News and Comment.
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
This
journal chronicles, fosters, and represents commercial motoring in all its branches : members of its Editorial staff possess practical experience and knowledge of the construction and use of commercial motors.
Special Issues.
The attention of all our readers is directed to the important announcement which appears on the facing page.
No Show.
There is to be no Commercial Vehicle Show at Olympia this year, unless the Committee of Management of the s.m.m.T. disagrees—as is highly improbable—with the latest recommendation of the Commercial Vehicle Committee. Mr. Henry Sturmey discusses this important cancellation on page 400.
Too Many Abstentions.
The past few months have, admittedly, presented more than one situation of dillicuity for the members of the Commercial Vehicle Committee, and their task was not lightened when the proposals for an advertising vote, and some consideration in regard to the charges for space, were rejected. The decision not to hold the show is practically a matter of history, and we commented upon several aspects of the matter a week ago : loss of prestige to this country is inevitable, but there are alternative ways and means to secure trade.
The Future.
Any manufacturer is in a very bad selling position when the general impression is allowed to prevail that he has gone out of a business. Thus, for example, several makers of excellent private cars are now suffering in that branch of their sales because they have not availed themselves of opportunities for publicity, and these cases find a parallel in respect of industries, or . branches of industries, where a national institution or exhibition disappears even temporarily. We pointed out, in that major section of our leading article of last week which presented the users' points of view, that it would be erroneous, if excusable, for them to conclude that there had been a "giving up " of commercial motoring, or that " trade was dying out." We reiterate that opinion, although it is notorious that set-backs have occurred.
The request of the Fire Brigade Committee of the Keighley Town Council, for a loan of -.I:1,400 ill respect of a first-aid tire-engine and escape, has been approved in the estimates of the Finance Committee of that authority.
Straker-Squire Ambulances.
A typical, t6-2oh.p., four-cylinder Straker-Squire chassis has, for the last nine months, been doing admirable service for the War Office, as part of its centralised hospital system. This particular ambulance, two illustrations of which are given below, travels no less than too miles a day, making two double trips between Millbank and the Windsor barracks.
War-Office Trials.
Contrary to the view that the WarOffice Trials will only be of interest to military officers, we have satisfied ourselves that they should immediately advance trade with farmers, transport contractors, mining companies and others in the Colonies, or in other partally-developed countries, who have to deal with the conveyance of loads, whilst, by the fitting of lighter and smaller-diameter wheels, Many home requirements may prove to he met.
Edinburgh Motor Show, The Edinburgh Motor Show, at Wayerley Market, will be opened on Friday next, the 22nd instant; and will remain open until the end of the month. One of the most interesting exhibits will be a 25cwt. Albion deli8ery van, with portable canvas hood, whilst a similar van wiii be available for demontration purposes outside the exhibition. All the most recent Albion improvements are embodied, including encased driving chains, and the vehicle, which we illustrate on page 407, should prove a ready converter of visitors.
Other Shows.
We are scarcely yet in a position to express any opinion upon the indirect effect which the action of the S.M.M.T. is likely to have upon its policy of limitation in respect of various non-motor exhibitions, but we do not see how a case can be established, in the absence of an international show in London, for a continuance of the veto upon, for example, the forthcoming exhibition at Belle Vue, Manchester. This great industrial and shipping centre, which has been so enormously developed of recent years by the advent of Ship Canal traffic, presents a unique market for steady business in most classes of manufacture, and it enjoys the exceptional advantage of ready co-operation and help, so far as goods vehicles of all kinds are concerned, at the hands of municipal and other officials who control the water supply, dock estates, and so forth. It is one of the few districts in this country where gas and water mains are lowered, without complaint or the rendering of any account, when they happen to be cracked or otherwise damaged by the passage of a heavy motorcar, and it provides the instance of the most favoured city for cheap and convenient facilities in respect of water supplies on the road. From its population practically equal te that of London within a comparatively short radius, Manchester should become a veritable " happy hunting ground," if it has not already justified the application of that description. With a
personal knowledge of the trade and circumstances of the district, the writer has every confidence in urging that the veto in question should be withdrawn, and more particularly so as the letting of St. James's Hall for roller-skating purposes, apart from its being wholly unsuitable for the display of heavy motorcars, has removed an obstacle which had to be taken into account a year ago. So satisfied are we of the prospects which this particular exhibition offers, that we have ourselves taken a prominent space in the commercial-vehicle section, and have decided to devote a special number to a complete report of the utility exhibits.
Typical Thornycrofts.
The accompanying illustration shows two Thornycroft vans : that on the left is a repeat order for the Oudh and Rohilkund Railway, and is designed for loads of 3 tons, whilst a paraffin vaporiser is fitted; that on the right is a two-ton baker's van, for James Blackledge and Sons, Limited, of Liverpool, and we feel sure that the advertisement value of this machine must be appreciated by everybody who looks at it—it was ordered through Mr. C. Pemberton, of 66, Victoria Street, S.W. A 3o-cwt. Thornycroft van, supplied to the proprietors of the " Daily Chronicle " and " Lloyds' News " is, we recently observed, fitted with glass signs which run the full length of the body, and which are illuminated at night-time by four electric lights. A photograph of this van is in our pet session, and we hope to deal with it. Other recent orders, of which we are advised by Mr. W. H. Buxton, the manager of the Thornycroft car-sales department, which is located at 2, Albe marle Street, W., include a 16h.p. two-cylinder, 3o-cwt. tilt van for Messrs. Davy, Hill and Hodgkinson,
manufacturing chemists, of Southwark; a 3o-cwt. van for the Leeds Cooperative Society, Limited; and .a twoton van for Pcgler's Stores, Monmouth.
" Lotis " Agencies.
Mr. W. S. Paxton, of 30, Wellington Street, Calcutta, has taken up the agency for " Lotis " vehicles in India, Burmah, Ceylon, the Straits Settlements, Siam and the Dutch East Indies. In Spain, Senor N. Gonzalez, of Villagarcia, has taken up the " Lotis " representation. This make of car, cab, and light van or lorry is manufactured by Sturtney Motors, Ltd., ot Coventry.
"Pedals to Push."
The Adams Manufacturing Company, Limited, of ro6, New Bond Street, W., whose works are at Bedford, and whose " Pedals to Push " vans and cabs have often been mentioned in our columns, has received a gratifying report from a purchaser in regard to the performance of a tolep. Adams lorry over a period of 35 weeks. Close upon H,000 miles of running were achieved, at a total running cost of L:87 14s. 6d., in comparison with a corresponding oost for horse-van service Of .4.164. The motor figure does not include depreciation, for which -J,J35 was set aside during the period; neither is there any depreciation in the figure for horse costs. Fuller details may be had from the company named.
We are advised that Mr. Ernest Sawyer, of the Coborn Motor Garages, Bromley, Kent, is prepared to cart goods to and from London by motor.
Mr. F. R. Simms.
We are informed that Mr. F. R. Simms will sail from Liverpool, on the 23rd instant, by the ss. " Mauretania," for the purpose of establishing the direct business of the Simms Magneto Co., Ltd., and to open a branch of that company in New York.
Brewers' Petrol Lorries. Leyland Motors, Limited, of Leyland, Lancashire, continues to cater for brewers who desire to purchase vehicles with internal-combustion engines, and a further sale has been made to J. Greenwood and Sons, Limited, of Blackburn. This company is an old Leyland customer for steam wagons, but it has now decided that part of its work can be more satisfactorily done by a 31-ton rubber-tired petrol lorry. Frum the accompanying illustration, it will be seen that there is a special driving apron as well as a cab; the former is permanently attached to the dashboard : the driver is thus effectually protected from bad weather. Another Lancashire instance of a similar purchase, where four Leyland steam lorries are already in use, is provided lw Greenall, Whitley and Co., Ltd., of Si. Helens and Warrington. Hoffmann Bearings.
The Hoffmann Manufacturing Company; Limited, of Chelmsford, Essex, whose world-wide reputation for steel balls and patent standard ball bearings has added to the fame of the Essex county-town in engineering circles, intimates that the rapid increase of its Midlands business has necessitated the opening of a Birmingham office. This is situated at Central House, New Street, and is under the charge of Mr. A. J. Butlin, as district manager, with an efficient staff. The telegraphic address is " Hoffmann Birmingham," and the telephone number 6488 Central. A small stock will be kept, in order that urgent orders may be promptly filled, but routine orders will he executed from the works as hitherto. We may add that Mr. Butlin, by reason of his engineering training and particular experience with the Hoffmann company, is fully qualified to give advice and instruction as to application and use.
Several letters are unavoidably held over from our "Opinions from Others " pages.
The Secretary of the Bosch Magneto Company, Limited, advises us that it now has ready a garage pester for distribution, and that a copy will be sent to any qualified person who makes written application to the company's offices at 23, Store Street, W.C.
Star Records.
The Star Engineering Company, of Wolverhampton, is supposed, by many people, only recently to have entered the lists as a manufacturer of commercial motors, but this is contrary to fact. For example, we are able to illustrate herewith a photograph of two, light, 7h.p., two-cylinder, Star vans, owned by Messrs. H. Chappell and Company, of Fulham Road, S.W., both of which have done excellent work for a long period. The rear van of the two was put into service more than two and a half years ago, and has approximately run 24,000 miles, whilst the front van, which was acquired more recently, has already a good record to its credit. It will he noted that the body of the new van is slightly longer and lower than that of the other; height is not an important matter in connection with ironmongery and builders' materials. Although originally sold for loads of only sewt., the older of the two vans has more than once been loaded to the neighbourhood of iscwt.
An Efficient Splash Guard.
The " Shrapnel " splashguard was originally described and illustrated in our issue of the tith June, ino8, and we have several times mentioned it since that date. Messrs. J. Puller and Sons, of Perth, have fitted it to a MilnesDaimler lorry, as illustrated on this page. " The Dispersal of Mud " was the title of a short leading article which we published on the 26th October, roo5, and we then pointed out, inter alia, that ant' mud thrown from the wheels of a self-propelled vehicle was shot out at defined angles. Mr. H. j. Shrapnel,
whose &afire is at 46, Queen Victoria Street, E.C., informs us that his observations show that the angle at which the mud comes away varies with surface conditions, degrees of wetness, cohering qualities, and other factors which it would not occur to one at first sight to attribute to so common a substance as street mud. The point of interest for our readers is probably this the "Shrapnel " Splashguard Company will supply complete sets at ro
guineas inclusive, and we have no hesitation in saying that this device is the most efficient of its kind on the market.
A Christening Ceremony.
Little more than a week ago, at Bradford, the wife of Alderman James Freeman, chairman of the Bradford Fire Brigade Committee, formally christened, by the breaking of a bottle of champagne, the first Dennis turbine fire-engine.
Acquitted of Manslaughter.
A test driver in the employ of Merryweather and Sons, Limited, who had the misfortune to kill a man near Shooter's I i ill when out with one of that maker's motor fire-engines, was acquitted, by Mr. Justice Grantham and a jury, at the Central Criminal Court, on the t5th instant, of a charge of manslaughter. It was alleged that the machine was travelling at a speed of some 14 miles an hour at the time, whereas the legal limit was 12 miles an hour, Exit it was very properly pointed out that the fire-brigade authorities require such machines to have an average speed of at least 25 miles an hour. At the suggestion of the Judge, who remarked that the depositions showed that the case was one of unfortunate accident, such as was bound to happen from time to time, the prosecution intimated that it would offer no evidence,. whilst Counsel for the defence briefly quoted the good character of the driver..