Answers to Queries.
Page 20
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, Charges for 50-cwt. Lorry.
[4247] (Brisket).—The charge of 1s. per mile for a 30-cwt. lorry should -be based upon the total mileage, both loaded and light—in your case, 60 miles a day. if' youthink your customer will object to paying for the mileage to and from his place of business, you had better charge, say, Is. 2id. per mile run on a 50tulle basis, thus covering the light running in the rate.
Petrol Licence for Coal Delivering.
[4248] (Taffy).—You had better try to obtain a certificate from the local superintendent of police, to the effect that delivery is of urgent national importance. When he has got that, send it on to the Secretary, Horne' Office, S.W., asking him to endorse it. You might then be able to persuade the Petrol Control Committee ;Jo accept the opinion of another Government Department.
A Non-skid Device.
[4249] (B.E.F.).—We have carefully examined the model and drawings of yeuraion-skid, and regret that
• we cannot recommend you to go to any further ex
pense with this device. It is very ingenious, and would probably achieve the object for which it is designed. There are, however, a great number of pin joints in it, and these, when exposed to contact with mud; road grit, etc., would wear rapidly. Supposing, on the other hand, that you -made these pins larger, providing good bearing surfaces, the weight of the device would then put it out of court for all practical
050.
Rubberine.
[4250] (Drinkwater).—With regard to Rubberine, this has proved to be, in the majority of cases which have come under our notice, a satisfactory filling ; occasional instances in which we have heard of trouble developing being, as a rule, those in which the tires have been, from some cause or other, inadequately filled. These are very infrequent. The material is satisfactory in use, and will enable you to run your tires for lengthy periods: You must bear, in mind that an accident such as the penetration of the cover by a sharp piece of flint, or a piece of glass of sufficient strength to pierce it, will have the effect of loosening the Rubberine content and allowing it to exude. You must also, bear in mind that for a renewal of the filling it is necessary to send the wheel to the works. Such renewal, however, is accomplished -with the minimum of delay, except in special and unusual circumstanced: Ftiden or National for Three-ton Loads.
[4251] (Diamond).—Several of the questions put in your letter of the 25th inst. will be better answered direct by the manufacturers, either Fodens, Ltd., of Sandbadh, or the National Steam Car Co., Ltd., Chelmsford. As regards the comparative economy, it is practically impossible to say, owing to the fact that the Nationalcoke fuel motor has not been on the market long enough for any data to be obtainable coricernifigar running costs. Reference to our costs sheet enclosed will give you the runningecosts of a Foden ; for present conditions, it is advisable to add 25 per cent, to these figures, which are based on prewar. costs. With a Foden it ie usual to take in water about once every 20 miles : a longer run can be accomplished, at a pinch, without replenishment. The National Steam Co.'s machine, which is fitted with a condenser whereby steam is condensed and returned to the boilers, will, of course, run much longer than this. No reliable figures as to capital costs are available now, owing to War conditions ; you would no doubt be able to obtain an estimate from the companies concerned if you were to ask them.
056 A Military Service Query.
[4232] (Of Age).—We have mailed direct the list of certified occupations, as that will save you time. You are in a certified occupation, provided you are working for a trade which is also certified. This will evidently depend on your 'confining yourself to war-service jobs. You can.put in an appeal within fourteen days of receiving the calling-up notice.
Tramcar Enthusiast.
[4253] (Burns).—The large L.C.C. tramcars carry 78 passengers seated-30 inside, 48 outside. The trailers carry 48 people seated, but we do not know the exact distribution. Under war conditions the crowding of both the tramcars and trailers is excessive. You will, of course, recall that trailers are only allowed on the south side of the river, except along the Embankment. An extra 20 people often stand on each deck of a large car. The trailers are also overfilled.
Cast and Mild Steel Expansions.
[4254] (Constructor).—We cannot find any definite information as to the difference of behaviour under heat between steel and cast steel. The coefficient for cast iron is .00000556 per degree F., that for steel is .00000636 per degree F. This would work out to a difference of .001 of the original length for cast iron, and .001145 of the original length in steel, as the increase for a rise of temperature of IOU degrees Centigrade. The figure for east steel cannot vary appreciably from the figure for mild steel.
Light Van.
[4255] (Agent).--We believe the light van to which you refer is that known as the " Girling," which was marketed until recently by the Fiat Co., Ltd., of Wembley. Unfortunately, this vehicle is not, so far as we are aware, now being manufactured. Another one, which is giving good service, we 'believe, and is of a similar type, is the "Warrick," manufactured by John Warrick and Co. 402, Edgware Road, W., and 143, Fulham Road, S.W. You may care to get into communication with them yourselves if you are sufficiently interested.
Two-ton Hire Charges.
[42561 (Knot).—You should obtain about is. 2d. per mile rim, adding light and loaded mileage together, for the vehicle, with a load varying from 30 cwt. to 2 ton, subject-to its being possible to do work extending to a minimum of 50 miles per day. If the mileage is lower than that, as appears to be the case in the work which you describe, you should obtain "a higher mileage rate—say 1s. 4d. in respect of only 30 miles a day. Having regard, however, to the fact that the work" appears to involve long shifts—about 1111 hours per dray—it would be preferable to base your rates on time, charging a stated sum per hour, so as to bring the revenue per day up to a minimum of £2 100. We should suggest that a fair charge for the work would he at least 218 per week, on the information submitted.
Wants an Agrimotor.
[4257] (Agrarian).—In reply to your inquiry, we think you might address the following ;— The Daimler Motor Co., Ltd., Coventry. Saunderson and Mills, Ltd., Elstow Works, Bed ford.
Petters and no., Ltd:, Yeovil. Wyles Motor Ploughs, Ltd., 5, Carr Street, Man chester.
John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd., Steam Plough and Locomotive Works, Leeds. Crawley Agricultural Motor Co., Ltd., Martin's Cultivator Co., Ltd., Lincolnshire Iron works, atairiford, Lincs. Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd., Gainsborough. Ivel Agricultural Motors, Ltd., Biggleswa.de, Beds.