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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is the roughness of the roads over which it runs."--john Beattie Crozier.

Carrying Passengers Beyond . Licensed Seating Capacity.

An unusual ruling bas been made by the Neath (Glam.) county -magistrates, which has interest for hackney carriage proprietors generally. A Sketty proprietor was surninonisd for carrying in his moterbus 18 grown persona and two children whereas the vehicle was licensed to carry 14 people.

For the police it was pointed out that the licence for carrying 14 persons was 224, and for from 14 to 20 people £30. Advocate for defendant pleaded that the stipulation as to the number of persons to be carried in a liceneed vehicle did not apply eherereasonable seating accommodation could be found for persons in excess of the number stated in the licence, providing no passengers had to stand. The number on which licence was made was really only the arrival at• normal seating capacity for a given vehicle.

Despite the police objection to this, the clerk of the court upheld the contention, adding that if a number of persons were content to it on the floor it was pot, in law, forbidden to carry them, so far as he could see.

The magistrates dismissed the case. -

Leyland's Overhaul Booklet.

We have, ourselves, seen the manner of overhauling of war-scarred Leylands a•t the Kingston rebuilding factory of Leyland Motors, Ltd., and have been impressed with the thoroughness with -which the work is done. The publicity department of the company has now prepared and produced in just as thorough a manlier a booklet index cut in a vely original way, which shows in picture and story just how this difficult (and yet, from sheer thoroughness' simple) task is acconiplished and how the warrior re. appears looking like a new machine, differing only from a new vehicle in being reconstructed to a new set of standard dimensions and having an aluminium collision bar. We recommend the dropping of a card to the offices at Leyland for a copy of the booklet. It is well

worth a study.' • Petrol Pump Accuracy.

The Board of Trade has circularized local authorities with reference to the stamping . of measuring instruments in current trade use, and pointing out that, although the stamping of instruments by

• Inspectors of Weights and Measures is not compulsory, the Board is required by Section 6 -td the Weights and Measures Act, 1904, to examinis and test patterns of such instruments and, where suitable, to issue certificates of approval.

In any eaSe where thin has been done there would appear to be no prohibition laid upon an inspector. which would prevent him from verifying and stamping such an instrument., where it is vellum-tarily submitted to him. At the same time, it is very doubtful whether subsequent insp.erstion could be enfnrced, or whether a prosecution could be successfully instituted instituted in respect of an instrument so stamped, which was subsequently found to be inaccurate.

B22 The Board understands that in most cases the owners or users of measuring instruments such as petrol pumps will be found anxious to have their instruments stamped and periodically inspected, and it is for the local authorities to decide whether it is desirable that a voluntary system of verification of this kind should be adonied in their, areas in preference

to ignoring measuring instruments altogether. Where verification is carried out, it appears to be the general practice to charge time fee for measures of the corresponding capacity, together with any expenses incurred in carrying out an 4-a' situ test. It is not proposed, in present circumstances, to specify fees for this work, but. the above is regarded as a reasonable course to adopt.

The Board suggests that liquid measuring • instruments, such as petrol pumps and the like, should Only be verified and stamped after erection in the position in which they are to he used.

A Six-wheeled Watering Wagon.

Westminster City Council Highways Committee recommends the purchase nf an A.E.C. flushing motor at a cost of 1,600. The city cleansing surveyor repcirts.that the machine has been specially constructed to meet the 'requirements ef London streets. It is a six-wheeled motor chassis carrying a water tank id 2,000 gallons capacity-% The council, it is slated, should 'save at -least 200 is . year by the use of the machine.

Dover's New Roads.

A new by-pass road connecting two populous districts. at Dover was recently opened. The road was constructed. at a. cost of £16,000 and has been named Aster Avenue' after Major Astor, M.P., who. opened the road, and also a new bridge, built at is cost of .B12,000, in connection with tho pier improvement scheme.

Wood-Mihie Appointments.

Messrs. A. Hamilton, W.. H. Pickard, and T. V. Bateman, who hive recently represented Woad-Milne, .Ltd., and George Spencer Moulton and Co., Ltd., have now joined Wood-Milne Tyres and Manufacturing Co., Ltd., as representatives in London and the sentheru enunties.

Futility of Dangerous Driving Charges.

Recently the Lowestoft Watch Committee reported receipt of a communication from the superintendent of police calling attention to the difficulties with which the police were f aced in the regulation of motor traffic, and stating that past experience had shown the futility of making charges as to driving to the danger of the publie unless overwhelming evicrence could 'be obtained. and, further, suggesting that, even with such evidence, it was by no means certain that charges would be dealt with solely on their merits,

In reply to a letter addressed to the euperintendent inquiring on what grounds he based. these statements, a letter has been received forwarding copies of the police evidence given in two charges of driving to the danger of the public, and submitting that, in view of the manner in which the charges were dealt with, and of•other analogous oases, a very great deal of evidence was needed.

The committee has instructed the deputy town clerk to inform the superintendent of police that, in the opinion et the committee, the fact that be disagfeee with the decision of the magistrates in previous cases does not appear to warrant the insinuations contained in his first letter or to justify him in refrainiug front taking every possible step to prevent the driving of motor vehicles at an excessive speed in the town,

The Dodge Brothers Van.

The latest use to which Messrs. Dodge Brothers have put their chassis, which has proved such a success. as the result of the makers having concentrated all their resource-s upon it over a period of eight years, is to carry•areEnglish-made commercial body. This body, is built of hest English ash and is panelled with Sundeala. Roomy, with large rear doors fitted with rubber silencers, with detachable floorboards making the rear axle an-fl transmission easy of access and tha driver's compartment fitted with lazyback seats . se as to give free access to the load from the front as well as frout the rear, the Dodge Brothers_ 15-cwt. panel van should prove a dependable and useful delivery van.

Testing Tilling-Stevens Trolleybuses.

Maidstone Town Council has given permission to Tilling-Stevens,. Ltd.; to test. their trolley-buses on the corporation tramway wires, the firm having undertaken to pay costs incurred • and not to obstruct the tramway system, Mr. Garcke Resigns.

Mr. E. Garcke has,owing to preSsnre of 'work, resigned the chairmanship of the North Metropolitan Electric Power Supply Co., a position which he has held since the company's inauguration, He will, however, remain a director, and Mr. James Devonshire, K.B.E., managing director, bag been appointed chairman.. Mr. W. 1..-Madgon has resigned his position as director, of the company owing to ill-health, and Mr. E. a Soames has been appointed to fill the vacancy.

The Need for Speedometers.

The Pontypridd stipendiary magistrate has stated, as the result of cases in which drivers of lorries were fined for exceeding a speed limit of 12 m.p.h., that he was of opinion that it " seemed perfectly °Won's that the owners should pay the fines imposed on drivers hi those cases where speedometers had mot been provided for the lorries."

He directed that the owners' attention in these cases should be invited to the point. Speedometers, he stated, should be provided so that drivers might know exactly the speed at which they were travelling.

Citroen-Kegresse Tractors for Belgian Congo.

The progressive Belgian Congo is losing no time in taking advantage of the knowledge that Citroen-Kegresse vehicles are capable of negotiating unroa-ded country. Already an agency has been granted to a company covering both the Belgian Congo and Angola, and concessions are being applied for to use Citroai-Kesresse chainstrack vehicles for public service work in the former country. Two cars are already being used to carry the white staff engaged in superintending the construction of the liebo-Bukarna Railway.

Petrol in Bulk for Westminster,

The Contracts Committee of the Westminster • City Council has considered tenders for the supply and delivery of motor spirit in bulk, approximating. 50,000 gallons, for the twelve months commencing on July 14th next. Eight firms submitted quotations. Of these six quoted the current market prices at date of delivery, the present market prices being Is. Md. per gallon for No. 1 spirit and Is. 51d. per gallon for No. 3 spirit. The remaining two firms quoted a price for the whole period in question. The British Motor Spirit Distributing Co. offered to supply. No. 1 spirit and

No. 3 spirit at 1s. 5d. and Is. 3Lci, per gallon respectively, the prices being subject to the sundry variations, and the committee recommends acceptance of the tender.

Fares at Cardiff.

A committee has been appointed by the Cardiff City Council to review the scale of bus and tram fares and reductions are likely to be made on several routes.

Aylesbury Approves.

Aylesbury Town Council has approved• of the proposal for a motor way, which will pass through a part of its area from London to Liverpool. One member of the council opposed the suggesthni because be said it was going back to the mid-Victorian era to give private peopls a monopoly, over roads..

Police Ambulances.

.Asked to provide a police ambulance at East Ham, the Commissioner of Police wrote to the c:orporation that an official has been appointed by the Ministryof Health to consider the whole question. The "Health Committee of the corporation now proposes To urge the Ministry of _Health to persuade the police to provide motor ambulances for street accident cases.

Selling Eight Tractors a Day.

An Australian importing house interested in the sale of tractors recently sold 50 machines of a well-known American make in one week. It is thought that this success was the result of the demonstrations of tractors at the last agricultural show of the State of Victoria, held at Melbourne in September, 1922. Previous to the date of the show not a dozen tractors had been sold in the Melbourne district, whereas the total disposed of since that time is over 60. A vigorous effort is being made to develop the agricultural resources of Victoria, and the use of tractors is found to be suitable and advantageous.

We are informed timethe-Vailcan Motor Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., are now fitting Wefco covers a.s standard equipment on their 30-cwt. and 2-ton lorries.

New Road Across Lancashire.

The finance committee of the Liverpool City Council recently recommended the construction of a new road between the city and Oldham, Bolton, Bury, and Rochdale. The Dock Board, Chamber of Commerce, and the commercial associations were in favour of the project, and the Dock Board is prepared to find £100,000 towards the cost of the Con• struotion of the highway. It is stated that work. on the road would afford 40 weeks' employment for 5,000 men and thus reduce local unemployment.

A resolution was passed in favour of referring the matter to representatives of Liverpool and other public bodies and to negotiate with the Ministry of Transport, following which a further report will be made.

New Samuelson Company.

It is stated that shareholders of the Samuelson Transport Co. Ltd., who are

now in liquidation, are 1;sing informed that arrangements have been made to form a new company called-the Samuelson New Transport Co., Ltd., to take over tills business and, the lease of the garage of the old company.

The company is to have a capital of .C15,000 in 50,000 preference shares of 4s. each and 100,000 ordinary shares of Is. each, and the old shareholders are being offered one fully paid ordinary share as a free bonus with every two preference shares subscribed.

Classified Roads.

The Ministry of Transport has recently pubfished a listof Class 1 and Class 2 roads and numbers, and copies can now be purchased from H.M. Stationery Office, price 9d. each.

The Ordnance Survey Office has also published official maps in 39 sheets for England and Wales, depicting these roads, whilst a further series of 34 sheets for Scotland will shortly be issued.

A Tradesmen's Request.

The tradesmen of Wind Street, Ammanford, have petitioned the Urban District Council to request the proprietors of motorbuses to make Penybank Road the terminus of journeys, instead of as at present, Ammanford Square. Members of the council pointed out that this was purely a matter which the bus proprietors themselves must decide, and the clerk agreed that the council had , no authority to enforce the suggested . change of terminus.

As a matter of courtesy:to the:.-petitioners, however, the council decided to notify the bus owneraof the request:

State Grants-for Motor Services According to a communication from Norway, the RoadsCommittee oft-the Storthing have recommended the adoption of a proposal advanced by the Ministry for Publi,i Works for a State grant of Kr, 400,000 towards motor vehicle services. The committee lays stress upon The importance of -State grants to such services, and points out that they are especially necessary in the case of outof-the-way districts to which services can scarcely be. maintained at a ralofit.

According to the Director of Roads, 347 motor vehicle services were iraexistonce in 1922, on which 804 vehicles were used, and that motor traffic is still rapidly developing. In 1920 a State grant of Kr. ,206,0W1 was made to 40 services, in 1921 the grant was Kr. 250,000 for 67 services, and In 1922 Kr. 400,000 'for 78 services.

• The Scheele Electric in Glasgow.

The Scheele electric vehicle, which is a German production made in two types of 2 , and 5-4-ton carrying capacity respectively, has been taken up for Scotland by the Oxford Auto-Electric Co., of 193, Bath Lane, Glasgow This vehicle was described its the-oolumns of The Commercial Motor on August 29th, 1922. It is not a recentintroduction. into the British ,'market, as there are now some 70 in operation in Grimsby, ,and fleets in commiasion'in Nottingham, Hull,' etc.

It hat created some interest in Glasgow and has been the subject qf a very satis

factory teat by the Electricity Department. 'Me 3-4-ton lorry with a 2-ton load made the journey to Stirling and back, covering a distance of 58 miles on one charge at a cost for current of .8d. per mile. Another test of 411 miles, in which 105 stops were made, Was carried out. The batteries which enable these very excellent mileages per charge to be made consist of 80 cells with a capacity of 250 amp.-hours.

r Nottingham Motorbuses.

The ' Nottingham Corporation report for 1922-23•states that the motorbus services were increased to meet the growing requirements of the districts they serve. The •receipts were £14,072 and the expenditure £11,463, leaving a balance of £2,609 to meet interest, sinking fund and depreciation charges, amounting to £2,429. There are nine motor/lases in the service.

ThekoecialityFordson truck loader which We described in our issue of April 17th is now being' handled in this country by the-Muir Hill Service,Equip. inent, Ltd., of Ashburton Road, Trafford Park, Manchester.

Eleven Years' Progress.

The number of omnibuses now being run by the Birmingham and Midland Omnibus Co. is 300, and, it is hardly believable that this fleet was started with two or three buses only in Worcester in 1912—eleven years ago. The number was

increased to six in 1914, .anu while the heaclqtrarters of the company have been removed to -Birmingham, there are now 22 buses garaged in Worcester, supplemented by others which are garaged at Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, and Birmingham.

The company actually started operations much earner than 1912, for we -find that experimental motors were run in 1904, but these • soon had to be withdrawn. There are nearly 100 services in or connected with Worcestershire, and as many more outside, and the company is stated to be the largest outside the Metaopolis. The majority of the buses being run are single-deckers with seating accommodation" for about 32 passen,gera, but double-deckers have recently been put on the road with a seating capacity for 51 people,

The buses are very comfortable, but experiments are being conducted with the use of pneumatic tyres, and other de velopm taking are takg place with a view . to increasing the comfort of passengers. With regard to mileage, about 2,000 miles per week were ecivered in 1914, whilst during 1922 the total mileage was over five million, and the total number of passengers carried was twenty million.

Another Electric for Southend.

Having three Garrett electric vehicles on order, the .Southend Corporation Health Committee now reports on the saving that would be effected if another were now purchased at £910_, the same price as is being paid for the other vehicles. The committee accordingly recommends increasing the order from three to four electric vohieles.

In our article entitled `! Rubber Surfacing' for Main Roads," which appeared in our issue dated June 12th, we included an illustration of a rubber-surfaced road being laid.in Holborn. We.,,repro&iced. this Photograph by courtesy of The Rubber Age, and to the same journal were indebted for some of 'Our facts. We regret that mention of this fact was omitted from our article.

Southend Hackney Carriages.

Southend Watch Committee has been in communication with the Ministry of Health with regard to the proposed revision of the by-laws now in force in the borough relating to . hackney car riages. It has now obtained the informal approval of the Minister to new by-laws', which have been the subject of consideration by the Taxi-Owner Drivers' Section of the local Chamber of Trade, by whom they are generally approved.

Bus Service by Agreement.

The town clerk and the tramways manager of Rotherham have agreed with the private bus owners and the Ministry of Transport for a service of motorbuses to be run to Silverwood Colliery on the following conditions

(1) The present service of eight vehicles run by private owners to be continued.

(2) The corporation to run a service from Silverwood Colliery along Aldgate Lane and Cross Street, terminating at the tramway in the main road at the northern end of Cross Street.

(3) The number of buses run by the corporation not to exceed eight, unless the service run by private owners be modified, in which case the corporation may increase its buses accordingly.

New Zealand Lorry Imports.

The British commercial-vehicle trade with New Zealand continues to prove satisfactory. In 1919 70 per cent, of the imports came from Canada., the United States sending 27 per cent, and Great Britain only 3 per cent. In 1920 Canada sent 58 per rent., Unite] States 26 per cent., and Great Britain 16 per cent. ct the total number. In 1921 Canada's share fell to 35 per cent., the 'United States sending 30 per cent., Great Britaiiy, 29 per cent, and other countries a total

of 6 per cent. Last year Canada sent 39 per cent., United States 31 per cent., Great Britain 29 per cent., and other countries 1 per cent. In point of value Great Britain lectin 1922 with 525 per cent; United States corning next with 35.5 per cent., followed by Canada, 11 per cent.. Of the 148 completed lorries and omnibuses imported last year Great Britain sent 64, while the British share of 377 commercial-vehicle chassis was 87.

Parking at King's Lynn.

King's Lynn Town Council has decided to make no charge on other than market days for the use of the Market Place for the parking of motors.

Commer Sales Organization..

In the • advertisement of Commercial Cars, Ltd., which appeared in our Special. Municipal Vehicle Number, the old address Of the company's London sales department was given. We are asked to state that the whole of the sales organization is now at Luton.

Southend Services.

Southend Watch Committee has considered suggestions for the establishment of motorbus services between Leigh Church and the "Woodcutters Arms," and from Leigh Church and the Chapmaslord estate, hut has postponed conwiderhtion. The committee has declined to sanction a service between the Pier Hill and Chalkwell Avenue.

Available for Control of a Fleet.

A gentleman prominent in the world of mechanical transport, with 20 years' experience of the control of fleets, is on the point of severing his connection with the company by whom he is 'now employed and is open to the receipt of anoffer of a position of tiesponsibility. Letters addressed "P.,care of the Editor, will be forwarded.

Toll Bridge Seasons.

At a meeting of the Flintshire County Council Highways Committee a communication was submitted from the Crosville Motor Co., applying for contract tickets in respect of their motorbuses crossing the Queensferry Bridge..

The clerk pointed out that, at present, no contract tickets were issued in respect of heavy motorcars. The committee decided, however, that contract tickets should be issued at. the following rates :—

A communication was also submitted from Messrs. W. Halsall arid Co., Liverpool, pointing out that, their vehicles were continually using the bridge on two successive days, and that as they cannot return on the same day theyare compelled to pay toll both ways, whereas if they returned the same day the ticket would be available for both ways. A, sub-committee is to consider the matter.

No More Licences.

Truro Watch Committee has refused to grant Mr. Passmore, of the King's Head Hotel, a licence for a hackney carria.se, because it considers there are already sufficient vehicles of this type plying for hire in the city.

A Bus Limit ?

Barnstaple Rural District Council has asked the Devon County Council to take steps to restrict motorbus traffic, being of opinion that duplication of services causes undue wear of the roads. A member of the council said on one day he noticed 17 buses with a total capaety of

400, carrying only 69, passengers '

Local Proceedings.

East Barnet Dist:Het Council is considering the purchase of a motor lorry.

Barnes Urban District Council has had tenders for the supply of an electric vehicle.

Wolstanton Urban Distriet-Council has purchased a Ford motor for the removal

of house refuse. , . Sheffield Corporation Electricity Committee has decided topurchase two light Ford lorries for the main's department.

-Bristol Cleansing Department is core eidering the possibility of substitutiug motors for horse vehicles for ref use removal, Skegnese Urban District Council has under consideration the. advisability of adopting mechanical transport for refuse collection.

Barnstaple Rural Council has now agreed with the Barnstaple Town Council for the joint, acquisition o,f a motor fire-engine.

Dumbarton Town Council has decided to improve the efficiency of the fire brigade by the purchase of another motor engine.

South Darley Urban District Council hasigranted Mr. F. C. Wilson a licence for a motorbus service between Warley Bridge and Matlock.

The Aberystwyth Town 'Council has applied to the Ministry of Health for sanction to the raising of a lean for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.

Lowestoft Watch Committee has refused the application of the United Automobile Services, Ltel., for an increase in the number Of their licenees from 31. to 40.

The works committee of the Brighton Corporation proposes to purchase three 30-cwt. motor vehicles for refuse collection, and the waterworks committee proposes to obtain motor lorry at a cost of £450.

-Southend Corporation has purchased a Ford motervan for the • parks depart :The Mansfield and Woodhouse. Urban Council has placed an order for 30-cwt, Guy vehicles. .

East Ham Corporation Health Centmittee seeks authority to purchase a /rioter ambulance.

Loweitoft Watch Committee has refused to grant a licence to a ohar-a-bance

proprietor at. Ripon: . • -I • Nelson Town Council has purchased five motor omnibuses in order, to establish a municipal .eervice.

East Ham Corporation' proposes to purchase a motorgully-emptier, and is inviting manufacturers to allow trials Of their machines to be carried out..

• Nottingham Police have fixed timetables for the buses which..ply for hire between Hucknall and Nottingham in order to put a stop to racing rivalry.

Southend Corporation Highways Corn-. mittee recommends the purchase from Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd., of three 5-6-ten trailer tipping wagons at a cost of £624.

As the result of satisfactory experience' with a 25-cwt. Guy vehicle, the Stokeon-Trent Corperation has placed a repeat .order with the company for two similar vehicles.

Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee has decided to grant no more motorlatts licences pending the consideration of the general question of the bus sea-vices of the borough.

Portsmouth Town Council has referred back a proposal to purchase four electric vehicle& far refuse collection so that the committee can report on other systems of mechanical transport.

Lowestoft Watch Committee has asked the police to deal with the obstruction caused by motor vehicles left unattended in the streets, and also to cases of alleged loitering by motorbuses.

• Kelly-Springfield Service.

"Messrs. British -Engineering Products Co., 91-93. Windsor House, Victoria Street, London, S.W. 1, inferm us that they have for some montlaS past been the sole distributors for Kelly-Springfield products in the British Isles, having taken over the business from Sir J. Payne Gailwey Brown and Co. It is the object of the company_ to maintain an efficient service ;system, and, with -ails end in view, Kelly-Springfield users may draw upon the large-stock facilities which exist for all classes of spare parts. Present conditions, we are told, perniit of favourable quotations heing given for new Kelly-Springfield lorries.

Ransomes Concrete Mixer.

One of. those curiously absurd, and therefore very annoying, errors foe which there is no account:rig occurred in the title to an illustration of the Ransomes lightweight, concrete mixer, to which wie referred in our municipal number published on Jane 5th. The mixer has an output, of 7 cubic yards per hoar, but the word " feet " crept in by error, although the verbal mistake must have been obvious and the correct figure wae given in the accompanying letterpress.

Barimar at Manchester.

Barimar, Ltd., advise us that. their branch depot at Manchester has been removed from 65,'Brunswick Street to 67, Brunswick Street, Ardwick Green, Mr. W. R. Thomas is the service manager, and he will he pleased to give advice on intricate welding repairs.

Sheffield's Successful Parade.

The first annual parade in Sheffield of the North-Eastern Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association was held on June 9th, and proved a considerable success. A large number of vehic'es paraded, and prizes were awarded in 20 classes.