News and Comment..
Page 10
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This journal is extensively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses.
This issue oPens our 16th volume.
Messrs. Isaac Beer and Sons, of 15, King Street, West Smithfield, express a highly-favourable opinion about the use of motorvans in place of horses, and we have something to say as to their experiences on page 7.
Delivering the "Daily Mail."
Some insight into the use of motorvans for newspaper dietribution may be gathered from a perusal of the short illustrated article, concerning certain delivery arrangements of " The Daily Mail," which is published on pages 4 and 5.
The Gloomy President.
Speaking at the luncheon preceding the thirteenth annual show of the Lewisham and District Horse Show Society, the president, Sir Edward Coates, Bart., M.P., predicted the "early exit" of the horse, in consequence of the increasing means for travelling by motor and electrical power.
Topical Subjects.
Our leading articles this week deal with the following topical subjects : (1) " Our usual Overseas Annual early in December ;" (2) " Overseas Registrations ; " (3) " A few Hints to Taxi-drivers (4) " Doubtful commercial value and probable commercial illegality of the 30-ewt. subvention-type vehicles ; " and (5) " Sequels to the Rain."
Nigerian Extensions.
Apropos present and pending developments in connection with tin, mining in Nigeria, we may state that the article upon pioneer transport in that colony, which appeared in several of our issues during the month of March last, has been reprinted by us to the order of John I. Thornyeroft and Co., Ltd.
French Agrimotor Trials.
We regret to learn that the two English machines which were expected to take part in the forthcoming trials at Bourges will not be presented for trial, owing to the inability of the maker, Wm. Foster and Co., Ltd., of Lincoln, to arrange with the purchasers for them to be spared during the necessary period.. It is hoped that the 16 other machines will all turn up, but some are doubtful.
According to the official programme, the principal tests will take place from the 1st to 3rd pron., whilst the prize distribution will be made on the following Sunday.
Exparimvits with Shale Oil.
A correspondent writes to us concerning a test of considerable thoroughness which he has been making with the use of Scotch shale oil for internal-combustion engines on commercial vehicles. He states that the oil has been found a powerful and economical fuel, but that, owing to the want of proper refinement, he has had to discontinue its use at present. " The induction pipes, valves, etc., I have found," he writes; "to be continually coated with a tarry substance. Probably if I were able to devote the time to having each carburetter most carefully adjusted, this trouble might be, to a large extent, obviated, but, when it is necessary to employ drivers of all grades and all capacities, it is hardly safe, I now consider, to use a spirit of this kind. Scotch shale oil is certainly not reasonably reliable when used with just any kind of carburetter. I intend," he adds, "to conduct further experiments in this direction. owing to the increased cost of spirit, and I will let you know how things progress with me."
In South Africa.
Until the motorva.n began to make an impression upon transport in various parts of South Africa., the old style was to haul a wagon or other vehicle by a team of eight or more mules or horses. The South-African agent of the Lacre Motor Car Co., Ltd., has replaced numerous such teams of mule wagons, and the accompanying illustration of a 30 h.p. two-ton Lacre van, with a loose-sheet top, which is in the service of the Imperial Tobacco Co.'s branch for the Union of South Africa, depicts a vehicle which has successfully effected such replacement.
Writing about this machine, the Lacre agent proceeds as follows : — "This vehicle returned on Wednesday last, after being away for 10 days ; during that time their traveller covered the same journey, which usually takes him three weeks with his mule wagon, and generally speaking it was successful, The vehicle started out to go to Swaziland, to which place it is necessary to climb some dreadfullysteep hills." The same agent, The AngloFrench Motor Garage, Ltd., of 84, Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, has supplied three Lacre tipping wagons to the Municipality of Johannesburg.