News and Comment.
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This journal is known to possess the influence, the staff, the standing and the le, ding circulation. It is exclusively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses throughout the World.
The establishment of the TinSection of the S.M.M.T. has prompted the inclusion this week of an illustrated section dealing with " Wheels, Rims and Tires."
Held Over.
"Opinions from Others" and several usual features in this journal's make-up are unavoidably held over, owing to the amount of space given to the subject of " Wheels, Rims and Tires."
An Inquiry from Western Australia.
e have in hand an inquiry from Western Australia for a 30 b.h.p. oil tractor capable of hauling 12 tons, and carrying another three tons. The engine must consume petrol or paraffin. Fuller particulars will be furnished, on application to the Editor.
A Compliment to Mr. Walter Long, M.P.
The Rt. Hon. Walter H. Long, M.P., has been elected an honorary life member of the Royal Automobile Club, on the motion of Dr. H. S. Hele-Shaw, F. R.S., seconded by Mr. E. Shrapnell Smith, and suppined by Sir Henry Norman, in recognition of his great services to motoring in the past.
Topical Subjects.
The first two pages of this issue have upon them Editorial references to the following matters :—(1) " Wheels, rims and tires " ; (2) "The London taxi-driver's right to steal" ; (3) " Petrol by pipe line" ; (4) " Motorbus rumours" ; (5) " Who said 31 tons "l and (6) "More strikes threatening — speculative purchases and bonuses for delivery."
International Road Congress— London, 1915.
A meeting of the representative General Committee that has been formed to undertake the organization of the International Road Congress, to be held in London in 1913, was held last week at the offices of the Road Board. Sir George S. Gibb presided.
There was a large attendance of the members of the General Committee, representing the various associations of : Local highway authorities ; automobile, cycling and touring clubs ; technical institutions, etc., interested in the improv,onent of the roads. M. Mahieu and M. le Gavrian, of Paris (the secretary-ge rieral and assistant secretary of the International Association of Road Congresses) were also present.
A memorandum submitted by the Chairman dealing with the general question of organization was considered and generally approved.
An Executive Committee was appointed as follows :—Sir George S. Gibb (chairman); Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Mr. W. Joynson Hicks, M.P., and Mr. F. H. Berryman (Cou n ty Comic Os' Association), vice-chairmen ; Sir Charles D. Rose, Bart, M.P. (treasurer) ; Messrs. J. A. Brodie, M.Inst.C.E., H. P. Boulnois, M.Inst.C.E., Dugald Clerk, F.R.S., E. Manville, M. In st. C. E., M. Fitzmaurice, C.M.G., E. Shrapnell Smith, John Kennedy, J.P., D.L., S. Williams, H. P. 'Maybury, M.Inst.C.E., and Colonel R.. E. Crompton, C.B. Mr. W. Rees JelTreys was elected honorary general secretary of the Congress, and Mr. G. Montagu Harris honorary deputy general secretary. It was decided to prepare and issue at an early date a circular to the bodies and persons interested in the forthcoming congress.
Sizing the Selsize.
The progress of Belsize Motors, Ltd., has been most satisfactory. For the year ended the 30th September last, the net profit is 230,068. The previous year's carryforward leaves the Board with 232,980 to apportion -after debiting directors' and auditors' fees, income tax, and interim dividend. 28,427 is distributed as dividend, making a total payment for the year of 14 per cent., £2,000 is written off goodwill (leaving it at only 28,000), 212,500 is added to reserve (making it 222,500). and £10,053 is carried forward. Excellent, indeed, like the company's cabs and vans.
C M.U.A. and Pipe Lines for London.
The General Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Association had before it, at its last meeting, Sir Marcus Samuel's recent statement that three days of fog on the river would be followed by a serious interruption, if not complete cessation, of the supply of motor spirit for London, and, as this would involve the virtual stopping of all motor-omnibus, motorcar, motorcab and motorvan traffic, the Committee has decided to bring before the Association a project for the laying of one or more pipe lines for the conveyance of motor spirit from the Thames estuary to various parts of London. For this project. Parliamentary sanction will be required, and the Association will support an application for the necessary powers. It is understood that definite scheme of the kind will be received favourably in City financial circles.
The Eztra Show Number of " THE 'MOTOR' . • is out to-day—ONE PENNY
Another BarTord and Perkins.
Westminster City Council has accepted a quotation of Barford and Perkins, of Peterborough, at £406 for the supply of an eight-ton paraffin-driven motor road rolier.
French Agricultural Trials Tor 1912.
Prince Pierre d'Arenberg, the president of the Agricultural Committee of the French Automobile Club, informs us that he is now busily engaged on the preparations for an important "international exhibition and competition of motors for agricultural purposes at Bourges next year."A I ready the Automobile Club du Centre de In France has voted the sum of £200, which is to be given as prizes, and it is expected that substantial sums will be added by the Automobile Club of France and the Minister of Agriculture. The exhibition at Bourges in 1907 was very largely attended by farmers, butchers, brewers, etc., and the result has been a wide adoption, in central France, of small motors for pumping purposes, driving small lighting sets, refrigerating plants, etc., as well as for tillage operations of all kinds. The pro jected Bourges meeting next June will consist of an exhibition of all varieties of motors for agricultural uses, competition demonstrations of wood-cutting and the running of model cold stores, etc., by means of small portable internal-combustion-engined sets, ploughing by direct traction and various other events. English competitors will be especially welcomed, and Prince d'Arenberg is personally making arrangements with the railway companies over whose lines the machines will have to travel, so that English competitors will get particularly favourable terms for th transportation of their exhibits. We may also add that it is probable there will be a competition for fire-extinguishing motors and other equipment of a like nature. We have been promised early information of any developments that may arise, and we shall be pleased to put prospective English exhibitors in touch with the proper officials.
The General Committee met on Wednesday, 1st November, 1911.
Present. —Colonel R. E. Crompton (in the Chair), Captain R. K. Bagnall-Wild and Mr. W. G. Lobjoit, J.P. (Vice Chairman), Messrs. H. Lyon Thomson (Westminster City Council), H. W. Wigan (Eastern Motor Wagon Co., Ltd.), E. W. Rudd (E. W. Rudd, Ltd.), T. B. Browne, Arthur Spurrier (Leyland Motors, Ltd.), I H. de Mattos (Eddison Steam Rolling Co., Ltd.), D. Kennedy (Pickfords, Ltd.), E. Shrapnell Smith (Hon. Treasurer) and Fred G. Bristow (Secretary).
Petrol Pipe Lines.--[See preceding page.—En.] 1912 Parade. It. was reported that His Majesty the King had been pleased to grant his patronage to the 1912 Parade, to be held on Whit Monday next.
Tramway Obstruction.—It was reported that the R.I.A., which was working in concert with the C.M.U.A. on the question of obstruction due to tramways, was engaged at the present time in the preparation of a schedule to accompany a memorial to the Board of Trade on the subject, which would be submitted to the C.M.U.A. at a later date.
Cab-rank Telephones.--It was reported that the Cab rankTelephone at Kensington had proved entirely successful, and that the cab-using public had been greatly benefited thereby. The question of the extension of these telephones to other parts of London was considered.
Free Legal Defence.—The Secretary reported that a member had expressed a desire to pay an additional subscription if he could receive an unlimited number of Free Legal Defences. It was decided that members should be given the option of having, beyond two free defences as at present, additional defence, without limit, on payment of a further 10s. petvehicle per annum up to six vehicles, and 5s. per vehicle thereafter.
New Members.—The following new members were elected: Draycott Bros. ; Thomas and Green, Ltd. ; G. W. Aylett and Sons ; Wood-Milne, Ltd. ; Peter Union Tyre Co., Ltd. ; Thomas and Evans ; Chapman Bros. ; Henry Clarke ; Avon India Rubber Co. ; J. R. Street ; Jones and Higgins ; R. F. Hindle ; G. and S. Belben ; A. Robins : W. Turpin and Son ; F. Wearing ; Hudson Bros. ; Joseph Sankey : John Greenwood ; Silica Fire Brick Co.; R. Hyde and Co. ; F. W. Wacher ; S. Andrews ; Jermyn and Perry ; Thomas Wethered and Sons : William Gibson ; George Hatch : William Roscoe ; National Cash Register Co. ; CranfieId Bros., Ltd. ; Blundell Spencer and Co. : J'. Putman ; Edwin Turner ; A. Priddy: L. Barbellion A. T. Eccles and Son ; British Petroleum Co. ; John Barker and Co.. Ltd. ; Lister and Co. : Bavarian Rubber Works.
The Rise of the Commercial Motor.
Speaking at the S.M.M.T. ban quet last week. the President, Mr. Edward Manville, amongst other references to commercial motors. said: "Recent progress was still more striking in the substitution of motor for horse traffic for commercial purposes. Two years ago commercial motor vehicles did not. exceed 9 per cent.. ; this year they exceeded 14 per cent.—in London. This indicated a vast field in which the industry would progress. Motor vehicles were unlimited as to the distance they could travel, and the number would. therefore, soon be far in excess of horse vehicles. Another reason for the use of motor rather than horse vehicles was shown by their advantages in the recent railway strike. The progress referred to, however, would not have taken place without attention to the roads on which these vehicles ran. Tt was only a few years since attention had first been drawn to the question of the roads. Preli minszy efforts had been attempted in the formation of the Road Board. This body was formed of men thoroughly competent, to deal with the subject, and every confidence might he placed in their fitness for the work they had in hand."