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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

21st August 1928
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport al whatever potatfra rising,. as a carriage is by the roughness pf the roads over which it runs,"—John Beattie Crozier, A New Foam-producing Fire Pump.

A special type of fire appliance consisting of a combination of the Martin 45 h.p. 250-300-gal. fire pump and a continuouS foam-producing apparatus for the extinguishing of oil fires, has recently been produced by Martin's Cultivator Co., Ltd., Lincolnshire Ironworks, Stamford. The outfit includes the standard pattern pump of the company's own patented design, which is remarkably simple and most effective. The patent mixing and foam-producing apparatus is also a product of the company and the powder employed with it is carried in hermetically sealed tins.

The appliance will project a continuous stream of water or foam, which ever may be required, and the foam produced will work equally well with water pressures from 20 lb. per sq. in. upwards. The price of the outfit is 1900, or with fuller equipment 1955.

A most successful practical demonstration of one of these engines was carried out a few days ago before the representatives of an important export core-. pany who had come specially to Stamford to pass two Martin 250-300-gal. trailer pumps purchased for the Sudan Plantations Syndicate, Ltd., these, incidentally, being a repeat order. Foam can he played upon petrol or oil fires at the into of 200 gals. per minute.

The company has had experience with various forms of fire-fighting appliances extending over a considerable number of years, and this latest foam machine is a result of two years' experimental work.

Leeds Passenger Transport Returns, The tramways and transport department of the Leeds Corporation has just issued its report for the year ended March 31st last, and it shows that on the operation of the municipal tramways, motorbuses and trolley-buses a gross profit of £12,37T was made. Bank interest increased this amount by /4,123, and, after meeting loan charges, revenue contributions to capital outlay, providing for permanent way renewals, etc., a net surplus of 166,647 remains. We will give a detailed analysis of the municipality's passenger-transport activities during the year in question in our next issue.

The Public Health Congress and Exhibition.

The Public Health Congress and Ex hibition, which• is to be held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, N., from November 19th-24th next, is the first of a series of such exhibitions dealing with various phases of the subject of public health. In connection with the organization of this congress, the various associations representative of municipal interests in different parts of the country have received substantial support from responsible Government departments.

The exhibition will be conducted on similar lines to the Public Works, Roads and Transport Congress and Exhibition, to which we have always given considerable publicity in our columns.

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It is said that many concerns producing or marketing plant, materials and equipment for the various departments of public health work are supporting the exhibition.

One of the most interesting papers which will be read during the course of the exhibition will be by Mr. H.

Edridge, the eleansiug superintendent of Chesterfield, and it is entitled "The Place of the Electricand Petrol Vehicle in the Cleansing Services."

In a Line or Two.

The number of motor vehicles in use in Ceylon on April 30th last was 15,523 this figure including 2,176 buSes, 2,038 lorries and vans, 21 tractors and 77 trailers.

Advice from Johannesburg indicates that the local municipality will shortly be making considerable additions to its fleet of mothrbuses.

The total number of motor-vehicle licences issued in Nottingham from December 1st, 1927, to July 31st last was 20,891.

The bus committee of the Eastbourne Corporation is considering a proposal for one-shilling all-day tickets on the buses.

• The Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., has acquired a site in Mile End Road, South Shields, for the erection of a garage for 40 buses.

The motorbus committee of the Eastbourne Corporation has accepted the tender of Shell-Mex, Ltd., for the supply of lubricating oil for 12 months at Is. 4d. per gallon.

Blackwell Tunnel will be closed to vehicular traffic until September 22nd, but other routes are available for crossing the river, these being by way of Ratherhithe Tunnel and the Woolwich Ferry.

The suggestion is being made that the Birkenhead Corporation should open up negotiations with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board for the removal of the tolls on the North End toll bridge.

Subsidizing Six-wheelers in India.

Large orders from India for motor lorries of the six-wheeled type are foreshadowed by the Government of India's offer of an attractive subsidy to owners keeping the vehicles in g000d repair and who are willing to place them at the disposal of the Army authorities in certain contingencies. Under this scheme the owner has 20 per cent, of the cost of the lorry refunded to him during the first year and 35 per cent. by the third year. The terms arc considered generous and offer a special inducement to buyers to use the six-wheeled type of vehicle.

Sleeping Facilities on a Six-wheeled Steam Wagon.

Fodens, Ltd., of Sandbach, has just delivered to a large London transport company a rigid six-wheeled steam wagon, the cab of which has been ingeniously. provided with comfortable sleeping facilities for the driver and fireman. This accommodation, which takes the form of two bunks, one above the other, has been arranged so that it occu-' pies the minimum space when not in use. Other facilities for long journeys, Including cooking and washing arrangements, have been provided. In addition to the windscreen, there are side windows, and blinds secure the privacy of the cab.

Interviewing a representative of the Midland Transport Trading Co., of London, who have purchased the machine, our representative was informed that the wagon and other similar vehicles 'which they contemplate purchasing are for long-distance work. He said he had experienced great difficulty in securing lodgings and sleeping accommodation for the drivers and firemen, who had to waste considerable time in running about at stopping places looking for apartments at reasonable prices.

Coach Owners and Bus By-laws.

Our Belfast correspondent writes to tell us that last week there was a highly indignant meeting of the -Ulster Motor Coach Owners' Association at Belfast, at which strong protest was made against the proposed anti-bus by-laws of the Belfast Corporation. Pressure of space in this week's issue prevents our dealing with the matter fully now, but we propose, in next week's issue, to publish a pr6eis of the speeches on that occasion.

Traffic Census on Class A basis.

During last week the third national traffic census on Class A. roads in Great Britain was undertaken, as many as 15,000 men, working in three shifts per day, recording information at 5,000 points on the main roads. The details collected were tabulated under different headings and will be used by the Ministry of Transport as a basis for highway administration and maintenance.

Kent County Council is seeking on order to prohibit the driving of heavy motorcars and locomotives on Seal Hollow Road, Sevenooks.

Plymouth's Profitable Buses.

The accounts of the Plymouth Corporation dealing with the municipality's motorbus system for the year ended -March 2Ist last, show that the gross profit made was £21,627, this being equal to 3.26d. per bus-mile. The total income amounted to 177,038, equal to 11.63d. per bus-mile, whilst the total expenditure was equal to 8.36d. per busmile.

Under the heading of expenditure, traffic items absorbed £24,103, the cost of maintenance and repairs £19,915, the purchase of petrol £8,603, and general expenses £2,790.

The gross bus profit was transferred to the net revenue account, which, in addition, shows a gross-profit of 146,359 on the tramways and a certain grant for the tramways of £1,398, making a total of 169,384. On the debit side of this account, interest and sinking fund charges are given as £46,621 on the tramways and £8,440 on the motorbuses, and these amounts, phis an item of £4,036 for income tax, total £59,097, the net surplus on the operations of the department thus being £10,287.

In the year under review, the buses travelled 1,589,595 miles and the tramcars 2,892,813 miles. At the end of May last the bus fleet of the Plymouth Corporation consisted of 67 vehicles, 30 of them being Associated Daimler 20Seaters. An interesting sidelight on the Corporation's transport activities is that it builds a large number of its own bodies.

Progress of Petroleum Storage and Finance Corporation, Ltd.

At the recent statutory meeting of the Petroleum Storage and Finance Corporation, Ltd., Sir Alfred S. MaysSmith, the chairman, recalled that the prospectus indicated aggregate sales in 1927 of 2,050,000 gallons, whilst he reported that the present turnover is at the rate of approximately 4,500,000 gallons per annum. It is anticipated that these figures will be vbry materially increased when the additional storage is available at Preston and a port on the west coast.

The Transport of Loose Loads.

In the Sheffield Corporation Bill powers were sought to enact that soil, sand, lime, cement, mortar or other similar substances shall not be carried through any public thoroughfare in the city except in vehicles constructed so as to prevent any part of the load from falling upon the highway. Discussion took place with the Home Office, which was of opinion that the case could be adequately met by by-laws under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882. The committee disallowed the clause, it being understood that the corporation will be advised to make, and the Home Office will approve, the appropriate bylaws.

Bolton Adheres to a Decision.

Lowland Motorways, Ltd., has been in touch with the Bolton Watch Committee with reference to its application for licences to ply for hire in the borough on a servicefrom Glasgow to Manchester, which was refused, and stated that it was agreeable not to pick up passengers for anywhere south of Bolton or northwards for any point short of Preston. We understand that the committee, however, was not_ prepared to revise its previous decision on the matter.

The Belfast Bus By-laws.

In the course of the next few weeks the Northern Ireland Ministry of Borne Affairs will open its inquiry into the bylaws which the Belfast Corporation proposes to enforce for the regulation of bus traffic in the city. In the meantime efforts are being made to secure the support of various public bodies for and against the by-laws. The matter was considered at two meetings of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce and it was finally decided to give general support to the by-laws "in view of the fact that the ratepayers' money to the extent of approximately two million pounds was invested in the city tramways undertaking."

Fewer Taxicabs in Berlin.

Whereas there were 9,219 motor taxicabs in use in the German capital at the beginning of the present year, the number had fallen to 9,143 at the com*mencement of May last.

Anglo-American's London Fuel-supply Stations.

A list lately issued by the AngloAmerican Oil Co., Ltd., shows that the company now has no fewer than 26 petrol 'filling stations in the London area—five in the north, ten in the south, six in the east and five in the west— specially reserved for the supply of petrol or benzole mixture to commercial vehicles and taxicabs.

Out-of-date Canal Bridges.

Canal bridges that are obviously out of date and quite unsuited to modern traffic needs occasion, much anxiety to municipal engineers, no less than to road users. Mr. J. B. L. Meek, the Manchester City engineer, states that the bridges are kept under observation and are visited twice a week. Many of them were built more than 150 years ago and noprovision was made for the strain imposed upon them by modern traffic. The companies which own the bridges are only legally bound to maintain them in a state enabling them to carry the weight of the traffic at the time they were built. Terms have been agreed between the Rochdale Canal Co. and the Manchester Corporation, and work had been begun on their old bridge in Great Ancoats Street. The canal company have paid the corporation an agreed sum to take over their obligation.

• Work will start before March next on the other bridges over the Rochdale Canal in Piccadilly, Oxford Street and Leech Street, Ancoats. It will naturally cause some inconvenience to road users, as it means the traffic will have to be diverted. The alternative to reconstruction is for the owners to place notices on the bridges curtailing the weight of traffic, but that is almost an impossibility,for at least eight of the bridges carry main roads.

Opposing a Tariff on Imported Bodies.

Further opposition to the application of the Irish Coach Builders' Association for a tariff of 50 per cent. or £40, whichever is the greater, on imported vehicle bodies and parts, was beard by the Irish Free State Tariff .Commission a few days ago. Speaking for the Dublin Tramways Co., Mr. G.M.arshall lIarriss, general manager, said that a tariff on bus bodies would be a great mistake. It would increase the price of a bus and tend to retard development. The tramways company made their own bus bodies and could turn them out more cheaply than they could import bodies.

Evidence against the tariff was also given for the Royal Irish Automobile c22 Club, the Dublin Carmen's Association and the Removers' Association. The Commission subsequently adjourned until September.

Parking in Edinburgh.

The proprietor of Jones Motor House, Edinburgh. tells us that he has laid out an extensive private parking ground at Falcon Garage, Morningside Road, where accommodation is available for about 250 vehicles, including coaches and other commercial vehicles.

More G.W.R. Bus Services.

The current issue of the house organ of the Great Western Railway Co. mentions that 10 new motorbus services have lately been inaugurated by the company, including one between Westbury and Frome, another between Brecon and Aberdare, and a third between Port Talbot, Abergwynfi and Treorehy. Ultra-smart Electric&

An interesting fleet of six distinctive electric vans has recently been put into commission by an American concern, the Bonsoit Teller Cu., of New York. The vehicles are intended for delivery work and have lieen designed to have an outward resemblance to a petroldriven machine.

It is stated that these electric vans will run about 70 miles on a sing': battery charge, and that they are cap

able of travelling at IS m.p.h. The total daily mileage which they will each have to cover in the course of their duties on local delivery work is estimated at 45 to 50. It is also interesting to note that the vehicles are equipped with wire wheels and largeaim pneumatic pneumatic tyres. The chassis maker concerned is the Walker 'Vehicle Co., of New York.

Wallasey's Bus Returns.

In the year ended March 31st last the buses of the Wallasey Corporation carried 2,574,224 passengers, this figure representing an increase of 1,074,225 over that for the previous year. The income from the buses rose from I19,611 last year to £27,224. The corporation had 24 vehicles at the end of May last, 16 of them being Leylands and the others Karriers.

Disc Wheels, Axles and Trailer Parts.

Disc wheels are popular with almost all classes of commercial user, so the catalogue recently produced by Cranes '(Dereham), Ltd., which specialises in this kind of wheel, should prove interesting to many of our readers. Pressed and cast-steel road wheels of various types, including, the spoked form, are also made by. this concern and are detailed in the catalogue. Axles, carriage frames, brake mechanisms and trailer components likewise form part of this comprehensive range. Incidentally, the company claims that its disc wheels are practically unbreakable. Those interested may obtain copies of this catalogue from the company's South Green Works, East Dereham, Norfolk.

Germany's Growing Export Trade.

Whilst German manufacturers are seriously feeling foreign competition in the trade in ears—the imports of which, particularly of American vehicles, are advancing at a rapid rate—an opposite state of affairs exists so far as motorvans, lorries and buses are concerned. The imports of such vehicles into Germany are not only declining, but the exports of German productions are rapidly advancing.

The latest returns available are those for the five months ended May last, during which period the imports only amounted to 77 vehicles, valued at.. £130,000, as compared with 530 (£500,000) in the corresponding period of 1927; American vehicles form the major portion of the imports, which, however, declined from 500 to 31.

On the other hand, the number of German vehicles exported during the five months increased from only 411 (1180,000) in 1927 to 1,318 (1395,000) this year. The principal market for German vehicles is Holland, which is credited with 282 of the total ; Itoumania is second in the list -with 84, followed by the Argentine, 83; Russia, 82; Austria, ; Hungary, 74; and Persia, 2.

A Road Development Campaign.

The Roads Improvement Association is about to launch a national campaign advocating a new road development programme to provide road akecommodation sufficient to meet the ever-growing volume of motor traffic. The Association stresses

--' the fact that for over three years there has been a virtual suspension of road development, little more than day to day maintenance work having been carried Out.

In referring to the estimate that between 2,500 and 3,000 motor vehicles are being delivered each week, it is pointed out that the development of road accommodation must ob viously run parallel with motor-vehicle production. It is the Association's view that the basic principles and general de tails of a new road programme to pro vide gradually increasing accommodation sufficient for reasonable traffic re quirements during the next 50 years should be tackled immediately and arrang,ements made to carry it out during the next 10 years.

Coach Parking at Stafford.

The question of allowing locally owned motor coaches to be parked in the Market Square at Stafford was recently considered by the local town council. It was decided, after much discussion, that not more than six motor coaches should be allowed to stand on the site during certain definite times, the hours being the same for the months of May to September inclusive and slightly different for those from October to April. No proprietor will be allowed to have more than one coach on the site at any one time during the houri arranged, except when one owner has made an arrangement in writing with another proprietor to use the other's normal stand.

The World Transport Congress.

The Italian Travel Bureau—the Compagnia Italiana Turismo—in Lou, don, at 16, Waterloo Place, SAVA, is , arranging the travelling facilities for delegates in connection with the World Motor Transport Congress to be held in Rome from September. 25th-28th, More Albions for Londonderry.

Some months ago the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., obtained an order from the Londonderry Corporation for 3seater buses with which a• municipal bus service was inaugurated: We are told that these vehicles have given such good results that the corporation has decided to purchase a further batch of buses of a similar make and type: Another Ambulance. Needed.

The report of the Chester-le-Street and District MOtor Ambulance Committee for the year ended December last states that in the 12 months the motor ambulance carried 1,202 patitnts-and covered a mileage of 15,290 compared with 1,244 patients and a mileage of 17,394 in the previous year. The report draws attention to the absolute necessity for the provision of another machine.

Irish Free State Imports Lower.

During May last only 41 commercial motor vehicles, valued at 116,883, were imported into the Irish Free State, bringing up the total for the first six months of the year to 289 vehicles (194,523) as compared with 405 (197,409) in the corresponding period a year ago.

Municipal Bus Results at Coventry.

In the year ended March 31st last, a gross profit of £17,238 was made on the operation of the motorbuses of the Coventry Corporation. Traffic revenue of the bus department was 152,392, and the total working expenses £35,154. During the year the buses travelled 612,200 miles and carried 6,570,710 passengers.

At the end of March last the corporation possessed a fleet of 25 buses, six being 26-seaters, seven 29-seaters, four 36-seaters, three• 52-seaters, two 56seaters and three 58-seaters, although the average number of buses in use on weekdays was 21 and on Sundays 14.

The gross profit was transferred to the net revenue account and was reduced to 115,114,, after meeting charges for interest on capital (£598), andby a contribution to the sinking fund (£1,528). The balance carried forward on the year's working was 111,304, the difference of £3,810 representing capital expenditure out of revenue on the purchase of three single-deck, light-weight buses.

The average number of miles covered per day per bus was 84 and the average speed at which the buses travelled was 7.83 m.p.h. In connection with the running of the vehicles, 125,314 gallons of motor spirit were used, the average number of miles run per gallon being 4.89.

Novel Goggles.

Messrs. Oracescope Specialities, 34, 'Cannon Street, Birmingham, have placed on the market a pair of goggles which incorporates a small looking-glass in the right-hand lens, so that the following traffic can be seen, although direct vision is not in any way impaired. This is obtainable at all Halford cycle depots, or direct from the makers, and is priced at 10s. Oa.

Haslingden's Trams in Jeopardy.

Etas-atom Corporation has decided to promote a Parliamentary Bill under which powers are sought to run buses inside and outside the borough. The corporation is seeking the co-operation of the authorities in Accrington and Rawtenstall, in conjunction with which it provides a through tramways service connecting the three towns.

It would appear that the profits on the tramways system have been dwindling for some years, largely owing to the • fact that much of the traffic previously varried by the tramcars is now dealt with by competitive buses. It is suggested that, as an experiment, semi-express buses should be run over the tramways route, the tramcars being reserved for dealing with slower traffic.

The Tractor Market in British East Africa.

According to local customs statistics 781. motar tractors were imported into British East Africa during 1927. The colony ' of Kenya is more advanced so far as the use of tractors is concerned than other sections of British East Africa, and the imports into Kenya, with which is Included Uganda, consisted of 617 tractors valued at £141,581, out of the total of 781 imported. Tanganyika was next in importance as an outlet for tractors, with imports of 106 machines valued at 119,762, followed by Nyassaland with 58, estimated at a value of £21,416.

Of the total machines imported the United States furnished no less than Si) per cOnt., Canada following with 2:1 per cent. The United Kingdom's share was only 4 per cent., whilst 14 per cent. came from other European countries.

Bus Activities at Leamington.

A voluntary agreement has been drawn up by the Leamington Town Council to put into operation a scheme prepared by the chief constable and approved by a joint sub-committee with the Warwick County Council regarding the running of buses in Leamington. The Stratford-on-Avon Bus Co. have intimated their willingness to agree to the, wishes of the joint committee, but the Leamington Tramway Co. have declined to do so. It was, therefore, recommended at a recent meeting of the Leamington Town Council that the existing licences of both companies be renewed until December 31st, when the licences granted by the Warwick

c24 County Council would expire, and that Prior to that date the chief constable tJe instructed to report on the working of the buses during the period in question in order that the matter might again be considered. The application of the tramway company for licences to run 12 more buses on the existing tramways route was refused on the ground that public needs were already met.

Taxicabs in China.

A new company with the title of the Yellow Taxicab Co. of China, and a capital of £100,000, has lately been organized in Shanghai by a group of Chinese and foreign merchants. The object of the new concern is to organize taxicab services in Tientsin and Shanghai and later in Singhpore and Manila.

Fuel Distribution in Yorkshire.

A new petrol-distributing organization is being developed to servo motor-vehicle users throughout Yorkshire. The Redline Motor Spirit Co., Ltd., has opened a branch at Sheffield and has established a motor-vehicle fleet in the city. It is largely on account of the growing demand in Northern England for its products that the company has decided to give special attention to the distribution of supplies in Yorkshire.

Finnish Imports Increasing.

It is estimated that there are now 1,687 motorbuses and 6,008 vans :did lorries in use in Finland. In 11)27 156 lorries and vans valued at 114,052 were imported into the country as compared with 17 such vehicles (£3,849) in 1926. These figures relate to complete vehicles, but the majority of the commercial vehicles imported into Finland arrive in chassis form and are fitted with Finnishbuilt bodies.

In the Finnish returns, chassis imports--of all kinds—are entered as and with motor parts, of which the imports last year reached a total of £499,520, as

against £385,800 in 1926.More than one-half the imports are credited to the United States, followed by Germany, Sweden, France, Great Britain and Belgium in the order given.

Recent L.N.E.R. Orders.

We illustrate on. this page two Thorn ycroft vehicles which have recently been supplied to the London and North Eastern Railway Co. These form part of a batch of 134 machines ordered by the company mainly for duty in its southern area—some of them, however, as will be seen from the indicator on, the bus depicted, are for use in Scotland. The covered goods vehicle is -one of seven similar Thornycroft machines, which are intended for the carriage of 2-ton loads in connection with the London goods services ; this fleet of lip-todate lorries is to undertake long-distance cartage. Most of the 134 vehicles mentioned are to be employed for service on goods traffic, whilst a few are for use in connection with the collection of parcels and delivery work generally. Incidentally, the bus, which we illustrate, is to work on a regular service in the Dee-side area.

It may be mentioned that the orders for these 131 machines were distributed between the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., John I. Thornyeroft and Co., the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., and the International Harvester Co. of Great Britain, Ltd., the last mentioned supplying two tractors.

A Parking Arrangement at Douglas. Douglas (I.O.M.) Corporation has discussed with the Mangland Bus Services, Ltd., Manx Motors, Ltd., and the Isle of Man Railway Co. the question of the occupancy of Hanover Street as a parking place for stage coaches and arranged that 1150 shall be paid for its use during the current year, each concern being responsible for an equal share.

A Railway Explanation.

The district traffic manager of the Great Western Railway Co. has pointed out to the Paignton Urban District Council that although it was agreed that the station in the town should be regarded as the transport centre, it was not possible to arrange for the nee of the station yard as a starting place for motorbuses to Torquay, Totnes and Brixham without seriously inconveniencing the public user of the station. • Municipal Purchases and Proposals.

CILELMSFORD Corporation is inviting tenders for the supply of a motor fireengine.

EAST Mem Corporation has asked the borough engineer to obtain quotations for the supply of a 30-cwt. motor lorry.

MAGHERAFELT Board of Guardians requires a motor ambulance, tenders for which have to be delivered by August 30th.

Hum Corporation has purchased two Ford chassis and has arranged for the corporation cart works to fit ambulance bodies.

OTLEY Urban District Council recommends acceptance of the tender of Dennie Bros., Ltd., at £1,497 for the supply of a motor fire-engine.

DAGENHAM Urban District Council is inviting tenders for a 25-cwt. three-waytipping lorry, and these have to be delivered by August 27th.

WARRINGTON Corporation has asked the borough engineer to obtain quotations for the supply of a motor lorry for the highways department.

SOUTH SHIELDS Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs Baulard and Foster, of South Shields, at £232, for the supply of a Morris-Commercial 1-ton motor truck.

The works committee of the T1313110 Corporation has arranged to hire from Taylors, Ltd., a 2-ton motor lorry for house-refuse collection for a trial period of three months at £2 per day. The tramways committee of the Hum Corporation requires six covered-top double-deck 60-seater buses and three 25-seater single-deckers of the one-mancontrolled type. Further details can be obtained from the general manager, Tramway Office, Albion Street, Hull, and tenders have to be delivered to the chairman of the tramways committee not later than September 15th.

Bolton Refuses Licences.

• The Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., the Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., Ltd., and the North. Western Road Car Co., Ltd., recently applied to the Bolton Watch Committee for licences for buses to be used on a regular service between Bolton and Blackpool, but having had a protest from the Bolton Motor Coach Owners' Association on the ground that the, present facilities are ample, the committee has refused to grant the applications.

The Merce&s-Benz Six-wheeler.

In our description of the new Mercedes-Benz six-wheeled chassis, designed for 10-ton loads, we referred to the fact that the major portion of the gear reduction is effected in the spur gearing within the wheel drums, but we were incorrect in saying that the ratio of this gear,was 8 to 1. This, of course, applies to the total reduction afforded by the bevel gears in the axle and the spur gears. To have an 8 to 1 reduction at the wheels would necessitate an exceedingly large spur wheel.

Friction Between Tram and Bus Workers.

A remarkable situation was revealed in the Belfast Police Court a few days ago when indications were forthcoming of increasing friction between drivers and conductors of motorbuses and tramcars. There were several cases against bus drivers for using abusive language and for obstruction.

The Resident Magistrate, in commenting upon the situation, said it was a regrettable state of affairs. He hoped the men who were on such had terms represented only a small section of the bus and tramway workers. Traffic in Belfast to-day was, he said, becoming an increasingly difficult problem and harmony between all road users, particularly between those employed on publiceservice vehicles, was more than ever necessary.

The solicitor who appeared for the bus employers described the prosecutions as an example of the way in which the corporation was using the court for the purpose of putting an end to the bus traffic. They were not, he suggested, bona fide prosecutions, but were brought for the specific purpose of trying to hamper bus traffic, because it had proved a serious rival to the trams.

Inst. of T. Dinner.

The Institute of Transport announces that .its ninth annual dinner will take place at the Savoy Hotel, London, W.0.2, on Thursday, March 14th, 1929.


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