WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheat of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transbort al whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughnesS of the roads over which it ruits,"—John Beattie Crozier.
A Conference on Engineering Materials..
An important conference on engineering materials will take place in Berlin between October 22nd and November 13th. The preparations for this are already far advanced. The pro-. gramme of papers includes about 200 lectures to be read by scientists and practical engineers. Foreign scientists will be the speakers, especially in a certain series of lectures to be given on October 31st.
The papers, which will be read at the Technical University of Charlottenbrirg, are intended chiefly for engineers, but au exhibition of engineering materials, which will probably prove an attraction for the general public, is being arranged in the new Exhibition Hall at Kaiserdamra. Three groups of engineering materials will be dealt with, viz.: iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, and electrical insulation materials. More than 200 testing machines of the latest type will be shown in operation; certain of these will not be known to engineers.
The series of lectures most interesting to our readers will probably be the 12th, to be given on the morning of Thursday, October 27th. This will have for its subjectmatter "Materials for the Automotive,and Aircraft Industries." Further particulars of the conference can be obtained from Geschaftsstelle der Werkstofftagung, Berlin N.W.7, Ingeniettrhaus.
Staffordshire Bus Proprietors' Association.
The half-yearly meeting of the Assochited North Staffordshire Bus Proprietors' Association was recently held at Hanley, when certain formal business was conducted. Councillor J. G. Leese (Stoke-on-Trent Motors, Ltd.) was re-elected to the post of chairman, whilst Mr. Alfred Beech (Bradley and Beech) was elected vice-chairman. As the result of a ballot the following were elected to serve on the executive coremittee :—Pflessrs. 'Alderman E. Hughes (Hughes BrOs.), P. Peake (N.S. Motors), F. Oakes (Grice and Oakes, Gem Bus Services, S. Hill (S. Bill and Sons, Ltd.), J. H. Jones (Johnson. and Co.), W. Tilstone, Junr. (Tilstone and Sons), G. Clark (Clark's But Service) and A. Allman (Steele and Allman).
Ransonae and Marks Report.
The report of the directors of the Ransome and Marks Bearing Co., Ltd., for the year ended June 30th last shows a profit, after providing for depreciation and income tax, of £38,064, this sum being increased to £69,852 by the balance brought in from the previous 'year. A dividend at the Tate of 7 per cent. (less tax) will absorb £24,000, and £15,000 is to be transferred to the general reserve, hsavin £30,852 to be carried forward.
Manufacturing the Latil in .England.
One of the most successful makes of commercial vehicle and tractor on the Continent is the French Lath', and the company producing it has manufactured and specialized in commercial vehicles for the past 30 years ; in fact, it claims to have a motor vehicle or appliance for every purpose.
A new concern has just 'hem formed in England under the titre of Latil Industrial Vehicles, Ltd., the object of the company being to handle all Latil products in this country, with the ultimate view to manufacturing them here. These products were previously handled by L. C. Rawlence and Co., Ltd., the concessionnaire, and Mr. L. C. Rawdence and Mr. If. A. lie Vol will still be reAponsible for the operations of the company here. Premises have been taken at Stevenage Road, Fulham, London, 8.W.6, where 3 coreprehensive range of spare parts will be held.
One of the first acts of the new company has been to make a big reduction in the price of the 30-cwt. model, which now stands At 1350, including pneumatic-tyre equipment. The company also expects to introduce to the public in the near future some very interesting models in the form of a 5-ton low-loader and many types of tractor. One type of small Latil tractor is already being used in this country by HOME of the leading haulage contractors in London, including Pickfords, Ltd., and T. M. Pairclough. and Sons, Ltd.
It will be the policy of the company to work with the trade, and the excellent range of models which will be available should-make the proposition an interesting one to agents.
Municipal Bus Insurance Management.
. At a meeting of the Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee, Mr. E. B; Sharpley the town clerk, reported upon a scheme under which a sub-committee of the North Staffs Joint Omnibus Committee would be responsible for the management of all insurances in connection with omnibuses, all premiums being collected and claims 'dealt with through his office. The committee approved the scheme and called for a further; report when final arrangements have been made.
Subsequently the town clerk reported that he had consulted several insurance companies and understood that, in all probrbility, arrangements could be made to make policies of insuranc?. expire with the current licences, without any financial loss to the omnibus preptietors. Be had also discussed the question of quarterly premiums and would report further thereon. In explanation of the suggestion that quarterly premiums emuld be arranged, the town clerk stated that it would probably be necessary for the clerks of the local authorities concerned to act as the agents of the insurance companies in regard to the Collection of the pm:alums and to deal 'generally with the question of claims.
Coaching to Brooklands.
For several years past G.B. (Motor Tours), Ltd., 72, Great Portland Street; London, W.1, has run a motor coach service from London to lirooklands on the occasion of the 200-Mile Race organized-by the Junior Car Club. The event. takes place this year on October 15th, and coaches will he run from the headquarters of the company to the racecourse at 11.30 •a.m., the return fare being Os. Space can be booked at the company's offices or, alternatively, at the headquarters of the Junior Car Club, Clock House. Arundel Street, London, W.C.
Delay in Announcing Results of Bus Appeals.
Delay by the Ministry of Transport in announcing its decision in the case of bus-service appeals was stated at the September meeting of the cardiff Tramways Committee to be causing consider
able trouble. It was said that the Ministry had been asked for a solution of certain problems so long as sixteen 1 months ago and no decision had yet been made. The result was that all the arrangements for new services had been made and the committee was unable to go ahead. It was resolved to urge the Ministry to expedite its decisions.
A Passenger Model for Goods Carrying.
MeVitie and Price, Ltd., the wellknown biscuit manufacturer, has recently taken delivery of the distinctive Associated Daimler van which is illus trated on this page. The vehicle is somewhat unusual in that a chassis primarily designed for passenger work has been utilized in order to enable a low-loading body to be fitted. The frame height of the chassis used, which is the Associated Daimler Model 417, is only 2 ft. The chassis is equipped with a Daimler 40-70 h.p. sieeve-valve engine, and is capable of maintaining high average speeds without risk of damage to the lead through vibration.
The body has been constructed by the North London Engineering Co. It has roll shutters at the back and a deep rack for carrying empty biscuit tins on the roof. A petrol tank is carried on' each side of the frame (the position of one of the tanks can clearly be seen in the picture), the fuel being fed to the engine by means of an Autovac. The vehicle is shod with Dunlop pneumatic tyres of 36-in. by 6-in. dimensions.
Seeking Tenders for 30 Lorries.
The Ministry of Ways, Bridges and Waterways, Santiago, Chile, S. America, is inviting tenders for the supply of 30 motor lorries, each of 21tons capacity. All tenders will be inspected at Santiago at 3 p.m. on October 17th next. It is stipulated that all manufacturers making tenders to the Ministry must be locally represented. The Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, is in a position •to furnish further particulars regarding the contract.
Wrexham Grants Licences.
Wrexham Town Council has recently approved the application of Tresillien Motors, Ltd., of Cardiff, for licences to inaugurate a bus service from Wrexham to Osvrestry. The council has granted eight licences, which will, at the outset, permit an hourly service to be maintained. standard AEO 21-ton models, in which the driver is accommodated alongside the engine. The body is of the panelled, hinge-sided type, .and it is 15 ft. long and 6 ft. 6 ins. wide, the sides being 2 ft. deep. The cab has a flat top, which is reinforced with slats, so that goods can be carried at thig point. The vehicle is finished in black and white with red lining, and from our picture it will be seen that an unusual .decorative band runs round the centre. The lorry has been supplied to a High Wycombe user. and is intended for the transport of loads of furniture.
Busy Dublin Buses.
The vast majority of the passengercarrying vehicles operating from the centre of Dublin have O'Connell Bridge as their city terminus. Practically every suburb is well served by buses, whilst there are services to every town of importance in the Free .State, and. the result is that crowds of people eollect at the recognized place for boarding the vehicles. At times there are queues of several hundreds of people assembled near O'Connell Bridge and it is being advocated that a shelter should be provided for their use. The matter has, we understand, been brought to the notice of the City Commissioners and, as no passenger-carrying vehicles are owned by the corporation., it is not anticipated that any opposition to the scheme will be raised in official quarters.
Reduced Charges for Use of a Toll Bridge.
The proprietors of Dunham-on-Trent toll bridge, which connects Lincolushire and Nottinghamshire, reduced the tolls payable as from September 19th. Under an Act of Parliament, the proprietors are entitled to charge as much as 48. for an ordinary motorcar passing over the bridge, but the tolls (each way) have now been fixed as under for nfoter vehicles :---Lorry, 2s. ; char-a-banes, 2s. ; motorcar, is.; tricar, 9d.; bicycle with sidecar, 6d.; bicycle, 3d.
Dunham Bridge, a. fine cast-iron structure, was erected in 1831, the total cost being just under /20,000. The shareholders had little or no return for their money until the advent of motor vehicles, but there is now a considerable amount of traffic over the bridge. For the year 1926 the toils totalled £2,268, and a dividend of 11 per cent, was paid.
The Merits of Purdah Glass.
. In an article published a few weeks ago and dealing with a special vehicle for a travelling showroom, we referred to the Purdah glass employed for the windows. This glass was manufactured by Pilkington Bros., Ltd., Horse Shoe Wharf, 10, Upper Thames Street, London, E.C.4, originally for railways in India, Egypt, etc., and was there used to darken railway coaches, the result being a cooler carriage and a more comfortable journey during the heat of the The glass is known as Purdah 3-10--in. neutral-tinted plate glass. It is really an anti-glare glass, not strong enough to cut out the direct rays of the suit, but effective when used for reflected glare. For this purpose it is sometimes used in windscreens, where the glare from the roads proves trying to the eyes.
The peculiar property of neutral= tinted glass in rendering people or objects within a room well-nigh invisible when viewed from outside is due to the reduction in the intensity of the light within the room, objects in the brighter light being visible to those within the darker room, but the converse not holding good. Purdah glass Can be supplied through any glass merchant.
Belfast-Dublin Bus Traffic.
, There are now six bus services per day each way between Belfast and•Dublin. Four of these are run by Mr.
H. M. S. Catherwood and two by the International Bus Service. Whilst slower than the train services, the buses offer the advantage of taking their passengers to the centres of both cities. So faras bus travellers are concerned the formality of examining luggage at the Customs post is fairly expeditiously conducted.
A Bridge Problem at Hebburn.
Hebburn Urban District Council has recently given considerati6n to the question of improving the Station Bridge, or of constructing a new bridge, and has ultimately decided to widen the exist
ing structure. It is stated that the Minister of Transport had refused to accede to a-request for a grant towards the cost of a new bridge.
The railway company has refused to share the expenditure involved in connection with the work of widening the structure, and recently informed a deputation from the council that the bridge is largely used by bus concerns which are making serious inroads into the passenger traffic receipts of the company.
Manchester to London by Coach. Messrs. Eniway Motor Tours, of Manchester, has recently inaugurated a daily road service between Manchester and London.
Benjamin Electric Developments.
The Benjamin Electric, Ltd., Tariff Road, London, N.17, advises us that its Yorkshire representative, Mr. H. L. Smith, will in future look after the company's business on the Continent, and that his past duties will now be undertaken by Mr. F. W. G. Towers.
Another Tyneside Inquiry.
The refusal of the Newcastle Corporation to grant licences to a private omnibus owner resulted in the addition of another Ministry of Transport inquiry to the already long list of such investigations which have been held on Tyneside in the course of the last year or two. On this occasion the •appel
unfits were Messrs. Thomas Allen and Sous, of myth, and the itequiry arose from their appeal against the decision of the Newcastle Corporation Watch Committee in declining to grant them licences for three vehicles in connection with their Newcastle-Blyth through service.
The case for the company was stated by Mr. T. H. Allen, who told the inspector that although the corporation refused to grant them licences on the grounds that the route was adequately catered for, the municipality had, since that time, taken steps to start a service between Newcastle and Backworth, over a portion of the route in question. He added that it seemed unjust that a competing authority shOuld be given.power to grant or refuse licences to a private owner or company. This is a common cause of complaint against the present system of licensing.
• Mr. Philip Harrold, who represented the Newcastle Corporation, said that the corporation could not treat Messrs. Allen's service as a proper one.. It zigzagged and was much longer than other routes between the same places.
Bus Service in Belgium.
From Brussels we learn that tenders are being invited until October 1st by the Societe Nationale des Chemins de Per Vicinaux for the concession for the running of motorbus services in the Louvain area, and until October 8th for services between Bruges, Ghisteiles and Nieuport, and between Bruges, Oudenberg and Osteud. Particulars may he obtained from the company at 14, Rue de la Science, Brussels.
Parking Charges at Portsmouth. Portsmouth Corporation has decided that the ground at the rear of the esplanade assembly roams be used as a public parking ground for motor vehicles, that an attendant be appointed
at a weekly wage ofand that the charges for the parking of vehicles be is. for each motor coach and 6d, for each motorcar or motorcycle.
Stockton's Profitable Buses.
The Stockton Corporation motor omnibus undertaking which, as has been shown in articles published feom time to time in The Commercial Motor, has shown a steadily increasing surplus each year, had another successful period during the 12 months ended March 31St, 1927, the outcome being a gross profit of £7,060—the largest to date. This corporation took over small private omnibus services, formerly operated by the Imperial Tramways Co., Ltd. nearly eight years ago, and has..built the undertaking into one of the most successful municipally owned bus systems in the
north country. .
At the present time the authority owns a fleet of 23 machines, comprising those of Leyland, Associated Daimler, Bristol, Dennis, Straker-Squire and Ford makes, and, as mentioned in our
last week's issue, it DOW has on order four additional machines which will cost nearly £5,000, a figure which is more than covered by the item set aside in the net revenue account for the redemption of loans, so that the undertaking is really purchasing its fleet renewalS and additions out of profits.
The total traffic revenue for the year amounted to £31,481, or 14.42d. per bus mile, and total working expenses aggregated £24,421, or 11.19d. per bus mile. Working expenses were made up as follow :—Traffic expenses, 111.514; repairs and maintenance, £5,751; petrol, £5,666; general expenses, 11,490.
During the year the total mileage covered by the fleet was 523,409.
Recommended Routes in London.
The Royal Automobile Club has just published a new edition of its map of recommended routes into, out of, around and across London, and this is now available to members and associatemembers, at the price of 4. on linen and 2s. 6d. on paper. The map is
mainly one of routes and not roads, and prominence is given to those, thoroughfares which are reasonably free from traffic. The map should be of considerable value to provincial users who may be unfamiliar with the hest routes for passing through London.
Buses versus Trolley-buses in Bombay.
The Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Co. recently obtained powers to establish experimental services by railless vehicles. The company has now informed the corporation that since the powers were obtained it has made an extensive trial with motorbuses in Bombay and ascertained that there is a field for these vehicles and that, under certain conditions, motorbuses have advantages in the matter of flexibility over the trolley vehicle. The present intention
of the company is, therefore, to concentrate . on the motorbus for providing transport facilities additional to those furnished by the existing tramways. The company is, accordingly, asking the corporation to allow the scheme. for the experimental trolley-bus service to remain in abeyance until the traffic possibilities of the route have been tried out by motorbuses and until it is established by this means that the traffic offered will justify the heavy capital cost of the institution of a trackless trolley line.
Shrewsbury's New Bridge.
• A few days ago the new English Briclge.over•the River Severn at Shrewsbury was formally opened to vehicular traffic. The structure is 50 ft. wide, which is more than .double that of the old bridge. During the time that the new bridge has been under construction traffic has been carried over a temporary" structure. II.R.B. the Prince of Wales will officially open the now bridge on October 26th.
A Polish for Coachwork.
We recently received for test from Reckitts and Sons, Ltd., Hull, a small tin of its new polish, known as Karpol. It is claimed for this liquid that it can be used over dusty and dirty paintwork and will not only remove the dirt and grit without scratching the varnished surface, but will enable an excellent polish to be obtained. The theory of the polish is that it surrounds each particle of dirt with a film of lubricant which prevents scratching, and this without the employment of any water.
We gave the polish a trial, and it certainly appears to be excellent. It has wonderful spreading powers, and will remove fresh tar spots at once, as well as old ones after a few applications and without requiring the abrasion of the tar which is usually necessary.
Welsh Council Against Railway
• Bus Services.
The Ogmore and Garw Urban District Council has declined to grant bus licences to the Great Western Railway Co. for Le service between Blackmill and Gilfach, which the railway company intended to substitute for a train service. Providing the railway company agrees to continue the train services, a bus service may also be run, and the council has also issued licences to a private company, Messrs. Farmer, Jones and Griffiths, to ply for hire on the route.
Some strong expressions of eninion concerning the licensing of road .services run by railways were made by members of this council, who regarded such services as "the thin end of the wedge" and could see in the move that the rail. ways were seeking to run road service. for their own ends.
Protection for Tramways.
The licensing committee of the Brad. ford Corporation has decided that L fresh undertaking be required from tln Premier Transport. Co. (Keighley) Ltd., with reference to fares, whereby the company would be required t( charge all persons carried over any portion of the tram track between Bradfort and Bingley fares id. in excess of thosi charged to persons making the saim journey on the tramcars.
Colchester Considering Buses.
Colchester Town Council is consider ing the offer of 1500 per year made b3 a bus company to run its vehicles ir place of the tramcars. It is said tha, losses are being incurred on the muni cipal tramways system. A C.M.U.A. Success.
When a number of motorbus drivers was summoned at Blackburn County Police Court for using heavy motorcars exceeding 7 it 6 ins. in width—the limit imposed by regulations—and the owners were also proceeded against for permitting their use, it was stated by the police that protruding handles in most cases caused the infringement.
Mr. H. Backhouse, junr., instructed by the Commercial Motor Users Association, represented some of the defendants, and said the cases were the first taken in that court under the 1904 Order. Local authorities had passed the vehicles and a request from the police to make minor ,alterations would have been sufficient. In dismissing the eases on payment of costs, the chairman said he thought the owners and not the drivers ought to be out of pocket.
• The Binks Paint-spraying . Equipment.
We are asked to draw attention to the fact that Delco-Remy and Hyatt, Ltd., 111, Grosvenor Road, London, S.W.1, has sole control of the sales of the Binks paint-spraying equipment throughout Europe as well as service requirements in connection with this apparatus. The growing use of cellulose finishes calls for spraying equipment which is capable of giving the finest atomization, and in the Binks spray gun, with its straight-port nozzle, this important feature has been amply provided for.
A Useful Range of Jacks.
Messrs. Henry Miller and Co., Mileometer Works, Weimer Road, London, W.11, have just issued a leaflet giving details of its range of Skyhi jacks. The Skyhi jaek is made in a number of types and six:s to lift from 1 ton to 50 tons, and several models are especially marketed for the benefit of commercialvehicle users. The capacity and main features of each type of jack are given• in the leaflet, which also contains a list of a number of important manufacturers and users who employ equipment of this make.
Bus Emergency Exits and Licence Refusals.
At a meetingof the licensing committee of the Bradford Corporation, when consideration was given to the refusal of the corporation to grant licences to the Yorkshire (Woollen) District Dec ,
tric Tramways Co. to ply for hire in the city with four of its motorbuses which were not provided with a second or emergency exit, a letter was dealt with from the Ministry of Transport. The contents pointed out that in the ease of a similar vehicle of the company which the Leeds Watch Committee had refused to license for the same reason, and which had formed the subject of an appeal, the Ministry had made an Order requiring the watch committee to issue a licence. It was suggested that, without putting the Ministry to the necessity of making a similar Order, the Bradford authority might now see its way to issue the licences.
The committee, however, could not see its way to act in accordance with the Ministry's suggestion, preferring to leave with the Ministry the responsibility for sanctioning the use of the vehicles in question by issuing the Order.
Chalices Offered by Empire Markets.
'Dorland Advertising, Ltd., 14, Regent Street, London, S.W.1, has just issued two new brochures on Empire Markets, one dealing with East and West Africa, and the other with South Africa. Seven of these brochures have now been issued,and the aimof the series is to give, in as coneise a manner as possible, a clear statement of the trade possibilities of the various Dominions and of the competition which is likely to be encountered by British manufacturers. Each of the brochures contains useful statistics dealing with the principal imports of the respective countries. At Dungannon (Co. Tyrone) Petty Sessions recently three passengers who had been standing in a bus were prosecuted for aiding and abetting the conductor in an overcrowding offence. "If a passenger gives his seat to a lady he is fined," remarked a magistrate. " Correct," said the constable who brought the prosecution. The passengers were each fined One shilling, and in the case of the conductor the statutory penalty of £1, with 2s. 6d. for every passenger in excess of the number for which the bus was licePsed, was ordered.
Demonstrating the Merits of the Modern Fire-engine. • A successful demonstration of the Morris motor fire-engine was recently given to members of the Northallerton Urban District Council. The authority, which is desirous of modernizing its firefighting facilities', has control of a large tract of agricultural country, and demonstrations of the ability of the machine to cope with outbreaks on isolated farmsteads were of especial interest to members of the council.
An Altrincham Inquiry.
To consider the application of the Cheshire County Council for the closing of Victoria Street, Altrincham, to vehicular traffic; an inspector of the Ministry of Transport will hold an inquiry on October 8th at Altrincham.