THE PERUVIAN MARKET.
Page 20
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TEIROUGH the courtesy of the Pacific Steam Navigation Co., of Liverpool, we have received f), cutting from " The Western Coast Leader," which sets out the factors which are playing a great part in . the development of transportation by road in Peru. The article takes the form of a long contribution from the consulting engineer to the Ministry of Agriculture of Peru, and is addressed to the Chief of the Truck Section of the Ministry.
The chief factors which militate against the development of transport by road vehicle in the country is lack of funds to construct permanent roads. This is, in a measure, due to the economical condition of the country, but also, in part to the fact that support is still being given to the construction of long railroads which absorb the Government revenues available for public works.
Another important factor is the scarcity of men who are familiar -with the manufacture and proper care and maintenance of motor vehicles ; moreover, there is an almost entire absence of suitable shops which hold stocks of 1336 spare parts, whilst it is extremely difficult to get batteries charged. It would appear that some satisfaction is derived from the contention that conditions in many districts in the United States were, when the industry in that country was first developed, closely analagous to those at present existing in Peru, and it is further stated that it is only as roads have improved and the number of men experienced in the handling and care of vehicles has increased that facilities for servicing motor vehicles have improved.
Another point of interest raised by the consulting engineer to the Ministry is the question of final drive, and he says that chain-drive for lorries of over 3-ton capacity has proved relatively satisfactory. As an interesting sidelight on this question, of ,final drive, when a 3-ton chain-driven vehicle was ordered from an American manufacturer, who specialized in the construction of vehicles of this sort two years ago, a cable was received in reply that "the chain drive is obsolete in the United States."