Milk Transport by Motorcycle Carrier.
Page 48
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The value of the commercial sidecar outfit for use in certain trades is clearly suggested by the milk•tioat which Writers Motor and Cycle Works, 163 and 165, Lower Kennington Lane, London, S.E.11, have just supplied to a local dairyman. From a picture appearing on this page it will be seen that the carrier is built to take five full-sized milk churns, so that 50 gallons of milk can be conveyed at a time. We are told that the user has, by the use of this machine—the motorcycle is a 557 c.c. Ariel—succeeded, in saving 1d. per gallon in the transport of milk from the railway station instead of having it delivered by the usual method. He has, furthermore, met the complete cost of the machine in a period of six months and expects it will enable him to save £150 per year.
The 47th "General" Garage.
Work on the new garage of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., at Southbury Road, Enfield, is well advanced and it is hoped to have it completed and in use in six months' time. This garage will provide accommodation for 108 buses, most of which will be employed on routes serving the Edmonton and Enfield areas and various in-town termini.
The new building, which has a floor area of 37,000 square feet, is of brick with imitation stone facings. The main doore will be of the sliding-folding type now in use at the most modern L.G.O.C. garages. Two underground petrol tanks, to hold 12,000 gallons of petrol, and the usual repair shops and offices will be installed. The latter are being built in such a manner that it will he possible to remove them to some other position should extra floor space be needed for the garage.
Level-crossings at Hull.
In connection with the proposals of the Hull Corporation for the abolition of the level-crossings in the city, representatives of the corporation and the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. have discussed the matter with the Minister of Transport. The Minister stated that any considerable lump-sum grant was entirely out of the question, as there was no money to spare from the Road Fund. The suggestion to spread the grant over a number of years could not be entertained, and the Minister said he could not, at the moment, promise assistance to a smaller scheme, although a less ambitious proposal would receive careful consideration. In this connection the city engineer reports that any attempt to deal with each crossing separately would be much more costly than the present scheme.
Road Transport in New Zealand. In the annual statement recently presented to the New Zealand Parliament by Mr. K. S. Williams, the Minister of Public Works, an outline is given of his policy for the development og road and railway transport in he Dominion. He points out that it is necessary to improve Recess to remote areas and to enable farmers to attain the maximum of productivity. The extended use of motor vehicles makes essential either a levy or further taxation for the continuance of the programmes of road improvement. Since 1924 the cost of maintenance of the 1122
highways has increased by more than 15 annually for each additional motor vehicle registered, whereas only £3 per vehicle is received by way of motor taxation. It is proposed to use the additional funds obtained for the construction of permanent highways, radiating from centres, and to subsidize secondary roads.
'Postal Motors in Ceylon.
The increasing activities of the postal authorities in Ceylon have resulted in the use of a fleet of motor vehicles by the postal department. It is a common sight now in Colombo to see redpainted motor mail-vans carrying inward and outward mails to and from the General Post Office. The system has also been extended to other important towns. The 'Postmaster
General now proposes to add to the fleet of vans not only to increase the collections in Colombo, but to connect some of the important places which are not served by railway.
A Travelling Library.
The Middlesex Education Committee has just acquired a Morris-Commercial motorvan, fitted up as a travelling library, for the circulation of children's literature among libraries and schools.
• Free State Bus Services.
As a result of the Shave Bloom Co. extending its services in the West of Ireland to join up with those of the Magnet concern, it is now possible to leave Birr in the morning and to " cover " half of the Trish Midlands in the course of a day.
Hot Cinders on Northampton Roads.
Northampton County Council has decided to proceed against drivers of steam vehicles who permit hot ashes to fall on the road, it having been found that much damage has been done to tarred surfaces by red-hot cinders dropped from such vehicles.
No British Makers at the Belgian Show.
From the advance list of exhibitors we regret to observe that no British motorbuses or lorries are on view at the Belgian International Motor Show, which opened in Brussels on Saturday last, December 3rd. There are 26 exhibitors in this section of the exhibition, there being ten Belgian, ten French, three American, one Swiss and two Italian manufacturers.
A Rubber Exhibition.
An exhibition which will serve to indicate the many uses to which rubber is put in connection with modern commerce and industry opened at the Imperial Institute, South Kensington, London, &W., on Saturday last, it having-been arranged in collaboration with
the Rubber Growers' Association. The production of raw rubber is being featured and during the period of the exhibition films will be shown in the Cinema Hall of the Institute, whilst special lectures will be given. The exhibitien is open daily and is free.
Financial Aspect of London Traffic Pool.
In connection with proposals for the pooling of London traffic the London County Council has arranged for Mr. William Cash to give advice on the financial aspect of the scheme. Mr. Cash is acting in, a similar capacity in connection with matters arising out of the London Electricity Acts.
De Dion Bouton Reconstruction.
It is reported from Paris that arrangements are in progress for the financial reorganization of the De Dion Bunton Co., of Puteaux. It is stated that the new capital is being provided by an English and a Spanish syndicate and by a number of the old agents for De Dion cars in France, and a full range of commercial motor vehicles will be manufactured.