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News and Comment.

2nd May 1912, Page 14
2nd May 1912
Page 14
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Page 14, 2nd May 1912 — News and Comment.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

This journal is extensively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses.

..rwavAgavzw,,,,,7.40.47,:ommxzemeeseareagi------— REMINDERS.

Parade.

One of the ante-parade undertakings is completed—that of the examination for the drivers' championships. The text of the questions will be found on pages 170 and 171. Petrol and steam are given, as set, separately.

C.M.U.A. Examination.

With reference to the paragraph in last week's issue about the examination of certain mail-van drivers on Sunday morning last, the Parade Committee, on reconsideration of the suggestion, decided that any men who were unable to sit an the Saturday evening could not be examined. The holding of the examination at one and the same time is, it will probably be agreed, the only course that would have, given satisfaction.

Floatless Carburetter.

The details of the Durr carburetter, which are given on page 16S of this issue, disclose several features of striking novelty. This carburetter has been well tested on the Continent, and it is the outcome of four years of closely-applied investigation. It is not contended by the inventors and patentees that it offers any particular advantage when fed by petrol, but it is contended that any high-gravity oil— in fact, any liquid fuel whatsoever —can be efficiently and economically used in it. The construction is essentially on the lines of an atomizer, and the simplicity of the device is obvious. The control is on the liquid—not on the spray or vapour.

Topical Subjects.

Our leading articles this week deal with the following topical subjects: (1) " The C.M.U.A. examination ;" (2) -' The new Railways Bill and its likely effect upon motorvan transit ;" (3) " Concerning State purchase of public motor services ; " (I) " Women and children last."

Sundry Announcements.

Owners and users of commercial motors of all types find the sundryadvertisement pages of this journal to be of the greatest use to them, and we have increasing evidence that they are also coining into favour with motor manufacturers and traders.

Not. only do these pages receive the closest scrutiny at the hands of many new readers, but we find that the small display advertisements when " dotted a-bout " upon them lead to many trade and other inquiries.

These points might well be taken into account by parties who have so far not thought about the facilities that are thus afforded—at small cost—for the development of sales and trade in which they are concerned.

AnA-Opersing for :a Good Man.

We know of a vacancy with an old-established firm for a first-class traveller, who must have undeniable knowledge of general machine and repair work. If possible, too, he should be familiar with the heavy-vehicle industry as this will add to his chances, This is not essential. Only really suitable applications, addressed to PIMON.A, care of the Editor; will be forwarded to the proper quarter.

The L.G.O. New Board.

In pursuance of the terms of the fusion with the Underground Railway authorities, the Board of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., has been reconstituted and is now as follows:—

Mr. Charles James Cater-Scott, Chairman (Director of the Underground Electric Railways Co. of London, and recently Chairman of th London United Tramways).

Mr. Henry William Brown (partner in the firm of Messrs. Speyer Bros.). Colonel Sir Herbert Jekyll, R.E. (recently head of the Traffic Department of the Board of Trade).

Lieut.-Col. Charles Frederick Colvile (for some years three. tor of the company and formerly a director of the Lon don Road-Car Co.).

Mr. Albert Henry Stanley (Managing Director of the Underground Electric Railways Co. of London).

Mr. Henry Augustus Vernet (Director of the Underground Electric Railways Co. of London and of the Metropolitan District Railway Co.).

Sir Thomas Pile (for some time Director of the Company and formerly Chairman of the Great Eastern London Motor Omnibus Co.).

Mr. Arthur Melville Hood Walroncl (for some years director of the company).

Mr. William Corwin Burton (Director of the Underground

Electric Railways Co. of London and of the Metropolitan

District Railway Co.).

Mr. Daniel Duff (for some years Joint Manager of the London

General Omnibus Co_ and for-:narjv Manager of the London Road-Car Co.).

Captain Wilfred C. DumbIe has 'seen appointed General Manager. Voluntary Liquidation.

At an extraordinary meeting of the Pen i Tyre Co., Ltd., held at 37-9, Essex Street, Strand, W.C., resolution was passed to the effect that the company be wound up voluntarily. Mr. P. J. S. Richardson, 37-9, Essex Street, Strand, was appointed liquidator.

Steel-rubber.

Apart from the use of solid tires constructed on the Wood-Milne steel-rubber system, the Preston Company, which is responsible for this class of manufacture, is doing an increasing business ie pneumatic tires with steel-rubber treads. One record is available of 12,000 miles of running, without a puncture, over roads in Ireland, North Wales, Cornwall and Scotland. These tires deserve first-hand consideration by owners of light vans and motorcabs.

The Economy of Tar Spraying.

The committee appointed in 1903 to consider the question of the materials and means of paving the streets of London has now issued its 9th annual report.. It is said that the principal kind of paving laid during 1911 was creosoted soft wood. The concrete foundation varies from 6 in. to 9 in. in thickness in different London boroughs. The most striking feature of the return is the saving which has taken place in connection with the tarspraying of macadam roads, and the cost of scavengering. watering, and maintenance. In Wandsworth the expense of these services prior to tar-spraying some four years ago was 296,035 per annum. This has now been reduced to 262,760. The cost of four years' tar-spraying was 213731. The Midland's List.

The Midland Rubber Co., Ltd., advises us that amongst the users with whom it has recently booked large contracts are the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., the Birmingham Omnibus Co., the British Automobile Development Co., the Liverpool Corporation Tramways, the Leamington and Warwick Bus Co., Ltd., the National Steam Car Co., Airdrie and Coatbridge Tramway Co., London Metropolitan Electric Tramway Co., the Leeds Corporation, Birmingham and Midland Motorbus Co., Worcester Electric Traction Co., Worthing Motor Services, Ltd., etc. We are advised that the Midland Rubber Co. was not hindered in the matter of supplies on account of the coal strike.

Export to Australia.

Quoted hereunder are the terms of a decision, just to hand from the Commonwealth Customs Authorities, in regard to the interpretation of tariff item 380 (D) re bodies of motorcars imported into Australia: — Vehicles. — Motorcars. The term ' body ' (380 D) may include the following items which are occasionally charged as Extras' : Upholstery, lamp brackets, shields or valances (footboard), side doors, hood irons, well or bracket for spare tyre or Stepney wheel, luggage grids or rails, foot or arm rests, toolboxes," but not : "Carpets or mats, detachable hoods, windscreens, lamp, wheel a a d cushion covers, mirrors, watches, horns, generators, tools, lamps and similar accessories which are to be classified under the appropriate tariff items.

" Until 1st July next, folding or dickey seats may be delivered as a part of the body (without extra duty). On and after that date a dickey or folding seat fitted to a single seater will render it dutiable under tariff item 380 (D) (2) as a double-seated body.

" Folding seats with doubleseated bodies will not affect the classification of the body."

Anticipations of Growth in Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce anticipates that the next few years will witness a tremendous increase in the number of commercial motors in local service. We agree. It commends to the notice of its members the serious attention which the commercial side of motoring deserves, by pointing out the rapid strides achieved during 1911. The view is taken that future developments will be even more pronounced. These references arise from a report of a local parade. It is further pointed out that local users, in all classes of industry, find mechanical transport preferable to horse transport., and to effect great savings of time and money.

We wish that other chambers of commerce would keep in moreactive touch, to the same end.

Interesting Questions in Parliament Concerning Subvention Lorries and Motor Spirit for Ambulances.

In the House of Commons on 25th of April, Mr. Gibbs asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was aware that the St. John's Ambulance brigades were entitled, under Section 85, subsection (2), of the Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910, to exemption or to a rebate of the duty on motor spirit in respect of their motor ambulances, in view of the fact that the bulk of the work of these ambulances is performed for the poor without cost ; and, if the Commissioners had made no regulations covering these cases, would he direct them to consider the matter? In a written reply, Me Lloyd George stated that no exemption was provided by law in respect of the motor spirit used in propelling motor ambulances. The question of the amendment of the law upon this point is still under consideration.

On the preceding day Mr. Courthorne asked the Under-Secretary for War whether any types of motor lorry are not adinitted for registration in the motor-transport reserve and, if so., what is the reason for such differentiation? In a written reply, Col. Seely stated that it was . considered of the utmost importance that the number of spare parts required on mobilization should be reduced to a minimum. This object could only be obtained by limiting the number of types of motor lorry admitted for registration. The Plymouth Works Committee has instructed the Borough Surveyor to report as to the cost and desirability . of using motors for street-watering purposes in Plymouth.

Ambulance Matters.

The Caithness County Council recently took delivery of an Argyll ambulance-van, and the chassis of this vehicle is the standard Argyll one-tonner.

Coventry Town Council has been asked to spend a maximum sum of 2800 on the purchase of a motor ambulance and a motor clothes-van, for use in connection with the city infectious hospital. The Sanitary Committee of the Council is extremely keen on the securing of upto-date equipment of the kind.

The Croydon Rural and Merton Joint Hospital Board has not given very much notice of its desire to purchase a motor ambulance-van, and we do not see why the tenders were closed so early as yesterday (Wednesday), when the first announcements were apparently those made in a local journal on the 20th ult. At an extraordinary general meeting of the members of the West Indies Motor Haulage, Ltd., held at Bush Lane House, Cannon Street, E.G., a resolution was passed to the effect that the company be wound up voluntarily. Mr. T. G. Piper, Bush Lane House, Cannon Street, was appointed liquidator.

Vans by Deferred Payment.

Pagets Ltd., of 10-11, Jermyn Street, London, S.W., informs us that it is prepared to deliver commercial vans and vehicles to reputable and substantial firms on the deferred payment system. We understand that a business house has recently taken delivery of a 30 h.p. Thornycroft chassis, with torpedo char-h-ba,ncs body, under these conditions.

Wood Tires for Treacherous Surfaces.

We learn from Mr. J. H. Knight, of Barfield, Farnham, Surrey, that his wooden tires, for use upon soft and wet ground, or over sand, where the ordinary solid:rubber tire cannot get a grip, have stood up splendidly to a recent series of tests. Although a little unsightly,

these tires have proved to run quietly when under load, and not to wear out quickly. The Knight wooden tire is, of course, of a type which will scarcely come into general and everyday use, but there are none the less great possibilities of application for it.

Roads Improvement Association.

Colonel R. E. Crompton, C.I3., occupied the chair at the annual general meeting of the Roads improvement Association, at Caxton House, on Thursday last. The Hon. Arthur Stanley, M.P., Mr. H. Howard Humphreys, M.I.Mech.E., and Mr. John Kennedy, J.P. D.L., were amongst. the supporting members of council. This association is carrying out a vast amount of useful work, and is in close and friendly touch with the Road Board. We observe that Mr. H. Percy Boulnois, M.Inst.C.E., has been elected a vice-chairman The successful formation of various local centres has been carried out during the year 1911, and the Council is now open to consider suggestions for the formation of centres in parts of the country where local organization of the kind can be taken up.


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