Answers to Queries.
Page 17
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request tor privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks.
The Basis of Railway Goods Rates.
[1,713] "NORTH BRITALN " writes :—" Would you be so kind as to inform me where I could procure the different rates for carrying the various classes of goods, per ton-. mile. I want this information to enable me to form a basis of charges in running a fleet of commercial vehicles. I am told that the railway companies have a goods rate book, but am unable to get hold of one here."
ANSWER.--The best book for you to purchase is that known as "'Railway Maximum Rates, Charges, and Traffic Acts," by M. B. Cotsworth. It is priced at 10s. 6d. net, and is published by Bemrose and Sons, Ltd., Derby.
Taxicab Tickets.
[1,714] ' LANCASTELE GATE writes:.--" Kindly give me the address of the Rogers recording machine mentioned on page 145 of a recent issue in connection with Vancouver taximeters, or if you can give me the patent number that will do. I wish to see what it does."
ANswan.—The inventor of the Rogers recording machine is Mr. F. Heron Rogers, of Broad Sanctuary Chambers, Westmin.ster, S.W. This instrument, which is a mostinteresting one, was fully described in the issue of this journal for the 30th December, 1909, under the title ".Taxicab tickets." We regret to state that number is out of print.
Percentage of Work Done.
1,715] " MANAGING Donseroa " writes :—" I notice in a commercial-vehicle hirer's log sheet an entry percentage of work done.' Assthis is information I would like the weekly log sheet of my company to include, I would be very glad if You can tell me how this percentage is arrived at in practice. Is it, say: if four vehicles are owned, each capable on paper of a weekly mileage of 400 miles, then 400 x 0 is equal to 2,400 miles, which would mean 100 per cent, work done ? "
A xsw ER.-The significance of the statement to which you refer is as you surmise. The percentage of work done applies only to vehicle-miles accomplished, and does not take into account any failure to get. a load, as in many eases this is not due in any way to any lack of efficiency in the motor, but to outside causes over which the driver of the machine has no control. The; figure is a test. of the running organization, and not of the traffic department.
Touring-car or Commercial Chassis?
11,716] " STORES " writes :—" I am thinking of getting a van, for hawking country districts, to carry about 15 cwt, to one ton. What power would you advise? Is there any revenue tax to pay on a van for this purpose?
" I have been offered a 12 h.p. Panhard (four cylinders and four speeds and reverse), with solids on rear wheels and pneumatics on front : can you tell me if this is a converted touring car, or have Panhards made van chassis of this description? The dealers who offer it say it is not a converted touring chassis, but I have my doubts on the matter and do not think a converted touring chassis could stand 200 miles a week in all weathers—do you?"
ANSWER.— If you never use the vehicle in question for a trip of a private nature, you will not have to pay any carriage tax, hut, if you were to give a friend a. lift, that would technically render you liable, if you were discovered by an officer of the Inland Revenue.
Without more information about the chassis which yon mention, we cannot say whether it is of the tourinc_r-car or the commercial-vehicle type, as Messrs. Ponhard and Levassor have built both classes in past years. Such a chassis, if of the touring-car type, would not satisfactorily carry the load you mention. London Motor-mail Contractors.
[1,717] " MERCHANTS " write :—" We should feel obliged if you could inform us what type of motor is used by the General Post Office, and who are the suppliers of such vehicles. Also will you furnish us with the names of some of the contractors for these vehicles."
ANSWER.—The General Post Office owns only a few vehicles, but it uses large numbers through contractors. We presume that you refer to mail vans. The list of contractors to the G.P.O. includes the following representative Companies:—
Leyland Motors, Ltd., 86, Strand, W.C.
McNamara and Co., Ltd., Castle Street, Finsbury, E.C. Milnes-Daimler, Ltd., 221, Tottenham Court Road, W. Thomas Tilling, Ltd., Winchester House, Peckham, S.E.
Petrol-electric Vehicles.
[1,718] " CHANCERY LANE " writes:—" About. two years ago I attended a meeting, at the Hotel Cecil, which was held by the Society of Motor Omnibus Engineers, and at which meeting the Hart-Durtnall, the B.T.FI., and other petrol-electric schemes were discussed. I was particularly interested in the criticism put forward by Mr. B. Hopps, and I would esteem it a favour if you could inform me in which number of your journal any report of this meeting or any discussion which may have followed thereon was given. Also, does this society still exist? "
ANSWER.--The paper and discussion to which you refer was reported in our issues of the 31st January, 7th February, 21st February, and the 7th March, 1907. These are out of print. You might be able to get additional information from Mr. W. P. Durtnall, of 11, Bush Lane, Cannon Street, E.G., or refer to the files at the Patent Office library. Mr. Bernard Hopps went out of the petrol-electric business about a couple of years ago. The society named was, we believe, wound up a short time ago; in any event, it is not active. This journal was not identified with it during the last year or two of its career.
Taxicab for an Owner-driver.
" CENTRE " writ-es:—" I am thinking of buyiug a taxicab and driving it myself in —, hoping to earn a living by doing so. If you will advise me on the following. I shall be extremely obliged: horse-power ; make ; taxes ; where to apply for licence if there is any test or certificate to be obtained before the officials will grant a licence ; and average price of buying new taxicab. I want to know, too, about a Wolseley."
ANSWER.—You should get particulars of their standard taxicab models from—
Mors (England), Ltd., 45, Great Marlborough Street, London, W.
Belsize Motors, Ltd., Clayton, Manchester.
S. F. Edge, Ltd. (Napier), 14, New Burlington Street, W.
Sturmey Motors, Ltd., 232, Widdrington Road, Coventry.
You will have to secure a licence for your machine from the police authorities in —, as well as a driver's hackneycarriage licence from the same source; you will have to satisfy them that you are a competent driver. etc. Th. Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Co., Ltd., of Aclderley Park. Birmingham, has supplied a large number of machines to a London company, and to the Provincial Motor Cab Co. We are unaware that this company is now producing a special motoreab model. The Wolseley is a first-class machine. The price of a good motorcab may be anythine over 2350.