WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all diNculties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crazier.
Roads and Transport Exhibition: List of Exhibitors.
On the occasion of the Commercial Motor Exhibition at Olympia two years ago, the organizers of the Public Works, Roads and Transport Congress and Exhibition held their show concurrently, but this year it will be held from November 19th to 26th at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, London, N.1, -when a number of prominent concerns in the commercial motor industry and in that dealing with road construction will be exhibiting.
The following is a list of the exhibitors of chief interest to our readers :— John Allen and Sons (Oxford), Ltd.; W. and F. Archer; Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., Ltd. ; Aveling and Porter, Ltd.; Barford and Perkins, Ltd.; Broom and Wade, Ltd.; Crossley Bros., Ltd.; Fodens, Ltd.; W. Foster and Co., Ltd.; John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd.; the International Harvester Co. of Great Britain, Lta. ' • Lacre Mctor Car Co., Ltd.; Marshall, Sons and Co.. Ltd.: Millar's Machinery Co., Ltd. ; Muir-Hill Service Equipment, Ltd.; Chas. H. Pugh, Ltd.; Robey and Co., Ltd.; Ruston and Hornsby, Ltd.; Shell-Mex, Ltd.; Shelyoke and Drewry, Ltd. • Tuke and Bell, Ltd.; Walker Bros., Walker Vehicles, Ltd.; Wallis and Steevens, Ltd.; W. Weeks and Son, Ltd.
Joseph Lucas Report.
The report of Joseph Lucas, Ltd., for the year ended August 31st last, which has just been issued, shows a net profit for the year (including that of the Lucas Electrical Co., Ltd.) of £164,851, to which has to be added a sum of £99,494 brought forward from the previous year. Interim dividends paid have absorbed £15,103, and final dividends are now to be paid as follow :—On the " A " preference shares 21 per cent. (5 per cent. for the year) ; on the " B " preference shares 3 per cent. (6 per cent, for the year) ; on the ordinary shares 121 per cent. '(15 per cent, for the year) plus a 2s. per share bonus on the last-named. These payments will account for £94,443, and of the remainder £40,000 is to be placed to the reserve account, which now stands at £250,000, and £10,000 added to the staff superannuation fund, leaving £104,798 to be carried forward.
L.G.O. Training School Moves from Chelsea to Chiswick.
The transfer of the training school and clothing store of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., from Milman's Street, Chelsea, to Chiswick, which is now taking place, marks another step in the company's policy of centralization. Apart from this consideration, however, the accommodation afforded in the spacious overhaul depot is far in advance of that available at Milman's Street. Not only is the driving-instruction ground much larger, but adjacent to it are over three-quarters of a mile of the
D8 private roads of the depot, which are available for training purposes.
The training school, with its medical-examination room, classrooms, chassis-demonstration rooms and other established features, occupies the east side of a large new building on the Acton side of the well-known overhaul depot. The rest of this
building has been adapted to the purposes of the clothing stores. The uniform store has bin accommodation for 15,000 drivers' and conductors' suits and 8,000 overcoats and uniforms for inspectors, wardens and chauffeurs. The annual expenditure of the company on uniforms, etc., amounts to £70,000.
A New Commer Car.
Although COmmercial Cars, Ltd., of Luton, are not exhibiting at the Commercial Vehicle Exhibition, they have arranged for a selection of their vehicles to be displayed just outside Olympia. Amongst their vehicles, which will be shown on the premises of Messrs. Wilkins, Simpson and Co., 11 Hammersmith Road, W.11, will be a new low load-line bus, which possesses a number of interesting features in design.
Roadside Advertisements : New Powers of Local Authorities.
At last local authorities have secured effective powers to rid the wayside of hideous advertisements. The new Advertisement Regulations Act gives them power to make by-laws (a) for the regulation and control of hoardings and similar structures used for the purpose of advertising when they exceed 12 ft. in height, and (b) for regulating, restricting or preventing the exhibition of advertisements which affect injuriously the amenities of a public park or pleasure promenade, or disfigure the natural beauty of a landscape.
It has been found that the provisions of the Act of 1907 are inadequate to protect rural scenery from disfigurement, and the present Act has been passed to strengthen the powers of the local authorities.
The expression " advertisements " includes any structure or apparatus erected or intended only for tho display of advertisements.
"What Service do the 'fanufacturers Give ?"
This is the question which prefaces a little leaflet just issued by the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., andthe contents proceed to explain the care taken to ensure that the users of vehicles of this make shall have no causefor complaint on their inability to obtain replacement parts. From a map which is reproduced it is made clear that fivecentral depots form part of the company's service organization, whilst there are several branch offices where expert advice can be obtained and a host of agents in prominent towns in all parts of the country. The service system of the company enables users' requirements in the matter of spare parts and replacements to be met without delay, thus ensuring that a vehicle is back on the road in the minimum time.
A Welsh Bus Appeal.
An appeal to the Ministry of Trans-port by the Sirhowy Valleys Motor Transport Co. against the refusal of the Mynydclislwyn Urban District Council to grant them licences for a bus service between Blackwood and Ynysrldu, resulted in a Ministry representative holding an inquiry into the matter at Blackwood on October 15th.
The company contended that the council's refusal was unreasonable in that the services were warranted by public demand and that it rendered the area services of the company incomplete. For the council it was maintained that there was a sufficiency of services and that the roads were incapable of sustaining additional traffic without danger to the public.
After examining technical proposals as to types of bus to be used and their adaptability to meet the road conditions of the district, the inspector stated that the Ministry would, in due course, communicate with the council and with the Gellygaer Council, which was also concerned in the application.
A Boxvan for India.
The boxvan which is shown in an accompanying illustration has just been supplied to the proprietors of The Statesman, a leading Indian newspaper, by the Star Engineering Co., Ltd., Welverhampton. The van will be run from the Calcutta office of the paper. Its basis is a 25-cwt. Star commercial chassis shod with 34-in. by 5-in, pneumatic tyres and the bodywork is finished in Berger's Imperial Red, the lettering in gold standing out in bold relief.
It . is interesting to. recall that the manufacturers of this van supplied The &S"tatesman with a Star van eleven years ago, and when placing the order for the ntht vehicle the London office of the paper spoke in high terms of the excellent service it has given. The vehicle has been in daily service since it was first commissioned under conditions which have severely tested its capabilities, but, despite this and the fact that it has been driven by native drivers over indifferent roads, it has given efficient and economical service in carrying heavy loads of paper for day and night distribution.
B.A.T. Traffic Receipts.
The traffic receipts on the passengercarrying vehicles owned by the companies comprising the British Automobile Traction Co.'s group amounted to £201840 for the four weeks ended October 9th, the highest weekly figure in the period being £58,334 for the week ended September 18th. Compared with the corresponding four weeks of last year the figure shows an increase of £36,724. The total traffic receipts to date for 1925 (40 weeks) are returned at £1,858,445, a figure which represents the remarkable increase of 1374,851 over that for the comparable period of 1924.
A Speed Conference.
The works committee of the Camberwell Borough Council reports that for some time it has made reports to the council calling attention to the danger to the public from the excessive speeds at which motor vehicles are driven along the main roads of the borough, and on more than one occasion it has suggested the imposition of speed limits in certain of the principal thoroughfares. Attention has again been directed to the fact that the danger from excessive speed still continues, and the committee is of opinion that the matter is of sufficient importance for the united consideration of all the Metropolitan borough councils. It, therefore, recom mends that the council should convene a conference to consider the question and to take any steps which may be considered necessary.
The Malbay Gas Producer.
A new company has lately been formed in Paris with a capital of three million francs and the title La Societe d'Exploitation des Pro-cedes Malbay (Gazogenes) to place the Malbay gasproducer for motors on the market.
Driving Tests.
Bristol Watch Committee reports that it is of the opinion that, in the public interest, powers should be taken to prohibit any person from driving a motor vehicle licensed by the corporation as a hackney carriage or omnibus unless he shall have Satisfied the corporation of his ability to drive, and to impose any reasonable test for the purpose of ascertaining the capabilities of applicants.
Trolley-bus v. Petrol Bus.
Claiming that the trolley-bus could render better service at half the cost of the petrol motorbus, Mr. Frank Ayton, in a recent address to members of the Institute of Transport at Liverpool, drew attention to the suecess which had attended trolleybuses where they had been adopted. He „said that many local authorities owning and working electric tramways, faced with the heavy cost of renewing electric tracks, were considering the question of superseding the rail-hound vehicle by trolley-buses. Some of them—such as Darlington, Chesterfield, Wigan and Ashton-underLyne—had definitely decided on the change. Re said that the running cost per mile of the trolley-bus was 1.46d., as opposed to 2.470. for the petrol bus.
A:Small Fuel Tanker.
Although suppliers of motor spirit mostly have occasion. to use largecapacity tank wagons for the bulk conveyance of fuel, there are times when vehicles of a smaller pattern can fulfil a useful service. This is the case with Shell-Mex, Ltd., who, apart from using a. number of Scammell tractor-tankers, also employ Speedy little tankers of relatively small capacity..
A machine of this type, of which this company has recently taken delivery, is shown in an illustration reproduced on this page. It consists of a Morris 1-ton qhassis, to which Thompson Brothers (Bilston), Ltd., Bradley Engineering Works, Bilston; Staffs., have recently ‘fixed one of their elliptical tanks of a
14egistered pattern. This type of tank has a low centre of gravity and is mounted on the chassis in a special manner, -which is the subject of a patent. The manhole is fitted with a special device for the elimination of static electricity, together with valve gear fill-anddip arrangements, the whole being enclosed by a hinged aluminium cover. The picture clearly shows the Way in which a length of hose is carried on brackets attached to the partition separating the driver's cab from the tank, wlich, of course, is fire-proofed to meet official requirements.
Purchasing a Welsh Tollgate.
The Pentirth Urban District Council was informed at a recent meeting that the • sub-committee of the Cardiff City Council, which was deputed to inquire into the proposed joint purchase by the Cardiff and'Penarth Councils of the tollgate on the main Cardiff-Penarth road, had ascertained that the owners (Mountjoy, Ltd.) wanted 140,000 for 'their rights. Had the Cardiff Council rketed upon its option to purchase the road, instead of , allowing it to lapse ,a year ago, the owners would then have been satisfied to obtain 122,000 for their rights. It was mentioned that the Cardiff Council buses alone paid toll at the rate of 12,400 per annum. The purchase of the toll would be supplemented by the widening of the road and the probable erection of two bridges.
Further negotiations between the council's representatives and Messrs. Mountjoy are to take nlace.
Advertising a Household Product by Motorvan.
At one time the phrase "publicity vehicle" was generally understood to apply to those vans with panels carrying distinctive advertising decoration, but of recent years the term has acquired a much wider meaning, and demonstration vehicles, shops-on-wheels and special forins of motorvan or lorry used mainly for propaganda purposes can be grouped under this heading. Such a machine is that which this Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., of Crassens, Southport, have just delivered to Messrs. J. S. Colman, Norwich, of starch and mustard fame. The vehicle is intended for use by two members of the advertising staff of the company, who will tour the country with supplies of advertising matter, such as showeards, signs, etc., for distribution amongst shopkeepers in all parts.
The interior of the body is equipped with sleeping berths and all conveniences for the occupants, who will virtu
ally use it as their home for lung periods at a stretch. The interior is roomy and proper ventilation and natural light are ensured for it by the provision of windows of good size in the side panels and in the door at the rear. Each of these lights is protected by curtains and is arranged to hinge outwards. Artificial olO
lighting is provided by a lamp in the
roof. • The exterior of the body is attractively painted and bears distinctive references to the products of its users.
Regulations to Prevent Bus • Competition,
The tramways committee of the South Shields Corporation is to meet the watch committee to disouss the question of private bus competition, with a view to imposing certain conditions when granting licences for private buses' within the borough. Information is to be :obtained as to the regulations made in this connection by the authorities in other towns.
Coaching Times at Eastbourne.
In view of complaints by residents and passengers of the obstruction caused by chars--banes upon the front, Eastbourne Watch Committee has decided that instead of being allowed to ply for hire at all times during the week-days, owners of such vehicles should be prohibited from doing so except from 9.30 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1.30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. These are the times during which most of their business is done and, it is said, should not cause any hardships to the proprietors and drivers concerned.
More Buses for South Shields.
The tramways committee of the South Shields Corporation has been endeavouring to eliminate the heavy losses shown on the local municipal motorbus-system for a number of years, and in this connection it has now'under consideration the opening up of a new route between Cleadon and Mile End Road, Which, it is felt, would prove a profitable Service: With
a view to putting this scheme into being the committee is recommending the purchase of four new buses. Only a few months ago the corporation bought a number of 14-seater Morris buses, and these have been used to replace old types of large-capacity 'vehicle with extremely gratifying results.
Axle Weights in Cheshire.
"Although this Order has been in force since 1904 it is only recently that the Cheshire County Council has been instituting prosecutions of this sort in this part of the county. In the views of my clients, it is a pity that the county council, after •such a lapse of time, should bring forward these prosecutions, when a Government Committee has made recommendations for alterations, which, I think, will very shortly be made." This ohservation was made by Mr. T. S. Steel at Daresbury Sessions, Stockton Heath, a few days riga; in defence of several vehicle owners and drivers who had been summoned for exceeding registered axle weights on lorries.
In one case the argument was put forward that the lorry was carrying a load of molasses, the specific gravity of which varied from time to time, Co that it was difficult for the driver to know exactly what Weight he was dealing with. They might have the same quantity in measurement, but it might be heavier one day than the next. Fines were imposed.
British Stromberg Carburetters.
Stromberg Motor Devices, Ltd., inform.us that they are now in occupation of premises at Milman's Street and Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London, S.W10. At their new address the company. inform 11.1 that they are provided with factory accommodation for the production of Stromberg carburetters in this country, and machineTtooI equipment is now being installed. It is anticipated that within a period of two months a British-built Stromberg carburetter will be on the market.
• Incotne from Coach Parking.
The Aberystwyth Town Connell announces that the fees obtained from owners of motor coaches and other vehicles using the parking ground at the Smithfield amounted to #154 during the season, i.e., May to September inclusive.
Local Proceedings.
Wednesbury Corporation is buying a motor fire-engine at a cost of 11,225.
Dorehester Corporation has arranged to raise a fund for the provision of a motor fire-engine.
Haywards Heath Urban District Council is to purchase a motor fireengine at a cost of about £700.
Truro (Cornwall) Rural District Council has under discussion a pro, posal to purchase a motor fire-engine.
Portland Urban District Council has asked the surveyor to obtain particulars and prices of various makes of motor lorry.
Hessle Urban District Council Is to consider the question of the purchase of a motor ambulance for the police a othorities.
Skegnes.s Urban District Council is to purchase a motor fire-engine, and types of machine in service at Hull have been inspected.
• Doncaster Corporation has given its approval to a scheme for the provision of a motorbus stand on North Bridge at . cast of £4,650.
The highways committee of the Swansea Corporation has decided to purchase a 4-ton tipping lorry and two 2-ton tipping lorries.
The stores committee of the Swansea Town Council has decided to purchase two Karrier tipping lorries, one a 2tonner and the other a 4-tonner.
The tramways committee of the South Shields Corporation recommends the purchase of four motorbuses at a cost of about £1,175 each.
Douglas (I.O.M.) Corporation is discussing with the local Mvnicipal Association the question of improved travelling facilities.between the pier and the railway.
Eastbourne Watch Committee has referred the question of a municipal garage to the standing sub-committee with a view to inquiry being made upon the subject.
Belfast Corporation has sanctioned an..expenditure of 110,000 on the purchase of motorbuses, which are tw.be used on service within the city .boundaries. r• .;. The question of • refuse" collection is .,under consideration in Colchester, and ;the'. authorities "innY pnrchase motor vehicles in nrefefenee to further horseS for this ,serviee. •• The highways committee of the Shipley Urban District Council recommends the purchase of a 2-ton Leyland -threeWay_tipping lorry and a 30-cwt. Albion end-tipping terry.
The tramways committee of the' Plymouth. Corporation has accspted the tender of tbe British Petroleum Co.,
• ,$ 'Ltd.; at 1270, for the installation of an additional 5,000-gallon petrol storage .system, • . Messrs. J. E. Loynds and Co., of Darwen, have appealed to the Ministry of Transport against the refusal of the Bolton Watch Committee to grant licenees to ply for hire with motorbuses in Bolton.
The highways committee of the Shipley Urban District Council recommends the purchase of sa demonstration Eagle trailer for the Pordson tractor from the City Motor Engineering Co., Ltd.. Bradford, at a price of £95.
By way of experiment the Binning'ham Corporation has purchased from Walker Eros. (Wigan), Ltd.. a motor lorry and three refuse eqntainers• in order to test the merits of the unit system of refuse collection.
A Low-loading Trailer.
At the present time the tendency of designers of many types of commercial vehicle appears to be towards' securing the lowest4possible loading line, and it is, perhaps, only natural that a similar form, of construction should be applied to specific types of trailer, for, after all, lif it be essential for the primemover to possess a low load-line it is equally important for a trailer used on similar work to embody the-same feature in?.its design. The: trailer shown, in an illustration on this page has been specially built by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., 78-80, Grafton Street, Liverpool, to suit the requirements of the British Insulated and Helsby Cables, Ltd., and, as might be imagined, it is intended for transporting cable drums. 'The frame level of this trailer is only 5 ins.
from the ground, and it will .be seen•that `four vertical spiral springs are
mounted on top of the solid axles in order effectively to damp-out road shocks. The • front axle is of the Ackerman-steering type and a locking arrangement is fitted in order that the trailer can be reversed with ease and safety.
The trailer, which is of all-steel construction throughout,* will be used in conjunction with a small tractor. The body which it carries is 8 ft. 2 ins. long, the overall length being 10 ft. 6 ins, and the width 3 ft.The axles are fitted with roller bearings and carry steel disc wheels, made in Messrs. Dyson's works, fitted With 10-in. rubber tyres. The trailer is capable of carrying loads up to 8 tons.
A New Lighting Set.
The Villiers electric lighting generator, whinh is made by the Villiers Engineering Co., Ltd., Wolverhampton, is specially designed to meet the conditions which arise in the running of heavy comercial vehicles and steam wagons. It is intended for direct lighting without the aid of an accumulator and the usual electrical equipment fittings. It has great simplicity and durability, and no skill is required to operate and maintain it. There is nothing in its construction which can be affectbd by severe vibration, and it is easy to install, as it can be fixed in any Position wlers a belt drive can be arranged.
The generator is quite different from the usual, dynamo, for there are no rotating coils, commutator or brushes. A rotating field magnet system of cobalt-chrome steel permanent magnets is arranged within a circular brass casing. The armature is stationary and comprises four coils wound on a laminated iron core in the form of a cross. These coils form two independent circuits, one for each lamp, so that in the unlikely event of one circuit failing the other would remain unaffected. The generator is wound to give 12-14 volts and is intended to run at 8,00ff r.p.m. to 4,500 r.p.m. It gives a steady light, is self-regulating and the voltage does not increase once a certain speed is reached. Twelve-watt bulbs ,are used. The set is supplied complete with bracket, Pulley, lamps, cables and switches at the moderate price of /6 10s.
Open-air Garages for Leeds.
Leeds Corporation has asked e committee to consider :t the question of utilizing the vacant lands belonging to the corporation at the junction of New Calverley Street, Great George Street and Portland Crescent, and adjoining King's Mills, Swinegate, respectively, as open-air garages on lines similar to that established. in Cookridge Street.
S.M.M. and T. and Bus Improvements.
The Municipal Tramways Committee is inviting representatives of municipal tramway autherities to attend a conference with the Society of Motor Manufacturers Sand Traders to discuss points in connection with suggested improvefnents in motorbus construction.