Motorbus, World.
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Apropos the larger illustration on page 551, there is no question that the institution of fixed stopping-places for motorbuses ,should reduce maintenance costs. On the other hand, unless these points were fixed fairly close together, which would defeat other objects in view, revenue would certainly fall off along routes where competitive methods of transport offered. It is the ability of the passenger to take or leave a motorbus at any spot which gives that vehicle a unique claim upon the public.
Mr. E. Peirson, of Coventry, has. been appointed receiver and manager of the Coventry Motor Omnibus Company, Limited.
Sir Edgar Speyer is of opinion that shareholders in London railway companies must expect hard times in view of competition with tramcars and motorbuses.
Efforts are being made by the Stone.. ferry and Wilmington Ratepayers' Association, Hull, of which Mr. H. J.
1,300 Rhead is Secretary, to secure the institution of motorbus services in that neighbourhood. It will be remembered that the Hull Corporation has.
1,200 already declined to grant licenses for
motorbuses, but hopes appear to be entertained that this difficulty will be removed.
Perturbation at Leyton.
At the meeting of the Leyton District Council, on the 23rd ultimo, the Tramways Committee reported having given instruction for notices to be posted on the train routes to urge
SOO ratepayers in their own interest to travel by the tramcars instead of motor omnibuses. It was mentioned that the Corporation of the adjoining district of %Vest IIam was in accord with this action.
goo .; Ilawtenstall's Action.
A civil action, arising out of the accident to a Rawtenstall motorbus, which we reported in our issue of the 30th July, roo8, has been occupying the attention of the Lord Chief Justice in the Civil Court at the Manchester Assizes. It will be remembered that the vehicle, when travelling outside the area of the Borough of Rawtenstall, and when loaded with members of the Bury and District Water Board on a tour of inspection of their reservoirs, got out of control in descending a hill. One of the occupants, a Mr. Joseph Perkin, of the Radcliffe District Council, claimed damages. The defence was that, under the Rawtenstall Corporation Act of 1937, the Corporation had no power to run the buses outside the Borough, whereas the place at which the accident happened was outside the Borough. Hence, it was contended, the Corporation could not be responsible in law for the damage that was done. It was also pleaded that the parties who hired the vehicle were themselves responsible for the accident, in that they took it over precipitous roads with steep gradients, instead of over the main road. Evidence was called to show that the brakes on the vehicle were not in proper order or adjustment, and counsel for the defendant Corporation intimated that he did not think he could further contest that part of the case. 'Counsel also intimated that he did not wish the question as to the hiring to go to the jury, which was thereupon +discharged.
The Lord Chief Justice stated that he would hear arguments on the point of law at a later date, but that it would be an advantage if the parties would, in the meantime, consider a ease in which the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company was concerned. That company used to let steamboats run on excursions when its statutory authority only allowed it to run them in connection with train services, but it had been held that the company might so use its vessels on the theory of the utilisation of surplus power. It was intimated that the damages agreed upon, subject to the point of law, were Death at the Wheel.
The intense cold in Paris during the past week has been responsible for a number of deaths in that city. Amongst the victims, last Thursday, was the driver of a motorbus. Ile was taken ill, while his machine was travelling at a good speed ; he had just managed to pull the vehicle up, by the application of the brakes, when he fell dead from his scat.
Road Traction Engineers.
On Monday, the 1st instant, Mr. J. Witch Wilson gave a very interesting series of demonstrations of the various methods of testing oils for specific gravity, viscosity and flash
point before the above Society. :1 comprehensive range of testingpparatus was exhibited and explained. Mr. Witch Wilson's remarks were in the nature of an addendum to his previous lecture on ' The Oils of Commerce," which he delivered before the Society on the 15th ultimo. We hope to deal fully with the subject of this further discou*se on testing apparatus in our nekt4Sue.
The Highways Committee of the L.C.C. proposes shortly to consider the advisability of the Council's exercising its right to purchase that part of the London United Tramway system which is situated in the borough of Hammersmith; this portion is 5-A miles long.
Theatrical Touring by helaudslays.
We are requested by Mr. A. Maynard Rowland, of the Maudslay Motor Company, to point out that the motorbus and motor lorry, which are being employed by the " Dolly Reforming Herself " theatrical touring company, and both of which we illustrated in our last issue, are Maudslay vehicles. Further reference to these machines would have been made, in conjunction with the illustrations, had we not been so pressed for space on that occasion. The fact that the vehicles are Maudslays was, however, self evident, in view of the distinctive bonnet and other features of these excellent machines.
We are informed that the Maudslav works at Coventry are very busy, and that orders are coming in freely.