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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

New Driving Licences.

In our issue dated November 18th we gave the latest news of the Traffic Act, and we pointed out that the Minister proposed to bring the whole of Part 1 into force on December 1st, with the exception of sections 10, 17, 19 and 25. This has now been confirmed by the Minister of Transport and, therefore, those sections relating to the licensing of drivers, careless and dangerous driving and other offences in connection with the control of motor vehicles became, operative yesterday, December let. We repeat the information that old driving licences issued up to November 29th will be valid until their normal expiry dates, except where the persons holding them are u,nder the required ages.

Exhibitors at tim Argentine Show.

The preliminary li-st of exhibitors at the British Empire Trade Exhibition, to be held in Buenos Aires from March 14th to April 27th, 1931, contains the names of a number of important concerns well known in the commercialvehicle industry. The products of the following will be represented :—Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd.; Armstrong Siddeley Motors, Ltd.; Associated Equipment Co., Ltd.; Commer Cars, Ltd.; Coventry Chain Co., Ltd.; Dennis Brothers' Ltd.; W. H. Dorman and Co., Ltd.; Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd.' English Electric Co., Ltd.; Ferodo, Ltd.; Fodens, Ltd.; The General Electric Co.; • Greenwood and Batley, Ltd.; • Guy Motors, Ltd.; Had. fields, Ltd.; W. T. Henley's Telegraph Works Co., Ltd.; Alfred Herbert, Ltd.; Leyland Motors, Ltd.; Chas. Macintosh and Co., Ltd.; lirlerryweather and Sons, Ltd.; Herbert Morris, Ltd. ; Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.; G. D. Peters and Co., Ltd.; Ransome and Merles Bearing Co., Ltd.; Ransomes, Sims and jefferies, Ltd.; Scammell Lorries, Ltd.; Spencer Moulton Tyre Manufacturers, Ltd.; John T. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.; Tungstone Accumulator Co., Ltd.; Vickers, Ltd.; Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd.C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd.; Job Ltd.; and Son, Ltd.; Westinghouse Brake and Saxby Signal Co., Ltd.

An Important Amalgamation.

For many years Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., and the British Oxygen Co., Ltd; have been working in close co-operation. Several working agreements have been entered into between the two concerns, but it has been considered that the full benefits of co-ordination can be achieved only by a complete amalgamation of the two companies. It is now announced that an agreement has just been entered into whereby the British Oxygen Co., Ltd., has offered to acquire the whole of the issued shares of Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., in aceordafice with certain provisions.

At the end of ' March last the issued capital of the British Oxygen Co., Ltd., was -1771,870 ordinary and £213,246 debenture, whilst at the end of April last the issued capital of Allen-Liverc20

sidge, Ltd., was £300,000 ordinary and £250,000 preference, the net profit for the year of the former concern being £140,377 and of the latter £61,821.

Industrial Transport Meeting.

To-day, December 2nd, at 6.30 P.m., at the Old Ship Restaurant, Charing Cross, London, S.W., Mr. W. Oldham, M.Inst.T., will speak on the Disintegration of Exceptional Rates. Sir Herbert Matthews will be in the chair.

Death of Mr. C. R. Whitnall.

After a long illness, Mr. Charles R. Whitnall, secretary of the Liverpool area of the Commercial Motor Users .Associatiou, died last Tuesday, in his 61st year. Mr. Whitnall, although an accountant, was keenly interested in transport developments and in the problems of motort users. _ He was a past president of the Liverpool Society of Incorporated Accountants.

An Accident Register for Fleets.

A most useful book entitled the " Visor " Accident Register has been published at the price of 2s. 6d., by Chantrill, Ransom and Co., Ltd., Weavers Hall, 22, Basinghall Street, London, E,C.2. Its name indicates its purpose, and it is a book which should be of great use to owners of fleets, as it enables them to keep accurate records of accidents which may occur to units in their fleets. It is essential that these should he kept, in view of the penalties which can be imposed under section 112 of the Road Traffic Act.

Citroen Developments.

Citroen Cars, Ltd., Brook Green, London, W.6, announces new prices for its 35-cwt. model, the standard chassis being listed at £225, as against £265, and the drop-sided lorry at £275 instead of 1310, proportionate reductions being made for other models in the range, which includes vans, endtippers and a three-way tipping wagon.

The company has just introduced a long-wheelbase edition of the 35-cwt. chassis and this has a wheelbase of la ft. 11 ins., as against the standard wheelbase of 10 ft. 11. ins. It is offered in two forms ; one chassis for goods transport sells at £240, and the other, for 20-seater bus bodies, at £250.

Good Dennis Trading.

Once again the annual report of Dennis Brothers, Ltd., makes interesting reading and clearly shows that the company's financial position is very sound. For the year ended September 30th last the profit amounted to 1286,805, a figure which contrasts with £336,585 in the previous year. The amo ant brought into the accounts was £96,391, so that a total of £383,196 is available. Of this sum the directors have transferred 175,000 to the general reserve, this allocation being the same as in the previous year.

The shareholders have received an interim dividend of '8d. per share, which accounted for 150,083, whilst the Payment of a final dividend of 2s. 2d. per share will absorb £162,768. The total dividend thus accounts for £212,851, as against £262,933 a year earlier, the rate of dividend being 2831 per cent., as compared with 350 per cent. The amount to be carried forward is £95,345. The balance-sheet shows that the reserve fund now stands at 1650,000 and that sundry debtors are represented by £223,117 and sundry creditors by 1150,756. The issued share capital of the company is £75,124 in shares of is. each.

South Wales Association's Dinner.

On Thursday evening last, November 27th, the annual dinner of the Motor Omnibus Proprietors' Association was held at the Queen's Hotel, Cardiff. This association is an important South Wales organization and claims a membership of more than 90 per cent. of the South Wales operators of road passenger services, Mr. Clifford Thomas, the general secretary, has his offices at Bristol House, Argoed, Mon.

Mr. Greenbergb's New Appointment.

it is only a short time ago that we alluded to Mr. G. R. Greenbergh as having joined Walker Bros. (Wigan), Ltd., in order to take charge of the manufacture of the heavy-oil-engined Pagefield. We now learn that he has been appointed managing director of Pagefield Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of the above company. We congratulate him on this new post and hope that his energy and initiative will result in bringing great success to the company.

A.E.C.s for Overseas Service.

On Friday last the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., arranged an exhibition at its works at Southall to display some of the company's efforts with regard to overseas markets. The models shown were a Ranger chassis for a single-deck bus or coach, having a 19-ft. wheelbase and a 110 h.h.p. engine. The Mercury 31-tonner was shown in a form suitable for rough service on dirt roads. In addition there were a 6-ton Majestic and a four-tonner which is described in our centre pages' article this week. The A.E.C. oil engine also attracted much 'attention.

Lower Dennis Prices.

Important price alterations have been effected in connection with two of the most popular Dennis goods chassis. In the case of the 30-ewt. model -with normal control, having 33-in. by 5-in. India tyres on the front wheels and 34-in. by 7-in. tyres on the rear wheels, the price has been reduced from 1322 to £300. This model has a solid-tyred spare wheel.

In the case of the 30-cwt. chassis with forward control, the price becomes £315.

The normal-control two-tonner, with 32-in. by 6-in. India tyres all round (twins on the rear wheels) and a pneumatic spare is reduced in price from £420 to £385, whilst the forwardcontrol machine of this capacity is listed at /400.

A Huge Trojan Fleet.

'Trojan, Ltd., Purley Way, Croydon, has obtained a further order from Brooke Bond and Co., Ltd., for 275 commercial vehicles. When this fleet has been completed the maker will have delivered 2,140 Trojans to this concern.

Incidentally, it can be mentioned that Trojan, Ltd., has procured, for extension purposes, six acres of ground adjoining its present works on the Croydon by-pass.

Scarborough Promotes Transport Bill.

In a Parliamentary Bill being prepared by Scarborough Corporation authority is sought for the purchase by agreement or otherwise of the existing tramways undertaking in the borough as well as for power to run motorbuses and trolley-buses, this includingthe entering into working agreements with private undertakings.

' A Busy Fleet on Beet Transport.

The period during which sugar-beet is lifted from the fields and conveyed to the factories is comparatively short. It is, therefore, necessary that the transport arrangements which are adopted should offer the utmost. speed and facility. Transport between field and railway siding by means of farm carts, the useful load of which is limited to about one ton, is hardly the best solution to the problem, and it is not surprising, therefore, that increasing use is being made of motor vehicles of many types.

A fleet of 26 Willys-Manchester 30-35-cwt, lorries is being employed for conveying sugarbeet to rail-head points in the area serving the York and Selby factories, and the speedy and efficient way in which the vehicles have performed the work has contributed materially to the heavy flow of beet which, at times, has put a strain on the capacity of the factories. These lorries have been carrying two tons and more at each journey, and the engineer in charge reports that no mechanical trouble has been encountered, whilst loading and unloading operations have, at all times, proceeded smoothly.

The Faun System Impresses Municipal Delegates.

Delegates of Cape Town Corporation who attended the International Conference and Exhibition on Town Cleansing, Sanitation and Engineering, held in Stuttgart, Germany, also spent a couple of days in Hamburg and made careful note of the system of street watering and cleansing, and of the method of refuse collection. They were impressed with the results of their investigations ancr are convinced that if the Faun, system of collecting waste material were employed a great improvement would be effected in Cape Town.

The cost of a Faun appliance and necessary equipment would be about 17,000. The delegates point out that the city of Westminster has adopted a dust-tipping system.

Bus Results at Salford.

The passenger-transport accounts of Salford Corporation for the year ended March 31st last reveal that the, income in connection with the operation of motorbuses was 1159,663, whilst working expenses totalled 1135,857, the balance to be carried to the credit of the profit and loss account thus being 123,806. Loan charges accounted for 119,964, the amount transferred to the reserve fund being £4,226.

During the year the buses covered an aggregate mileage of 2,961,963 and earried 15,479,980 passengers. The 75 buses which the corporation owns are operated over 18 different routes. Vehicles of Karrier, Dennis, A.E.C., Leyland, Guy and Tilling-Steveus makes are in service, a large proportion of the first-named being six-wheelers.

Brighton Licensing Refusals.

The watch committee of Brighton Corporation has refused an application from Elliott Brothers (Bournemouth), Ltd., which already has been granted 30 licences (20 taken up) for coach services between Bournemouth and Margate, via Brighton, for additional licences to operate between the Midlands, Southampton and Portsmouth, extending to Brighton and Eastbourne. An application from the Prince Omnibus Co., Ltd., for two licences for a service between London and Worthing, via Brighton, was also refused.

Chevrolet Price Reductions.

In our road-test. report of the Chevrolet 30-cwt. chassis, published on August 19th, we referred to the important improvement that had been made to the back axle, and mentioned that some alterations were being made to the standard type of driver's enclosed cab. These and other alterations have now been carried into effect and, at the same time, the chassis price has been reduced from £190 to £175, the dropsided lorry DOW selling for £212 instead of £230.

The three other improvements are as follow :—(1) Bendix two-shoe • selfenergizing brakes in the rear-wheel drums take the place of contracting bands, being operated by the pedal, which also actuates "Bendix two-shoe brakes on the front wheels. The hand lever operates another pair of similar shoes in the rear drums, all four shoes occupying the same plane. (2) Detachable rims to the road wheels have been substituted by detachable soliddisc wheels, the front tyre equipment now being 32-in. by 6-in. low-pressure pneumatics, whilst 32-in. by 6-in. high

pressure tyres are fitted at the rear. For an extra payment of £9 10s. highpressure tyres can be fitted all round, including a fifth tyre for the spare wheel. (3) The clutch diameter has been increased from 9 ins. to 10 ins.

Trolley-buses Wanted in Switzerland.

His Majesty's Legation at Berne reports that an important inquirer in Switzerland is anxious to receive full particulars and data relating to the provision of trolley-bus services. Those concerns in a position to offer British vehicles of this type can obtain further particulars from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, 8.W.1, reference AX.10524 being quoted.

Co-operative Bus Working in Wales.

The first of the fairly long services arranged by South Wales bus-owning municipalities, running on a joint basis, has been commenced. It covers the route from Cardiff to Blackwood (Mon.), via Caerphilly, which is 25 miles long, and is being operated by Cardiff Corporation, the West Mon. Joint Omnibus Board (the body controlling the services of Bedwelity and Mynyddislwyn Urban District Councils) and Cf!erphilly Urban District Council. Profits aud losses are being shared by c22 the authorities, the calculation being on the basis of bus-mileage.

The introduction of this service is a temporary measure, until Part V of the Road Traffic Act comes into operation on April let next. Then steps will be taken to make the jointly run service a permanent affair.

Cherley Out to Stop Overloading.

The general-purposes committee of Chorley Corporation has considered the question of the damage which is caused to roads by the excessive overloading of commercial vehicles, necessitating the expenditure of large sums of public money for maintenance. It has decided to make representations to the superintendent of police that action be taken in all cases in which an offence is committed.

Durable "Fish-scale" Belting.

Several important claims aremade by H. Braminer and Co., Ltd., 207, Kirkstall Road, Leeds, for its belting, which may be used for a variety of purposes in connection with motor vehicles. The belting is made on the fish-scale

principle, the links being connected by means of stout stpds. It is maintained that slip, stretch and wear are minimized, and that absolute flexibility is ensured.

The company advises the use of I-in. belting, wherever possible, especially for' dynamo driving, and the price is 3s. 4d. per ft. Every link is a complete unit and Brammer belts are endless. At a cost of 3s. per ft fin, belting is available, whilst, at 3s. 8d. per ft. i-in. belts may be obtained.

Electrics for Local Authorities.

The General Vehicle Co., Ltd., 15, Devonshire Street, London, E.C.2, has just issued a catalogue which clearly indicates the value of the company's G.V. electric vehicles for different classes of municipal service. Several models are available, ranging from a 2-ton low-loading chassis to a sixwheeled 10-tonner. A particularly interesting vehicle is the company's hygienic refuse collector, which has a low load line and a capacity of up to 12 cubic yds. Brief specification details of the various models are included in the catalogue, as well as illustrations which show uses to which the G.V. electries are being put by important municipal authorities.

Liverpool Drivers' Hours.

Because of the severity of the competition caused by up country hauliers, Liverpool road-transport employers have been pressing the local motormen's trade union to accept the principle of the accumulative week and, after many rebuffs, have secured that reform. The accumulative week will apply to those motor drivers who are engaged on transport work outside the 10-mile area of the city.

Negotiations were conducted by the Liverpool Road Transport Employers' Conference, which comprises representatives of the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners' Association, Liverpool and District Short Cart and Motor Owners' Association, the Motor Transport Employers' Federation and the following classes of traders :—Flour millers, wholesale provision merchants, coal-owners, and seed, oil and cake dealers. Conditions in the Merseyside area are now in line with the national custom of an alternative to the fixedhour day.

The employers have agreed to concede the driving staffs one week's holi day annually, with pay, in return for this alteration in the working agreement. The accumulative week will take effect when the clauses limiting working hours of motor drivers, contained in the new Road Traffic Act, come into operation, the fixed date for which is February 1st next.

A Traffic Commissioners' Chairman.

It is stated that the Ministry of Transport has offered the chief constable of Middlesbrough, Mr, Henry Riches, the appointment of chairman of the regional traffic commissioners of the northern district. Mr. Riches, who, we understand, has accepted the appointment, has been chief constable of Middlesbrough for 28 years, previously being at Scarborough, and has taken an active part in the work of the northeast coast advisory committee on traffic control.

Buses Instead of Prams?

Following the success of experimental bus services introduced alongside the trams on local routes, the Tnemouth and District Traction Co., Ltd., has made application to Tynemouth Corporation for permission to abandon tramway working in favour of buses. The watch committee will announce its decision shortly. An E82,000 Bus Order?

The transport committee of Manchester Corporation is recommending the Purchase of a further 50 enclosedtop double-ack buses at an estimated cost or£82,000, as well as the extension of the Parrs Wood garage, to house a further 90 vehicles. The extensions are to coot about £50,000.

When these machines are supplied the Manchester fleet will number 313 buses, of which 162 are single-deckers, andtthe remainder covered-top doubledeckers.

B. and E. Tipping Gear for Fords.

The well-known B. and E. gear made by Messrs. Bromilow and Edwards, Foundry Street Works, Bolton, has been chosen for incorporation in the new standard Ford 30-cwt. hydraulictipping lorry. Although a one-way tipper can be supplied, it is anticipated that, owing to the small difference in price, the general demand will be for the three-way model, the price of which is £270.

The L.N.E.R. ancbTeesside Road Transport.

The London and North-Eastern Railway Co., Which already is extensively interested in road transport in the Teesside neighbourhood, is, it is stated, negotiating with Middlesbrough Corporation with a, view to securing still further co-ordination in the area.

Another development is the decision of West Hartlepool Corporation to include in its proposed Parliamentary Bill a request for powers to run motorbuses between West Hartlepool, Billingham and Stockton, a route over, which the services at present worked are eon trolled almost entirely by concerns in which the railways are largely interested. It may be recalled that some time ago the L.N.E.R. endeavoured, unsuccessfully, to enter into a, working arrangement with this local authority.

Serviceable Weatherproof Coats.

Drivers, loaders and others engaged in road-transport work usually have to encounter considerable exposure and their employers are faced with the problem of providing really durable clothing which, over long periods, will prove waterproof. For several months we have had in use a stout proofed twill coat, made by the Midland Motor Clothing Co., 9, Hill Street, Birmingham. It is of the 'three-quarter type, doublebreasted, and has a belt and wind cuffs. It is guaranteed to withstand 48 hours' rain and may be had in black or fawn twill.

During road tests of chassis we have found it to live up to its reputation for weatherproofness and it has resisted, in a remarkable way, any tendency to tear. The coat is made in various lengths, and the price is from £3 5s., according to length, whilst it is possible to have a flap over the knees protecting the legs from wet and cold.

London-Neweastle Service Development.

One of the pioneers of limited-stop services between London and Newcastle, Messrs. Orange Brothers, of Bedlington, Northumberland, have prolonged their route to Glasgow, connecting buses being provided at Newcastle. In the past, passengers to Scotland have been carried over that section of the route by the United Automobile Services, Ltd., but the working arrangement between the two undertakings has, it is stated, now come to an end.

Demonstrating Ethyl Petrol.

In order to demonstrate the anti knock value of Pratt's Ethyl petrol tin Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., ha; devised an ingenious plant which, in t clear and interesting manner, shows tin merits of its fuel. This plant consist of a single-cylinder engine, coupled tc a dynamo which:in turn, is connectei. to instruments showing the output it watts and the revolution speed. Pin instrument board also carries lamp which are conne,pted to a Midgle3 "bouncing pin" knock detector fittd to the cylinder head.

The engine is first run upon ordinar3 No. 1 petrol, and, as the compression is fairly high, a pronounced knocking sound is produced and the lamps light up. Upon switching over to the Ethyl

(1) A Pagefie/d-Gardner heavyoil.engined lorry which is successfully operating between London and the Mid/ands. On a recent run of 250 miles and carrying 6 tons on out and home journeys, 15 gallons of fuel were used, equivalent to 16.7 m.p.g. The total weight

was 111 tons.

petrol the knock dies away, the lamps go out and the engine runs smoothly. Furthermore, the output in watts increases, as does also the revolution speed. A number of Austin Twelve cars has been fitted with special bodies to carry this plant and demonstrations are to be given all over the country. In addition, a plant is in operation at 101, Hammersmith Road, London, W., where anyone can call to see it running. Pratt's Ethyl petrol costs 1d. per gallon more than No. 1 spirit, but for high-compression units it is said to give more mileage per gallon, greater power and smoother running to justify its higher cost.

Distributing Runbaken en Products. S. W. Lewis and Co. Ltd., 29, Victoria Street, London, SAVA, which has been acting as distributor in the south for the Runbaken Magneto Co., Ltd., of Ardwick, Manchester, has now taken over the sole distributing rights in Great Britain for Runbaken products. A service depot has been opened, at 11, Keswick Road, Putney, London, S.W. c23 Manchester Coach News.

We understand that Manchester Taint Services, a combine of 17 motor 3oach proprietors, have under consideration the institution of an all-the-yearround motor-coach service between Manchester and Blackpool. In addiLion, seasonal services between Manchester and Southport, Morecambe and North Wales resorts are to be run. It is said that the Manchester-Blackpool service will be established before Christmas, and that six journeys will be made daily in each direction.

We understand that the promoters are endeavouring to find a central s:te for use as a motor-coach station.

A Ribble Appeal at Burnley.

A Ministry of Transport inquiry was recently conducted at Burnley into the appeal made by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., against the refusal of the local watch committee to issue to it a number of licences similar to that issued in the previous year. In the main, the appeal Was concerned with the corporation's refusal to license more than 50 of the Ribble fleet of approximately 600 vehicles, and it was pointed out that the number was inadequate.

Garrett Spare-part Stockists.

Messrs. Beck and Pollitzer, 133-137, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.4, have, since May last, been acting as the official spare-part and service agents for Richard Garrett • and Sons, Ltd., in connection with its undertype steam wagons, and we now learn that the firm have arranged to stock spares for the elder 3-ton and 5-ton overtype wagons.

SALCOMBE Urban District Council is to purchase a lorry at a cost of £345.

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA Corporation is buying a Dennis 350-450-gallon fire-pump: BRYNMAWR Urban District Council is to consider buying a lorry for scavenging work.

BOURNEMOUTH Corporation has ordered a further 12 Thornycroft l2seater buses.

The health committee of TYNEMFTH Corporation is to consider the provision of an ambulance.

TOTTENHAM Urban District Council is to buy a motor fire-engine at an esti-, mated cost of £1,640.

The fire-brigade committee of EALING Corporation has sanctioned the purchase of a Dennis fire-engine.

CHRISTCHURCH (Hants) Borough Council has ordered a Dennis 250-300gallon low-loading fire-pump.

NEWCASTLR City Council has approved the purchase of two S.D. Freighters at a cost of £1,250.

The tramways committee of SouraEsm,Corporation is in favour of buying seven A.E.C. single-deck buses.

ROCELTORD Rural District Council has agreed to the purchase of a motor ambulance of British construction.

OTTERY ST. MARY Urban District Council is taking delivery of a MorrisCommercial 250-400-gallon fire-tender.

The municipal authorities, at the Hotel de Ville, of ANTWERP, are inviting tenders until December 9th, for the supply or six motor tractors for the haulage of dust carts..

Gras'sow Corporation has ordered a Dennis 90 h.p. fire-pump.

CovEN-rav City Council has ordered a Commer 3-ton drop-sided lorry.

The cleansing committee of TYNE, mourn Corporation is in favour of buying a Yorkshire gully-emptier.

The electricity committee of BATTERSEA Borough Council has authorized the purchase of a Jewett van for £155.

DaaraNorco; Corporationhas accepted the tender of George and Jobling, Ltd., for a Dennis 50 h.p. fire-engine. .

The electricity committeeFt7LHAII Borough Council recommens the purchase of a Ford lorry at a cost of 1251.

BARNES Urban District Council is to make application to borrow £1,900 for the puachase of three refuse-collection vehicles.

The highways committee of Ennsrwasou Corporation has authorized the purchase of two Morris-Commercial vehicles.

Malcomes, Ltd., is to Supply a Manchester 2-ton lorry, costing £326, to the highwaYs committee of CAPE Tows Corporation.

The fire-brigade committee of the LONDON County Council is to obtain quotations for the supply of six motor fire pumps and one tender.

CARDIFF Corporation is buying six Thornycroft six-cylinder bus chassis, costing 1806 each, and a similar number of Northern Counties single-deck bodies at £432 each, or alternatively, with different seating arrangements, at £405 each.