WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
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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.
Transport and Army Manceuvres.
This week the First Division of the Army (less the Third Infantry Brigade) is carrying out manceuvres in Surrey and Hampshire. The primary object is to test the road space occupied by experimental establishments of mechanical transport; in our next issue, dated August 25th, we shall give an eye-witness's account of the operations, with particular reference to transport matters. The article will, 'of course, be
fully illustrated. In eonnectien with traffic matters the Automobile Association has erected loopway signs and its patrols are assisting the flow of traffic.
A Big Seller.
If all the copies of " The Motor Manual" that have been sold to motorists were laid end to end, the resulting trail, would be over 80 miles in length, or as far as from London to Southampton i. Over three-quarters of a million copies have been sold to date and the figure is steadily growing. The latest edition of "The Motor Manual" is said to contain more practical information on motors and motoring than any other single book.
Overseas Trade Development Council.
Mr. G. M. Gillett, M.P., secretary of the Department of .Overseas Trade, announces that, in accordance with the arrangement whereby membership of the Overseas Trade Development Council is reviewed annually, the council has been reconstituted as followa :—Mr. G. M. Gillett, M.P. (chairman), Sir E. T. F. Crowe; K.C.M. G. ( vice-chairman) , Sir Alan -Anderson, K.B.E., Sir Arthur Balfour, Bt., K.B.E., Sir Francis Joseph, C.B.E., J.P., Sir William Larke, K.B.E,, Mr. L. W. Matters, M.P., Mr. W. Thow Munro, Mr. J. G. Nicholson and Sir Gilbert Vyle.
As in the past, special representatives of trade and industry will be invited to attend the meetings of the council when particular trades, industries or markets are being reviewed.
20,000 Men Tackle Traffic Census.
On -Monday of last Week 20,000 men began work on the task of counting the number of vehicles making use Of firstclass roads throughout the country. More than. 5,000 points, which' were at some .distance apart, were selected for observation. Every three years a road census is taken and the statistics which are thus made available prove to be invaluable to the Ministry of Transport and to local authorities. The census 'extended over a week.
WarrIngton's..Bus Accounts.
During the year ended March 31st last the total income frem the operation of the 16 buses run by Warrington Corporation was 126;586, expenditure having amounted to £19,132, so that the gross profit was £7,454, about £200 less n20
than the figure for the previous year. There was no interest on 'capital or sinking-fund charges, but income tax to the extent of £1,258 had to be met, SO that the net profit for the year amounted to £6,322, after adding bank interest.
• The appropriation account shows that £7,020 was expended on the purchase of buses and bus bodies during the year and the credit balance of this account on March 31st last was £3,780.
• The aggregate mileage covered by the buses was 330,412, the number of passengers carried being 5,811.294. On an average, less than one half of the fleet was in use per day, the average hours worked per day per bus being 16 and the average mileage covered per day per bus 1.26. The fleet consists of 12 Leylands and 4 A,E.C.s.
Brittol Fuel Tested.
The Royal Automobile Club has recently issued a report of a trial (No. 744) dealing with fuel made by the Brittol Syndicate, Ltd., 24. Grosvenor Gardens, London, SAVA. The objects of the trial were to demonstrate fuel consumption, ease of starting, absence of oil dilution and general performance.
A six-cylindered, 2,223 c.c. engine in a Standard ear chassis was used for the trial, the vehicle averaging 32 cwt. The distance covered was 502i miles and the average speed (exclusive of stops) was 28.7 m.p.h. The fuel consumption worked out at 20.97 m.p.g.
After the first day's test it was found that the oil in the crankcase had a specific gravity of .900 at 60 degrees F., a viscosity (Redwood), at 100 degrees P., of 407 sec., whilst the flash point was 91 degrees C. The corresponding figures for unused oil were .906, 775 sec., and 195 degrees C. It was found that 7 per cent. of the liquid in the crankcase was fuel and 93 per cent. lubricating oil, after covering a distance of 169 miles.
The report states that the general performance of the engine wds similar to that which might have been expected had petrol been used as the fuel.
• Two Licensing Ap2lea1s Dismissed.
The Minister of Transport has dismissed appeals by Classique Coaches, Ltd., against the decision of the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner in refusing to grant a licence for an East HamGrays service and by Bouts Bros., Ltd., against the refusal to license it LondonOngar service.
The Motor-coach Owner Pays.
The secretary of the Motor Hirers and Coach Services .Association, the new office of which is at 12, Spring Street, Paddington, London, W.2, is addressing the Minister of Transport on the subject of the use of motor-coach -first-aid outfits for aecidents in which the vehicles are not concerned.
It appears that the police are quickly recognizing that, in the event of any accident or sudden illness, they can, by stopping the first motor coach, obtain useful first-aid appliances. Proprietors, making complaints, state that there Is apparently no means for obtaining coinpensation for the loss of materials which have to be immediately replenished. Apart from this, the vehicles concerned are forced to complete their journeys without a proper first-aid outfit, which means breaking the law. There is also the point that, having been delayed, drivers are inclined to exceed the speed limit afterwards to make up for lost time.
Road Improvement Schemes.
During the month of July schemes • for widening, reconstruction and other improvements of classified roads and bridges, and for the construction of new roads and bridges of classification value, involving a total estimated expenditure of £3,279,000, were formally approved for Read Fund grants. The total value of schemes for the improvement of classified roads and bridges definitely approved for commencement by the present Government is now approxixnately £44,000,000.
For the same month financial assistance was also indicated towards works on unclassified roads and bridges in various counties, the total estimated expenditure being £160,000.
Creating a Bus Monopoly.
We are informed that the West Monmouthshire Joint Omnibus Board (the undertaking run by Mynddyslwyn and Dedwellty Urban District Councils) has taken over the Crunalin-Oakdale service of Red and White Services, Ltd., and is negotiating with Ralph's Garages, Ltd., with a view tO acquiring that corn.pany's Crumlin-Oakdale route. Thus a monopoly would be created.
Sales of 'Fuel-storage Equipment.
During July. Oil Installations (1928), Ltd., Hammond Works, Victoria Road, London, N.W. 10, secured orders for its low-pressure petrol-metering columnsfrom Glasgow and Stockport Corporations, Leyland Motors, Ltd., the Yorkshire Traction Co., Ltd., and the East Surrey Traction Co., Ltd.
America's Shrinking Exports.
During the first five months of the present year America's exports of commercial vehicles declined in valne by nearly four million sterling, as contrasted with the figure for the corresponding five months a year ago. In the period under review 24,675 goods vehicles, bnses and chassis, valued at /2,627,200, were shipped from the United States, as contrasted with 49,714 and /6,538,009 respectively in the similar five months of 1930.
An analysis of the returns shows that 4,319 of the exported vehieles had carrying capacities of under a ton, most, 17,512, were in the 1-1i-ton class, 2,020 in the 1i-21-ton category, and 779 in the over-2i-ton division, whilst 45 were buses.
The best markets for American commercial vehicles, so far this year, in the order of their importance, have been Belgium, Sweden, India, Denmark, Japan and Spain. It may be added that the exports represent only 11.5 per cont. of the -total American production.
Bus Working at Portsmouth.
In the year ended March 31st last a gross profit of £16,130 was recorded on the Operation of Portsmouth Corporation's motorbuses, the total revenue having amounted to £168,346 and the total expenditure to £152,216, but after meeting interest, income tax and certain other charges, a loss of £6,091 is shown.
At the end of March last the corporation had 62 buses in service, the fleet being made up of 35 of Dennis make, 16 Karriera, 6 Thornycrofts and 5 Guys, the last-named being 15-seater runabouts.
Road v. Rail in Meat Traffic.
An interesting feature of the annual report of Mr. Austin Chadwick, general superintendent of Manchester Corporation's markets, is the analysis that he gives of the extent to which road and railway transport are used for collecting and delivering goods at the local markets.
In the past year motor vehieles brought in from other districts 12,010 tons of meat as against 12,007 tons by railway. At the Elm Street cold stores 6,623 tons, or 65 per cent., of the produce was received from the railway and 3,512 tons, or 35 per cent., from motor lorries. Deliveries by road vehicle accounted for 62 per cent, of the tonnage. The following are the figures for Smithfield cold stores: received, motor haulage, 769 tons. (48 per cent.) ; railway, 836 tons (52 per cent.). .
A Quart, Fire Extinguisher for 21s. ad.
Under regulations which came into force on August 1st, all public-service vehicles are required to carry fire extinguishers, and these must comply in every respect with4the specified recpfirements of the Fire Offices Commit
tee. Inorder to meet the .requirements of coach and bus operators, A. W. Gamage, Ltd., Holborn, London, 11.0.1, has placed on the market a new extinguisher which is claimed to comply in every detail with official needs.
It is of the double-acting pump type, and is sold at the reasonable price of 21s. 6d. The extinguisher is provided with a stout bracket for screwing to the vehicle, and the device may be released by giving it a sharp pull. It instantly extinguished a small petrol fire which we started, and which was of about the proportions of the normal carburetter fire.
Dundee Bus Controversy Ended.
The controversy between the trans port committee of Dundee Corporation and the private bus companies with regard to the running of buses over the Dtindee-Monifieth route terminated last week with the approval of a proposed compromise by the committee. Power was given by the corporation to the transport committee to decide upon the compromise, which, whilst providing the corporation with a monopoly within the city boundary, gives the private companies equal rights on the section of the route between the boundary and Monifieth.
Good Work by Eleeirics.
Warrington Corporation has six Ransome's electric vehicles engaged on the collection of night-soil, five of which have now completed seven years of continuous -service. The number of _ loads carried since the inauguration of the service is 10,344, representing 149,066 miles of running. The current consumed during the 12 months ended June 30th. was 46,644 units, and the cost of current per mile 2.01d.
Agreement to be Terminated.
Notice has been given by the Liverpool and District Conference of Road Transport Employers to the Liverpool and District Carters and Motormen's Union, terminating the existing agreement, governing wages and working conditions, on August 31st. Fuel for Oil Engines.
The July issue of the Journal of The Institution of Petroleum Technologists contains a useful paper entitled, " Fuel testing in slow and high-speed Diesel engines." Much of the information that it includes is.of direct interest to those connected with the development of the compression-ignition power unit. The Paper indicates, as The Commercial Motor has pointed out, that this form of engine canonly Make limited progress until more is known about the properties of suitable fuels.
Lower Railway Traffic.
Railway statistics for May, 1931, have recently been published by the Ministry of Transport, but the'comparisons with the corresponding month of 1930 are affected by the incidence of .Whit-Monday, which in 1930 fell on • June 9th. and this year on May 25th. The total-number of passenger'journeys (excluding season-ticket. holders) taken on all standard-gauge railways in Great 13ritain in May last was 100,212,561,
a decrease of 511,170 on May, 1930. The journeys taken by passengers at reduced fares increased by 1,991,959,-. but those at standard or ordinary fares decreased by 2,503,138.
The total tonnage of freight conveyed (excluding free-hauled traffic) was 21,400,841, a decrease of 5,392,898 tons, or approximately 20 per cent. Freight train receipts showed a decrease of 11,608,865 at /7,054,091. The freighttrain miles run were 1,777,370 less than in May, 1930.
Power Harvesting Demonstrations.
The Ministry of Agriculture is again arranging a series of demonstrations in connection with power harvesting, the unit being. the new combined harvesterthresher and 'agrimotor. The most comprehensive demonstration of the series will be held at Berry Leas, Elton, Peterborough.
Three machines will IA operated : (a) Caterpillar No. :38 (a 1930 model brought up to date) ; (h) an International (a 1930 model) ; and a Massey-Harris (a 1930 model). in conjunction with these machines
mechanical transport arrangements have been made for the conveyance of the grain from the field to the mill by vehicles, including those of Ford,. Inter national, and Latil makes.
The Ministry also announces that through the courtesy, of the owners the harvester-thresher may be viewed,, at work on farms in Norfolk. Lines, Hants and Herts.
Clayton and Rhuttieworth, Ltd., B22
Gainsborough, will also be demonstrating its machines at the farms of Mr. R. C. C. Tinsley, Ho'beach, 8t. Marks, and Major Brothers, Abbotts Manor, Holbeach, Lincs.
Bus Mergers in the Free State.
We learn that the owners of the Blue
i Line buses, Dublin, have acquired co trol of the Angela and K bus services n that city. Mr. L. E. McNally, who operates the General buses on the Dublin-East Wall .and Dublin-Portrane routes, has acquired control of the Morning Star buses; which operate On the Dublin-Dalkey route.
Six-wheeler Attachments for Many Purposes.
Carrimore Six Wheelers, Ltd., High Road,• North Finchley, London, N.12, has issued a catalogue which serves to convey the many uses to which its different models of six-wheeled attachment are put. The attachments are, shown ittuse with both light and heavy vehieles and in a wide variety of trades, some of a specialized character. The many illustrations embodied give a good idea of the wide range of Carrimore attachments which is available.
Municipal Protection Refused: An Appeal.
The transport committee of Colchester Corporation • has decided to "appall against :the. decision of „the. Eastern Traffic Commissioners not to impose a condition by which private operators .pay the corporation 25 per cent, of fares in respeet of passengers picked up them in the town for setting down within that area. Big Bus Profits atRochdale.
The buses run by Rochdale Corporation were operated at a gross profit of /35,783 in the year ended March 31st last, income having . totalled 1100,244 and working expenses /64,461. Interest, income tax and sinking-fund charges account for /14,973.
During the year the buses covered an aggregate mileage of 1,842,263 and carried 9,901,465 passengers. The average number of passengers carried per busmile was 5.37, the average fare which they paid being 2.428d. The average revenue per bus-mile was 1:3.058d. and the average working expenses per busmile 8.39d. At the end of March last the corporation was operating -a fleet of 54. buses, consisting, of 33 of Dennis make and 21 Orossleys.
New Road-making Implements.
James and Frederick Howard, Ltd., of Bedford, an associated company of Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd., has recently designed three new implements for rapid road construction and for general soil excavation and levelling. They are all one-man implements, controlled by the tractor driver.
One is a five-tine scarifier. -which is saitable for haulage by a tractor developing 20 h.p. at the drawbar, and another an 11-tine searifier ; both these machines have a depth-adjustment gear, operated by the tractor driver from his seat. The third machine is a power scraper, which is mounted on a wheel carriage and is operated by a winch and steel wire rope, driven by the tractor engine. Each of these machines is referred to in a leaflet obtainable from Aldwych House, London, W.C.2.
New Registrations.
A Ministry of Transport return shows that the number-of-motor vehicles registered for the first time under the Roads Act, 1920, during the month of June, 1931, was 23,849, as compared -with 27,233 in June, 1930. Included in this year's total are 4,400 goods vehicles and 838 hackney vehicles, these figures comparing with 4,131 and 1,255 respectively for the comparable period of 1930.
Pocket Tyre Gauges.
A pocket gauge for reading tyre pressures, which fits like a fountain pen in the waistcoat pocket, is now being marketed by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd. There are two models, one reading from 6 lb. to 52 lb. per sq. in. in 1 lb. units, and the other from 30 lb. to 170 lb. in 5 lb. units.
A 'Valuable Motor Ferry.
A new motor ferry over the -River Severn, from Beaehley (Chepstow) to Aost (Glos.) has been inaugurated by the Old Passage Severn Ferry Co., Ltd. It is said to eliminate the need for making a 55-mile detour, and the . first vehicle to be carried was a Chevrolet van. A larger 'Vessel is now under construction.