News and Comment.
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This journal is extensively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses.
British motor spirit deserves all encouragement. We continue our illustrated references, this week, on page 167. Supplies are limited, as yet.
Topical Subjects.
Our leading articles this week deal with the following topical subjects: (1) "Firm prizes at the 1913 Parade ; " (2) " Tires and tires: the factors of initial and ultimate thicknesses ; " (3) " Fresh support for steam ; " (4) "Pleading for the tramcar ; " and (5) "'No enemy of the motor omnibus.' "
The Brewers Exhibition.
We do not make any considerable references to the individual machines on view at the Brewers Exhibition. Three interviews with in embers of that important industry for which interviews widespread attention is assured by reason of our large circulation amongst brewers, will be found on pages 158 to 161.
London's Great Carriers.
We are advised that the conclusion of the agreements for the amalgamation of the businesses of Carter. Paterson and Co., Ltd., Pickfords, Ltd., and other wellknown London carriers, is now imminent. The principals of these undertakings still regard the transaction as one of interest to themselves only, although an announcement may shortly be expected. Apropos this reference, we find that the 35th Dennis motorvan was delivered to Carter, Paterson and Co., Ltd., last week. The Borough Engineer of Hackney, Mr. Norman Scorgie, intimates that the figure of 3d. per mile, to which we referred on page 140 of last week's issue, should have read .3ti. per mile, N. and E. Lancs. C.M.U.A.
We are informed that Mr. J. H. Anderson, chartered accountant, of 79, Rossall Road, Ansdell, Lytham, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Dillon Smith as Secretary of the North and East Lancashire Commercial Motor Users
Association. The local Association is now affiliated with the
and it is confidently expected that during the year 1913 the membership will be very greatly increased.
We wish Mr. Anderson all success in the duties which he has undertaken. He has a live and hard-working committee behind him, and that counts for a lot to any secretary.
The welfare of the motorvan is closely wrapped up with that of the motorbus : the reputation of the latter directly affects the prospects of the former. An article, from the pen of the Editor, dealing with certain matters arising from data of fatal accidents in London, will be found on page 168.
Points from the War Office.
We learn, from a reliable source at the War Office, that much disappointment was caused by the failure of the B-type L.G.O.C. bus chassis to take three-ton loads up certain hills in the neighbourhood of Woolwich last month. There was much jettisoning; We are also semi-officially informed from the same department that there is a very considerable controversy going on between different sections of the military arm in regard to the expediency of making arrangements for the final subsidizing of 500 B-type chassis. One school of debaters is strongly in favour of the scheme—possibly attracted by the political advantage that would appear to accrue from ability to talk in the House of Commons about the wonderful organization which had placed 500 similar vehicles at the disposal of the country at one stroke of the pen. In this connection, we can only express the hope that wiser counsels will prevail. Service under war conditions is not 4 picnic, and B-type chassis are not constructed to take three-ton loads up some of the hills, and over some of the surfaces, which military exigencies include. Through another War Office channel, we learn that the lack of response, except from one maker, in respect of the depa,rtment's new petrol-vehicle subsidy specification, is now recognized, and that some new moves will be necessary to cover up the fiasco that has so far resulted. Under the revised schemes, defensive and offensive, it appears that the department will want no fewer than 1800 vehicles altogether--of the 30-cwt, and three-ton types reckoned together.
Reverting to the matter of the B-type chassis, another official at Whitehall appears to be rather amused at the prospect of the M.T.C. having "to swallow 500 vehicles without its precious double reduction and bevel final drive." There is evidently a good deal of disagreement behind the scenes. That is inevitable. Recent Registrations.
Parsons Garage, Ltd., to acquire the business of the Parsons Motor Co., Ltd., of Town Quay, Southampton. The directors are : Messrs. H. Parsons and C. R. Swayne.
New Motor-Fuel Development Syndicate, Ltd., with an authorized capital of 215,000 in Li shares (7500 preferred ordinary and 7500 ordinary), by Taylor and Co., 34-0, Gresham Street, E.C., to carry on the business indicated by the title.
Motor Owners' Petrol Combine, Ltd., with an authorized capital of 27 in 21 shares and with its office at 170, Piccadilly, W., to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in crude, mineral and
other oils, etc. First directors : A. M. G. Caulfield, J.P., and A. E. Hodgson.
A Traffic Board for London?
Close observers find indications that the demand for a traffic board for London will become too strong for the Government to resist it,. It is out of the question that the L.C.C, should be judge and litigant at one and the same time, and something must be done soon. A few weeks ago, a direct non possvmus was given on behalf of the Government. On Wednesday of last week, Mr. McKenna stated that he would consult with the Board of Trade and the Local Government Board on this subject, although he did not at the present see much prospect of Parliament having time to discuss legislation
I on it.
French Army Developments.
Satisfied with the results obtained in the recent army manoeuvres, the French Minister of War has decided that the gun carriages of all the 220 ram. cannon shall, in future, be drawn by motor tractors of the fourwheel-drive type, and that the troops now in Morocco shall be immediately supplied with such tractors. It has also been decided to adopt motor vehicles for the transportation of meat, from headquarters to the troops. This will abolish the present method of maintaming live cattle with the troops and killing the beasts as needed for consumption. The experience gained in the manoeuvres of the last two years has shown that the troops can be supplied with better meat taken from a central abattoir and delivered within a radius of 100 miles by specially-equipped motorvans, than is possible by killing the cattle on the field and distributing the meat by the horse-drawn army wagons. It has also been decided at a very early date to make. important changes in the military ambulances, abolishing the use of horses for this service to a considerable extent.
T. W. and B. Cockayne, Ltd., of Angel Street, Sheffield, a large drapery company, has purchased two more Albion lorries.
The "Commer Car" Order Book.
During the last few weeks. Commercial Cars Ltd. has received repeat orders for vehicles ranging in size from two to five tons from six satisfied customers. In addition, 15 new users have ordered "Commer Cars" in varying quantities and capacities, and the demand for Commer Car Simonis " fire-engines, pumps and tenders shows no signs of decreasing.
Bushey U.D.C. is considering the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
A Halley fire-engine was recently taken over by the Paisley Brigade.
Newport, Town Council is making further inquiries, with a view to additional purchases.
The Maidens and Coombe U.D.C. is spending 2700 on a first-aid motor fire-engine fitted with an escape.
A L.G.B. inquiry took place on Tuesday last, the 22nd inst., at Abertillery, in respect of the local council's application for a loan of 21892 for fire-brigade purposes.
At the last monthly meeting of the General Committee there were present Col. R. E. Crompton, Col. T. J. Kearns, Major Wilder, -Messrs. Lyon Thomson, E. W. Rudd, D. S. Kennedy, E. P. Bevan, Iltid Witherington, J. C. Moth, T. H. Jones, H. W. Wigan, F. R. de Bertodano, T. B. Browne, and E. G. Bristow.
Amongst the matters considered were : the N.E. Lancs. C.M.C.A. agreement ; the Gravesend and Tilbury ferry ; the closing of bridges in certain districts in Devonshire ; the Croydon relief road ; the 1913 Parade ; further arrangements for cab-rank telephones; and the appointment of a Fuels Committee. This last was proceeded with, and the following were elected : Col. B. E. Crompton, Major Wilder, Messrs. T. B. Browne, D. S. Kennedy, and H. W. Wigan. A Submerged " Sentinel."
The Hull Corporation assists its street-orderly boys in a number of ways in the operation of their club. One of the municipal steam wagons is lent for the conveyance of camp equipment t o and from Hornsea, for example, and it is shown above, heavily loaded for the return journey.
The wheel at the back is not an addition to the mechanism of the wagon, but a kind of agricultural dinghy. On the first trip, after the officers had (so they said) pushed the wagon through a soft place on a hill, the driver unkindly refused to cross a bridge which the officers had constructed—having (so he said) no more steam. To avoid the
heavy carrying which resulted, a handcart was sent out in subsequent years, and its value is often proved.
Modern Advertising.
We have to compliment the Publicity Department of the Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Co., Ltd., upon the publication of a capital little booklet entitled "A Wolseley in the Making," which is an admirably written production.