AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

22nd May 1919, Page 4
22nd May 1919
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 4, 22nd May 1919 — WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all ditneulties of transport at whatever points arising, 04 a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."--JOhn Beattie Crozier.

New London Buses.

Arrangements are being made to place on the streets of London a number of motorbuses which will be driven and conducted by their owners. A company styled the Motor Omnibus Go-operative Society, Ltd., which was formed in 1914 and held up during the war, is being revived for the purpose of carrying on the business. The shareholders will be limited tcomembera of the London and Provincial Union dr Licensed Vehicle Workers' and it is stated that they will pay for their -holdings at the ratetof a shilling a share per week.

So far as the design of the new bus is concerned it is said that it will be of a very light type, weighing '30 cwt., and will have seating capacity for 26 passengers. It is an interesting development to note that they will be run on pneumatic tyres. Specifications are now awaiting the approval of Scotland Yard.

A driver will be able to own his bus if he wishes to, on the same lines as taximen acquire their cabs. Patting the cost at .£1,000, hos would pay a deposit of £75 or £100 and the balance at the rate of £10 a week. As buses are taking £6 a day that would not be a difficult matter.

August will probably see the new buses put into operation in London.

Benzole Suppliers.

The Automobile Association is compiling a list of retailers,•motor garages, etc., stocking berizole. This list will be very complete, and will include the names of several hundred depots throughout the country where this home-produced motor fuel may be obtained: In the meantime, the Automobile Association continues its campaign for the home production of benzole and commercial alcohol. 1-Public meetings held at Exeter, Guildford and Lewes have been enthusiastically supported. 'Those desiring information concerning benzole retailers are invited to communicate with the Fuels Department, A.A. and M.D., Panties House, Whit. comb Street, London, W.C.

Vandervell's Change Over.

The war record of C. A. Vandervell and Co., Ltd., will long be a source of pride to all connected with the company, as it has justified the warm congratulations of every one who has been privileged to see something of the work done at Warple Way and to know what a part the factory has played in seconding the efforts of our forces. The business,. however, is now turning over to peace production, and the energy, enterprise arid enthusiasm that back up the courage and vision (the "three E's that, are linked with C.A.V.") are now being directed to the manufacture and marketing of lighting dynamos, starting sets, accumulators, and other motor components that are upholding the name of Vandervell in the industrial -world. There are many who believe—and their belief has justification—that the commercial vehicle engaged on delivery work that entails many stops and many calls is incomplete unless the engine an be started at the trim of a switch or the

c26 pressure on a button. Economy of fuel and the elimination of undue effort waste demand the engine starter and, when the value erf the installation is realized, users will not be slow to demand that it shall be fitted and Vandegvells are ready to do their share in the development of the ideas. These thoughts'arise out of an interesting, foregathering in London last Thursday under Mr. C. A. Vandervell'a chairmanship and Mr. Arthur Goodwin's vice-chairmanship,

Gearless Report.

The accounts of the Gearless Motor Co. for 1918 she* net revenue of £3,701, including £296 brought in. A 5 per cent. dividend is being paid (the same as for the year 1917), and £1,000 is being placed to reserve and -£155 eartied forward

Petrol Down.

The Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., announce that -owing to a reduction in their wholesale rprices of motor spirit, the retail price of Pratt's Perfection Spirit and Taxibus (which brands are now 'available) will be reduced to the extent of 3d. per gallon. This arrangement took effect from May 19th.

Road Matters.

Brig.-General Lord Montagu of Beaulieu will speak in Leeds on Thursday, May 22nd, upon road questions of the moment at two meetings organized by the Roads Improvement Association on that day. A conference on "Roads and Town Planning with Special Reference to the Industrial Areas in the West Riding" is to be held in the afternoon, and a public meeting of road users is to be held in the evening at which an address will be delivered on "Development of Road Traffic."

A New Taxicab.

In view of the present shortage of taxicabs, which is one of the pressing needs continually being raised in Parliament, it will interest our readers and the public in general to hear that the Taxicab and Motor Finance Co., Ltd., of Finsbury Pavement House, E.G., has arranged in conjunction with the Owner Drivers' Branch of the London. and Provincial Union of Licensed Vehicle Workers,for the early delivery of an entirely new make and design of taxieab.. It is stated that the new model will be able to compete, in every respect with those type's at present in use. For the moment, until certain company matters are fixed,the name of the manufacturers—a company of world-wide repute—is withheld from publication. It is intended so soon as the specificgtions have been passed by Scotland Yard and the manufacture commenced to float a company with a capital of about £250-,000.

The Taxicab and Motor Finance Co., Ltd., have been actively engaged for some months past in assisting returned soldiers and others to purchase secondhand cabs in order that they may again be in a position to earn a livelihood. The company has been applied to, in several instances, in this respect by the Civil Liabilities Commissioners.

• Petrol Importation.

In the House of Commons last week. Mr. Joynson-Hicks asked the President of the Board of Trade how much profit the Government has made on their deal in petrol; and when companies will be able to import better spirit? Mr. Bridgman : The 'accounts between the imparting companies and the Government have not yet been settled, but the prices of petroleum products have throughout been faxed so as to balance as nearly as may be the cost to the Government after allowing for the freight payable to the Ministry of Shipping supplied. All importations of petrol up to January 31st were on Government account, and the qualities imported were the standard U.S. specifications. On that date Government purchases ceased, and the petroleum companies have since been free to import on their own account, and the sale of petrol is in their hands.

Motorbuses and Street Lamps.

Regarding the appeal of Camberwell Borough Council that the police should only licence motorbuses which do not overhang and risk collision with street lamps, the Commissioner of Police writes to the Borough Council pointing out that the law provides for an overhang of load of 1 ft. on either side of a vehicle. In the case of an omnibus, the overhang, if any, is at most but ia few inches. Overhang to a greater extent than this is by no means uncommon to many types of vehicles, and even in the case of a vehicle with plumbline sides the camber, which is always present to some extent, would automatically involve overhang. For these reasons the Commissioner considered it necessary to call the attention of the Council to the potential danger occasioned by the Presence of lamps in their.. existingcondition, and he trusts that the Council may, in the circum

stances, reconsider its decision. . • ,

London's Worst Roads.

Amainstructilie analysis of the condition ot the road Surfaces' on the main traffic routes of the Metropolitan area has been_ made by an expert; who describes the following_thoroughlares as " dangerous," giving the road 'first and then • its locsality, -at certain points-:— London. Road, Upper Mitcham; Edgware Road, .Hendon; . Harrow .Road, Willesden' Upper Woburn Place, West Central; Woburn Place, West Central; Stanniore New Road, Sta.nmore; Green Lanes, Harringay; Chalk Farm Road, Chalk Farm ; Borough High Street, Borough; Newington Causeway, Borough; _Adelaide Road, Brockley ; Bromley Common, Bromley; Leaves Green Road, Keaton; London Road, Biggin Hill; Harleyford Road, Lambeth, Kennington. Oval, Lambeth; Harleyford Street, Lambeth; Colney Hatch Lane, North.

In the opinion of the same expert " very bad " describes the condition of 130 roads,' and " bad " that of 85, at various points. In the former list parts of Park Lane Piccadilly, Oxford Street, Regent Street:, the Albert Embankment, and Huston Road are included.

Roads in Cornwall.

The statement by Sir Arthur Carkcek at a Cornwall C.C. meeting recently that the Road Committee would be ready to take on some hundreds of men at once to begin the making of the roads under the grant of £120,000 from the Road Board should be.very welcome in Cornwall, where there is a. good deal of labour drawing unemployed donation. A sum of £120,000 will go a long way in road making, and its immediate diver. then into the labour market is a, most desirable event. The Alevagissey scheme apparently is to be the first to be started. The Roseland district also needo, to be made much more accessible.

Higher Wages and Shorter Hours.

The fourth lecture of the series arranged by the Industrial Reconstruction Council will be held in the'Saddlers' Hall, Cheapside, E.C. 2, on Wednesday, May 28th. The chair Will be taken at 4.30 by Sir William Peake Mason, Bart., and a lecture on "The Only Way to Hieter Wages—Shorter Hours" will be delivered, by the Rt. Hon. Lord Leverhulrne.

Motors at Maidstone Fair.

Maidstone has just celebrated its annual fair, which has been carried on for several centuries, and at this year's celebration Rootes, Ltd., of Maidstone, had a marquee in which they exhibited a 2-ton gear-driven Tilling-Stevens chassis, a 4-ton petrol-electric Tilling. Stevens chassis, and an Austin tractor, which attracted considerable attention, as the engine was running throughout the day on paraffin, turning over at a very slow speed. There was also a good range of Massey-Harris agricultural ma-chinery, for which this firm are agents for Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Recently Messrs. Rootes were busily engaged reconstructing aera engines, the types chiefly dealt with being Le. Rhones, Th.A.F.s, and Siddeley-Deasy "Pumas. As many as 100 reconstructed engines were turned out each month, and over 400 hands were employed in the work. The factory has now been converted into a garage and workshop, and Rootes, Ltd., are iii a position to give good service to commercial owners and agricultural tractor users in the counties mentioned.

Associated with this firm are the concerns" of William Rootes, of Hawkliurst, and Robins and Day, Ltd., of Rochester.

Taxi Drivers' Troubles.

" Sir R. Horne statNI last week that he is causing inquiries to be made of the taxicab drivers who are complaining that the arrangement come to under the agreement of 1918, which provide'', for taxicab drivers to receive a certain percentage of the takings on the clock and free petrol, is not being observed by certain of the companies owning cabs plying for hire in the London district.

Ambulance Gifts.

The Norfolk branch of the British Red Crass Society has presented the Tar.

mouth Town Council with a motor ambulance. Many ambulances which have seen war service are being allocated in this useful manner.

West Riding County Council last year registered 339 cars and 436 motorcycles. The driving licences numbered_ 14,606. Seventy-five locomotives were licensed. Over-£5,000 was obtained in fees.

Taxicabs from France.

Sir P. Goff asked the Home Secretary in the House of Commons last 'week whether he could state the number of taxicabs and other vehicles which have been put on the streets from April 1st, 1919, up to date; and how many taxicabs at present in France and owned 11,y Britishfirms 'have been granted permits for transhipment, and Mr. Shortt, in reply, stated that 1,093 vehicles were licensed in the Metropolitan area during the period from April 1st to May 5th. This compares with 864 licensed during the same period last year. The increase is made up of 107 cabs, 87 omnibuses, and 35 tramcars. No licences for the importation of taxicabs from France have been issued, nor have any applications for such lkences been received.

West Bridgford Buses.

The Bus Committee of the West Bridgford Urban District Council reports that, in the year ended March 31st last, the buses carried 1,437,907 passengers. The amount taken was £5,761, and the takings per bus mile averaged 14.295d. Last year the total amount taken in fares was £5,186.

New Motors for Sheffield.

Subjoined are the latest vehicle proposals of the Sheffield Corporation :Health Committee, to purchase a new Nam Ford motor chassis from Mr,. J. K Eardley for £299; the Tramways Committee, to sell an old Churchill tower wagon and replace it with a chassis of a similar type to those used at the present time on the metorbusea; City Hospitals Committee, to replace the Ford van by another vehicle, if possible a Straker-Squire, and the Argyll and Simplex ambulances to be offered in part payment.

The official investigation into the reason for increased bus fares in London is now proceeding.

Last quarter the Walsall Corporation granted licences as follows :-69 motorcars. 138 motorcycles, 373 motor drivers, 1 hackney carriage proprietor's, 1 hackney carriage driver's, 8 hackney carriage proprietors' for motor omnibuses.

Compulsory -Taximeters.

At Bradford Licensing Committee the question of compulsory _taximeters 'was

dealt with. The committee intereiewed a deputation of owner-drivers on the question of the provision of taximeters on motor hackney carriages, and could not see its way to vary the resolution of December 2nd, 1918, that, renewals of licences should not be granted unless taximeters were fitted. The Chief Constable was authorized to grant " permits" for periods of seven days in respect of motor hackney carriages which are not provided with taximeters, with an instruction to report to the committee in the event of such vehicles not being provided with taximeters within a • reasonable time.

Obscured Identification Plates.

Two Marylebone Borough Council motor refuse lorry drivers were each fined a total of as. for allowing the identification plates of their lorries to become obscured and not easily distin guishable. This is the first time Since the lorries were placed on the road, two years ago, that a driver has been summoned for such an offence, and in the circumstances the fines will be refunded by the Council to the drivers.

Hackney Carriages and Return Journeys.

At Chelmsford Finance Committee the town clerk has reported that a deputation on behalf of hackney carriage owners has interviewed him with reference to the fares authorized to be charged for the hire of hackney carriages in the borough, and that he arranged for the deputation to attend the meeting of the committee. The committee had interviewed the members of the deputation, who asked that the scale of fares for the hire of hackney motor carriages should be revised, so as to provide for the payment of 6d. per mile for return journeys when the hackney carriages are hired\for an outward journey only. The corn

mittee referred the matter to the Special Purposes (Hackney ,Carriages) SubCommittee for consideration and report.

Reducing Manufacturing Costs.

Quantity production and standardization are the two essentials to enable the British motor industry to hold its own in the markets of the world. The first share issue of the British Motor Trading Corporation, Ltd., the largest organization of its kind in this country, with a capital of £2,000,000, has been over subscribed. It shows that. the public and the trade recognize the need for expansion and progress without which we have but little chance of competing, successfully, for the Colonial and foreign trade in motor vehicles. It, is hoped that the operations of the new corporation will result in the production of a 'lowpriced and efficient chassis.

Rotax Removal.

We are informed that the Rotax Motor Accessories Co. have now removed their Birminghamworks to much larger premisesat Lander Street, where they will carry out the manufacture of hoods, screens, horns, brass fittings, jacks and tools in large quantities for the trade. Shortly a fitting shop for dynamo lighting and starting equipments; which are all manufactured' at their Willesden establishment, will be provided. All correspondence should be addressed to the head office at Willesden Junction, 'London, N.W.

Vulcan DirectOrs.

The new board of directors which has been appointed to the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., includes several men well known in the Vulcan management; men who know the Vulcan business well and by long association and are out to do everything possible to maintain the Vulcan policy as heretofore. Messrs., C. B. Wardman and F. S. Marsh will act as joint managing directors, and Mr. W. E. Walker has also joined the board and is appointed general manager to the company.

"Safety First Prizes.

The London "Safety First" Council, established in 1916 with the object of minimizing street accidents, held its 14th meeting at the Westminster Guildhall recently, under the chairmanship of Mr. W. Joyneon-Hicks, M.P. To encourage careful driving in the streets, the council offer 340 badges and 90 money prizes to drivers for immunity from accidents during the 12 months ending December 31st next. iipwards of 37,000 pupils attending 248 metropolitan schools have entered for the "safety first" essay competition for school children.

Intending competitors must notify their employers by May 31st, and employers must make a return of entrants by June 21st. Posters setting forth the conditions of the competition can be obtained from the Hun. Secretaries, London " SafetY First" Council, 31, Westminster Broadway; London, S.W. 1.

Motorbus Services and Employ ment.

As the discontinuance of the motor omnibus service to Fort Dunlop would result in throwing out of work a number of Walsall people and others living in the neighbourhood, the Walsall Corporation Tramways Committee is taking steps to secure the continuance of the service.

Middlesex Motors.

In 1918 the Middlesex County Council licensed 640 motorcars, 581 motorcycles, and 297 heavy vehicles. Driving licences issued numbered 13,329. Motorcar transfers numbered 678 and cycles 234.

The Generous L.C.Cf

The L.C.C. Establishment Committee has authorized the hire of motorcars by heads of departments as and when required in connection with the inspection by them of property belonging to or proposed to be acquired by the Council.

Delayed Demobilization.

In the House of Commons fast week Mr. Tyson Wilson asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who are being 'retained in the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport.) are being kept employed in overhauling and repairing motor lorries prior to their dis; missal; whether many of these men have work awaiting them in the building trade; and whether it is in harmony with the demobilization scheme that men who are eligible for demobilization should be retained in the Army on work, of this character?

Mr. Churchill: The men of the Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) who are being retained are employed solely on the maintenance Of Such vehicles as are etsential to meet Co current needs of the Army.

A Tiresome Tiger.

Recently One of the motorcars belonging to Messrs. von Marie and Co., of Java, met, between Tandjong Langhat and Bekioen, a. tiger family—father, mother and child. The three tigers were crossing a sudden bend in the road when the car came along. The car ran into the tiger cub, -which, being afraid, put, his teeth into one of the Dunlop tyres on the rear wheel. The tyre was a little damaged, but remained intact. Father and mother had already disappeared into the wood. We Shudder to think of the pain and suffering which the poor little tiger would have suffered had-those tyres been Dunlop solids

Still Runnir g

The, following letter from a driver in the R.A.S.C. M.T., in France sent to Commercial ears, Ltd., of Luton affords convincing testimony of the reliability and durability of Commer Car lorries when working under strenuous conditions, and, moreover, conditions for which the cha.ssis was not in the first

place designed. The letter, a. copy of whichhas been sent to us, runs as farms :—

"It may interest you to know that enclosed photo. of lorry RC type, having been through the whole of the campaign out here, is still running and in .good condition, although it, has been knocked about as you see. It was origin' ally a Sunlight soap box van. We still have about 20 in this company of the same age, and it speaks well of their durability when you know that the roads out here are not of the best by any -means."

We ;reproduce an illustration of the whicie in question on this 'Age.

Taxicabs Available.

The total number of taxicabs licensed to ply for hire in London for the year ended April 30th, 1919, was 4,742. One

company is preparing its vehicles for service at the rate of about 50 per week, whilst several other manufacturers are considering placing a suitable type of vehicle on the streets.

• R.M.S.P. Report.

Subject to audit of the accounts for the year 1918, the court of directors of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. recommend the payment of the usual stock, and a balance dividend of 5 per cent., less income tax, on the ordinary stock, making together with the interim dividend paid in, November last a total of 7 per cent. for the year..

Last quarter the L.C.C. had to pay over £9,000 in respect of tramway accidents. Claims by the tramways department brought in £370

Local Proceedings.

Stockport T.C. is to purchase two -motor omnibuses.

Petersfield U.D.C. has under review the question of obtaining a motor fire. engine.

A special committee of Nelson T.C. is to consider the provision of motor -vehicles for the Health Department. .

The surveyor of Northallerton R.D.C. is recommending the parz,huse, at an

estimated cost of about £1,000, of a tractor and two wagons.

Manchester Corporation has accepted the tender of the Sentinel Wagon Works, Ltd., for two coke tipping wagons.

Bradford Corporation Sewage Committee has authorized the engineer to purchase a motor chassis. with. detachable lorry and passenger bodies for £200.

Bradford Corporation Water Corn• mittee has authorized its members to purchase a motorcar required 'for visiting works, and a 2-3-ton motor lorry for the use of the department .

The General Purposes Committee of the Walsall Corporation recommends lodging a petition against a Bill which is being promoted. by the Cannock U.D.C. for powers to run motorbuses on certain routes.

Sheffield Corporation has permitted its general manager of the tramways and motor department to assist the London County Council in connection with its motor omnibus proposals in the new Parliamentary Bill.

A.E.C. Chassis Price.

The Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., notify us that, owing to the reduction of working hours, the withdrawal of the steel subsidy, and the general increase in cost of material, they are compelled to fix the price of A.E.C. chassis at £1,100.


comments powered by Disqus