The Wheels of Industry.
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
This journal, dealing as it does with the "Chariots of War," no less than with the "Wheels of Industry," continues of national importance. Its interests embrace impartially the transport wagon and the parcelcar, the military tractor and the steam lorry.
Proposals and Purchases by Local Authorities.
The Waltharnstow U.D.C. has taken delivery of two motor bedding-vans.
The Surveyor to the Finchley U.D.C. is reporting on the matter of the purchase of motor dust-vans.
A four-ton Albion wagon has been bought by the Electricity Department of the Salford Corporation, at £775.
The Margate Town Council has now resolved to purchase a motor fire-engine, with escape attachment,
at £1150, •
The Tramways Committee of the Southend-on-Sea Town Council is offering three • Tilling-Stevens petrol-electric motorbuses for sale, with immediate delivery.
The Guardians for the Island of Sheppey have decided to continue the use of motor vehicles for the conveyance of patients, in preference to the use of horse-drawn vehicles.
The Health Committee of the Chesterfield Town Council has approved the expenditure of 2645 on a rubber-tired steam-driven tipping-wagon ; the Council of the same borough is also ordering four petrol lorries.
The Faith U.D.C. has lodged an application with the Local Government Board, in order to secure a Provisional Order, to amend • its Tramways Act, so as to enable the Council to run motorbuses inside and outside its area. The Board of Trade has intimated that no objection will be raised by that Department. This is the first municipal effort of the kind in the immediate vicinity of London.
The A.S.C., M.T., Fund.
We publish elsewhere (page 377) the income and expenditure account, as audited, for the period ended the 30th September last, together with the certificate of the Hon. Auditors, Messrs. E. Bishop and Co., Chartered Accountants, of 106, Jermyn Street, S.W.
Subscribers of quarterly sums are hereby reminded that we shall be pleased to receive, at, their convenience, cheques in respect of the three months ending the 31st March next. These cheques should be drawn "The Commercial Motor Campaign Comforts Fund," for £30 or £15, respectively, and posted to the Editor. Supporters of the Fund will, we feel sure, be pleased to learn that a very high proportion of eensignments which left London early in December actually reached the columns and units on Christmas morning. We take this opportunity of inviting members of the motor and allied industries, and users of commercial motors throughout the country, to note that the organizers of the Fund will gratefully welcome financial help.
Gamage-Bell Co.
Gamage-Ti ell taxicabs are no longer on the streets of London. They have been withdrawn through a• combination of adverse circumstances, inclusive of financial difficulties, arising from driver shortage, the smallness of the fleet, and the cost of repairs.
Motor-boat Men.
Adverting to our issue of the 23rd tilt., on the subject of recruiting for Admiralty transport, we are requested to announce that applications for enrolment as chief motorboat men, or motor-boat men, should be made to the offices of the Yacht Patrol, Motor-boat Section, Victory House, Cockspur Street, S.W., and not to the Board of Inventions.
Inst.A.E. and Back Axles.
At the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi, W.C., Mr. George W. Watson, M.I.Mech.E., A.E., will present a paper on the subject of " Back _Axles " before the members of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, on Wednesday next, the 12th inst., at 8 p.m. The Secretary of the Institution will be pleased to send cards of invitation to any interested readers of this journal who may apply to him in writing, at 28, Victoria. Street, London, before the meeting.
A.S.C., M.T.
Blacksmiths, electricians and motor mechanics are still being accepted in all recruiting areas for the A.S.C., M.T., providing they are in possession of a particular leaflet, which is obtainable from the Director of Recruiting, War Office, S.W. As we reported last week, only learners are being recruited as drivers, and these men must not be eligible for the infantry. The foregoing arrangements, we may mention, are liable to alteration according to the exigencies of the service.
No motor mechanic is under any obligation to enlist. All motor mechanics are entitled to exemption, in that they belong to a "reserved occupation." In Nigeria.
We understand that a motor service will be established, between Kano and. Kaisena, a distance of approximately 100 miles, a few months hence.
Albions for Civilians.
We note that, amongst recent deliveries.-ito civilian purchasers by the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., are vehicles for the North British Locomotives Co., Ltd., Glasgow, the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co., Ltd., London, and Wm. Baird and Co., Ltd. Gartslierrie.
Lord Montagu's Survival.
It is with feelings of the heartiest relief that, as we go to press, we learn of Lord Montagu's survival, after the torpedoing of the " Persia." Never have we "lifted" a paragraph with greater pleasure, than we now "lift" the notice that was inAype and ready for publication as an,a,ppreciation of a life of activity which there was every reason to fear—against hope—had been prematurely ended by drown ing. We are sending, direct to Lord Montagu, over and above our personal telegram of congratulation, a "pull" of what, we had written. We are glad to think that he has been spared to.continue his present work as Inspector of Mechanical Transport for the Indian Army, and we look forward to his continuing his many services to motoring for long years to coMe.
Price of Motor Spirit. '
Apropos increases in the prices which are being obtained for motor spirit, we are glad to be able to remind our readers that we strongly recommended the making of contracts in advance, during the. year 1915. We ascribe the present tendency of petrol prices to the phenomenal demand, of the Admiralty in connection with the motor-boat patrol of the coast and home waters. We are, as a matter of fact, convinced that the supply of petrol for private and commercial users is only being maintained with the utmost difficulty. Freights are abnormal, the demand in the United States is increasing with leaps and bounds, and the difficulties of the importers of motor spirit are unprecedented. It would be, none the less, a serious matter for owners of petrol-driven vehicles, if we were notequally able to forecast a quick return to normal prices when hostilities are over. We believe that there will then be ample supplies of petrol all over the country, for commercial nurnoses. at a maximum price of is. per gallon.