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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 rune."—John Beattie Crozier.

Unsplinterable Glass on London Buses.

For some months past a few of the motorbuses of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., fitted with unsplinterable-glass windows, have been operating in London as an experiment. The principal objection to some.forms of safety glass is its liability to change to a dark yellow colour after expoSure to the elements. Two English concerns, however, have at last succeeded in producing a glass which has .stood a preliminary test well, and it is with this glass that further experiments are now being made.

Thewindows of the " General " buses are embedded in rubber inserts and only as the result of a direct blow does the glass break. In consequence, it is seldom that collisions have resulted in the breaking of glass and injury to passengers; indeed, cases have occurred where buses'have been `.involved in serious accidents without a single pane being fractured.

The accident records of the company during the past five years show that although the annual traffic has added over 4,000,000 passengers a day the number of persons injured by broken glass is negligible. The company, however, realizes its responsibility in the matter and is making sure that everything possible is done to minimize the risk, and. it is on this account, that the experiments are being conducted.

Colchester's Bus Tenders.

During the course of the recent Commercial Vehicle Exhibition at Olympia a sub-committee of the Colchester Town Council paid a visit to the stands' of a

number of exhibitors in connection with its decision to run motorbuses. It was decided later to ask the makers of the Associated Daimler, Albion, Bristol, Dennis, Guy, Karrier, Leyland, Mauchlay, Thornycroft and Tilling-Stevens Vehicles to 'submit tenders for the sup ply of six 30-32-seater vehicles, together with alternative prices for six 20-24seaters. An offer by Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., to provide vehicles on hire pending the establishment of a service was not accepted by the council.

The tenders from the chassis makers, as well as from certain bodybuilders, have now been received and are being

considered. It is intended that the buses shall be used only in the outlying districts of Colchester. The whole question of transport in the town itself hiss yet to le) debated.

Price of Ethyl Petrol.

We understand that the price of Ethyl petrol is 2d. per gallon above the prevailing price of Pratts'

The Royal Dublin Agricultural Show.

The Royal Dublin Society's annual agricultural show, which will be held at Balls Bridge, Dublin, from May 9th to 12th, is an event which is growing in importance. 'As illustrating this fact, it can be mentioned that the attendance has increased each year from 234149 in 1922 to 79,052 in 1927. Attention is directed to the fact that as the show is an early one the closing date for implement entries is early—namely, March 10th. A number of the society's silver medals will be placed at the disposal of the judges for award to new implements.

The Railways Road Bill and Tram-. ways Authorities.

At the January meeting of the Cardiff City Council, it was stated by Alderman Williams—one of the council's representatives on the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association council —that it was probable that an agreement would be reached between the Railway Companies Committee and the Association in the matter of the Railways Road Powers Bill, which would obviate active opposition to the Companies' proposals by the Association.

It was likely, he said, that a clause would be inserted in the Da whereby the activities of tramways authorities would not be jeopardized by any powers granted to the companies.

The council decided to petition gaitist the Railways Bill—unless an agreement is arrived at between the companies and the Asscidation.

A West Riding' Amalgamation Plan.

We learn that important negotiations are in progress with the 'object of bringing about the amalgamation of Blythe and Berwick, Ltd., a well-known Bradford bus concern, with the West Riding Road Car Co., Ltd., the title of which, as mentioned in another of our news pages, was recently changed from that of the Harrogate Road Car Co., Ltd.

Sheffield Gives Permission.

Sheffield Watch Committee has granted permission to Mr. W. T. Underwood, of Vorksop, for buses to operate on routes in the city in connection with services between Sheffield and Manchester, and Sheffield and Nottingham and London.

National Fair at Gothenburg.

The Swedish National Fair at Gothenburg will be held this year from May 12th to 20th. In addition to the usual section for products of industry and handicraft, inventions, etc. there will be a new section for road-building machinery and materials.

Joint Municipal Bus Services.

A provisional agreement has been made by the Baeup Corporation with the Rochdale Corporation for a motorbus service between Bacup and Manchester, via Rochdale. Bacot) will now have road connections with Burnley, Todmorden, Accrington, Blackburn, Preston, Rochdale and Manchester.

For Use by Pneumatic-tyred Vehicles Only.

A concession has been granted by the Minister of Public Works of Italy to the Tuscan Autostrada Co., of Florence, for the construction of a road from Florence to the sea—about 50 miles. A commission has submitted plans, technical and financial, which the Minister has approved. The new road will be built on the same principles as the motor roads Milano-Laghi and I3ergamo-Milano. Special care will be taken to avoid junctions, so as to interfere as little as possible with ordinary road traffic.

The Florence motor road will be reserved exclusively for pneumatic-tyred vehicles with at least three wheels, which will pay tolls according to horsepower: Trailers come under a special . category. It is proposed, as for other roads, to. issue half-yearly or quarterly season tickets, and a public motorbus service on the now thoroughfare is under consideration.

Owner-drivers Amalgamate. It is said that a limited company has been formed on Canvey Island by several owner-drivers of motorbuses, 'who, mainly in the interests of economy, have decided to conjoin their activities. It is understood that a garage is to be erected at Small Gains, and that the name of the company will be Canvey Garages, Ltd. Mr. H. Price Powell has been appointed managing director and secretary.

A Spring-maker's New Van.

One of the Most distinctive vans vliich has just been delivered . by Garner Motors', Ltd., of Tyseley, "Birmingham, is that which is shown in an accompanying illustration. The vehicle bas been supplied to the well-known spring specialist, Herbert Terry and Sous, Ltd., of lledditch. The chassis is a standard Garner 30-35-cwt.model AB, which has an 11-ft. wheelbase, and

it is equipped with 32-in, by giant pneumatic tyres. The body is of capacious proportion and is 9 ft. 7 ins. long, 5 ft. 6 illS% wideand 5 ft. 51'; ins. high, The vehicle is finished in cellulose

enamel and black headings divide the sides into panels, of which good use is made for publicity purposes. The equipment includes a Litcas six-volt lighting set.

New Zealand Imports Analysed.

Owing to the imposition of a i_arife which is designed to encourage the bodybuilding industry in New Zealand, the bulk of the vehicles intended for goods and passenger-carrying work is imported' into the country in chassis form. An official return lately to hand shows that during the nine months ended with September last 1,280 chassis, of a value of £225,221, were imported into the Dominion. The United States heads the list with 718 chassis (£129,908), Canada following with 351 (£20,063), Great Britain 200 (£63,166), Belgium 6 (12,277) and France 5 (£807). During the period under review 305 complete inotorvans, lorries and buses, valued at 128,171, were also imported. Of the total, 284 (121,538) were credited to Canada.

Good Results from Sentinel Rail Coaches.

The London and North Eastern Railway Co., which has 26 Sentinel steam rail coaches on order for the purpose of replacing ordinary trains on various branch lines in the 'Tyneside, Teesside, Darlington and other northcountry neighbourhoods, is now making preparations still further to increase the use of this class of vehicle, and has carried out experiments with a view to ascertaining the utility of it over the York-to-Whitby route. The coaches employed on the test gave very creditable performances over a route which is a decidedly stiff one.

The employment of these vehicles on an extensive scale will enable the company to provide both cheaper and more frequent services. The Sentinel coaches have been found to be very economical, and their seating capacity is adequate for all normal traffic "conditions, which entail a considerable amount of dead mileage when steam trains are usel.

Spares and Repairs for Hallford , Vehicles.

" We are informed by Mr. H.

Turner, of the Dartford Automobile Engineering Works, Ltd., .Powder Mill Lane, Dartford, that the prices of all Hallford spare parts have been considerably reduced and that all inquiries in, respect of replacements and repairs addreased to these works will reeeir. immediate and careful attention. A vised price list is obtainable on application.

VuIcans for Overseas. Amongst the orders recently received by the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1006), Ltd., Crossens, Southport,' two are of outstanding interest. Ono of them comes from the Italian Government and is for chassis, and the other has been received from the Kowloon Bus Co., of Hongkong, and is for a motorbus.

• The Bath and West Show. The annual show of the Bath and West Agricultural Society will be held this year at Dorchester from May 22nd to 26th inclusive. Entries for implements close on March 13th.

American Production Statistics.

Preliminary figures compiled by the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce show that 464,000 lorries and 3,530,000 passenger cars, of which 2,452,000 were closed Cars, were produced in the United States in 1927. The wholesale value of the vehicles was 2,666,750,000 dollars. The, average retail price of lorries was 1.053 dollars and of cars 953 dollars. Ninety thousand buses were in use Qn Deeember 31st. Motor vehicles registered in the -United• States totalled 22,125,000.

Thornycrofts Popular in Rio.

• Evidence of the increasing use of Thornycroft vehicles in Rio de Janeiro is to be found in a picture appearing on this page, which shows a fleet of type-A2 2-ton end-tipping wagons of this make in the service of the Prefecture do I)istricto Federal.

Other large users of Thornycroft vehicles in this 'city include the Rio de Janeiro Flour -Mills, which has in seerice. five type-Q 5-tonners, and the Rio

City improvements Cu., Ltd.,, which has a fleet of nearly 20 goods and passenger vehicles of Thornycroft make. .

The progress which Thornycroft vehicles are making in this part of the world is largely due to the efforts of the maker's aubsidiary company, Thornycroft (Brazil), which is now firmly established.

A Chance for British Bus Makers.

According to a Department of Overseas trade report on the conditions and prospects of British trade in India, the extension of bus services, not only in the large towns, such as Calcutta and Bombay, but also • throughout the Mofussil, continues, and the imports show a further considerable expansion of the trade in such vehicles.

It is stated that the development in the use of British buses is disappointing. Large buses have been selected by the tramways companies in the big towns, such as Calcutta, Bombay and Rangoon, but many operators of othete services, which have' mostly been instituted to connect villages with the nearest railway stations, are attracted by American and Canadian types of vehicle, largely by reason of their low first cost.

There is undoubtedly a large market c22 in India for buses which has not been thoroughly explored by British Makers, and it is suggested that those who require further information on the subject should consult the Indian Section of the Department of Overseas Trade. 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1.

The Parking Problem at Worcester.

Worcester City Council has chosen the cattle market as a site for the parking of lorriesand cars. But on Mondays .•—market day—it is not available for the purpose, and with so many farmers' vehicles in the towel on that particular day a real .difficulty has arisen. It is stated that on market days the accommodation of garages is overtaxed.

Belfast and Bus Powers.

Speaking in favour of the Belfast Corporation's Parliamentary Bill, which will permit the corporation to run buses outside the city area, Councillor Holland, a member of the tranaways committee, said it was essential that the corporation should possess the necessary powers in case it should. at any time wish to change over from trams to buses. It was a question how long trams would be allowed to run in modern cities. A plebiscite of the electors is to be taken on the question of the promotion of the Bill.

Brakes on Motorbuses.

At a meeting of the Oldham Watch Committee the town clerk submitted a .• cireulai letter from the clerk to the joint executive committee for the regulation of motorbus licences (Wharfedale and district area), intimating that the committee had, in the interests of the travelling public, requested the Ministry of Transport to reconsider the paragraph Of the Heavy Motor Car (Amendment) Order,. 1927, relative to brakes. It is suggested that Clause C should be' modified in accordance with the regulation existing before the new Order. Other licensing authorities have been asked to address the Ministry in support of the .mquest and the Oldham Watch Conunittee is acting on these lines. • A Change of Name.

At a meeting of the Leeds Watch Committee it was reported that the name of the Harrogate and District Road Car Co., Ltd., had been changed to the West Riding Road Car Co., Ltd.

Taxes to be Doubled?

At a recent meeting of the Bombay Corporation a resolution was moved to the effect that, in view of the steady increase in the use of motorbuses, the tax on these vehicles should be doubled. it is the intention of the authorities to approach the Government and to request it to introduce legislation at an early date to amend Schedule 0 of the Municipal Act, so as to increase the tax payable an such vehicles. The municipal commissioner is to investigate the proposal and report at a later date.

A Novel Flexible Bearing.

Silentbloc flexible bearings are fully dealt with in a catalogue which T. B. Andre and Co., Ltd., Victoria Gardens, Notting Hill Gate, London, W.11, has just issued. The Silentbloc is an elastic articulating joint, and its principal functions are to avoid wear, noise and vibration and to reduce the cost of maintenance when applied to oscillating mechanism. It consists essentially of an inner bush and an outer concentric sleeve, the space between being filled with an elastic and insulating material.

The various uses of the bearing in the motor-vehicle industry are referred to, and these include the adaptation of the bearing to hinges and latches on coachwork. The catalogue is well illus ttated and contains tables showing standard English sizes and metric sizes in which the bearing is available.

The Fire at the Latil Works.

In connection with the recent fire which occurred at the Lath works in France, we are asked to make it clear that the outbreak ‘17.118 confined to the warehouses and oificeS of the company, and that the workshops were net

affected. .

Military Six-wheelers in America.

It is reported that the American military authorities are carrying 'out. some experiments with petroheleetrie sixwheeled lorries of the Versere type, in which each axle is driven by its own electric motor.

Bus Powers for Llandudno.

Members of the Llandudno Town Council recently met and passed it resolution authorizing the .council to proceed with the promotion of a Bill in Parliament empowering it to run motorbuses. One clause in the Bill gives the council ,powers to run buses around the Great Orme, along the promenade and in other parts of the town. Certain members opposed this on the score of the opposition which would be encountered from private bus owners.

Bus Progress at Lincoln.

At the last meeting of the Lincoln City Council sanction was given to proceed with the borrowing of the necessary money to build the new garage for the centralisation of the transport services of the corporation at St. Mark's Square, Lincoln. The site chosen for the garage is in the centre of the city, and was bought by the transport department 15 months ago.

The progress made by the bus depart,. merit of the Lincoln Corporation has been very good, and it now runs a fleet of .25 motorbuses. During the present municipal year it has purchased out of revenue four hew buses, twoGuy 26seaters, a Leyland Titan and a Leyland Lion, At the last meeting of the counell authority was given for the purchase of a ferther 15 motorbuses.

Irish Free State Imports.

In November last 44 commercial motor vehicles, valued at 119,596, were imported into the Irish Free State, as compared with only nine vehicles (£4.903) in the corresponding month of 1926. The ,official returns just to hand show that the aggregate imports during the first 11 months of 1927 amounted to no fewer than 682 vehicles (£216,951), as contrasted with 194 vehicles, of a value of £68,238, in the comparable Period of 1926.

A Distinctive Karrier Van.

Ranier Motors, Ltd., Karrier Works; Iludderstfield. has recently supplied the attractive 50-cwt. boxvan, which is illustrated on this page, to a Liverpool company which has been •a user of vehicles of Karrier manufacture for many years. The basis of this vehicle is the maker's ZX-type chassis, in he design of which a four-eylindered engine developing up to 48 h.p. is used. The chassis has a 14-ft. wheelbase and is equipped with 34-in. by 7-in, single pneumatic tyres on all wheels.

The bodywork is noteworthy by reason of its large capacity and the striking colours in which it is finished. The

interior dimensions. are as follow :— Length, 11 ft.; width, 6 ft.; height, 7 ft. The capacity of the body is augmented by an extension which, is carried over the driver's cab and is ap proximately 1 ft-. 6 ins. deep. The vehicle is finisha in dark blue and

white with chrome lining and lettering, and natural-colour paintings on the side panels are employed to draw attention to certain of the company's products.

Gateshead Refuses Licences.

Keen resentment is being felt by smaller motorbus undertakings in the Tyneside neighbourhood at the action of the Gateshead Town Council in once more turning down applications from the General County Omnibus Co., Ltd., for licences for 34 vehicles, running en its Newcastle-to-Durham route, to ply for hire in Gateshead. The local authority's reason for refusing the request is mainly that there are sufficient buses licensed over the route already,

Decarbonizing by Oxygen.

Commercial owners will be interested to learn that a service station, where the decarbonizing of engines by the oxygen process can be carried out in a most efficient manner, is now in exist.

ence in London. Messrs. L. Bullock, who sPecialize in thiS class of work, conduct • their actisiities from this station, which :is .at 67, King's Cross Road, London, W.C.1.

The progress of this method of decarbonization, the details of which are too well known to need description, has been somewhat hampered in the past, owing perhapS to undue prejudice, many believing that the high degree of temperature created in the combustion -chambers of an engine undergoing this treatment may prove injurious, particularly to the pistons. Although this fear might be justified should an 'inexpert person carry out the operation, there is no reason why it should exist when the work is carried out by skilled artisans such as are employed by Messrs. Bullock.

There are several advantages which result front decarbonizing engines by oxygen. There is in appreciable saving of time, whilst, by reason of this economy and the ease with which the work can be done when in expert hands. a considerable reduction in charges is effected as compared with the cost of the usual process. Owing to the fact that by employing this method only the combustion chamber and the valve pockets are cleaned, it is solely intended to be employed between overhauls.

Reo Models for Inspection.

The new 1928 models of the Roo Pullman and Reo Pullman Junior chassis are now available for inspection at the London showrooms of Harris and Hasell, Ltd., 79-89, Pentonville Road, London, Ni.

The Leeds-Newcastle Service.

Leeds Watch Committee has refused to grant an application from the LeedsNewcastle Omnibus Co., Ltd., for licences for motorbuses to ply for hire within the city in connection with a service between Leeds and Newcastle, via Harrogate and Darlington.

Toll Freedom for Ambulances.

The Penarth Red Cross Satiety is to renew its application to the Bute Estate, the owners of the toll-gate on the Penarth-Cardiff road, to permit the free passage of ambulances over the toll section of the road. When an application was made two years ago it was unsuccessful.

The society stresses the point that, as a voluntarily supported unit, it cannot well afford the payment of tolls, and that as the Governinent exempts ambulances from taxation die estate should follow this lead. Fire-brigade vehicles which pass over the road are exempted from the payment of tolls. Last year £15 was paid in tolls in respect of ambulances which conveyed 300 sick cases to Cardiff hospitals.

A North-country Project Delayed.

With a view to speeding up transit facilities between South Shields and Newcastle, Messrs. Stobie and Currie, of Forset Hall, near Newcastle, have prepared plans for the operation of a circular service between the two centres, with alternative express and ordinary

buses, on an hourly basis. The time to be allowed for the express vehicles is 25 mine. When the company made application to the watch committee of the South Shields Corporation for licences for four motorbuses to enable them to put their project into effect,' the committee adjourned the application for a month.

Institute of Metals Membership.

During the past year the membership of the Institute of Metals increased from 1,801 to 1,903. It is anticipated by the council that the present year—the twentieth of the Institute's existence— will witness the enrolment of the 2,000th member. The annual general meeting of the Institute will be held in London on March 7th-8th, and the autumn meeting in Liverpool on September 4th-7th.

Are Bus Seasons Popular?

The motor omnibus committee of the Eastbourne Corporation has recently given consideration to the question of issuing season tickets on the Municipal buses. In order to ascertain the procedure adopted in other parts of the Country, inforniation was obtained from a -number of municipal and private undertakings.

Generally speaking, it would appear .that 'season tickets are not favoured, and some of the reasons which are given are not without interest. Thomas Tilling. Ltd., of Brighton, for example, considers that for a town service especially. they would cause considerably more trouble than material benefit to the public und the company. The tramways and motors department of Ashtonunder-Lyne thinks that such tickets are :subject to misuse and abuse.

Th& tramways department of the Kiagstain-under-Hull Corporation issues weekly tickets. They are considered satisfactory from a passenger's point of view, but from a financial aspect the department has lost a considerable amount of money. It was, therefore, obliged to increase the cost of the tickets by 25 per cent., which had the effect of reducing the number of tickets issued by 75 per cent. It is the view of this authority that, provided the price is high enough, there is no serious objection to such tickets, but it expresses the opinion that people will not pay a lump sum which adequately covers the number of rides they take..

A Useful Supplement.

The annual supplement of Time MoNr, printed in a handy form for the pocket, giving prices and condensed specifications of all cars and all models on the British market, will be presented with next week's issue of that journal. -- One-way Traffic at Plymouth.

Plymouth Watch Committee has' deeideA upon a system of one-way traffic at the Torpoint" Ferry, i.e., west-bound traffic to proceed along Ferry Road and east-bound traffic along Pottery Read.

Bus Difficulties at Glasgow.

At a recent meeting of the magistrates' committee of the Glasgow Corporation, a deputation was received from the tramways committee with regard to bus traffic in the city. One of the points emphasized by the representatives was that owners of buses failed to observe the conditions of certificates

applicable thereto. Later, a deputation was heard from the Transport and General Workers' Union concerning the working hours of bus drivers and conductors.

After a discussion of the matters raised the committee agreed to recommend that a deputation be appointed to confer with the Ministry of Transport on the subject of the control and lieens, lag of motorbuses in the city. .

Fleet Additions to Meet Competition.

The tramways committee of the Perth Town Council has recently decided to purchase three new 30-seater buses so that it may be in a position to cope, with opposition which is being encoun

tered. When these vehicles are delivered this authority will hv ii fleet of 17 vehicles. More Long-distance Bus Services in the North.

Long-distance bus services are still au the increase in the north conntry, and at the last meeting of the Stockton Corporation applications for licences were granted to the Great North of England Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., in respect of a proposed servicebetween Middlesbrough and Carlisle, via Darlington, Richmond and Appleby ; to the Blue Band Motor Serviees,-f or a service from Stockton to London; and to the Cleveland Omnibus CO., for a service between Stockton and Whitby.'

Messrs. Thomas Longhorn and Sons, of Newcastle, were not so successful in their application to the West Hartlepool Corporation for licences for two vehicles for the purpose of instituting .a through service between Tyneside and the Hartiepools. The corporation considered that sufficient vehicles were already licensed to operate to the north of the, town—although there is,no existing through service—and declined the application.

Standardized Uniforms for Trafficcontrol Police.

Local authorities in South Wales are welcoming the proposal of the Glamorgan County Council that local government bodies should co-operate to petition for grants from the Road Fund for the maintenance of traffic-control police, and are deciding to support the suggestion.

A recent proposal put forward in this area to facilitate the movement of traffic is that all constabularies throughout the country should adopt a standard type of uniform and that police employed on traffic duties should, especially, be uniformly and distinctively equipped.

A Crosville Experiment.

The Crosville Mot* Co., Ltd., which maintains extensive services in the Wirral, has, instituted an experimental bus service direct from Parkgate to Woodside. The service is for the benefit of those buying contract tickets only, and its continuance will depend upon the number of people utilizing it. The bus is timed tocatch the a.m. ferry-boat from Birkenhead to Liverpool.

Fire Protection for the Forest of Dean.

A proposal is to be considered by the various local authorities of the Forest of Dean for the joint acquisition of firefighting equipment. At present there is said to be no suitable fire brigade for these localitieS, which are dependent, in the event of fire, on protection by the brigades maintained by the authorities of outside districts.

Lincolnshire Trunk-road Scheme Nearing Completion.

Work on the Kesteven (Lincolnshire) trunk-road scheme, which has been in progress for the past two years, is almost completed. It will cost about £100,000, the whole of which will be met by the Ministry of Transport. The scheme embraces about 10 miles of road, from the Grantham boundary on the north to a point about three miles south of Newark. One of the main features of the scheme has been the diversion of the road at the notoriously dangerous corners at the top of Generby Hill, a mile from Grantham, where, in the past, many accidents have occurred.

Farther along, at the village of Foston, where there were two .awkward corners, a by-pass road a mile in length has been constructed, which skirts the village on the west. The chief aim of the scheme has been the provision of better facilities for the ever-increasing traffic on the Great North Road. The by-pass road will be opened this month.

This Service Tenders Wanted.

The Soci4th Nationale des Chemins de Fer Vicinaux, of 14, Rue de la Science, Brussels, is inviting tenders until January 21st for the concessionfor the establishment and running of a motorbus service between Perivez, Wavre and Overijssche.