WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"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 runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
The New Kelvin Hall.
When II.M. the King was at Glasgow, on Tuesday of last week, he declared open the new Kelvin Hall, in the vicinity of the West End Park, which is now by far the largest and most up-to-date building of its kind to the north of the Border. Its ;nein purpose is Ps provide a venue for public exhibitions, organized on an extensive scale, and it replaces a former structure which occupied the same site and was destroyed by fire three years ago. The edifice now completed has very large accommodation. It is designed to meet every demand likely to be made upon its space—at least, for many years to come—and;" as a result of its construction, the Scottish Motor Show will this year once again be held in Glasgow, the actual period being from November 4th to 12th.
Result of a Merthyr Appeal.
At a meeting of the Merthyr Watch Committee a letter was read from the Ministry of Transport, stating that it had had under consideration the following appeals of Mr. A. J. Wilkins (trading as the Aberdare Motor Services) :—(1) Against the decision of the corporation to refuse to grant licences for six vehicles to augment the existing services between Aberdare, 'Merthyr Tydfil and Brecon, and (2) against the decision' of the corporation to grant licencesfor six vehicles to ply for hire between Merthyr Tydfil and Glyn-Neath.
The: Ministry stated that it had decided not to make an Order so far as the first appeal is concerned, but had made an Order requiring the corporation to grant licences for the vehicles to ply for hire between Merthyr and Glyn-Neath, subject to the applicants giving to the corporation an undertaking not to ply for hire within the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil, except in the maintenance of a regular service between Merthyr-Tydfil turd Glyn-Neath, the licencees to submit time-tables and fare schedules for the approval of the .corporation. The Ministry stipulated that licences to be issued in pursuance of the Order shall remain in force for a period of one year from the data of issue.
Urban District Councils and the Draft Road Traffic Bill.
The recent conference of the Urban District Councils Association, held at Folkestone, adopted a resolution put forward by the representatives of the Mynyddislwyn (Mon.) Urban District Council for amendment of the proposals contained in the draft Road Traffic Bill anent bus-service licensing The resolution adopted was that the suggestei divestment of local authorities in areas having a population under 20,000 of their licensing powers and the substitution of licensing by county council
be opposed. A suggestion is to be placed before the Ministry of Transport under which these local authorities retain their-powers. This is to the effect that urban district councils and specially empowered rural district
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councils in areas with a population below 20,000 be banded together to form area committees for licensing, thus ensuring control over purely local services and, at the same time, enabling the co-ordination of through services to be effected and the licensing of longdistance services to be administered from the broader standpoint.
In nearly all parts of the country local authorities have set up joint advisory committees on liceneflng. The limiting of-the activities of such committees to an advisory capacity, their decisions being put into force by the constituent authority in the area of which the proposed service is to run,
is at present legally necessary. The proPosal of the Urban District Councils .Association is that the powers of the individual authority be transferred by statute to the joint committees.
There is one point of importance to private owners that is emphasized in this decision. It transpired that some authorities in areas of under 20,000 population are bus owners. Thus, it is made clear that the Ministry of Transport and the Government do not insist on bus-owning authorities retaining licensing powers.
As a rule New Zealand is extremely patriotic, but a British manufacturer draws our attention to the fact that there is one New Zealand municipality which holds an agency for an American electric vehicle and which refuses to charge the battery of any vehicle belonging to any concern or individual which is equipped with a battery of any other make.
Goodyear's British Factory.
It was officially announced one day last week that the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co., of America, is to wandfacture tyres, tubes and other rubber products in England. Mr. Charles A. Stillman, vice-president of the American company, has been in this country for several weeks in connection with the organization of the Goodyear Tyro and Rubber Co. (of Great Britain, 1927), Ltd. The Britieh company has just acquired a large factory site of about 22 acres at Wolverhampton, and it is expected that the plant will be In active operation by the end of this year, or early in 1928. Mr. Stillman has stated that the new plant will have a capacity of 2,000 tyres and 2,000 tubes per day. Some idea of the ramifications of the Goodyear Co. can be gathered from the fact that it has manufacturing plants in Akron, Ohio, Los Angeles, California, Bowmanville and Toronto, Canada, and Sydney, Australia.
The "C.M." at the Advertising Exhibition.
Tire Commercial Motor, together with other journals • published by Temple Press Ltd., is being exhibited at Olympia this week on the occasion of the Advertising Exhibition and Convention, which is really the first purely British venture in this direction.
A Steam-wagon Expert Free.
We know of a very competent designer of steam wagons who is desirous of securing a new appointment. He has had altogether 25 years' experience in the heavy vehicle industry, having for four years operated a big fleet of steam and petrol wagons. He is responsible for the design of one of the latest steam wagons which has gained a reimitation for efficiency and economy, and he has for the past 34 years superintended the production of the model. We have known him personally for many years and can with confidence recommend him for consideration. Letters addressed 11.5.W., care of the Editor of this journal, will be forwarded to the proper quarter.
Protesting Against a Ministry Finding.
We gave details in our last week's issue of the findings of the. Ministry of Transport in a case in which the Darlington Corporation and the United Automobile Services, Ltd., were volved. We now learn that the general purposes committee of the corporation has decided th send a resolution of protest against the terms of the findings, although, in the meantime, licences are being issued in conformitY with the rulings of the Ministry.
Big Associated Daimler Orders.
A number of important orders has recently b,een received by the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., particularly for passenger models. A large percentage of these orders As in the nature of repeats. Amongst them can he men tinned one from the East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., fel. 50 Model 416A buses, another for a similar number of double-deckers for the Birmingham Corporation, and a third for 48 Model 416A bus chassis for shipment to South America. The Belfast Omnibus Co., Ltd., is buying 30 buses, 24 being of the last-mentioned pattern and six of Model 417A. The Manchester Corporation, the National Omnibns Co., Ltd., and the Shanghai Eleetric Cobstruetion Co., Ltd., have each ordered 15 machines; those for the last-named concern being Model 603 trolley-bus chassis,
Lorries Wanted for the Argentine.
The Department of Navigation and Ports of the Argentine Ministry of Public Works is in the market for two motor lorries of from 40-45 h.p. to
carry 5-ton loads. British manufacturers-who are interested in the matter can obtain further particulars from the Department of Overseas Trade, 3.5, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, quoting reference A.X.4854. Tenders have to reach Buenos Aires on or before August 18th.
Good profits on Eastbourne's Buses The Eastbourne Corporation runs a large fleet of Leyland buses, and the operation of the vehicles for the year ended March 31st last reveals a net profit, after paying all loan charges, etc., of £4.743. Although this sum is roughly £1,000 below the profit made in the previous year, it must be considered highly satisfactory. There was a decrease of .56 in the number of passengers carried per bus-mile, and the total income per bus-mile was re dueed by .42d., althongh the expenditure per., bus-mile was 'practically the same as that incurred in the previous 12 months.
The Chevrolet Single Horsebox.
In our report of the Royal Show at Newport WE gave brief details of the Curtis single horsebox mounted on an example of the 25-cwt. Chevrolet
chassis. We referred to this njachine as having back and side ramps operated by winch and cable, but General Motors, Ltd., Edg,Ware Road, London, N.W.9, now informs us that this method has been superseded, and both side and back ramps are operated by spring balance control,
A Change of Address.
In order to cope with the increasing demand for Pubbolite patent unbreakable rubber tail lamps, Flexible Lamps, Ltd., has removed to new premises at Albion Rouse, 59, New Oxford Street, London, W.C.1.
The Powers of a Licensing Authority.
At a meeting of the Merthyr Watch Committee a letter was read from Messrs. Marchant and Jones, solicitors, stating that their clients, the Aberdare Motor Service, protested against thr( conditions proposed by the corporation regarding hours and wages as unreason able, and contended that the imposition of such conditions is outside the jurisdiction of the licensing authority. The letter further stated that the company was taking the necessary steps to appeal to the Ministry of Transport.
Peruvian Trials of Military Motors.
We learn by the last mail from Lima that the trials of motor lorries and tractors which were to have been held during June last by the Peruvian Government, with the object of deciding on the type to be purchased for the Army, have been postponed until August 16th next.
Granite Haulage by Leylands.
We have often had occasion to refer to the good work which Leyland vehicles ere doing in various parts of the world, and a further instance of the satisfaction which vehicles of this make are giving abroad is to be found in the case of a fleet of lorries in service in Victoria, British Columbia. Five 2i-tonners fitted with tipping bodies are at the present time kept actively employed in this part of the world in carrying granite blocks from the harbour at Victoria to the site of the new Christchurch Cathedral in the city.
The granite arrives by scow from tz.n island situated near the coast of Vancouver Island. The blocks are then lifted from the vessel into the bodies of the Leyland lorries (which, it should be mentioned, are operated by Woods Hydraulic Hoists) and transported a distance of three-quarters of a mile.
The average weight of each block is above the rated capacity of the vehicles, and the task which faces the lorries can be gathered from the fact that the total amount of granite to be transported to the cathedral site approximates 6,000 tons.. The vehicles are owned by Messrs. Johnson Bras., of Victoria, and some incidents in connection with the work are shown in illustrations on this page.
Allen-Liversidge Report,
The report of Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., for the year ended April 30th last shows a net profit amounting to /58,958, and to this sum has to be added £6,863 brought forward from the previous year. Of the total amount /17,428 has been accounted for by certain outgoings, including a reserve of £16,000 against patents, development and goodwill account, .thus leaving a balance of £48,393. An interim dividend on the ordinary shares absorbed £15,000, and, as mentioned in our last week's issue, a final dividend on these shares (making 10 per cent, for the year) will absorb a similar amount. These amounts, plus a preference dividend which accounted for £11,375, absorb 141,375, so that a sum of £7,018 remains to be carried forward.
Hiring Steam Wagons.
Glasgow Corporation has accepted offers for the supply of steam wagons, in connection with the cartage work of the Statute Labour Department, made by Aitken Thomson and Sons, Ltd., mineral station, Pollokshavrs, and Messrs. John Macdonald and Co., haulage contractors, Scotstoun at the rate of £3 1.5s. per day in cad; case.
Seeking Joint Action.
Burnley Town Council has referred back to the watch committee a rejected suggestion from the Padiham Urban District Council that a joint committee. of local authorities should confer on the subject of motorbus services. Alderman Thornber said that the Government would sooner or later insist on representatives of local authorities working together on this matter. The chairman of the watch committee drew attention to the fact that outside authorities had troubles from which Burnley was free and they did not see the necessity for the appointment of a joint committee. The reference back was carried.
Irish Free State Imports.
No fewer than 81 commercial vehicles valued at £25,106 were imported into the Irish Free State during May last, as compared with 22 (£14,318) in the corresponding month of 1926. The aggregate imports during _ the first five months of the present year are officially returned at 322 vehicles (£70.077), as contrasted with 104 (£39,786) In a, similar period a year ago. Trailer Components Wanted.
An advertisement appears this week in our columns under the heading of "Quotations for Supplies," which should prove of unusual interest to certain manufacturers in this country. A large Indian firm requires a c.i.f, quotation for solid-tyred wheels and axles suitable for trailers up to five tons capacity. Tenders for drawbar hitches for trailers for use with Pordson tractors are also invited.
Salford Bus Proposals.
At a meeting of the Stretford Urban District Council the clerk presented a report upon the proceedings of the opposition of local authorities against the Salford Corporation Bill before the Select Committee of the House of Lords. The committee held that the
preamble of the Bill was proved, the effect being that the Salford Corporation is empowered by the First House to run omnibuses along any route without the city, extending to a distance not exceeding five miles from the city boundary, with the consent of the Ministry of Transport and the local authorities concerned. The Ministry of Transport has the power to say whether the consent of the local authority has been unreasonably withheld.
The Salford Corporation is also empowered to make agreements for cooperating and interchanging traffic with the Manchester Corporation and three other omnibus operators on any route extending beyond the distance of five miles.
Tractors for Canal Boat Haulage.
Motor tractors are now being used for the haulage of the canal boats on the River Scarpe between Douai and Arras, France, a distance of about 14 miles. A similar system of haulage has also been adopted on the canal between Antwerp and Sineermaas.
Encouraging Clean Taxis.
A novel event was included in the annual automobile meeting held at Dieppe from July 9th-11th—that of a prize competition for the best-kept local taxicab.
Official Orders for May.
A number of orders for motor , vehicles was given out (hiring May last by Government Departments, amongst them being the following :—By the Crown Agents for the Colonies, one for motor road rollers divided between Barford and Perkins, Ltd., and Aveling and Porter, Ltd., and another . for lorries divided between Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Karrier Motors, Ltd., and John I. Thornyeraft, Ltd. The War Office placed an order for sixwheeled Vehicles with Morris Cornmercial Cars. • Ltd., another for multiwheeled vehicles with Armstrong Siddeley Motors, Ltd., one for Ford vehicles with A. E. Gould, Ltd.,and fourth for I.3urford-Kegresse chassis with H. G. Burford and Co., Ltd. The Air Ministry placed a contract for a number of vehicle's with Morris Commercial Cars,. Ltd.„ and the G.P.O.
authorities one for light van -chassis with Morris Motors (1926), Ltd., and another for vans with W. Harold Perry, Ltd., and Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.
Peugeot Van Prices.
Peugeot (England), Ltd. 78-80. Brompton Road, London, S.W.3, announces a reduction in the price of the 13-35 h.p. 12-cwt. British-built • van, which is now listed at 1245 instead of 1275. The price of the 7-12 h.p. 5-cwt. van remains at 1175. These vehicles are particularly useful for tradesmen who have to deal with Comparatively light loads. The tax on the larger vehicle is 116, and on the smaller van 110 per annum.
Bus Licences—on 'Conditions.
Following the appeal to the Ministry of Transport by Messrs. J. E. Loynds sod Co. (Darwen) to run motorbus services between Blackburn and Bolton, via Lower Darwen, Blackburn Town Council Ims agreed to license the buses on condition that the corporation has the right to alter the time-table as well as the stopping places of such omMbuses, and that passengers are not picked up or set down so as to prejudice the corporation tram services.
The Boyce Moto-meter.
" What the Driver Should See" is the title of a booklet which has recently been issued by Benjamin Electric, Ltd., Brantwood Works, Tottenham, London, N. It deals with the use and application of the Boyce Moto-meter—an engine temperature registering device— and contains information on the value of this instrument. The matter it contains shows how to aiMreciate the dif-.
ferenee between the various means of informing the driver whether the engine of his vehicle is working at the right temperature. A copy of the booklet can be obtained from the company at the address we have given.
A London Cab Requirement.
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has notified the Motor Cab Trade Protection Society that by August 1st next all cabs presented for relimisines must have their taximeters readjusted to record the reduced scale of fares which came into operation on April 25th last. •
More Motors in Sweden.
Statistics show that the total number of motor vehicles in Sweden at the beginning of 1927 was 94,848 (of which 70,485 were passenger cars and the IT
minder motor lorries) compared with 79.608 at the beginning of 1926 and 3,795 at the beginning of 1917. At the beginning of 1927 motorbuses numbered 1,569 compared with 1,283 at the beginning of the previous year. Of the total number of motor lorries about 4,000 are in use in Stockholm.
Trolley-bus Developments at Wolverhampton.
As was shown in our reeent analysis of municipal bus services, Wolverhampton Corporation uses a number of trolley-buses, and vehicles of this type are being used in connection with a new development of its transport services. A through route has just been inaugurated between Wolverhampton and Dudley, the Service being maintained by six double-deck trolley-buses of the sixwheeled type. The inaugural run was recently undertaken, when representas tives from Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sedgley, Coseley and Willenhalt Councils participated. . A New Bus-ticket System.
A new system of payment of omnibus fares is shortly to be tried in Paris by the municipal omnibus concern; the T.C.R.P. Books of tickets will be issued, each book containing 20 tickets costing 25 centimes each. These books will be obtainable, like postage stamps and other official stationery, at tobacconists. Two of the 25 centime tickets will be required for one section (2m1 class) and three for one section (1st class). Passengers who have not provided themselves with books of tickets will be charged 5 centimes more for each ticket which is issued to them by the conductor.
The T.C.R.P. estimates that the new system will enable it to effect a big saving annually. Whether or not this hope is realized the system should make a strong appeal to English and American visitors to Paris.
A Special Star Ambulance.
A special ambulance has been supplied • to the Sheffield Hospital Council by the local Star agent--Mr. G. W. Sharpe of Sheffield. The chassis used is the 2.0,50 h.p. long-type Star, which, with a six-cylindered side-valve engine of just over three-litres capacity, provides an exceedingly smooth running and fast vehicle.
The body itself is of particular interest because it contains seating accommodation of a somewhat unusual nature. As will be seen from our illustration of the interior, there are two seats—one ranged along each side—which are eapa.hle of being turned over to form either a stretcher rail or a padded seat for carrying passengers in a normal sitting position. This picture also shows the wide proportions of the body and indicates that, by hinging the doors on the side pillars, loading and unloading can be carried out without obstruction, There is a roof ventilator and heating apparatus for the interior of the body incorporated, these features being included in the price of £088.
South Shields Bus Results.
The report of the tramways manager of the South Shields Corporation dealing with the working of the municipal passenger services for the year ended ...March 31st last shows a surplus on the operation of the tramcars of 1814, and a loss on the running of the buses of 13,175. The corporation runs a fleet of 16 buses, these being of Guy, MorrisCommercial, Thornyeroft and Daimler makes.
Buses for Trams at Burton.
The tramways committee of the Burton-on-Trent Corporation has considered the question of the possible abandonment of the tramway from tile Market Place in High Street to the ,Branstone Botta terminus and the introduction of a motor omnibus service on this route. After going fully into the matter, it was resolved unanimously that the portion of the corporation tramways from the junction of Station Street and High Street to the Brans-tone Road termietis be abandoned and that a bus service be instituted on that section. It Is also recommended that font new 25seater motor (Minibuses he purchased at a • total cost of 14,800.
Merthyr's Fuel Contract.
The bus superintendent of the Merthyr Corporation reports that its contract with Messrs. Russian Oil Products was due to expire on May 31st, . and. he has been negotiating with the company with a view to fixing another -contract for the next 12 months. The company is prepared to sell petrol at N. per gallon, less a rebate of a id.' any rise or fall to he on a 50 per cent. basis. This seems to be an equitable arrangement„ says the superintendent, especially when it is considered that the Previous contract figure was is. per gallon. The reduction means a saving of about £13 per week. The committee recommends that a contract be entered into with Messrs. Russian Oil Products upon the terms mentioned.
Commercial Travellers' Relianceon Motors.
The British Commercial Travellers' Association held its annual joint conference at Cardiff on July 7th-9th. Part of the discussions centred on the influence of the motor vehicle on commercial travelling and problems arising from the increased use of such vehicles. Testimony was given of the great strides made in the use of light vans by commercial firms, and it was stated that there were definitd indications of a further big increase in the employment of such machines.
Delegates from Guildford and Brighton stated that in the South of England the increase of van salesmen was very marked,leather goods, waterproofs, etc., being taken round and sold to shops from vans. It -was said. that some distributing trades, hitherto relying on the traveller-caller for orders, now adopted van salesmanship.
Another aspect of the greatly increased use of motor vans and cars by commercial travellers led to a decision to petition the Home Secretary to induce local authorities to instruet chief constables to permit a relaxation of the local . bydaws respecting stationary vehicles in streets in favour of cone d24 mei-vial travellers calling on tradespeople by motor vehicle. It was said that at Leeds a special concession waS made to commercial travellers in this respect and at Leicester relaxation of the by-laws was allowed for certain hours of the morning.
An endeavour will be made to induce municipalities and police authorities to recognize, for the privilege of longer standing in streets, a special badge for travellers' vehicle.
Uniformity in Parking.
The following resolution has been passed by the Brighton and Hove Chamber. of Commerce :—" That the regulation of short-time parking of motors is urgent and calls for early consideration by local governing bodies and motor associations; with the view to devising standard signs (which might be affixed to existing lamp or
other standards) to show where the parking may be done and the time allowed. Uniform signs throughout the country not requiring close reading would be quickly recognized RS invaluable."
Visiting America.
We learn that Mr. E. P. Barfield, managing director of Automatic and Electric Furnaces, Ltd., has gone on a. visit to America to give a series of demonstrations of Wild-Barfield electric furnaces to a number of engineera and executives of the leading engineering concerns in the United States.
In Carnival Guise.
The Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., which, as our readers well know, maintains a comprehensive network of bus services from its headquarters in Derby and various branches, bedecked one of its lorries for a carnival at Derby on the occasion of the recent hospital day in that town. The vehicle was awarded first prim. it has taken part in this annual event for several years past and has been fitted up to represent something different on each occasion.
American Exports.
" Official returns just to hand show that no fewer than 11,863 aommerciel motor vehicles valued at 1.1,354,605 were exported from the 'United States during April last, as compared with 8,037 vehicles (£1,0611,016) in the corresponding month a year ago. The aggregate exports during the first four months of the year aregiven at no fewer than 37,333 vehicles (£4,029,981), as contrasted with 24,729 (£3,440,830)
in a similar period of 1926. • The 1927 total is made up of 31,087 vehicles of a capacity up to 20 cwt., 5,429 ranging from 1 ton. to 2i tons and 817 of over 21 tons capacity. Australia continues to be far and away the largest market for American vehicles, being credited with 10,243 vehicles, Or nearly 30 per cent, of the tots!, Brazil following with 4,256, Denmark 2,527, the Argentine 2,450, Great Britain 2,102, Belgium 1,451, Canada 1,506. and Spain 1,273. It is interesting to learn that the proportion of the exported vehicles to the total American production of commercial vehicles amounts to about 22.6 per cent.
A Scotland Yard Fleet.
Large fleets of small. boxrans and other types of cntomercial vehicle have been'supplied to the Scotland Yard authorities by Bean Cars, Ltd. We are told that each of these vehicles rung close upon 100 miles per day, and that the work ranges from the conveyance of police officers to the distribution of such supplies as the daily refill for the constable's electric torch.
Carlisle Wants New By-law.
Carlisle Corporation has decided that, in the interests of Public safety, application be made to the Ministry of Transport for authority to adopt a new by-law, which woukl in effect prohibit motor vehicles from passing stationary tramcar's when passengers are in the act of hoarding or alighting therefrom.