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Commer Cars and Albions in Singapore.

4th July 1912, Page 8
4th July 1912
Page 8
Page 8, 4th July 1912 — Commer Cars and Albions in Singapore.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

From Our Own Correspondent.

A combination of embarrassments, arising out of the inadequacy of its present means, is driving 81ngapore Municipality towards a complete conversion of its .transport services—complete so far as that is possible, and a biggish. scheme is under cons.deration. There has been, for one thing, rinderpest among the bullocks employed in drawing refuse-carts off the streets, and this important work has been neglected. The public has raised its voice in complaint, other elements of dissatisfaction have become pressing, and the Commissioners have decided, as the only solution, to institute mechanical transport. From the many types available, they have not yet decided which to select. At the moment the settlement awaits the recommendation of the Engineer. His idea is to have vehicles fitted with small cranes, to lift bins from the roadside and empty them into a truck of about five tons' capacity. But the point still in question in his mind is whether steam or petrol-driven cars would be the more suitable to the requirements. The Engineer himself informed me that he was inclined to favour steam-propelled vehicles, but I believe the case for petrol motors still has its attractions for the powers that be. In all, some ten cars will be wanted, and as the matter is rather urgent no time will be lost in coming to a decision.

Motor Watering-carts.

The same municipality has had some experience of steam cars. Several of them have been in use on road works for some years past, and these, at present, are being pressed into the service of the sanitary department for the removal of the street refuse. On the other hand, it is only a few weeks since the municipality introduced its petrol motors. They are Commer Cars, fitted up as road-waterers. Two of the Bridgwater-type chassis have been acquired, with tanks capable of holding 800 gallons of water. The water-sprinkling attachments are built exactly to the same specifications as those of two similar vehicles which have given great satisfaction in Penang for the last two years or so, The apparatus is worked by a chain drive connected with the back axle, and the water, instead of having direct access to the sprinklers from the tanks, is passed through an intermediate water-box, perforated, which causes an even distribution of the liquid among the veins of the sprinkler. 80 far as the actual capabilities of the :vehicles are concerned, the municipality has got all it asked for. At the tests, one of the cars was driven at a speed of six miles an hour and, with both sprays working, a road-surface measuring approximately 40 ft. across was efficiently watered. But, at that rate, the tank was emptied in three-quarters of a mile. That has obvious disadvantages in a district where hydrants may be few and far between, and, knowing local conditions, I fancy the municipality would be better served by 1200-gallon tanks. Apart from that, the gearing of the sprinkler is open to discussion. As it stands, the rate at which the water is ejected is regulated by the pace of the car. That, I presume, was not reckoned with when the Cornmissioners adopted the Penang models, but it seems evident that the gearing arraiwrnents could have been improved to enable the sprinkler to work more independently of the car, so that the sprays might be operated at high speed while the car was running its slowest, or vice versa.

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In passing, t might be mentioned that these cars were three months overdue before they arrived here. This is touching, more or less, on the complaint already thrashed out in the columns of Tin CoatMERCIAL MOTOR—the complaint that manufacturers are slow to execute orders from the Colonies. It is not necessary to enlarge on the subject, as the municipal people accepted with a good grace the excuse that the recent strikes were responsible. Still, the point may be worth mention.

Transport Vehicles.

The sort of testimonial a manufacturer likes, one may guess, is a repeat order. Apropos this, the circumstances of art order just sent home from Singapore are of some interest. Serang Eusope, an Arab contractor who does a very large proportion of the transport of goods from the wharves to the town, experimented in motor transport, first of all with a threeton Commer Car. It was altogether satisfactory, but his next purchase was a car of anoth'n• make. Now, the necessities of his business and the experience with motors create a demand for more vehicles—bullocks being dispensed with by degrees. He himself was inclined_ to get more chain-driven Commer Cars, but the choice was not decided till—I believe my information is correct— the Dock Board (a Government annexe), from which he gets his contract, made the choice for him, the Board's interest lyingin the fact that it was supporting him in the enterprise. So an order has gone Home for three Commer Cars. And, when circumstances permit, I understand the Serang will have a larger order to pace somewhere or other, but probably with the same makers.

The demand for goods vehicles out here is one which promises to make early and big strides. The trade should be closely watched by all manufacturers.

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Organisations: Dock Board

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