton Council has had before it an application from the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., for licences in respect of motorbus services it proposes to establish. As it appears that a number of councils is concerned with the proposed routes it was suggested that the local authorities affected should confer on the matter, and the corporation was invited to appoint representatives to the proposed conference. The watch committee appointed the chairman, vicechairman and Alderman Cheetham to represent the committee.

Wrexham Trams to Co.

The proposal of the Wrexham and District Transport Co., which operates extensive motorbus services in the Wrexham district, to discontinue the electric tramways service between Wrexham and Rhos, and to substitute motorbuses therefer, will be hailed with a sigh of relief by the long-suffering users of this road. This is one of the narrow main roads that completely baffles one's road sense. On the right-hand side, travelling towards Ruabon, is a single line of tram-track. If a motor-vehicle driver wishes to pass the tram going in the direction of Ruabon, he has no alternative but to overtake it on the wrong side. Should a lorry be travelling towards Wrexham at the same time, it is faced by a tram on one side of the road and

a motor on the other. If the tram refuses to stop, the overtaking lorry has to pull up and let the other motor through: The trouble is that the tram is on its right side of the road when travelling to Wrexham and on its wrong side when proceeding to Ruabon.

Thornycrofts in Shang/mi.

In view of certain interests which British concerns have in Shanghai, China, it is not surprising that various types of British commercial motor vehicle are in use in the city. The Aquarius Co., for example, which manufactures table waters, has several Thornyeroft vehicles in use, including two type j. ex-W.D. lorries which have been in service for six years without any replacement, other than those consequent upon normal wear and tear, being found necessary.

One of the greatest obstacles to the development of heavy-vehicle transport in that part of the world is the unstable nature of the roads, and although ferro-concrete roads have now been constructed in and around Shanghai, the muddy nature of the subsoil sometimes results in the vehicles sinking for a considerable depth. One of the accompanying pictures shows a Thornyeroft vehicle which has encountered difficulties of this kind and has sunk so that the hub-caps are almost covered.

Cardiff Bus Estimates.

The Cardiff City Council has received estimates for the operation of the bus department in the year commencing April 1st next. These show that expenditure is estimated at £118,977 and the surplus at £1,695, as against an estimated surplus of f4,100 in the year now closing. The statutory allocation of 14 per cent of the aggregate capital expenditure for the relief of rates will mean that £1,074 will be handed over by the bus department for this purpose. A Traffic Analysis.

Analysing the recent traffic census taken in the county, the highways committee of the Lancashire County Council mentions that the statistics recorded for the Road Board "prior to the war enable a comparison to be made at certain points of the relative increase during the past 13 years in the number and 'weight of road vehicles. For example, at a point on the Great North Road near Framwellgate Moor the total average daily weight of traffic in August, 1912, was 636 tons, whereas in August, 1922, it was 3,346 tons,, and by August, 1925, it had increased to 5,348 tons. In other words, during a period of 13 years the traffic at this point had increased by over 700 per cent.

Again, at Sankey Bridges, near Warrington, on the Liverpool and Manchester Road (A57) the average daily weight in July, 1911, was 1,167 tons. In August, 1922, it had increased to 8,250 tons, and in 1925 there was a further increase to 11,600 tons.

The percentage of weight of motor traffic and horse-drawn traffic in this county is as follows: West Riding Licences.

West Riding County Council reports that last year 1546,399 was received in respect of Road Fund licences compared with £501,700 in the previous year.

Ratepayers Prefer Private Bus Enterprise.

The Abercarn and Risen Urban District Councils, which proposed jointly to acquire the bus services between Newport and Crumlin. run by Lewis and James, Ltd., Newbridge (Mon.), for a sum tentatively fixed at £45,000, have recently placed the proposals before the ratepayers in the respective areas. In both areas a decisive vote has been cast in favour of a continuance of private enterprise, and the scheme for establishing a municipal service was vetoed. The figures, upon which the two councils may now probably abandon their schemes, were as follow :—Abercarn area : For a municipal service, 771; against, 2,370. Risco. area : For, 794; against, 2,628.

Karrier's Publication.

"The Karrier Gazette," the official house organ of Karrier Motors, Ltd., Huddersfield, has just been issued for February, and it contains a brief review of the company's programme for the current year. Other features of interest in this issue include a brief account of the activities of the Karrier vans run by Wyman and Sons, Ltd., the wholesale newsagents, and particulars of certain refinements on the rigid-frame sixwheeled buses bought by the Salford Corporation. A price-list and abridged data for the whole range of Karrier models for 1927 is also included.

Plymouth Co-operative Traffic.

Plymouth Co-operative Society reports a gratifying increase in trade in most of its departments during the quarter just ended, and substantial advances are shown in respect of the turnover of both of the motor departments. The motor-conveyance section did business amounting to £2,2:32, an advance of £635 as compared with the corresponding 13 weeks of last year, or an increase of 39.8 per cent. The traffic department also recorded increased takings to the extent of £21, the advance in this case working out at 48 per cent.

Newcastle's Bus Bill.

A resolution requesting the Northumberland County Council to assist in securing the insertion of safeguarding clauses in the Omnibus Bill of the Newcastle Corporation was adopted at a recent meeting of the .A.shington Urban District Council. It will be possible for Opposition to the Bill to be withdrawn, if necessary, after the council has heard the views of a deputation from the corporation transport committee which is to wait upon it.

Liverpool C.M.U.A. meeting.

The ninth annual general meeting of the Liverpool area committee of the Commercial Motor Users Association was held on February 10th. In the course of its annual report, the committee states that careful attention has been given to the subject of the Liverpool entrance to the Mersey Tunnel. Several conferences of the various local and district road transport associations have been held, and strew, representations have been made in favour of the Old Haymarket as the principal Liverpool entrance. It is a matter of regret that the Mersey Tunnel Committee does not see its way to alter the site of the entrance in Whitechapel.

c24

It was mentioned that there had been a substantial falling-off in the demand for water tokens to operate the lock mechanisms approved by the British Waterworks Association, and erected on several of the main roads in the southwest Lancashire area for the benefit of steam-wagon users. This is one of the results of the coal stoppage. The number of tokens sold in 1926 was.69,655, as compared with 77,042 in 1925.

At the suggestion of the police authorities, the next parade will be in Mather Avenue instead of Queen's Drive.

Forty-four legal eases were defended by the council and the legal defence scheme appears to meet with general approval.

The Liverpool Corporation luts promoted another Bill, certain provisions of which the committee regards as objec tionable. In conjunction with other associations, it is considering whether any action should be taken to have these clauses amended or deleted.

Coach Stands at Eastbourne.

At a meeting of the Eastbourne Watch Committee three representatives of small chars-à-banes proprietors, accompanied by their solicitor, attended and urged that the application which has been made by owners and tenants of houses on the Royal Parade to restrict the number of stands for motor coaches should be refused. After discussion, the chief constable was requested to make inquiries and report.

The "Freedom-from-Accidents " Competition Extended.

The accident-prevention work of the National " Safety First" Association, 119, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, is to be further increased by the immediate extension of the "Freedom-from-Accidents" Competition for drivers to the whole of Great Britain. Hitherto, this competition has been confined to London and certain other areas. The experience of London, where, amongst others, many thousands of bus drivers have entered, has proved the value of the competition. The competition is open to drivers of any class of road vehicle .who are employed by members of, or those who subscribe to, the Association. The basis of the competition is the award of a silver medal to every driver who completes five consecutive years free from blameworthy accident, after which a bar is given for every succeeding year in which he qualifies.

Frill particulars relating to the competition and the conditions attaching to it are contained in a pamphlet recently issued from the Association's headquarters.

Pembroke's Bus Plans.

The proposal of the Pembroke Town Council to institute a bus service between Pembroke and Pembroke Dock is now assuming definite shape. The council proposes to commence with only three bases and choice of the type of bus to be used will shortly be made.