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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 Burnie Crozier.

The Motor Show Banquet.

The annual Show banquet organized by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to precede the opening of the Motor Show was held at the Connaught Rooms, London, on Wednesday last. Sir George Beharrell, the president of the Society, is in America, and thus the duty of occupying the chair fell to one of the vice-presidents, Mr. Sydney S. Guy being chosen for this position.

All who have the pleasure of Mr. Guy's acquaintance know that he is a very modest man and most sensitive, and, therefore, they would not have been surprised had he shown some trace of nervousness, but to everyone's pleasure Ito equipped himself admirably—in fact, It was generally felt, without any disrespect to past presidents, that no one had ever made a better speech than Mr. Guy made on Wednesday last.

He had to reply to the toast of "The Motor Industry," proposed by Mr. D. H. Hacking, 0.B.E., M.P., Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade, whose speech breathed Empire relationship— support home industries, particularly the motor industry, and that kind of thing—perhaps a little overdone ; but Mr. Guy's speech was expellent and to the point. He did not attempt a survey of the Society's work for the past year, but he showed bow the Society had been able to conduct its negotiations with the railways with wisdom and tact— thanks very largely to the fact that Sir George Beharrell was himself a distinguished railway man. His comments on , the question of taxation were extremely tensible and seemed to show that he anticipated some modifications in the next Budget in the taxation on transport vehicles, and we particularly liked his remarks with regard to the new regulations as to the speed of pneumatic-tyred vehicles. The speech was extremely gohd, well delivered and listened to from start to finish with appreciation. Mr. Guy distinctly scored in the important position in which he found himself.

Awards to Newspaper Van Drivers.

The work of the average newspaper van driver in any big centre is at all times most hazardous, and it is really amazing to see the ease with which such men drive their vehicles in and out of congested traffic areas, seemingly without undue risks to themselves and their vans, or without causing unusual inconvenience to other road users. As a body they realize that in B20 all phases of newspaper distribution the time factor is supreme, and although one may criticise them for non-observance of the legal speed limit—for short bursts, at any rate—one cannot but have a distinct sense of admiration for the driving skill which these men exhibit.

• The proprietors of the Daily News and Star have a right to feel• proud of the fact that out of 94 of their van drivers who entered in 1927 for the "Safety First" Council's freedom from accident awards, 77 obtained medals and diplomas. Lord Cowdray recently presented the awards to the successful men and said that the drivers' record for 1927 Was really a fine one, especially when it is realized that on an average 100 vans are in daily use, each covering about 40 miles. The fleet of vans owned by the Daily News and Star travelled 1,125,437 miles in 1927, all in London traffic.

Medals were awarded to 16 drivers for freedom from accident during the five years ended 1927 and diplomas were presented to 61 drivers for freedom from accident during 1927.

Scotland Yard and a Safety Glass.

We are informed by .7. M. Newton and Sons, Ltd., 20-23, Charles Street, London, E.C., that Newtex safety glass, for which it is the sole selling agent, has now been passed by Scotland Yard as suitable for use in public conveyances for hire in the Metropolitan Police area.

Big Bus-body Orders.

Short Bros. (Rochester and Bedford), Ltd., has in hand several big orders for bus bodies. Two of the largest have been received from concerns operating passenger vehicles in the South of England. One is for 20 de luxe saloon bodies and 14 51-se4ter, open-top, double-deck bus bodies for the Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., and the other for 21 37-seater, single-decksaloon bodies for the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd.

The company has recently supplied 10 covered-top, double-deck " low overbridge" bodies, each seating 46 people,. to the Birmingham Corporation Tramways.

In a Line or Two.

Chesterfield Corporation is considering the extension of the taillessvehicle system to New Whittington.

The experimental traffic-signal system in Piccadilly, London, is to be continued for another six months.

It has recently been reported that the cost of working and maintaining the Newport (Mon.) Town Council's fire-brigade was £3,417, this • figure being equivalent to a rate of 1.38d. ;n the pound.

The tramways committee of the Rotherham Corporation recommends the institution of a parcels-delivery service in connection with the municipal trams and buses.

Award of the Dewar Trophy.

The Dewar Challenge Trophy is awarded annually by the expert and technical committee of the Royal Automobile Club for the most meritorious performance held under the general regulations for official certified trials during the period of any year from September 30th. After examination of the results of the trials held in 1927-28, the committee has awarded the trophy for that period to Mr. C. B. Wardman for his entry of a Mercedes-Benz heavy-oil lorry, which undertook consumption and reliability trials over 692 miles.

Commercial Vehicles Wanted in Constantinople.

The British Commercial Secretary at Constantinople reports that the Ministry of National Defence is in the market for motor lorries, motorbuses and motor tank wagons. Those concerns desirous of offering vehicles of British manufacture can obtain further particulars of the Ministry's requirements by communicating with the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.N1T.1, quoting reference AX.6970.

First Meeting of the Royal Commission.

The first meeting of the members of the Royal Commission on Inland Transport will be held in London on Thursday next, October 18th, under the chairmanship of Sir Arthur GriffithBoscawen. The initial business will be concerne4 largely with procedure and preliminary discussions on the course of the evidence to be taken. It is understood that the commissioners will sit at least once a week and that the meetings will be held in London.

Personal Pars.

Mr. C. W. Reeve has resigned his position as chief stores superintendent to the Underground group of companies to take up a post as assistant to the chairman of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. Mr. R. H. Pitts has been appointed to succeed him as chief stores superintendent.

We mentioned in a previous issue that Mr. W. J. McCormack, of Fort Dunlop, has been elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Coachbuilders of London. We are now able to include a portrait of him in his robes of office.

Mr. McCormack is a very popular man in the motor industry and went in for rubber quite early in his business career, joining the Wallington-Weston Rubber Co., of Frome, where he was engaged in the early evolutionary stages in the design of motorcar tyres. He eventually joined the Dunlop organization in 1914 as assistant manager to Mr. W. H. Paull in the solid tyre department, his next appointment being to the sales-managership of the commercial-vehicle-tyre department. He has made himself thoroughly familiar with the problems of providing tyre equipment for all types of road transport vehicle and is now one of the senior officials of the Dunlop advisory staff.

It was in 1908 that he took up the freedom of the City of London, and a year later was admitted to the Livery of the Coachmakers' Company, having been a member of the council of the Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers—a position, by the way, which he still occupies.

Long-distance Road Transport of Butter.

A road motor service on which, Colonial butter will be carried from London to Swansea is to be initiated by Messrs. Evan Rees, egg and butter merchants of Swansea. The object of this service will be to prove whether or not such produce can be more cheaply carried by road than by railway. Six

wheeled steam wagons will be used for the road-transport experiment.

The head of the firm concerned anticipates. swifter and more direct service and a saving in cost. He states that the rail freight charge for butter has increased by 70 per cent, since the war.

Star Title Changed.

The Star Engineering Co., originally incorporated in 1896, have changed their title to the Star Motor Co., Ltd., with headquarters at Star Motor Works, Frederick Street, Wolverhampton. The company has merely changed its name and will continue to manufacture Star Motor vehicles, which it has been constructing since the year 1898.

Services for C.M.U.A. Members.

Some C.M.U.A. members are apparently unaware that they and their drivers are entitled by the Association's badge to the services of R.A.C. guides and the use of R.A.C. telephone boxes.

The New Halley Models.

Includedin this issue will be found details of the new Halley 8-ton rigid six-wheeler. In addition to this, the company has several other new models, which, incidentally, will be exhibited at the Scottish Show. Chief amongst these is a bus chassis of really excellent design embodying a four-cylindered engine of high efficiency. The chassis has a low load-line, Dewandre servooperated four-wheel brakes, separate gearbox, under-slung worm-driven axle, central chassis lubrication, and forward control, embodying a remarkably simple method of connecting the change-speed lever to the gearbox selector lever.

As regards goods vehicles, there is a 4-tonner a the forward-control pattern propelled by a four-cylinclered HalleyRicardo engine. This chassis has an overall length of 19 ft. 1 in,, and a turning circle 40 ft. 3 ins, in diameter ; the platform length is 14 ft. 6 ins., and the platform height 3 ft. 6 ins. The design embodies a four-speed gearbox, wormdriven rear axle, Marks steering gear, and pneumatic tyres; front-wheel brakes can be provided if required.

Next is a 21-3-ton chassis with driver in the normal position and a platform space of 12 ft. 6 ins. This also has a four-speed gearbox and worm drive. This model is known as the D.F2. and is a modified and strengthened edition of the Halley 2-tonner.

Reverting to the new bus or coach chassis, it is of interest to note that this can be equipped with a sixcylindered engine, the Dorman 6 Y.U.L. Mark 2, if this be preferred to a fourcylindered unit, but our impressions of the new four-cylindered unit are that it will meet with approbation in many quarters.

Smith's Stampings Report.

The report of Thomas Smith's Stamping Works, Ltd., for the year ended August 4th last shows a profit of £22,246, after making provision for depreciation of plant, machinery and buildings and taxation liabilities. After adding £22,823 brought forward from the previous year and deducting an interim dividend amounting to £5,000, which has been paid, the available suzn is £40,069. The directors now recommend the payment of a final dividend of 74. per cent, less income tax, making 10 per cent, for the year, and this will absorb £15,000 and leave 125,069 to be carried forward.

Cost of Nightsoil Collection by Electrics.

With reference to the Orwell electric vehicles engaged in the collection of nightsoil at Warrington, the cleansing superintendent reports that the number of loads collected during the past municipal year was 10,162, the mileage covered by the vehicles being 21.660. The current consumed was 44,600 units, at a cost of 2.06d. per mile. The costs during the year were £5,462, as against 15,570 in the previous year.

National Co.'s Dividend.

-An interim dividend of 2i• per cent., less tax, has been declared on the £400,000 ordinary capital of the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd. This is at the same rate as last year, but it was then declared on a capital of £250,000, -being followed by a final dividend of 8i per cent. on £300,000. • The Road Safety Congress.

The Road Safety Congress opens in London to-day (Tuesday) and continues until Thursday under the auspices of the National Safety First Association. The proceedings commence with a banquet at the Savoy Hotel this evening, when the Right Hon. Sir William Joynson-Hicks, Bart., D.L., M.P., will occupy the chair in his capacity of president of the association. The conference will meet to-morrow (Wednesday) morning at Caxton Hall, Westminster, when the delegates will be officially welcomed by the Mayor of the City of Westminster. • A paper will be read on the subject. of "The Work of an Area Safety First Council." After luncheon a, visit will be paid to the Aeton depot of Stewart and Ardent, Ltd., where a film prepared by the asso-' elation will be shown; On Thursday

morning a paper will be read at Caxton Hall on " Education Authorities and Safety Instruction," and during the afternoon the delegates will be invited to visit the stand of the association at the Motor Show.

SWindon's Trams Doomed.

At a recent meeting of the Swindon Town Connell it was decided to purchase 15 double-deck motorbuses to replace • the tramways services after March 31st next. The steps to1 be taken for changing over from tramways to motorbuses were outlined in a series of recommendations from the electricity and tramways committee of the. council.

The decision to abandon the tramways system was made a few months ago when it was deemed in the best interests of the town to replace it by double-deck motorbuses. Following an inspection of the tramway track, the borough surveyor reported that the responsibility for maintaining it after March 31st next was greater than the council should accept.

Traffic Control and Its Cost.

In the course of the audit of the accounts of the Stalybridge Corporation, the auditors refer to the cost of the police force and observed that, for the preservation of the public peace and the Protection of life and property by a body of men in which a high sense of duty has been inculcated, the cost is rot too high. They say, however, that it would be interesting to know how much of the money has been spent on purely routine work, like the direction

B22 of traffic. It is suggested that this sort of work could be done at a cheaper rate by ex-service men or time-expired constables, and the pension fund thus re

lieved. It •is mentioned that the experience of the Manchester authorities during the war and during the general strike showed that ordinary citizens could control traffic if properly authorized.

Coachwork for Leylands. "Some Examples Of Commercial Coachwork" is the title given to a folder just issued by Leyland Motors,

Ltd., Leyland, Lancs. It serves to give a very good idea of the wide range of commercial bodies which can be fitted at the company's works. It contains illustrations of box-vans, hingesided lorries, platform lorries, tank wagons for different uses, tipping wagons, dual-purpose vehicles and others for specialized uses. A list of users of Leyland goods vehicles is inclutitd and it contains the names of many, transport users running big fleets.

Bus Control in the West Riding.

A scheme recently placed before the Holrnfirth Urban District Council, for dealing with the regulation of motorbus and other motor traffic over a wide area of the West Riding of Yorkshire, provides for the constitution of a joint committee under the provisions of Section 57 of the Local Government Act, 1894. The constituent authorities associated with the scheme are the urban district councils of Denby and Cumberworth, Holmfirth, Meltharn, New Mill, Penistone and Thurlstone. The joint committee will consist of 13 members and will act in an advisory and consultative capacity in connection with the licensing of buses.

Municipal Buses for Stoke ?

In connection with a proposal that powers should he sought to run municipal bus services, the Stoke-on-Trent Corporation has asked the general purposes committee to report upon the advisability of such a proposal.

Lord Derby Opens Bus Garage.

In the presence of the mayors and tramway managers of several Lancashire towns, Lord Derby opened the new bus garage and repair ,shops of the Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., Ltd., at Atherton a few days ago. After severing a ribbon with a gold knife presented by Mr. E. H. Edwardes, the general manager of the company, he acknowledged superstition by passing 1s. to the donOr. A Leyland Titan bus was then driven info 'the garage. The guests witnessed the various vehicle-washing processes, and inspected the workshops. The garage will hold 100 vehicles.

The company runs 200 miles of bus routes, and the whole of its tramways routes are covered by• semi-express bus services. It is intended to proceed on these lines so that if the tramcars are discontinued on any section, there will be efficient bus or trolley-bus services available to the public. Some details of the character of the company's activities and of the equipment of the new garage and workshops are included in an article appearing elsewhere in this issue.

Chelmsford Acts Wisely.

Having considered the procedure adopted elsewhere in connection with the annual inspection of licensed vehicles, Chelmsford Watch Committee has decided to employ an expert for the purpose of examining motor vehicles.

Mote Albions for South Africa.

The road-motor fleet of the South African Railways and Harbours includes a number of Albion vehicles of various types, there being buses to seat 21, 29 and 32 people and goods-earrying vehicles for 4-ton and 3-ton loads, a proportion of the latter being rigid sixwheelers. Amongst recent orders received by the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., from this user is one for a considerable number of the latest type 3-ton chassis mounted on pneumatic tyres. Many of the S.A.R. vehicles work under arduous conditions.

G.W.R. Goods Motor -Service Expansion.

A few days ago the directors of the Great Western Railway Co. authorized the immediate purchase of 169 motor vehicles for the purpose of providing additional goods services in country districts where the present services are not adequate and to link up out-of-theway centres with the railway. The Great Western Railway Co. has, of course, been operating goods motor services for a number of years, and, at the present time, there are about 50 in regular operation. In many instances the services extend through farming districts which are located many miles from the nearest railway station.

Liability for Overcrowding.

The question of a company's liability for the action of its servant when that action is against the orders of the company was argued in the Dublin Dietrict Court recently, when the Dublin United Tramways Co., Ltd., was Prosecuted on the ground that one of its conductors permitted a greater number of passengers to travel on a motorbus

than the number specified in the licence for the bus. The company, it was stated, had no knowledge of the offence, and on the suggestion of its counsel the summons was amended and the word "company" substituted for "con

ductor." After leg.-.1 argument, however, it was decided to withdraw the summons.

Impressed with the Pagetield System.

A deputation from the Lancashire and Cheshire Whitley Council for Nontrading Services recently visited Southport to iequire into the new method (,f refuse collection adopted in Southport, this, as many of our readers may be aware, being the Penfield system. The members were much impressed with the system, and the council, after con

sidering a report of the deputation, has decided that the attention of local authorities throughout Lancashire and Cheshire should be drawn to the method adopted. The approval of the Southport authorities to this suggestion was sought and the borough surveyor is to prepare a suitable memorandum giving details of the system.

Inst. of T. Annual Meeting.

The ninth annual general meeting of members of the Institute of Transport will be held in the lecture theatre of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, 'Victoria Embankment, Lou don, W.C.2, on November 12th. After the meeting a paper will be read by Mr. F. Lane on "Motor Transport in the British Postal Service."

Bradford-to-London Service Sanctioned.

Bradford Corporation has sanctioned a service from Bradford to London, via Leeds and Doncaster, by the B. an E. Motor Services, on condition that only through passengers are accepted.

A Commer Agent.

Unity Motor Works (Liverpool), Ltd., 5, Oldham -Street, Liverpool, has been appointed the sole agent for Commer commercial vehicles in Liverpool and district, including Warrington, the Wirral Peninsula and Chester.

A Bus-booking Station for Darlington.

Although Darlington is a notable centre for short-distance rail and bus services, very few buses actually engaged on long-distance routes start from the Quaker town itself. With a view to catering for those passengers who are called upon to wait for long-distance buses which are passing through the town, say, from Newcastle to the south, a bus station has been opened at 10, Grange Road, Darlington, on the Great North Road.

Hitherto most bus companies have relied upon bookings arranged at tobacconists' shops, but Mr. G. W. Forster, the bus designer, contends that no person should be allowed to book bus travellere unless he is prepared to provide waiting accommodation. Bookings are to be made at the bus station for several concerns, the buses of which pass through the town.

Chesterfield Refuses Licences. Chesterfield Watch Committee has refused to grant licences to ply for hire

in the town to the following :—Underwood Express Services, Ltd. (Sheffield to London service) ; Ne Plus Ultra Motor Services, Retford (Durham to Derby service) ; Mr. F. Taylor, Middlesbrough (Newcastle to Binningham service) ; Fawdou Bus Co., Ltd., Newcastle (Newcastle to Coventry service) ; Messrs. Gee and Newton, North Wingfield (Highfields to Chesterfield service).

Sanctioned by Sunderland.

Sunderland Corporation Watch Committee has sanctioned new services between Sunderland and South Shields by the Economic Omnibus Co„ Ltd., and between Sunderland and The Hartlepools by the Eastern Express Motors, Ltd., of West HartlepooL Northern Ireland Bus Figures.

Figures showing the number of motor vehicles licensed for the first time in Northern Ireland in June, July, and August illustrate the remarkable growth of bus traffic in Ulster. Of 104 new licences issued for hackney vehicles all but nine were for motors carrying more than 14 pasengers. Thirty-eight were for 26-32-seater buses, 29 for 20-26seater buses, 18 for 14-20-seater buses, and 10 for 32-40-seater buses. Fortyfour motor-tractor licences were current, whilst licences for commercial goods vehicles totalled 5,319.

The total number of motor hackney licences issued at the end of August was 1,837, and of these 718 carried over six passengers, and 1,119 carried six passengers or less. Of the larger hackney vehicles (buses) 340 were licensed in Belfast, whilst the greatest number of commercial goods vehicles, 1,023, was also licensed in Belfast.

Repeat Orders for Bean Vehicles.

Repeat orders recently received for Bean 30-cwt. commercial vehicles include one from Bovril, Ltd., which will shortly have a fleet of five vehicles of this make in use, another from the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., and ' a third from the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd. The last-named is buying four vehicles for adding to its fleet of i similar number of Bean motors used on tyre-delivery service. , An Active Midland Club.

A copy of the 1928-29 syllabus of the Engineering and Scientific Club (Wolverhampton), Ltd., has been sent us and it is clear that the club has arranged a number of interesting events for the present session.. One of the most attractive is a debate, to be held on January 25Lh next, on the timehonoured controversy of trams versus buses. It will be opened by Mr. A. C. Baker, the general manager of the Birmingham Corporation Tramways and Mr. C. Owen Silvers, the general manager of the Wolverhampton Corporation Transport Department. The president of this club is Major H. 0. D. Segrave.

A Leeds-Liverpool Service.

• A motor coach service has lately been Inaugurated between Leeds and Liverpool by Gladwyn Parlour Cars, Ltd., of Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts, Studebaker Big-Six vehicles being used.

Freeing a Toll Bridge.

Birkenhead Corporation has asked the Wallasey Corporation to appoint delegates to discuss with the special committee the proposal for opening up negotiations with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board with a view to removing the toll now charged on pedestrians and vehicles when crossing the toll bridge at the north end of Birkenhead, between Birkenhead and Wallasey.

Useful Lubrication Hints.

Matthew Wells and Co, Ltd., the manufacturer of Wellsaline lubricants, has just issued a booklet which sets out in readable form a few practical hints on the care of motor chassis, its ostensible object being to throw more light on the subject of lubrication. It contains helpful suggestions on the running of different types of motor vehicle, quite apart from dealing with the particular advantages of Wellsaline motor oils as high-grade lubricants. Readers of this journal can obtain a copy of the booklet from the company at Weilsaline Oil Works, Hardman Street, Manchester.

I.A.E. Graduates' Awards.

The graduates' prize of the Institution of Automobile Engineers for the session 1927-28 has been awarded jointly to Mr. F. Gaye, of the Derby branch, for his paper on "Notes on Automobile Gears," and to Mr. C. I. Kelly, of the London branch, for hie paper on "Petrol Engine Lubricants and Lubrication," their papers being considered by the judges to be of equal merit.

Barnsley Bus Acquisition.

• It is announced that the Barnsley Traction Co. have acquired the whole of the interests of Mr. James Guest, of Mexborough, in the Blue Bus services. For the time being, no alterations will be made in the services which have been run by Mr. Guest, either between Yesborough and Doncaster or between Kulhurst and Barnburgh.

A Bradford-to-Manchester Service.

Blythe and Berwick, Ltd., Charles Street, Bradford, has just inaugurated the first regular bus service between Bradford and Manchester. Two buses run each way per day, and the journey takes two hours. The first bus leaves Bradford at 8 a.m, and the next at 4.30 p.m., the return journeys being made at 10.15 a.m. and 6.45 p.m. The route is via Halifax, Todmorden, and Rochdale, the single fare being 3s. 6d., and the return fare 6s. 0d.

The Motor Ball and Carnival.

The motor ball and carnival in aid of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund is being held at the Royal Opera HOMO, Covent Garden, to-morrow (October 17th), from 9.30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York are patrons of this year's event.