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Answers to Queries.

9th September 1915
Page 18
Page 18, 9th September 1915 — Answers to Queries.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Desirous to Share Purchase and Working

of a Steam Wagon.

[2735] (North London).—The best way to get in touch with a party such as the one for which you are inquiring is probably to insert a small advertisement in this journal. The charge is id. per word, and the replies can be sent to a box number care of this office. Any instructions should reach the office, together with remittance, by Monday morning at the latest. We note that you have the money ready.

Agency for 20-cwt. Lorries in New Zealand.

[2736] (E.C.).—Few British manufacturers of standing are at the moment fully free to consider fresh business. We have not before us, furthermore, details of the agency arrangements of the leading firms. lf you wish to make arrangements in good time, we suggest that you, place a small statement of your requirements in our classified advertisement columns, as we know that these columns are regularly scanned by the principal people in the industry.

Considering a Steam Char-awbanes.

[2737] (Notts).—You will not do well to buy any ordinary steam vehicle with rubber tires for use as a char-h.-banes. Passengers do not like the heat, smell, vapour and smoke, however carefully the vehicle may be driven, unless it is one of the superheated type, such as the National Steam Car Co. of Chelmsford or the Sheppee Motor Co. of York construct. Whatever type of char-a-banes you may purchase, you had better reckon that it will cost 9d. a mile, inclusive of all outgoings and depreciation. You must for safety see a revenue on the average of Is. 6d. per mile run. As char-h-banes traffic is seasonal, in practice it is best to base the fares on Id. per passenger per mile, or very little less. With a 30-passenger vehicle, when full, this will bring in a maximum of 2s. 6d. per mile run, and the takings when running full will have to be set against the takings when all seats are not filled. You will have to pay 15s. per annum hackney-carriage licence, and three guineas per annum extra carriage duty, under the 1896 Motor Car Act. If it does not ply for hire or pick up passengers at the roadside, other than any booked parties, you will not be liable for any other licences. The driver must be licensed (5s. per annum), and the vehicle must be registered.

Rubber Tires on Stesm Lorries.

[2738] (Nuneaton).--We endorse your view that a Foden is quite suitable for the work you have in view, hut we note that delivery is not obtainable in time. We strongly recommend you to fit rubber tires. All the claims in favour of rubber tires are substantially sound, and the cost of this type of tire is now very much lower than it was a few years ago. You can undoubtedly run in the winter, when snow is on the ground, with rubber tires fitted, whereas you cannot move a yard in safety when snow is on the ground and steel tires are used. The tire guarantee is reduced from 10,000 miles to 7000 miles when a trailer is used, but we attach no importance to that modification. If the tires are properly treated they will have a good life in any event. You can specify disc wheels, for a steam wagon, or you can give the wheels the same appearance by arranging with the makers to cover in the spokes with shaped plates. Cleanliness is one of the chief advantages. Our free sheet of running costs (mailed direct) may be of service to you. Please remember that as contractors you must get very much higher earnings—say, from GO per cent. to 100 per cent, more per mile run. As regards tires, our up-to-date knowledge enahs us.to state most emphatically that you will be much better Placed in the future, from the point of view of likely legislation, if you use rubber tires.

B54 Wants to Transfer from Yeomanry to A.S.C., M.T.

[2730] (Seotland).—You can arrange a transfer only through the colonel of your regiment. We recommend you to speak to your company officer in the first instance. You can, with such approval, then communicate direct with the A.S.C. Staff Officer, War Office, S.W.

Damage Done by A.S.C. Mule-drawn Wagon.

[2740] (Midlands).—We fear you have no claim in law against the Crown and that defence might be raised. There is, surely, a Compensation Court or Committee established by the Military Command for the district, and we suggest that you ask the officer if such is not the case. Alternatively, are you not covered with your insurance company, in which event you can leave that company to recover? Your remedy-at-law against the driver is probably worth little, and you will presumably decide against any action in that direction.

Horse v. Motor.

[2741] (Halifax).—We note your amended horse costs, with the addition of other details, we observe that these come out at approximately 9d. per mile rum, whereas we had suggested 10d. A motorvan will not deteriorate with standing, if you keep it in a dry shed. You must, of course, arrange to run the water out of the radiator and the water jackets of the engine when there is any likelihood of frost, and it helps starting up the next morning to re-fill with hot water, although if that is not convenient the introduction of a few drops of petrol through the cocks on the tops of the cylinders, before turning the starting-handle, will give the initial explosions which it is otherwise sometimes difficult to obtain. If a commercial motor is used intermittently, say only three days a week, the average consumption of oil and grease per mile run goes up slightly.

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Locations: Halifax, York, London

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