Boon to Workpeople.
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Reports are to hand that the motor chars-à-banes which are run to Birkie outside Dundee are proving to be very popular indeed amongst the working people of the latter town. On Saturday afternoons the crowds of would-be passengers are so great that the vehicles are entirely unable to cope with the traffic. This motor service makes it possible to reach, at little cost, many very delightful districts in the surroundings country, a facility which is much appreciated locally.
An Optimistic Concern.
The prospectus of the Compagnie Generale d'Omnibus et d'Autobus de Constantinople, a company to whose initiation we drew attention in our last issue, has called forth very-harsh criticism from the financial Press. Particular exception is taken to the endeavour to issue the shares at a premium of 25 per cent. There are eleven directors, and the company is only to have £45,000 (Turkish) as capital. Only one of the directors appears to be an Englishman. It is conjectured in the aforementioned prospectus that dividends to the amount of .24 per cent. will easily be earned. As the avowed objects of this company are to operate motorbus services "all over Turkey," it would, at least, have been prudent to have based the estimates of probable working on actual results which are known to have been obtained during past years in London and in other parts of the world. "What's Sauce for the Goose."
At a recent meeting of the Sanitary Committee of the Bath Corporation, complaints were communicated with regard to the alleged overcrowding c-f the local tramcars and motorbuses.
The clerk to the council explained that the committee had no responsibility in regard to the tramcars, but that the motorbuses were operated under the committee's by-laws. In view of this state of affairs, it was decided to
communicate with the Watch Committee with regard to the motorbuses.
Eastbourne's New Depot.
Eastbourne Town Council has accepted the tender of Mr. Mark Hook
ham at £3,397 for the erection of a motorbus depot. Another tender which had been previously accepted was withdrawn.
Leylands at Tunbridge Wells.
We illustrate on this page one of the small fleet of Leyland chars-abanes which is being employed by -the Tunbridge Wells Autocar Co., Ltd. Three of this model have already been delivered to this favourite Kentish health resort, and we are informed that a repeat order has been secured by the makers from the same owners. It will be remembered that one of these vehicles, which was then about to be delivered to Tunbridge Wells, was on exhibition at the Royal Show at Liverpool, and we had occasion, in the course of our special Show report, dated the 23rd June, to refer to this useful type of machine at some length. Until the advent of these modern machines, a few antiquated horse omnibuses were supposed to serve the needs of the population of this beautiful town. Adequate motorvehicle transport for passengers should do much to benefit " the Wells."
A three-months licence has been granted by the Cardiff Watch Committee for the running of motorbuses between T.landaff and Cardiff. This route has hitherto been served by horsed buses.
For the Conference.
The National Steam Car Co., Ltd., has contracted to supply several motorbuses for the use of members during the forthcoming Conference of British and American engineers which is to take place at the end of this month at Birmingham.
Malay's Motor Services,
We publish, in the front portion of this issue, a further instalment of the description of the Malay States Railway's extensive motor department. These interesting articles are from the pen of Mr. A. .E. Meader', who, for several years, held the position of engineer-in-charge of the motorvehicle organization in that country. The present instalment is illustrated v. ith another batch of reproductions from a number of beautiful photographs which have not hitherto been published in any journal. A Standing Representative.
Councillor H. T. Johnson, of the Hammersmith Borough Council, has been recommended by that body's special Motor Traffic Committee to represent. it on a proposed standing committee, which, it is suggested, shall confer upon any question arising between London local authorities and the representatives of the motor-omnibus companies and others.
Wanstead Uses More Water.
At a recent meeting of the Wanstead U.D.C., several letters were read from residents in the Cambridge Park district alleging that the motorbuses which ran through the neighbourhood were a source of considerable annoyance to the inhabitants. It was asked that the council should take steps to insure: (a) that the road be kept watered during the whole time that the buses were running ; (b) that the number of vehicles so running be reduced; (c) thai their speed be limited to four miles an hour upon approaching or leaving the town. It was made clear that this complaint did not affect the whole of Wanstead, but simply the unfortunate residents of Cambridge Park. One of the members of the council stated that a number of residents had agreed to boycott the offend
ing vehicles, and that communications. had been made to the motorbus companies giving notice of this resolution. After duo consideration, the council decided that the thoroughfares over which the motorbuses ran should bewatered for a longer period than hitherto on Sundays.
Cardiff Maintains an Ambulance.
On Wednesday week, the Watch. Committee of the Cardiff Corporation formally took over the custody of a new motor ambulance, which has been acquired by the Wales and .Nionmouthshire District centre of the St. John's Ambulance Association. This latter organization has been responsible for the collection of the necessary funds to purchase the vehicle. Amongst the subscribers to the total sum of £800. which was necessary, the names of Mr. John Cory, who headed the list with £200, the Marquis of Bute, Sir William T. Lewis, Bart., and many of the South Wales colliery companies and miners' associations are conspicuous. The Cardiff Corporation has agreed to maintain the, car free of expense to the Ambulance Association for twelvemonths, and the vehicle is to be at the disposal of all urgent cases of accident. upon telephonic request to the city• police.