WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."-.—john Beattie Crozier.
1923 Production in °America.
The National Automobile Chamber of Commerce reports that the number of motor vehicles produced in Americasduring 1923 was 4,014,000, of which 3,644,000 were touring cars and 370;COO commercial vehicles. The total number of .vehicles produced in 1922 was 2,659,064, so that the figures for the past year show an approximate increase of ,50 per cent.
The wholesale value of the motor vehicles produced was 267,500,000 dollars, the average, retail price of each commercial vehicle being 1,080 dollars.
The exports of motor vehicles for the year totalled 328,333, of which 37,049 were commercial vehicles.
The Motor Show at Wembley.
Thesf$nciety of Motor Manufacturers and Taders which, in collaboration with the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers and Traders Union, is organizing the motor and cycle section of the British Empire Exhibition which opens at Wembley in the spring, is well within sight of securing all the exhibits required to occupy the 50,000 sq, ft. of space allotted for the purpose in the Palace of Engineering.
The display at Wembley will differ materially from the annual Exhibitions organized by the S.M.M. and T. at Olympia, insomuch as it is being run as a collective exhibit, and the various manufacturers exhibiting are being strictly rationed in order to ensure that the types of machine shown arerepresentative of the industry's products. In all, the products of about 200 British motor manufacturers will be exhibited, and, so far as our readers are concerned, the sections which will be of chef interest will be those devoted to a display of steam, petrol and electric commercial vehicles, farm tractors, motor coach and other bodywork, and components, accessories and tyres.
A Delightful Dinner.
We do not remember enjoying a dinner more than that given by the directors of II. M. Hobson, Ltd., to "a few of the old friends of the company," as Mr. Hobson explained from the chair. There was about the Proceedings such a grace and dignity, coupled with a geniality beyond expression, that the evening passed as smoothly as if it were an informal gathering held at the house of ones host. Mr. Hobson always prtends that he has not the makings. of a chairman at a big trade gathering; the true facts of the case are that he is admirably filling, this year, the post of president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and that he made an ideal chairman at his own function last Tuesday. Present were the Lord Advocate of Scotland, the HOD. William Watson, K.C., Sir William Letts, Sir James C. Percy, Lt.-Col. J. A. Cole, Col. Hacking, Comr. Armstsong, Lt.Come. Porno, Mr. Frank Lanchester, Mr. E. M. C Instone, Mr. J. K. Starley, Sir Alfred Mays-Smith, Mr. Ernest Siddeley, Lt Col. Sealy-Clarke, others prominent in the trade and a few repre
C20 sentatives of Press organs. The speeches were far above the average in merit; it is doubtful whether such a consistently high order has ever been reached at trade gatherings, and throughout there was an attitude of genuine congratulation to Mr. Hobson, Mr. Cheesman, Major Searight and Mr. de Poorter upon the success of their life's work and upon the real service they have rendered to the motor trade and to the country.
A 1200,000 Bridge.
The Newport 'IC. has issued brief details of the new bridge which is to be constructed over the River Usk, the preliminaries for which are well advanced. The bridge will be a five-span four-pier structure 60 ft. wide, with a carriageway 36 ft. wide and 12-ft. footpaths on each side. An allowance will be made for any future widening likely to be required by building the piers wider than the bridge, in order to laermit, of a further 10-ft. widening if the cantilevers are thrown out. The piers will be of concrete and the superstructure of steel. The length of the structure will necessitate a centre span. of 72 ft.,. and the other river spans will be 64 ft. on each side and the abutment spans 57 ft. The roadway, which will be laid on steel , trougbing or light steel girders' will have a concrete base and a sTirfacing of ashphalte or wood blocks.
In addition to Mr. Basil Mott, -0.13. M.Inst.C.E., the designer, the Newport Corporation engineer, Mr. Sidney Jenkins, M.Inst.C.E., is -in charge of the preparatory work. An early-start will. he made on the building of the bridge, which will cost from £170,000 to £200,000, of -which 65 per cent, is to be provded by Ministry grant.
The Small Bus for Winter Work.
An authority which is at present giving its attention to the merits of the small bus for winter work, on which are most popular in the summer routes, is the Newcastle Corporation transport and electricity undertaking. It is contemplating the purchase of a fleet of light omnibuses for use on the route out of Ponteland, which connects up that outlying agricultural township and its immediate neighbourhood, with New-. castle, a distance of six miles separating the two places.
1923 Headlight Tests.
Two awards are made annually by the Royal Automobile Club in connection with tests of headlights—one for the most meritorious performance of au adaptation for existing lamps, and the other for the most meritorious performance of a complete lamp of special design. On examination of the results of tests held during the year 1923 (details of which are set out on a recently published list), the award in the second class is made to the Craftsman Lamp Co., Ltd., 21, Ironmonger Lane, London, E.C.2. The expert and technical department of the R.A.C. decided that no adaptation for existing lamps showed sufficient merit to warrant the issue of an award.
During the year eight types of headlamps were submitted to test. We give below the names of these lamps, and in the column beaded "Dazzle" the figures represent the distance from the ' lamps to which an observer (eye level of 4 ft.) has to approach before the special attributes of the lamp permit him to see the standard disc (representative of a . pedestrian) situated between the off side of the lamps and the kerb : Street Accidents in Manchester. The city constable of Manchester issues an annual statistical return giving the number of streetaccidents in Manchester, and the figures for the past year show that there has been a considerable increase as compared with those for 1922. There were actually 81 more accidents in 1923 than in the preceding year, but the number of these in which motor vehicle were involved Increased. from 789 to 935.This is the Betio:PS factor in the returns, but it must not be thought, however, that the fault is entirely with the drivers of these vehicles, for there are many contributory • factors which have to be considered, not the least important of which is the added Congestion of the streets, brought about by the general increase • of traffic anti, the inconvenience-caused by by tramcars. Of the total number of accidents from all causes, 482 were fatal and 1,386 were non-fatal, these figures comparing with 57 and 1,296 respectively for the year 1922. It is pointed out in the chief consstable's returns that the great majority of the accidents occurred in the central area of the city, arid that most of them took place between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Norfolk County Council has made a contract with Charles Burrell and Sons, Ltd., of Thetford, to supply and opera's 5-ton„steana wagons at the rate of Is. lid per wagon-mile.
The Saurer in America.
We learn from America that the Saurer commercial vehicle to carry a load of 61 (American) tons has made its appearance on the market there: This make. of vehicle has been off the American market for some years past, but, in keeping with the pro. greseive policy al the parent company, a branch has now been opened in New York. It may he recalled that at one time the International Motor Co. were responsible for the sale of Sammy vehicles in America, but, this arrangement was terminated in 1916.
The general design and construction of the Saucer to be sold in America follows that which is known to most of our readers in .connection with Saurer models sold on the English market. The price at which this 61-ton chassis is to be sold is 6,500 dollar.
B.A.T. Traffic Receipts.
For the four complete weeks in the months of December the traffic receipts on the vehicles run by the British Automobile Traction Co.'s group were as follow :—December 9th, £20,016; December 16th, £21,578; December 23rd, £24,136; December 30th, £24,457. The total traffic receipts for the year amounted to £1,408,760, this figure representing an increase of £105,264, as compared with the receipts for the preceding year.
The Watford By-pass Road.
It is now generally known that the Ministry of Transport recently formulated proposals for the construction of a new arterial road, to be known as the Watford by-pass road, to run from the boundary of Hendon, in the Finchley Road, into Hertfordshire.
The Hendon Rural Council has taken exception to the proposals, and a deputation which recently waited on the Ministry suggested variations of the site of the road with a view to securing economy in construction and avoiding the need for demolishing existing property. The Ministry has promised to give proper consideration to the suggestions of the council, although the members of the deputation did not appear to be very hopeful of their proposals being entertained.
The Middlesex County Council has approved of
the construction of the road, whilst another arterial road, which will affect Hendon and district to a lesser extent, is to be known as the Barnet by-pass road; its estimated cost is £140,000.
• De Dion-Bouton Price Reductions.
The prices of all the De Dion-Bouton commercial chassis have been reduced as follow, the previous prices being shown in brackets :-10-cwt. chassis, £285 (L320); 20-30-cwt. chassis, £415 (R465) ; 30-40-cwt. chassis, £445 (L495); 31--ton chassis, £536 (£575); 5-ton chassis, £595 (£650). Char-a-banes chassis :— 20-seater, £480 (£530); 32-seater, £585 (£640). Lighting and starting systems are supplied at additional cost, and on the 20-seater char-ii-bancs front-wheel brakes are optional at 230 extra.
Grants for District Roads.
In view of the alarming increases in expenditure upon the repair and main*tenance of district roads, particularly the more important ones linking up main roads, the Bishop Auckland Rural District Council has drawn the attention of the Ministry of Transport to the question, and it suggests that an annual grant from the Road .Fund of at least 50 per cent, of all excess expenditure over the pre-war standard should he made in respect of roads of this description.
Licensing Fees for Hackneys.
A circular is being sent to local authorities by the Ministry of Transport in regard to compensation to authorities in respect of fees no longer payable for licensing mechanically propelled hackney vehicles. The Minister states that he has decided that the present, uniform practice of rendering claims in respect of the year ending March 31st should be discontinued, and that each licensing authority should in future submit its claim to the Ministry for the period covered by its " licensing year" so soon as possible after the end of that year.
Personal Pars.
Inspector J. W. "Mumby, who had for some time held the position of second officer in the Nottingham City Fire Brigade, has been appointed as superintendent in succession to Mr. T. Breaks, who recently retired on pension, Like his predecessor, the new chief has strongly favoured the utilization in all directions of motor appliances in connection with fire-fighting work, and in this respect Nottingham is well to the lore, for all horse-drawn engines having been long since dispensed with. Superintendent Mumby joined the Nottingham brigade in 1893.
We learn with interest that Mr. Alan Hill has been appointed by the Rhode Motor Co. as a special representative in the interest of the Rhode economy van. There are a number of Rhode light vans in service, and the Satisfaction which the machines have given to their users has prompted the company to appoint a special representative for pushing the sale of this little transport unit.
Mr. Hill has had considerable experience with Rhode vehicles; and has covered upwards of 50,00 miles on an occasional four during the past two years. He is, of course, a well-known competition driver, and has taken part in many classic trials Lowestoft Bus Regulations.
Lowestoft Corporation hal, prepared draft by-laws in which provision is made for a stand for 12 omnibuses in Battery Green Road. This provision is to meet an objection which was made by the proprietors of vehicles operating on the Yarmouth route that they could not conform to their time-tables by reason of the fact that no omnibus is allowed to stand on the Waveney Road stand for more than five minutes at a time.
No limit is placed upon the time dui-lag which a vehicle may occupy the Battery Green Road stand, and thus any vehicle returning from Yarmouth and having to wait more than five minutes before the time scheduled for its return journey will be allowed to stand in Battery Green Road for such period as is necessary before going on to the Waveney Road stand.
A Somerset Roads Inquiry.
The Ministry of Transport recently held an inquiry at Taunton into the application of the Somerset County Council for an Order under the Roads Act (nao) prohibitingor restricting, e.ubject to certain eeceptions or conditions, the driving of heavy motorcars and locomotives over certain highways and sections of road.
The application was opposed by several prominent motoring organizations, including the C.M.U.A, and the A.A. and m_u_, as well as a number of local users of passengers and goods vehicles.
The application had reference to roads in the districts of Atbriclge, Wells, Street, Langport, Wincanton, Dulverton, Williton, Clutton and Keynsham. Much time was occupied in hearing the views of those in favour of or. against the ,application. The general ifiquiry waS adjourned for a period of six weeks.
The Sentinel Works Magazine. One of the works magazines which we always peruse with a consi,derable amount of interest each 'month is that which emanates from the Shrewsbury . works of the Sentinel Waggon Works (IVO), Ltd.
As is not always the case with works magazines, T he ,S"en tined Trans port News contains, a number of interesting articles which make a general appeal to all interested in mechanical road trans port. Some of the most informative articles in the January jssue are "How to Drive in London," "oad Transport Convoys," "The Joys of Night Transport," "Pulverized Fuel and Oil," etc.
The eminently practical tide of the magazine is interspersed with other material written in a lighter vein.
Derbyshire Bridge Improvements.
Drivers of commercial motor vehicles will learn with satisfaction that the Derbyshire County Council decided at its last meeting upon the improvement of several of the old bridges in the Peak County, which areat present entirely incommensurate with the needs of' Modern-day traffic. The proposals will necessarily entail considerable expenditure from the county funds; but the responsible committee emphasized in -its report that, owing 'to the verygreat increase in motor traffic, the work could not be very long,cleferrecl, and that the opportunity now given of carrying it out with the aid of large grants from the Ministry' of Transport is not one that should be set aside. It is anticipated that, as a minimum, 50 per cent. will . C22 be received from the Ministry in the event of Ctie work being put in hand before March 3ISt.
An entirely new bridge is to be erected at Bestow at an estimated cost of £24,000, amongst the other main projects to be undertaken being the widening or reconstruction, at an expenditure of £43,000, of Monk's Bridge over the River Dove at Eggington, upon the Ministry agreeing to contribute 65 per cent, of the cost.
More Trams to Go.
Keighley Corporation has now applied to the Ministry of Transport for, an order authorizing the introduction Of a system of, trolley vehicles within the borough, Several of the routes being on main roads -and county bridges.
The schemeI'S intended to take the place of existing tramways.
Home Office and Rear-view Mirrors.
The reply of the Pembrokeshire Standing Joint Committee to the Home Office query as to whether_ it would 'frame a local by-law making it impera-. tive for heavy mechanically propelled vehicles to carry rear-view mirrors has been received. It is to the effect that, in view of the Ministry of Transport's opinion that such a law should be part of the general legislation relating to such vehicles and not a local by-law, the Pembrokeshire authority would not enforce the use of reflectors.
A New Wearmouth Bridge.
Consequent upon the ever-increasing numbers of motor vehicles in use in the Sunderland neighbourhood, it has been apparent for some time past that a more substantial structure than the existing West-mouth Bridge was necessary to enable it to withstand the weight of modern traffic crossing the river to and from the important Wearside centres. The question has been before. the Sunderland Town Council for some time, and at its last meeting the authority accepted a special report from a committee approving, in principle, of the construction of a new bridge 90 ft. wide, and, furthermore, appointed ,a deputation to visit the Ministry of Transport in order to secure a grant towards the cost of construction, which. is estimated at about £300,00.
An alternative suggestion was for the construction of a bridge 80t. ft. wide' but the obvious advantages resulting from the building of a wider structure were deduced in favour of the scheme for the erection of a bridge 9011. wide.
Truro Bus Transfers.
At a meeting of the Truro Watch Committee the hackney carriage inspector reported that he had had an interview with the traffic manager of the Cornwall Motor Transport, Ltd., and a representative of Golwills, Ltd... of Ilfracombe, with ,.reference to the transfer of the forme company's motor. bus service which runs from Truro to Newquay, together with the necessary licences, to the latter company.
The inspector reported that Messrs. Colwills are running services between Wadebridge and rslewquay, and that on two days per week, if permission were granted, it would be possible to proceed from Truro to Bideford by the one service. The new company will maintain the present services and augment them during the summer. The inspector read formal letters of application from both companiee and the committee 'recommended that the necessary per mission for the transfer of the licences be granted.
Service for Cubitt Users.
In a paragraph which appeared in our issue for December 25th we stated, with reference to the service arrangements made by Cuhitt's Engineering Co., Ltd., that requirements in this connection should be forwarded to Aylesbury, whilst everything relating to spare parts would receive attention at the Gray's Inn Road depot. This is net quite ac.curate, for we understand that the Gray's Inn Road depot in London deals with all service requirements. In broad principles, when a vehicle has left the works at Aylesbury, all future requirements in connection with it in the matter of spare parts, repairs, adjustments or information with regard to such matters are dealt with from the Gray's Inn Road depot.
Exhibits for Wembley.
The organizers of the British Empire Exhibition, to be held at Wembley in the spring, have made arrangements with the various railway companies so that the exhibits of those who intend to show can he carried by goods or passenger train at half rates, and similar facilities will apply to all unsold exhibits returning from Wembley at the close of the Exhibition. So soon as the Railway Clearing House has approved of a form, certificates will be issued to exhibitors to show that the goods are actually intended for exhibition at the Wembley Exhibition.
Roads in Isle of Skye.
Considerable developments will probably be witnessed during the next few months in connection with the *extension and improvement of highways in the Island of Skye. It is stated that the Ministry of Transport has sanctioned a scheme for the reconstruction of the main road from Kyle to Portree, the cost of which is estimated at about £75,000, Of this sum £60,000 will form a State contribution, and it is proposed to undertake the work forthwith.
The authorities are also in touch with the Ministry in connection with the repair of other roads on the island, and these are estimated to cost an additional £70,000.
An important concession which has been granted to Skye by the Ministry is the reclassification of the roads, as a result of which many of these roads now graded as second-class will come within the category of first-class highways, whilst a number of those hitherto regarded as third-class and unclassified roads will be scheduled as second-class for the purpose of State grants.
The Importance of Bus Queues.
Barnes Urban District, Council has heard that the system of passengers forming queues whilst waiting for omnibuses at Hammersmith Broadway has been abolished, thereby causing considerable confusion, and sent a communication to the Commissioner of Police and the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., stating that, whilst it does not desire to express a definite opinion on the alteration of the system lately in force, it is of the 'opinion that the practice of passengers forming queues should be retained in order to prevent accidents.
Bus Body Specialists..
We have received from United Automobile Services, Ltd., Laundry Lane, Lowestoft, a copy of a list dealing with the company's latest types of saloon body. The company have had 15 years' experience in the design and construction of passenger vehicles, and, running as they do a large fleet of their own machines, they are in an ideal position to know and appreciate the requirements of the motor coach and bus owner.
The company's bodies are built •to standard in jigs, so that one is inter. changeable with the other. This adhesion to definite designs and sixes, coupled with continuous production in an area where costs are low, enables the company to produce serviceable and workmanlike designs at reasonable cost.
The company's recently published list gives .a general specification for several types of standard bus body.
Inconveniences of Bad Roads.
In such a condition are the roads in the Aberayron (Card.) area that private and commercial vehicle owners have banded together to form a motor union for the Dihewyd district. Some of the members recently waited upon the council calling attention to the need for the " immediate repair of the roads as their present state is dangerous to life and limb.
Mr. D. B. Jones, Gars Villa, the secretary of the local union, has reported to the members that by a large majOrity the council has now decided to provide the necessary stone for making up the roads, which will be surveyed by a committee of inspection who will then direct repairs. The suspension of a bus service is threatened by the intolerable state of other roads in the council's area, and Messrs. Evans and James, of the Garage, New Quay, have notified the council that unless repairs are put in hand at once they must cease to run the winter service of buses from New Quay to Llanarth.
An Appeal to the Ministry.
The Imperial Tramways Co., Ltd., the owners of the Corns Light Railway, have applied to the Aberystwyth Town Council for permission to ply for hire in the borough with buses which are to run on service between Goginan and Devil's Bridge. The council has deferred consideration of the question.
The company have notified the council that they have lodged an appeal with the Ministry of Transport against the decision of the council not to grant them lieences for buses to run on a route between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth. The Ministry of Transport has inti mated to the Dundee Town Council that it is not prepared to make a grant towards the cost of building a road bridge over the River Tay. ' It is ex
plained that, as the work of construction .cannot be begun forthwith, it is net possible to reserve against the cost of the scheme any proportion of the Money provided .for the relief of unemployment. It is conceded, bovcever, that, had the work been . proceeded with, three-fourths of the expense should have:,corrie out of Imperial funds.
A later announcement is made to the effect that if is likely that the project will soon be reconsidered as a part of the larger proposal to build bridges over both . the Rivers Tay and • Forth. Further negotiations are taking place with Sir Henry Maybury, who, it is expected, will be in Edinburgh in the course of a few days and receive a deputation on the subject. Meantime, the Lord Provost of Dundee is calling a meeting of all the local authorities interested in order to give the matter further consideration. Local Proceedings.
Darwen Town Council has provided a. motor ambulance for public use.
Gloucester City Council has purchased a Morris motor fire-engine.
Romford 'Board of Guardians has decided to purchase a motor ambulance. Downham Urban District Council has decided to purchase a motor fire-engine.
Stretford Urban District Council reports that two sweeping machines are on trial.
Stoneham Town Council is considering a proposal for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
Barnet Urban District Council is considering a proposal to purchase a motor fire-engine.
Bowden Parish Council is considering the possibility of acquiring a motor fire-engine.
Newcastle City Council has allocated Castle Square as a parking place for motor vehicles.
Whitby Urban and Rural Councils are arranging for the provision of a motor ambulance.
In the Croydon Corporation Bill a sum of 22,700 is allocated for,the provision of motorbuses.
Ashton Corporation is seeking powers to enable it, to establish motorbus services outside the town. • •
Taunton Town Council has voted 21,800 for the provision of motor equipment for the fire-brigade.
Eastbourne Corporation has decided to purchase five new motor omnibuses. Tenders are to be issued.
The Minister of Finance, in Belfast, is inviting tenders for the supply of fire-fighting appliances. Whittlesey Rural District Council is considering the question of the acquisition of a motor fire-engine.
• Rotherham Corporation Bill includes clauses in relation to additional trolley vehicles and motorbus routes.
Newport (Mon.) Corporation has authorized the purchase of a 1-ton motor lorry for the health committee.
The Electricity Committee of Sydney (N.S.W.) Municipal Council recommends, the purchase of two 6-ton motor lorries.
Southend Corporation has empowered the borough engineer to purchase three light motor tipping vans and a light motorcar.
South Crosland and Meltham Urban District Councils have asked the Huddersfield Corporation to arrange for motorbus services.
Blyth Town Council has asked a committee to consider the purchase of motor vehicles for street cleansing and road maintenance work.
Raving had two -offers of a similar amount for a motor lorry, the Melford Rural District Council decided to sell the vehicle by auction.
Newport (Mon.) Corporation has made a Contract with Karrier Motors, Ltd., for the supply of six motor omnibuses at 2817 16s. each.
The application of the Bradford Corporation to the Ministry of Transport seeks power to enable trolley-buses to be run on a large number of routes within the city and on seven routes outside it.
• C24 Bath City Council proposes to purchase a motor road sweeper.
Holsworthy Urban District Council has been asked to provide motor firebrigade equipment.
Goole Urban District Council has been recommended to purchase a motor fire' engine and a motor lorry.
Southend Corporation Highways Committee recommends the purchase of three Dennis watering machines at a total cost of 23,410 and two Leffly road sweepers at a total cost of 21,750. A. report of the Stretford Urban District Council mentions that the Armstrong-Siddeley ambulance has been put, in commission, and that the net cost of the chassis and reconstruction of the ambulance was 2513.
Wolverhampton Corporation • Tramways Committee has purchased a motorbus chassis at a cost of 21,074 from Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., and a body from Messrs. Fleming, Lowder and Co., at a cost of 2485.
Barnsley Watch CoMmittee has given permission to Mr. G. Hellewell, of Ardsley, to run a motorbus service between Grimethorpe and Barnsley.
The Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee has decided to grantclicences for 12 addi tional motorbuses run on the main road between Tuustall and Longton during rush hours on Saturday afternoons.
The'Painscastle Rural District Council is to confer with the Hay Rural District Council on the subject of joint firebrigade equipment, and to consider the sub.stitutffin of a motor fire-engine for the present horse-drawn vehicle.
The ambulance committee of the Metropolitan Asylums Board has recommended the acceptance of the tenders of C. Macintosh and Co. Ltd., and Pirelli, Ltd.., for the supply of tyres for use on the board's motor vehicles.
The tramways committee of the Blackpc•ol Corporation is seeking tenders for three single-deck one:man-controlled motorbuses of approximately 40
each to seat 30 passengers. Tenders have to he delivered not later than January 26th. Refusing a Speed,limit Demand. For some time past the Wallsend Town Council has been making strong representations to obtain permission to impose a speed limit of 10 m.p.h. upon all motor vehicles travelling along High Street East, a rather narrow and congested thoroughfare, which carries considerable vehicular traffic to and from a number of important Tyneside industrial
centres. The Ministry of Transport, however, has now intimated its inability to grant such an application, and is of the opinion that any question of danger to the public is covered by the Act of 1903.
Gravesend-Tilbury Tunnel Scheme. After somewhat, protracted negotiations the Government has authorized the appointment of an engineer to make an official survey, and to prepare plans and estimates for the construction of a road tunnel between Gravesend and Tilbury. If the present plans are proceeded with,
the tunnel will involve a large scheme of road construction, and will facilitate the movement of traffic as well as avoid the need for vehicles travelling from Kent passing through the Metropolitan areas • The engineer appointed. to carry out the survey is Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice, a past-president of the Institution of Civil Engineers arid a past-president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
New Price of Traffic Truck.
North Western Motors, Ltd., Norton Street, Liverpool, inform us that the price of the new 1924 model Traffic truck has been reduced 250, making the present list price of this vehicle 2545.
Stretford Urban District Council has now agreed to renew the licences of the Mid-Cheshire Motor Bus Co.
Glasgow Corporation Tramways elinnimittee has asked the tramways manager to report on the operations, within the city of the various companies running motorbus services to and from the city.
Pressed-steel Wheels.
A. large range of pressed-steel wheels is now manufactured by the Lynton Wheel and Tyre Co., Ltd., Warrington. A number of those made are of the divisible pattern patented by this concern, with detachable rims, which greatly facilitate the removal and replacement of pneumatic tyres. A standardized set of wheels for Ford cars, taking 30-in. by 31-in. tyres, with one spare rim, is sold at .£10. Disc wheels with solid band tyres are also made for Ford 1-ton vans. A well-produced booklet and catalogue of the wheels has just been published, and will, we are sure, be sent post free to applicants writing to the address given above.
Substituted Buses.
At a meeting of the Lowestoft Corporation the licensing committee reported that its attention had been drawn to the use of a large omnibus on the Oulton Broad route. It has been the practice of the United Automobile Services, Ltd., to withdraw, from time to time, certain of their vehicles from service, and to replace them by other vehicles of a similar, type, and upon doing so to have their licences • transferred from the old to the new vehicle, and it appears that the large vehicle referred to has obtained a licence in this way, although. at the time the transfer was made it was not appreciated that the vehicle then substituted was of a much larger type than the one superseded.
was stated that the committee is
of opinion that, having regard to the nature and width of the roads, the new vehicle is wholly unsuitable fgr use within the borough, and it has directed the deputy town clerk to inform the company that it will not be prepared to recommend the council to renew the licence in respect thereof at the next annual licensing day. Moreover, the committee recommends that the use of the vehicle within the borough should be discontinued forthwith.
Traffic Supervision.
Carrnarthenshire County Council has asked it roads committee to consider a suggestion that a scheme of by-laws and regulations should be prepared with regard to mechanical transport vehicles over county roads. •
Inst. A.B. Activities.
An informal meeting of the Instantion of Automobile Engineers will be field on Thursday, January 24th, at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, near St. James's Park Station, when some interesting testing instruments for the use of engineers will be demonstrated and discussed. No tickets are required for the meeting.
The reading of Mn.A. J. Rowledge's paper on "Water-cooled Aero Engines" a few days ago attracted a large number of members. During the course of the meeting the recently established medal of the Institution of Automobile Engineers was presented to Dr. F. W. Lanchester in recognition of his contributions to scientific knowledge.
Newport Bus Services.
At a meeting of the Newport Tramways Committee concurrence was expressed with a decision of the watch committee that licences for the Western Valleys Motor Omnibus Services running into the borough be granted subject to the conditions agreed to by the committee, and that there is no objection to the condition that the vehicles shall net ply for hire except on a complete journey between Crumlin or Pontllanfraith and Newport being varied to a place or places on the route nearer the borough than the said town or towns.
Consideration was given to a letter from Mr. D. Blight inquiring whether the permission granted to him by the council to run motor omnibuses between Newport and Chepstow, via Liswerry, Magor and Caldicot still held good, and asking whether the corporation proposed running a service over the whole or any part of this route. The letter was referred to the committee, and Mr. Blight is to be informed that the council does not propose to operate a service of omnibuses on the route referred to, but cannot give an undertaking not to do so in future.
London Traffic Stops.
The Ministry of Transport has adopted a general principle throughout London of arranging for buses to stop at least two lengths behind tramcars, an arrangement. which has been found generally to work satisfactorily,