Motorbus World.
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An extension of motorbie, seri i.es in Middlesborough is demanded, and writers in the local pipers are asking for a service from Yam te meet the needs of Eaglescliffe, Eaglescliffe J u twtion, Preston, Eaglescliffe Foundry and Hartburu.
South-coast Subsidies.
Worthing Motor Services, Ltd., of 23, Marine Parade, Worthing, be.s been endeavouring, during the pasi iew months, to convert variotis loco, vouncils to the expedieney of a wintersubsidy scheme. Whilst the cumpany in question has given certain districts a winter service this year, for the first time, without. financial aid, the local ccuncillors must not infer from that fact that such non-paying services can be maintained, without seine assistance, for the convenience of themselves and their ratepayers.
Carry a Jack.
Quite a considerable number of people eh° are connected with motorbus enterprises do not think it necessary that lifting-jacks should be carried upon these vehicles. Whilst it may be unnecessary in London or other cities, where road surfaces are either paved or metalled over their whole width, vehicles on country services may sink in from a variety of causes. and thereby he the cause of great delay for all concerned. We are reminded of this difference from steamwagon practice, by a report which is before us about the sinking-in of a.
motorbus near East Carlton. in Norfolk. The motorbus in question had to be abandoned for the night, and to Le towed out, the next morning, by a traction engine.
Single-deckers in Paris.
The latest single-deck omnibus of the new type, which is likely to be the vogue in Paris before many years go by, is illustrated herewith. The suppression of the " Imperial " upon future omnibuses, to which we made reference two weeks ago, is the prime cause of a likely preference for this model, and it will be observed that there is a large measure of standing accommodation on the conductor's platform— for nine persons, in addition to the conductor. The engine fitted to this de Dion-Bouton vehicle is of 35 h.p., with a cylinder-bore of 120 mm., and a piston-stroke of 130 mm.
Sydney (N.S.W.) and Traffic from Side Roads.
It will be remembered that, when the loyal Commission on London Traffic was sitting, each member was supplied with a copy of the traffic reguletions of the City a Sydney ; these were regarded by the members as amongst the best that had up to that time been produced. Another instance or I lie broed-mindedne.ss of the Traffic Superintendent of that State is seen in the new regulation which has been devised to meet the growing requirements of motor traffic. in most countries of the world, special regulations exist dealing with motorcars entering or leaving private roads or by-streets; as far as 1% e know, none yet exist regulating horse traffic in such cases. In the ease under notice, the regulation states that : " No person shall drive a vehicle or ride a horse across any footpath, from any gateway or entrance to a public street, unless some competent person precedes such vehicle or horse, and gives warning of the epproach thereof. Provided it shall not be an offence against this sub-section, if the driver of a horse-drawn vehicle or the rickr of a horse shall lead his
horse across such footway." Tt will be seen, that aft traffic is brought under the same reaulations as are motorcars. This is a decided step in the right
direction, and one that might with advantage be noted by some of our own local authorities.
Turner's Motor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., of Wolverhampton, which company has already supplied three steam chars-a-bancs for use in Arabia, has received a further order for four more of the same type, and tho first of these has already been shipped.
Commercial Cara, Ltd., of Cambridge Circus, W.C., has received an order, amongst others for its publicservice types, for a char-a-bancs chassis from the Radcliffe Motor Transit Co. (repeat sale), and from A. B. Anavi, Esq., for a motorbus to run on service in Phillippopoli, E. Roumelia.
Farther From the Kerb.
This journal has very frequently urged the expediency of setting back lamp-posts and pillar-boxes, so as to allow more clearance between these obstructions and wheeled vehicles-particularly motorbuses. It is, therefore, with considerable feelings of gratification that we heard, on the 18th inst.. in the course of an inquiry before the coroner for the City of Westminster, Mr. Troutbeck, with reference to the death of a clerk named Mellor, who was fatally crushed by a motorbus near St. George's Hospital, a substantial endorsement of our old opinion by independent witnesses. Dr. It. S. Trevor stated that he considered such posts were too near to the kerb, and the jury, in returning a verdict of "Accidental death," brought in a recommendation that the PostmasterGeneral and the London County Coun
cil respectively should be requested to have both the pillar-box and the firealarm post, at the point where the mishap occurred, placed farther back on the pavement. We commend this rider to all and sundry.
Smart Fine at Torquay.
We would that every owner of a motor vehicle, whether for goods or passenger service, acted as have the management of the Great Western Railway Co. in respect of a collision near Torquay on the 8th inst. A twohorse wagon collided with one of the railway company's motorbuses, between Paignton and Torquay, the wagon being overturned, its drunken driver thrown into the road, and one of the horses injured through its being able to bolt. The sequel was seen, at the Torquay police court, on the 17th
inst., when the driver was convicted on a charge of drunkenness while in charge of his vehicle, and of not being on his proper side of the road, ;:nd was fined 35s. including costs.
The Brighton Buses.
The twenty-sixth annual report of the Brighton, Hove and Preston United Omnibus Co., Ltd., discloses a dividend of only 7i per cent. for the year ended the 31st December last. The directors state that the increased expenditure of £1,641 is partly due to the extra number of buses on the road, and partly to the increased cost of running the electric buses which have been in service during the past year. There are now eight electric buses in all, and pressure is being put upon the company to increase the number. It is felt, however, that a revision of fares will have to be considered before that step can be taken, as the electric buses, particularly upon hilly routes, have been found to be more costly than petrol buses. Latterly, a new time schedule has heen enforced, owing to pressure put upon the company by local councils, and this has callsd for the running of more vehicles to maintain the services affected. It is admitted, however, that the noise due to running has been greatly lessened. The company's difficulties, from the point of view of maintained revenue, have been considerably increased by the changes involved, as inconsiderable extra traffichas been introduced. It haa, of course, also had to install the necessary charging plant in a new garage for the electric vehicles. Before , this company purchases a further number of electrobuses, which action would involve it in very-considerable further capital outlay, its directors feel that they should have something in the nature of a guarantee of reasonable treatment in the future at the hands of the local municipal authorities.