Opinions from Others.
Page 19
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use oi commercial tnotors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only, and type-written by preference. The right of aribreviatimt is reserved, and no responsibility for the views expressed is accepted. In the case of experiences, names of towns or locceities may be wahneld.
Steel Wheels with Concave-section Treads for Use on the Sand.
The E,i dor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
LI„2.66] Sir,--Having just noticed the query [No. 1,689] in your issue of the 29th September, with regard to road wheels with concave-section rims, we should say that we Sieve been called upon to make our " pressed-steel " Toward " road wheeLs of this type, from time to time, for running on soft and sandy roads. We make them from 10 in. to 14 in. across the face, according to the load to be carried, and understand they answer the purpose remarkably well. We have at present some wheels of this type in hand, and should be pleased to send particulars to any of your correspondents interested.—Yours T. Towner) AND CO., LTD. Ouseburn, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Miniature Motorvans.
The Editor, THE Commaneass Movie.
Sir,—We note that Mr. Chappell, in your issue of the 24th ult., expresses himself surprised that we, alter introducing and advertising the little .Parsons vans a few years ago, should have abandoned the manufacture. A few words of explanation on this matter may prove interesting. Your correspondent says: " There is undoubtedly a market for miniature motorvans," and so we thought, at the time we took up the Parsons model. It was not only our own view, but everyone told us the some. AL the Show, we had large numbers of inquiries, and we were told by all friends in the trade that we had just hit the right mark. But, when it came to actual business, the purchasers were few and far between. In fact, for all practical purposes, they were non-existent, and analysis of the reasons for this led us to conclude that it was useless attempting to push business with this model further, because the particular traders to whom it appealed, had not, as a class, at that time, commenced seriously to consider, or even to consider at all, the employment of a motor vehicle. Those who had done so from a theoretical point of view were not in a position to purchase one. In other words, the price, although it came below £200, was too high, and the small trader, whose loads ran to the 5 or 6 cwt., for which this little van was constructed, was net in the position to snake the capitol outlay, whilst traders who could run to a purchase were for the most part in a larger way of business, and the load capacity of the vehicle was insufficient for them : they called for a larger vehicle. We do not think the conditions, to-day, differ very much from those of four years ago; at any rate, so far as the average " one-van man " in the small trader class is concerned. And it must be remembered that, although some large and substantial traders dealing in light goods may find such a little vehicle adaptable to their purpose, the trade in such vehicles, to be of any real extent and of value and importance to the community and to the manufacturer, must be, not only with a few houses, but with the mass of traders throughout the country, and, with these, first cost is the stumbling block. They compare even 150 with the .C30 or so which will fit them out with a pony and covered cart, and, as their trade is usually done within a comparatively-short radius of their shops, it is all short journeys and stopping and starting, with hut a comparatively-few miles in the aggregate pr day. If a miniature motorva.n could be supplied at about we have no doubt such a vehicle would bring this class of trader within the scope of the motor industry, but this is impossible, except with something of the triscar order, and we found that, generally speaking, the sugges
tion of anything of this kind brought out the fact that, even if their loads were not large, if they invested in a motor vehicle, they wanted something which looked big: the tri-car was not impressive enough as an advertisement. We have no doubt that the reasons the Star Co. varied the manufacture of the small vans to which Mr. Chappell alludes were the same. And we may also remind your readers that the Rover Co., about three years ago, when they introduced their 6 h.p. car, also attempted to cater for Ins trade with a little vehicle selling at about £120— if we remember aright, but their experience was evidently the same as that of others, ourselves included, for they did not pursue the subject further after a few months experience.—Yours faithfully,
STURMEY MOTORS; LTD. Coventry.
[We co/udder that conditions have changed, and that the miniature van branch can be made a succest to-day. The tri.ears of four years ago have been much improved: they sell freely now.—kn.J
The Need of Speed-and-Mileage Recorders.
The Editor, TIIE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,268.] Sir,—One of the moat-conspicuous eeaknesses of motor haulage is the lack of control which the management has to contend with, over the carrying out of each day's work. Everything depends upon the fidelity of the men, and the fair treatment of the machines by the public, for the successful working of a system which has been hula tip at great pains. l do not wish to imply that the men vannot be trusted beeause that would be directly opposed to experience, neither is the public altogether unmindful of its obligations to the carrier, butt from time to time incidents arise which cause friction, between drivers and customers, and the manager of a carrying company should be able to. provide his men with au independent means of laying the facts before him. Moreover it is desirable, in the interests of the men quite as much as of their employers, that a record of their day's work should be kept by some means beyond dispute.
A mileage-and-speed recorder would go a long way to solve the difficulty, and it is surprising that an instrument has not been placed upon the market before now, which could command the support and confidence of the public. The Commercial Motor Users Association, or some similar institution, would perform a useful service to the public for whom it caters by giving practical encouragement to makers of speed recorders to produce an instrument for tho purpose I have indicated. The matter is one which is worth spending money on ; it would not. only lead to the prolongation of the lives of the machines, but would assist the users of motors in combating any unreasonable prose cutions for speed. • There is a tendency at present to scout the idea that a speedometer can be made to withstand the vibration of heavy steel-tired vehicles, and the frequent failure of instruments fitted to pleasure cars is cited as a proof. It certainly is proof that makers of speed recorders are making an instrument which is very inferior for the work it has to do, but, when. one considess the delicate construction of steam-pressure gauges, and notes how well they
fa:tand up, on even the heaviest traction engines, there zee need to despair of producing a reliable and durable ..speed recorder. I am afraid that the British makers of heavy-motor L•aeeessories have not yet awakened to the possibilities of etleir business, and as a result are allowing their profits to pass into the hands of Germany and America. I believe ein buying British-made goods, but how can Iii my countryanon refuse to serve me according to the wants of my ebusiness? I will give two examples of what I mean. --recently bought an accessory, which WaS made in America
• /he representatve who sold it called to inquire how it was avorking. I pointed out certain defects and the article was at once redesigned, the new model proving waist atisfactory. I bought a British-made accessory about the
same time, and it also had defects which I pointed MIT, but my statement was met with the reply that the makers aaiuld not alter the model and that they were too busy avith other work to experiment. I have no doubt they
▪ find plenty of time before long.
Our log sheet. for the week is as follows: earnings, -£79 • -Tonnage, 192; mileage, 1,000; percentage of work done, ;80; coke used, 11 tons; oil used (gear), 72 gallons, and " MOTOR-WAGON CARRIER." -..13etachable Wire Wheels. The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR. 1, 269 Sir,—The general acceplauce of the detachable w heel on the Continent is a matter of which we, as a Iftitish firm, are exceedingly proud, especially in view of • he fact that the use of detachable wheels in Continental a-acing was prohibited in the Grand Prix of 1908. This :prohibition was based on the Continental belief that a aletschable wheel was not, and never would be, a feasible eand convenient method of replacing a deflated tire when Confusion of Joint-stock Companies. The Editor, TILE COMMERCIAL MOTOR. L1,270] Sir,—In view of the many Press notices whirls have appeared recently regarding the Law Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd., and the unfortunate way in which the " Car and General " has been confused with that office ever since its registration, and especially so at the present time, will you allow me to point out :— 1. This company, the " Car and General " Insurance Corporation, Ltd., was established in 1903. 2. The Law Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd., was established in 1906. 3. We, the " Car and General," do not undertake marine insurance, either directly or indirectly by re' insurance or otherwise. 4. We are not now, and never have been, in negotiation with any other company for the transfer of our business, either by means of amalgamation or otherwise. The registration of the two companies (ours being already in existence for three years when the " Law Car and General " was formed) is, I submit, an instance of avoidable confusion—now proved—which cannot fail to be of general interest to the commercial community. I enrinse a reprint of replies in the House by Mr. Sydney Buxton.—Yours faithfully, The Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd. FRED. THORESRY, General Manager. I, Queen Victuria Street, London, E.C. [COPY.] Q. Mr. Markham.—To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will say why the Registrar of Public Companies sanctioned the registration of the title The Law Car and General Insurance Corporation when a company of good standing was already on the register named the Car and General Insurance Corporation ; and if he will consider the desirability of taking steps to prevent the registration of new companies having names similar to those of existing companies. A. Mr. Sydney lauxton.—Under the provisions of The Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, the Registrar el Joint-stack Companies can only refuse to register a company under a particular name if that name so nearly resembles the name by which a company in existence is already registered as to be calculated to deceive. In the case of the Law Car and General Insurance Corporation I presume that the Registrar considered that the addition of the word " Law " at the beginning of the title was sufficient to distinguish the Company from the Car and General In:enemies Corporation, and I may add that this distinction has been found sufficient in other cases. Every care is taken to prevent the registration of new companies with names so closely resembling those of existing companies as to cause confusion. Q. Mr. Markham.—To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether the Law Car and General InsurLome Corporation have replied to his communication respecting their failure to deposit the sum of 4.20,000 under the Assurance Companies Act of 1909, and, if not, what steps he proposes to take, seeing this company issued a prospectus on 25th February, 1010, stating that they required this money for the purposes of lodging this deposit to enable them to transact assurance business ; and whether he is aware that the company received a large sum of money for this purpose from the public. A. Mr. Sydney Buxton.—It appears from the file of the company at Somerset Bouse that a considerable sun) of money has been received by the Law Car and General Insurance Corporation, Limited, as a result of the issue of the prospectus referred to by my honourable friend. I have received a reply to my communication from the company, and I am sending my honourable friend a copy of the letter.Tags