WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs.''—John Beattie Crozier,
Motor Coach Owners' Conference.
In view of the success which attended the conference of char -a-ba nes owners at last year's Commercial Motor Show, the Commercial Motor Users Association has arranged to hold another conference in the Old Grill Room, Olympia, London, W. (immediately on the left, of Addison Road entrance), on Wednesday, October 19th, at 6 p.m., to discuss current topics, particular railway company action, and a defence and propaganda fund. All char-a-banes owners and others interested in this branch of the industry are invited to be present.
A New Book for Ford Users.
An entirely new handbook of special interest to Ford can owners and drivers has just been issued by Temple Press Ltd., 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C. The later models of Fords have a complete electric lighting, starting, and ignition equipment, and the most efficient and economical results can only be obtained from it by having a working knowledge of the construction, arrangement, and maintenance of the various electrical appliances. The title of the new work is " The Book of the Ford Electrical Equipment," by R. T. Nicholson, M.A., the author of the well-known "Rook of the Foi:d " and "The Book of the Ford Van."
Stated briefly, the object of the book is to tell the Ford driver all he needs to know about the construction, use and maintenance of the Ford electrical equipment in simple, non-technical language. A considerable section deals with tests and location of faults, and describes the remedies for them. It is an indispensable companion book to "The Book of the Ford." There are 18 chapters. The book is fully illustrated. The price is 3s. 3d. post 'free.
A Thornycroft on Trial.
A Thornycroft B.T. type lorry was recently submitted to a test conducted by the Royal Automobile Club with the object of demonstrating the petrol, oil, and water consumption and general reliability of the vehicle.
The total unladen weight of the vehicle with body was 3 tons 2 qrs. (front axle 1 ton 5 cwt. 1 qr. 14 lb., back axle 1 ton 15 cwt. 14 lb.). The total load, including three persons, 2 tons 6 cwt. 14 lb., so that the total running weight of the vehicle was 5 tons 6 cwt. 2 qrs. 14 lb. The total distance covered by the trial was 1,260 miles over a route from London to Land's End, thence to Edinburgh and back to London, the trial occupying 10 days. The engine ran on petrol, and no coasting was done whilst descending hills, the average speed during running time being only 15.9 m.p.h.
The consumption was 1 gallon of fuel per 13 miles, equivalent to 69.3 tonmiles per gallon; the amount of oil consumed was 1 gallon per 504 miles; no water was added clueing the trial, and the total amount to be replaced at the conclusion of the trial was 1 gallon.
016 Except ler dirt im the petrol cock and the consequent .dismantling of the carburetter and petrol piping, no work was doneson the vehicle throughout the trial.
Prosperous Municipal Char-abancs Garage.
As a result of the takings during the last summer at the Llangollen Council's garage for motor coaches, the rates, it is announced, will be relieved by 4d. in the pound. Despite the opening of many large garages last spring m the town' the receipts from this source are only £100 lower than last year.
Dunlop Reductions.
A circular was issued on Saturday last to the holders of stock of Dunlop tyres, announcing that the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., were, as from October 1st, making a reduction in the price of solid tyres, which would amount to about 10 per cent., the reduction in the price of pneumatic tyres being, in some cases, 25 per cent. .
1,000 Miles Non-stop.
Commencing to-day. (Tuesday), the R.A.C. is conducting a road trial of 1,000 miles of an S-type single-deck motor omnibus, capable of carrying 40 passengers, entered for trial by the Associated Equipment Co., .Ltd., Walthamstow. An interesting feature of the trial is that the vehicle is running continuously day and night, stopping only for replenishing fuel, etc., and changing drivers and observers, but it is not intended to stop the engine during the progress of the trial. The bus carries a load, of passengers and makes a series of journeys to and from London timed to occupy about eight hours each.
Motor Coach Shopping Trips.
With commendable enterprise, A. 1.4 Gamage, Ltd., of London, have arranged special char-a-bancs services in connection with their autumn clearance sale, which commenced yesterday (Monday). These shopping expeditions up-todate are being started on a limited basis, but should they prove successful they are capable of great expansion. The scheme provides for a. char-a-bancs service from nine distinct towns—Bedford, Kettering, Reading, Eastbourne, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Guildford, Oxford and Winchester—direct to Gamage's; a table d'hôte luncheon at the company's preraisee and the journey home again at a fixed and very reasonable figure. The prices of the tickets covering both journeys are 4s. from Guildford, 5s. from Maidstone, Bedford, Reading and Tunbridge Wells, Sc. from Oxford, and 8s. 6d. from Eastbourne, Kettering and Winchester. Compare these prices with the cost of the railway Journey, plus a luncheon in town, and the advantages will be obvious.
• Big Dennis Reductions.
Dennis Bros., Ltd, of Guildford, have decided, by a drastic writing down of their stock to a figure very much under cost, to supply their chassis at the following prices, as from. October let :— Today's nsioestan., 2-4 ton standard Price. 1921. lorry chassis ... £730 £997 2-2l ton long cbar-h banes chassis ... £750 £1007 3-1-4 ton lorry chassis £850 £1180. 4-4 ton char-a-banes
chassis ... £880 11190 4 ton long wheelbase omnibus chassis ... £950 11300 5-6 ton lerry chassis £960 £1330
Import Duty on Motor Vehicles.
The general secretary of the C.M.U.A. wishes to draw attention to the importance of giving notice to the local sur-veyor of Customs and Excise of the transfer of any motor vehicle which was imported free of duty. If this is nob done, the authorities may claim the amount of the duty from the person making the transfer. The view of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise is that a motor veehicle which has been imported duty free may not be used as an omnibus or char-i-bancs.
Paris has started an all-night public conveyance service at a charge of 1 franc 50 centimes for each passenger.
Carter, Paterson and Co. reduced their rates of carriage as from October let in the hope that this contribution to the reduction of the cost of living would assist to some extent in the revival of business.
The president-elect of the Institute of Transport is Sir Henry. P. Maybury, K.C.M.G., C.B. He will give his presidential address on Monday, Oct. 17th, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Great George Street, Westminster.
The Tram's Lament.
A speaker at the closing conference of the Municipal Tramways Association referred to on page 222 of this issue, said that London tramways had had to pay £820,000 on widening roads over which omnibuses ran in competition with the tramcars, and that they had also had to pay £140,000 on the permanent way, where omnibuses paid nothing. The reasoning is not quite logical. The roads before widening were not suitable for tramcar traffic, which fermis to monopoi use, to a very great extent, -one half of a four-vehicle roadway. The monopoly is very complete during those periods, only too frequent, when the trams have broken down or the whole service along a road is held up by some obstruction which the rail-bound trams are unable to get past. As to the contributions to road maintenance (for, of course, other traffic cannot he expected to bear the cost, or even part thereof, of permanent-way maintenance), we were under the impresmon that each omnibus in London was taxed to the extent of £84 per annum for this very purpose.
Testing a Saurer.
During the early days of September a Sourer lorry (type 2AD) was entered for trial by the Royal Automobile Club, the object being to demonstrate the petrol, oil and water consumption, general reliability, and action of the engine brake.
The total weight of the vehicle (unladen) with body was 3 tons 4 cwt. 1 qr. (front axle 1 ton 11 cwt., hack axle 1 ton 13 cwt. 1 qr.). The average load was 2 tons 13 cwt. 3 qr. 19 lb., and the average total running weight was 5 tons 18 cwt. 19 lb. The route taken covered a distance of 4414 miles, and was from London to Exeter, then through North Devon and back to London. The fuel used was a mixture of equal parts of motor spirit and benzole, The lorry did not coast when descending hills, the average speed (running time only) being 11.8 m.p.h.
The fuel consumed was 1 gallon per 9.7 miles, equivalent to 67.4 ton-miles per gallon. The oil consumed was 1 gallon per 883 miles, whilst approximately one pint Of water was replaced at the conclusion of the trial. No work was done throughout the trial beyond replenishment, and there were no involuntary'stops of any kind. With the exception of braking caused by traffic, no brake other than the engine brake was used throughout the trial, including the ,hills in North Devon of Lynton, Paraicombe and Porlock,
A Nottingham Parade.
Although a long time has elapsed since a branch of the Commercial Motor Users Association was established in Nottingham, nothing in the way of outward display indicative of the value of the work had been seen until Saturday, when the first public parade of vehicles was held on the Victoria Embankment, the city's spacious river-side esplanade. The long absence of any function of a public character must not, however, be taken as indicating any inertness upon the part of the Nottingham auxiliary of the national organization, invaluable executive work in. tbe interest of motor users having been accomplished in the area of which_ the metropolis of the lace industry is the centre.
The parade was made up of 160 vehicles of diverse descriptions, in which petrol-driven machines predominated. In the arrangements fOr prize giving adequate regard was paid to the safety test, as well as to that relating to efficiency of mechanical equipment, with the result that awards were made to drivers for the longest continuous service with particular firms and for those who had been free from accidents or licence endorsements for the longest period. We hope to give a fuller account of this parade next week.
Cardiff Motorbuses.
A report on the financial results of the running of the Cardiff motorbuses has recently been made to the Tramways Department by the City Treasurer. It shows that from December 30th, 1920 (when they started running), to March 31st of this year (the first experimental period of three months), passenger fares amounted to £2.301; the running and general expenses amounted to £2,821, and when loan charges amounting to £430 are added, there is a total deficiency for the period ef £978.
A large order for Karrier lorries has just been placed by the Co-operative Wholesale Society, while the City of York has taken delivery of a 5 ton three-way tipping wagon for road construction and general use.
Personal Pars.
We are able to reproduce a photograph of Mr. P. Ellison, M.LM.E., the general manager and engineer of the Motor Omnibus Department of the County Borough of Eastbourne. 111r. Ellison has been responsible for the 'Eastbourne fleet since August, 1906, and, having brought to the solution of his problem an engineering knowledge, and also a knowledge of public-service operation acquired during his period of service under the Leeds Corporation, has made a distinct success at Eastbourne, and there enjoys the confidence of the whole of the council and Tramways department. lie is himself an enthusiastic motorist, and the other day showed us a particularly well-kept Mercedes car, which he has had for a number of years. At the time we saw the vehicle; it was being driven by Miss Ellison, his daughter, who is the champion lady swimmer of Eastbourne.
Sir Francis Dunnell, K.C.B., has resigned the post of secretary and solicitor to the Ministry of Transport, and has returned to York to resume, his position as secretary and solicitor to the NorthEastern Railway Co.
Messrs. Ripaults, of 1, King's Read, St. Pancras, sole coricessionnaires in this country for the O.S. speedometer, have secured the services of Mr. G. Waterfield, who will, in future, entirely manage and control the technical side of ' the speedometer section of their business. Mr. Viraterfield has had 16 years' experience in the speedometer business, and all orders will come under his personal supervision.
Mr. T. C. Ives, who has just taken over the duties of commercial manager at the Ruston Hornsby Motor Works, Will be remembered by many who have had dealings with the Lincoln firm as a keen business man of unfailing courtesy. During his 20 years' connection with the Ruston organization, first as chief of the estimating department, and, later, as sales manager for industrial machinery, Mr. Ives has made a host of friends, whose good wishes he carries to his new post. A keen motorist from the earliest days of the industry—who took part in the emancipation ride to Brighton in 1896, • and brought his French " Babe " to Lincoln in 1900—Mr. Ives has ably fulfilled the duties of secretary to the Lincolnshire Automobile Club for the past six years.
Barimar, Ltd., the scientific welding engineers, have taken another progressive step by the establishment of a Scottish branch factory in Glasgow. Headquarters have been secured in the centre of the city at. 134, West George Lane, Glasgow, and will be under the control of Mr. Win. Ewen, a Scotsman whose portrait we reproduce on this page, and who is well known throughout Scotland. Mr. Ewen has for some considerable time acted as the deputy of Mr. C.. W. Brett (the managing director) at the Barimar headquarters in London. All effective processes in every phase of the welding industry will be operated, including the Barimar metallurgical 4patented) process for repairing scored cylinders and salving new castings which, through blowholes or other iblemishes, would otherwise have been scrapped.
Municipal Parcels Delivery.
The report of the Bradford Corporation Trantwaya Committee for the year ended March 31st states that the parcels department has increased its turnover during the-year in the number of parcels handled from 713,073 to 740,699, and in gross earnings from £16094 to 219,420, which, under present conditions, is satisfactory to record, and it is to he regretted that in face of this a loss is again shown on the year's work. The cause of this is mainly due tothe large amount paid in wages to parcel messengers.
The railless battery vehicle continues to run between Bradford and Leeds twice daily, and enables the department to secure a very good share of traffic.
More Electrics for Preston.
At a meeting of the Preston Corporation Cleansing Committee, the borough treasure: submitted a statement of the comparative cost of refuse collection by electric vehicles and by horse-drawn vehicles, and, as a consequence, the committee authorized the borough surveyor to obtain tenders for the supply of additional electric vehicles.
Mersey Ferries and Damage to Steam Wagons.:
It has been alleged that defective gang. ways of one of the Birkenhead ferryboats is Ilas cause of damage to steam vehicles, and as the question is of some importance to steam-vehicle users, the chairman of the Birkenhead Ferries Committee has replied to the criticisms which have been made.
In reply to the point made that damage has been done to Sentinel wagons when embarking and Foden wagons when disembarking, Mr. Fletcher says that it is the construction of these vehicles that is entirely responsible for these mishaps. " Certain tanks, pipes, or sieve boxes," he points out, are fitted in a very low position on these particular vehicles, and every time they negotiate the gangways (of the ferry boats) there is a danger of damage re
suiting. The owners of these vehicles should see that they are so constructed that, they will. negotiate the ferry gangways."
The Birkenhead Ferries Committee has communicated with the Commercial Motor Users Association with the hope that they will bring the matter befedre the makers of these heavy haulage wagons, with a. view to "remedying the fault in the future construction of the vehicles using the ferries."
Battersea Hesitates.
The Works Committee of the Battersea Borough Council has further considered a proposal to purchase three electric motor lorries and obtained information from London boroughs an to the use of mechanical haulage. In view of the limited amount of experience gained as to the use of mechanical haulage, especially electric vehicles, the committee now recommends adjourning consideration of the matter until the next annual estimates are under consideration.
Municipal Garaging—A Conference.
A conference of Northern local authorities is being conv-ened with a view to uniform action being taken to provide stands for motor coaches, motors, etc., and charges with regard thereto.
Preston Corporation has arranged a storage ground on land between St. Stephen's Road and the football ground at, the following charges:— s. d.
Motor char-i-bancs ... 2 0 Motorcar ... 1 0 Motorcycle The police will have general control of the arrangements, and the borough council will see to the collection of the fees.
Karrier Motore, Ltd., will take over their new suite of offices at, 70, Victoria Street, S.W. 1, early this month.
" According to a recent advice from Berlin the Dunlop fictory at Harlan has closed down owing to a wages dispute with the employees of the company.
The Honey Mishap.
At the inquest upon the two passengers, who were fatally injured on Sunday week, when a char-a-banes upon which they were travelling overturned on the l3alcorribe Road, Horley, the evidence went, to show that a spring clip had failed, resulting in steering derangement. Theoevidence of passengers was to the effect that. there was no excessive speed. The verdict was "Accidental death," the coroner saying that there was no negligence on the part of the driver.
Is a Child a Full Passenger?
Misconceptions as to seating capacity of motor coaches occasionally arise when numbers of children are carried. When a. vehicle is licensed to carry 28 passengers, this is generally understood to re fer to 28 adults. But what about children ? Many of the by-laws do not make any reference to the number of children that may be carried, though there is little doubt that as many as 36 could be carried with equivalent safety to 28 adults. A Lancashire driver who was recently fined in the police court for carrying 41 passengers, explained that his load consisted of many children. Some consideration should be given in local motor coach regulations to juvenile passengers, and no injustice would be done if, say, four children were regarded as equivalent, to three adults.
Quaint Char-a-bancs Protest.
At a meeting of the Merthyr Tydvil Watch Committee a letter was read from a. tradesman complaining of the granting of licences by the council to chars-/banes plying for hire between Treharris and Pontypridd, because the issue of such licences encouraged ratepayers within the borough to make their purchases in the areas of ether a-uthorities, thereby depriving the local ratepayers of a considerable amount of trade.
Needless to say, the committee took no action in the matter.
Quick Tyre Manipulation –
In pursuance of their new policy to provide for adequate tyre service, fiarvey, Frost and Co., Ltd., have secured the sole sales rights in Ewart's patent tyre fixer and remover ; in future to be known as the H.F. Tyre Changer (Ewart's patent). This device consists of a stand with a rim support for holding the rim of a pneumatic tyro in a horizontal position., and with a central post. With it. there goes a long doubleended lever, and a short one. By means of these, using the central post as a fulcrum, inserting the requisite lever end between bead and rim, and by walking round the tyre and rim, a tyre Can be slipped on or off in a few seconds. For a garage fitment, it is ideal. Ewart's, Ltd., will eontinue to manufacture the device, and Harvey Frost and Co., Ltd., will take the responsibility for the sales.
An Indispensable Electric Truck.
About a year ago the Marylebone Borough Council accepted on free trial from the English Electric Co. a 1 ton electric workshop or platform truck, without any obligation to purchase, the only condition being that plenty of work be found for the vehicle, and that reports be made to the company on its performance. Now the council's electricity committee reports that this truck has been in daily use, and has been almost indispensable in the shifting of old concrete from the engine-room and new concrete for the turbo-alternator foundations. The original price for the truck was £375, and upon being asked by the company to return it or make, an offer, a provisional bargain of one-third the original figure was completed, and the committee declare That the council will be well advised to retain the vehicle on these terms.
The Neglected West Indies.
Mr. A. W. H. Hall, Officer in Charge, H.M. 'Trade Commissioner's Office, Trinidad, has just written, a report on the industrial and economic conditions of the West Indies. In the aggregate this dispersed group of Colonies is not prospering so kr as trade with the United Kingdom is concerned, and the main reason for this must be attributed to the neglect shown by British exporters towards the islands. The cry of most of these Colonies is for better transport conditions.
So far as the actual cultivation of tropical products is concerned the islands do fairly well, but transport to factory or coast is generally slow and costly: Most of the West Indian Colonies, being small, are peculiarly adapted to the conditions that make the lorry the most efficient means of transport. What is wanted is money for the construction of roads, and money for the purchase of motor vehicles to run upon' these roads. In many of the islands the road systems are being improved, but it is thought that, until the multiplicity of Governments can be brought under one head, the prosperity of the West Indies, as a whole, will advance but siowlv.
"The Rock's" Traffic Problem.
Seeing Gibraltar's area of two square ' miles is for the most part forbidding rock, its eight miles of motor roads aro very creditable to its engineers. The traffic problem, especially in the narrow city streets, is very acute, and several measures were taken last year to improve matters. The Government has been very liberal with grants for the purpose of making new roads, repairing existing ones, and eliminating dangerous corners. A read has also been opened along the harbour front to relieve congestion in the main street. No trains or trains exist, in Gibraltar. The lorry is quite capable of dealing with its land traffic.
Comparative Haulage Costs.
The 'borough surveyor of Merthyr Tydvil has prepared the following comparative return of the cost of haulage ;— Electric vehicle operating on an estimated 14 miles route, 20 tons carried per daY, cost per top-mile 2s. 61d.
Peerless motor lorry operating en 31 miles route, 10 tons carried per day, cost per ton-mile 2s-. Id.
Horse. haulage (corporation horses) operating on a mile route, 10 tons hauled per day, cost per ton-mile 2s. id. Contract haulage over a mile _route, varying from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d.' per ton. mile..
Institute of Transport.
The syllabus of lectures to be given to graduates and students of the Institute of Transport during the winter session include The Operation of a Road Distributing Agency," by Mr. J. Paterson, M.Inst.T., deputy managing director of Carter Paterson and Co., Ltd.', and " The Operation of an Omnibus Co., with _Reference to Capacity and Cost Under Given Conditions,". by Mr. T. Pick, M.Inst.T., assistant managing director. of the underground railways and Omnibus Co.s Of London.
Indianapolis wants to scrap its trams, and wishes for a bus system similar to that existing in London.
Some Safety Suggestions.
The following suggestions are being submitted to the London local authorities by the " Safety First " Council:— That to prevent accidents-caused particularly during foggy weather, _a greater area should be provided between road excavations and temporary barriers placed around them, so that a driver whothad inadvertently driven into the fencing might have time to pull up before reaching the opening in the carriageway.
That, except in cases of openings made by tramway authorities, watchmen's lamps where hung . transversely to the direction of the traffic at the ends or sides of trenches or other openings or obstructions in all highways, should not be more than 4 ft. apart, nor More than 4 ft. in height from the surface of the carriageway and that illuminated warn
big boards, inscribed " Beware of Obstructions," or other suitable wording, should be utilized where possible, and that any crossings over or through such obstructions should be indicated by specially coloured lights.
That, where roadwaYs of greater than ordinary width are being or are proposed to be constructed, provision should be made for the erection at suitable points of an adequate number of street refuges.
A Time Limit.
Complaints have been made at Bridlington relative to char-k-bancs proprietors occupying the • omnibus stands .on the promenade prior to the time fixed— namely, 9 a.m. The, Watch Gornmittee has referred the matter to the town clerk, and asked him to report thereon, and *specially with regard to the fixing of a time limit in-respect of the daily user of hackney carriage stands.
Local Proceedings,
Sanction has been given to Stockport Corporation to borrow £2,595 for the purchase of motor refuse vehicles.
Glasgow Watch Committee has decided to sell a motor fire-escape which the firemaster says is practically never in use.
Sainnundham Urban District Council is approaching the county council to enforce a 10-mile speed limit through the town.
Dundee Cleansing Department wants a motor tip-wagon, and has recommended the corporation to buy one at a cost of £965.
Cardiff Corporation Tramwa,ys Committee has appointed a sub-committee to go into the question of opening up motorbus routes.
Tynemouth Corporation has asked the surveyor to prepare a scheme for a central garage, with properly-equipped workshop and petrol store.
Yarmouth Watch Committee has declined to accede to an application by C. Reynolds, of Caister, for a licence in respect of a motor char4-bancs.
Stourport 11.D.C. requires quotations and specifications for new and secondhand steam and motor fire,engines. The matter is in the hands of the clerk.
Swanage Urban District Council has asked Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., to quote for a motor fire-engine, in exchange for the present. horsed engine.
Yarmouth Watch Committee recommends granting a licence to Alessi-a. Mason and Mason to store 200 gallons of petrol at their garage on the North Quay.
Sastmundham Urban District Council has prohibited char-a-bancs traffic in Church Street, as the bridge near the church is not wide enough for this class of traffic.
Glasgow Corporation has asked a special committee to consider questions relative to the revision of the law applicable to all vehicles plying for hire in the city.
The Industrial Committee of the Ripon Corporation has asked the town clerk to assist en. 'obtaining information as to the possibility of running a motesomnibus sertlice which will be finaneially successful.
Glasgow Corporation has drawn the attention of the chief constable to the issue of smoke from steam;siagons. passing through the streets, andlasked him to report any cases of excessive sm6ke from such vehicles.
In spite of the refusal of the Ministry of Health to acquiesce in a by-law prohibiting vehicles from passing, on the near side, stationary tramcars at stopping places, the Birmingham Corporation is including in its next General Powers Bill a clause seeking power to make such a by-law.
At a meeting of the Warrington Corporation the town clerk reported that the Crosville Motor Co., Ltd., had. a.ccepted4 terms with reference to their motor omnibus service between Bridge Foot and Prescot, similar to those under which the Lancashire United Tramways, Ltd., run over the Longford idute.
020 Warrington Corporation has asked a sub-committee to arrange for the purchase of a motor ambulance.
Wolverhampton Corporation has decided to erect a motor house in the police station yard at an estimated cost of £350.
Ripon Corporation has decided to take proceedings against persons refusing to pay toll for standing motors on the market place.
Preston Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized the engineer to purchase a tender for the conveyance of its electric welding plant.
The 1920 report of the Lincoln city surveyor records the purchase of two Orwell 2 ton electric vehicles for the collection of house refuse.
Flintshire County Council is asking the County Councils Aasociation if any authority haa yet adopted by-laws with regard to children hanging on to vehicles whilst in motion.
Having had a report from the borough surveyor as to whether a steam or a petrol water van should be purchased, the Newport (Isle of Wight) Town Council has adjourned consideration till its January meeting.
A report of the Flintshine County Council states that with the enormous increase in vehicular traffic, and particularly of fad, heavy traffic, the cost of maintaining roads is continually rising and fast becoming a very heavy burden.
Grimsby Corporation Cleansing Coroniittee has reported that the horsedrawn water carts are worn out, and advises that early introduction of mechanical vehicles. Thee matter has been referred to a sub-committee to investigate.
Regarding complaints by the Holywell Rural District Council to the Flint Borough Council as to damage to roads through the haulage of material from the quarry at Halkin, the county surveyor of Flintshire reports that he has failed to find any evidence of serious damage to the roads.
Midland Bodywork Activity.
We are informed that Messrs. Carbodies, of Coventry, have acquired the West Orchard premises and business of Thomas Pass, 'Ltd., Coventry, and that it is their intention to cater for all classes of .bodies for commercial and private use.
The business will be under the personal management of Mr. Robert Jones, who will be assisted on the commercial sales side by Mr. A. Raven, late secretary to Thos. Pass, Ltd.
The works are being laid out and equipped so that a. very large output can easily be kept, up, and the alterations and improvements that are being made in the works will, it is said, enable the concern to produce first-class jobs at exceptionally low prices. Although this firm have not been in operation for a lengthy period the quality of their work has brought them a large number of satisfied customers, and it is largely due to this success that the company were compelled to find additional and larger premises. Although up to the present this firm have been engaged on pleasure car work, it is not intended to drop this branch, and any type of body, ranging from a small two-seater to a double-deck bus, will be produced.
Middlesbrough Losses.
A loss equal to is. 2d. in the pound
, was reported at a meeting of the Middlesbrough Corporation Tramways Committee during a discussion on the motorbus fares in relation to running costs. The department, Councillor Spence informed the meeting, was £.800 down on the buses for one month, and L200 on the trams. In order to enable the committee to arrive at some conclusion with regard to the matter, the manager was instructed to prepare a statement giving the costs month by month during abnormal times and nonabnormal ,times.
The A.C. Plug Co. are selling A.C. sparking plugs duty free, or 20 per cent.1 off retail and wholesale prices when they are used for commercial service.