News and Comment.
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This journal is exclusively read by the principals of many wealthy commercial houses, by the heads of important Government .and Colonial Departments, and by numerous officers of Local Authorities. It has a certified and genuine circulation.
It is not New Year's Day, according to the calendar, but new prospects justify the unusual length of our leader this week—pages 209 to 271.
The Finance Bill contains so many controversial proposals that the tax on motor spirit can hardly attract general attention in the House.
Mr. Lloyd-George, on Monday afternoon, informed Mr. Cathcart 1N'ason that he did not see his way to adopt an all-round tax of one penny per gallon upon petrol used for any purpose whatever, and to make up the deficiency by an additional tax on mechanically-propelled vehicles according to weight.
Discussion and amendment on this matter are unlikely to be taken, it is understood, until late in the Session. Hence there is ample time for expressions of opinion upon the form of expedient amendments. Any proposals which reach us will be forwarded to Col. Crompton, C.B., chairman of the Commercial Motor Users' Association.
Canadian Trials.
Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd., of Gainsborough, evidently means to make a game fight this year for Canadian orders, as no fewer than three of its motors are entered for trial at Winnipeg and Brandon. The Kinnard-Haines Company, of Minneapolis, has entered two motors, and it hopes to repeat the gold-medal win of last year. Other entries, to 'the 26th ultimo, were : Messrs. Russel and Co., of Massillon, Ohio, one gasoline motor ; and Messrs. Avery and Co., of Peoria, El., U.S.A. Additional entries are expected from eight other makes, one of these being the International Harvester Co., which alone is expected
to enter eight machines. A maker which does a big American and Canadian business, the Hart-Parr Co., cannot enter through press of orders.
Gloucester's "Royal."
Arrangements for the forthcoming Royal Show indicate a range of exhibits which justifies our recommending a visit to all who can spare the time. Not only will a tour of the implement section reward anybody who takes an interest in mechanical road transport, but much of interest is to be found in the other representative sections of this annual show. We content ourselves, for the present, by stating that, of machines constructed under the Motor Car Acts, the following will demand further attention at our hands in the next two issues: Tractors—Aveling and Porter, Bur Clayton-Shuttleworth, Fowler, Garrett, Mann, .Ransomes, Robe, Savage, Tasker, and Wallis and Steevens; wagons—Fodens, Garrett, Leyland, Mann, Ta-sker, Wallis and Steevens, and Yorkshire ; agricultural motors-Ivel, Marshall, and &underson ; motor rollers—Barford and Perkins (Peterborough), and Green (Leeds); petrol vehicle—Leyland.
Fire-Brigade Matters.
Thursday next, the 17th instant, is the last day upon which Mr. James Fearnley, the Town Clerk of Birkenhead, will receive tenders for a petrol fire-engine with telescopic ladders.
The Swansea Watch Committee has decided that a motor fire-engine should be acquired, both for use in the borough and the neighbouring county area, but no resolution to purchase has yet been passed.
The borough of Kingston-uponThames has now invited tenders for two motor fire-engines, each with a pumping capacity of from 350 to 400 gallons per minute, at 1501b, pressure on the square inch. Each engine must be designed to carry the existing fireescapes, in addition to the usual complement of firemen and hose, and to include first-aid ambulances. Tenders must be lodged with Mr. Harold A. Winser, the Town Clerk, on or before Monday next, the 14th instant.
Steam Not Contemplated.
In a recent case at the Berks Summer Assizes, before Mr. Justice Ridley, Mr. II. Merell Mackenzie sued Mr. J. G. Ford, of Wokingham, in respect of an accident, when a trap belonging to the claimant was overturned. The judge gave expression to an opinion which we, with all respect, are hound to regard as wholly inaccurate. One of the pleas for the defence was that the machine, a steam wagon, strictly complied with the requirements of the Motor Car Acts, and that it was so constructed that no smoke or visible vapour was emitted therefrom except from a temporary or accidental cause. His Lordship said that : "No steam engine could possibly be constructed so that steam did not come out of its funnel, and he did not believe the recent Act contemplated a steam engine at all ; steam must necessarily be emitted when the engine moved." This is a startling example of a judicial misconception, and we quote it in order that any of our supporters, who may have the misfortune to be brought into court where a question of the behaviour and legality of their steam wagons or tractors arises, may be prepared, through counsel, with evidence and arguments to the contrary.
Mr. J. H. C. Brooking, A.M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech.E., has been appointed general manager of the St. Helens Cable and Rubber Co., Ltd., of Warrington. Mr. Brooking is an ardent believer in eommercial motors.
Argylls in Edinburgh.
Mr. J. F. Bradford advises us that his new address is 7, Devon Place, Murrayfield Road, Edinburgh. Repairs and hiring, as well as sales, will be embraced.
Saunderson Motors.
The Universal Motor Co., of Canada, with an authorised capital of £40,000, and with its registered office at 11, King William Street, E.G., has been registered to acquire the Canadian rights for the Universal agricultore' motor, and other products, of H. P. Saunderson and Co., Ltd.
De Nevers Tires.
J. Liversidge and Son, Ltd., of 561, Old Kent Road, S.E., has a steady trade in de Nevers grooved tires, large numbers of which -have long mileage ecords to their credit. One of the latest, per Messrs. Parr's Garage, of leimster, concerns a pair of twin 31 in. by 3in. rims under an axle-load of some 35cwt.; they had run approximately 35,000 miles before rejection.
Cold-weather Cars.
The New Arrol-Johnston Co., Ltd.. of Underwood, Paisley, has received an interesting letter from the driver (Bernard C. Day) • of Lieutenant Shackleton's Antarctic motorcar, which was supplied by the company named. The air-cooled engine stood up to its job splendidly, under all conditions of ice and snow. About 1,5001b., divided between two sledges, exclusive of three people, were effectively towed by the car under bad surface conditions. When this vehicle returns to England, it should prove a great attraction at any motor show ; in fact, we would suggest to Mr. T. C.
Pullinger the expediency of his having a little Press gathering in London for the purpose of allowing the car to be examined, and a few more details about its experiences to be related.
The permission of Lieutenant Shackleton could no doubt be obtained.
L.C.C. Fire Brigade.
The London County Council has now invited applications for the appointment as Chief Officer of the London Fire Brigade, which position has been rendered vacant by the resignation of Captain Hamilton. It will be remembered that, after six years' strenuous and eminently-satisfactory service, the popular retiring Chief Officer is surrendering the control of the Brigade in order to occupy a seat on the board of the Army and Navy Co-operative Society, Limited. He was appointed to the command of the Brigade in July, 1903, and was selected from a list of 35 candidates. The new Chief Officer will, as hitherto, he required to give his whole time and energies to the work of the Brigade; he will have to reside perman ently at the headquarters in 'Southwark Bridge Road ; and, unless he be an officer of the Brigade, the candidate must be over 30 and under 50 years of age. The salary is £900 a year, with about £200, in addition, as special allowances. Of genuine interest to the readers of this journal is the tipulation that the new officer "must possess a sound knowledge of mechanics in addition to experience in the handling of men. The adoption of motor propulsion on a large scale in the London Brigade can confidently be predicted in the future, and it will he all important that the man who has control of this huge organisation should, amongst his other qualifications, be mechanically trained. We find no stipulation that candidates must have a " sound knowledge of horseflesh.'' Albion Testimony to Stevenson's "Faransure" Tires.
The Albion Company, during the past eight months, has made careful tests of a tire known as the " Faransure," some particulars of which were given in our issue of the 11th February last. This tire has come up to the Albion Company's expectations in every way, and it has been fitted to a number of vehicles for export to the Colonies, as the convenience of its detachable flange, and the simplicity of design, practically allows any user to re-tire a wheel himself.
Halley Compression.
We commented, last week, upon the high compression in the Halley van upon which our representative did his second day's work for the series now in hand. The company's London manager, Mr. D. McNeil Sharp, of 36, Causton Street, Westminster, S.W., has found that the real explanation of the difficulty in starting was the dirtiness of the commutator. After it had been cleaned, the engine started quite easily. We should be sorry if any readers drew the wrong inference in this matter. One hundred and thirty-two motorvans are now discharging the whole of the postal services in Paris, from depot to depot, and depot to station.
A Progressive Dennis Customer.
Two photographs are reproduced, on this and the next page, for the purpose of showing an interesting comparison between the recent and present " stock" ot Alessrs_ Puttock and Son, Jobma,sters, of Guildford. This firm is an enterprising one, and made its first purchase in a growing fleet of hiring-out vehicles sonic four years ago. Apart from the motors which are illustrated, chiefly of the Dennis make, Messrs. Puttock have a number of Dennis taxicabs on order. They have established their own repair shop, with a staff of mechanics, and they are successfully combining the management of a stud of 62 horses and a fleet of motorcars, motoreabs and motorvans.
Renard Trains in Burma.
Sir Frederick W. R. Fryer, who was the first Lieutenant-Governor of Burma, and who, as chairman of the Renard (India) Transport Corporation Ltd., was present at the CrystalPalace trials of two Renard trains last year, appears to be forwarding the interests of his company in the East in a very satisfactory manner. A short tinie ago, Messrs. P. Michael and Co., of Rangoon, floated the Rangoon Motor Transport Co., Ltd., and Renard trains have now been successfully introduced out there by that concern, which is looked upon as the pioneer of Burma's future system of road transport. Mr. K. H. Buchanan, at one time general manager of the Pioneer Omnibus Company, has been in charge of the recent demonstrations.
M.A.B.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board has resolved to purchase another Dennis ambulance chassis, with body by Robson, making nine in all with
those ordered on the 24th April. Mr. B. Thomson Lyon successfully opposed a proposal that a chassis only should be purehased, on the ground that the extra body would involve very little
more expense, would provide a reserve ambulance available at any moment, and would avoid trouble in changing.
"Comnter Car" Sales Booming.
The excellent material and finish which is characteristic of " Commer Car •" construction is telling in favour of the makers, and the Luton works are full of orders. To our recent lists, there have now to be added :
Messrs. Healey Bros., of Manchester, per the local " Commer Car " agent, Mr. 1. P. White, a 30cwt. chassis; Messrs. Paterson, Simons and Co., of London, a five-ton lorry for Singapore; Mr. Davies, Bognor, Sussex, a repeat order for a 27-seated char-abanes ; the Gas Light and Coke Co., Ltd., of London, a 30ewt. lorry ; J. J. Allen, Ltd., of Bournemouth, a repeat order for a five-ton lift van ; the Bridgewater Coileries, of Manchester, a 25ewt. chassis; and Waring and Gillow, Ltd., of Oxford Street, London, W., a 2.5cwt. chassis.
Adverting to the report, in our issue of the 20th ultimo, of the repeat orders from Pickford, Ltd., of London, for a 30cwt. van and three sixton vans, it should be noted that this last-indicated tendency—a demand for petrol vehicles to carry six tons—is one which can be fully met in " Commer Car " construction the chassis are quite capable of taking the load, vith a margin of both power and strength in reserve.