Answers to Queries.
Page 10
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motorsIV here a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to Pressure on our space, are held several weeks.
A Tractor Wanted.
[1,447] " B." asks :—" Can you inform me of anyone who has a 5 h.p. steam tractor for sale? "
ANSWER.—If you want to buy either a new or a secondhand steam tractor, you cannot do better than communicate with William Foster and Co., Ltd., of Wellington Foundry, Lincoln, or Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., of Orwell Works, Ipswich.
Tractor Data.
[1,448] " SuBscitisza " writes :—" Please tell me, for an ordinary compound tractor: (1), the usual daily mileage; (2), the wages ; (3) coal used; (4) repair cost; and (5) insurance (third party)."
ANSWER.—As regards a tractor with a load of from six to seven tons gross behind it, the replies to the queries are: (I), 30 miles; (2), driver 30s.-35s., and mate 24s.—one man is sufficient in some cases; (3), consumption of coal averages about 15 lb. per mile over the year, varying from 10 lb. in dry weather to double or more in very wet weather, i.e., on macadam roads; (4), about 17s. 6d. a week should cover all repairs on the mileage named, unless the running is largely over granite setts, in which case the vibration increases repairs; (5) os. a week.
Public Services in Ireland.
[1,449] " ColeNey Dow" writes :—" I was interested to note your remarks about the Warrenpoint and Rostrevor service in your issue of the 15th July. The public should be enlightened as to the true state of affairs in connection with this matter, for it is nothing but a political and religious attempt to boycott a business firm who are so unfortunate as not to represent the popular side of politics hereabouts. In my opinion, therefore, these tactics ought to be resisted to the utmost.. I was about to communicate with the secretary of the Irish Automobile Club on the matter myself, when I saw your report, and I am writing to you instead. Can any steps be taken to combat the endeavours of the Warrenpoint IT.D.C. to exclude this service if by any means they think they can do so P So far as the owners are concerned, I believe they intend resisting such endeavours by every means in their power, appealing to the Irish Courts if necessary. Is it not monstrous that a firm cannot carry on a perfectly. legitimate business without being subjected to the arbitrary dictation of a political caucus such as the Nationalist majority on the Warrenpoint I am in a position to state, furthermore, that the statement which has appeared in certain of the newspapers that the owners refused to pay a sum of money to the Warrenpoint Council for the right of running a service of public motorcars is absolutely untrue ; they have paid at the rate of R1 per car every year, although I believe the Council possess no power whatever to demand any sum in respect of the running of motorcars in its district. This alone shows what kind of a public body has to be dealt with in the Warrenpoint " Have these urban councils any right to refuse licences P
" It may also interest you to know that Mr. Jeremiah MacVea,gh, the Nationalist M.P. for County Down (South), came to Warrenpoint recently, in order to hold a meeting on the subject, and that carmen had been invited to attend. Nobody turned up, however, to listen to Mr. MacVeagh, and the meeting fell through."
ANswea.—There is, strangely enough, a difference between the English and Irish Acts. In the Town Police Clauses Act, 1847, which applies to England and Wales, the clause which regulates the licensing of public carriages makes use of the word " may " in relation to the grant by local authorities in this matter. The Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854, contains the word " shall " in this connection. The fundamental difference gives a very strong position to all people who desire to run motor services in Ireland, and we have no doubt that the owners of the service in question are fully advised on the point. Already, in Ireland, in respect of the service between Kingstown and Bray, the Town Clerks of both those local authorities have investigated the matter, and they endorse the view that there are no powers whatsoever to allow the granting of licences to be refuse& In those two instances, deputations from the owners of jaunting-cars asked that the public-service motors should be prohibited, but it was found that no action could be taken.
Traffic Over Level Crossings.
E1,450] " H.L.0." writes:—" I am a reader of Tim COMMERCIAL MOTOR since its first issue, and, indeed, I think it is a real Bible for anyone in the commercial line. I am about to purchase a steam wagon, etc., and should esteem it a great favour if you will kindly answer me the question below through your valuable paper.
" Can a railway company stop a steam wagon entering their siding for stones ordered there by a Council!' Some time ago there was talk about stenos from a certain siding on the Great Central Railway, but the surveyor received a letter from the company stating that the wagon would do harm to the crossing ; therefore, they couldn't let the wagon enter the siding. The Rural Council's road crosses the railway, and it was this crossing they wrote about."
ANSWER.—A railway company's yard is private ground, and it can unquestionably make proper regulations. It is often a question of fact, whether the exclusion of motor wagons is a proper safeguard, or an intentional adverse restriction. No railway company can stop your crossing its metals on a highway, as you have a perfect right of way in ceannaon with any other user, notwithstanding the feet that you use a motor wagon. The local surveyor should call upon the railway to make its crossing suitable for the traffic upon the highway which it cuts.
The Spirit Tax.
[1,451] " TRANSIT MANAGER " writes :—"We contracted, in January last, for the supply of 1,000 gallons of spirit, to be taken from that date to the 31st December next. The main clause in the contract states: Should sellers or buyers be unable to implement this contract or any part thereof through strikes, fires, riots, or any case of force majeure ' of whatsoever nature, same to be cancelled for the portion in question, and, in the event of any dispute, the same to be settled by commercial arbitration in London in the usual manner.'
" The company now say we are liable and must pay the Government tax of 3d. per gallon (lees lid. rebate) over and above the contract price. Do you think the company are within their rights in forcing us -to pay the tax, or, in other words, does the term force majeure. ' make us liable? Our directors are regular readers of your excellent journal."
ANSWER.—The selling party is entitled to add the amount of the duty to the contract price, provided it gives you an assurance that duty has been paid upon any quantity so charged at the additional price. Similarly, in respect of any contracts you may have made, you are entitled to add the duty. Of course, in respect of any cash or " spot " sales you can charge whatever price you like. For details of procedure for recovery of rebate in cases where a buyer consumes part and sells part, see our issue of the 15th ultimo.