Passenger-Vehicle Topics.
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
,41:70,x
New Routes at Exeter.
The question of the linking up of some portions of the Exeter tramways by means of motorbuses has been referred by the tramway committee to a sub committee for consideration and report.
What are They to be Used For?
We hear that a well-known garage proprietor of Birmingham was in London last week, and purchased a considerable number of the General Motor Cab Co.'s derelicts—twocylinder Darracqs. We have had no information as to whether these will be used for hire purposes in the Midlands.
London Traffic Rivals.
The L.C.C. tramway receipts, for the week ended the 21st nit., were £42,597, compared with £40,648 for the corresponding week of 1911 ; the L.G.0.0. receipts, for the week ended the and inst., were £41,602, compared with £32,l25 for the corresponding week of 1911, The L.C.C. gain is 21951, whilst that of the L.G.O.C. is £9477.
The Cab Strike in Birmingham.
We understand that the Provincial Motor Cab Co., Ltd., has agreed to remove its regulations requiring the daily deposits hitherto paid by the men for cabwashing, insurance and clothing which amounted to Is. 6d. per day. The drivers are to receive 25 per cent. of the receipts, less petrol, as before, and they have accepted this offer and returned to work. Cabbies Highest Takings in 1911.
Since we announced the winner of the 250 bonus, given by the General Motor Cab Co,, Ltd., the list of winners has been removed from the official works notice-board.
Increase at Eastbourne.
The motorbus committee of Eastbourne Town Council has decided to purchase two new motorbuses, at an estimated cost of £1500. Amongst the new types which have been inspected are the Leyland and Tilling-Stevens petrol-electric, The committee has decided to acquire Leylands.
High-Capacity Traction Cells.
Hope is still entertained in America that the accumulator-propelled vehicle will be able economically to compete with its petrol or steam rival. Mr. H. E. Pratt in a paper which he recently read before the Electric Association of America in New York, commenting on the handicap of the weight of the original storage battery, said that, whereas the capacity not so long ago of the best batteries was only 5 watt-hours per lb. of cell, it had now been found possible on the latest battery tramcars to employ a thin-plate, high capacity battery which had repeatedly shown outputs as high as 14 watt-hours per lb. of cell. "The higher mileage radius," comments our contemporary, "The Engineer," "thus made available is an important factor in connection with the probable ultimate success of accumulator cars."
Mud-splashing in Edinburgh.
The inspector of hackney carriages has submitted to the Edinburgh magistrates a report on mud-splashipg by motorbuses. The report recommends drivers to proceed at a lower rate of speed than has been usual in certain thoroughfares, and further it suggests that every effort should be made by continual washing and sweeping to keep the road in fair condition.
Pulling Cleethorpes' Leg.
At a meeting of the district council, a councillor asked certain questions with reference to the proposed service of motorbuses in Cleethorpes. The chairman stated that a letter had been sent to the person who wrote offering to inaugurate a motorbus service, but it had been returned marked " no. address." Another councillor remarked, "Someone was pulling our legs, I think."
Taxicabs in Llandudr o.
The by-laws committee reported that the Llandudno Coaching and Carriage Co., Ltd., had applied to the town council for licences to run two motorbuses in place of existing horsed buses. It was resolved that the application should not be granted. The committee had also considered the granting of licences for taxicabs. A letter, signed by various coaching companies in the town, was read, urging the committee not to grant such licences at present, as the requirements ofthe town did not necessitate them. It was agreed that the licences should not be granted.
The General Motor Cab Co.
We have already referred to the reconstruction arrangements of the G.M.C. Co. in our issue of the 22nd February. At a recent meeting, shareholders were supplied with the particulars which we have already given to our readers. With one or two dissentients, the shareholders agreed to the scheme—a very large number of proxies were entered, and the sanction of the Courts will be obtained on the 20th inst. in the course of his speech, the chairman mentioned that the company had been unable to acquire the fullest possible earnings of the cabs, owing to the difficulty of securing sufficient drivers, and the claiming and retaining of the " extras " by the men.