News and Comment.
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This journal fosters, represents, and chronicles commercial motoring in all its branches. We originate: others imitate.
R.A.C. Trials.
The further report of the progress of the trials, which is given on pages 123 to 132, completes our six special .numbers, as announced.
Two stages only remain for completion, and the last nig-ht, at Baldock, will be enlivened by the smoking concert organised by this journal.
The hill-climbing and brake tests (backwards) upon Bunny Hill, between Nottingham and Loughborough, which took place on Monday last, furnished the most interesting spectacular event of the whole competition.
Leicester people were regretting that the Club did not give a one-day exhibi, tion there, and the presitient of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. C. Bennion, J.P., has offered his cooperation if a meet can be held later.
From the "Daily Mail."
Major C. G. Matson, in the " Daily Mail," remarks that there is abundant evidence to justify the belief that the Club's extensive tour, with its variations of road surface and its stiff hills, will prove in every way an adequate test of reliability and efficiency, and that the results cannot be otherwise than of the highest importance to those sections of the trading community whose goods require rapid transport, and, Incidentally, to the manufacturers of selfpropelled vehicles.
The next meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commercial Motor Users' Association will be held at 1, Albemarle Street, W., on Wednesday the t6th instant at 2.3o p.m.
For British East Africa.
The Adams Manufacturing Company, Limited, of to6, New Bond Street, W., and Bedford, has supplied a 25h.p., Adams van to Mr. W. Northrup McMillan, of Juja Farm, Nairobi, British East
Africa. The vehicle has been specially designed to allow. of its being driven through streams or rivers with close upon three feet of water in the bed, and to enable it to travel upon tracks with deep ruts. The wheel-track is 4 feet 8 inches, and the van is fitted with 34-inch wheels. The body is carried upon extra long springs, and steel has, wherever possible, been introduced in the body-work, which is otherwise of teak throughout, in order to withstand the attacks of insects.
At Glasgow.
Glasgow Corporation's latest order is for a t6h.p., 2-ton, Albion van, for its gas department ; it will be used for the purpose of delivering appliances and apparatus to the different depots throughout the city. The Albion Company's works at Scotstoun are exceptionally busy, the amount of orders in hand keeping well ahead of the output.
Tangent Wheels.
An instructive pamphlet concerning Tangent wheels has been issued by Tangent Wheels, Limited, of Grove Road, Balharn, S.W. The contents include succinct accounts of various constructional features of various types of wheels, and interesting references to factors which affect the everyday use of commercial motors. We recommend our readers to apply for copies.
A Postponement.
The opening meeting of the ensuing session of the Incorporated Institution of Automobile Engineers has been postponed to the 20th proximo, when Colonel R. E. B. Crompton, C.B., R.E., will give his presidential address on "The future of automobile engineering."
Discovered at Drunken 'Mefferd.
Whilst cutting across country from Alcester to Pershore, to pick up some of the vehicles in class C on the run from Gloucester to Worcester, one of our representatives met the wagon illustrated at the foot of this page. We believe that it is the only one of its type built by the Enfield Autocar Co., Ltd., of Redditch, and the point which most attracted our representative's attention was the arrangement of the back-axle. This is of the live type and had evidently proved to be not quite good enough for its work—hence the introduction of the extra pair of radius-rods. The wagon was conveying mineral water in cases, and the driver stated that the machine was doing excellent work and that, during the past five months, it had covered not less than 4,000 miles without any serious hitch. Although intended for a load of 2 tons, he had frequently loaded it with 3 tons and it had never failed to take its load. The engine is a four-cylinder one of 16-2oh.p. and the drive is through a cone clutch and three-speed gear-box ; thence to the back-axle by roller chain. The engine is situated beneath the footboards in front of the driver's seat, much as in the Wolseley-Siddelev design. The Glasgow Meet.
The Committee of the Scottish Automobile Club has decided to offer prizes to the drivers of the best-kept vehicles, at the meet which is to take place in Glasgow, on Thursday of next week, the 170 instant, as follow :—Steam vehicles, two prizes, one each of 2ns., and los. ; petrol vehicles with a carrying capacity exceeding 26cwt., three prizes, one each of zos., los., and 5s.; petrol vehicles with a carrying capacity not exceeding 26ewt., three prizes, one each of zos., los., and 5s. The judges will be appointed by the Trials Committee of the Club. It is expected that a large number of owners of commercial motors will assist in making this demonstration and parade a success. Manufacturers and dealers are also invited to send vehicles, but these will not be eligible for the award of a prize. The matter of carrying loads is optional, and the arrangements arc in the hands of Mr. Robert J. Smith, Secretary of the Scottish Automobile Club, 163, West George Street, Glasgow. It is proposed to hold similar parades in other centres at later dates, and it is evident that Scotland intends to look
affer her own interests in this section of the industry, and that effectively.
The German Trials,
Our Berlin correspondent writes :— " The course named in my earlier notes was adopted, this being a triangular one, although its nature is hardly what the industry required. The start was put down for 6.30 a.m. to-day (Monday), but, owing to the fact that a number of the vehicles had not, taken aboard their loads, of sand on Saturday, there was considerable delay. None of the Saurer vehicles put in an appearance, but it is understood that they are delayed at the railway station. Only half an hour is to be allowed each day for overhauling and adjustment, except under penalty, and the fuel-consumption test will take place on one day only, and that the last of the trials, over the Jtiterbog-Berlin stretch."
United Motor Industries.
This company has lately been appointed sole British and Colonial agent for the celebrated hall bearings of Denes and Friedmann, of Vienna, Munich, and elsewhere. These ball bearings, one of which we illustrate herewith, are beautifully made, and are turned out in the accepted standards of size, although any other size can be made to order. Our illustration shows one of the latest patterns, and gives a view of each side, showing the form of caging that is adopted. It is claimed that, with this form of caging, the balls cannot get out by accident. This make of bearing is largely used by Continental firms, and the United Motor Industries, Limited, of 45 and 46, Poland Street, W., will be glad to quote any maker or user of commercial vehicles on application. Simms Magnetos.
The Secretary of the Simms Manufacturing Company, Limited, notifies us that it has been resolved to wind up this company voluntarily for the purpose of reconstruction. The reconstruction scheme has been confirmed by the shareholders, and a new company has been formed to take over the liabilities and assets of the old company, with the intention of devoting itself mainly to the magneto business. All its magneto machines will be styled Simms magnetos, and it is anticipated that a large business will be done in these. The new company will have a nominal capital of L;6o,000, divided into 6o,000 ordinary shares of LI each, and a debenture issue of .15,000, divided into iso debentures, of Ltoo each, carrying interest at six per cent. per annum. Benzol Costs.
Our Berlin correspondent advises us that there was a typographical error in his figures about fuel costs (see page 90 of our last issue). The petrol consumption should be 275 grammes per horse-power hour, and not 375 grammes, which makes the price I pfennigs. instead of 15 pfennigs, and the saving in the cost of fuel when benzol is used a little more than 40 per cent.
Turn-tables Save Room.
One of the most useful equipments for the handling of light commercial motors in storage rooms, where space is limited, is the " Duco," portable turn-table, as supplied by Brown Brothers, Limited, of Great Eastern Street, E.C. This turn-table unquestionably saves labour, time, and tires, whilst the large-size model costs only 174 15S. Tractor Orders.
Wm. Foster and Company, Limited, of Wellington Foundry, Lincoln, one of whose standard, compound tractors is competing in the present trials of the R.A.C., has received, amongst its recent orders, one from New Zealand and one from Tasmania. Both tractors will be fitted to meet Colonial requirements.
"Bilking" a Taxicab Driver.
Amongst the difficulties by which owners of taxicabs are confronted, is that of the earnings recorded in respect of a "bilker." In the absence of any definite agreement between the men and the company, a decision has recently been given against the proprietors, and in favour of the drivers. No matter that the recorder shows the fare, the driver has been held exempt where he can prove non-receipt of the money for a " fare."