WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, the roughness of the roads over which it runs,"—John Beattie Crozier.
as a carriage is by
American Production.
According to advioes from Washington, motor-vehicle production in America during the month of February was larger than in any month since last June. The output of commercial vehicles totalled 21,354, compared with 19,376 in the previous month of this veer and 15 195 in February of 1as4. year.
According to the Bureau •of Publics Roads, the number of motor vehicles registered in 1922 was 12,238,375, as compared with 5,500,000 in 1916. Of the total number of vehicles registered, 1,278,804 sere industrial machines, 29,328 trailers and 69,459 taxicabs.
The International Road Congress.
It-is stated that the arrangements for the fourth International Road Congress, Which is to be held at Seville from May 7th to 12th, are now nearly complete_ The British delegates who have announced their intentiony of being present at the Congress. include :—Sir Henry Maybury (Ministry of Transport.), Mae C. H. Bressey (Chief engineer, MMistry of Transport), Mr. E. S_ ShrapnellSmith, C.B.E. (president, Commercial Motor Users Association), Mr. W. Rees Jeffreys (chairman, Roads Improvement Association), Mr.. A. E. Cave (Motor Legislation Committee), -Mr. F. Pick (London Underground Railways), Mr. J. A. Brodie (City Engineer, Liverpool), Mr. A. Dryland (Engineer of the Middlesex County Council), and Mr. J. S. Hillick (late engineer to the Ministry of Transport). , A £160,000 Concrete Road.
An important new road between Hounslow and Harrow, which will give employment to hundreds of men for the next two years, has been planned and passed for immediate construction by the Middlesex County Council.
The sew road, which is to be made of concrete with asphalt carpet, will be 3k miles long and 60 ft.wide. There will be a granite-kerbed and channelled carriageway 40 ft. wide, and two gravel footways each 10 ft. wide. It will start with a wide sweep at the old G.W.R. iron bridge at Uxbridge Road, . Hanwell, ,and, cutting across a portion of the West Middlesex golf course in Windmill Lane, will be carried across the meadowland belonging to the Earl of Jersey, and through the old-world village of Greenford.so far as the District Station at Sudbury. When complete, the new road will facilitate traffic between these two points and Harrow, as the present highway is little better than a series of muddy lane.
The work, which is to cost £160,555 arid occupy about two years, will be carried out by Roade and Public Works, Ltd. Westminster, S.W., who are also engaged on similar large works for the Ministry of Transport between Earningham and Wrotham, on the main Dover Road, and at Dartford and Northfleet.
For some distance the new road will run parallel to, and on the west side of, the River Brent, and some two miles from the start it will pass under the High Wycombe branch of the Great
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Western Railway main line, where it is proposed to construct an arched underbridge with a, span of 65 ft. North of the railway the land rises to the Grand Junction Canal, at which point a special ferro-conerete bridge is to be erected.to carry the road over toethe other side.
Preparing for "The Royal."
Newcastle Watch Committee has fixed /the taxicab fare from the Newcastle' Central Railway Station to the yard entrance of the Royal Show, which is to be held on the Town Moor, froth July 3rd to 7th, at Is. 64. for two passengers, and an additional 6d. per passenger -above that number.
Citroen-Kegresse In London.
All those who have followed the ad• venturereof the Citroen-Kegresse cars which successfully crossed and recrossed the Sahara Desert will be interested to learn that a special organization has been formed in London to handle the sale of these vehicles in England and the Colonies. The address of the company is 22, Buckingham Gate, London S.W.1, and Mr. Lourde, who is well-known in the trade, is at the head of the organization. A demonstration vehicle is available at this address for those who deshe to test its capabilities.
A New "General" Garage.
The London General Omnibus Co., e Ltd., propose to erect a new garage in Sutton to hold 100 rnotorbuees. The local council have agreed to the proposal, subject to successful negotiations with the Ministry of Transport, and the company have agreed to give the council land in exchange for thatInow used as allotments, which is part of the site on which the garage will be built. The cost of the new garage will be £26,000.
In Hint on Maintenance No. 351, in our issue of March 27th, we erroneously referred to the address of Hepworth and Grandage, Ltd.. the makers of the Gwynn piston for the Gwynn Piston Co., Ltd., of Gorseinon, South Wales, which should be St. John's Works: Wakefield Road, Bradford, and not as printed.
Robey Report.
The report of the directors of Robey and Co., Ltd., the well-known Lincoln engineers, for the year ending December 31st last, states that the trading accouat shows a. profit of 226,246, and, alter writing off 210,239 for depreciation of buildings, machinery and plant, and providing for debenture interest, directors' and anditors' fees and other charges, there remains a balance of 28,685.
After adding 234,969 brought forward from last year and deducting transfer to provident fund and dividend paid, 255,203 is available for dividend. This amount the directors recommend to be apportioned as follows :—Payment of dividend of 21 per cent. on preference and ordinary shares, which will absorb £7,452; to credit of provident fund for employees, £1,000, leaving £26,751 tc be carried forward.
London's Holiday Bus Traffic.
All Easter records were broken on the occasiou ofthis year's holiday by the motorbuses, tramcars and trains of London's Underground' group, it being estimated that during the four days' holiday over 16,000000 passengers were Carried. The buses' share was the lion's share of this remarkable Easter holiday traffic, • and on Monday they carried over 500,000 more passengers compared with the number transported on the same day last year.
A feature of this year's bus trips was the introduction of die larger type 'bus on the country services, thus avoiding queues at terminal points. On the buses running to Epping Forest alone over 60,000 passengers were carried. The company state that over 50.000 gallons of petrol were consumed by the fleet of bases engaged on the Bank Holiday Monday.
Protests Against Welsh Bus . Monopoly.
A meeting of the ratepayers of Ferndale and Blaenlleehan has been held at. which an energetic protest was made against, the refusal of the Rhondda Urban District Council to renew the bus service licence between Ferndale (Rhondda Each Valley) and Yetra,d (Rhondda Fitavr Valley) of Mr. David Morgan.
Local representatives on the council attended to explain the matter, and stated that, according to the agreement between the urban district council and the Rhondda Tramways Co., under which the latter laid down the tramlines; a monopoly was granted the eompaner by the council. Some time after Mr. Morgan initiated his bus services the company complained to the council of its breach of agreement by sanctioning the services.
A strongly worded resolution was'. passed calling on the Rhondda Connell tn terminate any agreements whereby the public was deprived of the benefit of trade competition, and urging the renewal of the bus licences in question, and the local councillors were instructed to convey the feeling of the meeting to the conned.
A.E.C. Agents.
The Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., inform Usthat they have appeintedr.the • following agents • to represent the. company. in the diatriets • mentimied •:— The Rhyl and-Petteries. Motors, Queen • Street, Rhyl, (North Wales, _Flintshire, Carnarvonshire, . Denbighshire; Merionethshire, and •Anglesey).. The WestLeeds _Motor _ Co., Ltd., WellingtonRead, 'Leeds .(Leeds, Harrogate, TaileS.ster; York): The Pelican .1Cegincerieg . Co., Scout Hill; :Dewsbury (Dewsburyand :Wakefield).
E. R. Wilson, Wenlock Street, Hull (East Riding, Scarborough, Pickering, and New Mallen).
Romilly Motor Co., Ltd., Romilly Crescent, Cat-cliff (Glamorganshire, ex • eluding Swansea).
'Blythe and Berwick (Sales and Re pairs), Ltd-, Edderthorpe Street, Bradford (Bradford and district, including .Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, and Settle).
The Value of Servicemen.
Many. firms are finding that it pays to tu ploy servicemen who visit their customers periodically, This acts as a check on overloading, excessive speed, and other forms of ill-usage, and results in a considerable saving on guaran tee and maintenance contracts. In addition, the serviceman is frequently able to assist the user in many difficulties, and so enhances the reputation of his him,
With regard to ill-usage, a certain concern, after replacing an excessive number of broken wheels and springs under guarantee, have traced these failures to the fact that the vehicles were being run with the solid tyres in a very poor condition.
A Licence Point.
At a meeting of the County Councils' Association the highways committee reported that it had considered the following report from the Warwickshire County Council, drawing attention to the decision in a recent case on the subject of prosecutions in respect of the use of vehicles for purposes other than those for which they were licensed :- "Our attention has been called to the case of Morris v. Tolman (1922) 20 L.G.R. 803, in which three Judges of the 'High Court decided that because Section 8 (3) of the Roads Act, 1920, is. worded to the effect that where a licence has been taken out for a vehicle to be used solely, for a certain purpose, and the vehicle is used for some other purpose, the person using it shall, if the 'rate of duty chargeable in respect of the licence held by him' be liable to an Excise penalty, proceedings can only
be taken under the section againstethe person who was the holder of the licence; and that, as in the case in question the oar was being used by a. person who wits not the holderof thedicence, he was
not liable. .We think that, where a vehicle is so used, it Should be possible to obtain a, conviction against both the bolder of the licence and against the person who so improperly uses the ear.' • The Association referred the matter to the Parliamentary Committee for consideration.
. Albion Dividend.
Subject to the approval of the annual general meeting of the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., on April 19th, the company will pay, on April 20th, a dividend on the cumulative preference shares for the year-ended December 31st last at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum.
Public Stands in Swansea.
The Swansea Highways Committee has fixed upon the following roads as standing places for buses and chars-abanes in the borouah, and if the trial period proves successful these, will become the permanent town stands :Pleasant. Street, Trinity Place, Christina Street, St. Mary Street, Cross Street, Glamorgan Street, and Gordon Terrace (gaol wall 'side). The sites were selected upon the recommendation Of the police,and the number of buses permitted on each stand will be limited, the largest being the Gordon Terrace site, at which room will be found for 30 vehicles.
Consider the Driver's Comfort.
The comfort of the driver is a matter which is receiving greater attention. Apart from the humanitarian aspect,.a comfortable driver is a careful driver ; many accidents can be traced to the fatigue caused by bad Conditions. In this connection it is a rather itonical fact that, whereas the provision of an electrical engine starter is the rule on light ears with, say, 2&-in, by 3-in, engines, this is not considered at all necessary on a 5-in. by 6-in, commercialvehicle engine.
Against Improvised Buses.
The Port Talbot Borough Council has instructed the police to take immediate action against the proprietors of any uhauthoilzed buses against which there are continued complaints. It was stated at the meeting that the vehicles in use during the day for general haulage and business purposes were fitted in the evening hours, and at week-ends, with improvised seats and used to ply for hire.
B.A.T. Report.
The report of the directors of the British Automobile Traction Co., Ltd., who run a number of motorbus and motor. coach services in various parts of the country, for the past year shows that • the company's net income amounted to 260,174 as compared with 256,269 a year earlier. After deductMg administration and general_ expenses and Other items chargeable to revenue, a net 'profit of .242,529 is shown, ae compared With 229,915 for 1921. As. was the case a year ago, 210,000 of this sum is allocated to reserve, whilst the dividend on the ordinary Shares is maintained at 10 per cent., and the participating preference shareholders again receive an additional 2 per cent., making .10 per cent, for the year, which absorbs upwards of 28,000, a balance of 220,824 being kit to be tarried forward.
Improvement of the Fosse Way. No more imp:Et-tent artery of traffic than the Fosse Way exists in Midland areas, and it is to the great satisfaction of owners of commercial motors that information has been recently forthcoming pointing to the probability of the entire reconstruction of the Leicestershire per. .tion of this road being undertaken at an early date. The work his been long oaerdue, and times interested in motor traffic in the neighbouring county of Nottingham, where the authorities have acquitted themselves of their obligations with admirable efficiency, have been largely instrumental in pressing for the improvements which are now likely to be soon effected.
Buses Link Up Birmingham Railway Stations.
It, has at last been decided to link up the two main Birmingham railway stations—Snow Hill and New Streetby.bus routes. This scheme has been suggested many times, but until the present nothing has been done in the matter. The, corporation buses running on the Harborne and Moseley routes, which at. present have their city terminus fn. New Street, will in future make a circular journey, passing the two stations—every, other bus taking an opposite, direction, so that passengers may travel from) Ste0A Hill to New Street, and vice , versa, which will be a boon to.satrangers in tire city.
This arrangement was adopted on April 1st, and at the same time id. fares. were introduced, whilst . a slight reduction in fares on other routes was made.
The number of motorbuses, vans, and lorries imported into India during January Was 53, with a value of 305,605 rupees.
Purchasing a Private Road.
The acqueeition by local municipal authorities of the Penarth 'Road, the main trafac-wey between Cardiff, Barry, and Penarth, has at length been decided upon, and. as the owner of the road has expressed willingness to sell, negotiations should soon be completed. The cost of putting the road into repair is estimated at from L2Q0,000 to 2250,000. The acquisition will be a great been to road users in this part of the country, for it will result in the abolition of the toll gate and thus admit of free intercomm,unication between towns and villages along the route.
Although in receipt of the tolls, no obligation was .apparently placed on the owner to keep the road in good order.
A. conference of representatives of the Cardiff City, Cardiff Rural, Penarth Urban, and Barry Urban Councils, held recently at Cardiff, decided upon the joint acquisition of the road, and, further, that the cost. of maintenance should be borne by each authority being made responsible for the length iii. its area. The Ministry of Transport was representedat the conference.
Bedfordshire's Irritating Methods.
The motor haulage section of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce, which has been responsible for large developments of road traffic, directed attention at its last meeting to the concern which has been felt by the haulage industry, owing to the persistent trapping of commercial vehieles,by the Bedfordshire police, whereby heavy fines have been imposed upon the drivers of the vehicles concerned.
Although in some cases technical offences were admitted, it was felt that the fines were out of all proportion, and were becoming a burden upon the industry. Urgent representations had been made to the Commercial Motor Users 1120
Association and other bodies, and the Nottingham committee expresses a hope, in which all who take a dispassionate view of the matter will join, that the negotiations which have been proceeding will put an end to unnecessarily irritat. ing practices upon the part of the Bedfordshire Police.
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The Merits of the Motor.
At a meeting of the Llanelly Borough Council the surveyor gave the assurance that if, as yet, there was little difference in the cost, of scavenging by the use of motor lorries as compared with team labour, as formerly used, the service
French Tyres for British Users.
Although 13ergougnan solid tyres have not been on the British market for More than a couple of years they have preyed extremely popular amongst heavy vehicle users. The Bergougnan Tyre Co., of Store Street, Tottenham Court Road, London, W.C. 1, list threetypes of solid tyres, vie., the standard, the dissymetrical and the deep resilient, The dissymetrical tyre has been made especially for use on the back wheels of heavy vehicles, and it is claimed that it combines the advantages of the square and round tyres without possessing the disadvantages of either.
Midland Rubber Co's Activities.
With reference to the recent notice of the appointment of a receiver and manager for the Midland Rubber Co., Ltd., of Birmingham, the company give us to understand that this has made no difference in the carrying on of the business and the output of their products. They inform us that the emirs are exceedingly busy in all departments.
Heavy Vehicle Speeds.
The standing joint committee reports to the East Riding County Council that a copy of its resolution suggesting that the legal speed of heavy motor vehicles should be reduced from 12 miles an hour to 10 miles an hour was forwarded to the Ministry of Transport, and, in reply, a letter was received from the Ministry stating that the question of speeds of the various types of motor vehicles had been fully considered by the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles, the recommendations of which were set out in paragraphs 112-132 of its second interim report, to which it referred the centmittee.
The committee recommends that a strong protest be made to the Ministry of Transport against any proposal to increase the speed limit for heavy motorcars.
Commercial. Vehicles not Hackney Carriages.
In most of the Lancashire towns there has sprung up a competition with local traders through the-market-places being overrun hy people who have taken stalls end bring their goods in by motor. vehicles every week. In some of the open markets, like those of Bury and of Ramsbottom, the lorries also serve as stalls.
Many of these itinerant traders come from Manchester and Salford, and several cases have just occurred at the Salford Police Court which raised an teresting point. Vehicles owned by these traders, which are duly licensed for commercial purposes, have been used for the conveyance of passengers, and on one of them recently eight passengers, all of whom were stallholders, were travelling with theirgeods to save railway fares. 'The owner of the lorry said he had contracted to convey them with their goods and, therefore, they were not passengers in the ordinary sense of the term. A. Sue of 20e. and costs was imposed and, in other eases; eimilar penalties. have been inflicted.
Those who contract for the, transport of goods should remember that they are not at liberty to convey the consignor on the same vehicle, however much he may desire to travel cheaply.
Bus Matters in Swansea.
The Swansea Highways Committee has declined, upon the recornmendation of the chief constable' to grant a per
mit to Mr. Phillip S. Parkin for a ser vice between Three Crosses-Swansea. It was reported that a service previously run had failed because of lack of support. Messrs. Phillips Brothers, Pantyffy
non, were also unsuccessful in an application for sanction to run buses on Saturdays from Peniygroes to Swansea. The committee, however, on the recommendation of the chief constable, assented to the South Wales Transport CO. running services between SkettyMumbles, via Gw.ydr Square and Derwan Fawr Road.
The Swansea Watch Committee; after receiving a deputation of Victoria Ward ratepayers, has asked the chief constable to report on the alternative Swansea-Mumbles bus route suggested by the deputation, which would be via Dillvsyn Street, St. Helen's Road—already used on one-way journeys by the buses—in stead of through Western Street.
Dangerous Loads.
During the past two weeks three road accidents which were entirely ascribable to unsuitable vehicles being used for carrying certain loads have come to our
notice. In one case a large barrel of beer fell off a low-sided trailer, and, rolling at speed along the street, caused considerable harm to a child; in another case a one-ton truck carrying scaffold ladders was rounding a eorner when the front end of one of the laddees caught a street lamp on an island refuge, demolishing it, from off its standard and scattering glass in all directions,and another case of much the same type occurred soon afterwards. It is not often that the police are called upon to interfere with the load eareied by a commercial vehicle, but unless owners and drivers take steps to see that safety is assured, we venture to suggest that considerable trouble on this score, may arise—at least, in large centres.
Kathanode Batteries.
Much interesting matter is contained in a booklet which has just been issued by the D.P. Battery Co., Ltd., Bakewell, Derbyshire, concerning the cornpany,'e Kathanode electric-Vehicle batteries. These batteries are, of course, suitable for all types of electric vehicles, and one of their special features is that the cell never requires cleaning out. Incidentally, it is worth noting that only 6 oz. of deposit, was found in the bottom of some cells which had been in use for 20 months.
Full inatructione dealing with the installation and working of the Kathanede batteries are included in the booklet, and the fact that the company are receiving many repeat orders is an indication that the batteries are giving satisfactory service on many types of light and heavy commercial vehicles.
Improved Newport Roads.
The Newport (Mon.) Corporation has completed s. scheme for providing improved through traffic facilities, and the newly constructed routes were formally opened to the public towards the end•of last anont•h.
The Cardiff Road from Herbert Street and Clytha Square to the juncticei of Commercial Street and Commercial Road—a length of 450 ft.—has been widened to 49 t at the Commercial
Street. endThe railway level-crossing and .gates that exieted. at. Cbenmercial Street have been rem-wed and a new road has been constructed alongside Ebenezer Terrace, with a length uf: 750 ft. and a width. of from 40 oft. to 50,1t.
These improvements will enable traffic to and from the.ClaNdIff Road be avcv.,.1
the congestion of Commercial Street, Commercial Road, and High -Street.
. Maudslay Appointwent. .
The Maud slay Motor Co., Ltd., Parkside, Coventry, inform us that : Mr. Louis Brandes has resigned his position with the company, whose London address is now at 328, Abbey House, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W. 1, where Mr. C. J. Becker will be in charge.
• In our issue for 'March 6th we referred to two municipal vehicles which are being marketed by International Motel's, Ltd., Brook Green, London, W. 6) and the prices of the company's road sweeper and their tipping wagon were stated to be £530 and £470 respectively. These figures are wrong, how_ ever, the price of the sweeper being £535 and that of the tipper £475.
Stringent Licensing Conditions.
Bridlington Watch Committee has dedried (a) that no licences be granted authorizing motor vehicles to ply for hire unless the vehicles have been duly inspected and approved, and a certificate obtained from an independent qualified motor engineer, at the cost of the owners of the vehicles; that the vehicles are in good working order and fit in every respect for use as public carriats; and that all chars-a-banes or m otor uses comply with the statutory requirements as to construction contained in the Heavy Motor' Car and Construction Order, 1904.
(b) That no licences. be granted authorizing motorbuses to ply for hire unless the vehicles are fitted with pineal matic or super-cushion tyres, and unless the proprietors Comply with the reasonable requirements of the corporation and submit for approval time-tables, fares, and stopping places.
A Welsh. Bus Dispute Settled.
After some nine months of estrangement, the Caerphilly and Bedw•as and Machen Councils have arrived at an agreement in the matter of the Caerphilly-Bedwas bus services. The reason for the dispute was reported in . The (Thinmercial Motor some months ago..
Briefly, the disagreement arose from the contention of the Caerphilly Urban • District Council that there was no demand for two bus' services between Caerphilly and Beclwas during the early hours of the day, and it called upon the Bedwas Council to cease running in . the morning hours,. as 'the road, except for a short distance, runs wholly in the Caerphilly area.
The Bed was Council declinecleo aecede: to this demand and when negotiations failed the Caerphilly Council gave notice of application to the High Court for an injunction restraining the Bedwas Council from running its buses on the
Caerphilly Council reads.' •
Local trades 7 and ratepayers' associations protested against the domestic, dispute involving the expenses of litigation, and .negotiations were reopened.
It has now been decided, at a joint . meeting of the trio councils, that a joint time-table service between the districts , shall in future be run by the Bedwas and Caerphilly buses. It is stated that the public demand for road travel facilities will be better catered for under the new arrangement, between the councils.
LA.E. Papers.
The next general meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held on April 11th at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, St. James's Park, London, S.W. 1, at 8 p.m., when the following papers will be read :—" The Steam Wagon from the Designer's Point of View," by Mr. F. J. Bretherton, and "The Use and Limitations of the Steam Wagon," by Mr. C. le M. Gosselin. These papers will be read also before the North of England NCentre on April 25th at the Education Offices, Salford, Manchester, at 7.30 p.m.
On April 24th Mr., E. B. Wood will read a paper entitled, " Sleeve Valve Engines, before the members of the Institution at the Railway Hotel, Coveutry. The chair on this occasion will be taken by Dr. F. W. Lanchester.
E. B. Wood will also read his paper before the Scottish Centre on April 23rd at the Royal Technical College, 'Glasgow, and before the Wolverhampton Centre at the Star and Garter Hotels, Wolverhampton, on, April 18th..
Visitors who desire to be present at any of the above meetings may obtain cards of invitation on application to the secretary, Institution of Automobile Engineers, 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W. L
A New Finish for Motor Parts.
One of the lessons we have learned from our Cousins across the Atlantic concerns the futility of so much bright work about a vehicle.: It entails the ex-, penditure of thus ib polishing-and cleaning (for no lacquer seems to have been discovered whichwill withstaod openair conditions in this country) and if it be left for a day or two uncleaned-an air of neglect is given to the whole vehicle.
Stove enamelling in black is a useful-method of treating bright parts, but enamel will occasionally chip tinder knocks and blows and is liable to become spotted with rain, One of the best
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finishes for lamps, hued irons, windscreen frames, and steering connecting rods is that given by a black sprayed enamel of a peculiar texture in that it has some of the chara,cteristics of rubber, drying with an egg-shell surface. Joseph Lucas, Ltd., were, we believe, the first to employ this enamel and to make it popular, whilst some excellent examples of the work were -shown to us the other day by the Standard Plating and Kupron Works, Ltd., of 62, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C. I. This enamel is stoved at a temperature very little above that of the atmosphere and it seems to be impervious to bad treatment and harsh conditions, for it stands blows without any suggestion of. chipping, is proof against petrol and oil, and withstands the weather and
washing. The finish obtained by the Standard Co. is extremely effective and, to the mechanically minded, particularly, much more attractive than the bright black surfaces given by stoving enamels, whilst it is especially suitable for lamps and other parts intended for commercial vehicles. It is usual to give .ferrous metals a-first coating of rust-proofing . material before spraying with this egg-shell-enainel. The cost el this finish is a little more than for stove enamelling.
Five Miles an Hour.
Having had complaints of damage to buildings by the high speed of motor vehicles, the Tewkesbury Town. Council has decided to enforce a speed limit in certain streets of five miles an hour on all vehicles exceeding three tons in weight.
Tyre Maintenance.
Harvey Frost and Co. Ltd., have slightly modified the conditions in , conneetion With their .scheme of registration for completetyre maintenance.' A new bulletin is now in the press, and. our readers are invited to apply, to 148150, Great Portland Street, for this, asking for leaflet No. 423 (revised).
Local Proceedings.
Dronfield Urban District Council has decided to purchase a motor tender for the fire brigade.
Leek Urban District Council is considering the question of the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
Sydney Municipal Council has decided to invite tenders for the supply of motor carts for tar.
Bridlington Corporation proposes to purchase a. motor mowing machine at a cost not exceeding £75.
Bridlington Watch Committee has asked a sub-committee to report as to the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
Hammersmith Borough Council has authorized the purchase of an Atco 22-in. motor lawn mower at a price of £75.
Middlesex County Council has arranged for records to be made of the use of the various motor vehicles in its service.
Leeds Corporation Waterworks Committee has authorized the purchase of two petrol locomotives at a cost not exceeding 2300 each..
St. Albans City Council has a special coramittee investigating the possibilities of introducing motor traction. A trial is to be made with a demonstration elec tric vehicle. .
Sydney Municipal Council recommends acceptance of the tender of Adams and Co., Ltd., for the supply of two 6-ton Sentinel steam wagons at, a total cost of £3,130.
It is recorded in the annual report of the Prahran (Australia) Council that the Garrett steam wagon has workeJ continuously throughout the year with excellent results.
Leeds Corporation has accepted the tender of the Shell-Mex, Ltd. for the supply and erection of a 5,000-gallon petrol tank for the motor department at a cost of £137 17s.
Gosport Town Council has adopted a new scheme for refuse collection. A Fordson tractor is to be used to haul three low-built trailers, which, when engaged in collecting, will be drawn by horses.
A committee of the Willesden Urban District Council has considered whether economy and efficiency can be secured by the centralization of all the motor services, and hopes shortly to be in a position to submit a scheme. •
Leeds Watch Committee has asked a sub .:Committee to visit Sheffield to inspect a motor fire-escape recently converted from a horse-drawn escape, and, if, deemed satisfactory, the sub-committee has been empowered to accept the tender of Leyland Motors, Ltd., to convert the horsed escape to a motor escape for £1,030.
The Benefits-of Bulk Storage.
By obtaining a bulk petrol storage tank at a cost of £50-£60 it; has been represented • to . the Llanelly Borough Council that a saving .of up to £100 a year can be' effected in the running cost of the council's motor vehicles by the purchase of :patrol at a reduced rate. The council has decided to purchase a tank immediately.