WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport al Tv/al/ever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—johlt Beattie Crozier.
The Registration Figures to May 31st.
The development of the motor movement in one year as disclosed by the Minister of Transport's statistics deal lug with the licensing of motor vehicles to May 31st last may be summed up thus. The number of cars taxed -on h.p. has increased from 626,528 to 727,443, an expansion of 100,91.5 or over 16 per cent. Motorcycles and combinations have increased in.number from 585,746 to 635,427, an increasa of 49,681—nearly 9.per cent. ,Commercial goods vehicles have risen from 243,542 to 270,601, of Which 1,384 are electrically driven. The increase is 27,059, or 11 per cent. Motor hackney vehicles, however, show a decrease of 5,430 (doubtless due to the inclement weather which certainly prevailed during the first part of the licensing season). At the end of May, 1926, -the number licensed was 91,918, and a year later it was 86,488.
The increase in the number of tractors and road locomotives will come as a surprise to many people. At the end of May, 1926, there were registered 2,231 road locomotives and 1,32 motor tractors, making a total of 3,613. At the end of May, 1927, the registered figures were 204 agricultural tractors, 1,108 agricultural road locomotives and 2,929 tractor vehicles for general haulage, making a total of 4,241—an increase of 628. Motor ploughs have increased in number from 13,797 to 14,268. No deduction can be drawn from this figure, however, because the licence fees foi a considerable number of motor ploughs are frequently not paid until the third quarter of the year.
The number of exempted vehicles (fire-engines, ambulances and vehicles belonging to the Services) has increased from 16,104 to 17,187.
• The Minister was able to report that by May 31st last he had received in licence fees £18,254,396, this figure, of course, not including fees paid in respect of tramcars, horse-drawn vehicles, etc.
. New One-way Street Sign.'
We understand that the Ministry of Transport is considering a new design for the one-way street sign. The sign at present in use bears the wording " One Way Street. No Entry." . In the new design which is under consideration, an ornamental iron standard carries a rectangular sign cut out in metal with a -white background, which can be illuminated at night and which bears the wording "Keep Left. Ono Way Only."
Ownership versus Hired Haulage. In his recently issued annual report, the county surveyor of Northamptonshire gave the following table of the comparative costs of haulage by municipally owned and hired vehicles :Haulage of materials by contract, 65,167 tons, cost £8,229 13s. 1d,, rate per ton 30.31d.; haulage of material by council's wagons 23,442 tons, coat 2,879 Os. 6d., rate per ton 29.47d.
Silvertown Lubricants," Ltd., tells us that as a result of increasing business in connection with Speedolene motor oils, it is opening a new officc at Norway House, Cockspur Street, S.W.
A London Parking Station for Visiting Coaches.
The site of the old brewery at the corner of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street, London, W., has recently been acquired by Mr. H. Louis, who is using it as the Lena Park Car Park. Although it has only been opened about a month the opportunity which this centre affords owners of provincial motor coaches for storing their vehicle's without causing street obstruction has already become known to many proprietors who run their vehicles to the Metropolis. The coaches are stored in the open and thecharge for each vehicle is 2s. dd. for six hours.
Dunlop Interests in Australasia.
The directors Of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., have entered into a provisional arrangement with the Dunlop Rubber CO., of Australasia, providing for the financial associationof the two companies and close teChnical and eommercial alliance. The arrangement includes the acquisition of a share interest in the Australian company by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., and representation on the board, as well as the formation of a separate company • in New Zealand, jointly owned by the two concerns and formed for the better development of trade in that Dominion.
American Vehicles in the Argentine.
We have received from A. E. Tapper and Co., 244, Earl's Court Road, London, S.W.5, which is the sole concessionnaire for Great Britain and Ireland for Brockway commercial vehicles, a schedule published by the Association of Importers of Automobiles and Annexes of Buenos Aires showing the monthly and yearly imports of different makes of ehassis into the Argentine in 1926. In all, 18 different makes of American vehicle were imported into the country during the year, and it is noteworthy that the Brockway occupies third position on the -list in respect of the number of vehicles imported.
Cardiff's Latest Bus Proposals.
One day last week the Barry Chamber of Trade discussed the comprehensive extra-boundary bus-service proposals of the Cardiff City Council, particularly the proposals relating to plying for hire in the Barry area. Information was received that, at an early date, the Ministry of Transport proposed to hold an inquiry into the Cardiff scheme to run services in surrounding areas.
It was proposed that at the hearing the Chamber of Trade should endeavour to get a clause inserted into any running agreement made with the Cardiff Corporation providing for a contribution by the Cardiff authorities towards the upkeep and maintenance of the roads over which its services ran.
It was also decided to urge the local authorities concerned to endeavour to secure the insertion of a similar clause in the Act of Parliament under which the Cardiff Council will be able to ply for hire in districts outside the city. Haulage Costs in Pembroke.
The surveyor of the Pembroke County Council reports that during -the oast year the council's steam wagons were employed for 530 days' and the total working expenses, including fuel, repairs, wages and interest and depreciation upon their presumed reduced value of £.816 amounted to £1,641 19s. 9d.,
or an average cost per working day of 13 ls. aid. The material • carried weighed 8,472 tons and, taking the average journey at 5 miles, the cost Per ton-mile was 9.30d.
By-passing Oxford.
A. joint committee of the Oxford Corporation in consideration of a report from the city engineer as to the need for overcoming the difficulties .arising from national traffic passing through the city or travelling, in its immediate neighbourhood, has asked the city engineer to approach the county council and the Ministry of Transport and to conduct preliminary discussions with them with a view to the promotion of a scheme for the making of a. by-pass road north of Oxford. from Hcadington to.Eynsham.
Offers to Establish Bus Services . Wanted.
The SociettS Nationale des Chemins de Fer Vieinaux, 14, Rue de la Science,
Brussels, is inviting ' offers, until August 6th for -the right to run motorbuses between Visel and lierve and between 'Vise and Micheroux as feeders to Its local railway system. The same concern is also inviting offers until August 10th for the right to run 'motorbuses in the Seraing and Versiers districts and. between Handle. and MOMS (Crotteux).
A Distinctive Dennis Van.
-.Clement, Butler and Cross, Ltd., Boston Works, Glenhurst Road, 13rentford, has just built a capacibus van body, on • a :1-ton Dennis chassis to the -order of Lawrence's Garages, 336,Clapham Road, London, S.W., who have supplied the vehicle to the Preservene Soap Agency, Australia House, .London, W.0.2. We reproduce a picture of the machine on this page, but the illustra. tiou does not convey an indication of the very striking appearance of the van, brought about by the use of a particularly attractive colour scheme. The main finish is carried, out in ivory, the lettering being -in royal blue shaded in gold,
An item of interest is that the side panels are each constructed in a single sheet 12 ft, long and 6 ft. deep, thus Presenting a clean surface for the writ! jug, which is unbioken by mouldings. Deep folding doors at the rear give access to the body 'interior, and there is a sliding door, in the partition behind the driver. In order that the panels shall not he damaged by the goods being carried, the interior is fitted with a number of battens, thus reducing the risks to the minimum.
Free Parking Preferred. • At a recent special meeting, Dolgelly Traders Association agreed to-organiee a canvass of traders • to find whether they .Were favotir Of the continuance of the present system of fiee parking for motor vehicles. The traders Present considered it would be '-afatal mistake if the -urban council resolved to charge a fee for street parking, as the shopkeepe.rs depended greatly • on motor traffic. A Five-mile Test Road.
A road, five miles long, has this month been completed in Ventura. County, California; to determine the most suitable type of concrete road to carry Modern heavy traffic. The road is divided into sections 400 yds. long, each section being of a different type of concrete. It is estimated that millions of dollars have already been saved to the taxpayers of the United States by applying in practice the lessons gained from experimental construction, and it is expected that the outcome of this new experiment will be that substantial economies in future concrete-road work Will be effected.
A Lucas Depot in South Wales.
A new service depot is being constructed at Penarth 'Road, Cardiff, for Joseph Lucas, Ltd.. Birmingham, which has such depots in several parts of the country. • The contract for the building work, which has been let to a Cardiff firm, amounts to. a value of 110,000. This depot will constitute theheadquarters of the' company in South Wales. Coaches in the Isle of Wight.
. The Isle of Wight County Council has recently obtained an Order from the Ministry of Transport restricting the use of motor coaches seating More than li passengers on between 20 and 30 of the narrowest roads in the Island. The Order comes into force on August 1st.
-Forthcoming Agricultural Shows at Cardiff.
The Cardiff City Council has decided to invite the responsible authorities to hold the 1929 Royal Welsh Agricultural Show at eardill. This is a purely formal application, for it is made at the insthece of the show committee itself. The Show has never been held at Cardiff.
In 1929, too, it is autieipated that the Bath and West of Eugland Agricultural Show will be held at Cardiff, an invitation having been extended some time ago.
Road Obstructions and a Bus Company's Obligations.
The Camberwell Borough Council recently informed the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., that in all cases in which trees, lamps or other council property on public highways is removed or altered upon the suggestion of the company, the council expects that the company will pay at least one half of the expense incurred.
The council has now had a letter from the company stating that the question raised by the council involves an important principle, and that if the L.G.O. Co. is to commence to pay for the removal of obstructions from the roadway, where such obstructions prevent the safe use of its vehicles, this would only be a starting point to charge the company for other services in connection with the roads. The company's contribution of £400,000 per annum in respect of licensed vehicle duties into the. Road Fund and the purpose of the Road Fund are both referred to, and it is suggested that it might he possible to persuade the Roads Department of the Ministry of Transport to pay some portion of the cost of keeping the roads clear of obstructions.
A Comprehensive Catalogue of Accessories and Tools.
We have received from G. T. Riches and Co., Ltd., 19, Store Street, London, W.C.1, the well-known motor accessory manufactnrers and stoeltists, an unusually interesting catalogue, dealing with motor and garage equipment of every possible type. The section devoted to garage tools and machinery will, prob 1322
ably, prove of the most interest to our readers, a complete selection of efficient time and labour saving appliances being marketed. The user of Morris and Morris-Commercial vehicles is also especially catered for, all equipment for this popular make being _dealt with in a special section.
Buses for Trams at Newport.
The tramways committee of the Newport (Mon.) Town Council has recommended the council to abandon the Malpas Road tramways service and to institute a bus service between Malpas Schools and Ebbw Bridge. It is proposed that similar action might be taken with regard to replacing the trams on other routes by buses and the committee is to consider these proposals.
Redcar Rescinds a Resolution.
Redcar Corporation, which a few months ago decided to issue no further motor omnibus licences until March next year, has now rescinded that resolution. The town clerk pointed out that according to a recent ruling, local authorities were compelled to give all applicants a hearing and it was, therefore, essential that the corporation should be in a position to deal with
each case on its merits. It WAS also contended that the action of the corporation restricted competition, thereby preventing the public from obtaining full advantage of reductions in fares.
Runbaken Representation in Scotland.
The Runbaken Magneto Co., of Ardwick, Manchester, informs us that it has appointed Millemon (Factors), Ltd., Glenogle Works, Edinburgh, to be its representative in Scotland, and full stocks of Runbaken products will be held at its Glasgow and Edinburgh branches.
In the first editorial note of our issue of last week we referred to the new scale of taxation which came into force on January 1st, 1927. By a compositor's error, which was not detected in proof-reading, the date was given as January 21st. We can only ask our readers to make the correction in their file copies of the journal.
Municipal Co-operation on a Through Service.
At a meeting of the tramways committee of the Rotherham Corporation the tramways manager reported that he had been in negotiation with Sheffield and Doncaster corporations regarding the proposed through service between Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster, and it was suggested that the following fares should be put into operation :—Doncaster to Sheffield, is. 8d.; • Conisbro' to Sheffield, is. 3d.; Rotherham to Sheffield, fid.; Rotherham to Doncaster, is. 2d.; Conisbro' to Doncaster, 6d. The committee agreed.
• Guy Models in Demand.
The names of many prominent municipalities figure on the list of those local authorities which have recently placed orders with Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Part, Wolverhampton, for passengercarrying vehicles. Amongst these can
be mentioned the Corporations of Ash.tou-iinder-Lyne, Barrow in Furness, Burton and Lowestoft, each of Which is buying 26-seater buses. The West Bromwich Corporation has placed an order with the company for 30-seater buses and the Morecambe Corporation a repeat order for two six-wheeled buses.
Six-wheeled vehicles for goods carrying are being constructed for the Assam Oil Co., Ltd., and Hobdell, Way and Co., Ltd., the latter being for use OD the Gold Coast.
A Chesterfield Application Withdrawn.
At a meeting Of the • Chesterfield Watch Committee the town clerk reported that he hal withdrawn the application to the justices for a ease to be stated on the decision given in the Borough Police Court in' proceedings taken against the Unity Services, Ltd. foralleged plying for hire without licences' in view of a recent decision in the High Court, which upheld the views of the corporation. Driving Licences in Northern Ireland.
The new regulations which have re-, cently come into operation in Northern Ireland Stipulate that no person will be granted a licence to drive a mechanically propelled goods vehicle of over 2-i tons unladen weight UnleSS he is 21 years of
age or over: Ever," applicant for a driver's licence must on his application form make the following declaration of fitness :---" I hereby declare that, to the best of my knowledge, I am not suffering from any disease Or physical disability which would be likely to cause the driving of a motorcar by me to be a source of danger to the public."
The regulations also stipulate that conductors of public-service vehicles must be over 18 years of age and that no licences. will 'be granted to women as drivers or conductors of such vehicles.
Czecho-Slovakian Imports. Figures lately to band show that 1,885 commercial motor vehicles were imported into Czecho-Slovakia during last year. The bulk of the vehicles (1,520) were supplied by American
manufacturers. Of the balance Belgium is credited with 111. France with 66, Italy with 64, Germany with 49, Austria with 40, Great Britain with 4, and "other countries" with 31.
Overseas Orders for Thornycrofts.
Orders from overseas formed a large 'proptirtion of the total number received by John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., daring the week ended July 9th. These included orders for eight chassis each for shipment to Australia and New Zealand, five for Canada, two for Shanghai and six-wheeled chassis for delivery to Rhodesia and Brazil.
Orders received in the saute period from users in this country included one from the War Office for 10 type A3 sixwheeled subsidy lorries and a number of repeat orders for single vehicles from owner's in various parts of the country.
Buses for Tramcars at Gravesend.
At a meeting of the Gravesend Cerpotation, Mr. H. H. Brow'', the town clerk, reported that the committee of the House of Commons had amended the Gravesend and ..Northfleet Tramways (Amendment) Provisional Order, as issued by the Ministry of Transport. The effect of the amendment was that if the tramway company elected to abandon its undertaking it amid only do so on condition of taking up the tram way track and .restoring the road to the Condition in which it was at the time the tramways were laid. This was the position origin all taken up by the council, which est ated the expense of restoring the road at the sum of 18,000, and he was instru ted to press the Ministry of Transpo for an immediate inquiry into the tate of repair of the tramway track.
Avoiding Lev 1 Crossings and Obsole e Bridges.
A scheme to move from the main road passing thro gh South Wales the two level crossin s and three. obsolete bridges between ath and Swansea, at Jersey Marine, is to be undertaken by the Glamorgan County Council and the Neath Rural District Council. A deputation of the local authorities has waited on the Ministry of Transport to secure an extra grant, in view of the heavy, cost and importance of the work. The scheme embraces the construction of a new road_ at a cost of 4120,000. To avoid the level crossings and old bridges the new road would form part of the improved road between London and Milford.
Ministry Supports Municipalities. We learn that_the Ministry of Transport has upheld the action of the Grimsby Corporation and the Cleethorpes 'Urban District Council in refusing to grant licences to the Provincial Tramways Co., Ltd., for a service of buses between Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
Passenger Traffic Problem's at Birmingham.
The tramways committee of the Birmingham Corporation is engaged at the present time upon the consideration of many important schemes in connection with passenger traffic in the city and questions generally affecting traffic control. In its opinion it is of the utmost importance that it should have at its disposal the long experience and valuable advice of the present general manager. In the committee's view it is very undes;irable that any change in the management of the department should be made at the present time, and it recommends that the council approve of his services being extended for a further lperiod of one year from August 4th next. Mr. A. Baker has intimated his willingness to continue' his services for this period, hut has expressed a desire that he should be allowed to retire at the expiration of that time.
Accessibility of the Lacre E-type.
In our issue dated July 12th we published an illustration of an interesting Lam vehicle recently supplied to Palmer's Travelling Cradle and Scaffold Co., Ltd. We made particular mention of the fact that the maker's E-type chassis, which is used for this vehicle, possesses a high degree of accessibility, hut we should have made it clear that not only can the 'engine be 'readily run out of the chassis, but that the gearbox is also included withthe Units which can be withdrawn. All the coniponents from the radiator to the 'rear end of the gearbox are mounted. on a subframe, this being secured to the main chassis members. ,
Obstruction by Petrol Pumps.
At a meeting of the Merthyr Watch Committee a letter was read from the divisional engineer of the Ministry of Transport, Cardiff, directing attention to the view that had been taken in some quarters that highway authorities might be cited as co-defendants in any claim made by anyone suffering damage from the obstruction caused by petrol pumps erected within the limits of the public •highways. The borough engineer was instructed to submit a return of the number of pumps erected on public highways within the borough.
Welding Malleable Iron Castings.
The use of welding processes for making good fractured cast-iron, steel and aluminium components is now well known but, in addition to these processes, Barimar, Ltd., 14-18, Lamb's Conduit Street, London, W.C.1, has been using for sorne,time a special process for welding malleable iron castings such as are used for back-axle casings, differential Musings, wheel hubs, etc.•