Answers to Queries.
Page 18
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The Road Board's Offices.
[1,659] " GREAT NORTHERN " writes :—" We wish to communicate with Col. R. E. Crompton, CB., member of the New Road Board, but we do not know his present official address. Would you please oblige us with it ? "
ANSWER.—The temporary offices of the Road Board are at 4, Cowley Street, Westminster, S.W. As a matter of fact, Col. Crompton is the consulting engineer—not a member of the Board.
Traction-Engine Permits.
[1,660] " H.P." writes :—" Please inform me the names of the authorities in the United Kingdom which are entitled to issue daily permits for traction trains."
ANSWER.—We are sending your letter to the Secretary of the Traction Engine Owners and Users' Association, as we have no specific information by us with regard to traction engines. You will be aware that we specialize in heavy motor vehicles and tractors which comply with the Motor Car Acts, and for which no permits are needed.
Mutel Engines.
[1,661] " ENGINEER " writes :—" Re Query No. 1,651, in your issue of 14th July-1 should be extremely obliged if you would let me know where the Mutel engines referred to can be seen, or particulars of same obtained, as I am requiring a cheap second-hand engine suitable for a bus."
ANSWER.—The address you require is probably Mutel et Cie., 124, rue Saint-Charles, Paris, but we are unable to tell you from whom our correspondent " Seaside" (Query No. 1,651) has had an offer of Mutel engines. Mutel engines at low prices have been advertised for some weeks in this journal by Brown's, of 12, Bull Ring, Birmingham.
About Taximeters.
[1,662] " AMERICAN VISITOR writes :—" How many taximeters of the different kinds are in use in London, Paris and Berlin ? Which gives the most information to a party using the taxicab? What are the requirements of Scotland Yard respecting a taximeter? "
.k.Nswisa.—You can get a copy of the requirements of Scotland Yard with respect to taximeters, by writing to the Commissioner of Police. The Bruhn taximeter, which is made by Bruhn's Taximeters, Ltd., of 245, Gray's Inn Road, W.C., and the Aron, which is made by the General Electric Co., of 88, Salusbury Road, Kilburn, are typical examples of London-used taximeters. and you may be able to get information from the companies. We have not by us detailed information on your other queries.
Carriage-Tax Points.
[1,663] " MERCHANTS " (further to No. 1,655) write :— " We thank you for your answer. Row would the matter be affected should our travellers at any time take up a customer to our show rooms for the purpose of selecting materials? This very often occurs. Another point ; our travellers are also asked to take a customer who has more than one job, from one to the other. We hope we are not putting you to much trouble in this matter, and thank you in anticipation of your reply."
ANSWER.—All similar eases taken before the Courts have been settled against the owner, and the InlandRevenue officials appear to find it possible to prove that a vehicle has not been used " solely in the course of trade or husbandry" without much difficulty. We think that you will be well advised to take out the carriage licences, but we shall be pleased to give a final opinion if you can lend to us for inspection photographs of the box vehicles.
L1,6641 " GARAGE " writes :—" Could you kindly give me a recipe for a good tire paint—one that will not wash off in rain, will prevent wet getting into a tire, and also will not be harmful to the tire? "
A Tire Paint Wanted.
ANSWER .—We have no recipe by us. A tire paint, which is used to a considerable extent is that known as the " W.P.M.," and we believe this can be obtained from Gamage's. Almost any motor-accessory dealer will be found to stock a special preparation for this purpose. If not found locally, try W. H. Willcox or Brown Bros.
Tractors to Roll Down "Scrub."
[1,665] "WESTERN AUSTRALIA writes Would you kindly send me prices and catalogue of Colonel Crompton's Military Tractor. We want to get an idea of cost of tractor, price of sending out to W.A., etc. We thought of using one for -rolling down scrub, ploughing, and transporting goods by road. If they are a success, there would be a considerable demand for them in our district, where hundreds of acres of scrubby land have recently been selected."
ANSWER.—Colonel Crompton has not yet made arrangements to manufacture his tractor, but we shall ask him to see that a communication is sent to you as soon as it is possible. We are sending direct to you a copy of an issue in which certain tractor tests are recorded.
An American "Tire Grip."
[1,666] " UNITED STATES write :—"We are manufacturing a tire grip for the solid type of tire, and, as we expect to do some business in your country, we will appreciate any information regarding the form of device that you use for this purpose. In this country, we have the only device that has ever been successfully used. We are taking out English patents, and, if there is any information you can give us regarding the competition we may expect in London, or information as to just what the truck users are doing to secure traction in mud and snow, we will appreciate it very much."
ANSWER.--We take it that what you mean by a "tire grip" is some form or other of stirrup which clamps round the outside of an ordinary solid or pneumatic tire? The Parsons non-skid chain has achieved some measure of success in England. So far as skidding in mud or snow, or on ice, is concerned, most of the tire makers manufacture special forms of non-skid covers, in which grooves of various shapes are embodied in the rubber. Non-skid metallic-studded covers are also used for this purpose very extensively. They are universal on taxicabs for use on one or more wheels of each vehicle. So far as the skidding of heavier solid-tired trucks is concerned, users are, after the trial of a very-great number of devices, satisfying themselves with the twin solid-rubber tires on the back wheels. The markedly-increased skill of vehicle drivers in this country, and especially on the paved thoroughfares of the Metropolis, has done much to eliminate the danger of side-slip. The law in this country does not permit the use of a rigid tire which presents other than a smooth surface -to the surface of the road, although such variants of this practice, as the " studded tire, various forms of block rubber tires and, in some instances, the use of metallic-studded gaiters are not uncommon upon resilient tires.
Amongst the keenest seekers for an efficient non-skid device are the various fire brigade authorities, who are now commencing to employ motor appliances on a large scale all over the country.
Snow-shoes of several patterns have been tried upon steel-tired lorries, such as the Goodwin device (Kidderminster) and the Spurrier (Leyland). We are sending references to these devices to you separately.