Answers to Queries.
Page 20
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Lectures to Chambers of Commerce.
[2229] (Northern Whig).—You are correct in your recollection. Our Editor did also lecture to members of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce. The list which was included in our second leading article of two weeks ago did not pia port to be a complete one.
Shall We Hire to Dublin ?
[2240] (Surrey).—You should find Guinness's proposition a paying one, and that the work includes ample protection, provided they made a contract with you for not less than six months. Of course, you must judge how you can manage to do without a machine in your own district. See, also, our special article on bublin in last week's issue.
Not Getting Out of the Way of Motorcars.
[2241] (Lincs.).—Any user of the highway who "calls" it from a vehicle in front of him must allow reasonable time for the vehicle to draw to one side. Unless obstruction is wilful, any impartial and fair bench of magistrates will not convict. On the other hand, if a tractor or other motor vehicle is making so much noise that an unduly-loud warning signal is necessary, or if no warning signal can be heard, the greater fault is usually held to be on the part of the owner or driver of the tractor or motor vehicle. Has your machine a mirror fitted to it, projecting from the canopy, or arranged in any convenient fashion? If not, we strongly recommend you to order and fit a light mirror of -the kind. Apply to the C.M.U.A.
A Char-a,bancs from a Limousine.
[2242] (Coast).—We are certainly of opinion that a converted high-powered pleasure car, which is six i years old, s never likely to give you economical service. The probability is that, if you lower the gear by altering the chain sprockets, you will have engineheating troubles. It is impossible for us to tell you what gear change you should make, in the absence of definite data in regard to the speed you get on the road with certain engine revolutions at the present time. Your quickest method, if you are determined to effect this alteration, would be to put on a smaller sprocket wheel. This is always an unsatisfactory mechanical modification, but it would effect your purpose of reducing the gearing. If you increase the back chain wheel, you will probably get into trouble owing to lack of clearance.
Only 50 Miles a Week.
[2213] (Carrier).—When you have lower mileages per day than those which are mentioned in our tables of normal costs, and when you are not able profitably to extend those mileages, you will have to take into account the fact that, whilst fuel, lubricants and tires increase but slightly, the incidence per mile of the fixed weekly charges, such as driver's wages, depreciation on capital and insurance, increases. You cannot hope to run 50 miles per week with a one-ton van at anything like so low a figure as 4d. per mile "all in." If you decide to get a good second-hand chassis, which you should certainly succeed in doing at a maximum figure of 2200, for a one-ton load, you might hope to get the " all in" cost down to 6d. per mile, and possibly lower if you do not want to carry so much as one ton. The strict running costs, i.e., fuel, lubricants, tires, insurance, and maintenance (including lighting), for a good second-hand one-ton van, even for a low mileage of about 50 per week, should not exceed 4d. per mile, but you have to add the appropriate figures under the other headings which are indicated in the tables. If you are in a position to put up the 2200, we think you would be taking a progressive course, and one which should prove satisfactory by reason of the new business which you would get in making the contemplated purchase.
C20 Standing on a Bridge to Take Water.
[2244] (Soke).—The regulations to which you refer are applicable to traction engines, under the Traction Engine Act of 1898. We think if you point this out to the local Superintendent of Police, and explain that your machine is not a traction engine but a heavy motorcar, there will be no fuither trouble.
Keeping Out Thieves.
[2245] (Builder).—The special casement windows, to which we recently made a reference, in which the frames pivot from their centres and not from hinges of ordinary pattern, are made by Messrs, -Wainwright and Waring, of Point Pleasant, Wandsworth, S.W. We happen to know that Messrs. Fordand Walton, builders, of 242, High Road, Kilburn, N.W. fitted these at the Roads Improvement Association daces.
Electric Shocks from Rubber-tired Steamers.
[2246] (Essex).—The static electrical charging of a steam wagon is a well-known phenomenon, and one of which we have frequently had experience ourselves-. So well is this known, that on certain rubber-tired steam wagons it is the custom of the drivers to trail a chain in order to maintain earth potential. Jump off, instead of getting down one leg at a time.
From a Prospective Contractor-Owner.
[2247] (Todmorden).—The prospects of success for anybody who purchases a motorvan, with a view to using it on contract work in a city like Manchester, depend upon the ability of the individual to get orders. A 15-cwt. van is on the small side for the purpose, and one with a capacity of at least 20 cwt. is recommended in preference. There is very little competition at the moment for work of this class, and for 30 cwt, loads, except at the hands of the big carrier& There should be no trade union interference of any kind. As a contractor, you will require to charge not less than 50 per cent. per mile run above the costs which are shown in our tables. If you work out the total cost for any particular job on the basis of total mileage, you can get a rate per ton by calculation. You will not be allowed to use the van for passengers, except at the sacrifice of exemption in respect of half the petrol tax, and at the cost of paying either 22 17s. or 23 38s. per annum for hackney-carriage licences.