News and Comment.
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The authority, circulation and influence of this journal test upon facts.
The third article in our illustrated series of " British works revisited " will be found on pages 212 to 214. It concerns the Rykuield factory at Burton-on-Trent.
The Edmonton Guardians have accepted the tender of P. B. Goodchild and Co., Ltd., of Craven House, Kingsway, W.C., for a motor ambulance, at the price of £581 l&s. ed.
Another influential batch of elections to membership of the Commercial Motor Users Association has to be recorded ; 13 additional owners were admitted to its ranks at this month's meeting of the Executive Committee.
We observe that the laying of " Tarmac is to he extended in Not tinghamshire. Can arty reader give us information about the crushing tests of this material, and whether they are sufficiently high to withstand heavy motor traffic, rr' A "harrier" Lorry at Kettering.
Mr. P. W. Kerr, of Kettering, took delivery of a two-ton " Karrier " lorry, a fortnight ago. He is using it. in his general-carrying business between Kettering and Northampton, a distance of 14 miles. The work was previously done by horses, and the new vehicle carries both passengers and goods. Its running has already attracted extra business for its owner.
S.M.M.T.
Mr. F. 13. Goixichild has been elected a member of the CommercialVehicle Committee, upon which committee, also, the following substitutions have to be reported: representing Commercial Cars, Ltd., Mr. R. Barry Cole, in place of Mr. A. Aldersay Taylor ; representing Alley and MacLellan, Ltd., Mr. Bayly, in place of Mr. Rob,son. The next commercialmotor exhibition will be held, at Olympia, in Mareh, 1911.
Halley Extensions.
In keeping with the general improvement of which persistent evidences assert themselves in the heavy branch of the industry, it is not unexpected that considerable extensions should have become necessary at the Voker factory of Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd. The works are to be greatly enlarged, and many new machine tools have already been ordered. The additions have been taken smartly in hand, and it is expected that the new buildings will be ready for occupancy' about the firstweek in July. Mr, George H. Halley estimates that the increase in the output will immediately be 50 per cent., and that production will be at double its present rate by the middle of September. We may remind our readers that the B.L.R.T. Co., Ltd., of 30, Causton Street, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W., holds the exclusive concession for the sale of Halley machines.
Alloy Steels : Erratum.
Instead of the word " only," in the third line below the illustration in the middle column on page 192 of our last week's issue, read " never." Will readers who file the issues of this journal kindly make the correction.
Next Month's Parade.
A little more than a fortnight from to-day—on the 4th pi-ox., the fourth annual parade of commercial motors, urder the auspices of the Commercial Motor Users Association, will take place. The latest contributions to the prize fund include £5 5s. from the proprietors of " Shell " motor spirit, and £2 2s. from W. II. Willcox and Co., Ltd. Owners whose vehicles or tractors are housed within running distance of the Metropolis should not fail to enter. Full particulars of the conditions will be found in our issue of the 7th April, and entry forms may be obtained on application to the Secretary of the Association, Caxton House, Westminster, S.W.
The inscription upon the ivory plate which is attached to the plinth of TRE COMMERCIAL MOTOR Cup reads : " To be held by an owner of Commercial Motors for the best team at the Annual London Parade organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association." It is now on view at 119, Piccadilly, W.
Sir George S. Gibb.
We have been sorry to observe afew adverse criticisms upon Sir George S. Gibb, LL.B., as Chairman of the Road Board, on the grounds that he is a railway man, and therefore likely to be inimical to the interests of road users. It must be granted, in all fairness, that the Chairman of this new authority will act in the best of good faith, and we consider that his inner knowledge of railway law and procedure will enormously strengthen his own and his colleagues' hands in securing rational treatment from railway companies, more particularly in respeet of the strengthening of bridges. Greater promptitude and reduced expense, in comparison with that which would probably have been the case had the post in question been given to a less-informed man, are to be anticipated. Born at Aberdeen in the year 1850, Sir George Gibb has had wide experience: after an initial period of contact with road engineering and road engineers, be practised as a solicitor for nine years, during which period be obtained extensive experience in shipping and commercial transactions. To readers of this journal, he will be better known as the working head of London's underground and tube interests. It is, again, a case of " wait and Nee."
The Lama Co. asks us to point out that its larger four-cylinder engine is rated at 38 h.p., and not 36 "Pfleumatic."
Mr. Bertram E. Foster, who is now general manager of the Pneumatic (1910) Co., Ltd., whose offices and showrooms are at S.W., has carried out successful nego 82, Victoria Street, tiations, in Paris, with regard to the use of this tire-filling and generalpurpose material in France.
An American Report.
It is stated that, in the exhibition of internal-combustion motors at Solyani (Russia), an American motor
for agricultural uses, priced at including duty, is on view. It is stated, further. that it occupies a space of only 196 cubic inches: we should conclude, therefore, that its performance will be equally diminutive.
Metallurgy in Japan.
At the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. on Tuesday next, the 24th inst.. at 8.30 p.m., Professor Gowland, F.R.S., Vice-President of the Institute of Metals, will lecture to members of that body on the subject of "The art of working metals in Japan." A limited number of visitors' tickets may be had, on application to the Secretary of the Institute, Caxton House, Westminster, S.W.
A Successful Pair of CommerCar Vehicles.
The illustration on page 218 shows an interesting and successful pair of " Commer Cars " employed in the brewing trade. These, as will be seen, are the property of C. ITammerton and Co., Ltd., of the Stockwell Brewery, and comprise the 3i-ton and ii-2-ton types of vehicles. The leading vehicle is the heavier, and since early in 1907 it is reported to have covered the best part of 500 miles a week on its working rounds, doing some of the most-difficult parts of Surrey and Kent, including Constitution Hill, Chatham (about 1 in ,ID—under load, at times. The vehicle, which is in the hands of driver W. Preston entirely, has never been laid up through involuntary stops on the road during the period of its lengthy service; it is, too, actually a few days to the good on repairs and overhauls, having at times worked on its half-days when it should have otherwise been " looked round." The smaller " Commer-Car " vehicle owned by this company has done a little more than a year's service. Shrewsbury and Challiner tires ay.+ employed on the big wagon, and Polacks on the lighter one.
Dennis Ambulances.
We reported, last week, the decision of the Metropolitan Asylums Board iii regard to the purchase of additional cIassis and bodies for ambulances. The order for the former went to Dennis Bros., Ltd., and it is for the same model of which nine are already in the service of the M.A.B., apart from larger vehicles. One patient can he accommodated in a recumbent pasture,
and there is ample space for a nurse in addition, whilst a third person eau b.3 carried if necessary. In four of the nt:w ambulances which have now been ordered, two patients can be accommodated, each lying down. We illustrate a vehicle of the model in question, the chassis of which is a standard 13 h.p., four-cylinder Dennis. An am hulance of the same type is on order for the Edinburgh a uthorities.
The Condensed Milk Co. of Ireland.
We are requested to point out that Mr. W. M. Beauchamp is now Chairman of the Condensed Milk Co_ of Irehind, Ltd.. of Limerick, and that Mr. Frederick Cleeve, a brother of the late Sir Thomas Cleeve, is the Managing Director. This well-known Limerick company owns the " Cleeves," " Goat," " Shamrock," and other widely-advertised brands of condensed milk, but not the " Milkmaid " brand. Its nine steam wagons are generally employed for the conveyance of cream, and practically never (owing to the fact that large tanks occupy the platform spaces) for the conveyance of the eompany's condensed milk, caramels, chocolate, butter, or other products.
The Area of Free Delivery.
At the 31st ordinary general meeting of the Junior Army and Navy Stores, Ltd., under the chairmanship
of Sir F. W. R. Fryer, it was stated, in the speech from the chair, that the company had, by the use of motorram. enormously extended its area of free delivery, which at present reached from Watford in the north to Tunbridge Wells in the south, and to Weybridge in the west. Corresponding increases in the area of free delivery had also been made both at Dublin and Aldershot, by the use of motorvans. The net profits of the company had increased from £1,754 to £8,534, compared with the previous year. We regret that Sir F. W. R. 'Pryer did not say how much of this increase might be attributed directly to the motors.
An additional motor-mail contract has been seeured by the Bridge Garage, Ltd., of Leeds, of which company Mr. W. Duffield is Managing Director. This is for the service between Leeds and Yeadon.
The wider use of motor lorries in Egypt and the Soudan is being encouraged officially. New roads are being " cleared " in the vicinity of Khartoum, and south of that town. In fact, it looks as though the happy experiences in Southern Nigeria and Uganda, where suitable motor roads have been made at extremely-low costs per mile, are likely to be repeated in many other parts of the globe.
A Stoewer in Milan.
Our Berlin correspondent writes:— " I send an illustration of a Stoewer lorry which has been hard at work almost daily during the past four years at Milan. It belongs to the Societa Anonima Frera, who use it for transporting goods between their factory and the railway station. In a
letter written by the Italian firm to Messrs. Walter Hayes and Co., the
Stoewer, the qualities of the company's sole local agents. lorry are warmly commended."
Thornycroft's Weekly Report.
John 1. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., has, during the last few clays, received the following orders : a 24 h.p. two-ton box van for the Lambeg Bleaching Co., Ltd., of Belfast; a 24 h.p. twoton box van for J. N. Richardson Sons and Owden, Ltd., of Belfast; a 30 h.p. two-ton box van for Inglis and Co., Ltd., of Belfast—(these three orders were placed through Mr. C. Pemberton Wooler, of 2, Park Place. Leeds, the company's sole agent in the North of England and Ulster)— a 16 h.p. 2i-ton chassis for the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Co.; a repeat order for a 30 h.p. 3'-ton box van for James Keiller and Son. Ltd., the well-known jam and marmalade manufacturers, of London and Dundee; a 30 h.p. two-ton box van for Stewart and Co.. Ltd., of Vancouver, B.C.; and a 16 h.p. 30
cwt. box van for Messrs. Gordon Drysdale, of Vancouver, B.C.—(the two last-named orders were placed through
New Registration.
The "Blue Car" Syndicate, Ltd., with an authorized capital of 43,000 in 41 shares, and with its office at The Garage, Schubert Road, Putney, S.W., to carry on the business of proprietors of motorcabs and other public vehicles. Directors : T. Richardson, 71, Clarendon Road, Putney, S.W.; E. J. Pudney, 40, Wragley Road, Leytonstone, N.E. ; and H. H. Taylor, 62a, Houden Park, S.E.
Eastern Trade.
Demands from the East promise well. Mr. F. 1'. S. Harris, we observe, has recently reported to the Commercial Vehicle Committee of the S.M.M.T. how he is corresponding with various agents, importers and shippers, following the information conveyed in our "Overseas Special." The Agent-General for Natal, a few days back, favoured this journal with an important inquiry for his Government's Colony, and this is now occupying our .attention. in my note on "A Query and a Reply," in last week's issue, the title of the company to which I referred is illessrs. Dories and Ransome—not Dory and Ransome as was made to appear.
I should say that I know my England and Wales by road as well as most
men; I have cycled
"Do It Now." and motored over most of the roads, and, consequently, they are well photographed on my brain and that makes the study of maps always a fascinating one, partly because of the pleasant jaunts it recalls, and partly because of future possibilities. Nowadays, when long journeys are taken by commercial vehicles, the map and the road contour are essential, and an excellent little book has been sent to me by my good friends the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., with coloured sectional maps of this country and Wales, and with contour maps of the principal roads and hills, together with a heap of interesting information—quite a comprehensive little volume, and they tell me that they will supply this free, on application, to owners of vans or lorries who use Pratt's motor spirit and who furnish registered number of -vehicle ; my advice to those dis
criminating persons who use Pratt'sand their name is legion—is apply for this hook of maps " right now " as they say across the water.
These few :iotes are scribbled by me while overlooking the bay at Llandudno, in which Road Patching at place I am sheltering Llandudno. (literally) during the Whitsuntide break, for purposes of rest and the inhaling of ozone, for which purposes it would be hard to find n more-delightful place. My commercial pulse has also been stirred during this visit by the sight, along the front, of a Tiarford and Perkins motor roller of apparently the latest type. I have obtained a photograph, which is reproduced on this page, and I have elicited some facts. This roller, owned by the District Council here, is the first of its type inasmuch as it. carries 15 cwt, of stone, for patching roads, in addition to 150 gallons of water. The object is that when a road is fairly new, and only requires patching, this roller, with its cargo of metal, can be called into service, and the work done economically and, by such timely repairing, roads can he made to last much longer. T. made some independent inquiries
about the capabilities of this machine, and the authorities here seem greatly pleased with it. I also gather that this new type is to be exhibited, on Messrs. Barford and Perkins's stand at the forthcoming Royal Show at Liverpool.
Naturally I run across several men who, like myself, belong to a nomadic tribe, and flit hither Double-deckers and thither over the Selling, length of the land.
One of these is Mr, A. J. Balkwill, the ruling spirit of Stagg and Robson Ltd., of Selby. He is generally full of interesting items concerning the bus and cab side of our business. This concern is now turn-. ing out numbers of cab bodies and appears to compete most successfully with metropolitan makers. The very last news item he gave me is that he has sold three stock double-deck motorbus bodies to the Scottish Motor Traction Co., of Edinburgh. Even for delivery vans and wagons his company claims that it is able to compete in price, and certainly in quality, with local makers, and judging by the equipment which I saw when T. was at Selby, a year or so ago, I should say the claim is not ill-founded.