WHEELS of INDUSTRY
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" The wheels of wealth will be slowed 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 Crazier.
The Municipal Tramways and Transport Conference.
The 29th annual conference of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association opens at Harrogate on Tuesday, September 23rd, at 8.30 p.m., when there will be an informal reception at the Spa Rooms. The programme for the subsequent three days will be as follows :
Wednesday, September 24th.-9.30 ELM., meeting of the council in the Majestic Hotel. 10 a.m., civic welcome in the Majestic Hotel, presidential address, presentation of cheques, etc., to prize-winners in the Essay Competition, 1930. _2,30 p.m., paper on "The Traniition of Transport between 1928 and 1930," by Councillor A. H. Gledhill, J.P.,
followed by a discussion. 7.30 p.m., annual dinner of the Association in the Majestic Hotel.
Thursday, September 25th.-9.30 a.m., meeting of the council. 9.45 a.m., meeting of the managers' section. 10.15 a.m., continuation of discussion on Councillor Gledhill's paper. 145 p.m., official photographing in the grounds of the hotel. 2.30 p.m., paper on "The Progress Made with the Development of Heavy-oil Engines," by Mr. W. Vane Morland, followed by a discussion.
Friday, September 26th.-10 a.m., coaches start for Huddersfield. 12.45 p.m., luncheon at the Drill Hall, Huddersfield, at the invitation of His Worship the Mayor and the Huddersfield Corporation. Tramways Committee. 2.30 p.m., coaches leave Huddersfield for " Temple Newsom," Leeds, for tea at the invitation of the Leeds City Tramways and Transport Committee.
The Future of Mann.
An important announcement to users of Mann vehicles has just been issued by the Mann Steam and Motor Wagon. Co., Ltd., Fashion Street, Spitalfields, London, E.1, the proprietor of the company now being G. Scammell and Nephew, Ltd.
It points out that the great efficiency and durability of Mann wagons and tractors have long been recognized, and that by a reorganization which provides for new and expert Control of the company it is in a position to offer much improved service and attention in every way.
The developments of the company will include large comprehensive stocks of spare parts for all models, au expert Mann staff for repairs, overhauls and rebuilding, prompt postal repair service for specializedparts, such as gauges, injectors, pumps, etc., a loan service of replacement parts, detailed improvement of existing designs and the production of new Mann models.
Expert Mann fitters can be placed at users' disposal on receipt of telephone requests, whilst the rebuilding or reconstructing of existing machines will be undertaken.
An Expert Available for Exhibitors at Buenos Aires.
One of our friends in the industry, who has had great experience in this country with commercial vehicles for both goods and passengers, and who is a qualified engineer, tells us that he has spent 19 years in Buenos Aires and knows the country and the language
almost as well as re native. He 'also possesses an extensive knowledge of the requirements in the way of transport, and has many friends in the country.
He states that he would like the opportunity to go out to the British Empire Trade Exhibition as the representative of one of the big British makers, to take charge of its business there., We certainly think he would be a valuable asset in this connection.
Letters addressed "Buenos ,Aires Exhibition," care of the Editor, will be forwarded to the proper quarter.
Southdown Share Distribution.
An extraordinary general meeting of Southdown Motor Services; Ltd., is to be held on September 18th to consider a proposil to Capitalize £75,000 of the company's reserve fund and to distribute to ordinary shareholders one new' ordinary share for ak:ory existing three ordinary shares held. The present capital of the company is £201,250 in
200,000 shores of each and 25,000 shares of 1s. each.
Classes in Motor Engineering.
Many of our readers in the Sheffield district may be interested in the classes in motorcar engineering which are being run at the University of Sheffield during 1930-31. There are elementary and advanced clastiez and each lecture is illustrated with lantern slides and models of parts. The courses are suitable for owner-drivers and mechanics, and 10s, is the fee whieh is charged. Mr. A.
Bayliss, A.M.I.Mech.E., is the lecturer in automobile engineering.
Personal Pars.
It is of interest to note that Mr. A. G. Petrie-Hay, who has been appointed to manage the London office of the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., of Warwick, has been in charge of the company's sales organization in Scotland for no fewer than seven years, during which period his headquarters were in Glasgow. He has now established himself at the Eagle concern's London address,svhich is at 44, Pall Mall,S.W.1.
We reproduce on this page a portrait of Mr. R. G. Clarry, ex-M.P. for the Newport division of Monmouthshire, who has been appointed chairman of the British Road Tar Association.
Mr. Clarry was trained in civil engineering and chemistry and had a successful business career before taking up politics. During the war he was honorary adviser to the High Explosives Department of the Ministry of Munitions and later took complete control of the Duff ryn Steel and Tin-plate Works at Morriston, Glamorganshire. Ile was amongst the earliest of motorists and drove an old Benz car with tiller steering.
The appointment of Mr. Clarry to this new position may be regarded as significant of the growing importance of the British Road Tar Association. Originally founded in 1925, it now has a membership of 710 concerns in the gas, cokeoven and tar-distilling industries'', which, between them, treat 35 million tons of coal per year, producing two million tons of crude tar and employing nearly 200,000 workpeople.
The Latest Roadway Time-table.
No. 10 of the Roadway Time Tables for Motor Coach and Motorbus Services of England and Wales, and for Express and Limited Services in Scotland, published by Roadway Time Tables, Bookings and Publications, Ltd., of "Roadway Corner," Glasshouse Street, piecedilly, London, W.1, contains particulars of upwards of 4,000 services. It is a highly useful publication, alike to the industry as to the travelling public. The index contains approximately 20,000 place names and runs to no fewer than 116 pages. The tabular information extends to some 950 pages, and embraces all representative companies' routes and times. It is obtainable at one shilling through any newsagent, or at is. 6d. post free from the publishers. This monthly guide should be in the possession of all interested persons.
A Vacancy for a Sales Assistant.
The sales manager of an important maker of large commercial vehicles requires for the London office of the company the immediate services of a bright and intelligent assistant to keep records, order blocks and deal with advertising matter, etc.
The commencing salary will be comparatively small, but it is a good opening for a youth of from 18 to 19 years of age, who would have an opportunity for acquiring extremely useful training with the prospects of promotion.
Letters addressed to "Sales Learner," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.
Using Prohibited Streets.
The local authorities and police of Tenby complain that visiting buses and coaches are using streets whieh have been condemned for use by heavy traffic by the Ministry of Transport. The authorities point out that large notices approved by the Ministry are affixed in such streets and their approaches, calling the attention of drivers to the prohibition which is in force.
In some cases prosecutions have been made against offending drivers and an intensified campaign is now projected.
Official Orders in July.
A fairly large number of orders for motor vehicles was given out by Government departments during July last. The G.P.O. authorities placed one for motor bodies with Morris-Commercial Cars, Ltd. The Crown Agents for the Colonies gave an order for chassis to Crossley Motors, Ltd., and divided a contract for lorries between Leyland Motors, Ltd., Dennis Bros., Ltd., and the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd. The same department also gave an order for tractors to Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd., and one for trailers to Carrimore Six-wheelers, Ltd.
The Admiralty placed an order for a motor fire engine as well as for sixs wheeled vehicles with Leyland Motors', Ltd., and one for a special six-wheeled trailer with the Eagle Engineering Co.,
Ltd. s The War Office ordered a number of motor bodies from Charles Roberts and Co., Ltd., light six-wheeled chassis from Garner Motors, Ltd., Crossley Motors., Ltd., and Morris-Commercial Motors, Ltd., and medium-sized six-wheeled chassis from Karrier Motors, Ltd., Guy Motors, Ltd., the Vulcan Motor and Engineerins-' Co., Ltd., John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., Leyland Motors, Ltd., and the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd.
Education in Transport.
Further to the paragraph in our issusi for last week concerning the courses in industrial transport management which are being run at the City of Birmingham 'Commercial College, we now learn that the schedule for 1930-31 also includes classes on road-transport economics and operation, the law relating to transport, and railway economics and operation.
The courses will cover the syllabuses set for the examinations of the Institute of Transport, which take place in April, 1931, and are suitable for certain degree examinations at the University of London. Copies of the syllabus can be obtained from the principal at Suffolk Street, Birmingham.
An L.G.O.C. Route Opposed.
At a recent highways-committee meeting of Coulsdon Urban District Council a letter was received from the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., applying for approval to a new bus route from Edmonton Station to Kenley ; the committee recommends informing the Minis. ter of Transport and the Commissioner of Police that the council is opposed to approval being given to the service.
Barrow Bus Profits.
During the year ended March 31st last the buses in the service of Barrowin-Furness Corporation Corporation were operated at a gross profit of £1,782, the actual income being £20,308 and expenditure £18,526. The amount carried to the appropriation account was £1,359. During the year the buses ran 530,494 miles and carried 3,228,179 passengers. At the end of March last the corporation was operating 12 Guy 26-seater buses and four Leyland 48-seaters .
A Range of Diesel Rollers.
Barford and Perkins, Ltd., Peterborough, has just issued a catalogue which deals with its range of Diesel motor rollers of weights from 9 tons to 18 tons. The outstanding merits of the Diesel roller are referred to in the publication, which also contains a fully descriptive specification of the constructional details. The advantages of the Diesel engine are summarized and a mist interesting section is that which sets out the benefits of the motor roller over the steam roller.
Engineering Classes in London.
We have received a coPy of a'syllabus giving details of the classes in civil and mechanical engineering which 'are provided at the Northampton Polytechnic Institute, St. John Street, London, E.C.1. The classes commence on September 22nd, enrolments taking place during the previous week. Some of the more important courses are as follow :Economics of engineering, engineering workshop practice, pattern making, die sinking and press-tool making, oxyacetylene welding and cutting, and automobile engineering.
There are two classes in the lastnamed, one a descriptive course, occupying one evening per week for the session, being arranged to meet the requirements of owner-drivers, garage assistants and others who require Only a general knowledge of the construction and working of a motor vehicle, whilst the second is a C22 full course which occupies three evenings a week for four years and is intended for students who aim at securing a comprehensive knowledge of automobile technology.
A Cleansing Material of Many
•
We have recently had brought to our notice a preparation known as Ole-mit, which is made by, the Hilda Chemical Co., 22, Hilda Road, Mostyn Road, Brixton, London, S.W.9. It is sold in 61. and is. tins or in bulk. The larger tin contains nearly three times as much as the smaller size. CleLmit is a white paste-like substance, guaranteed free from acid, sand or grit. It can he used to clean grimy hands, paint or varnish, greasy metal objects, body fittings and many other items of daily importance to the commercial-motor user. The maker's slogan is "Wash without water."
We have tested the claims made for this preparation in respect of cleansing the hands ; it successfully removed dirty oil, writing ink and—a very awkward substance—printer's ink. It is very smooth in'tfse and does not abrade the hands or any surface to which it may be applied. It cleans without leaving behind any unpleasant odour and is said 'to be antiseptic. The slogan adopted by., the maker is very apt.
Capetown's Bus Service.
The traffic committee of Capetown Corporation has prepared a return of all buses holding current licenees to ply for hire within the city. It is estimated that, assuming every bus carries its full complement of passengers on each scheduled trip, the combined services are capable • of transporting 100,000 passengers daily from the city. The total number of buses at present in use is 260, these being distributed between the various undertakings as follow :—Triangle Bus Service, 147; Capetown Tramway Co., 67; Circle Service, 28; Camp's Bay Bus Service, 14; private owners, 4. Institute of Metals Journal.
The new volume (43) of the journal of the Institute of Metals is divided into two sections, the first comprising a record of the proceedings at recent meetings of the Institute and the other abstracts of the world's metallurgical and engineering literature. The latter enables a quick survey to be taken of technical developments during the past six months, whilst the former—containing, as it does, a record of entirely original research—will be referred to for many years to come.
The scientific papers appearing in the volume are preceded by an address by the new president, Dr. Richard Seligman, in which many new fields of usefulness that are open to the Institute are indicated. The volume is edited by Mr. G. Shaw Scott, M.Sc., secretary of the Institute, and it can be obtained from 36, Victoria Street, London, 8.W.1, at the price of 31s. 61. net.
Petitil Pump for the Science Museum.
It will interest many of our rattlers to learn that one of the most recent additions to the Science Museum at South Kensington, London, is an example of a kerbside petrol pump. At present this is the only instrument of its kind in the museum, and it is of the visible container type.
According to Board of Trade regulations, these instruments must be accurate to within five-eighthsof 1 per cent.
This particular appliance, which is known as the Hammond pump and is marketed by Liquid Measurements, Ltd., Hammond Works, Victoria Road, London' NAVA°, operates, we are told, at half this tolerance—within about quarter of 1 per cent.
New Renold Products.
A new price list issued by Hans Renold, Ltd., Burnage Works, Didsbury, Manchester, contains details of the company's products for industrial applications. Particular attention is directed to new lines introduced during the past 12 months, amongst these being chain couplings, bush roller chains, rivet extractors, conveyor chains, a chain clutch and a chain tensioner.
Coach Tours for Busy Business Men.
The Merseyside Coach Services have Just introduced a series of Busy Business Man's extended hOliday tours, covering five days. The route's are through the Wye Valley and the Shakespeare country, and the trips cover from Monday to Friday.
Profits from Spring Making.
A profit of £27,549, for the year to June 30th last, is shown by J. Brockhouse and Co., Ltd., the spring and axle manufacturer, to which is added £9,585 brought forward. A final dividend of 61 per cent, is recommended on the ordinary shares, making 10 per cent. for the year, and £2,500 (against
£5,000 last year) is to be placed to reserve, increasing this to £42,500 and leaving £11,399 to be carried forward. The profit for the previous 12 months was £33,179, but the dividend WAS the same.
Licensing Fees at Bradford.
At a meeting of the licensing committee of Bradford Corporation a letter was received from the Ministry of Transport stating that the amount of compensation payable by the Minister under Section 3 (4) (b) of the Roads Act, 1920, was limited to the amount that would have been received by the corporation in respect of licences for such vehicles but for the passing of the Roads Act, and that if the council passed a resolution raising the fees to an amount not exceeding 5s. per vehicle, the Minister would be prepared to accept future claims at the revised rate. The committee decided that the licensing fee 'inrespect of public-service vehicles seating 14 persons and upwards be increased from 2s. 6d. to 5s.
Oldham-U.S.D. Battery Co-operation.
An interesting function took place last Thursday, when Oldham and Son, Ltd., of Denton, gave a luncheon with the object of announcing an important development in connection with the future of the company.
The batteries made by this company will be sold as the Oldham-U.8.D., and this name stands for Oldhams of Denton and the U.S.L. Battery Corporation of America. This will enable the company to tap fresh sources of research and production facilities, as the company will then be in co-operation with one of the largest producing concerns in America. The U.S.D. concern is itself one of a group of battery makers owned by the Electric AutoLite Co., of Toledo, the most important builder of lighting and starting sets in the world. The Oldham battery will, however, remain British throughout.
The guest of honour at the luncheon was Lord Gainford, representing the coal trade, which has in daily use 200,000 lamps equipped with Oldham batteries.
An Irish Bus-station Project.
Portrush Urban Council has decided to call a conference of bus owners to discuss the erection in the town of a central bus station. The proposed station will be roofed in and will have
toilet accommodation and platform space for 20 buses. The council takes the attitude that -adequate provision must be made for the growing bus traffic, and if the municipal bus station be proceeded with Portrush will have given a lead to other Irish towns.
New Badges for London Taxi Drivers.
The old badge issued to taxi drivers in the Metropolitan Police area has for long been a subject of badinage. Certhinly it was a massive affair of an unnecessary size and weight. A new badge, which is lighter and more convenient to wear than the old, is now being issued to taxicab drivers, of whom 13,000 are licensed in the area concerned.
The new badge weighs only 14oz., against the 5 oz. of the old type. The lettering is in black on an apple-green ground, and the inscription "Motor Cab Driver" replaces the old—one might almost be tempted to say hackneyed wording--" Hackney Driver, Mechanical Power." The strap is shorter, as the old-type strap was found sometimes to permit the badge to swing against the driver's face.
Bus Results at Southampton.
During the year ended March 31st last traffic receipts from the operation of the motorbuses of Southampton Corporation totalled £43,257, the total revenue amounting to £45,342, whilst working expenses were £42,438. The balance of £2,904 was carried to the net revenue account, where interest and sinking fund charges reduced it to £1,544, this amount being carried to the appropriation account.
During the year the buses ran a mileage of 942,652 and carried 5,612,199 passengers. The number of buses in stock at the end of March last was 37, 21 of them being of Guy make. The total borrowing powers sanctioned in connection with motorbuses is represented by £55,359, the capital expenditure up to• March last having been £52,174, whilst the loan debt outstanding at that period was £28,101.
Buses Wanted in Altrineham, Manchester Corporation transport department has received an application from Altrincham Urban District Council, which is backed by leading organizations in the town, requesting that the tramways service now serving the Altrincham neighbourhood should be substituted by motorbuses. An agreement between the city council and the AlErineham authority empowering the corporation to run trains in the area expired early this year, and there is a general desire in the town for speedier and more convenient facilities.
To Speed Up Soldering.
An interesting and useful range of electrically heated soldering irons is offered by the Vidal Engineering Co., Ltd., of Croydon, Surrey, a company which specializes in the manufacture of electric tools, bench lathes, etc. The Vidal Elect soldering irons have readily interchangeable parts and the copper tips, mails in various shapes, are removed wi lout disturbing the heating element. Thera are two models, priced at 17s. and 30s. retail.
An Engineer-Salesman Available.
We know of a fully qualified engineersalesman who has had considerable experience on the sales side in conaction with passenger vehicles, and who requires a position in which advantage can be taken of his extensive knowledge both of this branch and of engineering. Daring the course of his work he has dealt to a large extent with municipal authorities.
Letters addressed to " EngineerSalesman," care of the Editor, will be forwarded to him.
Holland's Tractor Imports.
We regret that owing to some changes which have this year been made in the details of the official Dutch import and export returns, it slight error occurred in the note appearing in our issue dated August 26th anent the Dutch imports of tractors and road rollers during the first half of the current year. The total number of machines imported was 116, valued at £.39,833, and the number credited to France was 12, not 44.