News and Comment.
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This journal has by far the largest and best circulation—i.e., total of subscribers orders and actual sales through newsagents. Our circulation is certified and genuine: "The Commercial Motor" is exclusively read by the heads of many wealthy houses.
Attention is particularly directed to -.the three lines above.
The discussion on Mr. T. B. Browne's recent paper before the Institution of Automobile Engineers is summarized, together with brief comment, on pages 22 and 23.
The area of London County, which is considerably less than that of the Metropolitan-police area, now contains less than 75 per cent, of the total number of horses which were stabled in the same area in 1905. We deal further with this interesting situation in the course of a short leading article (page 21).
Easter Arrangements.
Next week's issue of this journal, dated the 24th inst., will be published a day earlier than usual ; correspondents and business supporters are invited to make a note of this fact, and to send any communications. whetheof an editorial or business character. to these offices, 24 hours earlier than Westminster Tenders.
Tenders are invited, in this issue, in accordance with our announcement of four weeks ago, for a maximum of seven petrol-driven tip wagons, to the order of the Westminster City Council; no tender will be received after 9.30 a.m. on Thursday the 7th prox. In connection with this extension of the Council's motor stock, interested opposition has been fruitlessly cultivated to the extent of a petition signed by 711 persons. These people erroneously think that the greater expense per motor unit, compared with a horse unit, is conclusive evidence ot the inferiority of the motor : they calmly overlook the fact that one motor does the work of at least horse vehicles, even in city traffic.
A Tail-lamp Case.
At the Eddisbury petty sessions, Northwich, on the 14th inst., a motorlorry driver named Edgar Righton, of Levenshuline, was summoned for on alleged failure to keep his tail lamp
sufficiently brightly illmninatedunder Article NT (part 1) of the Motor Cars (Registration and Licensing) Order, of 1903. The defendant pleaded guilty to a technical offence, through his solicitor, Mr. W. E. Rowcliffe, of Manchester, who explained that the defendant, when he stopped to light up on the evening in question. found that the bracket for the lamp had fallen off, although it was in position when he started on his journey in the morning. Righton fastened the lamp the best way he could, and told the circumstances to the constable who -topped him on the road.
The Magistrates decided to dismiss the case, notwithstanding the plea of guilty, and we would commend this broadminded view to other Benches.
Hooded Vans.
One •• Answer to Query," which is erowded out from our customary page this week, concerns the recent notice of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in regard to hooded vans. We accordingly reproduce that notice herewith.
Show Points.
Subject to confirmation by the Council of the S.M.M.T., there will be a Commercial Vehicle Exhibition, at Olympia, in January next. A deputation of the East Lancashire and Cheshire section of the S.M.M.T. w ill visit London to-day (Thursday), and will attend at Maxwell House, Arundel Street, at 3 p.m., in order to "show cause " for the recognition of the Manchester Show next year. Members of the deputation, with their interests in parentheses, are: Messrs. G. Hubert Woods (Crossley Bros.), S. Norris (Cockshoot and Co.), J. Newton (Newton and Bennett), W. Lawton Goodman (J. A. Lawton and Co.), J. Mercer (Wolselev Tool and Motor Co.), E. A. G.dd (Daimler Motor Co.), F. C. Hunt (Humber's), E. J. Chambers (Bell Cars), ft. Crossley (Belsize Motors), H. Hollingdrake (Stockport), T. Garner, and F. -T. Norbury.
Intending exhibitors at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show, which is to be held at Liverpool in June next, are warned that entries in the implement department close on Monday next, the 21st inst. Immediate application for space should be forwarded to the secretary, Mr. Thomas McRow, 16, Bedford Square, London, W.C.
Two Insurance Reports.
During the past few weeks, the third annual report of the Motor Union Insurance Co., Ltd., and the sixth annual report of the Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd., have been published. In the case of the Motor Union, the premium income has increased from £52,592 to 456,571a net advance of 23,979. On the other hand, the expenses of management have increased from 26,949 to 210,95f5 —a net increase of 24,007. In the case of this company, too, claims have advanced from £38,215 to £52,417, towards which aggregate of payments the sum of 217,531 was brought in at the beginning of the year. In the case of the Car and General, the last-published amounts cover a period of 1-5 months, and direct comparisons can therefore be made less easily. For comparative periods, however, the net income has advanced by approximately 25,000, whilst the claims and expenses of management are jointly down by a. total of some £10,000. The Motor Union pays a dividend of -(q per cent., and puts 23,000 to reserve, whilst the Car and General pays a dividend of 5 per cent., and puts 26,000 to reserve.
The future relative progress of these companies will be observed with interest, for reasons into which we need not enter. S,outhport Town Council has rdered a tower wagon from Leyland Motors, Ltd.
We are glad to note that Mr. W. G. Lobjoit, :1.P., a pioneer user of tractors. and an esteemed member of the Executive Committee of the C.M.U.A., has been re-elected to the Middlesex County Council.
Stoewer Lorries.
As Messrs. Stoewer Bros., of Stettin, have now opened a London branch at 35, Queen Victoria Street, E.C., under the control of Mr. W. Turner Smith, the first heavy lorry of their make to do service in London cannot fail to interest readers. This machine is owned by T. and W. Farmiloe, Ltd., of Nine Elms Lane, S.W., which cent use nine heavy commercial velddes in all. It is finished on a four-ton chassis, and, in the view given, is .carrying a load of lead; it is spoken highly of in Nine Elms Lane, being reliable and otherwise dependable in the service it renders. Peter-Union tires are fitted all round.
Van Insurance.
The Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd., whose head office is at 1. Queen Victoria, Street, E.C., notifies us of its having ready new business-. motor prospectuses, and that these should particularly appeal to owners of vans. Nobody can afford to ignore third-party risks.
Municipal Petrol Wagon's Good Work.
Illustrated herewith is the first. Leyland petrol wagon (and trailer) owned by the Westminster City Council; this vehicle went into servico about last June. It will be seen that, as far as standard English practice is concerned, the maker has stretched a point:" the motor is under the driver's seat and footboards, this giving a vehicle which will turn conveniently in narrow streets, and at sharp corners. The fine performance v.lich this Leyland vehicle made, when it was on trial with the Council which now iiwns it, is reported to have been continuously maintained since, and this. combined with the comparatively-low charge for maintenance in running order, has undoubtedly contributed considerably in favour of the verdict which has been given for the acquisition of seven additional petrol vehicles for this class of work. The machine works with interchangeable tip and water-cart bodies; it is fitted with the former in the illustration, and, although it usually runs with a trailing load, the rear rubber tires are said to last very well. The chassis itself is 14 ft. long and 6 ft. 6 in. overall; its highest point is 7 ft. from the ground ; the body has an extreme length of 1.7 ft. 6in.
Traffic Rules.
The Traffic Rules and Recommendations of the C.M.U.A., for which a wide demand has proved to exist, can he obtained from the Secretary, Caxton House, Westminster, S.W., at the rate of 2s. per hundred or 17s. 6d. per thousand.
In Heavy Service.
We illustrate, herewith, a Straker steam wagon which, by next May, will have seen seven years of heavy service in the steel trade. It is shown taking out an extraordinary load on its platform, and the magnitude of the -burden may be easily gauged by comparing the section of the rear end of the girder with the youth standing on the kerb. The destination of the load was said to be the Japan-British exhibition, which is in preparation for the coming season. At this month's meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Association, there were present: Col. R. E. Crompton, C.B. (in the chair), Messrs. F.. Shrapnel' Smith (Hon. Treasurer), Chas. Wheeler (Stores Dept., G.P.O.), 1. AVitherington (Reading), H. Thomson Lyon (Westminster City Council), H. W. Wigan (Eastern Motor Wagon Co.), Col. Dalbiac (Army Service Corps), Col. T. J. Kearns (Arley Service Corps), Capt. Hayward (Army Service Corps), Messrs. F. C. A. Coventry (Great Western Ry., Motor Dept.), K Godfrey Brewer (London). L. G. Oldfield (London Omnibus Owners' Federation), W. M. Hodges (General Motor Cab Co.), J. C. Ji itchell (London General Oirmileis Co.), F. R. de Bertodano Motor Cab Co.) and Fred G. Bristow (assistant secretary). Preliminary arrangements were discussed for this year's prize scheme for good driving, and it was resolved to invite the following gentlemen to act as judges: Colonel Crompton, CE.. Major 'F. IL Cochrane, BE., Major LindsayLloyd, Mr. AV. J. Lobjait, J.P., Mr. D. H. Simpson (Manchester), Captain R. K. Bagnall-Wild, Captain A. E. Davidson, RE., Mr. E. C. A. Coventry, Mr. Julian Orde. Mr. Shrapnell Smith, and Mr. Chas. Wheeler.
Gantage's "White" Vans.
A. few details should be given about the fleet of 'White steam vans, owned by Gamage's, of which we published an illustration last week. The large van bodies are mounted art standard 20 h.p. White steam touring chassis, the only differences from the standard chassis being: (a) that they are supplied with an extra tank, so that they can burn paraffin ; (b) that 935 by 135 mm. pneumatic tires are used, instead of smaller-size tires, which are usually placed on the 20 h.p. White steam touring car, and (c) that the springs are made heavier. These vans carry an immense variety of light-delivery articles, and are frequently loaded down pretty heavily. They are mostly fitted with Dunlop non-slipping tires, and these yield gaud results; one tire was recently taken off which had run 10,395 miles, whilst two others have done 7,393 miles and 7,007 miles respectively, and another has done 0,883 miles.
One good point about the vans is that they have been running 13-13 (and in some instances 14) miles to the gallon, on paraffin, in spite of their starting and stopping. This is a rather-high average for them ; much over 12 miles, in this class of work, is not expected, but the fact remains that some of the vans have averaged 13i miles to a gallon of paraffin for a week's running, and that certainly is very good. The first of the seven vans went on the road on 24th May, 1909.
The vans come in one day every month, to he looked over, and once every six months are to be given a week in the shops for a more-detailed amount of repair. No. 1 van, between 24th May, 1909, and 3rd March, 1910, did 12,081 miles: all are really used hard. Mr. A. W. Gamage thinks well of them, as may be gathered from his letter to Mr. Frederic Coleman, dated the 3rd inst., which we reprint.
"You will be pleased to hear that the steam delivery vans, which you made for us, have up to the present run most satisfactorily ; they were particularly useful during the rush of our 1909 Christmas trade, which this season was greater tlem ever, and we do not know how we should have managed our deliveries if it had not been for these vans. The proportion of goods damaged in delivery by the vans is particularly small, owing to the smoothness of the drive, and we find that our customers appreciate the silence of the steam vans after the noise of the petrol vans. Owing to their speed and reliability, we were enabled to extend our runs to a much greater distance."
Petrol for WoIseleys.
The L.C.C. has been considering an application from the Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Co., Ltd., for a licence to store 10,000 gallons of petroleum spirit at Gatlin' Wharf, Pimlico, in five tanks each holding 2,000 gallons. The Westminster City Council, as freeholders of the land in question, have raised no objection to the granting of the licence, subject to adequate protective conditions.
Traveller& Broughams and the Petrol Tax.
In the house of Commons, on the 10th inst., Sir Dowell Davies asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the exemptions granted to motorvans used for collecting and delivering guilds are equally eligible for motorcars provided by business firms for commercial travellers, and which are strictly confined to business purposes only, particularly if the name of the firm be printed on the cars?
Mr. Hobhmise, in a written reply, said that the statutory exemption from licence duty, in the case of motorcars used for the purposes of trade, has reference to a motorcar " which is constructed or adapted for use, and is used sole): for the conveyance of any goods or burden in tin' course of trade or huehandry, and whereon the Christian name and surname, and place of abode, or place of business of the person, or the name or style and principal, or only place of business of the company or firm, keeping the same, shall he visibly and legibly painted in letters of not less tlmn 1 in. in length." The answer, therefore, was in the negative.
Lighting and Pumping Sets,
A useful single-cylinder engine, for lighting and pumping purposes, is now being made by the Felix Engineering Co., of 143 and 145, Great Portland Street, W. The engine, which is known as the "Labor," is designed on perfectly-sound lines, and its makers have already done a considerable aruount-of business with it, especially on the Continent, for small electric-lighting plants, agricultural purposes, pumps, etc. The makers give a guarantee and works certificate, with each engine that is sent out, and we are informed that 1,000 of these motors have recently been shipped to Australia, for distribution to a large number of farmers. They may be run at any speed between 800, and 1,300 r.p.m., and at the higher speed each is capable of developing b.h.p. ; the size of the cylinder is 3.1 in. in diameter, and the pistonstroke is ci in. The sales department of the Felix Engineering Co. is in charge of Mr. D. C. Mackenzie Hume, who, at one time, was a member of the editorial staff of our sister journal The Motor Boat."
"Order Early."
Several manufacturers have written to inform us that our references of last week,' upon the matter of early ordering and definite delivery dates, are wholly in consonance with their positions. In two cases, the orders on the books, for purely commercial vehicles, are well in excess of I:50,000, and some manufacturers are experiencing a real struggle to find a single chassis wEich they can promise before the end of Jul Albion Activity.
The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., of Scotstoun, Glasgow, and 21-2, Upper Rathbone Place, W., is moving with the times. The latest evidence of this is a descriptive circular in Spanish, for the convenience of South-American and other Spanish-speaking buyers. Three Albion illustrations are given on this page. The two smaller ones represent the single 24-cwt. van, now four years old, which is owned by Messrs. Smith Bros. and Co., of Trinidad : they depict the vehicle before shipment, and at work in the West Indies. The uniform satisfaction derived from its employment has caused its owners to place several repeat orders; they have found the simplicity of control such that practically any native driver can quickly manage it. The illustration at the foot, of two 25 cwt. Albion vans, shows a shipment for Messrs. Cassels and Co., of Buenos Aires, the maker's agents there. One of these vehicles will be shown at this year's exhibition in the capital of the Argentine Republic, while the other will be available for demonstration services. The fact that the Albion Co. has made these arrangements is further evidence of the thorough manner in which it is on the outlook for new markets, notwithstanding its present large turnover. The organisation at Scotstoun is responding well to the unprecedented call for deliveries, and every department is fully engaged.
Edmonton's Ambulance.
The motor ambulance for Edmonton Guardians, in respect of which, in our last issue, tenders were asked to reach the Clerk not later than 23rd inst., is to he supplied in accordance with drawings and specifications which have been prepared by Mr. F. W. Vallit, M,I.A.E., who has had considerable experience in the design of motorambulance equipment. The new machine is to have a four-cylinder engine which is to develop 25-6 h.p. by R.A.C. rating. The body is to be of the box-van type, to accommodate eight persons seated, or, alternatively, one stretcher.