The 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
Proceedings of Local Authorities.
Millom U.D.C. has accepted the tender of Robey and Co., Ltd., at 2576 for the supply of a steam wagon.
The Willesden U.D.C. has approved plans for additions to the factories' of the British Ensign Motors, Ltd., and S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd.
The Hackney Carriage Subcommittee of the Liverpool Watch Committee has declined to sanction any alteration of local taxi-fares, aiid such cabs can still be hired at ea for the first half-mile.
The Ministry of Munitions has refused consent to the release of a Thornycroft chassis, for the Works Committee of the Ilford . U.D.C. and that council is now seeking to purchase a Hallford chassis.
The General Purposes Committee of the Willesden U.D.C. has entered into an arrangement with the British Motor Cab Co., Ltd.' in respect of training drivers for the local fire brigade at a, charge of 30s. per man.
The Tramway Manager of the York City Council is recommending the suspension of the service of the local electric buses on Sundays, owing in part to the shortage ot labour and in part to the smallness of receipts on Sundays.
Stokesley R.D.C. has decided that it can take no separate action in the matter of complaints, alleging undue vibration from motorbuses,owing to. the bad condition of the roads, apart from any action which the County Council may take.
Easingwold Agricultural Club has passed a, resolution asking the Board of Agriculture to assist farmers by making grants for the purchase of stearfaor motor plough_ mg tackle.
The Ministry of Munitions has refused to give authority for a new motor fire-engine to the Watch Committee of the Tynemouth Corporation; a further application is to be made to the Priority Branch. It has been decided, at a special meeting of the Caerphilly U.D.C., to seek Parliamentary powers for the purpose of providing a motorbus service between Caerphilly and Senghenydd_ The decision appears to have been influenced by the decision of the South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., which now Tuns a service in the Aber Valley, not to make any contribution towards upkeep of the roads. The Barnsley Town Council is about to purchase a, motor fire engine. the Rcigate T.C. is inquiring through its surveyor for motor watering-vans.
The Twickenham U.D.C. has approved plans for additions to the Straker-Squire factory in She/land Road, Twickenham.
The Sleaford U.D.C. is desirous to purchase a. motor lorry, and early delivery is to be a determining factor.
The Dudley T.C. has been notified that owing to slight improvements in the petrol situation, a partial resumption of the local motorbus service has been rendered possible for the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd.
The Leyton U.D.C. has informed the Essex County Council that it cannot, without further information, assent to the suggestion that the regulation of new routes for motorbuses in Essex should be in the hands of one ;authority, preferably the County Council. Slleffield City Council has refused to agree to the adoption, by the Sheffield United Gas, Light Co., Ltd., of a calorific standard for a gas-supply of 500 British Thermal Units per cubic; ft. The Council is advised that the company will save 230,000 per annum by the change, and that the cost to consumers, to secure the same duty from such gas as they have been obtaining from gas of the previous illuminating.. power standard, would be 266,000 per annum. additional.
The Bromley (Kent) R.D.C., after correspondence with the Road Board and the L.G.O.C., has obtained a modification of route, in order to avoid running through a local lane which is considered dangerous for motorbus traffic. In our experience, whenever an objection can be reasonably sustained, motorbus proprietors are ready to vary routes, if an alternative is available -which allows sufficient regard to be had for the convenience of the travelling public.
There has been overcrowding amongst intending passengers, outside the railway .station at Eastbourne, and the Motor Omnibus committee has instructed its Aneral manager to engage assistance to regulate the waiting crowd, in consequenee.of the refusal of the Watch Committee to permit the erection of a small barrier to aid the formation of a queue. Why this lack of working together, especially during war time, between two committees of the same local author*?
Heath's, of Birmingham, and Sales of Utility Vehicles.
When Mr. George Heath, of Heath's Garage, Ltd., Birmingham, takes up any scheme, it goes. His company, we understand from the general manager, Mr. H. C. Berry,. is likely to give increasing attention to new commercial-motor developments, One of its recent sales is a Pierce-Arrow van, with a load capacity of two tons, to James Baldwin and Sons, Ltd.. as by the accompanying illustration. We think this activity on the commercial-motor side, by one of the country's leading motorcar agencies, is likely to prove successful. Close touch with large numbers of commercial-motor buyers; they already being owners of motorcars supplied through the same, agency, undoubtedly gives Heath's Garage, Ltd., a position of considerable strategic advantage.
Taxicab Owner-drivers and Military Service.
A claim for exemption was made on the ground of serious hardship, by an owner-driver of a taxi-cab ; age thirty-three, married, unattested.
The purchase price of the cab was £325, of which E125 remained to be paid at the rate of Li 10s. per week. A further sum of El' 2s. 6d. was paid for the maintenance of the cab and hire of taximeter.
In the course of their inquiries the Central Tribunal ascertained that some companies who sell cabs on the hire-purchase system suspend the agreements with the men if the latter are called to the Colours, and that no charges are made for maintenance. Some of the firms make arrangements for storing the Cabs belonging to men called to the Colours. The charge for storing a cab may cover insurance against fire and damage by aircraft.
Instalments payable in respect of cabs purchased on the hire system and cost of storage would rank for grant under the scheme adminis
tered by the Civil Liabilities Commietee.
With regard to the relicensing of cabs and the requirements of the Commissioner of Police as to their overhaul on the return of the owners to civil life, the Central Tribunal communicated with the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (the application came before a Tribuhal in the area Of the Metropolitan Police), and received the following letter :—
" With reference to your letter of 26th August and telephonic communication of the 28th idem, on the subject of the exemption from Military Service of ownerdrivers of cabs, I am directed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to inform you that, in the case of a cab which has been overhauled and the licence of which has been surrendered in consequence of the owner having been called up for Military Service before the full period of the licence has expired, the Licensing Authority s prepared to consent to the cab being relicensed, upon the return of the owner to civil life, without further overhaul, upon the following conditions :—
"(I) That the. Licensing Authority is satisfied that the cab has not been used in the interim.
"(2) That, should some manifest deterioration be observed when the cab is presented for relieensing, the Licensing Authority may require the defect to be rectified so far as is necessary to meet the safety or convenience of the public. "With regard to (1), I am to point out that the Licensing Authority must reserve the right, if necessary, to require certain parts of the cab or of the place in which it is stored to be sealed or so treated as effectively to prevent the use of the cab. The sealing, etc., will be undertaken by the Licensing Authorities if application is made for that purpose by the owner. As regards (2), if reasonable care is used by the owner and the person responsible for the custody of the cab, any work required should not involve much expense.", In view of this information the Central Tribunal were of the opinion that the hardship (if any) which would be experienced by the man would not be sufficient to warrant exemption.
Polack Liquidation.
Persons having any claims to be creditors of the Polack Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., (in course of liquidation under the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1916), are required to make them, on or before Tuesday next, the 10th inst., to the Controller, Mr. Sydney W. Tubbs, Chartered Accountant, 28, Basinghall Street, E.C., together With full particulars. The same requirement applies to the Isleworth Rubber Co. (Poppe and Co.), enemy. subjects, under the same legislation.
"Redline" and "Ensign."
The Union Petroleum Products Co., Ltd.,'of 21, Bury Street, London, B.C., which company's Manchester office iS at Lloyd's Bank Buildings, King Street, Manchester, the latter being under the charge of Mr. A. P. Coppinger, continues to make remarkable headway with the sale of its products in those areas which it has so far been able to exploit. The company is an all-British concern, the only other interests which have considerable holdings as regards its sources of supply being American subjects—and Irishmen,
by origin, at that. Delivery arrangements have recently been perfected in the Manchester area, and not a. few of our readers in that area may care to .put themselves into direct communication with Mr. Coppinger, to ascertain the exact bearing of his position upon their own requirements.
Recent Registrations.
Lightning Motor Fuel Co., Ltd. (E25.000), with its registered office at "Finsbury Pavement House, London, E.C.
The Bilston Motor Service Co., Ltd. (E2000), with its registered office at 72, Wellington Road, Bilston, Staffs.
The New Motor Speciality (Empire Automatic Petrol Economiser) Co., Ltd. (E6000), with its registered office at 43, Oxford Street, London, W.
The Bessbrook Motor. Transit Co., Ltd. (2100). with its registered office c/o The Bessbrook Spinning Co., Bessbrook, Co. Armagh. Registered in Dublin.
A. W. Inglis and Co., Ltd. (2200), with its registered office at 122, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, to carry on business as assessors of claims in respect of motor lorries and other vehicles. Registered in Dublin. Clydesdale Lorries.
We understand that Mustikon, Ltd., of Cardiff, has been granted the sole agency for South Wales for Clydesdale commercial vehicles. Other agencies are under consideration by R. Martens and Co., Ltd., 149, Leadenhall Street, E.C.
Volunteer Motorcar Transport.
The Secretary of State for War, the Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George, M.P., las,: week authorized the formation of a committee to deal with the organization of Volunteer Motorcar Transport, in connection with the Volunteer Forces of the country. The Committee consists of Lieutenant-General Sir E. C. Bethune, K.C.V., C.Y.O. DirectorGeneral of the Territorial and Volunteer Forces, chairman, the chairman and secretary of the R.A.C., and the chairman and secretary of the A.A.
It is understood that the co-ordination of Volunteer Motor Transport, as carried out by the R.A.C. and the A.A., and by other voluntary organizations in connection with the wounded, will first of all be settled by the new committee.
The matter of volunteer heavymotor transport may be taken in hand later on. It presents quite different features of difficulty in organization,. as supporters of this journal will be well aware. The private motorist who lends his car, acting himself as the driver as a general rule, is not a like case. Overseas Trade.
The Ceylon Government has issued a notification, dated the 2nd August, 1916, to the effect that on and after that date an import "duty will be levied upon motor vehicles other than motor lorries, and Other than vehicles which are imported under licence from the Governor, of 331 per cent. ad valorem.
Mr. A. L. Matthews" the British Vice-Consul at Medan, Sumatra, Netherlands, East Indies, in his report on the trade of Sumatra, for the past year, states that a large increase occurred in the number of cheap motors imported' the demand for cheap ears is good. The local authorities are paying increased attention to the roads, both in and about Medan, in view of the development in motor traffic.
The Contraband Department of the Foreign Office announces that licences for export to Switzerland of the undermentioned articles are only granted if the goods are consigned to the &SS. (Societe Suisse de Surveillance Economique) automobiles, parts and accessories ; motor lorries and cars, parts and accessories,; motors of all kinds ; traction engines ; pneumatic tires ; vehicles of all kinds, haulers and traction engines of all kinds, and all articles, unmanufactured or manufactured, for transport purposes.
It is also pointed out that magnetos and their parts cannot be sent under the small parcels
scheme, wherebygoods may be exported without an acceptance certificate being previodsly obtained from the S.S.S.
Shell Spirit.
The Shell Marketing Co., Ltd., of Empire House, Kingsway, W.C., draws attention to the fact that, as and from the let January next, the distribution of Shell spirit will be undertaken by at, instead of by the British Petroleum Co., Ltd. The Shell Marketing Co. Ltd., is established and controlled by the Shell branch of the Royal Dutch interest, and it will enjoy the advantages of the vast resources which belong to the parent companies. The company, of which Mr. F. P. S. Harris is the general manager, will market all Shell petroleum produets', through its 500 motor spirit depots, and its network of motor wagon delivery. The new organisa tion is already well advanced.. The Shell Marketing Co-., Ltd., intends to maintain under all conditions the same high principles and excellence of service which have created for the commodities which it is to handle the unique reputations which they enjoy. We may mention that the divisional offices of the company, apart from, the headquarters in London, are as fallow :—Manchester, 1, Brazennose 5treet ; Birmingham, Carlton House, 28, High Street ; Bristol, 5a, Union Street; Plymouth, Shell House, 21, Story Street ; Glasgow, 53, Bothviell Street ; Dublin, 70. Grafton Street.
Keep Your Lorry Fit.
We have received from the Anzac Motor Co., Ltd., of 7s-2, Bronaptort Road, S.W., a two-fold card, which contains brief operating instructions for models 31 and 41 of G.M.C. chassis. The company will be pleased to forward similar cards to any user of either of these G.M.C. productions.
Motor Manufacture in Russia.
We learn that six large financial undertakings are interested in the organization of motor works in Russia. They' will be in a position to produce between 1600 and 2000 motors per annum. The cost of the building is estimated at 36 to 40 million roubles (5 to 51 million pounds sterling), while the output every year will value about 00 to 100 million roubles (13 to 14 million pounds approximately).
The North British' Rubber Co. in Berlin.
From information we have received, it seems likely that the North British Rubber Co.'s Berlin branch will shortly cease to owe allegiance to the parent concern. The Berlin managers recently called a meeting, and passed a resolution to .the effect that they thought the Government ought to allow the Berlin branch to secede from the English company and form itself into a purely U erman concern. There were of course, no shareholders present at tha meeting, as all the shares ars held by the North British Rubber Co. at Edinburgh..
Pagefield.Chassis.
One of the most significant tributes to the soundness of the sub sidy model specification in regard to the suitability for war purposes of chassis designed to meet its re quirements, is the fact that makers of subsidy models are finding little or no necessity to make any alterations to their chassis.
This reflection occurred to us on a 'recent visit to the premises of Walker Brothers (Wigan), Ltd., maker of the Pagefield line of heavy vehicles, which cover a range of from two to five tons, besides two special passenger chassis. This is not to say that the cbmpany is resting on its oars, in any sense of the word. Besides having considerably increased the capacity of this department of the works, an old-established engineering one, continual efforts are being made to improve the efficiency of the chassis in detail. For example, light pistons of the Zephyr type were recently experimented with, and the im provement in power resulting from their use was remarkable. It is probable that the type will be standardized in future as a result of their experiences. Other improvements, such as the substitu tion of leather for aluminium as the, material for universal-joint covers, an alteration, for convenience of manufacturing, of the design of the sub-frame, are typical.
AS following the general trend of opinion, that a wider field for com mercial motors will be afforded in the Colonies after, the war, ths utility of a subsidy model for Colonial purposes is pointed out. In this latter regard, it may be mentioned that the company has a world-wide reputation, as well as representatives, in the principal Colonies.
Road Rollers for Russia Ordered in America.
• Russian journals announce that a prominent American firm has received an order from the, Russian Government to supply 1413 road rollers, which will be driven either on paraffin or naphtha. This confirms the statements which have appeared from time to time in these pages that the Russians are carrying out great improvements on their roads, and making many new ones to carry motor traffic now and later.
G.M.C. One-ton Chassis.
A recent test of the Goodyear Cushion tire was made on a one-ton G.M.C, van. As it is some time since we first described the chassis on which this van was built, we were interested to note the improvements which had been effected in the meantime.
• These principally affect the control. In the chassis which we examined in May of last year, the steering wheel was on the left-hand side ; this is now altered, and the arrangement 'customary on British-made vehicles incorporated. The changespeed and brake levers, however, are still centrally disposed. A tubular radiator is fitted, and the tires may now be either pneumatic or Goodyear resilient.
• It is interesting to note that a number of these chassis has been supplied to the British Government and the Allies for use as ambulances.