Correspondence.
Page 12
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Cardan Drive and Rubber Tyres.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—I should like some expression of opinion regarding the use of solid rubber driving tyres on live axles, principally with regard to business vehicles. Our experience has been that, of the live axles we have used, it is impossible to use solid types, whereas, with the Albion, James and Browne, and I3erliet chassis, which we have supplied, we have no trouble whatever from the use of solid rubber tyres, as these vans have all been chain driven. We had actud experience of one very well-known make of van, which, on account of excessive cost of upkeep, had the tyres of the driving wheels changed front pneumatics to solids, and the result was so unsatisfactory that the tyres had to be changed. back to pneumatics. We strongly recommend chain drive for all commercial vehicles, and should like to know the views and experiences of other users on this important
subject.—Yours faithfully, J. BLAKE AND CO. Beaumont Street, Liverpool.
Quotations Wanted.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—I called the other day, but found you were in France. Can you put me in the way of g-ening quotations for a delivery van to carry 5cwt. at most; to have two speeds and reverse, one cylinder, live axle, and solid tyres? It is for town draper's use. I have only got one quotation so far from a British maker. Others seem to prefer to wait a while, and a number simply do the old game of a van body on a pleasure chassis—maybe, slightly strengthened. Now here is an order for at least eight to twelve vans, and others to follow, I am told, and, With one exception, British makers cannot quote.—Yours faithfully,
T. Musa() CAIRNS, Blackhall, Edinburgh, August t4th, 1905.
Motor Omnibus Licenses.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—Touching your leaderette on motor omnibus licenses in the issue of " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR" for August 3rd, it must be pleasing to all who have read it, and who are interested in the trade, to note your outspokenness against the injustice of local authorities allowing their personal feelings to prejudice private enterprise. For example, some municipal tram committees and. managers which, indirectly, have influence and control over the local police, can and will punish the private owner for carrying above the licensed number of passengers, whilst at the same time they order their tram servants to do the very thing they fine others for. This is very notably the case at Manchester. You may remember, sir, the Municipal Tramway Managers' Association's outcry, a short time back, against the railway companies' proposals to run motor buses as being detrimental to their interests. Now, just to show their consistency, the Manchester Corporation has recently started a parcel-carrying business, which is of course injurious to other firms, Sutton and Co.'s being one of the greatest. One of the " heads " of Sutton and Co., in Manchester, is a Mr. Burgess, who was a candidate for civic honours against the chairman of the tramwavs committee last November. Whether the one bears upon the other is best left to the imagination of your readers, of whom I subscribe myself,
ONE MUCH INTERESTED.
Opening for a Motor Bus Service.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—We have 110 accommodation in this town for people to get about. The forest is beautiful, including IiarlOw, Ongar and outlying districts, but they cannot be approached except by those who can afford to hire carriages. I am sure a motor bus would do well, particularly on Sundays, if one were put on.—Yours faithfully,
Cock Hotel, Epping. • J. Ents. August 12th, 1905. Great Western Railway Developments.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—I have pleasure in enclosing for your information copy of a bill announcing the establishment of our Tune alley goods motor service in conjunction with the Teme Valley Agricultural Association, which may be of use to you. The service will be worked by a 5-ton Yorkshire steam wagon with two trailers.—Yours faithfully, Great Western Railway, J. MORRIS.
Paddington Station, W., Superintendent of the Line. August 14th, 1905.
The Great Western Railway Company give notice that, commencing August 14th, a goods road motor service will run between Henwick Station and the depots of the Teme Valley Agricultural Association, at Ham Bridge, New Mill Bridge, Shelsley Walsh and Stanford Bridge, for the conveyance of trattic arriving at, or to be forwarded from, Henwick Station. Particulars of description of traffics that ,vill be carried, and charges, can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary of the T.V.A.A., Mr. H. Tayleur, Clifton-onTeme, or from the Station Master at Henwick Station. The following are approximate times of the service, viz. :Henwick, depart 9.0 a.m.; Elam Bridge, depart about 10.40 a.m.; New Mill Bridge, depart about Ii to a.m.; Shelsley Walsh, depart about 11.30 a.m.; Stanford Bridge, arrive about 1.2.0 noon. Stanford Bridge, depart 1.30 p.m.; Shelsley Walsh, depart about 2,0 p.m.; New Mill Bridge, depart about 2.20 p.m. ; Ham Bridge, depart about 2.50 p.m. ; fIenwick, arrive about 4.30 JAMESC. INGLIS, General Manager.
The Beneficent Motor Omnibus.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :--In "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR" you have certainly a most valuable publication, and I wish you continued success and a steadily increasing circulation. The Kensington News " of July 1st has a letter from a correspondent which says :—"I unde$ stand it is proposed to start a service of motor omnibuses front Shepherd's Bush to Acton and Ealing." The following week I wrote to that paper myself, pointing out all the advantages of motor buses, and asking residents and others along the route, who were in favour of the scheme, to send me postcards with their names and addresses. I have had very numerous replies in support of the report, and l hope this will come under the notice of some of the existing omnibus companies. Another correspondent wrote to say that the motor bus "leaves a stinking trail of smoke behind." Surely these critics should know that any such objection will eventually he done away with by improvements! Then again, another correspondent's letter, which artneared in the same local paper immediately below the one dealing with the smell, praises the mobility of the motor bus and its advantages for picking up. and. setting down passengers by the kerb. .1 quite agree with a correspondent who recently wrote to the " Pall Mall Gazette " asking why more millions of the ratepayers' money should be spent. A motor bus is a great improvement on all other mean;.; of passenger conveyance and I am sure it has come to stay.—Yours faithfully,
August 14th, 1905. C. J. MASON.
New Zealand Makes Enquiry.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :-We are sending your business department a subscription for twelve months and a small advertisement. We arc inviting the representation in this colony of firms manufacturing commercial motors and accessories, in which we believe a big business will be done, as we are in touch with all the principal buyers here.—Yours faithfully, THE MArrnEws, LEICESTER INDENT CO. 2, Jervois quay, Wellington, N.Z.
The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors, Letters must be on one side of the paper only. and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and t/0 responsibility for the views expressed is accepted.