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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

28th July 1925, Page 4
28th July 1925
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of traits/sort at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

Institute of Transport : New Councillors.

The ballot to fill the vacancies that will occur at the end of August on the Council of the Institute of Transport has just concluded, resulting in the election of 13 new members, including Mr. A. L. Barber, the commercial manager of the London General Omnibus Co.: Ltd.. and associated companies, and Mr. J. S. P. Godsell, secretary to the Roads Department of the Ministry of Transport. Amongst railwaymen elected we notice with pleasure the name of Mr. H. A. Sire, C.B.E., the manager of the Continental Department of the Southern Railway.

A New Atkinson Company.

A company known as Atkinson Walker Waggons, Ltd., was registered on July .10th as a private company with a nominal capital of £75,000 in 11 shares. The company is to acquire the business of Messrs. Atkinson and Co., of Preston, who, as air readers. will know, manufacture several types of steam wagon. The subscribers are Mr. E. Atkinson, Major J. S. A. Walker, and Mr. W. Bates.

A Monmouthshire Bus Problem.

The smooth working of the joint licensing committee set up by 12 uttban district councils in Monmouthshire for dealing with bus traffic is threatened by the action of the Tredegar Urban District Council. The joint advisory committee has been operating in the county for nearly three years and has done much to co-ordinate through services.

The several constituent councils refer all applications for licences to the joint committee and usually act ou its recommendation. The county committee recently advised the Tredegar Urban District Council to reject the application of Messrs. 0. G. Hill for licences for services between Abertysswg and Tredegar.

The Tredegar Council did not, how

ewer, act on this recommendation,and issued licences, with the result that its nominees on the joint committee re signed. The council is now to consider retiring from membership of the committee and it is feared that if this be -decided upon other authorities will take the view that they must act similarly on the ground that, to be effective, the joint committee must govern the whole -area.

Every effort is being made to avert the break-up of the joint committee, the work of which is deemed most valuable.

Road Repairs in London : The C.M. Service.

The second weekly list of streets in London upon which road surface work is being conducted was published on Monday of last week, and discloses the fact that there are 42 streets or sections of streets affected. In addition, there is a number of roads on which work is being carried on, where less than onethird of the width of the carriageway is affected.

As we announced last week, information upon roads which are wholly or partly closed to traffic and the alternative routes and loop roads will be readily given to any inquirers by telephone if they will communicate with the editorial office of The Commercial Motor, the telephone number being Clerkenwell 6000. It is important that the Editor's office be asked for.. Light Vans for Petrol Pump Service,

Quite a small crowd was gathered round two smart-looking vans in Kings

way the other afternoon. Our own curiosity being whetted by the fact that over the heads of the crowd we could see a white van top and a yellow van toll, each with the name " Shell " in large letters on the canopy of the driver's oab, we had .to approach, and found Mr. W. V. Ambler, the chief motor engineer of Shell-Mex, Ltd., and other prominent officials of the company, inspecting the two vehicles. which had just been driven up from the Shell-Mex garage at Fulfunn.

Mr. Ambler was good enough to explain to us that these were two of a new fleet of 7-cwt. Morris vans which were beino-' put into service in connection with the maintenance of Shell petrol-pumps.A yery large number of these pumps is now in use all over the country, and it is necessary to devote a small staff and an organization to their maintenance.

Each of the vans, of which up to the present six have been ordered, will be equipped with fitter' tools and a small plant requisite for the work) and by means of the vans the engineers will be able to inspect and deal with a large number of pumps each day, thus ensuring that the pumps are alwayd in working order.

The vans are delivered to Shell-Mex, Ltd., in the grey, and they are being painted at the company's own garage, the main feature of the side panels being a representation of the new type of Shell pump, with the words " Shell' Pump Service" __painted in red and shadowed in black on an orange surface. The rear doors have painted on them a large red shell with the word " Shell " across it. The paintwork is extremely well done, and before the next batch is passed out of the garage completed a decision will be come to as to whether white or yellow shall be the colour of the top.

A Tramway Trust's Fleet.

The group of vehicles which is depicted in a picture on this page forms part of the motor vehicle fleet belonging to the Brisbane Tramway Trust. The vehicles which are shown include two 4-ton Dennis lorries, two 31-tonners of the same make, a eyland, two Albions, a 2-ton Vulcan and a number of Fords.

The Dennis vehicles are engaged in hauling metal and for general work during the construction of new tracks as well as for the maintenance of existing tracks, whilst the Leyland, Albions and a Ford are used as tower wagons for the purpose of inspecting and maintaining the overhead system of wiring. The Vulcan lorry is use3 for general work, whilst the remaining Fords undertake work for the pole gangs and haul tarred road metal.

The Brisbane Tramway Trust has adopted the wise policy of ensuring that each vehicle is given a morning's rest once a week in order that the fleet can be maintained in first-class condition, and this is a procedure which is much appreciated by the drivers. The picture was taken outside the main power sta . tion of the Trust, which has two alter sub-generating stations located in convenient parts of the city.

A New Reo Service Depot.

We are informed that a new Reo service depot has been opened by Messrs. Malcolm, Brechin and Co., at 8-12, East Waterloo Street, Glasgow, where an adepate stock of spare parts for this popular make of vehicle is carried. The company are distributors for the Reo for North, Central, West and South-west Scotland, and they are carrying a range of modern equipment and tools to enable repair and maintenance work to be effected.

P.L.M. Road Services.

During the past few years the P.L.M. Railway Co. have developed quite a number of public motor services which enable tourists to visit the many interesting places in the French Alps and the Jura. Among the latest of these is one which was started at the beginning of July and will continue until Septetnber 15th, between Barcelonette, Briancon, Le Col du Lautaret, Grenoble, La Grande Chartreuse, Chambery, Aix-les-Bains, Mont Revard, Annecy, Combloux, Chamonix, Evian, Geneva and Bresancon, the tetal distance of 750 miles being covered in eight days. An alternative six days' tour of 656 miles is also being

run, this following the same route so far as the Lautaret, but then proceeding to Chamonix via the Col do Galibier in stead of via Grenoble. Another new P.L.M. motor service this year includes a tour from Nice to Chamonix, occupying 2i days.

Glasgow Wants Buses.

The education authorities of Glasgow are inviting tenders for the supply of three motorbuses for the conveyance of invalid children to and from school. Specifications and conditions can be obtained from the Director of Education at 121, Bath Street, Glasgow, and tenders have to be submitted not later than August 21st.

A New Catalogue for the Chevrolet.

General Motors, Ltd., Edgware Road, The Hyde, London, N.W.9, have just issued a new catalogue which deals with the range of Chevrolet commercial models. It treats in a general way with the problem of transport and indicates the suitability of the Chevrolet chassis for all forms of service within their rated capacities.

A brief specification of the various good e and passenger models which are marketed is given, whilst a tabulation of specimen running costs for the 10cwt. and 1-ton vehicles makes instructive reading, the expenses under the various headings being clearly enumerated. The catalogue is well produced and contains a number of clear illustrations.

Bournemouth and Coach Body Designs.

Bournemouth Corporation has asked Mr. Herbert Ashling, the town clerk, to communicate with char-à-banes proprietors pointing out the probable early alteration of the law, and suggesting that each vehicle should be provided with at leant one emergency door, and also suggesting that no order should be given for a new type of body until a specification has been submitted to the committee.

Production in North America.

Figures just to hand from Washington show that the production of commercial motor vehicles in Northern America during the month of May totalled 43,303, of which 41,415 were made in the United States and 1,888 in Canada. The corresponding figures for the previous month were 46,239 commercial vehicles Made in America and 1,576 in Canada. Company Registrations.

In accordance with their usual practice, Jordan and Sons, Ltd., company registration agents, of 116-118, Chancery Lane, London, 'W.C2, have just issued a statistical report relating to new companies registered in England during the_ half-year ended June 30th last.

As is always the case, the report makes instructive and illuminating reading. The total number of companies (both public and private) incorporated during this period shows a slight increase over that for the corresponding period of 1924, the actual figures being 4,202 and 4,177, although there is a decrease in the amount of aggregate nominal capital by over £2,000,000.

The number of companies registered under the heading " Motors " was 190, two of them being public companies, whilst under the heading of " Oil " 39 companies were registered, I 31 being private companies, these including the Anglo-Persian Oil (Australia), Ltd., the Western Refining. and Marketing Co., Ltd.' and the Oil Alliance, Ltd., each with a capital of £100,000.

Another section of interest to our readers is that in which the companies were concerned with the manufacture or sale of rubber products, 19 companies being registered in this class.

De Dion Chassis Prices Down.

De Dion Bouton, Ltd., 10, Great Marlborough Street, London, W.1, inform us that they have reduced the list price of their 10-cwt, and 1-ton chassis, the former now selling at £265 as against £295, and the latter at £320 instead of £345. In both instances the prices are for delivery at the company's London works, and include spare wheel and tyre, electric lighting and starting set (minus lamps) and a kit of tools.

New Northern Services.

The Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., of Chester-le-Street, have recently opened a new garage at Con sett to accommodate 18 motorbuses, and this will enable all local routes to be controlled from this centre—a method of procedure which has already been adopted with distinct success in other areas covered by the company.

• It is understood, that the company are also contemplating breaking new ground in the Consett district now that , adequate garage accommodation is available, and routes shortly to be opened are to Chopwell and Newcastle, via the Derwent Valley. A Pedestrians' Society.

In a circular which the Pedestrians' Protection Association, 70, Victoria Street, Loudon, S.W.1, has just issued, attention is drawn to the considerable increases which have taken place in street accidents during the past few years. The Association has recently been incorporated in London in order to carry on movements for the protection of pedestrians and, we are told, it will work in close harmony with certain other associations whose aim is to secure a reduction in the number of accidents.

Its programme is concerned with the prevention of dangerous and reckless driving, with the control of the speed of motor vehicles of all types in towns and villages, with the granting of licences only to persons of proper age and of good physical condition, with ensuring that all licensees shall be covered against third-party risks, etc.

The Association informs us that clubs and branches will be eventually established in London and the big provincial centres for the use of its members, who will be insured against street accidents and to whom legal advice will be given.

Irish Free State Imports.

There has apparently been a fallingoff this year in the demand for commercial motor vehicles in the Irish Free State, for the returns lately issued by the Free State Government show that during the three months ended March last only 44 such vehicles of a gross value of 111,473 were imported, as compared with 126 vehicles to the value of £42,233 imported in the corresponding three months of last year.

A Large London Service Station.

Brixton Garage, Ltd., have just opened a new and extensive petrol service station at 1-3 Brixton Road, London, S.W.9, which they claim to be the largest and most up-to date in the country, having attached, as it has, garage accommodation for approximately 2,000 cars. We are told that the company are carrying both combine and noncombine grades of spirit, the former being stocked in tanks sealed by the companies concerned and, consequently, guaranteed. A battery of five pumps for lubricating oil is installed so as to meet almost any demand, and a large stock of oils of all the well-known makes is carried.

The service station occupies a most prominent position and at night the petrol station yard is illuminated by a number of lights having a total capacity of 30,000 c.p.

Brixton Garage, Ltd., are in a position to undertake all classes of motor engineering, and they have a special department available for the repair of tubes and tyres which is staffed by men who are expert in these particular branches.

Road Locomotives on Macintosh Tyres.

In our last issue we pubdished an illustration showing a pair of Fowler road locomotives owned by Norman E. Box, Ltd., engaged in hauling a large stator from Manchester to Liverpool, the machines being equipPed with rubber tyres. We omitted to mention that the tyres were of the endless tractor type, made by Chas. Macintosh and Co., Ltd., of Manchester. Trailers for Trolley-buses.

At the recent annual meeting of the Shanghai Electric Construction Co., Ltd., held in London, Mr. J. S. Haskell, the chairman, stated that the trolleybuses and tramcars under construction would increase the company's present number of passenger vehicles by more than 50 per cent. If the results from railless traction came up to their expectations he said that a larger number of trolley-buses would be required in the future. It is anticipated that some of these vehicles will be used with trailers, which cannot, however, be introduced without the sanction of the Shanghai Municipal Council. Experiments directed towards securing the complete safety of this type of vehicle are now i progress.

British Steam Wagons Popular in Czecho-Slovakia.

In a report which has just been issued by the Department of Overseas Trade, dealing with the industrial and economic situation in Czecho-Slovakia, it is pointed out that a great deal' of work on the construction and maintenance of roads requires to be carried out ir, order to cope with the increased volume of motor traffic.

During the past year the proportion of steam wagons to motor lorries in use increased very noticeably, and in this direction it is pleasing to observe that British steam wagons have been introduced, and are making considerable headway. The total number of motor vehicles of all descriptions at present in use in the Republic is 15,058, as against 11,817 two years ago.

Jubilee Hose Clips.

In the advertisement of Messrs. L. Robinson and Co., London Chambers, Gillingham, Kent, which appeared in our issue dated July 7th, a regrettable typographical error occurred, the word "unbreakable" being used in a sense where obviously " unleakable " was intended, The Jubilee worm-drive hose clips made by this company are extremely useful for radiator hose-pipe connections and other purposes, and can be obtained in four sizes. A Tramway System Discarded.

Whilst little more than a year has elapsed sincJ the Sunderland District Transport Co., Ltd.—formerly known as the Sunderland District Electric Tramways, Ltd.—announced their decision to substitute buses for trams the task of effecting the change-over has been tackled with such recourse that the whole system is now being operated by the more mobile form of locomotion.

Trams were withdrawn from the last section—the Herrington to Houghton route—some days ago, and now buses are operating on seven services.

At the present time the company have in service a smart and thoroughly modern fleet of 58 motorbuses, and this number will be augmented as new routes are opened up.

A Low Load-line Tipping Trailer.

Carrimore Six Wheelers, Ltd., High Road, North Finchley, London, N.12, have just designed and constructed the special 4-5-ton tipping trailer, which is illustrated on this page, for use in conjunction with the Fordson tractor.

The main feature of the trailer is, it will be noted, the remarkably low loading level which has been attained, and from one of the pictures 1t will be seen that when used on refuse-collection work a man can easily empty a dust bin into the body of the trailer. .

This particular trailer has a capacity of 8 cubic yds., and the body is completely protected by a series of covers. The tipping of the body is accomplished through the medium of a single vertical screw, and a high angle is quickly reached. A castor wheel is fitted at the front for supporting the trailer when it is not attached to the hauling medium, but this can be wound up when it is not coupled up.

An Addition to the Board of an Oil Company.

In the paragraph which appeared in our issue for July 14th, announcing the appointment of Mr. William Prince to a seat on the board of directors of Prank How and Co., Ltd., Trogan Wharf, 77-83, High Street, Stratford, London, E.15, it should have been stated tijai Mr. William Prince was

Until recently managing director of the Texas Oil Co., late of London, a subsidiary company of the Texas Co., of America.

New Municipal Vehicles for Cardiff.

The Cardiff City Council is asking its, parks committee to investigate schemes to further the keeping clean of the city streets. It is possible that new mechanical street-cleansing plant will be purchased, and it has already been decided that when vehicles are bought for refuse collection they shall be of the covered-body type.

East Ham Considering Trolley . buses.

At a meeting of the East Ham Corporation, Mr. C. Eustace Wilson, the town clerk, submitted a, letter from the Ministry of Transport referring to the applicationof the corporation for approval for the substitution of trolleybuses for tramcars on certain tramway routes, in which if was stated that the Minister was not in a position to author ize the proposals, which require statutory authority. The Minister also said that if the corporation decided to proceed with its proposals for obtaining statutory powers, dimensional plans of the routes should be submitted for consideration and also that the corporation should consult the Commissioner of Police upon the matter.

The corporation decided to approach the Commissioner of Police as suggested, to refer the question of the promotion of a Bill in Parliament to a committee and to ask the officers of the corporation to submit proposals as to clauses.. for other desirable powers to be included in the Parliamentary Bill.

Is This Your Property ?

Seymours (Dover), Ltd., 138-143, London Road, Dover, write to tell us that a Ionry wheel speedometer has been found near their premises and brought into their garage. It is stamped S.S. Speedometer Supply Co., Ltd., 12, Great Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C.," and Messrs. Seymours will be pleased to hand the instrument over to the rightful owner, if he Will communicate with them at the above address. A French Military Trial.

The French Ministry of War has just issued the rules and regulations in respect of a trial of military motor vehicles for loads of 71 tons which it proposes to hold in May, 1926., It is laid down that the tare weight of vehicles must not exceed fi metric tons and that two-thirds of the tare weight must be carried by the rear axle, with a tolerance allowance of one ton

in excess and 10 cwt. below. Fully loaded vehicles must be capable of maintaining an average speed of 71 m.p.h. and a maximum speed of ni m.p.h. either loaded or empty they must be capable of mounting gradients of 14 per cent, at a minimum of 11 m.p.h. and of running in convoy form at an average speed. of 6/ m.p.h. Each vehicle must, in addition, he capable of hauling a similar machine on gbod macadamized roads With a gradient of. 6 per cent., both 'vthieles being either loaded or empty. The overall width of the vehicles must not exceed 7 ft. 10 ins. The conditions Set out the sizes of wheels and Solid tyres, the standard screw threads to be used and the size of chains and chain wheels when chain

transmission i s adopted. The. motive power is to be supplied by an engine with a minimum of four cylinders, capable of being run on benzole, petrol or alcohol. All engines must be fitted with an automatic governor capable of preventing them from exceeding by more than 15 per cent, the normal speed aS determined by the makers.

Dundee's New Fire-engine.

The Dundee municipal authorities have just put into service a new Leyland fire-engine which was recently inspected by members of the town council.

It is interesting to note that the chassis only was supplied by the manufacturers, the body being built by the firemen in the fire brigade's own shops. It is an up-to-date machine', and the body construction reflects muc12. credit on the skill of the members of the fire brigade.

Bus Progress in Berlin.

The Berlin General Omnibus Co. have recently acquired land at Charlottenburg on which large works, for thb repair and upkeep of their fleet of motorbuses are to be erected. A number of new services has lately been started by the company in the German capital. Reorganizing a Fire Brigade.

The Stoke-on-Trent fire brigade system has recently been the subject of much discussion by the authorities, and a proposal that it should be reorganized was recently carried at a meeting of the watch committee. After a round of inspection of the various fire stations and their equipment, the members of the fire brigade sub-committee, together with the chief officer, came to the conclusion that the brigade was not adequately equipped.

The chief officer accordingly prepared a report putting forward suggestions for the remodelling of the brigade in order to bring it up to date. Amongst his suggestions are that the brigade should have three new motor fireengines at an estimated cost of £1,500 each, one to be stationed at Hanky, another at Longton and a third at Burslem. This, he acknowledged, would involve a considerable outlay, but he drew attention to the fact that the engines at present in service were 20

and 30 years old. The additional annual cost of the new scheme is put at £2,500, including loan charges, wages, etc., and this will involve something like a halfpenny rate.

Membership Reorganization of the B.E.S.A.

The seventh annual general meeting of the British Engineering Standards Association was held a few days ago at the headquarters of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. In his review of the year's work, the chairman pointed out that the deficit carried forward from the previousyear had been reduced from 11,900 to £677. He regretted. however, that, owing to there being at the present time no further funds available for the purpose, the valuable work of translating the British Standards Specifications into foreign languages and disseminating them abroad had been suspended.

A new scheme, however, is to be put into operation in the near, future by which the main committee of the Association is hoping to obtain the support of professional engineers and individual concerns connected with the great in

dustries of the country through the reorganization of its membership. Members, who will be admitted at a minimum annual subscription of £2 2s., will have certain privileges, including direct representation on the main committee itself.

It is hoped that the Association will obtain the additional support necessary to enable it to prosecute its national campaign of industrial simplification and standardization.

Fellowships in Highway Engineering.

Fellowships to provide for the following researches to be conducted under the direction of the Division of Highway Engineering and Highway Transport of the University of Michigan have been renewed for the year 1925-1926:— Roy D. Chapin, Fellowship.—Investigation of an approved subject relative to highway transport.

Roy D. Chapin, Fellowship.—Investigation of an approved subject tielative to hard-surfaced roads and pavements.

Two Detroit Edison Co. Fellowships. —Investigations of approved subjects relative to moderate-cost country roads.

United Fuel and Supply Co. Fellowship.---Investigation of an approved subject relative to efficient methods of sampling gravel.

Batteries for Buses.

The Iron and Nickel Battery Co., Ltd.. 301, Abbey House, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1 have just issued two leaflets dealing with Ionic batteries. One of them deals with a type of battery which is suitable for bus lighting.

B.F. Branch Renamed.

The British Petroleum Co., Ltd., inform us that their London branch (Northern Division), until recently at 4-7, Chiswell Street, E.C.1., is now known as the Eastern Counties branch, with an address at " Wilhury," 154, Norwich Road, Ipswich.

Transport Co-ordination.

Torquay Corporation has agreed to the principle of co-ordination of mechanical transport so far as repairs and maintenance are concerned, and a report is to be prepared so that this object can be effected and economies achieved.

Local Proceedings.

Bournemouth Corporation has authorized the purchase of a light motor lorry.

Shipley Urban District Council proposes the purchase of a Lacre motor sweeper at a cost of £575.

Bradford Corporation has obtained sanction to borrow £950 for the purchase of a motor ambulance.

Stoke Corporation has purchased two Vulcan chassis from Mr. E. Goodall, of Tunstall, at a cost of £841.

Stoke City Council has decided to obtain quotations for the supply of three up-to-date motor fire-engines.

Thornaby Corporation has accepted the tender of Mr. F. Russell for a Ford tender for the fire brigade at a cost of £135.

The works committee of the Poplar, Borough Council recommends the purchase of three Morris motor wagons at a total cost of £708.

The tramways committee of the Portsmouth Corporation has decided to extend the motorbus service from Coshana to the borough boundary at Drayton.

The Aberystwyth Rural District Council has now definitely decided to buy a steam-roller, and the surveyor has been instructed to obtain prices.

The highways committee of the Battersea Borough Council recommends the purchase of a Dennis combined water van and tipping wagon at a cost of £1,300.

Woking Urban District Council has appointed a committee to visit fire stations elsewhere in order to report concerning fire appliances deemed necessary for Woking.

Bradford Corporation has varied the fee for parking motor vehicles on corporation land in Bank Street and the charge is now one shilling per vehicle aftet 6 p.m.

The education committee of the Northampton County Council recommends the purchase of two Jowett twoseater parcel cars, with balloon tyres, for the use of school dentists.

Newton-in-Makerfield Urban District Council is inviting tenders for the supply of a 14-2-ton tipping wagon for the use of the highways department. Tenders have to be delivered not later than August 1st.

The tramways committee of the Plymouth Corporation has accepted tenders for the supply of another ten motor omnibuses. This is in addition to nine of three different types ordered a few weeks ago, and which are now on the road.

Shipley Urban District Council has decided to obtain quotations for the supply of a motor tipping dust cart for the cleansing department, a 2-3-ton motor lorry for the sewage works, a trailer for a Fordson tractor, and a 20-30-cwt. tipping lorry for the gas department.

The highways . committee of the Wandsworth Borough Council recommends acceptance of the tender of R. Garrett and Sons, Ltd., for the supply of a steam wagon at a cost of £1,031. and the tender of Carrimore SixWheelers, Ltd., for the supply of a trailer at a coot of £185.


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