WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a earriage is by. the roughness of the roads over which t runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Institute of Transport Papers.
Amongst the papers which are to be read at the ordinary meetingsof the Institute of Transport during the 19221923 season are " Passenger Transport by Road in Rural Areas," _by Mr. S. Garcke, and another by Mr. C. Bentham on "The Influence o Transhipment on Railborne and Road Traffic, with Special Reference to the Most Economical Methods of Labour-saving Appliances."
The following lectures will be delivered for gra.alaates and students :—" The Ernpioyment of Transport in Relation to Post Office Operations," by Mr. II. C. Gunton, M.B.E. ; "Th. Prevention of Traffic Accidents," by Mr.* H. E. Blain, C.B.E. and "The Design. and Maintenance of Commercial Motor Vehicles," by Mr. G. d. Shave. The ordinary meetings ;and lectures will be held in the leetine theatre of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
Lincolnshire Roads.
fleavy increase of expenditure upon main roads, alleged to be chiefly attributable to commercial motor and charAebanes traffic, continues to form the subject, of condemnation among Lincolnshire agriculturists.
It was stated by Alderman S. Pattinson, at a recent gathering at Grantham, that the total of Lincolnshire rates in the Kesteven Division amounted, to 2.54,000 in 1914 and had risen to R155,000 in 1921, the expenditure for the respective years being £138,400 and £545,900, the greatest increase being on highways and education, the grants under these two headings amounting to abeut 50 per cent, of the whole.
It was suggested that agriculture could no longer go on meeting such enormous increases. In 1914 the cost of maintenance of roads in the Keeteven area of the county amounted to £30,000, whereas at the present time it. totalled £74000.
Previous. Lincolnshire gatherings have been prolific in suggestions that the main burden of the increase should be made to fall upon owners of mechanically propelled 'vehicles. Recent criticism, however, appears to have gone far towards moderating these demand. It is, in .fact significant of the changing trend of opinion that an entirely inequitable contention found no place in the recent Grantham proceedings.
A Munkipal Parcels Van.
Halifax Corporation Motor Haulage Committee has decided to reduce the charge for the hire of the parcels van from £2 17s. 6d. per day to 10s. per day for the next three months, and thereafter to £2 5s. per day, subject to the Tramways Department guar'anteeing to use the vehicle for 5k days a week.
New Anti-glare Device.
One of the motor drivers employed bythe Mersey Power Co., of Runcorn, has patented a new device for the prevention of dazzle from headlamps. Known as the Louvre anti-dazzle device, it consists, of a door extension for' the existing headlamps whichcontains a number of opal or frosted glass panels or louvres pivoted on -short spindles, which are carried in heariegs inside the outer rim of the door extension.
When the lights are used in the ordinary way these strips are horizontal, but when it is desired to dim the lamps they are tilted downwards by means of a Bowden wire and lever. By this means the light is reflected on to the road for a short distance only, and a small amount of light, insufficient to dazzle anyone approaching from the opposite direction, shines through the opal glass panels.
No Case for Closing of Roads.
The Highways Committee o'f the Middlesex County Council reports. that it ha e had under consideration a request
from the Southgate . -Urban District .Council tothe count:, council to make
an applice on to the Ministry of Trans port, under the Roads Act, 1920, Section 7 (4), for the issue of an Order pro
hibiting or reStrieting the driving of heavy motor vehicles in Old Park Road and 'Broomfield Avenue, on the ground that each highways are unsuitable for use . by vehieleS of that class.
Members of the committee have inspected the roads in question in connection with the application, and have conferred with representatives of the district council in the matter.
They report that the roads are of a residential character running parallel to Green Lanes (main road), and only some 280 yds. distant from the main road, their proximity causing them to be con
venient for use as a. by-pass, especially as their gradient is snore favourable and vehicles are able to move freely away from tram and other traffic congestion.
It is also reported that there is nothing .
in the lay-out of these roads' which. 'renders them inconvenient for motors,
and their condition is very fair, so that motor traffic is not, apparently, causing them. any considerable injury_
Having regard to the foregoing, and taking into consideration all the circum stances, the committee feels that it would be difficult to substantiate a case for cloeing the roads to heavy motor traffic.
Opposition to Sunday Services.
At a meeting of the Barry Council, at which the renewal of motorbus _licences was considered, protests against Sunday services in the area. were reeeived from religious bodies affiliated to the Free Church Council.
One member, speaking in support of the objectors, thought a canvass of public opinion would reveal a majority against Sunday bus services. The bus proprietors claimed the right to run Sunday afternoon and evening services between Cadoxton and Barry, and stated, in-support ,of their application, that 1,400 passengers had availed themselves of the services on the previous Sunday.
In view of this, the chairman remarked 'that, whatever might be one'S feeling against the services, it was clear that there was a nubile desnand for them, and he thought Le necessary permits should be granted. A resolution in favour of stopping the Sunday services was lost and the proprietors' applications granted.
Kelly-Springfield Spares.
The British Engineering Products Co., 26, Westminster Palace Gardens, Victoria Street, London S.W. 1., have recently taken over the sales interests of Sir F. Payne Gallwey, Brown and Co., Ltd., which includes the transfer of their Kelly-Springfield motor lorry interests. They now hold the ;distributing agency for this motor vehicle for the British Isles, excluding Ireland, and are also in a position to supply spares.
• Northampton Roads.
According to the annual report of the county surveyor of Northamptonshire, the amount of resurfacing work carried out during the past year on the roads in the county was practically the same as that of the preceding 3rear-23,597 tons of materials being applied and rolled as against 23,380 tons in 1920-1921. The increased cost of materials generally over the pievicus period amounted to about 10 per cent, The weather during the year was exceptionally dry, and, therefore, favourable for all descriptions of road work, but the abnormal heat of the summer months softened the targrouted and tar macadam sectionsi to an extent. that caused them to move under the heavy traffic. Corrugations and depressions in the surf ace were thus formed.
To counter the allegation that the roads in Northamptonshire are the Worst in the country, the county surveyor says 111 that the majority of main roads are as good as those in other counties ; (2) that. fully 70 per cent, of the total mileage is in a reasonably good state of repair, and (3) that every effort is being concentrated, so far as funds will permit, to repair the remainder. At the present time nearly one mile of roadway per week is being resurfaced, and in between two and three years' time .the •surfaces of the roads will be restored to their pre-war condition.
A New Garage for Blackpool.
Another addition to Blackpool's evergrowing garage facilities for reach proprietors and other road users has recently been niade. Messrs. Biuston and Sons, of Grantham, have built a spacious and up-to-date garage on the Pleasure Beach which will accommodate' 250 charsel. banes and motorcars—all under one roof. This building is a one-span structure, with an entrance the full width of the main garage, giving ample manceuvring. room for any vehicle in the building. The main garage has a width of 85 ft. and a length of 300 ft.
On each side of the main building are lock-up garages for the accommodation of 104 motor vehicles, which will be parked slantwise; the space between the two rows of vehicles is f ally 50 ft., so that any vehicle can at once draw clear without interfering with the movements
of others. Two Shell Pumps are provided at the entrance.
The need for such a covered garage so near to the promenade and beach has long been felt by char-a-banes parties, and also by private car owners, who are now spared a te.ilous journey through the town to/the point of departure.
Petrol, tyres and oil will be sold, and running or minor repairs will be carried out. More extensive repairs and overhauls can be done at the engineering establishments hard by. Tourists are catered for so far as meals are concerned by the establishment in the fairground close by, so that the whole is a well-thought-out scheme, which should prove of advantage to road users.
The management of the depot is in the hands of Messrs. Charles and Leonard Bluston, who are quite willing to nego tiate with char-a-bancs proprietors for the accommodation and comfort of their parties on special terms.
Water Tanks for Stearn • Wagons.
Bolton Corporation has withdrawn a clause from its Parliamentary Rill enabling it to place water tanks, for use by users of road locomotives, under any street outside the borough.
Refuse Collecting Costs.
A Mansfield Corporation report shows the average cost of refuse collection for the three months 'ended March 31st to have been, according to distance, 6s. 4d. per ton by electrics and fis 7d. by horses and carts; 7s. by electrics and 8s. 84d. by horses and carts; and 9s. 5d. by electries and us. 4d. by horses and carts.
The Vogue of the Tractor.
There are new more than 40 tractors in constant use, on Stirlingshire farms, exactly half the number being of one pa.rtieular make. On the holding of one important agriculturalist three of these machines were employed during the last ploughing and seeding season, and horse haulage was reduced to a minimum. In every case the motor tractors are giving complete satisfaction.
Eliminating Door Rattle.
Motervan and other vehicle users who do not like to hear the rattle emanating from loose doors will be interested in the door silencers which are. being marketed by Messrs. Albert Jagger, 5-8, Green Lane, Walsall. The silencer consists of two parts, the metal part being fixed to the vehicle and the rubber part to the door. As the door is closed, the rubber slides on to the metal, becoming wedged and ttlitened, and thus preventing the possibility of rattle. A set of four silencers is required for two doors, the price per set being 8s, 6d.
COMMERCIAL sivIUTOR Municipal Bus Enterprise.
The Middlesbrough Corporation has opened its ffew and ooramodious motor omnibus and tramcar garage and depot, which has been built in Parliament Road, at a total cost of £30,652 The south end has been reserved for the smart fleet of buses operated by the corporation, and adequate workshops and-machinery are provided for the maintenance, repairing and painting of the vehicles. Since the corporation took over the undertaking in April,, 1921, it has spent £12,022 on the purchase of seven new omnibuses.
Comparative Costs for Electrics.
The city engineer and surveyor to the Canterbury City Connell has recently issued. some informative statistics con
cerning the running and cost of operation of the electric vehicles owned by the council. The council's first electric-a 24-ton Edison—was put into service in November, 1920. It is -used, for refuse collection, and was followed by a 24ton Garrett, which was delivered in Septemper, 1921, and is convertible to the dual uses of refuse-. collecting and street watering. Both vehicles are, it is slated, running economically and efficiently, and have shown a considerable saving over
horse transport. The Edison vehicle had run 4,279 miles previous to October last and the Garrett 350• miles. The following comparative statistics for the two vehicles deal with the six months ended March 31st last :—
Edison. Garrett.
Miles run ... 2,623 1,917 'Wright ean:ied .... 1,288 tons 1,158 tong No. of loads 674 769 Average miles per day ... 1617 12.36 Average miles per load ... 3-89 2-52
Average weight per load 1•83 tons 1-62 tons
Total ampere hours ... 98,096 23,556 Ampere hours per mile 1452 12-28 „ per ton-mile 794 808 Units into generator ... 8,211 6,229 „ per mile ... ... 8126 2127
per ton-mile ... 1-71 1-79 „ per load .. ... 1218 6-88
No. of days worked 156 156 „ lost .. Arit. Nit.
The inclusive total cost for both vehicles during the period was £1,069 2s. 7c1., the cost per working day being 26 17s. 1d., the cost per mil, 4s. 8.5141., per ton 8s. 11.05d., per ton mile 2s. 9.4d., and per load 4s, 11.06cl.
Automobile ••M. Borba have' now opened a fully equipped service and spare part depot in London. Replacement orders will receive immediate 'attention if addressed to 40, Sackville Street, London, W.1.
American Production.
It is announced by the National Automobile Chamber of New York that the June production of motor vehicles in America was slightly in excess of 288,C00 machines, including both commercial and passenger vehicles. This figure estab
ashes a new record for production in the American industry, and is 12 per cent. higher than the May production figures. It is stated that these figures indicate a total production for 1922 of more than
2,000,000 motor Vehicles. During the second quarter of the year. 763,000 sehiLiles were manufactured, and the total for the first six months was 1,137,001
-A Showman's Road Train.
The great wakes and fairs are now in progress in the 'North of England, and road train's similar to the one illustrated on this page are to be seen regularly moving from one town to another. In Yorkshire and Lancashire the various towns observe different holidays, and, whilst a large proportion of the population leaves the towns for the seaside and other holiday resorts, those, who stay at home are entertained by travelling fairs which are transported by road. The illustration shows a roundabout being transferred from one fair to another by a huge tractor, which also provides power and light for the fixture during the time Of the fair. The amount of work these tractors are called upon to de during the summer season may be judged from . the fact that the,shows are usually running, from Friday evening to the following Tuesday or Wednesday, the paraphernalia then being removed to
a place often many miles distant, and erected ready for the following Friday evening's fair.
The trains comprise vans and wagons for carrying the fittings and a living van, and the tractors are usually fitted with a dynamo driven from the balance wheel when the engine is stationary. Some of the newer tractors are fitted with derricks at the bank to facilitate loading and " shunting.," and almost all have drums and cables for hauling the wagons carrying the loads up inclines which are too steep for the tractor when hauling its retinue of wagons.
. Not Up to Anticipation.
Leyton Council's Highways Committee has had a report from the surveyor on the cost of cartage by a Ford lorry, compared with horse carts. This shows that the lorry, which is charged at the rate of two horses and carts per day, is only doing work equal to one and a half horses and carts.
London Traffic Census.
The Traffic Department of New Scotland Yard has just issued preliminary figures of a traffic census taken in London on July 11th, and, according to the estimated totals, it has been found that the three busiest spots are Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar eauare. The numbers of all classes of venicies and bicycles which passed these spots during 12 hours from 8 a.m. was 51,000, 40,000 and 38,000 respectively. Other places for which the figures are but little less are: Mansion Howes 30,000, Elephant and Castle 26,000, and Blackfriars Bridge 20,000. The census was taken at 30 points, and most of the big traffic centres in London were included. A complete analysis of the returns will not be finished fur a month or more, and it has then to be compared in detail with the previous! year's figures before any definite conclusions can usefully be drawn. It might be added that the figures indicate an allround increase in the traffic of London.
No Alternative Tax Suggestion.
The Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles has invited the County Councils Association to submit an alternative scheme of taxation which would ensure the raising of funds equivalent to the total produced in the year 1921-22.
The Association, however, has come to the conclusion that, while reaffirming the financial principle underlying the Local Government Act, 1888, with regard to main roads, namely, the payment of at least one-half of the cost thereof I rani non-local sources, it did not consider it to be any part of the duty of the county highway authorities, or of the Association on their behalf, to advise the central Government as to the manner in which the last-named's share of expenditure should be raised. The Association is, therefore, notprepared to' suggestany alternative system of taxation.
Co-operative Fire Brigade Services.
At a meeting of the Hebden Bridge District Council a letter was received from the Mytholmroyd Council stating that, in the absence of definite information concerning the purchase of a fireengine and equipment, it could not usefully consider the communication from the council respecting the payment of a retaining fee. The Hebden Council, after considering certain estimates respecting the' cost of a motor fire-engine or a motor fire-tender, agreed to invite certain motor manufacturers to give estimates for a 250-350-gallOn fire-engine. The present working costs of the brigade are to be ascertained and compared with the probable costs of working with a motor fire-engine. The position with regard the Mytholtnroyd Council will 130 considered later.
Control of Passenger Vehicles.
With reference to the control of pas. seng,er vehicles, the County Councils Association reports that it is advisable that powers with regard to the control of traffic should be conferred upon county councils, and that evidence shoulh accordingly be submitted by the Association to the Departmental Committee recently appointed to consider the question of the control of passenger vehicles.
Surrey's Arterial Roads.
At a meeting of the Surrey County Council a few days ago it was agreed to share with the Ministry of Transport the expenditure of £30,000 involved in acquiring a strip of land 100 ft. wide and eight miles long for the purpoSe of CODstracting an arterial road from Kingston Vale to Esher, circumventing the congested streets of Kingston.
A further £10,000 is to he spent in wearing a strip of land of the same width and four miles' long to enable an arterial road to be constructed from London and _Mitcham road to Banstead on the main Brighton road, which will avoid the congestion at Sutton. The estimated cost of making the Kingston by-pass road is £245,000.
South Wales Road Schemes.
Main traffic route schemes are developing in South Wales. The existing Cardiff-Newport route is well known to motor vehicle drivers and is used daily by many hundreds of heavy and other vehicles. Some time ago proposals were put forward for an alternative main road that would do away with dangerous bends, such as exist in the present route, leaving the old route for lighter traffic.
A conference is now to take place between representatives of the Cardiff Corporation and delegates of the Monmouthshire County Council, with a view to furthering the scheme—at any rate to the point of deciding definite routes if the scheme is ultimately embarked upon.
Exclusion for Five Years.
The Ministry of Transport has made an order closing various roads in Yorkshire to certain classes of traffic for a. period of five years. During this period no person may drive a locomotive, heavy motorcar, or motorcar with seats for more than 14 persons, exclusive of the driver, with the exception of vehicles which are being used for the conveyance of goods or merchandise to or from houses on the scheduled roads or for the purpose of agriculture in connection with land adjacent to the roads. The scheduled roads are Beverley.—From Railway Street through Butcher Row and Toll Gavel to Register Square.
Pocklington.----Clark's Lane, Post Lane Waterloo Lane and Rem Lane.
Scuiceates.—Ladywell Cate, Welton arid Potterill Lane, Sutton.
The Ministry has expressed willingness to schedule, for a period of two years, against traffic, with exceptions as in the foregoing cases, a road in Kirk Ella, provided that. the Sculcoates Rural Council will, during this period, submit proposals fGr a road impiovenaent.
Storage of Fuel for Ambulances.
The Ambulance Committee of the Metropolitan Asylums Board reports that the consumption of petrol in the service of the Board is now very large, and that the method of supplying fuel in two-gallon cans is wasteful and unsatisfactory. The issue and the consumption are difficult to check, and there is an element of danger in the handling and storage of the fuel.
The committee considers that at each ambulance station in London, and at one of the Dartford institutions, there should be installed a plant for the delivery of petrol to vehicles from bulk storage tanks. These installations provide greater safety in handling, prevent waste and loss, and form an important check on running efficiency. :Moreover, a further advantage is that the Board will obtain supplies of petrol in bulk at a reduction in cost of 1A. per gallon. The committee has considered the various bulk storage installations on the market, and has decided to accept the offer of the Doweon and Mason Gas Plant Co., Ltd., to supply seven Beardmore equipments at £117 each, to which must be added the cost of installing the plaint, which will be about £65 in each ease.
Durham Roads. •
It wae reported at a quarterly meeting of the Durham County Council that estimates for road maintenance, etc., for the year ending March 21st,. 1923, alter reconsideration, now 'ameunted to the sum of £820,640. The undermentioned tenders for road construction work were recommended by the Works Committee Durham to Stocktdn, £27,894; 'Sunderland-Houghton main road, £30,942; Sunderland to Easington, £33,498; Sheraton Lane Ends to West Hartlepool, £12,218.
Against Municipal Competition.
The Mountain Ash Council has replied to the Aberdare Council that it does not think the time opportune to commence a jointly owned bus service between Mountain: Ash to Abercwmbi, as proposed, by the Aberdare Council in opposition to local proprietary services. When the proposal was first discussed by the Mountain Ash authority several members spoke of the excellence of the eervices provided by localproprietors, and the decision now arrived at was; in view of this and the'heavy rate of the district, expected by the public.
A Veto on Competition.
Widnes Town Council has given perpermission to the Crosville Motor Co. to run bus services through the town, but on condition that there will be no competition with the corporation vehicles. The company will not be allowed to collect money except to a distance half-amile beyond a corporation bus terminus. The idea of the Crosville Co.'s buses is to 'serve long-distance passengers.
Manchester Buses.
The whole question of inotorbue sere vices has recently been considered by the Manchester City Council, and a subcommittee has inspected and apple:Arad , the use of certain new routes as extensions to services at present in existence. The tramways committee also advises that trials be made with a one-man, single-deck type of omnibus for use on routee where the traffic is light.
• In this conneetione it. is interesting to note that tenders for the supply of a 20-24 seater single-deck, petrol omnibus of this type, which have to be delivered not lat4r than 10 a.m. this (Tuesday) morning, are to be considered by the committee.
A Lazy-tongs Jack.
Users of light vehicles running. on pneumatic tyres will be particularly interested in the results of the official demonstration which has recently been carried out by the Royal Automobile Club with the Atlantic jack made by Butlers, Ltd., Grange -Road, Small Heath, Birmingham. The jack is designed on the lazy-tongs principle, the links being made of steel pressings. The 'jack rises from a pressed-steel base of ample 'proportions, and is operated by a screwed spindle having both leit and right-hand threads. The spindle terminates in a universal joint, in the socket of which the collapsable handle fits.
The handle, when closed, is 16i ins. long by 1i ins, wide, and opens to 311 ins, long, with an £47in. cross-piece.
The capacity of the jack is shown by the fact that, during the tests, it was used to raise from the ground the wheels -of four cars,' the axle weights of which ranged from 8 cwt, to 17Acwt. The timb taken to raise a wheel ranged from 9 secs. to 38 secs.
Mr. E. H. Welch, of the late Regent's Park Magneto Repairing and Winding Works, has transferred his business to Magstarlite, Ltd., 325, King Street, Hammersmith, London, W. The company will repair magnetos, starters and lighting apparatus, and also rewind armatures and coils.
A Warning to Drivers.
The increasing popularity of the motor coach is undoubtedly responsible for the issue :of a. poster entitled " Hints to Char-aabancs Drivers," emanating from the London "'Safety First" Council. There are at the present time 750 motor coaches plying for hire-",in the Metropolitan . area, and this number is steadily inereasiag. Drivers will be well advised to pay attention to the hints which are enumerated on the poster.
Such tips as " Test your brakes before leaving the garage," .."Observe speed limits," " Give way to faster traffic," "Never allow your attention to be distracted by passengers," "Keep to the Maim roads " should certainly, be observed by all those drivers .who study ..the interests of pastengeri and other road users.
A New Van, Body.
We illustrate im this page a neat body for a .traveller which has been built and fitted on a Islorris-Cowiey chassis by Thomas Pass. Ltd., of Coven
try, to enable the smaller productions of Alfred Herbert, Ltd., to he readily convoyed. The box is divided into two compartments, the larger and lower one extending to -the full width, whilst the upper one accommodates four drawers. Small sample tools, contained in bags which can the quieldy removed, will be accommodated in the upper drawers, whilst larger tools will be packed in the lower compartment. The measurement of each drawer is 24 ins. by 15 ins. by 54ins., whilst the other compartment measures 34 ins. by 394ins. by 19 ins. The driver's cah follows standard practice, and is equipped with self-supporting side curtains, hood and windscreen.
,A Useful Map for Hauliers.
A very useful map suitable for hauliers and drivers in the district extending from Birkenhead on the west to Sheffield on the east and from Burnley and Leeds on the north to the Potteries on the smith has been produced by John Heywood, Ltd., 121, Deansgate, Manchester, and is issued at Is. 6d, per copy (paper edition), and 3s. per copy (cloth edition). The scale is 'LW C4 miles to the inch, and the indizi is very clear, the roads being shown coloured and giving correctly the
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various road features, so that it is perfectly easy, by means of the map, to find one's. way.
A Chemist Available.
We know of a qualified metallurgical and analytical chemist who has for some time been acting as head chemist at the worksof the manufacturers of a wellknown commercial'vehicie, and who is now free tea take a suitable position in the industry. He has passed the intermediary B.Sc. (London) and the B.Sc. examination in physics. Although young, he is thoroughly conversant with the heat treatnient of all classes of metals. Any inquiries addressed to the Editor in this connection will be forwarded.
The Goodrich Semi-pneumatic Tyre,
in our last week's issue in describing the Goodrich semi-pneumatic tyre we stated that the tyre had a number of cavities, arranged circumferentially, which provide a. number ofcentral air chambers. This is incorrect, as the -cavity in the centre of the tyre is continuous, and the bridge-pieces which give the impression. of dividing, the cavity are merely integral with the foundation hand, which is designed to give support to the tyre.
In our • issue for July 25th we illustrated an Albion van In the service of Boot's Pure Drug Co., Ltd. We stated that the vehicle was delivered from the Albioir Co.'s large works at Scotstoun, whereas, as a. matter of fact, it was delivered from the Nottingham works of Challands, Ross and Co., Ltd., who Imilt the body.
Melchior, Armstrong and Dessau (London), Ltd., have removed their motor department to 15, Newman Street, Oxford Street, London, W.I., where all inquiries concerning Stewart chassis or spare parts for this vehicle should be addressed. The registered offices of the company are now at 111-113, Great Portland Street, London,1717.1.
The Huddersfield Corporation has just extended its bus services by linking up Jack-son Bridge and New Mill with Honley, to which township the Huddersfield tramway services run.
Local Proceedings.
The purchase of a motor fire-engine is being considered by the Egremont Urban District Council, York Watch Committee now recommends reducing taxicab fares from 2s. to is. 6d. per mile.
The Blyth Urban District Council has agreed to purchase a motor fire-engine at an estimated cost of £2,000. Westminster City Council proposes to purchase a Ford cha.sais for £175 19s. from the Automobile Emporium.
Halifax Watch Committee is considering the question of inviting tenders for the supply of a new motor fire-engine.• Halifax Corporation Motor Haulage Committee has purchased a Ford tipping wagon for £230.f rum the Halifax Motor Co.
Skirlaugh Rural Council is seeking to prohibit the use of a road in the parish of Lelley (Yorkshire) by motorbus traffic.
Bolton Corporation has abandoned its proposals to secure power to run motorbus services beyond the boundaries of the borough. Lancashire County Council Highways Committee suggests the purchase of a motorcar, at a. cost of .£365, for the use of the surveyors. Willenhall Urban District Council has received the sanction of the Ministry of Health to borrow £850 for the purchase of a motor fire-engine. Halifax Corporation Motor Haulage Committee has purchased a StrakerSsaire 5-ton three-way hydraulic tipping wagon, with specially fitted body, at a cost of £1,317 10s.
. The Ministry of Health has held an inquiry into an application by the Hasiemere Urban District Council for sanction to borrow £1,750 for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
Having had reports of the success of one-man motorbuses on the Sirldal route, the Halifax Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized other buses to be converted into one-man buses.
Application is to be made to the Ministry of Transport by the MiddlosbrougliWatch Committee for an order restricting the speed of motor vehicles to five miles per Lour in the borough.
The Ambulance Cornmittee of the Metropolitan Asylums Board recommends acceptance of the tender of Clement. Talbot, Ltd:, for the supply of 15 motor chassis at £590 each, the price including all accessories but not bodies.
Blackpool Watch Committee has granted an application by the AngloAnierican'Oil Co., Ltd., to increase the storage capacity for petroleum spirit in their store at New Road, goods sidings from 50,000 to 60,000 gallons.
The Ministry of Transport has held. an inquiry at Rotherham into the Corporation's proposals to run Motorbuses from Thrybergh to Warmsworth and thus link up communication .between Rotherham and Doncaster. Opponents of the scheme contend that present services are adequate to meet demands.
.A big reduction in the price of the allmetal bundling press made by Hollings and --Guest, Ltd., Thimble Mill Lane, Birmingham, is announced by the company. This machine can in future be purchased at the list price of £20 net, the advance of 20 per cent, which was recently charged now being cancelled.