WHEELS of INDUSTRY " The wheels of wealth will be
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slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever roints arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beanie Crozier.
396 'NEW VEHICLES FOR THE G.W.R.
The decision of the Great 'Western Railway Co. to continue its policy of substituting road motors for horsedrawn vehicles is well reflected in large orders which the company has recently placed with some of the leading commercial-vehicle makers. It has just ordered 396 motor vehicles at a total cost of £156,500 for the development of its cartage services, in addition to replacements. It is one of the largest orders ever placed by a railway concern, and is made up of 190 3-ton and 6-ton mechanical horses and 206 other vehicles.
In London, a start is to be made on the motorization of the cartage fleets at Paddington and Smithfield goods depots, whilst at Swansea the remaining 32 horses are to be dispensed with. In passing, it is worthy of note that the company's important South Lambeth depot has already been completely equipped with motor vehicles. Among other places where motors will replace horses are Staines, Shrewsbury, Brixham, Malmesbury, Chester, Haverfordwest, St. Austell, St. Ives and Penzance.
The new vehicles will be used to meet the growing demand by farmers for country lorry services, to provide quicker collection and delivery services, and to make provision for the continued increase in the number of parcels carried, the figure having risen from 16 million to 264million in 10 years. In addition, the new vehicles are required for railhead distribution services, special contracts and heavy haulage work.
In connection with these developments, the G.W.R. has already placed contracts with the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., Lath. Industrial Vehicles, Ltd., Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., Scamrnell Lorries, Ltd., and John I. Thornyeroft and Co., Ltd., as well as with R. Pratt, Ltd., of Sutton, from which a numoer of Ford vehicles is being bought.
Success of the Royal Show.
Mr. C. Adeane, chairman of the Finance Committee, recently stated at a council meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England that, although he was not in a position to give the exact financial results of the recent show at Ipswich, it was the most successful since the " Royal " held at Harrogate in 1929. He expressed the view that the financial result would be nearly equal to the latter event, which resulted in a credit balance of £8,796.
FIRST APPEAL HEARING NEXT MONTH.
The date of the first appeal hearing under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, has now been fixed. The appellant is Mr. H. H. Tomlinson, of Leeds, who is appealing against the refusal of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners to grant him an A licence. He will be opposed by the London, . Midland and Scottish, and London and North Eastern Railway Companies.
The case will be• heard by the Tribunal, presided over by Mr. Rowand Harker, K.C., at King's Buildings, Smith Square, London, S.W.1, on September 11, at 10.45 a.m.
Public Sitting Plans.
The following sittings of Licensing Authorities have been announced:—In the Eastern Area, a hearing will be held at the Council .Offices, Cromer, on August 20, 11 a.m. The South Wales Licensing Authority will conduct sittings at the Guildhall, Swansea, on September 4-5, 10 a.m., at the County Police Court, Neath, on September 6, 10 a.m., and at County Court Buildings, Wyndham Street, Bridgeml, on September 7, 10 a.m. The Metropolitan Licensing Authority announces a sitting at Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, S.W.1, from August 21-24, 10.30 a.m.
Price Reduction of Contract 3-tomer.
As a result of greatly increased production and certain modifications which in no way afiect. the sturdiness and dependability of the chassis, the price of the Commer 3-tonner has been reduced (as from August 1) from £335 to £279. This "Popular" mediumcapacity model includes in its specification a six-eylindered engine and 32-in. by 6-in, heavy-duty tyres. It can be supplied in wheelbases of 11 ft. 9 ins., 12 ft. 9 ins. and 13 ft. 9 ins. Equipped with forward control, the price is £294. The normal-control chassis with compression-ignition engine is £499 without starter.
The company is continuing the manufacture of a chassis similar to the original B.3, which includes castaluminium radiator, grouped lubrication, aluminium hub caps, etc. The price in this case has been reduced from £335 to £299.
Exhibiting Three-wheeled Batteryelectries.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has decided to effect certain reliefs from the restrictions on the display of three-wheeled batteryelectric vehicles at specialized trade exhibitions. Bond signers interested in this matter should apply to the Society for details of the modified policy. ROAD-ACCIDENT RETURNS.
The Ministry of Transport returns of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended July 28, 1934, show that, in England, 111 persons were killed and 4,704 injured, whilst 25 died as a result of previous accidents. The figures for Scotland were 13 killed and 465 injured, whilst in Wales six were killed and 202 injured.
Death of Electric-vehicle Expert.
The death recently occurred, at the age of 61 years, of Mr. A. W. Blake, chief electrical engineer of Willesden Borough Council, a position he had occupied since 1912. He had a wide knowledge of electric vehicles, particularly as applied to refuse collection. Only a few weeks ago he attended the Conference of Public Cleansing Engineers as a representative of the Electric Vehicle Committee of Great Britain.
Rubber Regeneration Development.
We are informed that an arrangement has been made whereby the Rubber Regenerating Co., Ltd., Trafford Park, Manchester, is to pass en
tirely into British ownership. This company has for many years been one of the largest manufacturers of reclaimed rubber in this country, and
has acted as European agent for the Naugatuck Chemical Co., of America, for chemicals used in the rubber industry.
A new development is the acquisition by the Rubber Regenerating Co., Ltd., of the Solvent reclaim patents and business, of Thames Hard Rubber Corporation, Ltd., and Kaycee, Ltd., in Great Britain.
Furniture-removal Charges : Road and Rail Methods.
In Aberdeen, on August 2, the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority dealt with an application by Messrs. Clark and Rose. Aberdeen, for permission to acquire a 1,000 cubic-ft. furniture van.
Interesting evidence was given regarding the methods of charging for furniture removals by road and rail. The applicants stated that they fixed their charges on a rate of 8d. per mile per vehicle, but if they acquired the large new vehicle, it would do the work of two of their existing vans, and they would charge 10d. per mile.
For the railway companies, which objected, it was stated that they based their charges purely on weight, and
that the number of containers used made no difference in the cost. A wellknown Aberdeen furnisher said that the use of the large new vehicle would reduce the cost of removals.
Mr. Henry Riches granted the application, subject to the applicants discarding one of their older vehicles, which condition was accepted.
Wesporisibilities of a Livestock Carrier.
An interesting case has just been decided in Airdrie Sheriff Court, in an action in which Mr. John Clark, livestock remover, of Plains, near Airdrie, was sued by Mr. Alexander F. Nicoll, auctioneer, Dennistoun, Glasgow, for damages due to the loss of certain sheep transported by the defendant. Shortly after the journey, a number of the ewes carried by Mr. Clark died, and the prosecution alleged that their death was due to lack of care on the part of the defendant. Sheriff D. A. Guild 'found that Mr.
Clark travelled on no fixed routes, had no regular charges, and held himself free to accept or reject any contract offered. Therefore he was not a common• carrier and was not liable for damages due to negligence. Judgment, with costs, was entered in favour of the defendant.
The Motor Ball and Carnival.
Prince Arthur of Connaught has again given his patronage to the Eighth Motor Ball and ,Carnival which is to be held in aid of the Motor and Cycle "Trades Benevolent Fund at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on October 17 (Motor Show Week). Sir John D. Siddeley, C,B.E., is president and Mr. F. S. Bennett, chairman of the committee.
This year a ladies' committee has been formed and is to devise fresh attractions and other schemes for still further popularizing this annual function. Mrs. Roland Dangerfield is chairman.
Full information as to tickets, boxes, etc., can be obtained from the office of the secretary and organizer, at the offices of the Fund at 28, Bedford Row, London, W.C.I. PERSONAL PARS.
Mr. H. E. Johnson has been appointed secretary of Guy Motors, Ltd., in succession to the late Mr. G. H. Sumner Smith. For many years Mr. Johnson was a director and secretary of White and Poppe, Ltd.
Just after closing for press with last week's issue, we received a message stating that Mr. Frank Lythgoe; general manager of Rawtenstall Corporation's transport undertaking, had been appointed transport. manager of Middlesbrough Corporation's transport system.
Mr. A. T. Evans, secretary and traffic manager of United Automobile Services, Ltd., at Darlington, has. The Commercial Motor understands; been appointed general manager of the company. He joined the managerial staff in 1922 and later was appointed joint secretary and traffic manager.
been taken over by Mr. G. F. Crisp, who has Opened offices at 274, Deansgate, Manchester, where he will trade under the title of Worthy Motors. Until recently, Mr. Crisp was northern sales superintendent for ArmstrongSaurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd.
• Mr. F. W. Brick has been appointed assistant area publicity manager for the Wales and Midland branch of the Coal Utilisatien Council, with headquarters in Birmingham. To take up this position, he recently resigned from the post of publicity manager of Guy Motas, Ltd., with which concern he has been
for the past eight years. .
Mr. P. J. Hill has been appointed area combustion engineer, northern branch, of the Coal Utilisation Council, with headquarters at Leeds.
Mr. W. C. Gamble has been appointed area combustion engineer for the South Wales and south-western branch of the Council, with headquarters at Cardiff. For the past four years he has been a technical representative in the Midlands for one of the big oil companies. He is a founder member of the Institute of Fuel. LICENCE GRANTED FOR NEW BUSINESS.
An interesting case came before the Western Licensing Authority, Mr. A. F. Nicholson, at Truro, on August 1. An application for a B licence was made by a St. Austell operator, and Mr. Nicholson, pointing out that the applicant started business only in March, 1934, said there would be good reason for refusing the licence.
In objecting, Mr. Humphrey Cooke, of the Road Haulage Association, said the man was previously a driver employed by Mr. C. Hodgson, managing director of the Heavy Transport Co., St. Austell, and he was warned by Mr. Hodgson of the difficulty of obtaining a licence.
Mr. Nicholson said that the applicant could . consider himself very fortunate in obtaining a licence at all. The proper thing would be to refuse it, but he did not want to do that, and the licence would be granted for coal, sand, ashes and stone, within a radius of 10 miles of St. Austell Post Office.
Objection was taken by Mr. Cooke in another somewhat similar case, in which the applicant had only recently entered the business, and had, it was alleged, tendered 25s. a day to Cornwall County Council for work with a 2-ton lorry. By doing so, he was, contended Mr. Cooke, taking work from established hauliers who could not afford to tender for county council contracts at such low rates. Applicant replied that, in some instances, his tenders were too high.
Mr. Nicholson said that the applicant's only reason for starting in business was that he was dissatisfied with his employment. Not only was there no need for his services, but he immediately commenced to take work previously done by his former employer. The licence was refused.
" Red Arrow " Parcels-service " Development.
Red Arrow Deliveries, Ltd., the head office of which is at Waterloo Road, Yardley, Birmingham, advises us that it has now completed arrangements with Ifuxham and Co., Plymouth, whereby a through route for traffic is provided from Midland towns to as far as Penzance. The company is also utilizing this road service for goods sent from London, via Bristol. The area which is now covered by the Red Arrow concern extends from Penzance in the south to Stirling in the north and Carmarthen in the west to Yarmouth in the east.
Railway Delay on Furniture Removals.
There was . a sharp exchange of .words between a witness and counsel at a sitting of the Yorkshire Licensing, Authority, at Leeds, on August 1. Giving evidence in support of an application by a furniture remover and haulier for permission to acquire additional vehicles, Mr. B. Lockwood, a Bradford theatre furnisher, stated that he would not employ any haulier other than the applicant, although he fre B22 quently had to suffer delay because the applicant's vehicles were engaged. Once, he stated, he had 12 men waiting an hour, at Is. 9d. each, for one of the applicant's vehicles to arrive.
Mr. B. de H. Pereira (for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co.) asked the witness if he had ever experienced similar delay with any other carrier, whereupon Mr. Lockwood replied: " I once had 16 men waiting three days for a railway company."
Crossley Six-wheelers for W.D.
Crossley Motors, Ltd., has received an order from the War Department for 11 six-wheeled chassis of the forwardcontrol type, equipped with the company's 30-70 b.h.p. petrol engine.
Bradford Haulier's New Address.
Blythe and Berwick (1928), Ltd., the well known haulage concern, has moved its offices from 23, Charles Street, Bradford, to bigger premises at 16, Leeds Road, Bradford.
France a Land of Veteran Vehicles.
At the end of last year there were 458,121 commercial vehicles registered in France, as compared with 433,758 at the close of 1932. No fewer than 105,928 vehicles were over 9 years old.
Bus Chassis for India.
Amongst orders recently received by Morris Industries Exports, Ltd., is one from India for 10 bus chassis for operation in the districts of Delhi and Benares. The chassis, which constitute a repeat order, are of the MorrisCommercial six-cylinder, 2-ton, longwheelbase, normal-control type.
More Trailers for the S.A.R.
Further to the paragraph appearing in our issue dated July 27, dealing with orders for trailers recently placed by the South African Railways and Harbours with Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., Orwell Works, Ipswich, we are now advised that this operator has just placed another order with the company for a further 100 trailers of 5-6-ton capacity.
Dennis Ace Instruction Book Now Available.
An instruction manual for its Ace and 40-45-cwt. models has just been published by Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford. Copies are being distributed to purchasers of these vehicles. The book is of the loose-leaf type, comprehensive and copiously illustrated. It is obvious that great care has been devoted to its preparation. Although it is packed with detail information and advice for the assistance of the maintenance engineer and repairer, elementary instructions for the inexperienced driver are not omitted.
In practically every illustration components are shown in section, with each part clearly numbered, and a key containing the name of every part appears adjacent to the picture. There are numerous detail illustrations, and a lubrication chart. I.A.E. REPAIR-CERTIFICATE SCHEME.
A number of applications has already been received for the repair certificates recently introduced by the Institution of Automobile Engineers, and arrangements have been made for the first practical tests for the certificate to be conducted in London and Birmingham on Saturday, September 22, commencing at 3.30 p.m.
At the present time the certificates are granted in two sections of motorvehicle repair work, one mechanical and the other electrical. On this occasion the test will be devoted to the former. A panel of examiners has been appointed in each centre, and the practical test will be based on a syllabus that includes such operations as riveting, drilling, grinding, milling, screw-cutting, turning, brazing, soldering, oxy-acetylene welding, etc., a knowledge of workshop inspection methods and vehicle maintenance, fault diagnosis, etc.
Full details and the necessary application form for those desirous of undertaking the test may be obtained from the acting secretary, the Institution of Automobile Engineers, Watergate House, Adelphi, London, W.C.2.
Over 640,000 Miles with a Thomycroft.
A Thornycroft vehicle owned by Everingham Bros, Ltd., Pocklington, East Yorkshire, has been in service since February, 1925. After covering 486,000 miles as a 20-seater bus, it was converted to a lorry, its total mileage being now over 643,000.
Impressive Array of Motors at Lancs. Show.
Exhibits at the show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society, held at Bolton from August 2-6, included a representative selection of motor vehicles. Considerable interest was taken in the Dodge exhibits, which included the stake-sided 3-tonner, a market-gardener's lorry, and a threeway tipper.
An extensive range of tractors and vehicles, was staged by the Ford Motor Co., Ltd. Other exhibits by local concerns included Commer (dairy van, drop-sided lorries and a double-deck cattle float), Karrier (Cob Six tractor and trailer, tipping wagon and lorry), Bedford (new 3-tonner and other models), Atco (motor mowers and tractor-cultivators), Guy (hand-operated hydraulic tipper), Austin, James (Handyvan three-wheelers for dairy and farm produce, etc.), Dennis (mowers and tipping and general-purpose lorries), and Vulcan (2-i-tonner .with Edbro tipping gear and 5-tonner).
Edwards Brothers (Tippers), Ltd., showed hand hydraulic tipping gears fitted to wood and steel bodies, also a power-operated hydraulic tipping gear. The last-named received the first award of a silver medal in Class A.
J. H. Jennings and Son, Ltd., exhibited low-loading cattle trucks, and the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., displayed examples of pneumatic tyres.