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 Crosier.
Sentinel Directors' Report.
The report of the directors of the Sentinel Waggon Works (1920), Ltd., for the year ended December 31st last has been issued. The directors state therein that it is not possible to complete the accounts for the years 1921 and 1922 until the company's liability for excess profits duty for the year 1920 and its claim to relief under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1921, have been settled. So soon as the negotiations have been concluded, the company's accounts will be submitted to the shareholders.
The directors state, however, that the trading for 1922, -notwithstanding the continued depression in trade alla the 14 weeks' Ioek-out in the engineering industry, has resulted in a fair profit, due in part to economies in manufacture and in selling expenses, whilst the trading prospects of the company for the current year appear brighter than for some time past, arrangements having been made for the prompt and economical handling of an increased output whenever general trading conditions improve.
, The directors are able to recommend a final dividend on the preference shares at the rate of 7/ per cent. per annum, to he paid on March 1st, but until the taxation liabilities have been finally determined they do not propose the payment of any dividend on the ordinary shares.
Thornycroft's New Chassis Prices.
John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., announce substantial reductions in the prices of all their commercial vehicle chassis, as well as in connection with bodies_ They point out that the manufacturing costs do not warrant these large reductions, which are conceded in order to cheapen transport, encourage further improvement in trade, and thereby reduce unemployment. The following are the new prices, the reduction in each case being shown in brackets :— BT-type 2-ton chassis, £645 (£105) X-type 3-ten chassis, £755 (£95) I-type 4-ton chassis, £845 (£55) Q-type 5-ton chassis, £925 (£75)
W-type 6-ton chassis, £990 (a6o) The above concessions will apply to all new orders placed direct with the corm pany or through their agents.
Motorbus Stopping Points in London. The question of the motorbus stopping points in London is now being considered by the Ministry of Transport and the police authorities in conjunction with the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd.
The principal object of the new scheme, which is now well advanced, is to fix permanent stopping points for the motorbuses, and where buses and trams run alongside each other to fix separate stopping places. Where there are no trams, the bus stopping points are also being reconsidered.
Stopping signposts of a temporary i mature have been n use for some time, BD)
but, as each group of stopping points is agreed by the authorities, these are giving place to signs of an improved type. These-are in cream enamel, with bronze mouldings mounted on a steel post. A further improvement is the provision of a frame beneath the sign in which certain current traffic particulars can be shown. On the reverse side of this frame are exhibited safety first "legends." The number of bus atop signs to be dealt with is 650, and they are now being fixed at the rate of 30 a week.
Guy Buses for Leeds.
As the result of very exhaustive tests carried out by the Leeds Corporation Tramways of some 20 different makes of vehicles, Guy Motors, Ltd. (so we are informed by Mr. S. E. Guy, the managing director thereof), have been favoured with an order for six` 30-cwt. passenger chassis for 16-seater one-man buses.
Other orders which have recently been received by the same makers have been From the Midland and General Omnibus Co., of Derbyshire, and from the New Cleethorpes and Newcastle-underLyne Transport Co., etc. ;
Recrossing the Sahara.
M. Andre Citroen, with a small party, and employing feet Citroen-Kegresse tractor vehicles, set out on about February 14th from Touggourt in order to meet the Haardt Audonin-Dubreuil Mission, which is returning from Timbuctoo over the route which it had followed on the outward journey, which was accomplished during the last fortnight of December and the first week of January.
The second Sahara Mission, as M. Citroen's party is termed, is proceeding so far as IreSalah, which is a big oasis in Northern Africa, south of which are immense stretches of sand and the foothills of the Muydir Plateau.
The worst part of the journey—that is to say, over the " Land of Thirst," where there is no water for 500 kiloms.
therefore, not be touched by the second mission. This mission reached Wargla on the evening of February 14th, and spent the whole of the next day there, grand celebrations being organized in its honour, with fantasias on foot and on horseback,camel races, a fine reception in the tent of the Caid of the Said Otba with dances by OuIed-Naffs in the Flatters Square. M. Citroen, in his cablegram, describes it is an unforgettable day in a wonderful Sahara setting.
On the morning of February 16th the mission left in the direction of fnifel, and in the evening camp was pitched in the dunes, the night being beautiful and not too cold. A start was made on the morning of February 17th, and Inifel was reached in time for lunch.
The running of the vehicles up to that point was reported as perfect, the health of the party was excellent, and, notwithstanding the great heat, they were not too greatly fatigued.,
Proposed New. Thames Bridge.
. A conference was recently held at the Ministry of Transport when consideration was given to a proposal to construct a new bridge across the Thames. The conference includes representatives of the London County Council, City Corporation, and the municipalities of Southwark, Holborn, and Finsbury, the-three boroughs which are interested in the scheme. After a long discussion it was resolved, on the suggestion of the chairman, Col. Wilfrid Ashley, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry, to form a small sub-committee in order to go thoroughly into the matter. Sir Henry Mayburye Director-General of Roads, was appointed chairman of this committee.
The general view is that the , most appropriate approach for such a bridge is between the present Southwark and Blackfriare Bridges, emerging on the north side in proximity. to St. Paul's Cathedral.
It is stated that the City authorities are prepared to provide the necessary funds. but, as certain alterations involving street traffic will be necessary, the Ministry of Transport is being consulted with a view to obtaining a grant.
Motorcar Import Duties.
On Tuesday last, in the House of Commons, Colonel Sir Arthur Holbrook
rose and said I beg to present a petition from 546 persons in occupations in the motor industry, employed or seeking employment by the firm of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., at Basingstoke, praying that, as many men formerly employed by this firm have been dismissed or put on short time, owing to the decline in the British commercial vehicle industry, caused by the free imyortation of commercial vehicles from abroadi the same import duty may be charged on foreign commercial vehicles as is imposed under the Finance Act of 1915 on touring cars from abroad, so that the British manufacture of these vehicles may be restored."
De Dion Prices.
De Dion-Bouton, Ltd., give us the following new provisional retail prices for their commercial vehicle chassis, ex their London works : 30-40-cwt. model H.O. with seven Michelin detachable wheels and pneumatic tyres, £450, the cost of the same chassis with solid tyres being £470, and with twin solids at the rear £500; 31-ton model F.R. with V-type radiator and six cast-steel wheels £500, the same model with seven Michelin pneumatic tyres costing £535; 5-ton model F.S. chassis with aix cast-steel wheels and solid tyres, £590; a special char4-bancs chassis of 35 h.p., model G.Q.3, with seven Michelin wheels and pneumatic tyres £590, the same chassis with solid tyres costing £565.
Devon Roads and Coach Traffic.
The application of the Devon County Council to the Ministry of Transport for an order to close certain roads in Devonshire to heavy vehicles has brought forth a storm of protest from many commercial vehicle users, and particularly from char-a-bancs owners in the county. The remarkable scenery of Devonshire is far-famed, and a considerable number of motor coach owners have set themselves out to enable the public to enjoy the natural charms of the county.
A special meeting of the Torquay and District Coach Owners' Association Was held a few days ago, at which a resolution was unanimously approved protestin.. against the application of the Devon County Council to the Ministry of Transport to close any road in the district covered by chars-a-banca operating from Torquay and the surrounding towns.
According to the county council's application, only vehicles of over 2-ton weight are precluded from the roads mentioned, which are practically all byroads.
Canada's Vehicles.
It has been estimated that 70,000 motor vehicles were sold in Canada last year, which brings the approximate number of vehicles in use in the Dominion up to a total of 525,000. About 46 per cent, of the total number were registered in the province of Ontario, which, at the end of last year, had about 24,000 commercial motors.
A New Monmouthshire Road.
The Panteg (Mon.) Urban District Council has decided to build a new road between Griffithstown and Panteg, and the scheme will be put into execution immediately. Plans have been approved by the Ministry of Transport, which, in giving assent, intimated that it would contribute, by way of a Government grant, 50 per cent, of the cost of construction.
A Goodrich Guarantee.
The B. F. Goodrich Co., Ltd., 117-123, Golden Lane, London, E.0.1, point out that an error crept into their advertisement which appeared in our last issue. The company's senii-pneumatie tyres were stated to be guaranteed for 1,200 miles, which, obviontly, to these who know better, should have read 12,000As a raittter of fact, the company claim that these tyres will give an average service of MOM under normal working conditions.
Refusing a Bus Licence.
The Rhondda Urban District Council has considered letters from various local bodies, including the Ferndale Chamber of Trade' with reference to the council's refusal to renew the licence for a bus service of Mr. David Morgan, of Ferndale.
'Mr. Morgan was the proprietor of buses which ran between the Rhondda Each and Rhondda Fawr Valleys by a short mountain road, linking up the towns of Ystracl and Ferndale.
The Ferndale Chamber of Trade pointed out in a letter that if the council's ground of refusal was that the services of the Rhondda Tramways Co. were prejudiced, the council should have borne in mind that this company, despite repeated applications from bodies of residents in the valleys, did not see their way dear to institute a direct FerndaleYstrad service until after Mr. Morgan had opened out the route. It was, continued the letter, against the public interest that, a monopoly should be created for the tramways company.
Councillor Jones said that there was considerable public feeling_that an injustice Lad'been done to this bus proprietor, and he moved that the question be referred back to the licensing committee with a view to renewing the licence. Against this proposal it was contended that, as the tramways company paid £2,000 per annum in rent to the council, they had certain rights which should be protected. Eventually the council, decided not to renew the licence of Mr. Morgan, but to allow him to continue his service without a licence pending an opportunity of placing his case before the Ministry of Transport.
To Fill a Maintenance Position.
We know of a man who has had long experience in the Cunning of motorbuses and coaches, and has been foreman in charge of a fleet. He is about to leave his present position through slackness of business, and desires to take up another position in connection with maintenance work. Any inquiries sent to the Editor will be forwarded to the right qumner.
Money for Roads.
Hampshire County Council reports that the amount collected by the county council in respect of the year ended December 31st, 1922, for the registration and licensing of road vehicles amounted to £128,602, as compared with 2133,357 in the previous year. The total prooeeds of these duties in 1922 actually ex oeeded the total of 1921, a larger portion in the latter year being collected by post offices.
The whole of this has been paid into the motor taxation account, the proceeds of which will, after payment of certain prior charges and costs, be devoted towards the maintenance and improvements of roads. The prior charges include payment to the county councils of seine equal to the amounts certified by the Minister of Health to have been collected by those councils respectively during the year ended on March 31st, 1909, in respect of duties on carriage licences. The amount so collected in this county was 212,282. The amount collected up to February 3rd. 1923, in respect of the year ending December 31st, 1923, for. the registration and licensing of vehicles, was approximately 294,652, as compared with 280,058 in the corresponding period of the previous year.
An Ice-cream Vendor's Mobile Plant.
In these modern times, even the itinerant ice-cream vendor often uses a motor vehicle as his means of transport. At first the tendency was to purchase second-hand machines—in some cases motorcycles and sidecars—but that was only at the start, and now the ice-cream merchant is as keen on the appearance of his machine as is any other user. In fact, he has begun to realize that a wellkept motor vehicle with an attractive and clean body is a great promoter of trade The illustration which we reproduce on this page shows a fine Fiat chassis equipped with a special body to the order of J. H. Telco, of Ashton-nnderLyne. It will be noted that the wheels are of the Wee type with pneumatics on the front and Macintosh N.A.P. tyres
B22 on the rear. In connection with these tyres we would point out that they give an On. road contact.
Motorailers' New Address.
The offices of the Motorailer Transport Co., Ltd., with whose activities we recently dealt, and of which General Sir
H. Capel Holden, K. C . B. , F.R.S.,
Oat. Director of Mechanical Transport at the War Office), is chairman, have been transferred to Avenue House, 21, Northumberland Avenue, Loudon, W.C. 2, adjoining the Royal Colonial Institute. It will be remembered that the Motorailer Transport Co., Ltd., are handling attachments which enable motor vehicles to be run upon railroad tracks..
Traffic Prohibition.
Lymington Rural District Council is seeking an Order to prohibit the use of heavy motorcars and locomotives on various lengths of road, amounting in, all to alpout 11 m:les.
The North-western Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association is convening a conference of motor coach owners of the North-western Division of the Association at an early date, with a view to establishing a committee to harmonize the working between one town and another. An attempt will be made to regularize running prices and the first step will be to supply each motor coach owner with a cost sheet, setting out the whole of the headings of the various costs in order that members can keep these cost sheets up to date. The committee feels that by educating the smaller owner in this manner he will be made to realize that his running costs are often considerably greater than he thinks.
Edinburgh's Municipal Transport.
A report has just been submitted to the . Edinburgh Corporation by Mr. Robert Paton, the City Chamberlain, pointing out ;how important economies can be effected in the city's transport services. He supports his contention by referring to the fact that a number of the large English county boroughs have had centralized municipal transport in vogue for some time, and that. they have, as a result, increased efficiency and reduced expenditure. It, must be stated, he says, that, in addition to the cost and upkeep of the corporation's own fleet of vehicles, the average annual cartage bill of the corporation amounts to 215,000, which represents nearly Id. per 21 of rates
Dealing with mechanical vehicles. he is of the opinion that, having regard to the needs of the city, apart loam purely departmental considerations, a modified transport pooling scheme might well prove beneficial.
A Six-speed Gear for Fords.
Brame° (1920), Ltd., St. Nicholas Street, Coventry, have sent us a copy of a new booklet destribing the Watford six-speed auxiliary transmission for Ford cars and trucks, and in it is included a reference to the new aeries of gear ratios which are now employed, whilst certain space is devoted to the reproduction of a number of testimonials form satisfied users.
Abolishing Level-crossings.
In connection with a suggestion of the L. and S.W. Rly, to divert a cansevvay' at. Totton in order to abolish a levelstowing, the Hampshire county surveyor has prepared an amended plan which will obviate level-crossings both at Redbridge and Totton. The work will cost £85,000, of which the railway company will contribute £25,000 and the Ministry of Transport £30,000. The county council considers the proposal of such importance that, its main, roads committee has been asked carefully to investigate it. There are, it appears, two bridges over the River Test at Redbridge which are too narrow for traffic, although a recent census showed that they aro carrying more than 5,000 tons of traffic daily.
Ensuring Regular Services.
Two further improvements, which are designed to assist in the regulation of the traffic of the L.G.O. Co. on their outlying country routes, are the introduction of time-table boards and time clocks. The time-table boards are exhibited along the routes at all regular stopping points, and have proved to be of great utility to intending passengers.
The clocks have been introduced to assist the traffic staff in running the buses at even intervals. The conductors now "clock on" the buses on arrival at all important, traffic points.
Road Transport Insurance Results.
The accounts of the Road Transport, and General Insurance Co., Ltd., for the , year ended December 31st, last have been published, and they show that the bustflees is in a thoroughly sound condition. There have been po great advancements in volume in the fire business, but there has been a substantial advance in the accident business. These two sides of the business are set out in separate schedules.
With regard to the fire department, the premiums for the year closely approximate those for 1921, but there has been a slight increase in the claims from £4,367 to £6,622, the claims having increased from 31.6 per cent. to 48.8 per tent. The premium reserve has been adjusted to 40 per cent. of the income, and a profit from this department of £2,651, added to which is the figure of £262 for interest, is carried to profit and lose account.
With regard to the accident side of the business, the premium income has risen from £62,089 in 1921 to £106,450 in 1922. The claims show an increase from £21,869 to £42,499, the claim ratio having risen from 35.2 per cent. to 39.9 per tent. Commission and expenses in both the departments came to about 33 per cent., which, in insw:ance circles, is regarded as a very good figure.
On the accident business there is a profit of £10,328, to which must be added interest, £1,495. These two sums ,have been carried to profit and loss account. . , _ Of the total sum of £21,850 available from the profit and loss account, £4,120 is reserved for taxation and £7,500 is transferred to reserves. The balance of £10,230 is carried forward, payment of dividends to shareholders being deferred until the reserves have been substantially built. up.
'The issued capital of this company is 270,706, only a .portion of which has been issued fully paid. Investments are shown in the balance sheet at £128,968, the market value on December 31st exceeding that figure. There is cash at bank and in hand totalling £14,729.
Temporary Licences:
Lowestoft Watch Committee has granted temporary licences for chara-k. banes to Mr. Albert Walker and Mr. G. Smith, intimating that, 110 undertaking can be given as to renewal on the -annual licensing day, as the council's policy with regard to the issue of licences for the coming season has not yet been determined.
'High Running Costs..
In a report to the York Tramways Committee, Mr. Bromley, the general manager and engineer, says that, with regard to the rail-less, electric tramcar, and petrol omnibus services, until the working expenses in connection with the passenger systems have been considerably lowered, any reduction in fares would add considerably to the loss already incurred. He contended that the constant references to high working expenses must strike the members of the committee very,forcibly, and states that drivers' and conductors' wages for the financial year ended 1922 absorbed onethird of the total traffic revenue.
Glasgow Cab Stands.
Glasgow Corporation magistrates' committee has agreed to grant the request of a number oftaxicab owners asking the corporation to fix stances for taxicabs in (1) South Street, on the east side of the entrance to Merklands Cattle Market. for ten cabs; and (2) on the west side of Incholm Street. off Dumbarton Road, opposite Balsha.gray Avenue, ter four cabs. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Birkenhead Road Transport Association, Mr. W. Edwards, president of the Liverpool Motor Ownera' Association, said that the members of the road transport industry were faced with greater difficulties than those which confronted other commercial concerns. It was more difficult for them to cut their costs as the whole industry was caught by the slump in trade when under full sail. The delay in the recovery of trade had been most serious, and the present position was still a matter for concern. In endeavouring to lower the cost of transport, they were faced with the important question . of labour. The labour conditions prevailing on . Merseyside to-day left much to he desired.
He did not think Merseyside employers were less generous than those of other ports, but they were entitled to the same reasonable treatment which organized labour had exhibited elsewhere.
Referring to the activities of the asso
dation, Mr. Edwards said he was afraid that trade organizations, particularly. in transport., were regarded as iniquitous organizations for the maintenance of unjustifiable charges calculated to obstruct the development of trade. But this indictment could not be laid against the Birkenhead Association. • It had clean hands in that respect, and its war record would stand a thoroughinvestigation. The object of the association had been to maintain a fair trading margin, and throughout the war rates 'were only adjusted out pf regard to increases in cost.
Light Railway in Jeopardy.
Local authorities are opposing the proposal of the Southern Railway to abandon the Basingstoke and Alton light railway, feeling it unwise that the means of transport should be diminished in this manner.
Electrics in America.
Activity was witnessed in the American electric vehicle market during January. Representatives of two manufacturers have stated that they had sufficient orders in hand to keep their factories operating at capacity until the end of March, The New York Edison Co. placed orders last mouth for 20 electric lorries, and it is said that the orders for electric vehicles booked by one firm during January were equivalent to 30 percent. of the company's total btssiness in 1922. .
Public utility companies in the United States purchased 150 electrica last year.
Figures recently collected by the Electric Vehicle Bureau of the Edison Co. show that the sales of electric commercial vehicles in Manhattan and the Bronx—two sections of Greater New York—in 1922 were 42 per cent, greater than in 1921, whiio the tonnage of the machines sold during the same period showed an increase of 102 per cent.
An Electric Vehicle Show will be held in New York City from June 2nd to June 9th. The annual convention of the National Electric Light AssociaCon will sl.so be held at the same time.
Bus Licensing in New South Wales.
The New South Wales Legislature has passed an amending Bill regarding the licensing of vehicles, and it will no longer be possible for one authority to issue a licence which will be good throughout the State. Under certain conditions a council will be able to issue a licence which will be good in some neighbouring areas, but only for a temporary period. after which the other councils must be consulted and will have power to uphold or veto running powers.
Solex Carburetters In the Sahara.
The question was recently raised as to the type of carburetter that was used on the Citroen-Kegresse tractors which crossed the Sahara, as, in view of the high temperature and the possibility of the atmosphere beingladen with sand, it was thought that some special device would have been found necessary, but we are informed that the carburetters fitted in these tractors were of the standard 26 horizontal model Solex with a setting of 16 choke, 80 main, and 40 pilot; that B24 is to say, the same choke tube was fitted as on the standard Citroen car, but with a jet one size smaller owing to the climatic conditions under which the Sahara vehicles were running. Contrary to expectation, the carburetters were not protected in any way against the ingress of sand and no special fittings whatever were employed.
Locomotives on Highways.
Commander Scroggs, R.N., is asking the Hampshire County Council to make a by-law compelling owners of locomotives, when using the highway, to provide the chimneys with a gria or other appliance to prevent the emission of sparks.
Bulk Storage Equipment.
Last July the Metropolitan Asylums Board accepted the offer of the Dowson and Mason Gas Plant Co., Ltd., to supply seven Beardmore petrol supply equipments at £117 each, plus £65 for installation. Further inquiries have been made of this company, and they are now prepared to supply the seven ,plants for
the sum of £111 each, and to install them at 265 for each equipment. The board, therefore, proposes to make a contract accordingly,
Workmen's Bus Fares.
The omnibus committee of the Stockton Town Council has recommended the adoption of a scale of workmen's fares on its routes :—Stockton, via Portrack, to the Trrnsporter Bridge, and Norton, via Billingham, to the Transporter Bridge.
Licence Restrictions.
Middlesbrough Watch Committee has submitted for the decision of the Ministry of Transport an application of the United Automobile Services, Ltd., for the removal of a restriction that the company must only run their buses to Red' car via Westbourne Grove.
The Manchester Centre of the Cycle and Motor Trades Benevolent Fund recently held their annual Bohemian concert at Houldsworth Hall, Deansgate. The event was a great success, and Sir William Letts, K.B.E., spoke briefly of the eminent position occupied by the Manchester Centre.
Local Proceedings.
Camberwell Borough Council invites tenders for the supply of a new 1-ton chassis.
Middlesborough Corporation has authorized the purchase of a Lure motor road sweeper at a cost of £600.. . An economy committee of the Poole Town Council suggests the adoption of mechanical transport in connection with the removal of house refuse and for road watering.
Owing to increasing difficulties which are being experiencedAshington Council has appointed a special committee to go fully into the question of by-laws for the regulation of motor traffic.
Ilkley Urban District Council has granted an application by Messrs. Sharp and Griffiths, of Baildon, for permission to run a motorbus service from Shipley to Ilkley, and to ply for hire in the Ilkley area.
The Portlicawl Urban District Council has declined to grant permits to the Tresillian Motor Co., Cardiff, for a bus service between the Sandy Bay and the Esplanade, which is in the town centre. Middlesbrough Watch Committee has given Mr. Owen Haigh a motorcab licence for a Ford convertible vehicle, built to carry 14 passengers, on condition that the licence is limited for public hire in the borough to the picking up and setting down of pleasure parties only at the authorized stands. _
Inst. A. E. Meeting.
The next meeting of the North of Engl-nd centre of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held on February 28th, at 7.30 p.m., at the Education Offices, Chapel Street, Salford, Manchester, when a paper entitled High-speed Oil Engines" will be read ,,by Mr. J. L. Chaloner. The chair will be taken by Mr. A. T. J. Kersey.
Siamese Trade.
H.M. Consul-General at Bangkok states that during the Siamese year 1921-1922 imports of motor vehicles amounted to 386, to the value of £122,533. The bulk of these came from the United States. which supplied 211, valued at £44,229; the United Kingdom supplied 36, Italy 34, and Singapore 58 vehicles respectively.