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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

30th September 1919
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Page 4, 30th September 1919 — WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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S.M.M. and T. Tractor Trials Luncheon.

Mr. H. G. Burford (chairman of the Agricultural Committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), who presided at the luncheon given at Lincoln, said that the question of tractor trials came before his Committee in October, 1918, when they considered it desirable that such trials should be held this year. The Committee approached the Rural Agricultural S?ciety on the subject, but that Society felt that the time had not arriaed when trials could be successfully held, on the ground that British manufacturers could not be ready for them. His Committee were however, persistent in their efforts,=and that day they had 16 British manufacturers who had entered machines for the 'trials. In order to obtain an independent judgment, the Committee approached the Farmers' Union, with the result that the judges of the trials consisted of a representative body of experienced farmers and practical men. The trials were of an international character, and the world generally was looking to England to carry them out on a scientific basis, with accurate formulte and records, which would be useful to everyone concerned.

Sir William Tritton, of Lincoln, the originator of the Tanks, said that Lincoln was the home of agricultural macItinery, and it was therefore very appropriate that-the first trial of tractors should be held in that; city. It was only due to the great firms of Lincoln to say that, although the Armistice was IQ months old, all the works in the city were still mixed up with war work. It gave one

the idea that someone wished the job to last as long as Kioseible, and that was the reason why his colleagues in Lincoln had not been able to put up a better ,show of tractors on that occasion.

Mr. J. Evans (Burton), who was introduced as one of the leading agriculturists of the country, temarked that to-day agriculture was at the parting of the ways. He believed himself that much of the success or..the failure of British agriculture would depend on the action that was taken in the next year or two in the matter of cheapening the production of food. That was, where the motor manufactureri could-help them, and, so far as the tractor was concerned, he believed that that there was-a great future before it in helping farmers out of the difficulty.

Mr...H. D. Richardson (Board of Agricult-ire) said that his Board fully recognised the importance of the tractors made by British firms, and had appiiinted conimittee to consider the development

of agricultural -machinery. That committee was represented there that day, and they hoped to learn much from tha trials.

Colonel Weigall, M.P., said that a-griculturista must realize that they had now entered upon an entirely new era. The industry was also new, and deserved encouragement. He therefore asked the Sacietytto acaept from huinble agriculturists the warmest possible welcome in making, those trials, and he hoped that the result of the week's experience would add to the prosperity of the country and would -contribate not only to scientific knowledge but to the financial advantage of agriculturists

The New Administrative Council.

The President of the Board of Trade has established an internal administrative' canned which includes the Parlia.mentary and Permanent Secretaries and the heads of the chief adininistrative departments. The Council will meet regularly and frequently to deal with current businesS inV6Iving questions of policy.

Sir H. Llewellyn Smith, GflB., Permanent Secretary of the Board of Trade, has been ippoiritc•d by His Majesty's.Governmeiat to the poet of Economic Adviser with reference to the larger national and imperial economic questions, -especially for the present those arising out of the peace. settlement and the transitien to normal conditions. Ho will retain close connection with the Board Of Trade in the capacity of VinePresident of the. Administrative Council, over whichi he will preside • in the absence of the President of the Board of Trade.

In order to fill the vacancies caused by the appointment of Sir. H. Llewellyn Smith and the transfer of Sir William F. Marwood, K.C.B., to the Ministry of Transport, the President of the Board of Trade has appointed Mr. S. J. Chapman, C.B.,(Senior Assistant Secretary, General Economic Department) and Mr. H. A. .Payne, C.B. (Comptroller of the Companies Department) to ho joint permanent secretaries of the Boand. of Trade.

The Administrative Council referred to above is quite distinct from and in no way supersedes the Board of Trade Ad. visory Council. • Two men who are very keenly interested in the development of electric vehicles in Britain are Captain. R: I. ,P: Barker, sales manager of Orwell electric vehicles manufactured by Ransoms, Sims

and Jefferies, ,t,td., of Ipswich, and Major Hughes, the electrical engineer who is assisting in their construction. Captain Barker has not long., beers demobilized or in his present position, but he is full of vim, and making things hum in his particular branch Of the work. Ile has a tactful and.genial disposition, and seems, 'in our opinion, inst. the man ' for the job. . Majo-r Hughes was until recently in the Royal -Engineers, and it does not require 'more than a brief Chat with him' tocoine to the condlusion that everything electrical is atl4is fingers' ends.

Two men who are prominent in ex

hibition and trials matters' are A. Blackie, the exhibition manager of the Society'of .Motor, Manufacturers and Trader's, and H. Scott Hall, the Tractor 'I vials organizer of the same institution. Mr. Blackie was associated With Mr. F. Bailey in the.old Crystal Palace Motet shows, and when the S.M.M. and T. Was. formed and took the matter of 'shows by the trade _for . the trade' firmly raider its own wing Mackie was the man who 'was.' called upon to undertake ' their management. The Olympia shows havo been models of clever organization, of tactful arrangements, and of prompt,. lles6 in being complete' and ready for the _public. Blackie has ever earned the praise of .everybody. with a curious. absence of criticism—simply, however, because his work had been_ Well done.

Of Scott Hall it is almost too early to speak. A final judgment can only be given on his work when the Lincoln Trials come to be considered in cold blood. But all the ptrelivainary mid& and the conduct Of the trials so far as it was possibleto judge on the ground was superb, and we think that he has made his name over the event.. We hope so, too, for we have plenty of 'admiration for the enthusiasm and energy. he bas thrown into his work, and we shall not be surprised if he is asked again to be the manto organize .the next trials of the kind to be run by the Society.

One feels a considerable glow of Wra.rnith in looking at the photograph of the late Mr. Dan Alb one,' of Biggles-. wade, perhaps because we knew 'him in the early 'nineties as the great friend and -.helper of cyclists engaged in :record breaking or club racing on 'the Great North Road. Perhaps also because in the pioneer days of motoring, when We drove. two -cyl nderod horizontal -engined Peugeots with tube ignitionbicycle 'steering and 42-in. rear wire wheels with about 4• in. Michelin pneumatic:tyres, we -*ere glad to have Dan Albone's workshop at the far end. a a venturesome journey wherein to make things "right for the homeward trip But the 'memory that holds a's.'strong as any is that of his first IVO motor tractor. We remember being taken out to the she& at the back of the feel Hotel at Biggleswade and being admitted into the secret and then being allowed to see themachine at work man adjacent field.' The Tvel did, its work well, but already the question had arisen as to the suitability of the ploughs available, and Albone was in doubt as to whether the driver should tit on the tractor as he had at first devised, the, plough .being. operated by an assista.nt, or whether' the ploughman should drive the tracthr from the plough seat. The self-lift plough has largely confirmed his first decision of the position in which the tractor driver should he seated. His death some years ago was a great loss, for if ever there Was an enthusiast it was Mame. It mattered not. what hour you arrived at the hotel. Ife would get up in the.clead of the night to weleorne you and -give you good cheer, so that troubles (and they were numerous enough in the early days of motoring before this century dawned!) were materially . lightened. if one knew that one. ,could .crawl to -Biggleswa de somehow !'

The Palladium 4-ton commercial vehicle isnow well advanced and actually in course of production, and wilt in the course .of the next few weeks be ready for delivery. This particular. vehicle has been tooled and jigged most elaborately, so as to ensure complete. standardization of .parts. Tolerances are to Newall limits, and it may be interesting to reader's to know that during this company's activities in connection with aeto engine manufacture the percentage of scrap and rejections, while working to extremely fine, limits, were considerably lets than 1 pet cent. ; this, of course, is due to the very exaCting. tool' robin preparation 'where all gauges and reference instruments are checked by Johanson blocks.

The 4-ton Palladium lorry is of sound and robust construction, and a feature is the large margin of safety over and above the rated 'load-carrying capacity. The price of the chassis, complete with tyres, tools, etc., is £1,085. An export department has been opened by the company to deal with all overseas business. The large safety load margin, -' together with the long springS, high clearance and large radiator, Will commend the Chassis for cOuntries where rough roads and hilly districts are to be found.

Manchester Auction Sale.

Another Government auction iale was held in Manchester a few; days ago, and many motor lorries in running.order and a number in a state of disrepair were pnt up for sale. The sale was web attended and the prices obtained for some of the vehicles revealed no apparent falling off in se•Joncl-hand values.. The highest prices we're obtained for a number of Hallford: three-ton lorries, not one a which fetched less than 450 guineas, and the best of which was sold for 559 guineas. -A remarkable feature was the }vices which ruled for Ford one-ton lorries. Unserviceable. Belsize lorries sold at a figure of 250 guineas

McCord Re-organization.

The works of the M'eCurd Lorry Manufacturing Co., Ltd., were taken over, like most of the other motor factories, by the GoI/eminent in the early days of the war, and were used by it as an experimental shop for the Tanks. The company only regained full possession and control of the Works a. few weeks ago, so that until now re-organization of their lorry business has been deferred. The company proposes HO soon as possible to revert to the manufacture of motor lorries, and for this purpose a new factory is to be erected, which will be much larger-than the original works, and thus a larger output will be secured.

The supply of spare parts for those vehicles at present in use will in no way suffer by reason of this complete reorganization, but the company inform us that at least nine months must elapse before Ihey are once more able to. deliver commerciat-vehicle chassis.

The Leyland Fire.

• The circumstances of the employment of the new Leyland fire-engine recently delivered to the, Cherley Fire Brigade authorities are rather unique. Our readers will recall that a few weeks ago there was afire at the Leyland head works which gutted the paint shop, the trimming shop, and the general stores, and which, at one time, but for the very strenuous efforts of the brigade, appeared likely to result in much more disastrous damage. As it is, interference with the company's output has been reduced to very small proportions, and activity on the part of both the insurance authorities and the company's own staff has resulted in the necessary reconstruction being, taken in hand with much speed. • It is interesting to note, for example, that the whole of the stock of paint which was consumed in the fire was replaced within 12 hours of the commencement of the outbreak, and the trimmers and upholsterers were at. work again within three days. The illustration which we reproduce on this page shows the new Leyland 500. gallon standard motor fire pump outside the shops after the fire was extinguished. The machine was only delivered to the Chorley authorities at five o'clock on the day before the fire and very early in the ' following morning it received its first call, and its timely arrival undoubtedly materially helped to limit the spread of the flames, and it passed through its baptism of fire with dying colours..

Dilapidated Motors.

The damage that is done to highways by worn out motor vehicles is indicated by a report which the Highways Committee has presented to the Heston and Isleworth Urban District Council. The attention of the committee has been called to the damage which is being done to the paving on the main road from London through Hounslow by war department*-vebicIes believed to be en route for Slough, which have 'been seen passing through the town. Some of the lorries have wheels without rims and with short ends of spoke's protruding. Others are cars with no tyres fitted mid are drawn by lorries.Some are heavily laden lorries with flats on the wheels, causing vibration sufficient to damage the electric and gas mains.

The council is calling the attention of the Government to the damage. being caused by these " improperly constructed and dilapidated vehicles believed to be the property of the War Department."

Albion Tank Wagons.

The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., have secured an order to supply 20 motor oil tanks to the Scottish Oils, Ltd., the new company formed in connection with the purchase of the various Scottish oil companies by the'Anglo Bersia,n Oil Co. It will -be noted that the company propose to start on up-to-date and economical lines, the distribution throughout the country of the products of the variotis works.

German Motor Combine.

Three of the leading motor manufacturers headed by the Hansa-Lloyd Works at Bremen, a branch of the A.E.G. (Allgemeiue, Electricitits Gesellschaft, or General Electric Co.) have formed a combine to act as the nucleus of a large motor syndicate, and will start-on the new lines in October. The combine, which will include the well-known Brennabor works of Brandenburg and the National Motorcar Co., of Berlin, have adopted as their working policy, which they hope gradually to extend throughout Germany, the following precepts:—

. (1) Each factory shall produce the smallest number of types but the largest series of each type. • (2) All factories in the syndicate will introduce the most modern plant and methods "especially by the adoption of methods in which American factories have proved superior."

Auction Sales .in Scotland.

Wertie's Motors informus. that they

held. a large motorsale at the Wa'verley Market, dinburgh, recently; which was attended by aboiit. 5,000 people. • Something like 150 machines, including commercial vehicles, private cars and motorcycles were offered for sale.

Amongst the machines sold were a Lacre lorry, in good order, which fetched £250, and a. 3-ton Belsize 1916 lorry which realized £220. The sale preyed to have been one of the largest that have taken place in Great Britain with the exception of the Government sales. Another big sale is to take place in about three weeks' time, and catalogues will be forwarded on applica

Food Transport.

New.port Corporation is asking municipal authorities to support a request that the Government should arrange for the • more speedy clearance of food depots and more rapid conveyance of food by means of road transport,

New London Taxicabs.

In a few months the first batch of 1,000 new taxicabs to be made by William Beardmore and. Lo., Ltd., of Glasgow, will be put on to the London street. It is stated that the cabs will be turned out at the rate of 20 a week up to March. next, and 50 per week from then onwards. The first will be plying for hire within the next fortnight. They are stated to be an improved type and possess many ef the comforts of a private landaulet. The contract stipulates for the delivery of at least 250 of these by the end. of December, and the balance sill h completed in batches by Decem

ber, 1920. The cabs are being sold to owner-drivers at £650 each and the payments are to be spread over a. period of 3; years at the rate of £3 10s per reek,

Ford Windscreens. •

Users of Ford. vans will be interested to knowthat a special windscreen has recently been produced by Morris, Rinseli and Co..,Ltd., 163, Great Portland Street, W. 1, at the very reasonable price of £5 for the complete screen or £3 without the glass. These prices are now subject to 10 per cent. increase.

Fire Engine Prices. •

Although the He.ston and Isleworth Urban District Council have had tenders for a motor fire engine and escape, the Fire Brigade Committee has now decided to defer consideration of the matter for 12 months. The quotations were:— Dennis Bros., Ltd., £1,785; Merry. weather and Sons, £1,940, or £1,980 with Hatfield reciprocating pump in lieu of turbine pump; and Leyland Motors, Ltd., £1,985. The surveyor recommended a Mcrry weather engine. Dermis Bros. were out of the running because their engine is too large to be accommodated in the fii* station, the overall length being 29 ff.., whereas the engine room is 25 ft. in length.

Parcels by Tram in Aberdeen.

Parcels delivery by the Aberdeen Corporation tramways last year brought in a revenue of £670 compared with £594 the previous year. During the year, awing to the restrictions placed on motor and 'horse drawn vehicles, the department was approached, by the Road Transport Board toeindertake the delivery of all' light parcels tf•affic Within tthe' city boundaries, and arrangements were made accordingly, 'out, on the signing of the Armistice, the scheme was not proceeded with.

Rot ax .Do Well.

The following concerns, Lyon and Wrench, Ltd., Permans,Ltd., Lowe and 13rydone, Westminster Engineering Co., Ltd., and the Rota, Motor Accessories 'Co., Ltd., held their amalgamated 'sports on Saturday, September 13th, at the Paddington recreation ground. • A handsome challenge' cup, presented by the directors of the above concerns, was won for 12 months for the „RotaX Motor Accessories Co., Ltd., by W. Bentlett, of this company, who scored the highest number of individual points.

Local Proceedings.

Towcester R.D.C. is to spend £550 on the purchase of a motor tractor.

A motor fire combination to cast £1,680 is required by the Douglas T.C.

Rushden Ll.D.C, is to borrow £1,250 for the purchase of an electric , motor van.

Carshalton fr.D.C. has tinder consideration a proposal to purchase a motor lorry.

Newcastle C.C. 'proposes to ask for power to establish a motorbus service to Seaton Burn.

Motor transport is being introduced at the Morriatti Collieries of the South Moor Colliery Co.

llochdale Corporation Paving Committee has decided to pnechase a new motor street sweeper.

Paignton U.D.C. has securvl consent to raise a loan of £1,540 for the purchase of-a turbine fire engine.

The advisability of purchasing two mechanical tractors is being reported upon by the City Engineer of Dundee. •

afflictionto borrow £1,725 required for the purchase of a motor fire engine has been granted the... Lowestoft

A steam tractor and two tip wagons are to be purchased by the Tendr,ng Highways Committee .at a cost cif alarrin £1,500, The question of providing a. motor fire engine to serve both districts isonider consideration by the Newton Abbot U. and B.D.C.s.

Exeter C.C. has decided to purchase thee electric tractors for refuse collection at a cost of £1,304 each, and so save 2s. 7d. a ton on cartage.

'Aveling and Porter, Ltd., have tendered to the SevermaksR.D.O. at £2,562 6s. for the supply of two tractors, and at £859 19s. each for four wagons.

Clayton and Shuttleworth, Ltd., have just received an order from the Nottingham Corporation, Electricity Department, for-two .5-ton steam wagons fitted with mechanically-operated end tipping bodies. This order-is additional to that for two 5-tonners ordered in August last for the engineers department.

Orwells for Willesden.

Willesden Urban District Council has now .accepted the tender of Ransornes, sirns4and jefferies, Ltd.,-• for the supply of 11 electric vehicles. The electrical engineer has been authorized to interview the contractors at Ipswich for thetpurpose ofarranging the terms of .the penalty clause to be inserted in the contract in respect of non-delivery by the time stipulated. The Council has also requested the acting engineffland the electrical engineer to prepare and submit plans and estimates for the erection of a garage at Acton Lane substation to house the vehicles.

Albion Gift. .

As a memento of the important part played by Albion motor lorries in the war, the Albion Motor : Car-Co.,' Ltd. of Scotstoun, Glasgow. have presented a 40-in, model of their 3-ton lorry—the type largely used during the war---eto the South Kensington Museum London, and one to the Auatralian.Imperial Forces.


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