News and Comment.
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This journal commands advertisement support upon terms which do not admit traders7of inferior standing to its page-.
Ii Mr. 11. P. Gallimore, of Egypt, is still in this country, will he please communicate with the Editor.
Our " extra " number, to mark the Tercentenary of publication of this joormil, is further mentioned on page 273.
"Opinions from Others" (pages 289 and 290), " Answers to Queries " (page 291) and " Communications from Drivers and Mechanics " (page 292) do not flag with us.
Belfast Guardians are busy considering the purchase of a motor ambulance, but we think the instructions to prepare a specification need not have gone beyond the body-work. AllBritish construction will be required.
The CaWimp transporter-car receives attention, in relation to its likely applications as a link in the farm-to-market conveyance of laden trailers which have been hauled by tractors to the nearest rail-centre, on pages 286 and 287.
Manchester Show.
The present directors of the Manchester and District Motor Trades Aissociation, Ltd., whose interests have been acquired by the S.M.M.T.,
are Messrs. E. Manville, F. Edge, and A. Brown. Mr. F. Bullock has been appointed general manager, and Mr. J. TI. Wightmon retains the office of secretary.
Smithfield Show.
The lieav:.-inotor exhibits for the tnjthiehi Show received attention at low hands two weeks ago. We have been to the Show, but there is nothing that can be reported with advantage. Certain new photogniphs are reproduced at the foot of this page, but additional textual references must he repeiitionary in nature, so we omit 1. hem . A two-page illustrated forecast appeared in our pages two weeks ago, and that meets all requirements. John Barker and Cu., Ltd., of Kensington. W., has placed an order for six '2'i--wt. Albion vehicles, through the London branch of tile Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., which purchase nmst be regarded as an importantaddition to London's griming motor fleets.
Mr. S. L. Brunton.
We are pleased to learn that Mr. S. L. Ilrotiton. M.bist.V.E., at our time a direetor of Alley and MacLellan. Ltd., of Glasgow, and previously works manager to Crompton, Ltd., of Chelmsford, has necepted the appointment as works manager to Joseph Sankey and Sons, Ltd., of -Mist on.
Small Carriers.
The Rex tricycle-earrier, which is being handled by Mande's Motor Mart. of 136, Great Portland Street, W., to which we made reference a week ago, lms a :5-6 11.p., twillcylinder, water-cooled engine, thermosyph(10 rireulation, a chain drive in ionj noahrn with A. friction clutch (Firms Renold chain), a two-speed gear, 2 in. Continental basketpattern tires to all wheels, an extralarge carrier. and a starting handle. Tin, retail price of these carriers is 85 ;LI; i Scottish Mail Services.
Following the so mess of Albion vehicles on the Glasgow-Edinburgh parcel-mail contract, we learn that James Henderson, Ltd., mail contractor, of Glasgow, has ordered a 16 hp. Albion for the night services between Glasgow and Greenock.
Motor Taxation.
We are inclined to regard opposition to the petrol tax, other than in respect of London-used motorbuses, as futile and inexpedient. As regards the one exception which we make, provided London Borough Councils do not get votes of money from the Road Board, we shall uphold the companies in their protest, hut we understand that votes of money will be made. This question of accepting the tax nf 1W. per gallon without further demur is one to which we intend to return at an early date. Owners stand to lose. much by opposition, and to impede progress, if they thoughtlessly lend. their names to uninformed agitation.
At Paris.
Amongst the British exhibitors who have good stands at the Paris Show, Forlens, Ltd., of Sandbncli, and the North British Rubber Co., Ltd., of Edinburgh, are to be noted.
The Paris Show.
Continental exhibitors at the present Paris Show, in which there is no special section for commercial motors, include the followiug: Avant-Train Lutil ; ; Berl iet ; Brasier ; Bretin ; Bugnon; Chaboehe;Chenard-Waleker ; Cohendet; Delabaye; de Dietrich de Dion Bout-on ; }.spine Achard ; F.R.A.M.; Mors; Panhard-Leva.ssor; Peugeot and Purrey. We reproduce a selection of
photographs on page 28 Is. The stands a re praetically all Tinder the main galleries of the Grand Palais.
Renold's Works.
Many readers of this journal will scarcely credit the extent of the works of Hans Renold, Ltd., at Burnage Works, close by Didsbury, Manchester. They may be interested to know that the factory is more than twice the length of the main building at Olympia; it is actually more than 900 ft. long, and with a width across the main portion equal to the width of Olympia, and 40 ft. greater at certain points. The employees now total to close upon 1,000, and the whole of these are employed upon the production of driving chains and sprockets only.
Speed Limits Retard Traffic.
On Friday of last week, the Court of Common Council received a report from the County Purposes Committee, which had been prepared as the result of a petition from " bankers, merchants, traders, etc., of the City of London." As the objects of the original report were largely effected by the passing of the City of London Street Traffic Act, 1909, the Committee's recommendation failed. An amendment was then moved as follows: "That in view of the great increase in the number of fatal accidents caused by motor vehicles in the City, the County Purposes Committee should be instructed to apply for a reduction of the speed limit in certain streets, of from twenty to ten miles an hour." One speaker, in support of this amendment, quoted a number of figures which were destined to show that the number of fatal accidents which could be directly traced to the increase of motor traffic is in advance of the increase in self-propelled traffic. Mr. H. P. Monckton, in reply, characterized the previous speaker's statements as quite misleading. He said that, in no case where a fatal accident had occurred, was excessive speed brought home to the driver, and on no occasion was the driver to blame. In all such cases the coroner had brought in a verdict of accidental death. The Commissioner of Police
was strongly opposed to the imposition of a 10-mile limit, as he was convinced that such a restriction would be a very serious hindrance to the proper and effective control of the traffic in the metropolis. The amendment was rejected by a large majority.
The enrolment of new members of the Commercial Motor Users Association, (hiring the month of November, was as follows: Basalt Roadstone Co., TM. ; Bristol-Co-operative Society; British Cotton and Wool Dyers' Asso
eiation ; Bwlchgwyn Roadstone Co., Ltd., Messrs. Andrew Barton, Bros. ; Godfrey Phillips and Co., Ltd.; Mr. B. W. Glenny ; Mr. T. W. Henderson; Mr. H. Hudson; W. R. Jacob and Co., Ltd.; Mr. E. H. Jones ; William Jewett and Co., Ltd.; Joy's Ltd.; Messrs. Lalonde Bros. and Parham; Leeds Co-operative Society ; C. B. Lowe, Ltd.; Igasbro Equitable
Society ; Newcastle Co-operative Society; Oakhill Brewery, Ltd.; Geo. Rice, Ltd.; Richmond Brewery ; Messrs. J. Robinson and Son; United London and Scottish Insurance Co.; H. Viney and Co., Ltd.; Westfield Cotton Co., Ltd.; Messrs. Walter Winning and Co.; White and Co., Ltd.; and Messrs. J. Wood and Sons.
Dennis Points.
A standard Dennis ambulance, for the Liverpool Corporation, has been dispatched from the Guildford works of that maker ; we illustrate the external appearance of this wellthought-out vehicle herewith. It is designed to carry two stretchers and two nurses, with an extra passenger beside the driver should occasion require it. Last week's deliveries from the Dennis factory, in addition to this ambulance, were: a three-ten lorry,
fitted wth Dennis winding gear, for the grocery department of the Leigh Friendly Co-operative Society (repeat); a 25-30-ewt. van for Peek, Frean and Co., Ltd., being one of two vehicles recently ordered, and bringing the total number of Dennis vehicles supplied to this world-famous biscuit-manufacturing company up to 10; a two-ton, 28 h.p. chassis for the Duke of Portland; a 25-30 cwt. van for the Civil Service Co-operative Society; and a 20-seated Colonialpattern char-a-bancs for Singapore.
Berkshire Roads.
The County Surveyor of Berkshire, Mr. J. Fred Hawkins, notifies that the following roads are closed to traction engines, heavy motorcars, and other heavy vehicles until further notice: from Pangbourne to Tilehurst Station (alternative route, via Caversham Bridge and cross to Berkshire at Whitechurch Bridge or via Theale and Tidniarsh); from Cumnor to Bessels Leigh (alternative route. via Abingdon from Oxford and Faringdon); from Steventon to Drayton (alternative route, via Milton Hill and Sutton Wick); from Maidenhead to Windsor (alternative route, via Braywick, Holyport, Oakley Green and fledworth): and from Newburyto Hungerford (alternative route, from Newbury turn to right at Arington cross roads via Radley Bottom Cottages and Eddinglon). The Berks C.C. is now expending its £60,000 loan. Mr. Fritz Poppe, the principal director of the Polack Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., of London, will give a dinner-party at the Cafe Royale, on Friday evening next, in honour of Mr. Rerr-Thomas, who is on a visit to this country from Buffalo, U.S.A.
Two-ton Lorry Wanted.
The Manchester Education Committee is about to purchase a two-ton lorry, as well as a motor landaulet. Detailed description, with tender, should be addressed to the Chairman of the Education Committee at the Deansoate offices of that body, not later than 10 a.m. on the 10th inst.
" Cubette " Road-Paving.
Our contemporary, " The Financier and Bullionist," has its own motoring correspondent, and tins gentleman has discovered the kleinpflaster roads of Germany, to which he makes reference in his notes of the 29th ult. Re then, in a spirit of triumph concludes : " Technical journals, please copy." As TILE COMMERCIAL Moron dealt with this class of road more than four years ago, and as the Editor visited various parts of Germanyto report upon such road in the. year 1904, this journal for one is at a loss to understand the raison d'i:tre for the invitation.
Good Paint and Varnish.
A comparatively-new and interesting Belsize motorvan, of the 14-18 lip. 15-curt. type, is shown opposite. This van is the property of Messrs. Thomas Parsons and Sons, the widely-known paint and varnish manufacturers. The body and ornamental work were, we understand, added to the chassis by the purchasers. The van is, therefore, decorated with'the same make of paint and varnish which it so often delivers. This Belsize motorvan has now been running about six months, and it does from :50 to 60 miles a day with every satisfaction. In the morning it is employed mostly in London, from the depot. at. Ended Street, W.C. ; by noon it is delivering from the factory at Mitcham, Surrey.
A Telescopic Body for Sweets.
An interesting development with regard to the three-ton rubber-tired Sentinel is shown by the two photographs which are reproduced on page '287. The chassis of this vehicle, which is made by Alley and MacLellan, Ltd., of Wssgow, was supplied some few months ag-o to James Pase.all, Ltd., of
sweetmeat fame. In ensuing trials as a lorry, the chassis demonstrated its capabilities so thoroughly that it was purchased and turned over to the .hody-maliers to be finished according to the owner's tastes and business requirements. The complete vehicle is shown by us with its unique telescopic body; this body is flinched in the natural colours of the wood, and the rear-hilt slides on rails and castors into the front portion when required, thus leaving at least half of the load exposed for qulick removal, and the remainder -very accessible. The %%lark of
this speedy Sentinel consists in making three return journeys (about 45 miles) between the head depot at Blackfriars, and the chocolate factory at Mitcham. Owing to the nature of the goods carried, these are deposited in the Sentinel's body in sling-cases fitted with castors, One of the illustrations depicts a ease being unloaded while the rear portion of the body is telescoped into the fore-part: the driver, it will be seen, is " lending a hand." The finish of the above vehicle is most attractive, and it is of considerable value from an advertisement point of view. Mr. Wilfred Paseall is particularly enthusiastic about this feature, and the steamer's behaviour generally. Shrewsbury and Challiner tires are fitted to all four wheels.
Fire-Brigade Matters.
The United Motor Industries, Ltd., of 45-46, Poland Street, W., issupplying Wagner horns to the Edinburgh brigade for use upon their motor engines.
Cambridge Town Council is applying to the Local Government Board for a. vote of .595 to meet the cost in
curred in the purchase of its Lloydand-Plaister motor fire-escape.
Dundee Corporation has to he added to the list of progressive councils who are acting in conjunction with comity authorities; the proposal is to cover outbreaks of fire within a radius of 15 miles of the Dundee station. A retaining fee of :tall per annum is to be paid to the. Dundee Town Council, half of which will be provided by the Dundee District Committee, and the other half hy the Forfarshire and Arbroath District Committees. Additional payments will be made accord ing to services rendered, and we can only express the. hope that the Dis trict. Committees named will lay down their own stations in those parts of the County which do not fall within the above-indicated area. Brighton's Newest Albion.
One of the latest 30-cwt. Albion vehicles, with a handsome box body and new-type radiator, has recently been supplied by the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., of Scotstoun, Glasgow, to Messrs. Hudson, of Queen's Road, Brighton, which firm has a large carrying business. We illustrate this workmanlike-looking turnout herewith. London Brewery's Success with Leyland Petrol Lorries.
The snapshot used below shows one of six petrol Leyland lorries which are being employed most successfully by Mann, Crossman and Paulin, Ltd., the well-known brewers. This vehicle is of the 31-ton type, fitted with a 35 h.p. engine, and the one shown, while unloading bottled beer, does about 70 miles a day—sometimes more. The first Leyland petrol lorry supplied to this company has completed two years of service without having been the road ' through any failure.
A New Concern.
The Commercar Agency, from its address at Court Lodge Farm, Orpington, Kent, announces it has a number of Cummerear vehicles for hire for any period. Farmers, fruit growers, et, in this busy agricultural district will no doubt be interested to bear of this.
Transport in War.
We. have had the pleasure, during the past week, to furnish the Military Attaché to the American Embassy in London, Captain S. A. Clamen, on request, with a copy of this journal for the 16th December last, in which we printed the paper by Captain Battine on the subject of " The value of motor vehicles in war," together with the discussion thereon.
Rubber-tired Three-tonners.
The progress of the three-ton steam wagon is exemplified in the righthand view below ; this vehicle is the second three-ton rubber-tired Foden supplied to one of London's wellknown carriers. It is doing 60 miles a day, in the Metropolis, and in the photograph is shown during the mid-day interval after having been loaded up at one of the suburban depots of the London Parcels Delivery Co.
no*RK Battery Propulsion.
Municipal electricity generating undertakings have been very hard hit by the introduction of the metallicfilament lamp, and, because of the inelasticity of the nature of the business conducted by these concerns, they have a difficult problem to discover fresh fields of legitimate enterprise. Marylebone Borough Council hopes to recover its lost ground by selling power at ;d. per unit, during certain times. el the day, to owners of electricbattery vehicles. Other municipalities which are in the same line of business are starting retail departments for the sale of electric accessories. We wonder how many of the electric-tramcar undertakings will eventually be bolstered up in like manner.