Answers to Queries.
Page 17
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any Points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed.f a request tor privacy is not specially made, any query ani answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks.
Large Water-tanks with Sprinklers.
1',97J "MOTOR MANUFACTURERS write.—" Would you he good enough to let us know the names of a few reallygood makers of large street-watering tanks with sprinkling gear, suitable for use with heavy automobiles ANSWER.—The following makers are known to us: Nleasrs. Win. Glover and Sons, Warwick ; Phenix Engineering Co., Ltd., Chard, Somerset; Messrs. Cunstehle and Son, Harrov Road, W.; Messrs. George Rowe me: Sou, Edmonton ; Bristol Wagon and Carriage Works Co., Bristol; Messrs. Charmers, Redhill, Surrey; and Messrs. Smith and Son, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham.
"Similar to the Lacre."
[1,598] " AUIRCHANTS " write.—" Would you be so good as to give us the names of manufacturers of commercial vehicles made after the style of those of The bat-re Motor Co. I' We wish to get hold of a vehicle about the smile ae the Lucre, both as to mechanism and load capacity."
ANSWER.—You cannot do better than apply to the BURT. Co., Ltd., of 36, Causton Street, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W., the Albion Motor Car Co.. Ltd., 2122, Upper Rathbone Place. W., and Walker Bros., Ltd., Pagetield Iron Works, Wigan.
Snow Removal and Piling.
11.599] "Sourrroes " write.—" Referring TO THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR Of the 17th February last (page 513), we notice a letter by 'Motor-Wagon Carrier,' which refers to the piling-up of snow near the tram rails. We shall esteem it a favour if you will inform us wl.at are the eases you refer to in your note at the bottom, that it has been held obligatory upot a tramway undertaking to remove the snowbanks so as to allow the ordinary traffic to pass Ivirthout inconvenience, and to enable the owners of any motorvan to recover damages for negligence."
Aeswee.--The full report of the ease in question, which was between the Acton District Council and the Loudon United Tramways, is reported in one of the circulars Of the Tramways and Light Railways Aesociation. We have asked the Secretary to post a. copy to you, and our recollection is that the remarks fell from the lips of Mr..1ttetiee Darling, although they were somewhat in the nature of °Why dicta. At the same time, they indicate a sound line of argument. Another case, with regard to the recovery of damages against a local authority for damage sustained by collision with an unlighted heap of snow was quoted in our issue of the 2nd December, 1909.
Tractor Drivers and Licences.
[1,6M] " REMOVERS " write.—" We had a. removal from --to —, consisting of nine vanloads, and did it in five Journeys, i.e., four journeys with two vans and one single. Whilst the work was in progress, our driver took ill and his assistant took charge, but, unfortunately, he had not a licence to drive a motor as our regular driver has. The police at — stopped him, when he was hauling one van. and asked him far his licence ; not having one, he naturally took the only loophole left, and said the engine was licensed as a locomotive (it is licensed both as a heavy motor and a loco.), end as such ile did not require a driving licence. We had overlooked the fact that he had not a licence, and did not apply for a daily permit as only one van was being hauled. However, we defended the case, on the grounds that, as the engine was only hauling one van, it was running as a. heavy motor, and the ease was dismissed, but the police do not intend to let it stop at this. A sergeant has called since, to examine the permits we obtained for the four jonrneys, and having found them correct he kindly informed the writer that he would sum mon him (personally, not the firm) for allowing the man to drive a heavy motor without a licence. We should be pleased to have your opinion."
A NSWER.—We are afraid you are caught between two difficulties. Either you were liable to be fined for letting the man go on the road without a licence, when in charge of a heavy motorcar, or, on the plea which the man put in, you were regarding the tractor as a heavy locomotive at the time of the alleged offence. The case is really a, peculiar one, bet no reasonable Bench ought to inflict more than a nominal fine-if any. If you were to explain the circumstances, and offer to pay costs, we think you would probably be let off, but that will, of course, depend on the general attitude of the magistrates at . The new summons. with which you are threatened, is we presume, to be taken out under Section 3 of the Motor Car Act of 1903, which reads: " A person shall not drive a inotorcnr on a, public highway unless he is licensed for the purpose under this section, and a, person shall not employ any person who is not so licensed to drive a motorcar. If any person acts in contravention of this provision he shall he guilty of an offence under this Act." You have the technical defence that the man is not in your employ, but in the employ of your company, and, if the police are going to bother you on a technicality, you are equally entitled to get mit of the difficulty on a strictly-technical plea.
Traction Cells.
[1,601] " llmocas " write :—" We are building a. small electric locomotive. for use in our works, to haul loads of about, two tons, running at about. four miles per hour. We have built this, and are now considering the question of batteries. The experience we have had with batteries in connection with a private — ear has not been verysatisfactory. It occurs to us that you mightknow of something reliable, which you could recommend ?"
ANSWEN.—Acoording to the latest information in our posseasion, the E.P.S. traction-type cell comes out fractionally cheaper per mile run than any other, with the Hart and the Tudor n-early as good. It is a very important thing, of course, to have a. sufficiently-large battery, and one does not always find that in carriages.
One Driver or Two?
1,1,602] " EAST END " write:— " Further to 0111' Mr. .111/1RS'S conversation re summons for steersman, which we have received from the City police, we should be greatly obliged if you could tell US how the matter stands regarding a similar case reported in your paper with Mr. Lobjoit, of Hounslow "
ANSWER.—The report of the ease in question is contained in our issue of the 14th October last. It was impossible to proceed with the appeal, as the fine was too small to allow it. If the summons is at a time when the Editor can attend, he will be glad to go to give expert evidence in support of your driver—free of charge.
SUPPLEMENTARY" LETTER.—" We thank you for yours of 13th inst., and have read report of the case against Mr. Lobjoit's man. We do not think we need trouble you to appear to give expert evidence, as under the circumstances it appears that the only thing to do is to pay the fine and take out a. driver's licence for the steersman."
ANSWER No. 2.—The course which you have adopted is not quite as satisfactory as you appear to think. If you have a driver's licence for the second man, you are, at least by inference, if not by legal obligation, supposed to he sure that that man is a competent driver. Yoe had perhaps better read our comments on this aspect of the situation, in our issue of the 14th October, a copy of which is in your lianas (first page).