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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"The wheel 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.

Albion Bonus.

Some while ago it was announced that a bonus issue of•sharea was in contemplation by the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., and the terms of the proposal have now been made known. Of the reserve fond, which in the last balance sheet amounted to £105,000, the sum of £96,400 is to be capitalized, which will allow of the

Mr. Worby Beaumont Resigns.

Attention is drawn elsewhere to the services rendered by Mr. Worby Beaumont, for a number of years past, as technical adviser to the Public Carriage Department of Scotland Yard. Mr. Beaumont has for long been a prominent figure in the motor vehicle world, particularly in committee work and as a consultant specialist. He will be remembered as one of the judges on the ever-to-be-rememberedCommercial Vehicle Trials organized by the R.A.C. in 1907.

Mr. H. H. Gregory's New Post.

Mr. Hugh H. Gregory has been appointed by the Secretary of State as Technical Adviser to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. He is still the departmental expert to H.M. Board of Cnstoms and Excise in connection with the motorcar duties which were imposed early in the war. He holds the office of head of the technical department of the Royal Automobile Club, and has a rapidly-growing consulting practice in motor matters. He is a member of the Institute of Automobile Engineers and a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

New Year's Honours.

Included in the recent list of -.New Year's honours we observe the names of Mr. L. A. Leg ma, Chief Techm'cal Assistant, Dilution Section, Ministry of National Service, appointed an Otficer of the Order of the British Empire, and Mr. Arthur W. Windsor, sub-section director Contracts Department., .M.O.M., appointed a. Member of the Order. Mr. Windsor, it will he remembered, was, belorehhis appointment to the Contracts Department, assistant editor of Tinr COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

Mr. John Shorland, of the Stewart Precision Carburettor Co., and brother of Mr. Frank Shorland, of Clement Talbot, Ltd., passed away at the age of 38, on the 8th January, as a result of an attack of pneumonia.

Motor Volunteers.

At a luncheon given by Lieut.-Colonel Walter Gibbons, commanding the A.S.C., M.T. (V.), it was stated that this corps had altogether transferred over 1,000,000 troops in London' whilst 56,000 wounded had been carried to base hospitals, the number transferred altogether being about 96,000. he total mileage covered by the vehicles was 1,160,C00. As evidence of the magnitude and importance of the work, it might be mentioned that on one occasion, recently, 10,000 troops were moved across London at night. It can well be imagined that the organization necessary for this kind of accomplishment is very great.

Commercial Aviation.

Major-General Sir F. H. Sykes, K.C.B., C.M.G., Chief of the Air Staff, shed some light on the future ot aviation in an address entitled "Commercial Aviation in the Light of. War Experience," which he delivered on the 7th January before mein. hers of the 'London Chamber of Commerce. He held a very optimistic outlook of future aerial matters, chiefly in regard to commercial possibilities and developments.

A Public Convenience.

East Grinstead II.D.C. has granted the East Surrey Traction Co. a licence for 12 motorbuses to ply for hire within the clis, trict, imposing-only a nominal fee of 20s., on the ground that the buses are a great public convenience. The question of the fee, however, will be considered after 12 months.

Ten Year Loan for Steam Wagon.

The L.G.B. has given sanct'on to the Lowestoft T.C. to borrow 1136 for the purchase of a steam wagon—repayment to be spread-over a period of ten years.

Stretford U.D.C. has decided to apply to Parliaxnenta for powers to enable the Council to provide and run motor omnibuses.

K.LG. Plugs.

The Robinhood Engiheering Works, Ltd., Newlands, Putney Vale, London, S.W. 15, are proposing shortly to place on the market an all-mica sparking plug of entirely new design. We understand that the plug will embody a novel construction which has been fully tested and proved to possess some most remarkable self-cleaning properties, the outside insulation of the plug being made of a new material, which, so far as is known, has never been used for the pm-pose before. This material has proved itself to be considerably superior to porcelain, being of a more elastic nature and having no tendency to crack, whilst it is nonhydroscopic, and is unaffected by change of temperature within the limits to which it will be subjected. By the employment of scientific methods of construction on a large scale, it is intended to supply this new plug at a competitive price.

Macintosh Agents.

Chas. Macintosh and Co-, Ltd., have appointed the old-established and enter. prising firm of,-F. A. Heady and Co., Ltd., of York Buildings, 10 and 11, East Street, Southampton, as their agenta for Macintosh solid rubber band tyres in the Southampton district. They have installed a hydraulic tyre press, and the agents will always have a large stock of tyres in all sections and rim fittings at their premises, and will, therefore, be in a position to tyre customers' wheels at the shortest possible notice. Solid-rubber tyre contracts can be arranged which will enable the customers to secure the best possible tyre service. All the latest equipmeut will be used for dealing with solid-tyre fitting.

Perthshire Roads.

At a meeting of West, Perthshire District Committee it was reported that many complaints were being received as to the state of the local roads and bridges, and they welcomed back their road surveyor tiorn service in France. They decided that one of their first acts of " recoristruction " would be the completion of the renovation scheme with respect to roads and bridges in the Killin and Crianlarich districts—a scheme that bad been suspended three or four years ago. It was stated that one of the committee's road rollers had just been sold for 2575, which is 260 in excess of the price paid for it when hew, some eight or nine years ago.

A Buteshire Improvement.

It is proposed to form a road from Rhubodach to Kilmichael, in the island of Bute. This would complete a road right round the north end of the island, and would make a popular drive in summer. The borough of Rothesay is-quite alive to the advantages that it would offer to motorists and other visitors, and is prepared to subscribe a substantial sum towards the cost of its construction.

Benzole for Commercial Motors.

The National Council of the C.M.U.A. has decided to issue a list of suppliers of benzole for use in motor vehicles uniform with the list of gas-filling stations which the association issued last year.

In order that this list may be as complete as possible, suppliers of benzole who are desirous that their names should be included are requested to send the following information to Mr. F. G. Bris

tow' general secretary, The Commercial Motor Users Association (Inc.), 83, Pall Mall, London, S.W. 1. (1) Name of firm, full address of depot, and hours during which supplies of benzole may be. obtained. (2) Price—(a) tins, (b) in barrels or drums, (c) in tank wagons. (3) Any special conditions that appertain as to distribution.

. Municipal Taxicabs ?

The -London Labour party has issued its programme for the corning L.C.C.

election. It includes municipal ownership of motorbuses, taxicabs, railways, etc.

World's Altitude Record.

" In connectionwith the recent altitude record made by Captain Lang, it is of interest to note that the Napier Lion engine installed in the 1)119 aeroplane which accomplished the •feat was fitted with two Claudel-Hobson carburetters.

. Mr. Eric M. Gamaie, a director of A. W. Gamage, Ltd., Holborn, W.C., has been elected a member of the National Council of the C.M.U.A.

Tank Origin.

It is extremely interesting to note that one of the joint designers of the Tank, and the man who designed the first " allround " tractor, Major W. G. Wilson, was one of the designers of the WilsonPitcher car, notable in the early days of motoring, and placed on the road about 1902. His partner, Pilcher, carried out gliding experiments on the Lilienthal system from 1895 until 1899, when he designed an aeroplane to be driven by a 4 h.p. petrol engine of his own. design. Ho was killed in one of his experimental flights in the latter year.

Major Wilson was works manager at Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., and there established the production of their motor vehicles, the spiral bevel gear adopted as a back-axle drive being one of the relics of the original Wilson-Pitcher car.

Electric Buses for Lincoln.

Lincoln C.C. has appointed a special committee to consider and report upon the provision of motor omnibuses for the city. In order to gain the fullest information, the committee, with the electrical engineer, has been authorized to visit towns where motor omnibus services have been established. Mr. Clegg, the engineer, proposes the use of electric buses, and, when the City Council appointed the investigation committee, it was stated that, the latest information showed that electric buses could be worked at about half the cost of petrol vehicles.

The Industrial Reconstruction • C.ouncil:

The second lecture of the series arranged by the Industrial Reconstruction Council will be held ui the Saddlers'

Gheapside, E.C. 2, on Wednesday, 22nd January. The chair will be taken at 4.30 by the Rt. Hon. Lord Balfour of Burleigh, K.T., and a lecture on "Industrial Reconstruction in Government Departments" will be delivered by his' Honour Judge Edward Parry. Applications for tickets should be made to the Secretary, 2 and 4, Tudor Street, E.C. 4.

Mr. Aeland, electrical engineer and tram manager of Chesterfield, is resigning to take over the management of a motor transport concern in London.

Lancashire Transport.

H. Viney and Co., Ltd., motor transport engineers, of Strand Road, Preston, inform us that they haveappointed Mr. H. Hollingsworth to superintend a new department which they are opening in Liverpool es forwarding agents. . Mr. Hollingsworth has had widesexperience of this class of work, and is well known in Liverpool. The company feel that this step will be widely appreciated by their clients, who will recognize the advantage of centralizing theirltransport arrangements in the hands of one firm. It will interest our readers to learn that this concern are the oldest firm of motor haulage contractors in the north of England, having been established since the early days of 1906. Prior to the war they had a fleet of 20 petrol lorries and steam wagons, all of the Leyland type, but during the war they have been compelled to carry on their business with steam vehicles. These machines have maintained a service for the Royal Air Force, with journeys extending from the extreme south of England to the heart of Scotland. It is also interesting

to record that they were the first firm in the north of England to adopt the " allrOund-rubber " policy.

Obviating Light Running.

Mr. Nathan Fine, manager of the motor transport section of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, informs us that therturnover of hie department has considerably increased during the last 12 months. This department was opened in July, 1917, and during the first six months of business, that is, July to December, the tonnage carried was 2225 tons; from 1st January to December, 1918, 23,766 tonin'w are carried. The numbers of motor hirers and motor owners in Manchester is daily in026 creasing, and there is little doubt that the department has been the means of obviating light running to a great extent in Lancashire.

Fire-engine Wanted

The borough of Choiley is • inviting tenders for the supply of a new motor fire-engine designed to deliver 350 gallons of water per .minute. Tenders, giving full particulars and specification' have to be delivered to the town clerk on or before the 18th inst.

Buying Char-a-bancs Bodies.

Woodall, Nicholson arid Sons, carriage and motor body builders and automolyle engineers, of Horton Street, Halifax, inform us that they have recently purchased from C. 1. Faulkner and Co., Ltd., Manchewer, eleven 28-seater charit-bancs bodies. The bodies were built in 1914 for fitting to Leyland chassis. Five of them have been completed and have rim a few journeys only, whilst the other six are constructed in skeleton form ready for upholstering. Considering the present pr:ces of these .bodies, we should

be inclined to think that this is one of the largest deals of its kind. Practically all the bodies are already spoken for, the excellent design and pre-war materials being of special value now.

New Bus Service.

The Mold U.D.O. is supporting a proposal by the Grosville Motor Co., of Chester, to run a service of motorbuses for the use of the public on a circular route which will include Mold, Buckley, Hawarden, Queensferry, Connah's Quay, Flint and Northop. - The operation of the Ball Bearings Order, 1917, dated the let November, 1917, was suspended by the Ministry of Munitions from the 7th January, 1919.

1919 Warrant Holders.

The lists of warrant holders for 1919 include the following :— List of the Lord Chamberlain to tho Queen :—H. J. Mulliner and Co., motor carriage manufacturers, London.

List of the Lord Steward to the King : --James Wm. Glover and Sons, Ltd., agricultural vehicles, Warwick; Hart Accumulator Co., Ltd., accumulators. London.

List of the Lord Chamberlain to the King :—Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., fire-engine makers, London.

List of the Master of the Horse to the

King :—Anglo-American Oil td., purveyors of motor spirit, Co.,London; firitiah Petroleum Co., Ltd., purveyors of motor spirit, London; Burmah Oil Co., Ltd., /surveyors of motor spirit, Glasgow; Daimler Co., Ltd.' motorcar manufacturers, London; Dunlop Rubber Co.. Ltd., manufacturers of motorcar tyres, Londtn; Gas Lighting Improvement Co., Ltd. purveyors of motor spirit, London; Ltd., Accident, Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, Ltd., insurers of motorcars, London; Leyland Motors, Ltd., manufacturers of motor lorries, London' Palmer Tyre, Ltd., manufacturers of motorcar tyres, London; S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., manufacturers of motorcar watches and speedometers, London; Charles White, purveyor of motor lubricants,. London.

List of the Master of the Horse to the late King Edward :—Michelin Tyre Co., Ltd., manufacturers of motorcar tyres, London; Milnos-Daimler, Ltd., purveyors of motorcars, London. List of the Comptroller to Queen Alexandra :—Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., purveyors of motor spirit, London; Hooper and Co., Ltd., coachbuilders and motor body builders, London ; S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., speedometer and motor accessory manufacturers, London; Wolseley Motors, Ltd., motorcar manufacturers, Birmingham.

No Cheaper Pares.

Having read the reports in the papers on the question of fares—discussed at the last meeting of the Hove Town Council —Tilling, Ltd., have now written to the Council, stating that they have provided the boroughs of Hove and Brighton with a far better service of omnibuses than any of the boroughs of similar population during the past most difficult and critical period, which has only been done by their disregarding the cost, and adding that, since their previous letters, further demands have had to be met from their skilled staff, drivers, conductors, etc., and that until some further substantial relief in the direction of fuel, lubricating oil, and spare parts is given, they cannot see their way to offer any reduction of fares. They also considered that some greater security of tenure should be given to them to justify the company in incurring a proposed considerable further capital -outlay.

A Problem for Calcutta.

Calcutta Municipal Corporation has appointed a committee to investigate the most suitable method of carrying out conservancy work by means of motor lorries. The Corporation has to deal with over 1200 tons of refuse a day, which is a world's record. The committee is to find out the most suitable type of motor lorry for the purpose.

Magneto Progress.

A very interesting working exhibit of British magnetos has been made by members of the British Ignition Apparatus at the Exhibition of British Science Products, which has recently been held at the College of Technology, Suckville Street, Manchester, under the presidency of the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of Manchester. The firms represented included :—British L. M. Ericsson Mfg. Co., Ltd. Beeston, is'otts. ; British Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd., Coventry and Willesden; E.I.C. Magnetos, Ltd., Birmingham ; Magneto Synd„ Ltd., Coventry; North and Sons, Ltd., Watford and 'London; ThomsonBennett Magnetos, Ltd. Birmingham; C. A. Vandervell and CO., Ltd., .Acton, London, W. Large numbers of people visited "Room 5," which was specially set apart for this display, and were obviously much impressed by the finish,

efficiency and great variety of the machines exhibited and by the striking evi

dence provided of the remarkable development of the British magneto industry.

Electric Vehicle Committee.

Twa new members have been added to the Electric Vehicle Committee. One is Mr. E. E. Hoadley, engineer and manager of the Maidstone Corporation and Elecflic Supply Department, who forms an additional representative of the Incorporated Municipal Electric Association, and Lieut.-Col. F. Garrett, of Wchard Garrett and Sons, Ltd., of Leiston, Suffolk, who takes the place as a representative of electric vehicle mannfacturers of Mr. Meaden, of. Wolseley Motors, Ltd., of Birmingham, who are no longer interested in electric Vehicles.

British 'Planes for Chile. _ The first batch of British aeroplanes ceded by the Government to Chile has now reached Valparaiso. It will form the nucleus of the new Chilean. Air Service which, as a start, will consist of 14 seaplanes and 50 aeroplanes, all British machines originally built for the British air services. Major Huston, of the British Flying Corps, is to act as chief instructor of the new force, and Engineer-Lieutenant Solano is to be the technical head of the naval section of the service. Lieutenant Solano, before his new appointment, was attached to the Chilean Naval Commission in London. The first Chilean naval base will be the island of Omiriguina, almost in the middle of Talcahuatio Bay.

Important New Companies.

Electricars, Ltd., has been registered as a private comnany, 'with a capital of £115,030, in 100,0007 per cent. cumulative preference participating shares of LI each, and 300,000 ordinary shares of is. each, to carry on business as manufacturers of and dealers in omnibuses, tractors, lorries, locomotives, motor vehicles and other classes of transport using storage battery for motive power. Registered office is at 2-3. Duke Street, St. James's, London, S.W. 1.

Another important reg'stration is Wallace Farm Implements, Ltd., which company was registered in Edinburgh on 24th December, with a capital of £300,000 in £1 shares. They are to en'or into an agreement with D. M. Wallace to carry on the business of manufacturers of agricultural implements; motor tractors and other machinery. Registered office is at 94, Hope Street, Glasgow.

Handbook On ElectricaUgnition.

A second edition of "Electrical Ignition for Internal-combustion Engines," by M. A. Codd, just introduced, is intended as a. convenient working handbouk for car owners and drivers rather than a technical treatise on what is, of course, a very extensive subject. The author has the advantage of being a practical worker in the construction and repair of ignition appliances, and thoroughly knows his subject. He covers in a sufficiently detailed manner the electrical principles involved in ignition, batteries, accumulators, switches coils, distributors, magnetos, faults arid remedies and magneto repairs.There are 120 illustrations, and with -a minimum of electrical knowledge the reader should be able to obtain a sound general idea of the working and maintenance of car ignition systems. The publishers are E. and F. N. Spon, Ltd., 57, Haymarket, London, S.W. The price of the book is 6s., post free 6s. fid.

Machine Tools for Disposal.

' Palmer's Garage and Engineering Works, 183-199, High Street, Tooting, S.W., at present hold a very comprehensive range of second-hand machine tools of all makes and descriptions. A copy of a catalogue which they have recently issuedi which gives details of. each machine -for disposal, should be of considerable use to many of our readers.

Local Proceedings.

Peterborougn R.D.C. is consrdering the purchase of a tractor. Abercken T.C. is purchasing two fourton IT evland cleansing wagons, at a cost of £900-each.

Stretford U.D.C. is considering the acquirement of further motor wagons for the removal of house refuse.

Manchester Corporation Electricity Committee has accepted the tender of Drake and Gorham, Ltd., Manchester, for the supply of a 3i-ton electric tipping wagon. Hull City Engineer has been asked by the Works Committee to get quotations for a mechanical vehicle, as there is a shortage of 32 horses in the haulage department. Kendal Corporation has asked the Medical Officer of Health to ascertain the terms on which it is possible to acquire a motor ambulance for use in connection with the sanatorium.

Brown Brothers, Ltd., of Gt. Eastern Street, E.C., are offering a new line of waterproofs for ladies and gentlemen through all the regular garages, motor dealers, etc.

A very useful and particularly handy time-table of the train service of the United Kingdom is published by the Triplex Safety Glass Co., Ltd., 1, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. 1. The average time-table is nearly always too bulky for the pocket or the travelling bag, but the Triplex edition of this timetable seems to be just the thing for a business man.

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