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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever poinis arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."--foktt Beattie Crozier.

French Wood-fuel Tour.

The 5,000-kilometre road test of a gasdriven Berliet omnibus, mentioned in our issue of August 10th, has been successfully concluded. The vehicle was fitted with a Berliet gas-producer, using wood fuel. Leaving Lyons on .Monday, August 2nd, at 9 a.m., the omnibus made a complete circuit of France, via Grenoble, Nice, Marseilles, Toulouse, Bayonne, Bordeaux, Angouleme, Rochefort, Nantes, Brest, Rennes, Cherbourg, Rouen, Le Havre, Dieppe, Ameins, Boulogne, Dunkirk, Rheims, Nancy, Strasbourg, Belfort and Dijon. The journey ended at Lyons on Monday, August 20th, strict schedule time having been kept during the whole trip. Detailed results of . the experiment, which was very carefully observed, are not yet available. The following facts emerge, however, and they are sufficient to show the very practical value of a properly designed gas-producer. An average speed of 20 k.p.h. was main tained throughout the journey. Fivehundred francs' worth of wood fuel was consumed in the 5,250 kilometres covered, as compared with an estimated cost of 4,000 francs for petrol over the same route.

• The Law Affecting Transport Undertakings.

A very valuable legal summary dealing with the rights and duties of transport undertakings has just been published by Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., at 5s. net, the author being Mr. H. Berms Davies, MA., who is a solicitor. The book is written primarily for students of transport and it is claimed that it contains within its narrow covers the whole of the law which directly affects transport The carriage of goods and the carriage of persons are dealt with separately, and a number of " cases " i quoted. A useful index gives a key to the subjects referred to.

Advice from the L.G.O.C.

We referred in a "One Hears" paragraph recently to the possibility of difficulties arising, mainly because of the distance between the two cities, in the London General Omnibus Co. giving useful assistanee and advice to the Scottish Motor Traction Co., of Edinburgh, such as was outlined in a prospectus recently issued by the directors of the latter concern. We understand, however, that any such difficulties are being overcome as they elrise and that there is entirely smooth working between the two organizations.

Road Vansport and the Strike,

Practically what amounts to a recounting of the way in which the transport for the maintenance of supplies was organized in anticipation of the recent general strike and how it was carried out ha: been published in volume form under the title "General Strikes and Road Transport." It is written by Mr. George Glasgow, with an introduction by Mr. Lloyd George, and is published at 5s. net, by Mr.

eq0 Geoffrey Nes, 22, Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1.

It is just as well, perhaps, that the menner in which transport was organized to deal with this emergency should be published in such a way, instead of being merely filed in a Government pigeon-hole, and there possibly rendered unavailable for general reference. The book makes interesting reading, particularly to those who had any part in the organization.

Conveyance of Petrol.

The draft regulations in connection with the conveyance of petroleum spirit in mechanically driven and other road tank wagons have just been publiahed and are obtainable at H.M. Stationery Office at the price of 2d.

Mr. Ford's New Book.

Mr. Henry Ford's new book, entitled "To-day and To-morrow," which has been prepared by hini in collaboration with Mr. Samuel Crowther, will be published on Thursday next, by William Heinemann, Ltd., at the price of 12s. 60.

Coach Philanthropy.

The Liberty Motors Co., Kingsway, Cardiff, last week conveyed in their coaches some 100 inmates of the Cardiff Poor Law Institutions for an outing to Barry Island. All charges of the treat were borne by this firm of coach proprietors.

American Tractor Exports.

During the first six months of this year the United States exported 32,109 wheeled tractors, valued at $17,510,606. This represents an increase of more than 13,000 machines and $7,000.000 over the corresponding period of 1925. During the last half-year Russia teok 9,687 American wheeled tractors, value $4,467,555; Canada 4,992, value $3,860,064; Italy 3,928, value $1,764,912; Prance 3,415, -value $1,553,085; Australia 1,989, value $1,200,026; and Argentina 1,690, value $996,086.

Lancashire Motor Parades.

The Lancashire commercial motor parades this year promise to assume new significance, and both at Liverpool and Manchester the civic weeks committees, which are organizing events calculated to attract a large number of visitors to their respective cities, have sought the co-operation of the respective area committees of the C.M.U.A. with a view to this year's parades being incorporated in the Civic Week programmes.

At Manchester the preliminary arrangements have been completed, and on October 2nd there will be a special transport parade, the purpose of which will be to show the amazing progress of road transport in the handling of Manchester goods. '

Whilst the motor parade as a competitive fixture will retain all its essential points, this will be merely one of three main sections constituting the transport parade. For instance, there will be a historical review of transport froth the days of the pack horse right up to modern times, also a procession showing typical loads of goods manufactured and distributed from Manchester.

• Probably the acceptance of the idea of employing commercial motors as part of a civic attraction in Manchester has led the Liverpool Area Committee of the C.M.U.A. somewhat to modify its arrangements. The seventh annual Liverpool parade, instead of being held on September 25th, has been postponed until October 16th, the first day of Civic Week. So far there has been no alteration in the proposed arrangements for the competitions and firms who are contemplating entering vehicles are reminded that they have up to September 25th to enter their motors. That the civic authorities of both Manchester and Liverpool should recognize the value of commercial motor transport by including them in the respective "at home" week programmes is tribute indeed to the position this form of transport has attained in these two great commercial cities.

Motor Vehicles Replacing Railways in Denmark.

Danish railway construction may be considered virtually to have reached the

limit of its developmnt This is theview of a commission appointed by the Danish Parliament to look into the question of whether or not the increasing use of the motor vehicle makes it desirable to discontinue building railways. Of the 40 railway projects that received Parliamentary approval, the commission recommends that 34 be abandoned completely and the construction of three others be made provisional. Thus the construction of but three lines of the original 40 is recommended.

Although the main reason for the recommendations is the remarkable development of Danish bus traffic, the pressing questions in connection with bus transportation have not been taken up. These are no doubt left to the "Bus Route Sub-committee," appointed in 1925, and which is expected to report at an early date.

Bus and Tram Co-operation at Newcastle.

Since the Ministry of Transport, following upon a local inquiry at Newcastle recently, declined to accede to the request made by the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., for licences for about 60 buses to ply between Durham, Chester-le-Street and elsewhere, over the High Level Bridge, into Newcastle, the. company has lost no time in finding other means of providing rapid through' service for the benefit of passengers desiring to reach that city in the shortest possible time.

The latest development is an extremely interesting one, in that it constitutes an interchange bus and tram arrangement with the Newcastle Corporation Truesport Department. Passengers are now able to book from any point along the route named, right through into Newcastle at advantageous rates. Return tickets are issued covering both the bus and tram journey, and passengers, who are set down at the company's bus station in Wellington Street, Gateshead, then boardone.of the Corporation trams and continue the journey 'by that medium.

fly this arrangement quick transport at cheap fares is provided for , the public, And the necessity of adding to congestion on the bridge, to which the Ministry objected in refusing the appli.cation, is obviated.

T .ore Government Contracts.

Among the orders for commercial vehicles given out by Government Departments during July last was one for Morris trucks and vans placed with Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., Acton, W. The G.P.O. authorities placed orders for vans with the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Glasgow, the Maudslay Motor Co., Ltd., Coventry, and W. J. Willett, Ltd., Colchester. Barford and Perkins, Ltd., Peterborough, also received an order for motor road rollers and spares from the Crown Agents for the Colonies.

Commercial Travellers and Car Parking.

The increasingly important question af the use of motorcars by commercial travellers, and of securing facilities or special consideration for such travellers to leave their cars unattended, while calling on,scustomers, for a longer period than is permitted to the general public, was discussed at considerable length at

the recent congress of the United Commercial Travellers Assaciatiop.

In certain districts a badge indicating a traveller's car has been adopted with excellent results. It is desired to extend this system throughout the country, and that the Association should be allowed to issue a badge which should be goner' ally .recognized by the police as giving the right for the concession asked for. The secretary called attention to what had already been done•in this direction, and it was agreed again to take the matter up with the police authorities, and to endeavour to bring about some agreed practice.

Farming by Crossley-Kegresse.

A farmer just outside Manchester is employing a 15-20-cwt. CrossleyKezresse vehicle for the purpose of towing his reaping machine. This is a very interesting development which might well be followed in other quarters, although, of course, such a machine,is more expensive in first cost as compared with the cheapest form of tractor.

The machine is stated by the farmer to take the place of three horses in pulling capacity, but it actually performs its work far more rapidly, and it does not cut up the ground like the agricultural tractor, only leaving a slight track on fairly hard ground, for the reason that the pressure is only 10 lb. per scinare inch.

The average speed for reaping the field which we illustrate is 5 m.p.h., which, according to the farmer, is very gotd, and with this the machine has the ad antage of a very low petrol consumptiOn.

German Trucks for Sumatra.

t is reported from Berlin that the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, of

rienfelde, has lately received some important orders for motor trucks for use in connection with the tobacco plantations in Sumatra, Dutch East Indies. The orders are said to have been carried offklespite keen competition on the part of importers of American trucks.

Tractors in Senegal.

A Erench contemporary reports that the Societe des Cultures Tropicales is using two Fordson tractors in connectit with its cotton plantations inSenegal One of the machines is fittell with wheels and the other with a -chain track. Th experiment is being watched with grebt interest. The Commercial Sidecar Demonstration.

The demonstration of commercial sidecars inaugurated last year by the Auto-Cycle Union is being repeated this year, the start having been made at Reading yesterday, whilst the finish, which will occur on Saturday, September 11th, will be at Slough.

We have already set out the course to be followed by the vehicles. This, it will be remembered, includes Basingstoke, Salisbury to Bath (121 miles) on the Monday ; to Taunton, Dorchester and Weymouth (98 miles) on Tuesday; to Poole, Southampton and Portsmouth (88 miles) on Wednesday; to Bognor, Brighton, Lewes and Hastings (98 miles) on Thursday ; to Folkestone, Dover, Canterbury, Maidstone and Tonbridge (106 miles) on Friday : and to Reigate, Dorking, Guildford and Slough (70 miles) on Saturday, the total mileage being 581.

The list of entrants is as follows :— Arid Works, Ltd. Arid l sidecar fitted with 5 h.p. Arid engine and delivery box body. B.S.A. Cycles, Ltd. (1) B.S.A. fitted with 4.93 h.p. B.S.A. engine and tradesman's box carrier ; (2) B.S.A. fitted with 9.86 h.p. B.S.A. engine and

milk float. Butterfields, Ltd. L,avis sidecar fitted with 2.47 h.p. Levis engine and general parcels body. Dorway Sidecars, Ltd. Dorway sidecar fitted with 6 h.p. B.S.A. engine and commercial truck. Dunford and Elliott (Sheffield), Ltd. Dunelt sidecar fitted with 5 h.p. Dunelt engine and lift-off-top van ; (2) Dunelt sidecar fitted with 5 h.p. Dunelt engine and standard van body ; (3) Dunelt sidecar fitted with 2.5 h.p. Drinelt engine and box carrier. Enfield Cycle Co. Royal Enfield sidecar fitted with Royal Enfield engine and milk float. Humphries and Dawes, Ltd. • Sidecar fitted with 2.92 h.p. O.K.-Junior engine and Hughes butcher's box body. Mills,Fulford, Ltd., Millford sidecar fitted with Rex-Acme engine and commercial box body. Rudge-Whitworth, Ltd. Two sidecars, one fitted with tradesman's carrier and the other with tradesman's delivery van. Triumph Cycle Co., Ltd. Details not yet to hand. s. Warrick and Co., Ltd. 5-6 h.p. Warwick motor carrier fitted with small box van. Wetsonian Folding Sidecar Co., Ltd. Wetsonian sidecar fitted with Norton engine and van for bulky parcels. Zenith Motors, Ltd. Burlington sidecar fitted with 6.80 h.p. Zenith engine and tradesman's box body.

The Institute of Metals.

We have received from the Institute of Metal, ,36, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, volume 35 of the Journal of the Institute, edited by Mr. G. Shaw Scott, M.Sc., which is priced at 31s. 6d. The new half-yearly issue is the largest volume of a long series, but there is no " padding " ; in fact, the majority of the 17 communications and discussions forming the first of the two sections of the , book give evidence of editorial activity in the direction of securing brevity. The level of the papers is very high, the subjects dealt with including softening strain-hardened metals and many other kindred subjects. The second section of the volume is devoted to a well-arranged mass of abstracts of metallurgical papers published throughout the world.

A Request for Buses.

The ultimatum of the Ministry of Transport that corporation buses must be withdrawn from certain routes, arising out of the recent Newcastle inquiry into the operation of buses by the municipality, has resulted in considerable inconvenience to residents owing to the lack of transit facilities since the order was complied with.

In the Weetslade neighbourhood, where the corporation service between West Moor and Dudley has been discontinued, the local council has addressed a strong request to the United Automobile Services, Ltd., to provide buses over the route. The company have now expressed their willingness to do so, so soon as the necessary sanction is obtained.

A Leyland in British Columbia.

One of the retept deliveries made by Leyland Motors, Ltd., to a user in Vancouver; B.C., takes the form of a lorry which is employed in heavy-duty work, and is shown in the accompanying illustration being loaded by means of a shovel, which, it is interesting to note, is operated by a Diesel-type heavy-oil engine. This is proving such an efficient piece of equipment that it only costs $1.75 per day to operate, and appears to give far better results than the orthodox type of steam shovel.

Milk by Tank Wagons.

Figures which have been issued by United Dairies, Ltd., deal with the transport by road of milk from their country depots to London in glass-lined tank wagons.

The system has worked-out very well, and since last December, when the comPany opened its regular daily services from country depots, the tank wagons have each travelled an average distance of nearly 140 miles daily, bringing to London a total daily quantity of 7,500 gallons of milk.

These services have been maintained with unfailing regularity in all kinds of weather. The tanks haul 1,250 gallons, and in eight months the fleet has carried nearly 2,000,000 gallons of milk, which would otherwise have been trans ported by railway in 10-gallon or 17gallon churns. The wagons have actually travelled over 2,000,000 miles.

It is claimed that the system has effected a great saving, not only in freight charges, but in labour, utensils and time, that the temperature of the milk is more equitably maintained, and, above all, that clean milk is kept clean during transit in these hermetically sealed receptacles.

An Efficient Piston Ring.

A sample of the Clupet piston ring has recently been submitted to us by the Clews Petersen Piston Ring and Engineering Co., Ltd., West Heath Works, Mill Lane, W. Hampstead, London, N.W.6. It is of a very intereseting type, and, although each ring is in one piece, it is split in such a manner that it forms a dual ring with a bridge, which obviates the joined gap of the single-coil type, thereby greatly assisting in the prevention of gas leakage at this point.

The rings are made from centrifugal castings of the best-quality iron. In the final operation of grinding on the periphery,the rings are closed right up on a spindle just as if they were fitted in a cylinder. They are then ground perfectly round to a limit of .001 in. plus or minus, these limits applying also to the sides and between the coils. It has been found that when these rings are fitted in old engines, after considerable wear has taken place on the walls, they accommodate themselves to the enlarged cylinders and often give a great increase in power.

More Vehicles for Russia.

It is reported that the Soviet Government has recently placed orders for 50 Renault motor lerries and for a number of Fiat and Austro-Daimler vehicles.

An Austrian Parade.

Considerable interest was shown in the first commercial motor parade in Austria, which was recently held in Vienna.. Over 300 vehicles took part in the procession, these ranging from a small van to dust-collecting and streetstreet-watering vehicles used by the Vienna municipal authorities.

Recent Karrier Orders.

Amongst recent orders received by Karrier Motors, Ltd., Karrier Works, Huddersfield, one of particular interest is for a fleet of new rigid-frame sixwheeled 50-cwt. lorries for the Turkish Petroleum Co. A 39-seater coach on the large-type passenger rigid-frame sixwheeled chassis is being built for Messrs. 3. H. Allitt, of Bermondsey, and Messrs. C. G. Lewis, of Greenwich, have also placed an order for this type of chassis. The Halifax Corporation Tramways has ordered six 20-seater lowload-line buses, and a 20-seater is to be supplied to Messrs. Smith, Buckle and Whin, of Leeds. A number of 3-tonners is being purchased by the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., whilst Messrs. Peter Walker and Son, the well-known brewers of Warrington, are increasing their present flea by the addition of four 6-ton lorries and a 12-ton tractortrailer.

Overseas orders include ten 2-tanners for Adelaide, and a number of 2-ton and 2-ton chassis for Melbourne, the whole showing satisfactory progress.

Inspection of Public Vehicles.

At a recent meeting of the Sheffield Rotary Club an interesting address upon the inspection of public-service vehicles was given by Mr. Wilfred Melling, who urged that the police force should be used to act as inspectors of these vehicles, and have a fully trained mechanical engineer as their chief officer. He believed in giving ample notice of a proposed inspection so that the owners vehicles can have no ground for excuse. Annual inspections, he said, were carried out for the benefit of the public and not for that of the vehicle owners.

Mr. A. R. Fearnley, general manager of the Sheffield Corporation Tramways and Motors, who also spoke, suggested that sufficient pressure had not been brought to bear upon the manufacturers of commercial vehicles in respect of the brakes, and he considered that the improvement of the private car in having four-wheel brakes should be extended to all commercial vehicles, so that there would be emergency brakes in ease ef failure of the usual type on the rear wheels.

A Booklet on Lubrication.

The author of "The Book of the Ford," Mr. R. T. Nicholson, has recently written an interesting little booklet entitled "Better Lubrication," which is published by Shell-Max, Ltd., Motor Oil Department, Shell Corner, Kingsway, London, W.C., who will be pleased. to send a copy, post free, on receipt of a postcard. The booklet is in Mr. Nicholson's inimitable style, and it does not delve too deeply into the profundities of science. It gives some useful practical hints, whilst tables at the end of the booklet give the correct lubricants for different makes of commercial vehicle, farm tractor, motorcycle, etc.

Lorries in South Australia.

Figures just to hand show that 755 new motor lorries were registered in South Australia during the first four mouths of the present year. Of the total of 161 for April, no fewer than 144 —chiefly Fords and Chevrolets—were of American make, only nine being of British and eight of French construction.

A Bus Agreement.

Aberdare Urban District Council has agreed to the proposal of the Merthyr Corporation to run buses in its district on the following conditions:— 1. Not to pick up passengers at Aberdare or between Aberdare and Llwydcoed; other than passengers for any place beyond the Great Western Railway bridge on the Cwmynysmintan Road near " Tanglewood," Llwydcoed.

2. Not to pick up passengers on the Aberdare side of the said bridge for • conveyance to Aberdare or between Llwydcoed and Aberdare.

3. To surrender the said licence or licences on demand upon any breach of this undertaking.

4. To supply each driver and conductor with a copy of this undertaking, the terms of which must be kept posted in each licensed vehicle.

5. The undertaking shall be deemed to be a continuing one, and shall apply in respect of all licences whenever issued.

Lorry Construction in Hungary.

It is announced from Budapest that the Hungarian State Railway engineering works of that city have secured a licence from the Nationale Automobile Gesellschaft, of Berlin, to build motor lorries and buses, in accordance with the N.A.G. designs, for the Hungarian market.

Wood Tipping Gears Popular.

Amongst the vehicles which the Hydraulic Hoist Co., Ltd., of Lord Street, Southport, have supplied with their well-known tipping gears during the mouth of August are a 50-cwt. Leyland, two 2i-ton A.E.C.s, a 30-cwt. Karrier, a 2-ton Vulcan, a 4-ton Albion, and a 4-5-ton Semen A Handsome Morris.

We have received from White Horse Distilleries, Ltd., a photograph of their new Morris van which, it will be seen from our reproduction, is a nice-looking and even striking vehicle, and it is par ti ularly noticeable because of the rnpda of a white horse which is carried over the front of the driver's cab and which forms a prominent publicity feitture.

A Recent Karrier Delivery.

IA useful Karrier 2-ton refuse-collecting vehicle with a steel-lined body' w ich is arranged for tipping by a hand

op rated gear has recently been deity red to the Golcar Urban District Coiincil and is illustrated on this page.

The sides are 18 ins, deep, and these, the ridge poles and the tarpaulin cover are easily detachable.

The chassis employed is the wellknown Karrier C.Y. model, except that the wheelbase has been reduced, i this instance, from 12 ft. 6 ins. to 12 ft. The whole outfit presents a very pleasing appearance and should prove a most useful addition to the municipal cleansing department.

Stirling-Glasgow Motor Traffic.

Scarcely a year has elapsed since the Comfort motorbus service was inaugurated between Stirling and Glasgow, some 30 miles distant, and already the number of vehicles employed has had to be doubled. At first the traffic was nil, or nearly so, but gradually the public began to appreciate the facilities offered by the new means for transport, and the bias for travel by the railway began largely to break down. People are now getting into the way of grudging to walk to the railway stations when they can get safe and convenient conveyances almost at their doorsteps. The route traversed passes through a considerable number of small towns and thriving villages, and all these now contribute their due quota of passengers to the Comfort buses, which run at frequent intervals and strictly according to time-table. The fares are lower than the railway rates, and, in the matter of comfort, there is very little to choose between the two types of carriage.

New Zealand Prefers British Goods.

It is reported from Christchurch, New Zealand, that the Hutt Valley Electric Power. Board has adopted a policy of British preference, and will purchase British trucks, tyres, etc., against all foreign competing manufacturers.

A. Satisfactory Link Belt.

Some time ago the Automotive Products Co.. 3, Berners Street, London, W.1, submitted to us for test a sample of the Graton and Knight Antoduct link belting, which is the standard type belt fitted to the fan drive of Morris cars since 1922. This belt has been tried out on one of our staff vehicles which is notorious for the manner in which it demolishes most belts on its dynamo drive, and, after some considerable use, it may be said that the Autoduct belting has proved most satisfactory.

In future the Autoduet belting for service and replacement purposeswill be supplied to the trade with every-limit detachable and fastened by a screw and nut, which renders it possible for a stockist to make any length required. Tramway Managers Confer.

Motorbus matters will figure prominently in the discussions at the annual conference of the Municipal Tramways Association to be held at Liverpool on September 8th, 9th and 10th.

The following papers will be read :— Wednesday, September 8th.—Major J. Fitzgerald Jones, vice-chairman of the Salford Tramways Committee, on "Public Policy in Relation to Tramways and Motor Omnibuses "; Mr. Alfred Baker, general manager of the Birmingham Tramways, on "Road Passenger Transport."

Friday, September 10th.—Bailie R. Laing, convenor of the Glasgow Tramways Committee, on "Motor Omnibus Competition in Glasgow."

To-morrow (Wednesday, September 8th) the Lord Mayor of Livernool will give a civic welcome to the Association. to be followed by the presidential

address by Mr. Percy Priestly, A.M.I.E.E., M.inst.A.E., general manager, Liverpool City Tramways.

The annual dinner of the Association at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, will take place in the evening.

On Thursday, September 9th, there will be a trip by steamer at the invitation of the Liverpool City Tramways Committee from the Liverpool state to Llandudno and Menai Straits and in the evening a reception by the Lord Mayor at the Town Hall.

On Friday, September 10th, the arrangements are :—Meeting of the Council of the Association ; .meeting of the Managers' Section ; luncheon at the Adelphi Hotel, at the invitation of the chairman and members of the Liverpool City Tramways Committee, and a general meeting of the Association.

Coaching in the Lake District; With reference to our note, in the section of our issue of Aug. 24 devoted to " Passenger Travel News," dealing with motor coaching in the Lake District, we are asked to make one or two medifications in the information therein contained, particularly with regard to the coach service between Penrith and Patterdale for connection with the steamers plying for hire on Ullswater.

Armstrong and Siddle's Motor and Transport Co., Ltd., inform us that they also have a working arrangement C24 with the Ullswater Navigation and Transit Co., Ltd., whereby their coaches work in co-operation with the steamers, the journey to Pooley Bridge being made by road, 30 minutes being occupied in the run from Penrith station, and the steamer completing the journey to Patterdale in a further 45 minutes.

We stated that the off-season charge for conveyance by motor between Penrith and Patterdale is 1s. (id., but Armstrong and Siddle's Motor and Transport Co., Ltd., inform am that the fare is 2s. 6d., not only in the season but out of season.

A Bernet for Petrol.

Illustrated on this page is a Berliet vehicle of the 50-cwt. class which has recently been supplied to Cory Bros., of Cory Buildi-ngs, 59, St. Mary Axe, London, E.C., for the purpose of carrying Cory's motor spirit in tins.

The body, which has been especially designed for the purpose, is 6quipped with electric lighting and starting, and, in order to conform with the regulations, a fire screen is fitted behind the driver's cab, and the silencer is moved forward so as to be in front of the screen.

Although the vehicle has been in service for only two or three weeks, a repeat order has already been received, and the second vehicle, which will be delivered within a few days, will incorporate front-wheel brakes and pneumatic tyres in place of the semi-solid tyres fitted to the vehicle described above.

South London Travelling Facilities,

The London and Home Counties Traffic. Advisory Committee has appointed five of its members. to hold a public inquiry into the alleged inadequacy of travelling facilities to and from and within the areas of the Metropolitan boroughs on the southern side of the Thames. The committee commences its sittings at the Middlesex Guildhall, Westminster, on October 11th.

Persons who wish to be heard at the inquiry or to make representations on the subject are asked to submit a statement to the secretary of the committee at 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W.1, on or -before the 27th instant.

Local Proceedings.

Uxbridge U.D.C. has now decided to purchase a motor ambulance at a cost of about £400.

Northfleet U.D.C. has accepted the tender of £73 10s. of Dennis Bros., Ltd., for overhauling a motor lorry.

Bolton Corporation has decided to purchase a motor vehicle for the conveyance of cable drums and transformers.

Leeds Corporation has empowered the tramways manager to extend the Stanningley and Pudsey motorbus services.

Merthyr Corporation has accepted the tender—£496—of Messrs. Romilly Motors, Ltd., for the supply of a secondhand motorbus.

Manchester Corporation Tramways Committee is to obtain quotations for the supply of 12 motorbuses to replace old types of vehicle.

Manchester Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted the tender of H. and J. Quick, Ltd., for the supply of a Ford motor chassis.

The Ministry of Transport has agreed to receive a deputation from the Leeds Watch Committee with regard to the subject of rear exits on buses.

Leeds Watch Committee has provisionally agreed to proposals of the Halifax Corporation for -a through bus service between Leeds and Halifax.

Leeds Corporation has accepted the tender of Karrier Motors, Ltd., for the supply of a motor sweeping and collecting machine at £978 and a sweeping and watering machine at £650.

Leeds Watch Committee has again refused to grant a licence to the Cream Bus Service, Ltd., to ply for hire in the city in connection with a service between Ilkley and Leeds, via Guiseley.

Mr. H. M. Davies, of Abercynon, has appealed to the Ministry of Transport against the refusal of the Merthyr Corporation to grant him licences for a bus service between Merthyr and Pontypridd. ,

Manchester Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted the tenders of Karrier Motors, Ltd., for the conversion from solid to pneumatic tyres of six Karrier buses, and the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., for the conversion from solid to pneumatic tyres of six Bristol' buses.

Merthyr Watch Committee has refused application by the Aberdare Motor Service for six additional licences for a service between Glyn Neath and Merthyr Tydfil, and Messrs. Phipps' Motors, Glyn .Neath, for a licence for a 26-seater omnibus for a service between Cwingwrach and Merthyr.

Mr.A. J. Storey, general and produce merchant, of Blantyre, Nyasaland, arrives in this country at the end of September in connection with his business, and he will then be in the market for a few motor lorries for the transport of produce. The sizes he has in mind are the L'0-cwt. lorry and the 2i-ton lorry to take a trailer. His address in England will be " Rodmill," Bromley Grove. Shortlands, Kent, and we suggest that manafaeturers should communicate with .him. •