Answers to Queries.
Page 16
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The Front-wheel Drive.
[1,816] "It." writes :—" Will you be good enough to inform me what are the pros and cons respecting a front-wheel drive as applied to commercial motors1 Do you know if the principle has ever been successfully applied, and do you think it is likely to be a success commercially 1" ANSWER.—The principle of front-wheel drive has frequently been applied by Continental makers. Probably the best example is the Avant-Train Latil, and the address of this undertaking is 9, rue Neuvede-Villiers, a Levallois-Perret, Seine. You may be able to get particulars direct from the works. Of course, the great difficulty in the way of fitting such a front-wheel drive to an ordinary vehicle built for horse-drawn use is that the greater speed over the road breaks up the wheels of the latter.
A Char-a-Bancs Service Offered.
[1,847] " ESSEX" writes :—" I herewith enclose a photograph of a 40-50 h.p. motor char-a-banes seating capacity 38 and the driver, fitted with every convenience, water-proof board top, and electric light —steps all along near side only. I had this built as a speculation for this neighbourhood, but it is not appreciated. I think in many districts it might be run either on a service or for pleasure only. As a constant reader of your paper, I should consider it a favour if you could advise me where it might be run."
ANSWER. —We regret it is not at the moment possible for us to indicate a district in which you might successfully run a service with it. We would strongly advise you, as the best course, to insert a small advertisement in the "Sundry Advertisements" pages of this journal, stating that you have a machine with which you would be agreeable to run a service in connection with an hotel, or some similar opening. You might, perhaps, have a photograph or the machine reproduced in connection with your advertisement. Almost any seaside resort should pay now.
The Petrol Rebate Again.
[1,848] " LAUNDRY " writes :—" Can you tell me what steps I can take to recover the petrol rebate? The Excise officer has been supplied with the receipts, each one stating that duty has been paid. The petrol was bought from a cycle engineer. I have supplied receipts for three periods of six months ; the third period, he informs me, is in order and will be paid. The amounts for the first six months, 472 gallons, and for the second, 390 gallons, are in dispute. "It seems that the spirit people require the dealer to furnish dates. This has been going on for over 12 months, and now the Excise returns the first 12 months receipts and informs me I am entitled to die rebate, but that, owing to the seller not giving the .dealer the certificates, they cannot settle."
ANSWETL—It is difficult to advise you as to the steps you should take to obtain the rebate on the petrol that you have consumed. It would appear that the Excise authorities allow your claim for rebate, but that they are unable to make a settlement owing to the neglect of the agent in not providing them with the -necessary certificates. We presume that you purchased the spirit from the agent OR the understanding 'that the duty had been paid, and that therefore the :Excise requirements had been complied with. We 'gather that you have satisfied the Excise authorities in respect of all particulars excepting the dates of the first two periods, the certificates of delivery for which the dealer has neglected to send to the Excise people. it is likely that in such circumstances you can subartantiate a claim against this agent. Petrol Tramcars Want d.
[1,849] " CoNniacrox writes :—" I am advised by Mr. Engelbach, of Messrs. Sir W. G. ArmstrongWhitworth and Co., Ltd., to write you on the following subject. I am interested in a horse tramway out of this country. This does well enough in the summer season, but loses money in the winter, through small traffic and having to maintain the horses. There is no water power near, that I am aware of, that could be utilized for electrical propulsion, and coal would be very costly. It has occurred to me to ask if there is any form of petrol motor carriage to run on the rails, suitable in place of the horsed cars, and what would the probable cost be ?'' ANSWER.—You can obtain petrol-driven tramcars from the under-mentioned makers : S. Straker and Squire, Ltd., Blackfriars, S.E. Leyland Motors, Ltd., Leyland, Lancs. Drewry Car Co., Ltd., 13, South Place, E.C. McEwan, Pratt and Co., Ltd., Wickford, Essex. David Brown and Sons, Ltd., Huddersfield. They win supply information about both the first and running costs, and we shall be happy to give you any detailed criticism hereafter, if you wish to have it.
Manchester Traffic.
[1,850] " ANXIOUS " writes :—" Can you tell me the result of the action of the Commercial Motor Users Association in its opposition to the original clause in the Manchester Corporation Bill ? Also, how was the offending clause worded?"
ANSWER.—The Corporation's original clause reads: " Clause 73, Section 72 (Provision as to regulation of street traffic) of the Manchester Corporation (general powers) Act., 1902, shall have effect with the addition after sub-paragraph B of the following paragraph, viz., (C) prescribing the routes to be taken by all vehicles or by any particular class or description of vehicles with power to prohibit or to permit of certain specified conditions either generally or during particular hours the _passing of all vehicles or any particular class or description of vehicles into or along any street or part of a street."
After the Bill was printed, the following was added "That the Corporation shall hold a public in quiry before making any regulaition with reference to any of the matters mentioned therein."
The opposition in question, towards the cost of which the C.M.U.A. voted a considerable sum of money, was led by the National Traction Engine Owners and Users Association, with the practical support, though on different grounds, of local carriers and railway companies. Proper local inquiry, by a Home Office inspector, is to be held and public evidence of all kinds heard, before any by-law can be made. The two new clauses, to which Mr. Balfour Browne, K.C., counsel for the Corporation, agreed, read as under : "The Home Office, in connection with the making or confirmation of any by-laws under this section, shall have all proper regard to the interests of through locomotive traffic and of persons who own or use locomotives and shall consider any representation made by them." And, by way of safeguard against interference with collection or delivery in the central area No such regulation shall be made, except in conformity with the recommendations of such report. and nothing in such regulations shall apply to any vehicle engaged in the delivery or collection of ponds within one mile from the Manchester Town Hall."