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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY

"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 it runs."—John Beatti Crazier.

Austin's Good Trading.

The report of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., for the 15 months ended December 31st last shows a gross trading profit of £861,300, from which £399,525 has to be deducted in respect of maintenance of buildings, plant, etc. (1323,399), depreciation (£72,619), directors' fees (£3,507). To the balance of 1461,775 the amount brought forward has to be added, leaving a credit balance of £577,414. From this sum interest on mortgage debentures, sinking fund, income tax and preference dividends, amounting to 1517,750, have to be deducted, so that the balance carried forward is £59,664.

An International Travel Exhibition.

The popular title of "Ideal Holidays Exhibition" has been chosen for an international travel show, which is to be held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, in June of next year. The organizing manager is Miss Edith A. Browne, P.R.G.S., a pioneer of travel off the beaten track. Miss Browne was for many years associated with the organization of the International Rubber Exhibition, held in London, New York, Brussels and Paris.

It is recognized that holidays forth a necessary part of the life of to-day and that large sums of money are spent on travel. It has not yet been fully realized that propaganda for tourist attractions, the supply of holiday equipment, transport, hotels and many other kindred businesses are different branches of one great industry. The object of the exhibition is to emphasize this fact by bringinethe various branches of the tourist industry 'together. The long-distance motor coach run on regular services to time-table is, comparatively, a newcomer in the world of transport. Motor-coaching, together with the booking Offices and stations which are allied to it, already constitutes a large, important and growing industry, and the Ideal Holidays Exhibition will afford operators, booking agents and station owners an excellent opportunity for putting forward their claims in relation to the older forms of passenger travel.

The exhibition offices are at Duke's Chambers, 7, Duke Street, Manchester Square, London, W.I.

Roadway Time-table Guide.

We have kept our readers informed of the progress which is being made by Roadway Time Tables, Ltd., which has in course of compilation a comprehensive guide dealing with passenger-transport road services throughout the cowstry. The company is now installed in new offices at Regency House, Warwick Street, London, W.I.

In connection, with the compilation of this guide, the company asks us to state that the latest date that it will be in a position to receive corrections for the 'first issue of the guide will be June 20th, although, obviously, the work will be simplified if details of any amendments tnbe made are sent before.

Roadway Time Tables, Ltd., has established a travel bureau at its headquarters and, in this connection, it is acting as a booking agent for 110 services, 47 of them .being direct and the others through various sub-agencies.

Manchester Requires More Buses.

Manchester Corporation Tramways Department is Asking for tenders for the supply of 175 32-seater single-deck motorbuses, and specifications and forms of tender can be obtained from the gementTi manager of the tramways department, 55, Piccadilly, Manchester. Tenders have to be received not later than 10 a.m. on June 25th.

Two Licensing Refusals Upheld.

At a recent meeting of the watch ttommittee of the Leeds Corporation the town clerk reported that the Minister of Transport had declined to make an order on the appeal of the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., against the refusal of the committee to grant licences for motorbuses to ply for hire in connection with a service between Leeds and Bradford, via Stanningley. it is also reported that the Ministry of Transport has dismissed the appeal of Mr. Bolam against the refusal of the Hull Watch Committee' to grant him a licence for a bus service between Hull and Newcastle.

A Morris-Commercial Display.

Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., is conenuing its display of Morris-Commercial vehicles at 134, Queen's Road, Peckham. London, S.E., for a further period, as • the exhibition has created considerable interest.

Further attention is likely to be aroused by the Morris-Commercial twiner, having a. redesigned body with an enclosed cab and other new features, which has been placedon the market at the. reduced price of 1198 complete.

The Ministry and a Road-transport Guide.

A letter is said to have been received by the Leeds Corporation from the Ministry of Transport (Reads Department) with reference to a request made by a firm to certain local authorities . for information to assist in the compilation of a road goods-transport guide, and intimating that local authorities should decline to furnish the required information. Personal Pars._

Mr. William Thom, M.I.E.E., Assoc. Inst.C.E., who is a director of the Potteries Electric Traction Co., Ltd., which operates a network of bus services throughout the Potteries, has had considerable engineering experi rime. He served six years with Hall, Russell and Co., an engineering and shipbuilding concern of Aberdeen, and subsequently was with the Electric Construction Co., at Wolverhampton, for which concern he went to Durban, South Africa, in connection with the erection aed running of the electric-lighting plant of the Corporation of Durban. Later he was with the Madras Electric Tramways as engineer and general manager. • From 1907 he acted as engineer and general manager to the Potteries Electric Traction Co., Ltd., of which concern he is now a director, as well ry of the North Staffordshire Tramways Co. tie is a past president of the l3tate-onTrent Association of Engineers, and was a member of the advisory committee to the Minister of Transport under the Tramways (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act of 1920. During the war he served as chairman of the advisory committee for. recruiting in the district of Stoke-on-Trent, and was the district engineer to the Coal Controller.

Mr. A. S. Osborne, who recently joined Bean • Cars, Ltd., as London manager, has been appointed general sales manager to the company. He will conduct his activities from the Tipton headquarters of the concern, from which he will administer both commercial-vehicle and private-car sales.

The managing director of the new company which has been formed iii Great Britain to handle Reo sales—Reo Motors (Britain), Ltd.—is Mr. W. G. Cairns, who is a Canadian by birth and ha .s been associated for many years with the Reo Motor Car Co., -both in the United States and in Canada. As many of our readers may be aware, this company is one of the oldest-established American makers of commercial vehicles and motorcars, and it has an intimate association with that pioneer of motoring Mr. R. E. Olds, whose initials form the name of the company. Mr. Olds made his first successful motorcar in 1892, and the Reo concern was formed 12 years later.

Mr. It. W. Royle, M.Inst.T., the traffic • manager of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Ltd., of Manchester, has been elected chairman of the NorthWestern Divisional Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Association for the year. Many of our readers will call to mind that we bad an opportunity for describing the transport arrangements of this important concern in our issue dated December 25th last. •

Dock Licences for Lorries.

In our issue dated June 4th, we intimated that the London and NorthEastern Railway Co. had made arrangements to issue licences at a nominal charge of is. each to all vehieles making use of the docks area at Grimsby. We now learn that, in consequence of representations made to the company by trawler owners and fish-merchants' organizations at the port, the system of licensing will not take effect until June 17th. Originally it was intended that the scheme should be put into operation as from June 1st. It is stated that the legality of the proposal has been questioned.

A.E.C. in South-Eastern Area.

We recently announced that Mr. C. A. Price had been appointed direct representative for the Associatee Equipment Co., Ltd., in south-east. England and we now learn that the company has opened a new office at 6, High Street, Below Bar, Southampton, to which all communications intended for the attention of Mr. Price should be addressed. Manchester Passenger Services.

During the year ended March 31st last the motorbuses and tramcars of the Manchester Corporation carried 343,027,475 passengers, this figure showing an increase of 82788 over the previous year. As an indication of the modern tendency, it is interesting to note that the number of passengers carried by the tramcars decreased by 5,197,945, whereas the motorbuses actually carried 5,280,733 more passengers, tho latter figure representing an increase of 35 per cent. The gross profit on the year's operations amounted to £327,218. At the time our analysis of municipal bus services was published, in ow 'issue dated February 19th last, the Manchester Corporation owned 118 buses.

The "Safety First" Journal.

The June number of the quarterly journal published by the National " Safety First ". Association 119, Victoria Street, London, S.W:L has recently been issued and, as is usual with this 'publication, it contains much interesting information having a bearing on the important subject of street accidents.

One of the most interesting articles in the issue deals with the training and testing of L.G.O.C. bus drivers, and in this the point is stressed that in 1928 the company's buses covered a total mileage of 173.000,000 without a fatal accident for which the drivers could be held responsible. The returns of the Home Office street-accident statistics are reviewed, whilst in connection with an article entitled "Accident Causation." it is well to recall that the Association has for some time past been urging the Goveriiinent to make a proper investigation into the cause of fatal accidents.

Amongst other interesting information we would mention that the evidence given by the Association before the Royal Commission of Transport is reported.

Easy Access for the Van Washer.

In a picture published on this page is shown a swivel-arm arrangement which has been devised by the maintenance officer in charge of the newsvan fleet of the Daily News and Star, with the object of facilitating the washing of rnotorvans.

• It is an extremely simple and effective device. An L-sectioned steel hoop is supported at six points from the roof girders, and the iron water pipe is led to the centre of the ring and thence to the periphery. At the centre it has a universal join t, whilst at the other cud it is carried in a ball race which rests upon the circular rail; the arm is free to swing around to any desired position. The system was devised for use with an ordinary gravityfed water supply, but now that a new •Laycock washer has been installed having a pressure of 375 lb. ,per sq. •in• the swivel arm has been connected up to the more modern water feed and is working better than ever.

employed in connection system facilitates the News" and " Star " vans. Freeing a Toll Bridge.

The Gifford motor coach depicted in an accompanying illustration is shown crossing King's Ferry Bridge, which is the only "dry" access to the Isle of Sheppey. As from July 1st vehicles crossing this ferry will, we understand,

cease to pay toll, which at present is at the rate of 2s. for a motor coach, 18. 6d. for a motorcar and 3d. for a motorcycle. The freeing of the bridge front toll is the outcome of 12 years' negotiations between the Kent County Council and the Southern Railway Co., to which the bridge belongs. The bridge is extensively used by motor traffic of all classes.

Licences Disallowed in Sheffield. The watch committee of the Sheffield Corporation has refused the following

applications :—Underwood Express Services, Ltd. (Sheffield to Nottingham, via Chesterfield), East Midland Motor Services, Ltd. (Sheffield to Retford and Sheffield to Kiveton Park and Dinning ton). •

Strict Terms of a ManchesterBradford Licence.

The watch committee of the Oldham Corporation has granted licences to the North-Western Road Car Co., Ltd., Stockport, which is proposing to inaugurate a through bus service between Manchester and Bradford4subjeet to the company undertaking that the fares to be charged shall be 100 per cent, in excess of those charged on tramway or bus services already operated or •to be operated by the corporation.

Buses Wanted in New Zealand.

His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Wellington, New Zealand, reports that the Railway Department is calling for tenders, which have to be presented in New Zealand by June 12th, for the supply of 10 four-wheeled and two six

wheeled bus chassis. Although the time is short, it is possible that British manufacturers which are represented in that part of the world will be able to cable particulars of their products, in which event they may be interested to learn that further particulars of the Department's requirements can be obtained from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, Lou' don, 8.W.1, reference AX 8046 being quoted.

A Fleet on Tobacco Delivery.

The picture which we publish on this page illustrates part of the large fleet o Thornycroft lorries which is operated by Messrs. W. D. and H. 0. Wills from the Bristol factories of the company. The entire fleet comprises over 40 J, ET, and Al vehicles of Thornycroft make, 12 of the last-named, which have recently been supplied, having van bodie.I. An interesting point is that all the company's early J-type vehicles are being converted in their own repair shops to run on pneumatic tyres.

Messrs. W. D. and H. 0. Wills have a group of factories at Bristol, and thia fleet is principally employed in bringing raw material from bond to their various works and in conveying the finished products to the Bristol station for 'distribution by rail. Some 70-80 tons of "smokes." leave the factory every day, and, as' the loads are mostly 'of a bulky nature, it can be readily appreciated that the fleet • is kept busily engaged. The

concern are also using other Thorny. croft machines at certain of their other provincial factories.

The vehicles are only occasionally called upon to make long runs, but one notable exception which is worth recalling was at the time of the General Strike a few years ago, when it was urgently required to get a load through to Glasgow. Three type-J vehicles were taken off their normal service and loaded up without any special preparation, the drivers being instructed to run in convoy. A motorcycle and sidecar proceeded ahead and a private car followed with mechanics and spares ready to meet any emergency, but all three vehicles ran through the day and night without faltering.

A New Long-distance Coaching Concern.

Phillipson's Stella Coaches, Ltd., is the title of an undertaking just registered to carry on long-distance coach operation from Newcastle and district. The concern is one of seven working regular daily services between Newcastle and London. The directors are Mr. J. It. Phillipson, of Blaydon, and Mr. J. E. Smiles, of Low Fell, Gateshead, and the nominal capital is i1,000 in shares.

Coach Halts in Torquay.

The traffic committee of Torquay Corporation has decided to inform the operators of all long-distance coach services that in cases where Torquay is the terminus of a service, passengers must be picked up and set down at the -Upton car park, and that in cases where vehicles proceed to towns to the south and west of Torquay, passengers must be picked up and set down either at the' park or in the Lytnington Road immediately outside, but at no other point in the borough.

Belfast's Traffic Transferred to Buses.

In the year ended March 31st the 58 buses run by Belfast Corporation brought in traffic receipts averaging 7.36d. per bus-mile, working expenses amounting to 8.87d. In all, 729,556 bus-miles were run as compared with 284,673 bus-miles in the previous year. The revenue from the corporation's tramways was lower this year by £68,177, although 581,644 more carmiles were run. The number of passengers carried showed a decrease of almost 9.i millions, this being attributable to the development of the bus system.

Striking Vehicles at Bournemouth..

On page 571 of our issue dated June 4th we referred to a fleet of 15 Daimler conches owned by Shamrock and Rambler Motor Coaches, Ltd... The bodywork of part of this fleet was built by J. Martin (Boarnemouth), Ltd.,-Cotlands Road, Bournemouth, in conjunction with Hall, Lewis and Co., Ltd. We understand that the design of the interior and exterior was that of the former concern. Martin de luxe bodies are mounted on the chassis which operate on the services of Charlie's Cars; this fleet. was mentioned on the same page.

Refuse Collectors for Glasgow.

It is learned that the cleansing committee of the Glasgow Corporation is highly satisfied with the 36 Garrett electric vehicles which are employed in the removal of refuse, especially as regards the saving in costs which has resulted from their use. The committee now recommends the purchase of six more vehicles of the same type, Richard Garrett 'and Sons, Ltd., having quoted a price of £1,098 each for the complete machines and £135 for each spare body.

A Staff Test of Sternol.

Some months ago we expressed our willingness to make a brief test of Sternol oil in one of our cars, having no commercial vehicle in constant use. The vehicle being of some age, we utilized the W.W. Heavy Grade.

The test began in cold weather, and the first advantageous point which we noted. was that there was no sluggishness in starting from cold, the engine appearing to be almost as free as when , warm. Previously, we had had some difficulty in this connection. Several re• . marks were made to us as to how well the engine was running, and it has certainly never pulled better.

The oil appears to maintain its lubricating properties for a very long time and, so far, we have not even had to remove a sparking plug. Finally, it is undoubtedly economical, and our main difficulty during the test has been to use a sufficient quantity to enable a comparison to be made with other oils. '

Important Haulage Contractor's New • . Address.

H. Viney and Co:, Ltd., the wellknown concern of motor haulage contractors and forwarding agents, with its head office at Preston, informs us that, owing to alterations in connection with the entrance to the Mersey Tunnel, it has been compelled to transfer its Liverpool office from 44, Chapel Street, to 10, Rumford Place. The company also has a depot at 35, Lees Street, Ancoats, Manchester.

The New Bean 21-tonner.

We are informed that the new *ton lorry produced by Bean Cars, Ltd., of Tipton, is giving highly satisfactory results on tests which are being conducted in this country and abroad. It is anticipated that details of this vehicle, which is of sturdy build and of moderate price, will shortly be available.

A Newcastle Haulage Registration.

An addition to Newcastle's list of road-haulage companies is that of Cussins (Contractors), Ltd., of St. Mary's Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the registration of which is just announced: The nominal capital is 11,000 in £1 shares, and the directors are Messrs. I. R. Cussins and M. Cussins, of Hull, and Mr. P. Cussins, of Jesmond, Newcastle.

Headway with Automatic Traffic Control.

The Chief Constable of Swansea recently informed the watch committee there that, as a consequence of a conference between the Home Office, the Ministry of Transport and provincial chief constables it is probable that the Home Office will shortly announce its willingness to bear half the cost of the provision and maintenance of approved types of automatic traffic-control devices installed by municipalities.

The Swansea Council has decided to extend the automatic traffic-control system by the erection of apparatus at a third site in the city.

New Licences Granted at Cheltenham.

The watch committtee of the Cheltenham Corporation has granted licences to the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., and the Birmingham and Midland Omnibus Co., Ltd., in respect of services between Cheltenham and Great Malvern and Cheltenham and "Worcester respectively.

Fordson Spares Wanted.

A reader is particularly anxious to get in touch with parties who , can supply spares for Fordson tractors of the earlier type. Any concerns which can meet the requirements should advise us and their letters will be forwarded to the reader in question.

Ross Sanctions a Halt.

The Liverpool Motor Coach Co. has been given permission by the council at Ross to have a stopping place in the town. Ross will, therefore, be a calling station for the buses running from Liverpool to Bristol, Cornwall and Devon.

More G.W.R. Orders.

Amongst the orders recently given Out by the Great Western Railway Co. is one for six 14-seater bus chassis and two 15-cwt. goods vehicles to Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., another ler 11 coach bodies to Tickers (CraYford), Ltd., and a third for six 14-seater. bus bodies to John Buckingham and Co., Ltd.

A "Midland Red" Purchase.

It was..announeed a few months ago that the old-established business . of W. B. Woodyatt,of Malvern, had been sold. A further announcement is now ; made to the effect that the touring seCtion has been disposed of to the Birmingham and Midland Omnibus Ltd., the garage business being retained.

The Success of a British-made Steering Gear.

A steering gear which has been used very satisfactorily on large passenger vehicles for two years or more is the Bishop, supplied by Cam Gears, Ltd., 73, Southampton Row, London, W.C.1. So extensive have been the orders, both from private-car makers and the commercial-vehicle industry, that large increases have been rendered necessary in the factory, and these are now nearing completion.