Lincoln Extensions.
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For some time past the old-esteblished and reputable concern of R. M. Wright, Ltd., of Lincoln, have been contemplating extensions in more than one direction. The company have been established more than a. quarter of a. century, and they are the recognized agents for many makes of heavy commercial vehicles and farm tractors; they are also appointed and authorized Ford dealers. Another section is the hire department which is conducted with a fleet of taxicabs and private-hire cars. The garage and showrooms are centrally situated, and it is the company's intention to enlarge their present garage to more than twice its present capacity.
The Walsall Bus Powers.
Walsall Corporation has obtained the Royal Assent to its Act which grants the municipality further powers with regard to motor omnibuses. The Parliamentary Committee reports that there -were 17 petitions against the proposals, but several of the opponents were satisfied by concessions and withdrew or did not proceed with their petitions. Prior to the Bill being opened before the local legislation committee, agreements had been arrived at with the urban district councils of Willenhall, Short Heath, and Rugeley, the Cannock Rural District Council, and the L. and N.W. and Midland counsel before the committee, viz., the Staffordshire County Council, Warwickshire County Council, Lichfield Corporation, Sutton Goldfield Corporation, Brownhille Urban District Council, Cannock Urban District Council, W-alsall Rural District Council, Lichfield Rural District Council, and the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co. and North Warwickshire Motor Omnibus and Trection Co.
Soon after the proceedings commenced, an agreement was also arrived at with the Cannock Urban District Council, which was promoting a competing Bill for motor-omnibus powers. Under this agreement, certain routes were dropped from each Bill, and an arrangement made -whereby the Cannock Council was empowered to run its motor-omnibuses along the existing route of the corporation between Great Wyrley and Hednesford, on condition that the net profits from such running should belong to the Walsall Corporation, the converse arrangement being made with regard to the new route between Hednesford and Five Ways within the Cannock Urban District.
The proceedings on the Bill extended over eight Parliamentary days, and the opposition (apart from that of the omnibus companies and of Sutton Goldfield Corporation) -was directed mainly to secure larger contributions towards road reconstruction and maintenance than those which had been offered by the corporation and accepted by several of the local authorities, viz., £700 per mile towards reconstruction, and id, per bus mile in respect of maintenance. Eventually, the local legislation committee found the preamble of the Bill to be proved, and endorsed, without amend ment, the as to road reconstruction and maintenance offered by the corporation.
In giving the decision of the committee the Chairman stated :— " With regard to the financial aspect of it, the committee find that the most
difficult question 'to settle. They agree very largely with the view that was expressed by one of the later witnesses, who gave his views upon this subject, that the question of contribution both for adaptation and for maintenance have became already really national questions, and they ought not to have to be considered by different committees applying to different Bills, except so far as circumstances in different localities vary, causing variation in those accounts. On the whole' with some amount of difficulty, we have come to this conclusion, that the sum offered of £700 for adaptation is ouite a reasonably fair sum, and we approve of that, and that the maintenance which we say with perhaps not quite so strong an emphasis, in these cases should be id."
In its report to the House of Commons on its work of the session, the local legislation committee called attention to the anomaly of making municipal authorities contribute to upkeep and reconstructon and not making private enterprise do the ewe. "The question of reconstruction and adaptation of roads, particularly main roads, to the needs of modern traffic grows in urgency, and should be dealt with as a matter of national importance, and not in separate local Bills, as is now the eases".
The Bill, as finally passed, empowers the corporation (subject to the requisite consents under the Local Government [Emergency. Provisions] Act, 1916, and the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919), to run motor-omnibuses along 313i miles of road outside the borough.
Leeds Taxi Fares.
Leeds Watch Committee have recommended to the City Council to sanction an increase of 3d. per mile for taxi fares, and if this is agreed to it will mean that taxicab fares in Leeds will in future be at the rate of is. 6.d. per mile.
An interesting little pamphlet on " How Your Magneto Works' has just been issued by the M.L. Magneto Syndicate, Ltd., "Victoria Works, Coventry. It treats of the basic principle of the magneto, and should be of much interest to many of our readers. A copy will be forwarded by the company on application.
Personal Pars.
Few men have suck a long record of good service in one department us Sir Richard Glazebrook, the accomplished Director of the National Physical Labe-, rotary. Sir Richard began his w,ork of organization on January 1st, 1900, at KEW Observatory, but kilter on the laboratory was established in its present home in the Old Royal Palace at Bushey House, Teddington. During his 10 years of office the number of departments increased, from two to seven, in spite of the difficulties he experienced in obtaining the necessary funds. In 1918 the staff numbered 550, approximately 20 times its original strength. During the war the laboratory was able to render notable assistance to" the Admiralty and War Office. The Director having proved that he had, in addition to his scientific attainments, remarkable powers of organization, his help and advice were sought by many bodies with which the laboratory has collaborated.
• Major Baskerville Convey, whose work in connection with transport—he was Inspector of R.A.F. Transport in France for 41 years—gained him the 0.1i.E., was demobilized last Wednesday, the interval between his period of service in France and that date having been spent with Lady Muriel Paget'a mission in connection with the supply of food to CzeckoSlovakia. Major Baakerville Cosway's motor experience prior to the war, covering many years, was largely connected with the pleasure vehicle side, but the wonderful work of the lorries that came under his chargein France has enormously impressed him with the capabilities of the average 3-tonner.
Captain J. S. Critchley, who, when he had finished his period of service with the War Office a year ago, again went out to the States in connection with developments in the motor business, arrived back in this country on Wednesday last looking extremely fit and but little Americanized. It will not be long before he is again filling a prominent position in the British motor industry.
Greater London Municipal Buses.
Reporting to the Essex County Council, the Parliamentary Committee states that the situation created by the promotion of Bills for powers to run motorbus services has been discussed by a conference of representatiVes of the Middlesex, Herts., and Essex County Councils. This conference was of opinion that it was desirable that the Essex County Council should empower the Herts. County Council to include in its Bill power to run motorbuses in Essex until such time as the Essex County Council could obtain such Parliamentary powers to operate by means of a joint committee or otherwise.
The Parliamentary Committee, however, cannot see its way to recommend the County Council to seek powers to run motorbuses either directly or through the Hertfordshire County Coma.
The Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., inform us that their Manchester branch manager, Mr. W. Foggin, is leaving for the U.S.A. in the early part of March, and that he is being succeeded by Mr. C. P. Pickless, who has for some time been the company's representative in the southwestern territory.
Reconstructed Karriers.
The moulders' strike has so hindered the production of Ka,rrier lorries that Clayton and Co.' Huddersfield, Ltd., are unable to accept orders for the Karrier type chassis for delivery prior to June of this year, and, in order to meet the demand for their vehicles, the company are purchasing a number of their chassis from 'the Government. These they are completely dismantling and reconstruct
ing. •
The reconstructed chassis are being offered at £1,150 each. They can hardly be called second-hand, because every part is completely dismantled, passed to the viewers and placed in stock if satisfactory. Any parts showing the slightest wear or strain are scrapped. During the process of reconstration the. parts are supplied to the assemblers in exactly the same way as if the chassis was one of neW-rpanufacture—in fact., it is practil
rally equal to new. • • The provisional price for the 1920 type chassis is £1,300, so that purchasers of the reconstrUcted vehicles not only obtain quick delivery but also a substantial saving in capital oittlay.
Barimar in South Africa. .
Barimar, Ltd., the welding' specialists., of 10, Poland Street, London, W. 1, announce the opening of the new branch of their business, known as Barimar (South. Africa), Ltd., at Barsdorf's Buildings, Johannesburg. The chairman of the new company, Mr. F. C. Sturrock, was until recently president of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce.
The latest welding plant has been installed, as well as a fully-equipped machine shop, so that South African engineering concerns will be able to get re-created under the mo:it scientific methods fractured machine parts of every description. It is stated that a separate branch is now being established in British East Africa.
Iron Deposition.
It may interest some of our readers to know that Metal Industries, Ltd., of Sunbury-on-Thames, are now specializing in the supply of plants for building up undersized parts. Such parts as a worn journal can be built up and made as good as new.
MT. Cowper-Coles, the technical adviser to the company, is responsible for the process, and ft was largely used
during the war, workshops being erected at the Front for the purpose of making good various parts of worn machinery. The process consists of depositing by a special method an adhesive coating of iron on that part which is to be built up to size; it can then be turned or ground., and, if desired, case-hardened. The company supply complete equipments for this process for a large variety of work.
An Agent for Atkinsons.
Atkinson and CO., French.wood Works, Preston, the makers of the Atkinson steam wagon, are in need of an agent for the aide of thouproduct in Belgium and Northern Fiance. The company will be pleased to hear from anyone Zesirous of handling the sale of steam wagons in these countries at the address given.
• A Closed Bridge.
liedon,Haven bridge, which carries the road from Hedon to Paull over the Hedon Haven, is still closed to vehicular traffic* acCount of its dangerous condition, Mr. J. W. Chapman, the East Biding county surveyor, does not recommend widening the bridge as it is on a road very little used, and unless the village of Paull undergoes considerable development, the present structure will answer all requirements. He suggests, however, and the council has agreed, that the bridge shall be Tont in a state of repair, which will cost about £375.
Greenbat Electric Trucks.
W. Goodyear and Sons, LW., of Dudley, announce that they bays completed arrangements with the well-known engineering concern of Greenwood and Batley, Ltd., whereby the latter company are taking on the large truck-selling •organization, and the former company will absorb the manufacturing facilities of the eminent Leeds concern in respect of their' Greenbat two-ton electric truck. The object of such an arrangement is to cut down the overhead selling charges and to give the benefits derived to the actual users of the machines.
Electric industrial tractors are now being used extensively in the United States to draw heavy loads about factories and in the yards. One has been I driven over 75,000 miles in the last six years at the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co.'s factory. The tractor runs on Good year tyres. •
Enterprise at Stockport.
Few concerns have made such rapid progress as the Talbot Garage, Ltd., of Stockport. Mr. S. J. Abram, the secretary, is wideawake as to the possibilities of the De Dion-BoutOn 31 ton and 5-ton lorry for which he has securel the agency for Lancashire (excepting Liverpool), Cheshire, and North Derbyshire. •Already a depot has been established at Piccadilly, as well as one at 205, Deansgate, while two 'others are to be opened in Manchester this spring, making four in Cottonopolis.
One of the new ones will be close to the Exchange in Cross Street, and the present Daimler depot in Deansgate will be opened by the Talbot Garage, Ltd., by Easter, when the Daimler repair place at Rushohne will probably be ready. Further to assia the De DionBouton agency, a site has been acquired for a. &Spot at Blackpool. This should prove useful aa_a showroom and demonstration centre for the magnates in the cotton trade. In addition to these new enterprises, the garage in Mersey Square, Stockport, is being fully equipped for heavy vehicles, and a new depot opened in that town exclusively for the Ford agency.
• Tractor Trials in India.
The first agricultural tractor trial's in India, are being held. at. Nagpur nnder.the auspices of the Central Provinces Government. There were originally 11 entries, but only five tractors are now to take part, in the trials. The makes represented are Austin, Fiat, Cleveland, Fordson and Lauson. Some cornmenit, has been made on the .small number of entries, and especially to the fact that only one l3ritish,_agricultural mannfaeturing concern is represented.
A Handy Booklet.
A very attractive little booklet has just been received by us from the Henley Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., 18, New Union Street, Moorfields, E.C., which contains a quantity of-useful information regarding solid band rubber tyres and their care. A special feature of this booklet is a list of solid tyre fitters in the United Kingdom, which is printed specially and enclosed in a pocket on the inside of the cover for handy reference. This brochure should be of great interest to all commercial-vehicle users, to whom a copy will be sent on application.
Contracting for Buses.
At a meeting of the L.C.C. Education Committee, the Childrens' Care Committee reported that it had had under consideration a memorandum from the Stares and Contracts Committee stating that arrangements have been completed with Thomas Tilling, IA., for the supply on hire of two motor omnibuses for the conveyance of children to and from cleansing stations for a period of five years from October 6th, 1919, subject to determination at the option of the Council at•the end of one or three years by three months' previous notice. The undermentioned terms have been, agreed. Contract price for the two omni
buses to be—fl) £1,560 a year for
a contract for five years ; (2) £1,600 a year for a contract for three years; .c3) £1,760 a year for a contract for one year based upon (1) a maximum mileage of 18,000 miles a year for the two vehicles; (2) the price of 23. 4d. a gallon on 10th April, 1919, for the supply of petrol; (3) the rate
of wages £3. 2s. a week for each
of the drivers. Extra Charge of 7d.
a mile to be made for mileage in ex cess of 18,000 miles a year for the two omnibuses.
The committee was of opinion that the terms are reasonable, and, as a matter of' urgency, informed the Stores and Cantracts Committee accordingly. The report was adopted, although a lady member said it would be better to spend the money on more cleansing accommodation than to waste so much on transport.
C.M.U.A. Win Appeal Case.
The C.M.U.A. has just won another important appeal case in the interests of commercial motor users. The driver of a steam tractor owned -by a member of the 'Association was convicted for driving through a street in Walsall in alleged contravention -of a by-law, made under the Heavy Locomotives Act, 1898, -prohibiting the use of locomotives through that street, and although evidence was produced to show that the vehicle in question was a light locomotive within the meaning of the Motor Car Acts and was not governed by the by-law in question, the magistrate con'victed and imposed a fine.
The association appealed to the. Walsall Court of Quarter Sessions, when the Recorder allowed the appeal, and quashed the magistrate's conviction.
A Leyland's War Career. ,
The civilian .career of many, a. motor vehicle was abritptly interrupted in,1914. There is little doubt that many efethese vehicles .whic.h., were corniandeered for early war use have not again resumed their former .activities. The . following history of a,Leyla,nd lorry is,. however, unique :— Mr. T.,11: ,Tones, p1. Preston, took.delivery. of a 40-50 h.p., foar-ton .Leyland chum to be used for char-l-banc.s work In April, 1914. On Augist 14th, ,1914p this lorry was commandeered, and .Mr. Jones drove it to Liverpool' to hand it over to the militaryauthorities..: Here he joined up in the M.T., R.A.S.C.;:and embarked for Francs. .0n landing, still with his lorry, of which he was, made the official driver, he Proceeded with the 3rd Amm. Park to Amiens, La Coteau, and Valenciennes, and subsequently took part in the retreat, afterwards advanc
lug to Soissone, where he was stationed for a. short time.
Ho eventually proceeded to Ypres, where he served with an Amrieunition. Column for about six months. 'In June, 1915, he was attached, with his lorry, to the personnel of the 5th Ammunition 'Sub Park, and proceeded to the Somme, where his vehicle was in constant use until September, 1916. Later he returned to Ypres, and took part in General Byng's attack on the Hindenburg line with the third Army.
In March, 1918, he returned to the Amiens lino, and then advanced to Beaumont. Inchy, and was serving there., when the Armistice was signed, .alterwards returning to Airraignes, thence to Calais. ' Mr. Jones a!terwardz relinquished charge of his machine at Richbermigh on May 24th, 1919, having driven . it throughout the entire war, and he immediately applied for the re-purchase of the vehicle. This was granted in August, 1919, zuid Mx. Jones had the immense satisfaction of driving his lorry _back from 'Peal to Treeton, where it has resumed the work abandoned se abruptly
five years ago. • . , We reproduce a picture of the machine.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR Lorries for North Riding.
To ensure regular delivery of road ma terials the North Riding County. Sur veyor suggests that the county eouncil should be provided with lorries to enable material to be handled efficiently.
Ho advocates the purchase of five petrol lorries at £800 each; 12 (5-ton) steam wagons with rubber tyres and tip, ping bodies, at £1.3130 each ; four Mann steam wagons at £1,200 each, and four erd light lorries at £300 each.
The Connty Conneil has adopted these recommendations and already ordered four 5-ton steam wagons from Clayton and Shuttleworth, Ltd.
Liverpool Ferries Anomaly.
Purim"' 1919 the Mersey ferries carried 163,000 fewer vehicles than in 1914, yet it must be Pointed out 'that the congestion was more acute last year than ever it has been. Councillor Fletcher, of Birkenhead, states that if horse haulage had continued to the same extent as in 1914 it would have necessitared a 24hours continuous service to cope with the traffic between the Merseyside boroughs.
Leicestershire Roads.
Complaints have been general of late as to the unsatisfactory condition of many of the Leicestershire main roads, upon which there has been an enormous increase of heavy commercial motor traffic, consequent upon the co-ordination of arrangements by various Midland authorities, whose schemes include the establishment of clearing houses as indispensable adjuncts to efficient working.
It was admitted at the last meeting of the Leicestershire County Council by
Mr. Eggington, in moving Ithe adoption of the Highways Committee's report, that some of the roads were in a very had condition, although he denied that all were in a defective state. The main reason for it was that, at the time of the war, the best men engaged upon road work went into the Army, and the authorities had to get what help they could. They also parted with
much of 'their rolling stock at the request of the War Office. He denied, however, that the Highways Committee required any gingering up. They had always been desirous of doing what they could to improve the state of affairs. Colonel Blackwell, the new county surveyor, had been over the roads and would shortly present a report as to the results of his inspection. Mr. Hubbard complained of the waste of tar upon the highways last year, and expressed a hope that the new surveyor would think of other traffic besides that represented by motor vehicles.
Several members spoke strongly of the condition of the Loughborough Road, which was declared to be a disgrace to the county.
The old-established haulage business of Mr. Ben Hadfield, of the Britannia Garage, Biestall, is now being carried on by the Hadfield Trarsmort Co., with Dennis lorries, and all the staff that served Mr. Hadfield for many years.
Local Proceedings.
Bingley Council is purchasing a motor lorry at a cost of £910.
The Bury and District Joint Hospital Board has received sanction to borrow £950 for the purchase of a motor ambulance.
Calcutta Municipal Council has decided to purchase three Ford motor ambulances at an approximate cost; of Bs. 3,500 each.
Writing to the Fulham B.C., the Minister of Transport says he has no power to insist upon an omnibus company running any specific service.
The L.C.C. 'has given the Hackney B.C. sanction to borrow £5,418. for the purchase of two 2-ton and two 3i-ton electric vehicles for collecting house refuse.
The L.G.O.C. has applied to the L.C.C. for a licence to store about 21,000 gallons of petrol sunk in tanks at premises in High Street, Putney, lately occupied by the National Steam Car Co., Ltd.
As Boyden Bridge has become 'unsafe • for vehicular traffic, the Essex County Council proposed to speed up the-scheme for a new bridge and to close the roadway against all vehicular traffic till the new bridge is ready.
London Motors.
Last quarter the*London County Council registered 4,138 motorcars, 2,668 heavy motors, 2,871 motorcycles, 3,365 motorcar ownership changes, 1,605 motorcycle ownership changes, and granted 16,444 driving licences.
Loans for Motors.
Sanction is being sought to borrow loans for the purchase of motors, etc., as follows:— Swansea Corporation, 214,000, which includes six steam wagons and trailers. Redditch 21,350, for motor wagon. Middlesbrough T.C., £1,089, for motor fire-engine. Ilford U.D.C., £8,050, for motor vehicles.