Correspondence.
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Wilful Obstruction.
The Editor, "THE COMblERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—The following case may be of interest to your readers :--On August 13th last, one of our lorries was returning from Seaford, where it had been taking part in the Volunteer manoeuvres. On reaching Croydon, the driver of our lorry endeavoured to pass a horse-drawn bus, but was unable to do so, owing to the tactics of the driver of the Latter vehicle, who persisted in driving from one side of the road to -the other, or, to use a nautical expression, " tacking." Had our driver acted within his rights and gone ahead, a collision would have been inevitable; he, however, pulled up, and asked the driver of the bus his reason for such strange conduct. Antipathy against motor vehicles seeming to be his only excuse, the police (who witnessed the affair) prosecuted him for wilful misbehaviour. The case was heard yesterday before the magistrate sitting at the South-Western Police Court, and, in spite of police evidence and the evidence of independent and unbiassed witnesses, the magistrate saw fit to fine the bus driver only 25. and is. costs.
Comment on the above is unnecessary, beyond my pointing out that had the bus driver been in charge of a motor vehicle when he committed the offence, the fine would, no doubt, have been several pounds.—'ours faithfully,
For Provincial Carriers, Ltd., I-IE.RBERT C. NVEBB, Manager. 45, Horseferry Road, Westminster, S.W.,
September 2nd, 1905.
The Abandoned A.C. Van Trials,
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—N,Ve were sorry to receive a telegram from the Automobile Club announcing the abandonment of the tight van trials, which, in our opinion, should have been, the trials of the year for business results. It is quite time the motor van should be demonstrated to that large section of the motor-buying public requiring a substitute for the horse, and such reliable information as this trial would have afforded could not have failed to bring with it confidence and business.
We think the small number of entries may be accounted for pencipally by the few firms in England making a van to meet the requirements of the competition, and if there had been no restrictions on the weight, but classes arranged for both petrol and steam vehicles, it would have opened up a much larger field to receive entries from. Had a certain jealousy been aroused between the petrol and steam makers, success would have been insured to an undertaking which should have been strongly supported, and it will pay the trade to support such openings because they appeal to larger markets for trade than could possibly be reached by either pleasure or public service vehicles.
In our opinion, arrangements ought to be made early next year to organise a short van trial, with a view to getting up a competition between the advocates of petrol and steam, in order to find out which is the more reliable and cheaper system to adopt, and the results from these trials should do as much good to the automobile industry as the 1,coo-miles reliability trials did in mo3.—Yours faithfully, Destsas BROS., LIMITED. Bridge Street, Guildford,
September 4th, 1905.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—With regard to the above trials we have to say that we are of opinion that it would have been a great deal better to have let the trials take place, although there were not as many entries as there might have been. Had good business resulted, it would have been a good lesson to those manufacturers who did not enter by showing them that, through want of enterprise, they had lost considerable business, and would have thus made any subsequent trials sure of a large entry. Besides this, having cancelled the trials, the general opinion—which unquestionably exists—will be increased that the French manufacturers of motorcars are considerably in advance of the English, although we know the contrary to be true, more especially as the French have just carried out a very successful series of trials. 1,Vith regard to ourselves more particularly, we had intended to make a great feature of the van trials, and we were makinga very strong bid to come through successfully: in consequence, we had virtually decided not to run in the Tourist Trophy competition, as our cars are already well known for thenqualities for touring purposes, and, therefore, we did not feel that there was any need to demonstrate these further, more especially as we are so busy preparing for the Olympia Show and executing our Autumn orders. But, at the same time, of course, it is necessary for us to keep ourselves before the public, and as the van trials have been quashed we are running one of our standard 14-16h.p. chassis for the Tourist Trophy, which, we naturally hope. will ccanpete successfully with many of the machines which have been built specially for the event. This dislocation oL our plans at the last minute has been very annoying and exacting.—Yours faithfully, JAMES AND BROWNE, LTD.
Trade Catalogues for Australia.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR." Sir :—T am directed by the Agent-General for Victoria to forward herewith copy of a letter which he has recently received from the Government of the State respecting the duty on advertising matter, together with copy of a circular or, the subject. I am to add that arrangements will shortiv be made for the sale by the Agents-General in London for the Australian States of stamps for the prepayment of the duty on advertising matter.—1 am, Sir, your obedient servant, A. W. ANKILL, Secretary. Office of the Agent-General for Victoria,
142, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.
ENCLOSURE.—COPY.]
Premier's Office, Melbourne.
July 7th, 1905.
ADVERTISING MATTER, CHANGES IN TARIFF, ETC
Sir :--With reference to your letter, No. 1,809, of May 26th, I beg to inform you that I have received from the Comptroller-General of Customs, to whom I referred it, the following particulars as to the duty on advertising matter up to one shilling :— Dr. Wollaston says that copies of catalogues, price lists, trade c'rculars, and such advertising matter, posted direct to individuals, are charged duty in accordance with the following scale:— If, however, he adds, the duty on any one arta/ from the some sender does not amount to is. no charge is made. This practice, which is uniform throughout the Common. wealth, is based on a concession made by the Department of frade and Customs, and is not embodied in regulations.
I have the honour, etc, T. BENT, Premier.
The Agent-Generai for Victoria.
[SECOND ENCLOSURE.—COPY.1 CUSTOMS DUTY ON CIRCULARS FOR AUSTRALIA.
The Australian Post Office has announced that the Customs duty leviable in Australia on circulars, price lists, and other printed papers may be paid by the senders directly to the Deputy Postmasfer-General at Melbourne, Sydney„Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, or Hobart, as the case may be. The Federal authorities advise exporters to weigh the articles in bulk before posting, to assess the duty thereon at 3d. per lb., and to remit the amount in a letter stating for what reason they make the payment. The covers of the articles should be stamped with the name and address of the sender, and a statement that the duty has been sent to the Deputy Postmaster-General concerned. This inscription may appear on the addressed side of the cover, provided it is confined to the left-hand half.
Delivery Vans to Carry 5cwt, The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—With reference to your interesting correspondence page, which we always carefully note, there is a letter signed by Mr. T. Munroe Cairns, A..M.1.M.E., :n your issue of August 17th, in which the writer complains that he can only get one quotation for a delivery van toscwt. at most, and having two speeds and reverse, one-cylinder, live axle, and solid tyres. Your correspondent, Mr. Cairns, is probably quite right, and we trust that you will not object if we mention that we had the pleasure of quoting him recently tor one of our standard Parsons scwt. delivery vans; we believe this is the quotation to which he refers, although, possibly, his professional position suggested his mentioning no names. Whilst apologising, therefore, for taking upon ourselves to mention this matter, we would say that having entered upon the production of these vans in earnest, we think if only fair if your readers, for whose information, partly, the letter is inserted, had brought to their notice the fact that such vans are procurable from us, and this must be our excuse for writing you. Mr. Cairns was good enough to make a trial of our vehicle and expressed himself pleased with as points and performance.—Yours faithfully, Southampton. THE PARSONS MOTOR CO., LTD.
Motor Omnibus Licenses,
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—Having applied to the Llandrindod Urban District Council for a license " to ply for hire" in the district under their powers, and been refused, I was compelled to commence running the motor wagonette, which I had recently bought to make the beautiful district of Llangammarch Wells better known, free from Llandrindod to Llangammarch Wells, only charging for the return journey, if passengers were desirous of returning by the car. I cannot do better than enclose a notice that was issued to the pas
sengers.—Yours truly, F. C. A. GRIFFITHS. 28 and 29, Hamilton House,
49, Bishopsgate Street Without, London, E.C.
[Copy of notice issued by Mr. Griffiths.]
"NOTICE TO VISITORS TO LLANDRINDOD WELLS."
"The owner of this car particularly desires you to believe that it is not his wish to give you something for nothing, but this step has been made necessary by the action of the Llandrindod Urban District Council refusing to grant the owner a license for the Llandrindod Wells to Llangammarch Wells trip, giving as a reason that sufficient vehicles have been licensed. This excuse is not considered by the owner a good one, as there is no other such service in use, and the reason is more likely to be that the members of the council, as individuals, are afraid of having the superior attractions of Llangammarch Wells and its immediate surroundings placed before visitors of Llandrindod Wells. "The proprietors or management of the hotels, generally, are giving their support, and are co-operating for the benefit of visitors, and it is believed that the shopkeepers are not unfavourable to the service. In what way can these excursions injuriously affect the District Council ? Llangammarch Wells does not boast of owning springs similar to Llandrindod Wells, which can also be obtained at other places in the United Kingdom, but they do boast of the Barium springs, the only one recommended or used in the United Kingdom, and there is only one other known in the world, viz.1 at Kreuznach, Germany. "The railway station is situated within io minutes of the Lake Hotel, trains returning therefrom to Llandrindod, but the proprietors hope that visitors will utilise the car for their return journey, the fare for same being 3s. each passenger. Visitors at Llandrindod Wells can obtain tickets in advance for the trip, Llangam march Wells to Llandrindod Wells, by application to the manager of the Lake Hotel, Llangammarch Wells, 3s. each passenger. No particular day will be booked, but if any ticket is not used, money will be refunded by the manager of the Lake Hotel or at Messrs. Nertons, Llandrindod Wells, on returning the ticket. The proprietor invites visitors staying at the hotels of Llandrindod Wells for a free ride to Llangammarch Wells, but preference will be given to visitors who have obtained the tickets referred to above, because of the heavy bookings. The, car will start from the following hotels on the days mentioned (weather and circumstances permitting), and, if
room is available, at the other hotels in rotation :—Monday, The Gwatia ; Tuesday, The Pump House; Wednesday, The Rock; Friday, Plas Winton and Brynawel; Saturday, The Bridge and Ye Wells."
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—I have just returned from a visit to Llangammarch and its Barium springs. The residents of Llandrindod Wells would be well advised if they drew more attention to the lovely localities surrounding them, among which Llangammarch Wells may certainly rank as one of the most beautiful, while it is within easy reach of their visitors. So many people visit Llandrindod Wells, not only as a health resort, but as a centre for spending their summer holidays, that all possible pleasure excursions should be recognised as valuable assets peculiar to this centre by those responsible for its welfare.
A spirited attempt has been recently made to establish a motor-bus service between Llandrindod Wells and Llangammarch Wells, and I was greatly struck by the beauty of the road between the two places. The journey is done under the hour and a half, and as a globe trotter of 40 years' experience I certainly think it is one of the most delightful drives in the world, while a most excellently-managed hotel and grounds aw&it the traveller at the further end. It was with absolute astonishment, then, that I learnt that the "City Fathers" (or grandmothers) as represented by the "Urban Council" have been actually endeavouring to discourage this excellent endeavour to establish a motor service over this beautiful road, and in the exercise of the temporary power in which they are clothed, are responsible for the shortsighted policy of refusing to grant a license to such a service. Only one possible reason can be advanced as an excuse for such a policy. It may be that in their anxiety for the prosperity of Liandrindod Wells, they fear the counter attractions of Llangammarch Wells. That they are shortsighted in thus thinking is the opinion of those residents and visitors whose views I have gathered, for it would cut both ways; and the advertisement that this service would give to Llangammarch would be counterbalanced by that given to Llandrindod. Llandrindod, with its bracing atmosphere, its curative waters, its lovely scenery, is of world-wide reputation, and it can well afford to assist and acknowledge a local beauty spot, especially one whose curative waters (Barium) are in no way likely to rival or eclipse its own. For my own part, I consider a refusal to encourage and license a motor service from here to sucb a neighbourhood to be as churlish as it is ill-advised,iand it can only create a prejudice in the minds of visitors, and a feeling of resentment at such an interference with their liberty. It may be well worth the consideration of all residents and voters whether such an attitude on the part of their present nominees on the Urban Council is not likely to do infinitely more harm than good to the true interests of this place.—Yours truly, FRED G. SHAW.
The Editor. "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—Your correspondent, "One Much Interested," rather confuses the question as to the licensing of motor omnibuses, when he refers to the influence members of a municipal authority may exercise over the watch committee which controls the Police Force. The two matters are quite distinct. As 1 ant informed, the local authority has no option but to grant all applicants, who comply with the usual requirements, hackney carriage licenses. There is no " protection " for trams and no conditions as to fares, and any attempt to interfere with the " free trade" of granting such licenses is illegal. If this is not the case I shall beff; lad to be
corrected.—Yours faithfully, W. ELIOT THOMAS. Torquay.
[We regret that the issue of licenses is entirely at the discretion of the local authority. The reading of the several Acts which govern this matter leave the issuing of licensing at the mercy of the local council, which is under no statutory obligation to decide the favour of applicants. This matter is now occupying the attention of the Society of Motor Omnibus Engineers and of the joint committee of the Automobile Club and the Motor Union.—E.] The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters must be on one side of the Ober only, and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for the views expressed! is accepted.