• Home
• Used vehicles
• Product news
• Dealer news
• Compliance
• Buying advice
• Archive

WHEELS of INDUSTRY " The wheels of wealth will be

slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage ts by the roughness of the roads over tvhich it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

An Industrial Transport Association Function.

Last Wednesday the third annual luncheon of the Industrial Transport Association was held at the Holborn Restaurant, London, W.C. The chair was occupied by Mr. P. J. Hannon, M.P., the president, and there was a number of distinguished guests, including Major-General S. S. Long, Sir John Sandeman Allen, M.P., and transport managers or representatives from many of the largest operating concerns, including the railways.

_After giving, the loyal toast, that of "Our Guests" was proposed by Mr. Hannon and was responded to by Sir John Sandeman Allen, that of Industrial Transport Association" being kroposed by Major-General Long and responded to by Mr. William Oldham, the chairman of the Association. Mr. A. R. Poison gave the toast of • " The President."

Unfortunately, plessure of space prevents us from dealing with the speeches in full, but the general trend showed • that there was much anxiety amongst transport users concerning certain clauses in the new Road Traffic Bill, and the Government proposal that the State should take over London's passenger transport.

Several of the speakers referred to the excellent work which is being performed by the Industrial Transport Association, and the extraordinarily rapid growth which it has experienced during the comparatively short period of its existence. There are some 11 active branches in the main centres of industry.

Much credit was given for the work done for the association by the secretary, Mr. 3. A. Dunnage, A.M.Inst.T., and Mr. C. R. Taylor, F.S.S., P.C.I.

Appointments Vacant.

A well-known concern of engineers and boiler manufacturers wishes to get into touch with leading draughtsmen experienced in the latest practice in oil tractors for agricultural and industrial • purposes, also in oil-driven road rollers of various types. Preference will be given to men experienced with both tractors and rollers, but the concern is quite prepared to consider applicants with ' knowledge of only one branch. Good salaries will be paid to the right men.

. Letters addressed "Draughtsman," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.

A Modern Tyre-manufacturing Plant.

The Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co.

• (1922), Ltd., has issued a most attractive illustrated booklet which, apart from forming a souvenir of the official opening of the British Firestone tyre factory at Brentford, on October. 16th, • 1928, serves as a guide to that modern manufacturing plant.

The booklet recalls the historic occasion when, with -Viscount Brentford, then Home Secretary, as the guest of honour, Mr. Harvey S. Firestone spoke by wireless transmission from his office in Akron, U.S.A.,some 3,600 miles away, to a representative company assembled at luncheon in the new Firestone factory at Brentford. The booklet demonstrates by word and picture how well equipped is this British-built and British-staffed factory.

-The Hall, Lewis Coaehbuilding Business.

We understand that the coachbuilding business of Hall, Lewis and Co., Ltd., has been purchased from the receiver and that a company will be formed to carry on the work previously conducted by that concern. We gather that the personnel of the coachbuilding side, including Mr. B. Homfray Davies and Mr. A. P. Froggatt, will continue with the new concern.

The L.G.O.C. Staff Dinner.

At the invitation of The Rt. Hon. Lord Ashfield, P.C., chairman of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., and the directors of the company, we attended the annual staff dinner which was held recently at the Cat 6 Royal, Regent Street, London, and which was followed by a dance and cabaret entertainment. It was a most enjoyable function and exemplified the cordial spirit of co-operation which exists between the management and staff.

After the loyal toast had been proposed by Lord Ashfield, that of "The Company!' was given by The Rt, Hon. j. R. Clynes, P.C., M.P., this being replied to by Mr. Frank Pick, the managing director. The toast of "The Guests" was given by Mr. G. J. Shave, the chief engineer and operating manager of the company, the response being made by the Rt. Hon. Earl Russell. Mr. H. L. Duncan gave the toast of "The Chairman."

Nottingham's Trolley-bus BILL.

Nottingham Corporation is steadily pursuing its policy of operating trolleybuses in place of tramcars. Authority was given at a recent meeting for the promotion of a Bill for obtaining powers to enable trolley-buses to be run on two important routes in the city, upon which trams are at present being used, and to provide similar means for transport in other districts in the municipal area and beyond the city boundary,

Trailer Weights : An Interesting Case.

Arguments by a motor-haulage contractor that for trailers there are no registered axle-weights were successful

• in a case heard at the Middleton Police Court, a few days ago. The police laid information against the contractor for using a trailer on which were not inscribed the correct axle weights. The defendant took the line that it was the weight on the trailer and not the registered weight which really mattered, and he was successful in his plea.

A few months ago the same point was taken up by one of the motor manufacturers with. the Ministry of Transport, interpretation of the Heavy Motor Car Order,. .J905, and the amendment Order, 1922, being invited. The Minister expressed the opinion that, whilst any individual axle of a motorcar may register up to 8 tons and any individual axle of a trailer may register up to 6 tons, so ap to allow the owners of vehicles reasonable latitude as regards the relative distribution of weight over the various axles, the condition limiting the total registered axle weight to 22 tons is an over-riding one.

A Good Man Available.

We know of a man with 15 years' experience of commercial vehicles who has had practical workshop training and an all-round commercial and passenger-vehicle experience, chiefly on sales and the formulation of sales campaigns for the home and export markets. He has also had control of staff and has dealt with advertising and general publicity, the Preparation of catalogues, etc. He has a good knowledge of stores and repair-shop organization and practice.

Any letters addressed " N.," care of the Editor of this journal, will be for. warded.

Westminster and the Charing Cross Bridge Scheme.

Reporting upon the Charing Cross Bridge scheme, the parliamentary committee of Westminster City Council states that it would appear the London Comity Council and the Minister of Transport are not proposing to take any immediate steps to prepare a scheme of street improvements, such as will be necessary at the northern end under the present Charing Cross Bridge scheme. If, therefore, any such scheme is to be prepared without delay it will have to be done by the city council.

It is mentioned that the scheme would naturally, have to be a joint one with the Ministry and the county council and, as three authorities would be involved, the committee thinks the most convenient course would be for them to call in an independent engineer to prepare, after consultation with the engineers of the three parties, a draft scheme for joint approval.

It is stated that the Southern Railway Co. is making an offer to ordinary shareholders in the Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., the price being 48s. 6d. per £1 share.

Personal Pars.

We offer our hearty congratulations to Mr. F. G. Bristow,

111.1nst.T., the popular and well-known general secretary of the Commercial Motor Users Association, upon being returned unopposed as a member of the Westminster City Council for the Pail Mall ward.

Mr. J. R. Tognarelli, who is a principal of the well-known passengertransport business at Bolton which bears his name, laid the foundations of his business success when, just before the war, after developing an ice-manufacturing business at Bolton, he became interested in goods transport. Mr. Tognarelli came. to this country as a young man from Italy 25 years ago. To assist his ice business he bought a second-hand motor lorry which frequently demanded his attention for several hours after a long day's work so that it might be fit for service the following day. When the war came in 1914 he had created a carrying business and had several lorries. These were used for war service.

After the war he was one of the first in Bolton to grasp the possibilities of road-passenger services, and long before his buses opened up regular services his motor coaches were becoming a recognized holiday factor in the town. With the growth of the coach movement Mr. Tognarelli's business has expanded. until at the present time his fleet of coaches, excluding lorries, comprises 22 vehicles.

It was reported at a %cent meeting of the tramways committee of Sheffield Corporation that Mr. It. C. Moore had resigned his position of traffic assistant, be having been appointed traffic superintendent of the Stockton-on-Tees bus undertaking.

The tramways committee of Oldham Corporation has appointed Mr. J. F. Richards as general manager of the dirporation tramways department, and Mr. A. Hetaborn, chief clerk, as deputy general manager.

Manchester's Striking Motorbus Progress.

• Mr. R. Stuart Pilcher, general manager of the Manchester Corporation transport department, prepared a report for submission to the City Council on Wednesday last (December 4th), in which he pointed out the increase in local motorbus traffic and the decline in tramway traffic.

Quoting the respective figures for the years 1927, 1928 and 1929, he dealt at length with the financial position of the tramways undertaking and gave the following illuminating statistics to show the remarkable progress of motorbus transport :—

Total revenue : 1927, £83,139; 192S, £133,962; 1929, £225,388.

Total revenue per bus-mile : 1927, 13.752d.; 1928, 13.455d. ; 1929, 13.439d.

Passengers carried : 1927, 11,260,180; 1928, 14,931,488; 1929, 20,212,221.

The Successor to H. G. Burford and Co. (1926), Ltd.

Although it may be known that H. G. Burford and Co. (1926), Ltd., is in voluntary liquidation, it may not be generally understood that Mr. C. Henry Gray, who was managing director and held a large interest in the company, has, after three years' successful trading, purchased the goodwill, plant, machinery, stocks on hand and chassis in construction. Mr. Gray prefers to trade as a private concern and it was, therefore, necessary to wind up the 1926 company, the appointment of a liquidator being merely a legal formality. The business will, we understand, be carried on as before, except for the change of title, which is now H. G. Burford and Co. Mr. Gray tells us that contracts from the War Office and orders in hand will keep the works busy until June next.

Entering the Commercial-motor Business.

The interesting announcement is made that the Car Mart, Ltd., of 46-50, Park Lane, London, W.1, has now extended its activities into the :field of commercial-vehicle selling. The company is more than 21 years old and its long experience is certain to help in the establishment of the new business. A commercial-motor department has just been opened at the premises in Balderton Street, W.1, and at the showroom there a Comroer Invader coach is being displayed. A further statement of interest to the industry generally will probably shortly be published in this journal.

East Kent Report.

The report of the East Kent Ilona Car Co., Ltd. for the year ended September 30th last, shows a profit of £37,340, after deducting all items chargeable against revenue, and with the balance brought forward a sum of 158,441 is available for distribution. The directors recommend that £1,000 be transferred to the general reserve and that a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum be paid—this will absorb £35,000. The sum to be carried forward will thus be £22,441.

In the report mention is made of the fact that for some time past negotiations have been in progress with the Southern Railway Co. with a view to the co-ordination of the railway services and the East Kent road services, and the arrangement which has been reached should, it is said, prove satisfactory to both parties.

A Conference on London Street Accidents.

The Minister of Transport proposes to convene, on January 14th and 15th, 1930, a second conference of local authorities and other parties interested, to consider the question of what steps can be taken to reduce the number of street accidents in Greater London.

Australian Orders for Vulcan& The Australian Government has recently placed an order with the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., for a fleet of Vulcan 3040-cwt. semi-forward control, light 'sixwheelers, whilst the company has received another order from Australia for a fleet of 30-ewt. chassis.

Stoke-on-Trent and Busservice Purchases.

A section of the general-purpose coramittee of Stoke-on-Trent Corporation has met representatives of the Associated North Staffs Motorbus Proprietors organization and discussed with them the possibility of an agreement being arrived at for the purchase of the bus services operated by members of the

association. The terms put forward were not acceptable to the corporation. The sub-committee has also met representatives of the Potteries Electric Traction Co., Ltd., and discussed with them the question of the acquisition of the company's 4bus undertaking. The committee was informed that the company was not willing to sell its interest in the undertaking and, further, that it would oppose the proposed Bill, and would be opposed to the acquisition by the corporation of the private buses. Proceedings for the promotion of the Bill have been stayed.

Guy's Latest Two-tonner.

We publish on this page an illustration of one of the new two-ton lorries recently produced by Guy Motors, Ltd., of Fallings Park, Wolverhampton.

The outstanding features of the chassis are a four-cylindered engine with a bore of 00 mm. and a stroke of 130 mm., the monobloc casting having a detachable head. The clutch is of the single dry-plate type, and it conveys the power to a four-speed-and-reverse gearbox, after which it is taken via a two-piece propeller shaft with Hardy-Spicer joints to an overtype worm-driven rear axle of the fully floating pattern.

Limiting Petrol-storage Tanks: The Home Office is to be approached by the watch committee of Swansea Corporation on the desirability of local authorities being given power to refuse the issue of licences for petrol-storage tanks, owing, it is said, to dangers arising from the existence of too many of them.

• Service Withdrawal Refused.

The watch pommittee of Leeds Corporation has refused the application of the London and North Eastern Railway and the London Midland and Scottish -Railway companies Mr permission to withdraw, during the winter, their motorbus service between Halifax and Scarborough, via Leeds. • Municipal Bus Results at Dundee.

The annual report of the general manager of the transport department of Dundee Corporation has just been issued for the year ended May 15th last. It shows that the total revenue of the department was 1195,552, 137,292 resulting from the operation of motorbuses. Working expenses totalled 1149,430 (motorbuses, 127,231), so that there was a surplus of 146,122.

At the end of the period covered by the report the Dundee authorities had 20 buses in service—all Leyland 29seaters. The revenue account for motorbuses shows that the total income was 138,007 (14.68d. per bus-mile), whilst expenditure totalled 127,231 (10.51d. per bus-mile) ; the balance to be carried to the net revenue account was, therefore, 110,776, being equivalent to 4.16d. per bus-mile. After deducting interest on loans, income tax, a contribution (15,450) towards the liquidation of debt and certain other items, the net revenue account shows a surplus of 13,222 to be carried to the tramways net revenue account.

During the year under review the buses operated over a route mileage of 20.23, covered an aggregate mileage of 621,275 and carried 6,360,777 passengers.

A Birmingham to Plymouth Service.

At a meeting of the watch committee of Cheltenham Corporation a letter was considered from Elliott Brothers (Bournemouth), Ltd., stating that the company proposed 1.5 inaugurate on J-anuary 1st a service between Birmingham and Plymouth, via Cheltenham, connecting with its present service between Birmingham and Bournemouth, in respeet of which 23 licences had already beep granted to the company, and asking if the present licences could be extended to apply to the proposed service. The committee agreed

A Birkenhead Terminus Plan.

It is proposed to make Woodside Ferry, Birkenhead, the general Wirral terminus for the Crosville (L.M.S.) motorbuses and thus unify the services that radiate from Birkenhead. If Birkenhead Town Council approves, Woodside Ferry will become one of the busiest traffic junctions on Merseyside. At this point motorbus, motor coach, tramcar, ferry boat and railway services converge. The approach to the ferry is bounded on one side by the railway station, on another by the wall of the floating roadway from the ferry, and on the third by the ferry pay gates. To concentrate all the inward and outward traffic in this constricted space will make some form of control essential. ' Watering Facilities for the Steamer.

That more consideration should be shown for drivers of steam wagons by the provision of facilities for obtaining water was the suggestion of Sir John Frost, chairman of the Chester Castle Sessions, in considering a case in which a steam-wagon driver was summoned for obstructing the highway while he had stopped to draw water.

The magistrates asked the clerk to write to the responsible authority with a view to seeing whether some action could be taken to provide stopping places where steam wagons could obtain water.

General Motors Sales.

According to an announcement made by Mr. A. P. Sloan, Junr., president of the General Motors concern, the company's dealers delivered to users 139,319 vehicles during the month of October. Sales to dealers, in the same period, by General Motors manufacturing divisions numbered 122,104 vehicles. These figures show a slight variation only from those for the corresponding month of 1028; they include all commercial motors and private cars sold in the United States, Canada and Overseas countries.

Official Orders in October.

October proved an exceedingly quiet month as regards the orders for motor vehicles given out by Government departments. Those of the Air Ministry were confined to one for motor bodies divided between Ran comes, Sims and jefferies, Ltd., and Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., whilst the War Department ordered a number of chassis from the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., and John I. ThornYcroft and Co., Ltd.

The Railways' Purchase of the "East Midland."

A general meeting of East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., of Worksop, was recently held, when tIM chairman, Mr. E. B; Hutchinson, M.Inst.T., said that the winding up of the businesa had been occasioned by the fact that it had been purchased by the London Midland and 'Scottish and Loudon and North-Eastern Railways. The chairman briefly reviewed the history of the company and spoke of its advantageous geographical position from a traffic point of view, the four important centres of Sheffield, Chesterfield, Mansfield and Doncaster being in its area.

For the first five years of its existence the company paid a. 15 or cent. dividend, but in 1926 it purchased various business in Lincolnshire which crippled it finaucially and eventually, brought about certain losses, these being reflected in the balance sheets for the years 1926 and 1927. As a result cf alterations which were made, however, satisfactory profits were recorded in 1928 and 1929, so that the losses were wiped out and there remained a considerable surplus which would have enabled a good dividend to be paid if the company had been carried on. Mr. Hutchinson said that the profit for • the past

year was £23,000 on a capital of £57,000.

lu connection with the railways' purchase of the concern, it was mentioned that the shareholders were about to receive a sum of approximately 34s. per a share. Mr. Hutchinson mentioned that last year the company owned 102 buses and that these ran 3,735,000 miles with only 51 mechanical stoppages.

Eastbourne Defers Consideration.

The watch committee of Eastbourne Corporation has deferred consideration of the applications made by the East Surrey Traction Co., Ltd., and Autocar Services, Ltd., each for six licences in respect of services as follow :—(1) ;Epsom, Leatherhead• and forking; (2) Reigate, Redhill and Honey; (3) Dartford, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

The committee has acted in a similar way in connection with an application received from Underwood Express Services, Ltd., for eight licences for saloon coaches to run through to the North.

Progress of a Big 'oadRail Scheme.

Following the announcement made in Tli.e Commercial Motor some months ago Of the agreement which had been made by the London Midlandeand Scottish and London and North Eastern Railway companies with Tilling and British Automobile Traction, Ltd., we are DOW able to state that the arrange' ments have just been carried through, Standing joint committees to settle various matters relative to the co-ordination of road and railway traffic are to be set up at once in each district and the relative railways will acquire a substantial, though 'not a controlling, interest in each operating bus company.

The group of companies at present , controlled by Tilling and British Automobile Traction, Ltd., together with certain concerns controlled by the British Electric Traction Co., Ltd., to which the above statement applies, covers practically the whole of the provinces in England, as well as parts of Wales and Scotland. Approximately 7,500 buses are involved, Increased Traffic in Co. Durham.

Reporting on a traffic census, Mr. Wm. J. Merrett, the county surveyor of Durham, says that the figures show an increase equal to about 15 per cent. in total weight over last year's returns, the greatest increase having taken place in heavy motors and tractors. These commercial vehicles are now equal to 39.7 per cent. of the weight of the whole of the traffic using the roads. It should, however, be noted that the increase is brought about mainly by the lighter class of motorvans and lorries; In numbers, motorvans, light lorries and motorcars, taken together, have increased by over 20 per cent., which lends emphasis to what Mr. Merrett has already pointed out, viz., that the present rate of increase in traffic will, at no distant date, call for much wider roads, hence the desire.bility, where roads are being reconstructed, or acquiring sufficient land to enable carriageways to be widened when the necessity arises.

Big A.E.C. Orders.

A number of large orders has recently been received by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., and apart from that for 30 coaches, which is referred to elsewhere in this issue, can be mentioned one from the City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd., for 18 Regent buses, another from A. Timpson and Sons Ltd., for 31 Regal coaches, as well as 10 specialtype chassis for use as the bases of 20seater buses, and a third from Elliott Bros. (Bournemouth), Ltd., for 19 Regal coaches. Overseas orders include one from Messrs. Agar, Cross, of Buenos Aires, for 13 Model 418/3 goods chassis and another from A.E.C., Australia, for 10 Model 418 goods chassis.

Bodybuilding in Blackpool.

In . our Olympia Show Report Numbcrh. dated November 12th we published on page 529 anillustration of a Crossley Six bus. We are asked to state that the body of this particular 'vehicle was constructed by Messrs. H. V. Burlingham,' Newhouse Road, Marton, Blackpool. It was built to the order of MeSsrs. Wood Bros. and is one of 16 similar bodies.

Private Operators' Success.

The Ministry of Transport has announced its finding in an important inquiry held in July, at South Shields, into appeals lodged by the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., the Sun&Hand District Omnibus Co., Ltd., and the Jarrow and District Traction Co., Ltd., against the action of South Shields Corporation in refusing to grant them licences, except upon conditions to which the companies objected.

• The Ministry's decision is in favour of the private companies, which stated at the inquiry that the corporation could not legally prevent them from

• picking up aid setting down passengers in the borough and that the corporation had no right to lix stopping places or to fiX a minimum fare to be charged on buses.

The Ministry, in a letter to the town clerk of South Shields, states that it cannot support the licensing authority in imposing, in'their present form, the

conditions in dispute. It included a scale of fares which the Ministry recommends, should be charged by bus companies, to protect the corporation tramways undertaking, provided the same fares be charged on the corporation buses where they are running on the same routes.

A Bolton Bus Undertaking to be Purchased?

In the issue of The Commercial Motor dated July 31st, 1928, an article was published surveying the motorbus organization which had been built up by Mr. J. R. Tognarelli, of Bolton, who operates a fleet of 22 motorbuses. Owing to ill-health, Mr. Tognarelli has been negotiating for the sale of hi business, and we understa,nd that an agreement has been reached which is now subject to the ratification of the proposed buyers. On Wednesday, December 4th, the suggested agreement came before Manchester and Salford City Councils.

It is provided that each of the five transport authorities which are named as the purchasers, Manchester, Salford, Bolton, and Oldham Corporations, and the Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., Ltd., acquire the Tognarelli services. These operate between Bolton and Manchester, Little Holton and Manchester, and Chadderton and Manchester, and it is suggested that each participating authority should pay its

A New Air Compressor.

Romac Motor Accessories, Ltd., of the Hyde, London, N.W.9, has recently added to its well-known range of fourcylindered air-compressors a new sixcylindered model, one of the advantages of which is its high output, this rendering it especially suitable for Inflating giant pneumatic tyres. At a pressure of 150 lb. per sq. in., or more, a delivery of 7-8 cubie ft. per minute is provided at the normal rotation speed.

As is known to our readers, the Romac compressors are of the awashplate type, the whole of the back load being evenly distributed over the plate and conveyed to the driving block and its ball race, thus ensuring that there are no high-pressure points in the cycle of operation.

1120 share of the purchase money and take over motorbuses pro rata to the routemileage operated in each respective district by Mr. Tognarelli.

This means that Manchester Corporation will take six motorbuses, Salford Corporation six, Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., Ltd., six, Bolton Corporation two, and Oldham Corporation two. We are informed that the purchase price is £24,000.

The Willys Express Van.

A folder which deals with the Willys express van has just been issued by Willys Overland Crossley, Ltd., of Stockport. It is attractively produced and, apart from giving brief specification details of the chassis, includes features and dimensions of the distinc'tive body. A number of illustrations is • reproduced showing certain of the more important features of this model.

The New Home of the "London • General."

In an article entitled "My Impressions of Road Transport in Brazil," which appeared in our issue dated November 12th, Mr. E. B. Hutchinson, Minst.T., said that he was not sure whether the offices of the Rio Tramways Light and Power Co., Ltd., were more up to date than is the new Underground building at 55, Broadway, London, S.W.1. It would be difficult, however, to imagine an establishment which is more modern than is the latter. It is of cruciform construction and covers an area of 31,000 sq. ft. The base of the building is 25 ft., the ninth storey 113 ft. and the tower 176 ft. above ground level.

Great care has been taken to provide the maximum amount of light for the workers and an even temperature is maintained by appliances which are concealed in the ceilings. All telephone and lighting cables are carried beneath the floors and the air is purified.

Sheffield Wants a Municipal Bus Station.

The parliamentary committee of Sheffield Corporation is, at the suggestion' of the tramways and motors coinmittee, inserting in the new Corporation Bill a clause to grant power to provide and to make charges for the use of a central station or stations for motorbuses, with all proper equipment and appliances, waiting rooms and booking offices, and to sell petrol.

Dennis Progress Reviewed.

The annual general meeting of Dennis Bros., Ltd., was held a few days ago, when Mr. N. P. Andrew, the chair man of the company, presided. After reviewing the progress made by the company, the chairman dealt with certain outstanding phrases of the commercial-vehicle trade, one of these being the multiplication of models which, be said, was an increasing evil. He dealt with other matters, including the taxation handicap on export business, an then proceeded to summarize the accounts of the company, which were reviewed in our issue for last week.

In his speech, Sir Raymond Dennis, mentioned that the backbone of the company's business had always been the supply of goods-carrying vehicles. He made it clear that on all models of a carrying capacity of 2§ tons and upwards the company had enjoyed a considerably increased sale, whilst its popular 30-cwt. chassis, although having_ to face intensive American and home competition, had• become firmly established.

Sir Raymond went on to deal with other of the company's goods models, and said that several orders bad been received for its new 12-tanner. He then surveyed passenger-vehicle activities and, passing to municipal motori'and appliances, said that sales in this connection show a marked increase, whilst there were indications of still further development in this direction.

A shareholder asked Sir Raymond to comment upon the use of the crude oil engine and, whilst he was not prepared to discuss the merits or demerits of this type of unit, he said that his company were fully alive to possibilities in this direction.

Result of an Exide Battery Competition.

Each year a large number of battery dealers competes in the Exide window display ; this year there was a record entry. In connection with the recent competition the judges have awarded the first prize of £50 to Messrs. Hattersley Bros., of Idle Road, Bradford, the second prize-winners being Messrs. J. and C. Colbourne and Sons Dudley Road, Wolverhampton. The third prize of £10 was awarded to Francis W. Harris and Co., Ltd., of High Street, Leek, whilst 25 other competitors each received an award of £5.