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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

17th February 1920
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The wheel of wealth will be slorised 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.

L.G.O.C. Report.

The report of the directors of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., for the year ended December 31st last, shows expenditure, £5,480,584; interest, rentals and other fixed charges, £108,412; ap. propriation to reserve, £285,000, making

a, total of £5,873,996. The traffic receipts amounted to £5,242,299, and miscellaneous receipts to £207694, making a total of £5,449,993, leaving a deficiency of £424,003, which is met by a contribution from the Common Fund of the Underground group. In addition, the company receives a proportion of the balance of the Common Fund amounting to £158,844, and, having brought £60,930 into the accounts from the previous year, there is available for dividend and further reserves the sum of £219,774. The final dividend now recommended of 3 per cent, makes, with the interim dividend, a dividend of 7 per cent, free of income tax for the year (which is 1 per cent. less than in the previous year), whilst there then remains to be carried forward the sum of £59,726 as against £60,030 in the previous year.

January Imports.

The imports of complete vehicles, chassis and motor-vehicle parts. and also of tractors for the month of January show a very -decided increase over the like figures for January of last year.

.After deducting the vehicles of foreign origin re-exported, the net imports for the month were 2,026 complete cars and motor vehicles of a value of £620,986; 908 chassis of a total value of £385,645; whilst the parts equalled in value £524,945, the total net imports for the year thus equalling the very high figure of 21,504,576. The comparable figure for the month of January, 1919, was £256,212, made up as follows: 7 complete vehicles value £2,129; 28 chassis value £10,561; and parts value £243,522. The number of tractors imported during the month was 1,035, .of which 63 were transhipped abroad, leaving a net import of

972 of a Value of £107,221. .

Not From the Petrol Tax.

The statement has been Made that it is the intention of the L.C.C. to approach the Ministry of Transport with a view to obtaining a grant from the funds available for the improvement of the highways—obtained, of course, from the petrol taxation or whatever substitute therefor, may -be adopted—towards the upkeep of the tramway track. It seems to us that if such action'should be taken very important -issues will be raised.

The L.C.C. maintains its own"-track of the roadway between and to the extent of 18 ins, on either side as a means of paying for the right to the monopoly of laying down a steel . roadway to carry' its heavy vehicles and to enable them to travel at a; higher speed than would be possible without such a trackway. The proceeds of the motor-vehicletaxes are intended for. the . general imProvement of the whole of the national, system of highwa..ys throughout -the country, „and not in'the.relieving of an expenditUre of any one undertaking; whilst it is quite obvious that should the L.C.C. succeed in

016 making ont anything of a case its example would be followed by every tramway undertaking in the country, and the whole purpose +Atha motor-vehicle taxa. tion would be destroyed.

It seems that the Ministry of Transport would not have the power to 11F9 these funds for such a, purpose, because when the motor tax was first introduced an undertaking was given, since confirmed, that the money so obtained should go towards improving the highways, and should not be devoted merely to maintenance.

Wages Increase Application.

In order to ascertain the Views of employers in the road transport industry on the question of the action to be taken in the matter of the application of the workers from 10s. per week increase in wages, a mass meeting of employers engaged in the industry (horse and motor) will he held in London on the 26th inst. (Wednesday of next week).

Fuel Imports. '

The importation of paraffin and motor spirit in the month of January showed a material diminution as compared with a year ago, for it only amounted to 10,796,518 gallons of paraffin as compared with 16,500,000 in January, 1919, whilst the petrol importation amounted to 7,580,032 gallons as compared with 17,880,000 gallons in January, 1919. In addition., 1,500,000 gallons of crude petroleum were imported, as well as a large amount of gas oil and fuel oil.

Motors for Mesopotamia.

We understand from a local correspondent that the type of vehicle most suitable for transport work in Mesopotamia is the two-tonner with fairly large wheels, the body having sides hinged to fold down, or, at any rate, 'a single panel to each side that can be so operated. The hood or cover should he carried quite independent of the sides or such partioe that is hinged, so ,that it does not have to be handled or removed when the side , is hinged down to facilitate loading or

unloading. . •

Denmark Wants No American • Motors.

The Roskilde 7'idende (Copenhagen) of January 17th states that the local repre-. sentatiyes.. of .a.' well-knownAmerican company have failed to obtain a credit for 360,000 dollars in respect of a consignment of motorcars, tractors. motor ploughs: etc., since the Danish Financial Council held that there were adequate _ supplies of these articles in the country. It has not been possible to obtain confirmation 'of this report, which may,

• however, be of interest to British manufacturers of agricultural motor machinery.

The Minister of Transport has annointed Alderman Captain II. Lyon TIkenipson, member of the Westminster City Council and chairman of the Works Cornmittee,.. to be a Member of the Advisory'Cpmmittee on London Traffic as representative of the Metropolitan, City and Borough Councils,

The Institute of Transport.

The first meeting of the council was held on February 9th at the temporary offices, 2 and 3, The Sanctuary, Westminster. The president, the Rt. Hon. Six Eric Gedde.s , G.C.B., M.P., Minister Of Transport, being unavoidably absent, the chair was taken 11 the ht. Hon. Lord Ashfield, of Sonta well. The provisional committee reported the steps 'they had taken following the formal decision to form an Institute of Transport. The president of the first council is the Rt. Hon Sir Eric Geddes, G.C.B.' M.P., and the council includes the Rt. Hon. Lard Ash4ekl, of Southwell ; the Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, G.B.E.; General Sir Henry MayburY, K.C.M.G., C.B. ; Sir William joynson-Hicks, Bt. ; and Messrs. H. E. 1Blain, G. A. Dutfield, S. E. Garcke, E. S. Shrapnell-Smith, and W, Wolsey, ,Junr.

It was arranged that the inaugural meeting of the Institute should be held on a Monday, either March the 8th or 15th, at which the president would deliver his Presidential address. The meeting will he held in the lecture hall of the Institution of Civil Engineers,

Great George Street, &W.1. •

One hundred and sixteen members and 80 associate members were elected; the members include Messrs. A. L. Barber, W. Worby Beaumont, J. L. Clewes, J. L. Killick, A.. S. Lansdown, J. B. Mackinnon, L. Pick, G. E. l). Rails, R. C. Renolds, A. Rozier, G. J. Shave, R. II. Todd, H. W. Wigan. The associate members include Messrs. F. W. Bestow, F. G. Bristow, R. A. Dagnall, C. Le M. Gosselin, and R. W. Roy•le.

The Still Engine.

In our issue for March 27th last we gave the first information that was made public concerning the combined. petrol and steam engine invented by Mr. W. J. Still, the system being one which has already had successful, application for marine purposes, and which we are confident . will, with equal success, be applied to road traction. A company has now -been formed, known as the Still Engine Co., Ltd., with a capital of £300,000. Licences have already been granted for the employment of the invention by Armstrong-Whitworth.. Denny of Dumbarton, Scotts Shipbuilding Co., and the S. A. des Ateliers et Chautiers de la Loire, on a basis 'of a cash payment for each licence and a royalty -of £1 per h.p• The number of, shares -offered for sunscription at par is 75,000, the subscription list being now open and closing to-morrow (Wednesday).

Petrol Prices Petition.

The Automobile • Association is

organizing, on a large scale, a petition to the Prime .Minister against the increasing prices of motor Spirit. The petition urges that "the situation can only be relieved by the creation of independent' sources of supply and distribution of home and Empire-produced motor fuel. To this end it is of vital importance that legislation 'be at once introduced to ensure, the production of benzoic and power -alcohol in large quantities."

Motors and Road Surfaces.

• The effect upon the roads in Nottinghamshire of largely ificrease,d Motor traffic Was brOught under consideration 'at the last meeting of the County Council. Colonel Sir Lancelot Roileston, chairman 01 the Highways Committee, pointed out that the present already difficult problem was likely to become further aggravated by the proposed: running of large iminbets of motorbuses for which powers were being sought by several authorities. I great deal of further damage would, it was feared, be thereby 'occasioned.

Complaints had been 'received from all q-uarters that the Present,, motor traffic had polished the surface of the roads to such an extent as to render them, dangerous for horse traffic. It was a very difficult problem to solve as to bow to make the roads suitable for both, horse and motor traffie. He understood that the Ministry Of Transport had the matter in hand.

• Earl Manvers complained that to take horses along some of the roads under present condition& &imply amounted to cruelty to animals. It was explained by Sir LancelotRolleston that grit. spreaders had been tried in the county as a remedy

• for polished road Surfaces, but they had not proved an entire success.

Derby Corporation's New Garage.

Developments in relation to the Derby Corporation's utilization of motor vehicles have •become so Considerable of late, that the point has been raised as to ivheCher greater economy and convenience

• might not be secured by the construction of one large garage to accommodate all vehicles. It was suggested at -the last meeting of the Council that, instead of dealing with the matter sectionally, provision should be made upon a comprehonshie basis, the reply as to the matter, in answer to a, question put by Mr. Sturgess, being that the Electricity Coinmitten is desirous that-for immediate purposes accommodation shall be provided

contiguous to the electricity work's, pro yiding ample accommodation for all vehicles needed, by this branch of the mini. ipal service. But the view Is enter. tamed locally that closer co-ordination in regard to the operations of various departments using motor vehicles may be necessary, and although the requirements of the Electricity Committee are for the time being amply met, a broader scheme must be ultimately involved, significant of the extended use in Derby, as elsewhere, of petrol-propelled vehicles to take the place of effete horse traction.

Doncaster Doings.

Doncaster is becoming an important motor traffic centre, Messrs. Crosiey's, of 'High Fisher Gate: haying an extending connection as repairers to the many commercial vehicles -locally owned. Messes. Kemp and Jepson, of 31, Stratford Road, Doncaster, are getting a wide connection for their petrol lorries, which are largely, used by the retail traders of the town.

A Good Opportunity.

We know of a large South of England motor haulage contractor and engineer who requires all enterprising manager to take chane of a new motor lorry garage

-which is in course of erection. The undertaking will specialize in repair work and the selling of steam wagons and hussy petrol lorries. It is essential for the applicants to have a fully specialized knowledge of transport engineering and the working, running and maintenance of petrol and steam vehicles: Letters addressed to TIN., Care of the Editor, will be forwarded to the right quarter.

"The Anglo-Smerican Oil Co., Ltd., announce that the wholesale prices of their principal brand of motor spirit are as follow :—Pratt's ' Perfection " spirit, 3s. 4d. per gallon in cans; Anglo's "Taxibus" spirit, 3s. 2d. per gallon in cans.

A very neat volume of reference has been issued, in accordance with its annual custom, by the Eagle Star and British Dominions Insurance Co., Ltd. entitled the "British Dominions Year gook."

• Personal Pars.

Major R. K. Hubbard, O.B.E., the joint manager of the •Newcastle branch of the British Motor Trading Corporation, although he now handles the pleasure vehicle as vGell, is an old com mercial vehicle enthusiast. He served hit time at Thcrnycrofts, and while there, amongst other . things, tuned. tip the 2-ton . lorry which,' running on paraikn, made a nonstop run and gained the geldinedal in the W.D. trials. Sometime afterwards, as a graduate of the I.A.E., be won a prize for. a paper on agricultural motors. He was at Halley's before the war, joined up early on, and was in France with the that Indian 'Cavalry Supply Column in 1914. Subsequently, he turned out to be one of the bright young men of the M.T., 'and did not escape the inevita,lale reward, that now decorates his name.

Mr. J. W. Mills, 'the brisk and energetic engineering manager of Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., is one of the most popular men in engineering circles in the West of ib'eotiand. He has been" with Halley's since the inception, of the company. He joined as chief draughtsman, afterwards becoming -assistant works manager ; he then became works mana. ger, and retained that position until he received his present appointment. SLike many others in the commercial-Motorvehicle trade, his previous experience was in general add marine engineering. MUch of the credit of designing the fine, new six-cylinder Halley chassis should fall to the share of Mr. Mills:

Levies on Lorries.

Plymouth Corporation has asked a special sub-committee to go into the question of the desirability of Making a, charge in respect a commercial vehicles, other than motorbuses, for road upkeep.

Plymouth Corporation, which impeses a levy of 1d. a mile in respect of motor omnibuses, has declined to entertain an application from bus proprietors for the' withdrawal of the charge.

Solid Lubricants.

From time to time requests for information relating to solid lubricants have reached the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. It therefore appears to the Advisory Council of the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research that the publication at the present time of a memorandum on ttie subject of solid. lubricants which has been prepared. by their Lubricants and Lubrication Committee may be of use to engineers and users of machinery.

The Lubricants and Lubrication Inquiry .Committee was appointed in July, 1917, to survey the field for research on lubricants and lubrication, and in the • course of their work dealt with the question of solid lubricants. The memorandum which they have prepared embodies existing knowledge on the subject, but the Advisory Council -desire that the bulletin should be regaaded rather as a nummary of existing literature than as an authoritative statement based upon actual research work.

• The subject is dealt with under the following main headings :—Characteristics of Solid Lubricants; Action of Solid Lubricants ; Analyses of Lubricating Graphite; The Grading of Graphite; Het Bearings; Methods of Applying Solid Lubricants; Drawbacks to the use of Colloidal Solid Lubricants; Observations on Results Obtained by the Use of Solid Lubricants.

The bulletin is published for this department by RM. Stationery Office, and may be purchased through any bookseller, or directlyrice 6d. net, from H.M. .M. Stationery office at the following addresses :—.Imperial House, Kingsway, W.C. 2; 20, Abingdon Street, W.,estminater, S.W.. 1; 37, Peter Street, Mitts-diester ' 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff ; 25, Forth Street, Edinburgh ; or from E. Ponsonby, Ltd., 116, Grafton Street, Dublin,

A Lancashire Traffic Census.

Mr. W. H. Schofield, the Lancashire county surveyor, has prepared a report on the -recent extraordinary increase of the .heavy commercial type of motor vehicles using the Liverpool and Manchester main road, with a comparison of figures of traffic obtained in the year 1912.

Statistics of traffic were taken on the seven days ending December 13 last, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., at a point near Fox Hill Farm, in the township of Barton Moss. • The figures for motor vehicles are as follow, those for the 1912 period being in brackets 'Motorcycles, 150 (108); weight, 16.9 tons (14.4). Motorcars (including motor. cabs, etc.), 366 (128); weight, 585.6 tons (204.8). Motor vans (covered), 206 (39); weight, 315.0 tons (97.5) Motor omnibuses, 5 (1); weight, 18.0 tons (6,0). Motor lorries (rubber tyres), 2,010 (94); weight 12,060.0 ton § (564.0). Trailers to motor lorries (robber tyres), 336 (1); weight, 1,680.0 tons (5). gMotor lorries (steel tyres), 11 (32); weight, 110.0 tons (320.0). Trailers to motor lorries (steel tyres), 4 (18); weight, 20.0 tons (90.0). Light"tractors, 3 (4); weight, 15.0 tons (20.0). Trailers to light tractors, 3 (4); weight, 15.0 tons (20.0). Traction engines, 1 (2); weight, 12.0 tons (24.0). Trailers to traction eugines, 2 (6); weight, 16.0 tons (48.0). Total, 3,075 (437) weight, 14,863.5 tons (1,413.7). ael The figures in respect of horse-drawn vehicles are also interesting, inasmuch as the decrease is indicated :— Light vehicles (one-horse), 133 (369); weight, 53.2 tons (147.6). Light vehicles (two or more horses), 7 (15); weight, 4.2 tons (9.0). Heavy vehicles (one-horse), 561 (551); weight, 701.2 tons (688.7). Heavy vehicles (two or more horses), 92 (128); weight, 230.2 tons (320.0). Omnibuses (two or more horses), (26); weight, (78.0 tons). Total, 793 (1,089); weight, 988.8 tons (1,243.3).

From the foregoing figures it will be seen that the mechanically-propelled traffic has increased seven times in number and 144 times in weight as compared with the year 1912, whilst the horsedrawn traffic has decreased by 27 per cent, in number and by 20 per cent, in weight.

Analyeing the statistics a little further, the number of the mechanicallypropelled vehicles of the commercial type_ (i.e., motor wagons, traction engines and trailers) is 141. times that of 1912, and rather over 13i times the weight.

The "assumed average weights" contained in the Road Board's summary of statistics of traffic have been adopted in compiling the tables.

It is .interesting to note the large increase in the number of the rubber-tyred, and the diminution in the steel-tyres], commercial vehicle using this road.

Enormous Road Damage.

East. Riding County Council is making " urgent representations" to the Minister of Transport as to the enormous damage to roads in consequence of the heavy motor traffic from the Hull docks to all parts of the country.

Agricultural Trials Abroad.

The Confederation des Agriculteura have taken the initiative to organize agri.cultural motor trials at Algiers and also at Se.nlis. A week's demonstration will be arranged at each of the. above-mentioned towns. The trials will take place about the end of April, and all particulars can be obtained from the Secretary of the Confederatinn, No. ,4, rue du Marechal-Bosquet, Algiers.

Reconstruction Work in France.

The C.M.T.I.A. has made arrangements with the Department of Overseas Trade, -whereby motor haulage contractors who desire to send, their motor lorries to the Continent for work in connection with reconstruction may do so without having to deposit cash in respect of the 70 per cent, ad valorem customs duty. The French Director-General of Customs has agreed to accept a written guarantee from the assosiation in respect of such deposit.

Transport Training.

A course in motor transportation engineering, the first of its kind to be given by any university in connection with industrial study, is to he added to the curriculum of New York University, beginning next month. The new course will he given by F. Van Z. Lane, chief transportation engineer of the Packard Motor Car' Co., Detroit, and will be open to students in mechanical and, civil engineering who are specializing in highway work. The motor lorry will be studied as a mechanical unit in industry, rather than from the standpoint of lorry design.

Sulphur in Benzole.

At the request of the National Counca of tho C,M.U.A., the Petroleum Excels-. tive and the Aeronautical Inspection Department last. year undertook to make certain investigations as to the effect of sulphur in benzole on various .metals. The specification ef the National Benzole Association, it should be noted, fixes 0.4 per cent. of sulphur as the maximum. The association has received the results of this investigation, concerning specially-procured benzole with an ,excessive sulphur content, and the permission of Sir John Cadman, K.C.M.G., to publish the report, as follows :—

"Four samples of benzole were supplied, stated to contain 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 per cent. sulphur respectively. Chemical examination of these showed that the sulphur was nearly all present as carbon .bisulphide, not more than one-sixth being present as thiophene. The metalsused were: Copper, brass, phosphorbronze, aluminium, cast-iron.

"Alter prolonged contact with benzole containing 0.8 per cent. combined sulphur, a slight discolouration of the surface was obtained with copper and brew'. In the presence of moist air, also, slight action appears to take place; but no mensurable difference occurred in the weights of the metals before and after the action. Under these circumstances, quantitative figures for the corrosion effects cannot he given. The iron and steel rusted in the moist air, but there was no evidesiee of the formation of any oxidation products of sulphur. There is little doubt that the sarne effect will occur with the vapours of the other benzoles, although, of course, after a longer period.

"In view of these results, as no corrosion occurred, the answer to the question as to whether corrosion had in any case reached the degree of perforation of a sheet of metal is in the negative.

"A sample of the deposit found in carburetters of acre engines was found tel consist of a greyish-white powder decidedly alkaline to litmus and containing metallic particles. The metallic particles consisted of aluminium, with traces of zinc, copper, and iron. The remainder of the deposit was sodium silicate, with traces of carbonate and sulphide, the latter being probably impurities present in the sodium silicate used for 'doping the carburetters.

"There is, therefore, no evidence that the sulphur in benzole (there is no free sulphur) has any corrosive effect on carburetters."

Newcastle Motorbus Proposals.

In regard to the Bill of the Newcastleon-Tyne Corporation, seeking power to run motorbus-es on any route in or otit of the city, the South Shields Corporation has decided to oppose the Bill unless Newcastle agrees to exclude South Shields from the omnibus powers.

More Marylebone Motors.

In our issue for January 20th we referred to the purchase by the Marylebone B.C. cif an additional seven 2-3-ton Austin chassis for the removal and disposal of house refuse. We understand that the order has been placed with Leyland, Tatnen and Co., Ltd., of 96, Great Portland Street, W. 1; in fact, the chassis have now all been delivered. The chassis are being fitted with bodies by Chalmers, of Redlull, and with the Craymer unloading gear, the orders for which this company also obtained.

Exports for January.

The exports of motor vehicles of British manufacture for the month of Jamiary show, as might be expected in view of the moulders' strike, only a poor result as compered with what might have been the, ease. The number of vehicles despatched abroad daring the month was 309, of a total vales of £211,942; whilst the value of the motorcar parts shipped was 2127,542, making a total of .£339,484 as compared with 292,068 in the month of January, 1919; although, let it be remarked, the figure is just slightly better than that. for the month of January, 1913.

Institute of Metals Journal

A book of extreine interest to every metallurgist and engineer is the Jonneal of the Institute of Metals—Part 2 for the year 1919. The volume consists of 428 pages, with 31 plates, and covers the proceedings of the Institute for the year; and a large number of papers of extreme importance. There is, at the end of the volume, an invaluable. section of nearly 70 pages devoted to extracts from papers relating to the non-ferrous and allied indestries, which have been compiled from the transactions of scientific associations and the technical Press of the whole world. The publication attains a very

high clam-lard. It is published at the office Of the Institute of Metals, price 31e. Ed. net.

Roumanian Road Transport.

Particulars are issued of the Roumanian Road Transport Co., Led., of which 40,575 preferred ordinary shares of 21 each and 64,469 ordinary ehares of Is. each have already been allotted for Cash on the terms of a, prospectus which has been filed with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies.

The prospectus stated that the registered share capital was ..2105,000 in 100,000 preferred ordinary shares of £1 each and 100,000 ordinary shares of is. each. After the preferred ordinary shares have in respect of any year received a dividend of 10 per cent., the surplus net profits go half to the preferred ordinary shares and half to the ordinary Shares.

The prospectus pointed out that before the war the Rumanian railways only served a small part of the nountrya and the carriage of goods elsewhere waa: effected mainly by bullock carts. During the war the railways had been seriously injured, while the supply of bullocks and carts had been greatly reduced. It was proposed to commence operations with 20 lorries, and of this number 11 had already been shipped to Roumania.

Captain J. T. Hayward, M.C., managing engineer of Roumanian Consolidated

Oilfields, Ltd., reported on November 3rd last The present rate for transport from any of the ports to Bucaresti, the capital, is one len (Roumanian franc) per kilo (4 lb.), say, 1,000 lei per metric ton, while higher rates can be obtained in special eases. On the basis of only one load one way per week .(a very conservative average),: and deducting 20 per cent, for wagons in reserve or under repair, a fleet of 20 motor lorries ought to earn 48,000 tel gross per week. Allowing 50 per cent. for garage and running expenses yen* liberal allowance), there remains 24,000 lei per week net, or 1,248,000 lei per annum, equal at the °ID-, eial rate, of exchange of 45 lei per 2 to £27,733.

• The company' works in close alliance with Roumanian Consolidated Oilfields, Ltd., three of whose directors are directors of the Transport Co.

• Housing Workers.

The housing problem is one of serious concern to all large manufacturers ofmotor vehicles. With the rapid growth of manufacturing staffs it is often found difficult to accommodate the increased number of workpeople within a reasonable distance of the works.

Clayton and Co., Huddeesfield, Ltd., have tackled this problem seriously, and have recently acquired a large mansion within easyereach of their works, which they are converting into a hostel. It is expected when the necessary alterations are completed that accommodation can be found for close upon 50 workers. Consideration has been given to social welfare, and reading and writing rooms are provided. The mansion is situated in a beautiful park, and it is proposed to lay out the grounds for various forms of recreation.

The scheme should be -very popular with the workers, and should be conducive to healthy conclitioas.

More Buses for Rotherham.

Havinghad a req.-nest from Aston-cum• Aught= Parish Council for an additional bus, on Saturdays and Mondays and for the resumption of the Sunday service. Rotherham Corporation has promised to consider the matter when additional vehicles are obtained.

Loans for Motors.

Applications have been made to fhe Ministry of Health for permission to raise the following loans for the purchase of motors:— _ Middleton T.C.-2740 for tipping wagon.

Eston IT.D.C.-21,260 for steam wagon.

Warinley R.D.C.-2700 for tractor lorry.

York's Municipal Buses.

The traffic returns of the York municipal buses for the month of December, 1919, as compared with the correspondmg-month of 1918, were as follow age, 8,210 (6,782); passengers, 67,347 (60,853); receipts, £432 (£248); receipts per bus mile, 12.63d. (8.79d4. The traffic returns for the nine months ended December 31st, 1919, were as fol low miles, 60.670; passengers, 573,105; receipts, 22,801; receipts per mile, 11.08d.

Agricultural Amalgamation.

The concerns now or about to be associated under the A.G.E. (Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd.) are as follow : Aveling and Porte___r Ltd.; Barford and Perkins, Ltd. ; E. a Bentall and Co., Ltd.; • Chas. Burrell and Sons, Ltd.; Clarke's Crank and Forge Co., Ltd.; Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd.; J. and F. Howard, Ltd.; and E. R. and F. Turner, Ltd.

It is also stated that important negotiations are now pending sa respect to three other very considerable manufa,cturing companies well known in the agricultural-engineering world with a view

to joining the „combine. The central organization offices will be established at Central House, Kingsway, Landon, W.C., on March45th, and these offices will be retained until the company's palatial premises on the Aldwych site, which are to be called Aldwych House, 2,re completed. The excavations for the foundations of this building will be commenced

very shortly, and it is hoped that the building will be ready for occupation within two years.

Kilner's Come to Town.

The name of Kilner's, of Beckenham, is well known in connection with the sale. of new and ?second-hand commercial vehicles. As a result of the increasing demand for lorries and vans, the company have found it convenient to open offices at 72, Regent Street, W.1. Although their stock of vehicles will still be held at Beckenham, prospective purchasers will be conveyed to these premises from the town office.

Vehicle Workers' Organization.

A widespread propaganda is being fos. tered in furtherance of the organization of vehicle workers, including drivers of commercial vehicles, particular activity having been manifested of late in the Midland teriitory, a recent largely attended meeting at Derby being presided over by Councillor G. Oliver, who insisted upon the necessity of men combin

ing. A few years ago, he observed, . Derby was 'ooli'ed upon as a black spot in the trade union movement, but now the town was not far, if at all, behind any place in the country in respect of

e2(1 organization. The meeting was also addressed by Mr. Frank Keaton, divisional organizer, and Mr. A. Henderson, national organizer, the special object being to bring into the movement the commercial section of vehicle workers, mention being made of the application for increase of rates before the Industrial Court. At Nottingham, Leicester, and in other Midland cities the [movement continues to be attended with substantial progress.

Huge Rubber Shipment.

The largest single shipment of crude rubber in the world has arrived in Akron, Ohio, from New York, and been unloaded at the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co.'s factory. It would be sufficient to supply the world for three days. The total value ef the shipment is approximately 4,412,200 dollars.

The long trainfof 53 trucks—stretching nearly half a mile—brought 7,915,000 lb. of the commodity that has made Akron the rubber centre of the world. The shipment consisted of 39,580 200-lb. cases, each truck containing 200 eases.

It took 48 men about six days to unIcia,d the train, and more than half -a-millioncubic feet of storage space is required to accommodate this huge amount of raw material.

Some idea of the vastness of the shipment may be gained when it is stated -that the 7,916,000 lb. of rubber is equal to a year's production from 1,600,000 trees or from the yield of 16,000 acres of plantation.

Although the rubber will be used for various purposes, it would be sufficient for the manufacture of approximately 700,000 tyres.

Aptus Titter.

The manufacture and sale of the Aptus drum and can tilter have been placed in the hands of the "Nestor ', Iron Works, of Macintosh Lane, Homerton.

Increase of business experienced by Clayton and Co., Huddersfield, Ltd., has made it necessary for Mr. R. A. Jones, the resident London director, to acquire additional premises as a garage and repair depot at Harberton Road, Archway Road, Highgate: N. 18. These premises will prove a distinct acquisition to the Kamer London office.

Local Proceedings.

Pontefract T.C. requires tenders for a motor fire-engine.

A motor fire-engine is to be purchased by Chester R.D.C. A motor roller, to cost 4500, is to be purchased by Newbury Town Council.

A three-wheel motor sweeping machine is being purchased by the Manchester Corporation from Lookers, Ltd.

Manchester Corporation is purchasing a three-ton Conamer Car lorry from Messrs. J. Blake and Co.

Plymouth Corporation is applying for sanction to borrow 2,30,000 for the purchase of 20 motor omnibuses.

York Corporation Fire Brigade Committee is considering the expediency of purchasing another motor fire-engine. Consideration is being given by York Corporation Watch Committee to a proposal for purchasing another motor fire.. engine. Lincoln T.C. has instructed its electricity committee to purchase 11 motor omnibuses at a cost of 226,000 or 227,000.

A special committee of the Nelson re. is to consider the question of purchasing.a light motor wagon for the gas department.

Plymouth Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs. H. Andrew and Co. for a chassis (2485) and ambulance body (£148). The London County Council has accepted the tender of J. and B. Hall, Ltd., at 21,133, for a 3-ton motor lorry for Bexley Mental Hospital. The tender of the Harris Motor Co., Ltd., to supply a motor wagon for 2342 8s. has been recommended to the Stokeon-Trent Corporation for acceptance.

Leeds Corporation Cleansing Committee has decided to purchase two motor wagons for the conveyance of household refuse, at an estimated cost of 22,500.

Halifax Corporation Cleansing Committee recommends accepting the tender of the Yorkshire Commercial Motor Co., Ltd., for the supply of a three-ton steam wagon at a cost of 21,225.

Rotherham Corporation has decided to seek the sanction of the Ministry of Health to borrow 22,740 for the purchase of two electric vehicles for the use of the highways department.

South Shields Corporation Cleansing Committee has authorized the chairman and the borough engineer to purchase two electric vans and two Foden steam wagons on the best :terms.

York City engineer urges the Cleansing Committee to consider the purchase of motor ,sweepers and motor gully emptiers, "which have been successfully used in several places."

Salford Corporation Tramways Committee recommends the acceptance of the tender of the Leyland Motors, Ltd., for the supply of a double-deck motor omnibus body and one type " G " chassis for 21,890, less 10 per cent.

Salford Watch Committee recommends acceptance of the tender of John Morris and Sons, Ltd., for the supply of a petrol motor fire-engine chassis, with turbine pump of 450 gallons per minute capacity, at the price of 22,180.

Inquiries are to be held into the applications of (1) Handsworth U.D.C. for sanction to borrow 21,200 for the purchase of two motor lorries for the removal of house refuse, etc. ; (2) Mexhoreugh U.D.C. for sanction to borrow 21,400 for the purchase of an automatic tipping wagon.


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