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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 roods over which 15 runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Institute of Transport Membership Examinations.
The associate membership and graduateship examinations of the Institute of Transport for the year 1928 will be held in London and a number of provincial centres, such as Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester, on April 26th and the two following days. The latest date for the deposit of applications to sit for these examinations is March 1st. Full particulars and forms of application, together with copies of the syllabuses and of the 1926 and 1927 question papers, may be obtained from the secretary, the Institute of Transport, 15, Savoy Street, London, W.C.2. The syllabuses are available to nonmembers at the price of is. each post free, the price of the question papers being the same.
An Interesting Sheffield Bus Action.
A case involving the East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., Kilburn House, Pafford Road, York, and the Sheffield Corporation was recently heard in the Royal Courts of Justice before Mr. Justice Tomlin. An application wile made by the company to restrain the corporation from causing or permitting buses to ply for hire on certain routes in the neighbourhood of Sheffield, the ground for complaint being that in so doing the corporation was breaking an agreement into which it entered on March 30th, 1925, with the pleintiff company.
It is stated that a motion was established by the corporation to stay the action under the Arbitration Act, haying regard, in this case, to a clause in the agreement between the two parties, which refers disputes between them to settlement by arbitration.
The facts of the case are interesting. A certain local company recently started to run services upon the route already worked by the East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., and upon which it is stated that the corporation had no right to operate buses in competition with the plaintiff, according to ,a cer tame clause in tie agreement.. It is said that the local cotapany did not apparently make a success of the venture and, later, the corporation took
over the business and continued the services, contending, appareutly, that as the vehicles concerned were formerly owned by another cencern no breach in the terms of the agreement had been created.
Mr. Justice Tomlin eventually decided to grant an interim injunction to the East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., but stayed the action. subject to the interim protective action by the corporation, as he coeSidered that issues of fact might be involved.
Elected to a S.M.M. and T. Committee.
We are advised that Mr. Arthur Stephens, the managing director of Silvertown Lubricants, Ltd., has been elected a member of the Accessories and Components Committee of the Society of Manufacturers and Traders.
Preparing for the Royal Show at Nottingham.
Intending exhibitors in the Implement Section of the 3928 Show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, which is to be held at Nottingham from July 10th to 14th, should note that the last day for receiving applications for space in this section is March 20th. Entries of new implements for the Society's silvar medal must be made by March 1st. Details of regulations and forms of application can be obtained from the secretary of the Society at 16, Bedford Square, London, W.C.1.
A Well-organised Bus System.
No better indication of the comprehensive character of the motorbus system maintained by Ribble Motor Setelices, Ltd., the headquarters of which are at Frenchwood Avenue, Preston, could be had than the cornpauy's monthly time-table. The January edition of the time-table actually runs to 264 pages, and it contains details of the routes and times at which buses run on all Ribble services. Apart from the normal facilities provided for the travelling public, the company has made special arrangements en certain routes.
British Engineering Achievements.
Four achievements in engineering progress are recorded in a double-page coloured supplement on art paper which is presented with each copy of The Motor to-day. The plates give particularly fine impressions of Flight-Lt. S. N. Webster winning the Schneider Trophy at 281 m.p.h., of Major IL 0. D. Segrave setting up the highest speed on land yet attained—over 203 m.p.h. on a 1,000 h.p. Sunbeam—of A. Denly on a 509 c.c. motorcycle covering over 100 miles in the hour and of the record nonstop run of the "Royal Scot." More Motors for Manchester.
The tramways manager of the Manekester Corporation reports that in order to meet the requirements of the department it will, in the near future, be necessary to purchase an additional 20 motorbuses. In addition to these he recommends the acquisition of 12 motor
buses to replace existing vehicles, the purchase of which will be provided for out of the renewals fund. The growth of the department also calls for the provision of additional motor vehicles for the permanent-way and overhead-equipment work and for the parcels department, and the manager suggests that the council makes application to the Ministry of Transport for sanction to borrow the total sum of £69,000 as follows :-20 tnotorbuses, £30,000; 30 motor vehicles for the permanent-way and overhead-equipment departments, £36,000; 10 parcels vans, £3,000.
Road Motors and Postal Work.
In addition to the usual G.P.O. fleet of motor vehicles, about 8,000 privately owned motor lorries were employed in the London area by the postal authorities in connection With the Christmas rush. The vehicles were specially hired and were largely used for the conveyance of parcels to the various railway stations, as well as for collection and delivery work between the numerous sorting offices.
Manufacturing Retlaw Products.
We ' learn that the manufacturing business of Retlaw Products has recently been taken over by the Wimbledon Motor Works, Ltd., 29, high St., Wimbledon Common, London, S.W.19, from which address all affairs in' connection with these products are no* being conducted. It will be remembered that the commodities marketed under the name of Retlaw include an aluminium solder of remarkable efficiency, a special tinning powder and a filling metal for repairing damaged cast-iron parts.
Another British Fire-engine for New Zealand.
In the past we have made several references to the various HalleySimonis motor fire appliances which are in use in New Zealand, and on this page we publish an illustration of the latest acquisition of one of the fire brigades in that country. This is a six-cylinder, pneumatic-tyred, streamline first turn-out machine which has been supplied to the Whangarei Fire Board, the basis. of it being a Halley chassis with a 12-ft. 10-in. wheelbase.
In general, the machine is similar in construction to that described in our issue dated April 13th, 1926, but it embodies such improvements as a focus electric syren, a first-aid water pump and air pump driven from the main gearbox by an auxiliary drive, as well as hand Ere extinguishers of the foam and soda and acid types. The machine certainly possesses a striking appearance and reflects credit on both Halley Motors, Ltd., and Simonis, Ltd.
American Tractor Exports.
During the ten months ended -with October last, no fewer than 48,806 wheel-type agricultural farm tractors, valued at £5,916,320, were exported
from the United States, the number and value exceeding the shipments during the whole of 1926. The exports of track-laying tractors during the same period numbered 1,435, of a Value of £533,600, as compared with 1,054 (£367,966) in the corresponding period of the preceding year.
New Minerva Models.
In the report of the Societe des Minerva Motors, of Antwerp, for the year ended August 31st last, it is stated that the industrial-vehicle department continues to make steady progress, an increasing demand for commercial models being experienced both at home and abroad. The directors add that the forthcoming introduction of a new type of motorbus and a light lorry, well adapted to series production, will give a Mg impetus to this department and, within a few years, result in its becoming the most important of the Minerva undertaking.
Motor Coaches at Southampton Docks.
The Southern Railway Co. has given notice that as from the beginning of the year motor coaches entering the Southampton Docks for the purpose of picking up or setting down visitors will be subject to a charge of 10s. per vehicle, payable at the time of each entry.
Earriers on Brewery Service.
Karrier Motors, Ltd., Karrier Works, Huddersfield, has every reason for feeling gratified after analysing a list of orders which it has recently compiled, for it -reveals the fact that many of them are in the nature of "repeats" from prominent road-transport users. One of the many satisfied owners of vehicles of Karrier make is Peter Walker and' Son, Warrington and Burton, Ltd., the present fleet of which includes a number of heavy vehicles of this make. This company is now testing the merits of a -lighter type of Karrier vehicle, this being the CWY-type 3-ton lorry, in which the power is provided by a 30-48 h.p. engine. The machine has a wheelbase of 13 ft., and is equipped with 36-in. by 6-in, pneumatic tyres on all wheels, twins being used at the rear.
The vehicle is shown in an accompanying illustration, and its bodywork, which is of the usual brewer's type with galvanized stanchions and chains, was built by the maker of the chassis. The floor space which is available is 12 ft. 6 ins, long and 6 ft. 9 ins. wide. The vehicle possesses a distinctive finish, being painted in shades of maroon and gold.
Patent Applications in 1927.
According to information prepared by Messrs. Gee and Co., patent agents, 51 and 52, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2, 35,500 applications for patents were filed during 1927, this representing an increase over the figure for 1926, when 33,080 applications were lodged. The number of patent applications made during a year is often taken as an index of the state of trade, and the increased number filed in 1927 is a hopeful sign of improved conditions in the present year. In the latter part of the year quite a number of the inventions related to daylight reflecting signs.
Power Alcohol in India. • ' By a recent mail we learn that the Government of India has decided to. relax the restrictions which have hitherto stood in the way of practical experiments with power alcohol as a motor fuel. A few years ago a committee was appointed by the Government to consider the question of the use of alcohol in internalcombustion engines and it made certain recommendations which are now being translated into Government regulations. Thus, whilst reserving powers of supervision and
inspection, the Government has resolved to allow denatured alcohol to be free from Excise duties.
Duties on Farm Lorries.
T h e Farmers' Union has issued
a n explanatory note pointing out that Section 12 of the Finance Act, 1927, provides for certain rebates of duty in the case of licences taken out during the current year under para. graph 5 of the Second Schedule to the Finance Act, 1920, that is, "for the conveyance of goods in the course of trade." The rebate will be paid to holders of licences in such circumstances, where the vehicle has been used solely for the purpose of conveying produce of, or articles required for the purposes of agricultural land in the occupation of the licence holder. If the licences were taken out before the passing of the Finance Act, 1927 (July 29th, 1927), it must be on a date subsequent
to April 30th, 1927. Claims for the rebate must be made by January 31st.
Ireland's Imports of Solid Tyres.
The number of solid tyres imported into the Irish Free State during the nine months ended with September last is officially returned at 5,120, as corn c22
pared with 4,329 in the corresponding period a year ago. The value of the imports, however, declined from £36.867 to £32,194. Great Britain iscredited, as ports of shipment, with 4,461 tyres.
Purchasers of Short Bros. Bodies.
The works of Short Bros. (Rochester and Bedford), Ltd., at Rochester, are busily engaged at the present moment on a number of important orders received from private and municipal users. One of the largest is that which is in hand for the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd. this being for 30 all-weather saloon bodies, whilst another important order has been received from the Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., for 27 singledeck saloon vehicles. Great Yarmouth Corporation is buying five covered-top
double-deck bodies, whilst Messrs. Bassetts, of Gorseinon, have ordered six covered-top double-deckers of a special pattern for use Cu routes where low bridges are encountered. The Great Western Railway Co., the Wilts and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., and the Sheppey Transport Co. have each ordered two single-deck saloon bodies.
Lorries for the Belgian Army.
The Belgian military authorities in Brussels have lately invited tenders for the supply of ten 2-ton motor lorries for the use of the army. Six home concerns competed for the order; the tenders ranged from £3,143 to £4,570.
A Devon Bus Absorption.
It was announced on December 31st that the Devon Motor Transport Co. had completed negotiations for the purchase from Mr. A. Facey of the Pioneer Saloon Bus Service operating between Tamerton Pellet and Plymouth. The service was an hourly one and competed with the D.M.T., which did not purchase the rolling stock, as its own buses are already running over the same route.
Facilitating Sugar-beet Transport
A new bridge over the Welland, a tidal river, at Spalding, has just been completed and opened for pedestrians, but not for vehicular traffic. It has been constructed in order to facilitate traffic to the Spalding sugar-beet factory without the need for passing through the town and over the High Bridge, whilst it will also provide a through road from Holheath. Sutton, Wishech, and King's Lynn districts to the Donington, Sleaford and Grantham districts, as well as Skegness and other Lincolnshire seaside resorts, connecting up with the new by-pass road running into Pinchbeck Street and known as West Elloe Avenue. ,
So soon as the approach roads are completed, which will be very shortly, the bridge will be opened for all traffic. The construction of the bridge has proved costly, owing to it being necessary to arrange for its opening to permit ships to pass.
A Lecture on Corrosion.
Dr. G. D. Bengough, M.A., formerly investigator to the 'corrosion research committee of the Institute of Metals, is to deliver a lecture on the subject of " Corrosion, With Special Reference to Standard Tests," at a meeting of the London local section of . the Institute of Metals', to be held at the headquarters of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 83, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1, on Thursday, January 12th, at 7.30 p.m.
New Powers Required by a Welsh Council.
The. Ystradgynlais (Glam.) Rural • District Council is to apply to the Ministry of Transport for powers to control and regulate traffic and to license buses. . The council is also to seek authority to make Club Lane a one-way traffic thoroughfare.
Awkward Load for a 5-tonner.
Whatever media be employed, exceptionally heavy loads always create certain difficulties in. transport, but it is testimony to the value of road motors that they are often called into use to convey such loads over long distances. On such occasions it is always imperative to see that the load is placed in a safe position and made secure before the vehicle starts on its journey, whilst every care must be exercised in driving. An illustration which appears on this page shows a Peden 5-ton steam wagon carrying a heavy crane jib arm of exceptional length. In order to provide adequate support for the load, the driver's cab had to be specially strengthened, and at the back of the body a strong trestle built up of heavy timber was employed. The crane arm was well secured to the wagon platform by ropes passing through anchor rings. This load was safely transported to its destination in spite of the need for negotiating a number of busy streets.
A Sunderland Experiment.
Sunderland Corporation, which secured powers in its Act, which became operative on April 1st last, to run motorbuses, has been recommended by its tramways committee to institute an experimental circular bus service in the docks area, where trams are at present employed.
Big Orders for Thornycrofts.
Amongst a batch of orders received by John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., before the close of 1927 can be mentioned several of considerable importance. One was received from the Great Western Railway Co. for 72 typeAl 30-cwt.. chassis and three typeA6 passenger chassis, whilst another came from the South African Railways and was for 10 type-NB 3-5-ton rigid six-wheeled goods chassis and 10 typeNB long, rigid six-wheeled bus chassis.
Other important concerns placing repeat orders just before the close of the year were the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd. ; J. Woolley, Sons and Co.; Taylor's Drug Co., Ltd., and the Perth Corporation.
Amongst new purchasers of Thornycroft vehicles we can mention the Durham and Northumberland Collieries Pire ansl Rescue Brigade, which has ordered a rescue van in which the company's type-A6 six-cylinder passenger chassis is to be used.
A York Bus Addition.
In order to provide transport facilities for residents in the rapidly growing residential district of Tang Hall, the tramways and-motors committee of the York Corporation is to open a new motorbus route between the railway station and the estate. A new one-mancontrolled type 28-seater Leyland Lioness bus is to be purchased for the purpose. This class of vehicle is used on a fairly extensive scale by the corporation with satisfactory results.
The Emergency Door and a Licence Refusal.
The refusal of the Darlington Corporation to grant a licence to the United Automobile Services, Ltd.' for a saloon bus having the emergency door on the same side of the body as the ordinary entrance, which was reported in a recent issue of The Commercial
Motor, is to be brought to the notice of the Ministry of Transport. The company has suggested to the local authority that it should agree to the matter being referred to the Ministry without a formal appeal being lodged. The corporation has acceded to this request.
Official Orders for November.
During November last the Air Ministry placed a contract for motor Vehicles with Morris Motors (1926), Ltd., another for a number of Trojan vans with Trojan, Ltd., a third for Crossley chassis with Crossley Motors, Ltd., and one for chassis and vans with Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd. The Crown Agents for the Colonies placed orders for lorries with the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., one for motor tiretenders with Dennis Bros., Ltd., a third for motor dust carts with Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., as well as an order for motor road rollers with Aveling and Porter, Ltd. The only order given out by the G.P.O. authorities was for vans to be supplied by Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.
A Merthyr Arrangement.
At a meeting of the Merthyr Watch Committee a letter was read from the Ministry of Transport referring to the appeal. under Section 14 (3) of the Roads Act, 1920, by Mr. A. J. Wilkins against the decision of the corporation to grant bus licences to
ply for hire only under certain conditions. T h e letter stated that ...the Ministry of Transport understood that the parties had arrived at a settle ment of the matters in dis pute, with the exception of the fare to be charged on the buses of the appellants travelling between Merthyr and Cefn Coed, along the route of the local tramways undertaking, and that they have agreed to accept the Minister's decision on this point. The Ministry stated that after careful con sideration. of Section 27 of
the Merthyr Tydfil Corporation Act, 1920, and of the special circumstances of the case, it was of opinion that a single fare of 3d. and a return fare of 6d. should be charged between the "Glamorgan Arms" and Cefn Bridge. The committee decided that any licences in future issued to the company be endorsed with the condition stipulating that the rates for journeys by bus must be charged according to these arrangements.
A Transference of Licences.
At a meeting of the Merthyr Watch Committee, a letter was read from the road transport department of the Great Western Railway Co., Aberdare, intimating that the company has acquired the buses owned by the Dare Valley Omnibus Co., and applying for the transfer of the two licences to the company. The omnibuses in question ply between Castle Street, Merthyr, and Glyn Neatb. The committee agreed to the transferenceof the licences.
Vulcan Buses for Southport.
A number of important orders has recently been received by the -Vulcan Motor and Engineering co. (1906), Ltd., Crossens, Southport, one of the most interesting being that received from the Southport Corporation for four six-cylinder motorbuses. The vehicles being purchased are 36-seaters, and a special
point of interest. is that they are fitted with the Vulcan free gear, a description of which appears elsewhere in this issue. Southport Corporation is the iirst municipal authority to adopt this device for publicservice vehicles, its decision to employ it being the outcome of satisfactory results of tests to which vehicles fitted with this gear were subjected, a noteworthy point being the remarkable economies effected in fuel consumption.
The company is also supplying a number of important users with goods chassis, these including Oxo, Ltd.; Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd.; Cooperative Wholesale Society, Ltd.; Medway Milling Co. and the Chester Co-operative Society, the capacities of the machines ranging from 30 cwt. to 21tons.
Obstruction Caused by Advertising Vehicles.
Further to the paragraph which appeared in our issue for last week dealing with the obstruction caused by slow-moving vehicles used for advertisement purposes in Northampton, the town clerk has recently communicated with the Secretary of State, who replied c.24 that he was advised that a by-law setting up a system of licensing of advertising vehicles would be ultra sires of Section 23 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882.
Upon consideration of the matter, the watch committee of Northampton felt that a by-law in the form prescribed in the Home Office model by-laws might be adopted and the town clerk was requested to take all necessary steps to secure the approval of the Secretary of State to a by4aw in the following form :— " No person shall in any street draw, wheel or drive any vehicle used solely or chiefly for the purpose of exhibiting advertisements, so as to cause obstruction or danger to the traffic in such street."
Bolton Licences for Ribble Services. Bolton Watch Committee has decided that, having regard to the undertakings given by the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., as to the mini
mum fares to be charged to passengers travel
ling on its buses within the borough and to submit time-tables to the corporation and not to vary them without giving the corporation seven days' notice of any proposed alteration, licences be granted to the company until March 31st to ply for hire in the borough.
A New Dodge Bros. Director.
We learn that Mr. Balassi has recently resigned his post as managing director of George Harrison, Phelps, Ltd., to take up an appointment on the board of directors of Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd., with which he has been previously associated through many years' service with Dodge Brothers, Inc., of Detroit.
Deferred Applications.
Merthyr Watch Committee has deferred consideration of an application from Messrs. Jones Brothers, Treharris, for a licence for a motorbus to ply for hire between Treharris and Bedlinog, and an application from the Rhondda Tramways Co., Ltd., for licences for six vehicles to run between Pontypridd, Nelson, Ystrad Mynach and Newbridge.
Busy Brecon Cross-roads.
At its December meeting the Brecon Rural District Council discussed the proposal to effect road widenings at the site of the Pontybat and Lly-swen -crossroads. The total cost of the work is estimated at £25,000, but only £2,000 is asked from the Brecon Rural District Council in view of the large grant to be made by the Ministry of Transport conditional on the Brecon County Council taking over the roads after the work has been completed and if it is engaged upon before March. The Hay Rural District Council had been asked to join with the Brecon Rural District Council in the work, but had not agreed to the proposal.
In view of the fact that 75 per cent. of the road traffic between South Wales and the North of England uses the cross-roads, the Brecon authority has now decided to undertake the work without further delay.
New Factory for Manufacturing Components.
The Moss Gear Co., Ltd., the headquarters of which are at Crown Works, Thomas Street, Aston, Birmingham, has a new factory in course of coostruction. at Tyburn on the outskirts of Birmingham, this being on the main Chester Road. It is a one-storey building covering four acres, and consists of one square shop. The casehardening section will be upwards of 100 yards long and 20 yards wide, and its equipment will include an electric, charging machine and several electric furnaces for case-hardening and quenching, as well as gas furnaces for carliurizing. The whole machinery of the factory will be driven by electric power.
The factory will be used largely for the development of the commercialvehicle side of the company's business, thisconsisting of the manufacture of hack axles, gearboxes, steering gears and other important components. It is about double the size of the company's present factory at Aston, which has been found inadequate to meet existing needs, so much so that day and night shifts have been worked practically uninterruptedly since the formation of the business 17 years ago.
The Wages of Bus Employees.
At a meeting of the Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee reference was made to recent police-court proceedings in which it has been disclosed that bus drivers and conductors were in some cases inadequately paid, and the committee decided that when applying for licences applicants must be required to submit a statement showing the rates of wages paid to such employees: in the meantime, the chief constable has been asked to obtain information in regard to the question.
Lath Lorries in Belgium.
La Societe Beige des Automobiles Industriels Lath l is the name of a new company which has lately been formed in Brussels to market Lath motor lorries and buses in Belgium. M. C. Blum and M. G. Latil, of Paris, are interested in the new undertaking.
A Bradford-to-Leeds Service.
Leeds Watch Committee has granted licences for a period of three months to Mr. A. R. Robinson for motorbuses to run within the city in connection with a service between Bradford and Leeds.
The. Latest " General " Bus.
Some months ago we had an opportunity for describing the special type of bus which the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd„ proposed to use on route number 108A, which runs from Poplar to Greenwich and passes through the Blackwall Tunnel. We now learn that six covered-top buses of the new type have just been put into service. The height of the tunnel prohibited the use of the ordinary type of cover-top bus, and for this reason it was necessary to build a special class of body.
The chief features of the body include a clerestory form of roof on the lower deck and a knifeboard seating arrangement on the upper deck. The seats on the top deck are of the bucket pattern and are placed back to back and, in order that the passengers shall be given as much comfort as possible they are slightly inclined towards the front of the vehicle. • The increased seating capacity of the buses over the single-deck pattern which have previously been operated on this route enables the company to provide more adequately for the needs of passengers, particularly during the busy hours of the day.
New Bus Depot for Oxford.
The City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd., is obtaining a lease of land in Castle Street and Church Road, Oxford, for the erection of a bus depot which will cost /2,000.
Change of Address.
The stew offices which have been built by Liquid Measurements, Ltd., in, conjunction with its works have recently been completed, and the company's new address is Hammond Petrol Pump Works, Chase Estate, Park Royal, London, N.W.10. As our readers will know, the company markets the Hammond visible petrol pump.
Allen-Liversidge Dividend.
The directors of Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., have declared an interim dividend of 5 per cent. (less tax) on the ordinary shares of the company for the six months ended October 31st last.
Cleansing Work at Chesterfield.
The sewage-disposal and cleansing committee of the Chesterfield Corporation has recommended the town council to adopt a scheme of reorganization in connection with the transport work of the cleansing department. If this be adopted a capital expenditure of 16,400 will be involved, and a sweeper and collector, a gully emptier and six refuse vehicles will be purchased. The cleansing superintendent claims that by the use of this fleet an efficient streetcleansing and refuse-removal system will be available, and that a saving. of 1749 in the first year and of 11,299. in the second year will be effected in transport costs.
L.U.T. Purchases.
During the last six months the Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., Ltd., of Atherton, placed 20 new buses on the road and now has on order another 20 buses. We are given to understand that the company Will commence to take delivery of these vehicles towards the end of the present month.