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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

18th December 1923
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all diffPn aties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

Berlin's Buses Running on Producer Gas.

As a result of the costliness of heavy fuel oils, and the recent increase in the prices of these fuels, the Berlin Autobus Co. recently arranged, in conjunction , 'with Messrs. Julius Pintsch, to run some of their motorbuses on producer gas, and a, system which has been devised has lately been successfully tested on one of the company's double-deck -vehicles.

As will be seen from the illustration on this page, the plant is installed to the left of the driver's seat, the gas being generated in a sniall producer by the engine, which is fed with the gas derived from charcoal in a. large combustion chamber which is surrounded by fireproof brickwork and below which is a plain grating. The suppl'as of water to the steam generator and that of the steam to the gas Producer are maintained automatically. When the vehicle is operating on city streets in populous areas

. charcoal is used as fuel, but in areas where no inconvenience is likely to result from offensive fumes anthracite or coke is preferred.

It is stated that about .46 kg. of charcoal is required for each effective h.p. hour, and that the use of this fuel results in the saving of close on 70 per cent, as compared with the use of bensole, this saying being, it is stated, increased to as much as 85 per cent. when anthracite or coke is used.

In the testa -that were carried out it was found that about a quarter of an hour was required to start an engine that was perfectly cold, although arrangements could be made for reducing this time so that a vehicle could be started in the course of a few minutes.

The position of the plant can be clearly seen in our picture, and although it may appear to be of somewhat un wieldy proportions, it is not altogether unsightly, and if the system results in a considerable saving of fuel and ensures efficient working appearance is a point of more or less secondary consideration.

French Tests of Petrol-driven Railcars.

Experiments were recently carried out on State Railways of France, on a metregauae line, with two petrol-driven rail coaches, of which the chassis were built by Renault, Ltd., and the bodies, which were constructed entirely of metal, by the Coropagnie des Tramways de la Venda.. The vehicles are arranged each to seat 35 passengers, and on trial they covered a distance of 42 kiloms. at an average speed of 35 kiloms, 'per hour, in spite of the fact that several steep gradients had to be negotiated. The vehicles proved most steady, and it was noted that they took acute curves particularly well.

B.A.T. Traffic Receipts. During the month of November traffic receipts on the passenger vehicles run by the British Automobile Traction Co.'s group amounted to £85,357, the total for the 47 weeks to November 5th being £1,299,617, a figure which shows an increase of £92,258, as compared with the corresponding period of last year,

Bridges and Modern Traffic • Requirements. .

Modern traffic appears to be impos-. ing severe stress on many bridges which were constructed at a time when it was difficult to make an accurate prediction of the development and use of mechanical vehicles.

The other week the London County Council lep-orted, when it was discussing the scheme to rebuild old Vauxhall Bridge, that Westminster Bridge might have to be strengthened if traffic increased. Now the trams are restricted to -a speed of six miles an hour when

crossing the bridge. "

The L.C.C: now reports that a settlement has been -noticed in the pier on the Lambeth side of the centre arch of Waterloo Bridge and, having regard to this fact and also tcr modern conditions of traffic and to the extent to which the bridge is used, advice should he obtained

as to the condition of the bridge. It has accordingly arranged for Mr. Basil Mott, C.B., M.Inst.C.E., to inspect, and advise upon the matter. The design of the bridge is such that the erection of 'the necessary stagings to admit of thorough investigation of the structure .is a matter of some difficulty.

' London Passenger Traffic Facts.

Under the title " Messages for the Month," the Underground authorities have recently issued a. little pamphletwhich contains many facts and figures relating to passenger transport in the Metropolis. Amongst the illuminating information which is given, we notice that reference is made to the fact that the group owns 48 garages, and at present runs 4.200 motorbuses. There are roughly 200 motorbus routes, forming a regular and reliable network of services in the Metropolis. Many other facts are contained in the pamphlet. .

A Much Needed Bridge in Scotland.

The completion of the handsome new bridge over the River Coe joins up the Ballachulish-Kinlochleven roads. Built of reinforced concrete 9n the Hennebique principle, the bridge is 180 ft. in length, has four spans of 45 ft. each, and has a carriageway 28 ft. wide.

Ballachulish and Kinlochleven are 18 miles apart, and the road throughout the whole distance is modern and well formed. It is stated that a fleet of motorbuses is shortly to start plying on this route, and arrangements are being made for the conveyance of goods by motor lorries from the railway ter. minus at Ballachulish instead of being sent by water to the pier at Kinloch more.

The next issue of this journal, dated Christmas Day, will be on sale on Monday, December 24th. We are requested by the business .department to Say that advertisements for the issue in question should reach the manager by Wednesday, the 19th instant.

The Christmas Number of The Commercial Motor will be found to be extremely interesting.

Joint Road Schemes.

The Aberdare and Mountain eAsh Urban District Councils have reached an agreement for the joint acquisition of the old Aberdare Canal. The purchase price is approximately 22,400, but between 240,000 and 250,000 will be expended by the councils in the construction of a new road from Abereynon old lock to Town Hall, Meuntain Ash, alongside the canal, and in improving the present main road, which runs from Abercynon into the Aberdare Valley, on the Llanwonne side of the valley. The Cwmbach (Aberdare)-Mounta,in Aeh road is also to be improved.

Motor Spirit From Sulphite Lye.

A new motor spirit, known as bentyl, has been tested in Sweden and found satisfactory. This fuel is composed. of 80 per cent. of sulphite spirit, distilled from the sulphite lye from wood-pulp mills, and 20 per cent, of benzole. The wood-pulp industry is a very important one in Sweden, and it, is estimated that about 20,000,000 litres of 100 per cent. alcohol can be obtained from the lye that has hitherto been allowed to run to waste every year. It is probable that this new spirit will go a long way towards making the country independent of imported fuel, for its selling price is expected to be considerably lower than that of petrol.

Bus Routes From Bolton

At a meeting of the Bolton Watch Committee a letter was received from the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd:, stating that the company were desirous of running the following new omnibus routes out of Bolton and a.pplying for the permission of this committee to do so :— 1. Bolton to Blackburn via Bradshaw, Egerton and Damen.

2. Bolton to Burnley via Bradshaw, Waives, Holcombe Brook, Ramsbottom and Raw tenstall.

3. Bolton to Belmont via A stley Bridge.

4. 'Bolton to Rochdale via, Ainsworth, Elton and Bury. 5. Bolton to PaAleliffe via Little Lever. Consideration of the letter was deferred.

Isle of Thanet Passenger Transport.

The report of the directors ef the Isle of Thanet Electric Tramways and Lighting Co., Ltd., for the year ended September 30th shows that the total receipts on the company's omnibuses and tramcars have been 273,131, as against 272,525 for the previous year. The total receipts for the year amounted to 2119,973, which shows an increase as compared with the previous 12 months of 27,411. The total expenses charged against revenun amounted to .273,312, the balance of profit carried to the appropriation account being 246,661, as against 241;814 for the period covered by the previous year's report. The balance standing to the credit of revenue account is 240,611, and this amount is to be disposed of by crediting the reserve account with 210,000 (increasing this fund to 240,000), by adding 210,000 to the permanent way reserve account, by adding £5,000 to the rolling-stock reserve, and by writing off 22,500 from the cost of motor vehicles. After these appropriations have been made a balance of £13,111 remains. From this sum the directors recommend a further dividend on the preference theses, which will absorb 25,625 out of the profits of the past year, leaving 27,486 to he carried forward.

Under the heading " motorbuses " on the debit side of the revenue account

we notice that the following expenses have been incurred :—Oil, petrol and grease, 22,510; insurance and licences, £501; wages, 24,810; running experoses, etc., 21,075 ; structural repairs, 2103, making a total of 28,999„

Speed Limiting by Conference.

At a meeting of the Oxford Watch Committee it was reported that objections to the oeuncil'e application for the extension of the I0-mile speed limit had been received, and that the Ministry of Transpert, suggested that, in the event of _objections to the application, a conference should be arranged with the objecting parties for the purpose of ascertaining whether any agreement can be reached.

Personal Pars.

Chief Constable Arthur Bassotn, of the Public Carriage Department of New Scotland Yard, the man who has done so much to safeguard the interests of the publio ever since the motorbus and motorcab began to cater for public travel convenience in the Metrozilis, has been appointed Director of Iransport Services for London, with the temporary rank indicated. The poet is a new one, and is rendered necessary by the growing volume of traffic and the need for close personal consideration of the beet means for relieving the 'congestion of the streets. Mr. Bassom has studied, transport from all angles and has had the advantage of discussing its control with officials from the great cities of the United States of America, where the problem is even more acute than in London. A great opportunity lies before the new Director, for there has been a perceptible slowing down of traffic in the streets since the war.

We include on this page a reproduction of a portrait of Mr. H. }V. Jonkhoff, who is at present residing at Semarang, Java,

Mr. jonkhoff is' an eminent motor engineer who is -widely travelled and has obtained very comprehensive ideas . of the various problems connected with the wear of roads and the vehicles most suitable for transport work on them in different parts of the world. -Ire has made use of his knowledge in designing some particularly interesting types of vehicle, which he names tractor-trains. We dear with these in an informative and exhaustive article which is contained in this issue.

Tyre Press Longevity.

Hollings and Guest, Ltd., the established tyre press manufacturers of Birmingham, have just received a letter from the Ortona Motor. Co., Ltd. {who run a number of motorbus services), from which the following is an extract

• . . We should like to take this opportunity of stating that the press has given us entire satisfaction and has never failed us once, and in spite of its age it is still in thorough good working order."

The press referred -to is the standard hydraulic model which was supplied to the company some. 14 yearsago.

Indignant Taxi-drivers.

.1Vortkiing Corporation has received objections to the proposed ha.ckneycarriage by-laws as follow :—

From 2.8 licensed owner-drivers and eight lieensed drivers objecting to the clause compelling the use of taximeters, and from the Worthing Taxi-Cab Assoeiation to the same effect.

From the Worthing Taxi-Cab Associa, tion objecting to the proposal to compel drivers to wear badges, with the numbers of their licences, and also objecting to the proposal to fix -the rates for the hire of vehicles by tirrie.

These objections have been lodged with the Itinistry of Health, which is• now considering the question of.the

cn

firmationi of the by-laws.

. .

The Swedish Government has rejected the request for State loans for the purpose of organizing trials with petrol,. iriven coaches on certain private rail.

Austin Report.

The report of the directors of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., for the nine months ended September 30th reveals a gross trading prolit, including discounts and interest received, of £381,640, to which must be added, reserves on hand at December 31st, 1922, amounting to £29,125.. After deducting certain charges as shown in the profit and loss aAni.oniat, chief amongst thee items being

maintenance of buildings, plant, fittings., etc., amounting to £108,222, a credit balance of £205,459 remains. A total reduction of £298,000. is Shown on the first, second and third debentures aid on the mortgage on the Longbridge estate. After providing for this reduction the cash in hand at the bank on November 30th amounted to £154,391

In the report it is stated that the company's productions continue to grow in Savour, the sales from September 30th of this year being in excess of the programme laid_ down. It is further stated that the whole of the projected output for 1923-1924 has been contracted for by the company's distributors and dealers.

A Seasonal Gift.

The Pyrene fire-extinguisher is put up in a form which renders it asuitable seasonal 'gift. An example of the ex. tinguisher is packed in a 'special carton, which is handsoniely lithhgraphed in c&ours, and bears the message; t I come as a token of goodwill:—a talisman of safety.':' The actual extinguisher can he obtained in nickel plate. or finished iri oxidized copper, and put up as a Christmas gift, is being sold at £3. It can be obtained from all the principal motor agents in the country, who are malting special displays of the extinguisher.

The Source.of Power 4C0 Years Hence.

" The wonders of science, if we may believe the daily Press, will never cease. The Dotity Mail picks out a sentence or two from Mr. J. B. S. Haldane's little work Dsedalus " (which we, ourselves, confess not vet to have seen), in which the power question 400 years hence is to he solved in this manner

" England Will he Covered with rows of metallic windmills working electrical motors, which in their turn supply current at a very high voltage in. great electric mains. The power will be used to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen, which will, in periods of calm, be recombined in explosion motors working dynamos which produce elec trical energy." • Has our distinguished biologist been misquoted? If not, why " metallic " windmills and why should they work " motors" instead of dynamos to supply current? We sincerely trust that the energy losses in the conversion and reconversion of water have been fully taken into account. If not, perhaps the loss could be made good by using the exhaust gases from the explosion motors to drive the idle windmills in their Moe long rows . The Marshall Steam Tractor.

In a paragraph debling with the exhibits" staged by Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd., of Gainsborough, at the Roads and Transport Congress and Exhibition held recently at the 'Agricultural Hall, we stated in connection with the cornpound steam tractor that "the gear chains which transmit the power run in oil baths," This might have suggested that, the tractor is chain-driven. We take this opportunity for removing such doubt and of pointing out that the Ma.rshall tractor is driven by machinecut spur gears.

Demonstrating the Autohorse

An interesting demonstration of the capabilities of the Autohorse was held last week by Autohorse, Ltd., 16, Brown's Buildings, 'Exchange Street West, Liverpool, before some of the chief officials of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. at Broad Street Goods Station, London, E.C.

The idea of the test was to show the manoeuvring abilities of the machine when taking the place of the horse for drawing and backing into position an ordinary vehicle primarily designed for use with horses. An illustration of the machine attached to a wagon is included on this page. It will be noted that the shafts are supported on special brackets. and that when in position only a single driving wheel of the Autohorse touches the ground, the two auxiliary wheels being lifted clear. •

A 'Foam" Fire-engine.

The London County Council Fire Brigade Committee reporta that, experiments having been carried out with various 'froth" (foam) extincteurs, it is satisfied that the tithe has arrived when the fire-brigade equipment should include an appliance for carrying " foam " in bulk for dealing with large .petrol, oil and electric fires. It is accordingly proposed that a sumof £1,500 should be included in the estimates for 1924-25 for the purchase of a petrol-driven wagon to be specially adapted and equipped for carrying "foam" in bulk.

Freedom from Accidents Competition.

With the object of reducing the number of traffic accidents -which occur in the Greater 'London area, the London "Safety First" Council hai again instituted a "Freedom from Accidents" competition for drivers for the approaciting year.. As perhaps is generallf known, the object of the competition is to encourage, by way of the award of money prizes, badges of. merit and diplomas, drivers of all classes of road vehicles to exercise every care and "discretion in the performance of their dutiea, and there is little question that since the competition was instituted it has" clone much to influence drivers: to exhibit caution, Three hundred arid fifty badges of merit are offered to drivers whose accident records, in the opinion of the. council, 'merit such awards, and, in addition,. prizes of 10s. will be awarded to 100 of these drivers.

U.A.S. Report.

The annual report of the directors of United Automobile Services, Ltd., for the year ended September 30th shows that the operations of the company during the year have been marked with success, both omnibus and sales departments showing satisfactory returns.

A gross profit of £77,185 has been made, and from this sum depreciation arid various items amounting to £41,760 have been written off. This leaves as net profit the sum of £35,525, being at the rate of 16 per eent, on the paid-up capital of the company. From this sum requires to be deducted £24,538 representing a debit balance carded forward in the accounts of last year, after which there still remains a balance of £10,988. After a dividend at the rate of 24 per cent, per annum, free of tax, has been paid a balance of £5,478 remains to be carried forward.

The accounts show clearly the conservative financial policy pursued by the company's directors, further evidence of which is given by the large sums written off by way of depreciation during the past few years, these being as follow :— 1920, £12,728; 1921, £20,866, 1922, £24,219; 1923, £31,055.

It is satisfactory to note that during the past year passenger traffic has considerably increased and, in order to meet this contingency, the fleet of vehicles has been ' augmented, the new buses being of an improved type with bodies built in the company's coachbuilding works at Lowestoft..

An Old-es!ablished Company Change Their Title.

We are informed that the business of the Oxford Steam Plough Co., Ltd., has developed in so many directions that the company feel that the present title, which has been held for a period of 55 years, is somewhat misleading. It has, therefore, been decided that after January 1st, 1924, the company shall be known as John Allen and Sons (Oxford), Ltd.

The change is purely a nominal one and will result in no alteration being made in the ownership, management or policy of the company. Their present activities, as is well known to many of our readers, consist of general engineer.lag and boiler making. The company specialize in repairs to road rollers, tractors, steam wagons, etc., and are the patentees and sole manufacturers of Allen scarifiers. Certain departments of the company are concerned in a large way with the hiring out of road rollers and hauling plant, as well as steaniploughing tackle.

A Progressive Midland Passenger carrying Undertaking.

W. T. Underwood, Ltd., who run a. number of motor omnibus services from, their_ headquarters at, Clowne, Derby. shire, have recently issued a report of the company's working for • the year. ended September 30th. This shows that • the past year's working has resulted in a net profit of. £4,475 }wing made, out of which the directors have arranged for an allocation of £1,097 for the payment of a dividend ae'the_rate of 15 per eerit. per annum les& income-tax, the placing of £1,713 to the reserve fund (bringing this to a total of £2,060), the remaining balance, i.e., .£1,665, being carried forward.

The results are considered most satisfactory, and the fact that, the company!s buses have carried a. greatly increased number of passengers during the year as compared with the previous year is evidence that the vehicles are providing much-needed transport facilities: The parcel-carrying side of the company s business has also been developed in a satisfactory manner. The rates which are charged for parcels are said to be most, advantageous to traders, being, as they are, considerably lower than those charged by the railways or by the poet office authorities. • The condition of the company's vehicles is considered most efficient, but, with their enlarged fleet steps are now being taken to increase the repair shop accommodation, and additional facilities. will become available early next year. The directors point with satisfaction to the close working association which the company have with United Automobile Services, Ltd.

Ownership Preferred. ( Maidstone Town Council has placed orders for motorbuses with TillingStevens, Ltd., having decided to supply

and run its own buses rather than make, as was originally proposed, a hiring arrangement. with the Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd.

Substituting Old Buses.

The management of the Valleys Motor Bus Co.. have informed the Tredegar Urban District Council that the recent complaints made by the council anent dirty buses have been investigated and steps taken to remove any causes for grievance. The company stated that in was their intention to put az new bus on the road immediately in place of a.c old vehicle now in service, and to continue this policy until all the older buses have been removed from the road.

Free Travel her the Blind.

On receiving a report that several blind persons were accustomed to use ' the buses it runs, the Caerphilly Urban District. Council has decided to allow all persons so afflicted to travel free of any charge.

The Life of Giant Pneumatics.

In the latest copy of the "Goodyear News," which is an informative little pamphlet issued monthly by the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. • (Great Britain), Ltd., 162, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.C., there are some interesting figures relative to the mileages obtained from giant pneumatic tyres.

We know that there has been some doubt in the minds of certain lasers as to the durability of large-size pneumatic tyres, and we feel that all qualms in this direction will be rapidly dispelled if the figures which are given by the Goodyear Co. are closely perused. It is, perhaps, agreed that a single' tyre •maycgive a phenomenally large mileage, but the Goodyear figures relate to as many as 100 tyres of this description which were fitted on the wheels of buses owned and operated by the United Automobile Services, Ltd., of Lowest-oft, one of'thu largest provincial concerns operating motorbuees.

This company's vehicles have been operating consistently on Goodyear-giant pneumatics in different parts of the country and over all types of road sur faces. We see that 100 tyres have

covered a 'distance equal to 1,825,867.4 miles, an average mileage per. tyre of 18,258.67. These are remarkable figures in themselves, but how they are likely to be increased in certain instances it is hard to say, since 53 tyres are still in service. In another case 21 Goodyear giant pneumatics have given a total mileage of 519,512.1, equal to 24,738.61 miles per tyre. In the case of these tyres nineare still in use on' the company's buses, Who Gets the Money from Fines?

At. a meeting of the Glamorgan Standing Joint Committee attention was called to what, was considered a legal anomaly. It was stated that in cases, proved before the magistrates, of motor vehicle drivers endangering the public by driving at excessive speeds, the costs of the prosecution fell upon the county, whilst the money received from fines -went to the Treasury'. It was reselved to call the attention of the cOunty council to the point. . Local Proceedings,

Hull Corporation records a loss equivalent to 7.87d. per bus-mile on the allnight bus service.

Xendat Corporation has decided that in future no vehicle exceeding one ton in weight be allowed to enter the market hall.

Gloucester City Council is negotiating with surrounding. authorities regarding the provision of a motor fire-engine for

jeitit use • Widnes Town Council has consented to the running by the St. Helens Corporation of trolley vehieles along roads in Rainhill.

Hull City Engineer recommends the works committee to purchase a Super Sentinel three-way tipping wagon at a cost of £850.

Ossett Town Council has appointed a sub-committee to consider and report on the question of motor haulage for the highways department.

Birkenhead Corporation Tramways Committee has decided to purchase six additional motor omnibuses at an estimated cost of £7,800.

Wiga,n Corporation has poStponed for the present consideration of a proposal of the tramways committee to purchase a. 20-seater one-man-controlled motor omnibus.

Whiston Rural District Council has abandoned its claim in respect of the' adaptation of roads over which the St. Helens Corporation proposes to run motor omnibuses.

• The Wakefield Tradesmen's Association has urged a speed limit of 15 miles an hour through the city in /order to Mitigate the nuisanoe of thud-splashing by motor vehicles.

-Bolton Corporation Tramways Committee considers that a btra service should be started to Great Lever and has asked a sub-committee to inspect various types of motorbuses.

Walsall Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted the quotation, the lowest, of the Municipal Mutual Insurance, Ltd., for the tramway and motor omnibus third-party insurance.

Subject to the consent of the Bebington and Bromborough Urban District Council, the Birkenhead Corporation proposes to run a service of motorbuses between Charing Cross and Fort Sun Hull Corporation TraMWayS Committee -has authorized "the purchase of two Guy one-man-type buses 'at 2975 each and agreed to give, a trial to a ' Volcan bus of the same type, priced at 2825. • St. Helens Corporation Tramways Committee has decided to put on a twohour service of motorbuses to Billinge and Rainforcl and decided to purchase an additional motorbus at a cost of about 21,000.

Bolton Corporation Electricity Committee has accepted the tenders of Messrs. W. Bradley for the supply of' a 4-ton petrol Parry, and of the Grosvenor Motor Co. for the supply of a 10-cart: Overland van.

Birkenhead Corporation has appointed a special committee to consider an application from the Crosvilie Motor Co., Ltd., for permission to run motor omnibus services into and through the borough.

1324 Doncaster Town Council is seeking permission to borrow £15,000 for the purchase of motor omnibuses.

The Ministry of Transport has sanctioned the borrowing by the Caerphilly Urban District Council of 22,500 to be expended on additions to its motorbus fleet.

Bolton Corporation has arranged to provide a new system for the supply of water to steam wagons in place of the present system of supply from standposts

Having had demonstrationa with motor gully-emptying machines, the works committee a the East Ham Corporation cannot recommend the purchase of any such machines.

Bradford Corporation Tramways Committee recommends the purchaae of another Ford van so that the parcels department can dispense entirely with the hiring of horse-drawn vehicles.

Hull Watch Committee has refused to grant an application from Riley's Dairies, Ltd., to run a motorbus service on a circular route from Hull.to Ardaby, Willerby and Cottiugham.

A.G.V. Booklet.'

• 'The General Vehicle Co., Ltd., 43, Shoe Lane, Holborn Circus, •London, B.C., have just issued a booklet dealing with the applica,tion of electricity to modeni transportoproblerns. The ostensible purpose of the booklet is; of course, to Raw attention to G.V. battery-pro

pelled vehicles. ••

It is as well to mention that the Genersd Vehiole Co. was formed in 1900 at a time when the electric vehicle was quite an innovation, and that, as the industry ha S progressed, the company have made remarkable advances. It can • be understood therefore, that the experience of .years is behind the design and .construction of present-day. G.V.

models. •

National Omnibus Report.

' The report of the directiaos of the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd., for the year ended October 31st shows that, after providing for depreciation on rolling stock, a prorit of 216,749 remains, to which must be ridded a sum of 219,856 brought forward from the previous year and a sum of 24,800 set aside for taxation and not now required, bringing the available

sum to 241,405.' •

The directors propose to utilize this sum in writing down the assets of the company, and to consider the matter an extraordinary general meeting ha a been calied for December 20th. A resolutioa to write down the value of the shares of the company from 21 to 13s. 4d. will then be considered, as wilt a proposal to consolidate and subdivide each three shares so written down into two-shares of 21 each, the effect of the transaction -ultimately being that the shareholders will in future hold two 21 shares for each three shares now held, It is also proposed to devote the credit balance of £40,405 thus.—To reduce the amount at which the rolling-stock stands in the books from 2133,612 to 279,139, to write off the realized loss on the steam assets amounting to £59,603, and to write off froth the freehold aual leasehold lands and buildings £13,16,5.

'When this has been done, the items in the balance -sheet will, in the opinion of the company's directors, represent the assets at their present value, and the prospect of paying a dividenti in the near future will be very considerably improved.

• The MidgIey. Car Lighting. Co., Ltd., of . Oceanic House, la, Cockspur 'Street, London, S.W.1, have just issued a useful instruction book relating to their new starting and lighting sat.. Copies of this book can he obtained by readers of this journal on application to the address give's.


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