WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
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by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
The New Regulations.
Under the above heading there has been published elsewhere what purport to be the new regulations concerning the construction and use of road-transport vehicles. Each copy of the several sets of draft regulations issued by the Ministry of Transport was expressly marked "confidential," and although they have passed through our hands, we have refrained from presenting them to our readers in their preliminary incomplete and unauthorized state.
Each new set has contained important modifications, and the latest is now under the consideration of a committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The Ministry has informed us that it would be wise to place "no reliance upon the finality of the provisions of the draft, as it is possible that important alterations will be made."
So soon as, but not before, the properly authorized regulations are made available they will be published in detail in The Commercial Motor.
Roadway Time Tables.
No. 11 of the National Roadway Time Tables—price 1s.—is known as the first winter edition. All who wish to study coach or other long-distance times for Christmas travelling should buy a copy through their newsagent, or direct from the publishers, Roadway Time Tables, Bookings and Publications, Ltd., Roadway Corner, 1, Warwick Street, Glasshouse Street, London, W.1.
Recommended Traffic Signs.
The Ministry of Transport announces that arrangements have been made for the issue of a pamphlet containing technical descriptions, together with full-size detail drawings, of a number of traffic-direction signs recommended for use by the Ministry. Copies of the publication can be obtained either direct from H.M. Stationery Office or through any bookseller at the price of 18s. 6d, each Report of the Long-distance Haulage Committee.
On Tuesday next, December 16th, a meeting of the Long-distance Roadhaulage Committee of Enquiry will be held at 2.30 p.m. at Winchester House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C.3, to receive and consider the committee's report and to determine what further steps, if any, shall be taken. The presence of any other members of the longdistance haulage industry at this meeting will be welcomed, and any communications should be addressed to Mr. E. B. Hutchinson, M.Inst.T., the hon. secretary, at 12, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.1.
A copy of the report is in our hands. It explains how the committee was elected at a meeting held on April 29th, 1930, and states that nine meetings have been held, most of which lasted four hours and one practically a whole day. The committee submitted a 1320 memorandum to the Royal Commission on Transport, which was amplified by oral evidence given by its chairman.
It has not been the desire of the committee to form a new association, but, the report continues, it has been found upon investigation that no existing association can really speak for the longdistance road-haulage industry, nor adequately bring forward to the Minister its problems and requirements.
The concluding paragraph of the report emphasizes that mutual co-operation and even complete fusion amongst the smaller concerns in the industry must be to the good. The industry suffers most from its internal state of disunity.
Engineers for the Army.
The War Office announces that there are vacancies for commissions in the Supplementary Reserve of Officers as Ordnance Mechanical Engineers in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. In addition to qualifications as to character, medical fitness, nationality, etc., candidates must 1)e under 30 years of age for appointment as subalterns, and under 35 for appointment as captains, and must he fully qualified mechanical engineers. Preference will be given to Bachelors of Science (Engineering), Whitworth Scholars, Graduates and Associates of the Institutions of Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineers.
Officers will be granted an annual gratuity of i25, payable in arrear and, in addition, an outfit grant.
Full particulars and forms of application can be obtained from the UnderSecretary of State for War (A.G.9), the War Office, London, S.W.1.
The Latest Dennis Prices. Dennis Bros., Ltd., of Guildford, recently reduced the prices of its 30-cwt.
and 2-ton chassis. In the company's advertisement which appeared in our issue dated December 2nd the figures given may have conveyed to some readers the impression that the cost of the normal-control model 30-cwt. machine has been reduced by £22; the figure should be £26. The prices of the normal-control types are now as follow : With 33-in. by 5-in, front and. 34-in. by 7-in, rear tyres (33-in. by 5-in. spare), £300; with 32-in. by 6-in. tyres (five in all), £302; with 33-in. by 5-in. single and twin tyres (seven in all), —1303; with 34-in. by 7-in, single tyres (five in all), £320. Forward control costs £15 extra.
Demonstrating the Daimler with Fluid flywheel.
One day last week the Daimler Co., Ltd., held a reception at Newcastle-onTyne, with the primary object of • enabling the principal transport authorities in the North of England to inspect and to try out the new Daimler CH6 low-loading bus, equipped with the Daimler Fluid Flywheel and selfchanging gear. - The party met at the Town Hall, and, by permission of the general manager of the Newcastle transport and electricity undertaking, proceeded to the Byker depot, where a stripped chassis of the new type was on view, together with two complete double-deckers and a single-deck bus. The party then made a journey to Morpeth and back to afford the representatives a chance of observing the capabilities of the new transmission system.
A Paper on Coach Developments.
On Friday next, December 12th, the Omnibus Society is holding a meeting at the Institution of Marine Engineers, Minories, London, E.C.3, when a paper entitled "Recent Coach Developments in the Home Counties" will be read by Mr. W. N. Jackson„ B.A.
Official Orders in October.
October last proved a relatively quiet month as regards the orders for motor vehicles given out by Government Departments. The War Department gave out one for Morris-Commercial six-wheelers and divided another between the makers of W. and G. vehicles • and S. D. Freighters. The same depart, meat also divided an order for bodies between the Gloucester Coach and Sheet Metal Co„ Ltd., Cheltenham, C. Roberts and Sons, Ltd., Wakefield, and the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1908), Ltd.
The Air Ministry placed a contract for a number of Bonallack bodies for six-wheelers, whilst the Crown Agents for the Colonies placed one for MorrisCommercial lorries and another for motor road rollers with Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd, A Lancashire Transport Board?
Three Lancashire towns, 13urnley, Nelson and Colne, propose to send representatives to a conference to consider the desirability of setting up a transport board to own and operate the passenger-transport services of the three municipalities.
Another Hauliers' Association. The Morecambe Haulage Association states that most of the hauliers in the borough belong to the association which has recently been formed. The highways committee of the town has resolved that haulage contracts be distributed on an equitable basis between those in the association and those outside it.
Results of Sheffield Appeals.
With regard to the appeals to the Minister of TransPort of Arthur Kitson Ltd., against the decision of the Sheffield authority in refusiug licences, the Minister has intimated that in one ease (Sheffield-Treeton, via Swallownest and Aughton) he would make no Order on the council. In the other instance (Sheflield-Treeton, via Intake and Catcliffe), however, he could not support the council's decision, and has asked that two licences be granted to the appellant concern.
The Humber Road Bridge.
Lord Ponsonby, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, presided at a recent conference when an informal discussion took place regarding the suggested road bridge across the River Humber. It will be recalled that a Bill is now being promoted by Hull Corporation and Lindsey County Council, Attention was mainly directed to the possible effect of the bridge upon the navigable channel of the river and upon shipping interests generally. It was suggested that an early meeting of experts should be called.
Personal Pars.
Mr. Fred J. Guy, of Guy Motors, Ltd., was married a few days ago to Mrs. Catherine Reid, widow of the late , Colonel A. Reid, of the Durham Light Infantry.
Mr. A. 11, Wilson has been appointed cartage manager in the southern area for the London and NorthEastorn .
Railway Co. in succession to Mr. R. H. Todd, who has retired.
• Mr. Wilfrid Overton, the automobile hardware manufacturer, of Marsh Street, Walsall, advises us that he is now being represented by Mr. James Iveson.
We are notified that Sir William Letts has resigned from the board of the Fisk Tyre Co., Ltd., both as chairman and director.
We are advised that Mr. G. Gregory has resigned his appointment as manager of the combined battery-service department of the Lucas, C.A.V. and Rotax organization.
Mr. W. Chamberlain has resigned the position of manager of the Belfast tramways and bus system upon accepting an appointment as chairman of the Traffic Commissioners for the north-western area of England. In Belfast Mr. Chamberlain's efforts met with such success that a substantial weekly loss was turned into a good weekly profit, so far as the city tramways are concerned. He was appointed in October, 1928, and was immediately faced with the problem of an intensive bus conflict, in which he and the municipal authorities proved successful as a result of the intervention of the Northern Ireland Ministry of Home Affairs.
New Gifford Depots.
The Gilford Motor Co., Ltd., has now established depots in Salford and Newcastle-on-Tyne. The former covers the Lancashire and Staffordshire territory and is situated at Hulme Street, Salford, whilst the latter serves the Durham, Northumberland, Westmorland and Cumberland areas and is situated at Greenhow Terrace, Scotswood Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne. The branch managers are Mr. H. G. Monks and Mr. G. Johnson respectively. At each of the depots a full range of spare parts is carried, whilst complete coaches and chassis are available for inspection or demonstration.
Results of South Wales Bus Appeals.
In the matter of the appeal against the refusal of Bedwas and 'Slacken Urban District Council to issue licences for the Caerphilly Bedwas Newport route made by Mr. Edgar James Davies, a bus proprietor of St. Bride's, the Ministry of Transport has now announced its decision to uphold the council's refusal and to dismiss the proprietor's appeal.
Ministry decisions have also been announced in the case of further South Wales appeals.
In the matter of Newport Corporation's application for sanction for extra boundary services from Newport, via Pye Corner and Roge:stone, to Risca Vicarage, the application was opposed at the public inquiry by Mr. Jesse Williams, proprietor of Danygraig Bus Services. The Ministry supports the opposition to the service and declines to allow it to he run.
The Great Western Express Co., Ltd., of London, was successful in its appeal to the Ministry of Transport against the refusal of London-route licences by Abergavenny Town Council, The Ministry orders the licences to be granted on any " reasonable " condition thought fit by the council.
Insurance by Instalments.
Carjax, Ltd., which is concerned with the financing of hife-purchase agreements, has specialized in the inclusion of insurance in its agreements, and has now instituted a system of quarterly or monthly payments in respect of all classes of motor insurance. This can be arranged at Lloyd's or with firstclass non-tariff companies, and as Carjax, Ltd., prepays the premiums, all the benefits of full annual policies, of course, apply.
B22 The instalments arranged remain unaffected in the event of claims, and do not become immediately payable nor are they deducted from any settlement. Policies for fleets, hire cars, motor coaches, garage risks and other special business can be carried out upon this system. The address /cif the company is 13 Albemarle Street, London, W.1.
Trade Marks in the Irish Free State.
The Comptroller of the Patent Office in the Irish Free State finds that a large number of makers and traders is continuing to use the words "Registered Trade Mark" in connection with the trade marks on goods sold or offered for sale in the Irish Free State, where, in fact, there is no Irish registration.
We would point out that it is an offence to represent as registered in the Irish Free State a trade mark which is not on the Irish Register. In some cases the Comptroller has already given friendly warnings, but it is a point which should not be overlooked.
Abandoning Wigan's Trams.
Motorbuses have now replaced trams on the Ashton-in-Makerfield route of Wigan Corporation, and can make the 4i-mi1e journey in about 10 mine. The journey by tram is said to have occupied 40 mine. By 1937 the corporation expects to he able to wipe off the outstanding debt of £172,000 on its tramways undertaking.
Licence Increase at Northampton.
In the 11 months ended October 31st, 1930, £60,731 was received by Northampton Corporation in respect of 17,326 Road Fund licences, an increase of £3,943 in the sum received, and 1,366 in the number of licences issued, during the corresponding period of the previous year.
British Military Vehicles for Canada.
British-built six-wheeled lorries have been officially adopted for artillery service by the Canadian Department of National Defence. The type used by the British War Department has been selected, and following the mechanization of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, the First Field Brigade is now to have six-wheeled motor vehicles instead of horses. The factor that decided the Canadian authorities in favour of mechanization was a test expedition undertaken by a British sixwheeled lorry through 97 miles of snowbound country, with the temperature below zero.
Leyland Service in Bradford.
For the convenience of Leyland users in the Bradford district, Leyland Motors, Ltd., has further extended its service facilities in that area by opening another service station in the town, this being situated at 177, Thornton Road. It will be recalled that, a short time ago, the company enlarged its West Riding service depot at Brighouse, and the new branch is being operated in con
junction with this 'deirt. A comprehensive range of spares is stocked dm" complete repairs, as well as breakdown service, is being undertaken.
A Petrol-pump Regulation.
The Manchester Watch Committee has adopted a regulation whereby no electric motor will be permitted to form part of a petrol-measuring instrument for use within the city, unless it be of a type which has been certified as flameproof by the mining department of the University of Sheffield. We learn that the reason why the Sheffield University is specified is that it is the only institution of its kind in the country with a suitably equipped mining department. Singer Vans for the Danish Post Office.
Three Singer 8 h.p. vans have recently been delivered to the Danish postal authorities and they embody several special features. For the most part, each chassis accords with the standard specification, but the steering column is mounted on the left, as also are the spare wheel and the rear light. In common with other 8 h.p. Singers intended for export, the exhaust pipe is carried up over the rear axle and a cooling fan is fitted to the engine. Another paint of difference is that the battery is slung between the frame members, instead of being mounted on the running board.
In connection with the bodywork, one of these three vans resembles the standard product, except • that two bucket seats are fitted, as well as a door on each side. It is finished in brown, but the two others are a bright yellow, -with the royal monogram on each side.
Each of these vans has a metal top in .place of the usual fabric construction, and the rear part of the roof carries a win-mesh tray for light articles. A single bucket seat is provided and there is no partition to separate it from the load. Both doors on all the vans are provided with plate-glass windows instead of the celluloid panels normally used.
Noteworthy items in the chassis specification are an 850 c.c. overheadcamshaft four-cylindered engine, to -which a four-speed gearbox is bolted to form a unit. The fuel tank is mounted at the rear. Semi-elliptic springs with shock absorbers are fitted to both axles.
A Trent Acquisition.
We understand that the services of motorbuses run by Messrs. H. D. Bayliss and Sons between Derby and Ashbourne direct, as well as via Hulland, and Ashbourne and Uttoxeter, have been taken over by the Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd. In the past two years the Trent organization has absorbed a number of smaller undertakings.
• Big Road Schemes Approved.
The Minister of Transport announces that, during the month of November, .schemes for widening, reconstruction and other improvements of classified roads and bridges, and for the construction of new roads and bridges, involving a total estimated expenditure of 12,250,000, have been formally approved fsar Road Fund grants.
Some of the most important schemes are the construction of 1+ mile of new road to by-pass the village of Ashburton (152,000), widening between Theale and Woolhampton (194,000), widening from Woolhampton to Newbury, including the construction of two diversions and a 'bridge (199,000), widening from Northants county boundary to Coventry City boundary (1125,000), and the widening and reconstruction of 11 mile between .Little Plumpton and Ribby Wood on the Preston-Blackpool road.
An Ameripan Trade Revival.
. A revival during 1931 in the American motor industry, involving an increased production of 1,000,000 commercial vehicles and private cars, is predicted -by Mr. B. P. Fairless, vice-president of the Republic Steel Corporation, which supplies a large part of the steel requirements of the American industry. Production during 1930 has been estimated at 3,500,000 vehicles, approximately 2,000,000 less than in 1929.
Mersey Tunnel Progress.
The tunnel now being constructed under the River Mersey to connect Liverpool and Birkenhead is making good progress. To a large number of potential users of the tunnel the steps taken to ensure safety will not be apparent, but we are advised that the Lancashire and Cheshire branch (western section) of the Roads Improvement Association, after investigating details of the design, made representations concerning the wisdom of providing emergency exits in case of fire in the tunnel. Although the original scheme proposed was considered too costly, we learn that emergency exits are being provided at each end of the tunnel.
Waste Heat Recovery,
On December 12th, at 3.30 p.m., the Diesel Engine Users' Association will hold a meeting in the Caxton Hall, Westminster London, S.W.1, when Major W. Gregson, 13.Se., A.M.Inst.C.E., A.M.I.Mech.E., will read a paper entitled "Waste Heat Recovery from Internal-combustion Engines."
The De Rouet Trailer.
The De Rouet Trailer Co., Ltd. 534, Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, London, S.W., is now the central organization for marketing a special form of trailer, which incorporates the patent sprung drawbar invented by Captain De Rouet. The present model is suitable for use only with a light van, but it is strong enough to take any weight up to two tons.
Recently a party of members of the Industrial Transport Association tried out this trailer on the Kingston by-pass and around Claygate Common and put it through many difficult manceuvres. We are informed that they were very pleased with its performance.
An International Commercialvehicle Congress.
A meeting of the International Federation of Commercial Motor Users was recently held in Paris, when delegates from France, Great Britain, Austria, Spain, Holland and Switzerland were present. Among the questions discussed were those of simplified Customs regulations to facilitate the passing of commercial vehicles from one country to another ; uniform motorinsurance conditions in the different countries, motor fuels, the education of drivers, and the competition between rail and road interests for goods transport.
A Shell-Mex Mobile Kinema.
Shell-Mex, Ltd., is sending on tour throughout the country a travelling, talking kinema outfit, the basis ef which is a Leyland 2+-ton chassis. The van will be used to give performanceS in selected towns and villages. Whilst the films to be shown are of a general educational character, the venture will serve the purpose of drawing attention to Shell products.
At the forward end, just below the driver's seat, is the mechanism for projecting the films and the sound, and
when a performance is to be given a daylight screen is stretched across the rear entrance; The vehicle has been equipped by Shell-Max, Ltd., in cooperation with R.C.A. Photophone, Ltd.
A. Bus Station for Hull.
The town-planning committee of Hull has agreed to provide a bus station in the New Street area, subject to the necessary consent being obtained from the London and •North Eastern Railway Co. to pass over its land to gain access to the station.
Irish Buis Statistics.
During the month of October buses 'operating in the Irish Free State ran 2,077,090 vehicle-miles and carried 4,312,000 passengers. The gross receipts were £64,996. Buses on .services crossing the Northern Ireland border travelled 198,000 vehicle-miles, carried 137,000 passengers and had receipts from passengers amounting to 16,058. All these figures show substantial increases upon the corresponding figures for October, 1929.
In the first 10 months of the present year 19,882,000 vehicle-miles were run, 41,168,000 passengers carried • and 1679,056 collected. The receipts show a decrease from £684,643, the cones/wilding amount for the first 10 months of 1929. On cross-border services 1,662,000 vehicle-miles were run and. 1,189,000 passengers carried, whilst receipts were £61,129..
Important Dates in the Road Traffic Act.
It is necessary to keep in mind the dates when the various sections (other than Part I, which, with the exception of sections 10, 17, 19 and 25, is already in force) will come into operation.
Section 17 dealing with the requirements as to the employment of,drivers and attendants on motor vehicles and trailers becomes effective on January 1st ; Part IL concerning insurance against third-party risks, on the same date.
As to Part IV, dealing with the licensing and regulation of public-service vehicles, only that section which enables the Traffic Commissioners and their staffs to be appointed was brought into force on December 1st, and the further provisions of this Part will come into force OD January let for the purpose of enabling the Commissioners totAreceive applications for licences, consents, etc, to consider them and to reach decisions, but the final date on which this part of the Act will become fully operative has not yet been determined. The provisional date which the Minister has in mind, however, is April let.
Part V, which confers additional powers on local authorities, is to come into force on January 1st, to enable these authorities to apply to the Commissioners for their consent to run public-service vehicles on new routes outside their areas and to enable them to make working agreements with other operators, whether municipal or private. This part of the Act is intended also to become fully operative on April let.
Section 19 dealing with the limitation of time for the employment of drivers has already been deferred to February 1st, but no Order in respect of the commencement of this section has yet been made.
The Minister will shortly confer with representatives of the railways, canal companies and highway authorities with regard to the provisions of Section 25, dealing with the restriction of the use of weak bridges by heavy vehicles, but the operating date has not yet been fixed.
Dennis Progress and Prospects.
The annual general meeting of Dennis Brothers, Ltd., of Guildford, was held in London a few days ago, when Mr. N. P. Andrew, the chairman, presided. After dealing with the general state of depression whichat present exists, the chairman said that, although the curve of the company's prosperity had fluctuated, the general level is still a high one.
Provided that the general trade of the country is maintained, the widening of the company's activities makes its prospects better than at any time during the past two years, for, as the chairman said, the company now has a comprehensive and well-tried-out range of upto-date models to meet the demands of practically every class of commercialvehicle user. The chairman then directed attention to the accounts, which were reviewed in our issue for last week.
Sir Raymond Dennis, K.B.E., referring to the sale of vehicles during the past year, said that by the aid of new models, the output for the home market had been well maintained and, but for a falling off in overseas trade which B24 became progressively difficult during the year, the company would have shown figures of profit at least comparable with those for the previous year.
He referred, in passing, to the recent order placed by the Great Western Railway Co., which he believed to be the largest order for motor vehicles placed during the year by any railway company.• In connection with the up-to-date design of the company's bus chassis, he said that it establishes a new criterion for accessibility and ease of maintenance. The models, which were shown at the recent commercial-vehicle exhibition in Glasgow are to be exhibited at the British Empire Trade Exhibition to be held next March at Buenos Aires. All the company's goods-carrying models are now available with forward control as well as normal driving positions.
Sir Raymond thendealt with the municipal business transacted with the company and said that the figures for the fire-engine department exceed those
of last year, whilst sales of streetwashing and gully-emptying machines show a satisfactory advance. He mentioned that during the past year the company has designed and will soon have on test a six-cylindered oil-fuel engine.
A Tractor Exhibition in Turkey.
The Turkish National Association of Economy and Thrift is organizing an exhibition in conjunction with the first Agricultural Congress, to be held in Ankara, in January next. The show will include a section for• farm tractors and agricultural machinery. All exhibits will be admitted free,of Customs Duty and only in case of sale will duty be payable if the articles sold be subject to a duty in the General Customs Tariff. Particulars of the exhibition can be obtained from the Milli Ihtisat ye Tasarruf Cemiyeti, Ankara, Turkey.
A Leeds Licence Refusal.
The watch committee of Leeds Corporation has refused the application of W. Armitage and Sons, Ltd., Blackpool, for licences for motorbuses to ply for hire within the city in connection with a service between Leeds and Blackpool, via Bradford, Brighouse, Huddersfield, Halifax, Burnley, Preston, Lytham and St. Anne's.
A Large-capacity Stainless-steel Tank Wagon.
Illustrated on this page is a tank wagon for the conveyance of milk and its specification incorporates extremely interesting features so that, actually, it must be one of the most modern types of) vehicle built for this class of work in this country. The chassis is the well-known Mercedes-Benz L5-type seven-tonner, with a six-cylindered compression-ignition engine of 80 b.h.p., a four-speed gearbox and internal-gear final drive. It has a wheelbase of 15 ft. and is equipped with Fisher-Simplex wheels having split rims and 40-in. by 8-in, pneumatic tyres, twin tyres being fittedat the rear.
A remarkable feature of the outfit is the 2,500-gallon tank, which is made of stainless steel, the object being to obtain lightness combined with suitability for its purpose. This tank was made in the well-known Krupp works in Germany and supplied by H. W. M. Hiron and Co., Finsbury Pavement House, Moorgate, London, E.C.2. The Steel Barrel Co., Ltd., of Uxbridge, insulated the tank with a covering of cork encased in sheet iron, which has been painted to match the rest of the vehicle, and the iron covering, like the tank itself, is of welded construction. The insulation prevents the milk from heating up during transit in hot weather.
The tank, which is 11 ft. 11 ins, long, was mounted by F. W. Lucas (1922)1 Ltd. of 240, Brixton Hill, London, S.V.2, and the vehicle is being supplied to the Surrey Sterilized Milk 'Co. Ltd., of 55, Sleaford Street, London, S.W.S.
Objections to Municipal Services.
Renfrew County Council recently gave its consent to the running by Glasgow Corporation of buses between (a) Muirend and Clarkston, and (b) Merrylee and Malletsheugh Inn, following which objections were raised by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., the Glasgow General Omnibus and Motor Services, Ltd., and other bus companies. The corporation has, nevertheless, decided to continue with its application to the Minister of Transport for operating powers.