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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"The wheels of wealth /loin be slowed by ad difficulties of transport at whatever points arng, aa a carriage is by the roughile§s of the roads over which it runs. "-:-John Beattie Crozier.

American Tractor Exports..

During the first nine months of last year 436 garden tractors, 15,527 wheel tractors and 682 track-laying tractors were exported from the United States. The chief countries absorbing the first group were :-.141exico,. 88; Latvia, 51; Japan, 48; Canada; 34; United Kingdom, 25; and Spain, 20.

In the second group the chief importing countries were i—Canada, 5,168; Australia, 1,736; Argentina, 1,735;. United Kingdom, 1,138; France, 1,070; Denmark, 807; Belgium, 850; -Spain, 381; Russia, 353; Cuba, 297; Italy, 260; Latvia., 226; Brazil, 201; Uruguay, 145; Ukraine, 142; Mexico, 123; Finland, 103.

Of the countries taking the tracklaying machines, Australia led with 238; followed by Belgium, 56; Canada-, 49; Japan, 36; Cuba, 30; British East Africa, 29 Algeria and Tunis, 26; 23; and Holland, 22.

A New Bus Station in Wales.

Owing to the narrowness of many of the thoroughfares in Swansea, the local eouncil has been compelled to allocate tiumber of streets to serve as termini for the numerous bus services plying to and from the town. This has caused considerable inconvenience and the council has at length decided upon a scheme -whereby it is hoped to solve these difficulties.

It is proposed to utilize the present market site as a bus station and vehicle park. If the scheme matures the bus station will be the largest in the country and its cost is estimated at £110,000. Part of the site will continue to be used as a market, and it is anticipated that an annual revenue of £21.000 will be derived from market and vehicle tolls, rents from shops, etc.

Scottish Motor Trade Association Banquet.

The banquet this year of the Scottish Motor Trade Association and Exhibition, held at .Glasgow on Monday, January 28th, was presided over by one of the pioneersin 'the manufacture of commercial motor' vehicle in Scotland, Mr. J. F. Henderson, a director ,•of the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd. It was attended by a very .large iitliniAn of distinguished: guests, and was very representative of every branch of the motor,. trade and allied industries: ProfesSor Aichibabi Barr propoiedithe toast Of "The Associa-, tion," and Mentioned that he.avaS an early ti.,er of 6 two-Cylincier Albio7n *hid} lasted .for many years until it was relegated to the less. important status of the commercial motor industry: It was still running around the streets of Glasgow.

Mr. J. F. Henderson, in his reply, said that they had heard a great deal about the damage done to the roads by motor vehicles, but nothing about the damage to those vehicles caused by the ,roads, which could amount to asmach as 3d. per ton-mile: while the cost of maintaining the vehicles in tyres and repairs amounted to .55d. per ton-mile. Mr. Hamilton M. Hobson. this year's President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, responded to the toast of "The Society" delivered by B20 N.

Mr. Thomas Shaw, and he referred to the efforts made to bring together repro sentatives of all classes of motorists, including the users of the heavier types. There were many other speeches, and the lengthy toastlist was not complete until nearly 11.30 p.m., after Mr. AC. Penman had spoken of the work done for the Association by the chairman.

A Wolseley Resignation.

We are advised by Wolseley Motors, Ltd., .that Mt.. Arthur McCormack has resigned his position as a director of the company; and thatin future the business of the company in Birmingham will be managed and controlled by Mr. Ber nerd Gaillard and.Alexis Jacob,

direetors of the -company.. . The services of Mr. E. 'W. Lanctester; Hon, LL.D., F. R. S , MJ:C.E. M.I. Mech.E., M.I.A.E., have been secured as consulting engineer, with a view to collaboration with Mr. E. Reeve, M.I.Mech,E. , ALLA . E. , M. S. A. K. , the company's technical manager. Mr. Lanchester has accepted this appointment in addition to that as cons-tilting engineer to the Daimler Co., etc.

Mairt34 members of the motor industry will be glad to learn that Mr. James A. Jackson, of the staff of this journal, has made a recovery from his severe illness, and is now well on the road to convalescence.

Ferry Services in Scotland.

The state of some of the ferry services in Scotland often gives rise to complaint, but it is satisfactory to learn that the Royal Scottish Automobile Club has done, and continues to do, all that is possible to improve matters, although there are several factors responsible for the difficulties which are not, perhaps, generally known to the public. The ferries are not under the control Of the county councils, but often belong. to territorial proprietors, who dease the rights to others.. Many of these proprietors are unable to advance the nece-ssatyr money for improvements. At somecrossings the tidal current is so groat that exeeptional arrangements have to be made, and peculiar difficulties have to be met, and, as a matter of fact, it is often found that only those with local knowledge are able efficiently to manage such services.

The Royal, Scottish Automobile Club and the Royal Automobile Club, much as they would like to son improvements in these ferries effected, are of the opinion that no great sob erne of reconstruction will be undertaken in the near future, New York Bus Operation.

From statistics just issued we learn that the Fifth Avenue Coach Co., of New York; carried a total of 55,974,110 passengers on their motorbuses during the year ended June 30th, 1023, these figures representing an increase of 6 per cent, as compared with the previous year.

According to "Bus Transportation," the company operated 9,840,557 revenue bus miles, picking up an average of 5,69. new passengers for every bus mile run. Operating expenses amounted tO 39.7 cents per bus mile and 3.25 dollars per bus hour, whilst the total revenue from the operation per bus mile' was 57.1 cents

and 4.67 dollars per bus hour. The company's buSes made 679,859 rtiond trips during the year under review. • Avoiding Trailk Congestion.

The touring department of the Royal Automobile Club has prepared a folder showing clearly the recommended routes in London which it is suggested by the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis should be used in order to relieve traffic congestion.

It is felt that the information contained in this folder will be of considerable value to road-vehicle users in London, and copies of it can be obtained gratis by members and associate-membeis of the Club.

Steam Railcars in South Africa.

Among the proposals that have beef' put forward with a view to reducing the cost of working branch railway lines in South Africa is the provision of rail motor vehicles to convey passenger, parcels and light perishable traffic. So far most of the railcars introduced have been petrol-driven, but, it is interesting to note that a Sentinel-Cammell steam rail coach is to be given a six months' trial by the South African Railways.

Highland Roads.

Sir Murdoch Macdonald, M.P. for Inverness-shire, makes a strong appeal for special concessions on behalf of , Highland main roads, particularly those chargeable to the more northern counties where the valuation is exceptionally low. He cites the case of the highway Irons Perth to Inverness, which has a total length of 120 miles. From, Perth to Pitlochry the land • on each , sidetis fairly valuable and can, by assessment, maintain a good road with the help of the " 50 per cent allowance" now provided by the Ministry of Transport. For the rest of the distance, however —with the exception of the five miles from the terminal at Inverness—the country is extremely barreit and the population small. Along the central stretch of road from Struan to Newtonmore, a distance of about 30 miles, there are practically no houses at all and no valuable property—nothing for miles on each side but the "Grampian heathclad hills." The highway is, nevertheless, a main road and must be kept open. The question is, at whose expense is this to be done?

Sir Murdoch Macdonald argues that, in the case of thee poorer .areas, the Ministry of Transport should bear a much larger share of the cost of road maintenance and improvement than that represented by the conventional 50 per cent. grant.

Midland Motor Agent's Organization.

Evidence of continued developments in relation to the organization of Midland motor agents, including a large proportion dealing with commercial vehicles, was .forthcoming at the annual dinner held at Nottingham recently of the East Midland Division of the Motor Agents' Association, the company, ender the prepidency of Mr. C. H. Gilbert, including several well-known members of the trade.

Appreciative reference was made in the course of the proceedings to tho greatly improved relationships now exist:. ing between manufacturers and agents, and it was appropriate that among the speakers there should be Mr. John Chilton, of Birmingham, who, as president of the Motor Agents' Association and the Motor Agents' Union, has been largely responsible for bringing that wel come change about. Mr. Chilton responded to the toast of the two organizations, which was proposed by the chair, man. Mr: A. H. Bennett submitted " The Motor Trade Association," to which Mr. A. R. Atkey replied, The gathering was representative of a widespread territory, the divisional association taking within the scope of its Operations the counties of Nottingham, Derby, Lincoln, Leicester and Rutland.

A New Tyne Bridge.

During the past year many complaints have been made by users of motor vehicles regarding the congestion of traffic on the High-level Bridge, Newcastle. Just over a year ago the Gateshead and Newcastle tramway systems were amalgamated and a through-running scheme was put into operation, the two systems being linked up by a double set of lines over this bridge. The bridge represents the only main-road connection on the north-east route to Scotland, and since the tramways department road users have found the negotiation of the structure not only tedious but often dangerous.

This can be well imagined when it is borne in mind that both Newcastle and Gateshead are very busy industrial centres, and a continual stream of tramcars is necessitated over the bridge in order to deal adequately with the nuns her of passengers passing from one place to another. However, it would appear that an endeavour to meet the needs of road users is now to be made.

At a special meeting of the Newcastle City Conncii, held recently, a new bridge scheme for the Tyne was discussed. The meeting appointed a committee to formulate a scheme for a new bridge, with power to enter into preliminary negotiations with the Gateshead Corporation and the Ministry of Transport, and with further power to obtain a preliminary report from a bridge engineer and to prepare a detailed scheme for submission to the council, which expects a substantial grant from the Ministry of Trans-port. If the Newcastle and Gateshead Corporations agree to the project, it wax

stated that no Act of Parliament would be necessary for the construction a the new crossing.

If such a bridge is built the car system will be removed from the High Level, and'tile latter, which is now the property of the L.N.E.R., will be reserved for other vehicular traffic. The question of a' new bridge over the Tyne firet cropped up in 1883, and nine years later was again raised. Since 1906 the matter has been in abeyance.

Mr. Albert Brown Resigns.

We learn through the medium of "The Accessory," a house organ published in the interests of Brown Bros., Ltd., that Mr. Albert Brown has resigned his position as joint managing director of Brown Bros., Ltd., of Great Eastern Street, London, E.C.2, with whom he has been associated for a number of years. The development and growth of the company have been largelydue to Mr. Brown's remarkable perspicacity and tireless efforts.

Mr. Brown will retain his seat on the directorate, and his wide ex-perience and sound judgment will still be available for the benefit of the company. After taking a prolonged rest, acting on medical advice, he hopes to take a more active interest in the working of the company. Concerning Mr. Brown's past activities, we quote from "The Accessory" :— "For over 10 years he put in a great deal of spadework on the Executive Committee of the Cycle and Motor Trades Benevolent Fnud, being elected president in 1012. After having been vicepresident of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for some time, he was called to the presidential chair in 1918. . . An energetic worker in the cause of the M,T.A., having „served his year as president, he will maintain his seat on the council, The ability to lead such a busy life and the happy knack of always having, time for everything are gifts which Mr. Albert Brown 'used to the utmost."

Argyll and Commercial Motors. There is no county in Scotland that is less favoured by Government grants for road improvements than that of Argyll, yet there are few of equal population that can boast of more enterprise, so far as mechanical road transport is concerned. From Ardnamurchan in the north to Kintyre in the south all mails are distributed and collected by motor vehicles, and even in the islands of the Inner Hebrides—such as Mull, Islay and Tiree—the adaptable automobile is exclusively used for this branch of His Majesty's service.

In the remotest places, also, grocers, bakers and other traders deliver theit goods to householders by means of smart and speedy raotorvans.

Motor tours are arranged in summer from almost every railway station and steamboat pier, and practically in every case the ehars-a•bancs and buses are very comfortable and of up-to-date types. In the island of Mull, for example, such excursions are arranged every day from both SaIen and Tobermory during summer and early autumn.

Ford Output. • The Ford Motor Co. announce that their production of commercial chassis and cars for 1923 increased to the extent of 739,626 vehicles over the total output for 1922. The company says that information from branches and dealers indicates a demand for the present year even greater than that in 1923.

During 1923 the company manufactured 2,090.,959 Ford vehicles. The out-. put of Fordson tractors in the same period totalled 101,898.

Xighting of Rear Number Plates. .

The general secretary of the grimmer-cial Motor Users Association draws the attention of users of -commercial motor vehicles-to the increaeed. activity of the police in London with regard to the illnmination of rear number plates. It is understood that a large number of drivers has recently been _summoned for not having the plates properly.illuinitiated, and that in some Cases the owners have been summoned for aiding and abetting. Owners are advised to take care to see that the rear lamps are so placed that they do " illuminate and render easily distinguishable every letter or figure of the identification plate," as required by paragraph 25 of the Road Vehicles (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 1921.

Lorries Replacing Goods Trains in U.S.A.

Motor lorries are now being used to such an extent, in the more thickly popu'kited districts of the United States for the transport of small consignments of goods that some railways have decided to run no goods trains over short dis

tances in future.competition is being fast met in aate cases by the companies themselves purchasing road vehicles. The Pennsylvania Railroad, for instance, declares that it has dispensed with twb -freight trains daily. The wink formerly carried oat by these trains is now done by two motor lorries much mime satisfactorily, because of their flexibility and greater, .average speed in mevement.

Determining Viscosity.

We have received a copy of a publication issued by the British Engineering Standards Association dealing with the method for the determination of viscosity in absolute units. The object of this specification is to provide an accurate yet commercially applicable Method for B22 the determination of viscosity of a liquid in 0.11 S. (centimetre-gramme-second) unite. The specification includes standard dimensions for U-tube, co-axial bulb and falling sphere viscometers, and the standard liquids recommended for their calibration. The use and calibration Of instruments are described in detail, and also the method for -determining the viscosity of opaque liquids. Copies of this publication can be obtained from the publications department of the B.E.S.A., 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.

Glasgow and Bus Regulation.

A conference of local authorities has been held in Edinburgh—at which a commissioner representing the Ministry of Transport presided—in connection with the licensing and regulation of motor omnibuses. Representations on the subject had been made by several local authorities, The town clerk of Glasgow submitted to the commissioner the position of the magistrates' committee as regards the licensing and control of the vehicles in question, and the ommissioner intimated that the vhole question would be carefully considered by the sub-committee appointed by the Ministry, and that a report would be issued for the consideration of all local authorities concerned.

Institution of Welding Engineers' Meeting.

An ordinary meeting of the Institution of Welding Engineers will be held in the lecture hall of the Institute of Marine Engineers, 85-88, The Minories, Tower Hill, London, E., on February 12th, at 7 p.m., when a paper will be read by Mr. J. R. Beeler, B.Sc., F.C.S., entitled, "Some Chemical Aspects of Welding."

Services at Burnley.

At a meeting of the Durnley Watch Committee the town clerk submitted a letter ,from the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., applying for permission (1) to make the cattle Market the terminal point for their Motor oinnibuses on the 13urnleyTodmordert and Burnley:Bacilli services, in lieu of the Wellington Hotel, and (ii) to. use the following route to the Cattle Market, via. z--Todmorclen Road, Brooklands Road, Hollingreave ,Road, Finsley Gate and Parker Lane.

The town clerk submitted a similar application from the town clerk of Todmorden on behalf Of his council. The committee granted the applications.

Control of Buses.

Mansfield Watch Committee has decided that, in cases of omnibuses which come under the regulations adopted by the town council in :July, 1922, licences shall not be renewed unless an undertsking is given that such omnibuses shall only ply for hire on a regular route, upon which a regular service shell be given according to the time-table approved by the licensing sub-committee, and then only for a period of six months. This does not apply to licences granted to an owner or owners of one omnibus only, the seating capacity of which does not exceed 16.

That licences he not granted to Messrs. E. Naylor and Sons South Normanton, who refuse to comply with the regulations.

Portugal Encouraging the Use of Tractors.

The Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture has developed a scheme with a view to cultivating all available land by the most up-to-date methods, This plan will necessitate the perchase of a number of tractors bythe Government, especially in view of the fact that there is a short. ge of animal power in many agricultural districts. It is gratifying to report that British tractors are popular in Portugal, and that a fair number of these machines have been sold during the past few mentha.

How America Employs Its Lorries and Buses.

Last year 370,000 lorries were manufactured in the United States, and the total registration was brought up to 1,620,000 vehicles. Of this number 360,000 are utilised by farmers, The number of motorbuses in use is 51,000, and no fewer than 12,500 of these are used for carrying students to school. The number of tramWay companies using motorbuses is 107, whilst 157 railways have taken to the use of railcars.

A Benevolent Fund Concert.

The sixth annual Bohemian concert of the Cycle and Motor Trades Benevolent Fund, Manchester Centre, will be held on February 14th at the Houldsworth Hall, Deanegate, Manchester. An unusually strong programmq, which includes many ,artists from the pantomimes and from theatres and musichalls, is being arranged, and no effort is 'being spared to make the event a com plete success. " Tickets, priced 2s. 6d., can be obtained from Mr. Cl. F. Arden, 18, Old Market Place, Altrincham, Manchester, and Mr. C. A. Cave, 50, Deansgate, Manchester.

Tay Road Bridge.

Sir Henry Maybury, Director-General of Roads, has intimated to Dundee Town Council that, so soon as his engagements permit, Ile will fix a date to visit Dundee for the purpose of meeting the ,local authorities and discussing with them the proposal for the construction of a road bridge ever the River Tay. This communication has given much satisfaction throughout the East of Scotland, for the projected structure would benefit the whole region stretching from Berwickshire on the south to the counties of Aberdeen and Elgin.on the north.

We are informed that the intention is to utilize in connection with the new scheme all, or nearly all, the piers and other supports which belonged to the old railway bridge which came to grief during the great hurricane of December, 1879. These bases are said to be in a thoroughly sound condition, as it was only the superstructure which yielded to the force of the memorable storm.

If the proposed bridge is built it will be the means of shortening the distance, say, from Edinburgh to Aberdeen by about 15 miles; and if its counterpart over the Forth at Queensferry fructifies the length of the road will be further reduced by fully 30 miles.

The Fifth International Road Congress..

When the Permanent International Commission of Road Congresses met in Paris some time ago, the invitation of the Italian Government to hold the fifth congress at Milan was accepted, and the congress will be held in September, 1926,

The representatives of Great Britain on the Permanent Commission, Mr. C. E. Bressev, chief engineer to the Ministry of Transport, and Mr. Rees Jeffreys, chairman of the Roads Improvement Association, have put forward a number of suggestions designed to m ake the congress more useful to practical road engineers. The programme of questiona to be consideredat the next congress has been formulated, and lists of these can be obtained upon application to the Roads Improvement Association, 15, Dartmouth Street, Westminster, London, S.W.

Crossing the River Trent.

The great disadvantages which have been long experienced in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire through inadequate facilities for crossing the River Trent.at given points continue to engage the attention of county and municipal authorities. In the higher reaches of the river the difficulties are particula,rly acute, imposing upon drivers of motor vehicles the necessity for making long detours to enable them to cross the river by means of the few existing bridges, an "addition to the number of which is urgently needed.

Satisfactory progress is at length being made with the project of acquiring in the public interest the Trent Bridge at Gainsborough, tolls in connection with which have been complained of as being unreasonably high.

At a recent meeting the proprietors agreed to sell, at a price to be fixed by arbitration, further action in the matter now depending largely upon the county councils of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Meanwhile, in regard to another important section of the river a contract has just been entered into by the Not tingham Corporation for the widening of the existing bridge crossing the Trent at the southernmost end of the city. The tender of the Clevelan.d.. Bridge and Engineering'Co., of Darlington, has been accepted for a portion of the work in the sum of 278,709, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Transport. The pro

posal is to strengthen the bridge and to widen it to 80 ft. between the parapets at a cost of £130,000, the Ministry having expressed willingness to contribute 60 per cent., of the outlay.

New Luton Services.

Luton Watch Committee has sanctioned a proposed bus 'service between Luton, St. Albans and Watford by Messrs. Morgan, and a service between Luton and St. Albans by Mr. A. R. Blowers, of St. Albans.

Inventions in Russia.

King's Patent Agency, Ltd., 164A, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., inform us that legislation permitting the patenting of inventions in Russia under the new regime is now in a fair way of being consummated, and the registration of trade marks may, after reciprocal treaties have been concluded, follow.

British patentees and manufacturers should, therefore, be early in the field in order to secure priority, and thus protect their rights against infringement.

Dover Bus Scheme.

At a, meeting of the Dover Corporation tramways committee the town clerk reported that the Dover Rural District Council was prepared to ref raiu from opposing the Corporation Bus Bill if the corporation would agree to limit the

size of the. omnibuses which it was pro posed to run in the rural area to those with a carrying capacity of not more than 14 persona. The tramways manager stated that. if the buses were to be limited in this way the value of the service would be practically nullified. The committee decided to ask the rural council not to press for the limitation in the size of omnibuses.

Improving the Great North Road.

Supplementing much valuable work which has been already carried out, to the great advantage of users a motor vehicles, further important improvements are projected in relation to that vital artery of traffic, the Great North Road. The Rutland County Council has now decided upon the widening and resurfacing of the portion of the highway which lies within its territory. The cost • is estimated at £22,850, and the responsible committee has recommended • the carrying out of the work subject to the Ministry of Transport. agreeing to contribute 75 per cent. of the cost. Widnes Bus Results..

A report of the Widnes Corporation dealing with the finances a the bias undertaking states that the net profit of the motor omnibus department for the past year of working amounts to slightly in excess of £100.

So far an -receipts are concerned, £17,986 was received by way of passengers' fares, this figure comparing with £18,219 for the 1921-22 period. Under the heading of expenditure we note that wages absorbed £5,909; petrol, etc., £4,459; repairs and maintenance, £2,376; tyres, £880; cleaning buses, £868.

The number of bus-miles run during the 1922-23 period was 234,649, a figure which compares with 222,137 for the previous year. The number of passengers carried was 2,380,212, about 5,000 fewer than were carried in the previous year.

Sweden Prohibits Heavy Types.

During the first nine months of last -year 1,875 lorries were imported into Sweden. This figure compares well with the totals for the years 1921 and 1922, which were 1,109 and 1,695 respectively. It is estimated that 85 per cent, of the lorries entering Sweden are Ford onetonners assembled at, Copenhagen. As from January 1st, the running of lorries of more than 3-tons capacity is prohibited in Sweden, although exception is made in special cases. Pneumatic tyres are now very widely used on commercial 'vehicles, equipment, of this description being considered more suitable for operating over the granite setts of the cities .and the rough roads of the country districts.

Motors to Increase Delivery Efficiency.

The absorption of all the local railways in South Wales by the Great Western Railway .Co. has resulted in a change of the method of deliveries to houses and business premises in several centres. At Swansea, for instance, horse transport was used for certain delivery work until the railway amalgamation. Some 45 horses were employed in this service by *Messrs. Powlesland and Mason, the Swansea delivery contractors to the,G.W.R.

As this company has also been absorbed, the rail company now -undertake their own haulage and delivery work, and they have substitute(' motor vehicles for horses for this service. Already six vehicles have been brought into service, these being four 31-ton 4.E.C.s, one Burford 30-cwt. lorry and. one Bnrford covered van. Further additions to the delivery fleet will be made at a later date.

The change in the method of delivery is -being advertised by the company as an effort to secure increased efficiency.

The Henley Air Cushion Tyre.

Henley's Tyre,and Rubber Co., Ltd., 20-22, Christopher Street, Finsbury Circus, London, E.(12, the manufacturers of the new Henley air cushion tyre, which has already made a considerable appeal to owners of commercial vehicles, especially those operating passenger vehicles and those engaged in the transport. of fragile loads, inform us that very gratifying reports are being received from users in many parts of the country conceeiaing the merits of this tyre.

B24 To illustrate how this design of tyre avoids the risk of skidding we make reference to the contents of a;letter from a user, who states that the Albion lorry which he runs recently tackled severe gradients, covered with snow and ice, without skidding, whereas other vehicles were compelled to turn back or else to have their wheels equipped with nonskid chains.

A well-known municipal authority, writing to the company, states that "Since fitting these tyres spring defects due to road shock have been practically eliminated and our trouble from this source has almost ceased." !

Diesel Ship Development.

Many important innovations are incorporated in the latest developments of motor ship design. A new and novel geared Diesel-engined ship forms the subject of a highly informative article, giving comprehensive particulars, which is contained in the February issue of The 3fotor Ship. A novel feature in a new Doxford-engined vessel is also fully dealt with in this number, whilst well-illustrated details are given of a 14,000-ton motor liner, a new type of Beardmore oil engine, a 2,500 i.h.p. American engine, a motor shin record, etc.

Awards to Saurers.

In our last issue we referred to the awards made in connection with the performance of two Sewer vehicles in, the reliability trials organized by the Swedish Automobile Club. We should have made it clear that these awards were granted to the parent company, the Societe Anonym° Adolphe Sauren

Glass Insurance.

We have received from the Eagle, Star and British Dominions Insurance Co., Ltd., 26, Great Ormond Street, London, W.C.1, a copy of a prospectus dealing with glass insurance, from which it is apparent that the 'company have substantially reduced their rates for cover of this description. The new features which have been introduced provide most comprehensive insurance against damage to contents of windows, loss of trade resulting from damage, etc.

The Superintendent of Stores Egyptian State Railways, Telegraphs and Telephones, Cairo, invites tenders for the supply of motor lorries, motorcycles and sidecars. Tenders have to be delivered by February 12th.

Local Proceedings.

East, Barnet Urban District Council has decided to purchase a one-ton Ford lorry.

Dublin Corporation has adopted a scheme for improving the motor equipment of the fire brigade.

Glasgow Watch Committee has authorized the purchase of a motor tower wagon at a cost of £707.

Letchworth Urban District Council has postponed for six months a proposal i. purchase a motor wagon for refuse collection.

The Bedwellty Urban District Council is considering the purchase of a motor fire-engine for the Sirhowy Valley, to be stationed at Blackwood.

Guildford Town Council has asked the surveyor to report as to the desirability of purchasing another electric vehicle for refuse collection.

ThorneRural District Council has prepared a scheme for the joint purchase, with neighbouring authorities, of a motor fire-engine at a cost of £1,400.

Holland (Lincs.) County Council has deoided to experiment with the American idea of making white fines in cement at road corners for the guidance of traffic.

Tynemouth Watch Committee has granted the application of Shell-Mex, Ltd,, for a licence to store 30,000 gallons of petrol at a special depot at Tynemouth.

The Metropolitan Borough of St. Pancras has placed an order for two 6-ton Yorkshire gully empties-s. One of the machines will be fitted with streetwatering apparatus.

Southgate Urban District Council is inciting tenders, which have to be delivered by to-morrow the 6th inst., for a motor ambulance for general and street accidentwork.

The Improvements Committee of the Chester City Council reports that it is not able to entertain the request of the watch committee to provide a parking -ground for motor vehicles near the centre of the city.

Dover Corporation has authorized the tramways manager to direct concluders to signal to drivers when motorbuses and other large vehicles are about to pass. and not to give the signal to proceed from a stepping-place if such vehicles are passing, or about to pass, the tramcar.