WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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Civil Restrictions Removed.
The Minister of Munitions has issued an Order, dated 6th December, revoking the Order of 1917, which prohibited any person from carrying out without a permit any work connected with the manufacture or erection of any new or unused internal-combustion engine designed or adapted for mechanical traction, or of any form of new or unused vehicle propelled by mechanical means.
The same Department announces in clear terms the revocation of the Lathes Order, 1916, which provided that no Person might sell or supply any steam, electric, hydraulic, or hand-driven lathe without a permit.
From 16th December to 10th January (inclusive) the provisions of the Motor Spirit and Gas Restriction Orders, 1918, will be suspended, and motor vehicles may he used during this period for any purpose without limitation of distance. No additional petrol will be provided. It is also announced that the Petrol Control Department are now prepared, upon receipt of applications from the owners, to increase the present allowances of spirit made in respect of motor cabs by 20 gallons per month per cab.
Benzole Transport Imperilled.
There is the greatest need to prevent the distribution of benzole from getting into the hands of the petrol group, and many minds are actively at 'work to keep this coke oven by-product a competitor with the imported spirit. But there is a persistent rumour to the effect that the railway tank wagons belonging to the coke oven companies and gas undertakings used for the transport of benzole and now under the control of the Ministry of Munitions are to be handed over to the oil companies. There is a shortage of tank wagons, but if the oil companies are allowed to obtain control of those previously used for beezule, the latter industry will be disorganized and the position of the oil companies will be proportionately strengthened.
Increased Tyre Mileage Guarantee.
The Macintosh and Cholliner solid tyres having established such a unique record for accomplishing a mileage in excess of the guaranteed 10,000 miles, it has been decided to guarantee these particular solid tyres supplied on and after the 1st January, 1919, for 12,000 miles, eubiject to the usual tyre guarantee conditions. In the case of steam wagons drawing trailers the existing guarantee conditions allowing for a limited reduced guarantee not exceeding 7000 miles will still apply.
A letter of appreciation of the war services of the British motor industry has been addressed by the Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions, to the members of the Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers.
There are rumours of combinations among concerns more or less connected with the motor industry and information concerning the amalgamation of two big concerns which is supposed to have been accomplished last week will shortly be announced. It is not unlikely that other interests are involved in this particular amalgamation.
More Motor Fuel.
The Board of Trade draws the attention of the owners of motor vehicles to the fact that, owing to the cessation of hostilities, considerable quantities of bensole are now available for use as motor fuel, and the ordinary motor spirit licences can be used for the purchase of
benzoic as well as petrol. After let January, the Petrol Control Department will be prepared to issue special supplementary licences available for the purchase of benzole only. These special licences will authorize the purchase of a quantity of benzole exceeding by 50 per cent, the quantity of petrol which would have been allowed on an ordinary-motor spirit licence.
In accordance with the announcement made by the Board of Trade on 15th November, licence holders should apply for increased allotments of motor spirit after 1st January, and state whether they desire the supplementary allowance to be granted on an ordinary motor spirit licence or on a supplementary benzoiclicence. Licence holders to whom supplementarylicences available for hen. soleonly are issued will be given an opportunity of converting their original licences, wholly or in part, into licences available for benzoleonly. New applicants may apply for either an ordinary motor spirit licence or a special licence for the purchase of benzole only. Further information can be obtained from the Petrol Control Committee, 19, Berkeley Street, London, W. 1.
At the British Scientific Products Exhibition to be held in Manchester during the last week in December, a bus fitted with coal-gas equipment will be on view.
British Agricultural Trials.
It is proNsd by the Agricultural Machinery Committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders that there shall be a trial of agricultural trac
tors next September. Manufacturers and importers have alike given evideece of sufficient support for the Society to proceed with the proposal. In view of the importance of such an event, not only fromthe point of view of the trade but also from the national standpoint and that of the great agricultural interests, it is hoped that the trials will receive support from Government quarters, and that the Royal Agricultural Society will take a part in it, such, for instance, as has been taken by the Royal Automobile Club in motor-vehicle events, whereby the results attained command public confidence. Not. .-011., do the
replies from manufacturers and importers give promise of strong support, but they also contain many suggestions which will be of the utmost value.
Bus Services in the Highlands.
In no part of the United Kingdom of corresponding population are commercial motors more in evidence than in the Scottish Highlands. This is true particularly with respect to buses and charsiehancs.
It is stated that the motorbus service established several years ago between Ballachulish and Fort William is to be much improved and developed in the course of next summer. It is owned and controlled by the well-known shipowners, Messrs. MacBrayne, Glasgow, and joins the Callender and Oban railway with the %Vest Highland line.. The distance traversed is 12 miles, and the vehicles have always been well patronized. The motor ferryboat at Ballachulish for the conveyance of motorcars across Loch Leven has been laid up for the last two years, but steps are shortly to be taken to place it again in commission. At this ferry cars are always handled with care and skill, and the power-driven boat is one of the best equipped in the country. The charges are—up to 12 cwt., 10s. ; to 15 cwt., 12s.; to a ton, 15s.; and over a ton, 20s.
A motorbus carrying mails and passengers plies on the 16-mile road between Olean and Easdale. It is found impassible to increase the service as the authorities "find that the road cannot bear any additional strain." It is intimated that the local rates cannot meet any charge for road improvement.
Removing Carbon Deposit.
The removal of carbon deposit from the combustion space of engine cylinders is an operation which must be effectively carried out if the power unit is to develop full power. Carbonatum is a solution which, it is. claimed, will secure this end. This decarbonizer was first introduced in 1906, so that its qualities have stood the test of time. Just, before stopping the engine a thin stream of the solution should be introduced into the intake pipe, so as to allow of its being sucked into the engine with the charge of petrol vapour. The Carbonatum solution attack& and libwatea the carbon which passes out with the exhaust gases. It is recommended that a special oil-can be used for this purpose and the engine treated about every 300 miles. Carbonsturn cannot be supplied direct; it is only obtainable through trade houses and garages. As the fluid should be used more -or less regularly, it is only made up in 10s. 6d, and ts. cans, but this initial cost is trivial when compared with the trouble which might otherwise be experienced in the form of heavy. petrol consumption and repair bills.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board has sold eight old motorcars for £480 and a motorbus for £120. the purchaser being Mr. H. Hyams, 26, Abbey Parade, Merton.
We are given to understand that British Ensign Motors. Ltd. Hawthorne
Road. Willesden Green, Ltd., N.W., have for immediate disposal a few of their standard chassis to carry a gross load of
tons. If you are seeking a lorry with a good standing now is your chance.
According to the director's report of the Quality Coal Co., Ltd. incorporating the quality Garages for the year ended 31st August, 1918, a dividend of 12i per cent. is to be paid. A certain number of the shares !of the company are being disposed of privately at the inquiries concerning of 6s. 3d. per share, and concerning these should be addressed to Mr. C. F. Rymer, managing director of the company.
Nervousness about Petrol
We may be wrong, but during the past week or so it has seemed to, us that manufacturers and agents, mid others concerned with post-armistice production and sales, have been casting about for bogies with which to frighten themselves and bthers. We have come across several men this week, men prominent in the industry, who have expressed themselves as being really apprehensive as to there being adequate supplies of liquid fuel for some months to come. Wily yesterday, as we write, a third man, a big agent, expressed himself similarly to us. We can only conclude that hogies'of this nature are as contagious as war rumours or as influenza. Naturally nei have made some inquiries Berkeley Street way, and there does sot appear to be the slightest need for frightfulness in this direo-ian, ap
parently. From what we can learn, there will be adequate supplies, for legitimate business purposes at any rate, in the very near future indeed, but whether the pure joy rider will be able to get all he wants• is another question, and one with which we are not very much concerned. But there is, we think, no doubt that petrol will be forthcoming, to say nothing of benzole, for all the i usual industrial purposes n sufficient quantities, very early in the New Year. There is certainly no justification for users to postpone placing orders for their urgent post-war requirements on such account. If they do so they will run the risk of letting the present opportunity of securing a vehicle fairly easily slip through their fingers.
Opportunity for Munition or Aeroplane FaCtories.
Works or factories that have been employed on munitions, war material, or aeroplane construction and are now free, if they have cash capital available, and are looking around for some other practical scheme to continue working after peace, should correspond with us, as we can put them into communication with one of the best known French automobile manufacturers, who have a scheme to assemble a chassis in series and later on manufacture in England. They are desirous of meeting with such a combination with the view of floating a British company. The sole British agency and other advantages are offered.
To Light Van Users.
With the likely return to more normal manufacturing conditions in the early future, we anticipate a large influx of users into the ranks of the light van side
of the industry. Our hopeful-anticipation is based upon the state of affairs as they stood just previous to the war, and
we see no reason why the steady expansion and development which were taking place at that time should not continue— even at a quickened pace. We, of course, refer to the small tradesman employing one machine only for his transport.
Most of these prospective light van users will he new to the field of matters relating to commercial vehicle operation, and in order to protect their own interests will do well to become members of the Light Van Section of the Commercial Motor Users Association, 83, Pall Mall, London, S.W. This is the only association which exists solely to.advance the commercial motor movement in the United Kingdom, and `a undertake that necessary public work on behalf of users of these vehicles which can only be discharged by a strong and united body, representative of all classes of users. The benefits to be derived from membership are many and varied. Further information can be secured from Mr. F. G. Briatow, the secretary, at the Association's headquarters.
Women Tractor Drivers.
A mem er of the Women's Land Army has established the best record in tractor ploughing for Kent. During the recent bad weather, driving a Fordson on the heavy land of Romney Marsh, Miss Worthington ploughed 14 acres in 45 hours, with an average consumption of 3.1 gallons of paraffin per Acre. In the last eix weeks she has ploughed 97 acres, with an average oonsumption of 3.2 gallons per acre.
Gas Vehicles in Australia.
The Australian Gaslight Co. of Sydney recently adopted coal-gas for driving a motor lorry. A 28 li.p. Milnes-Daimler lorry formerly running on petrol was equipped with an overhead container made of aeroplane cloth. The average consumption of gas works out at 34 miles per 1000 cubic ft., costing, with gas at
326 4e. lid. per 1000 cubic ft., 14d. per mile. Working on petrol the same vehicle consumed an aaierage of one gallon per seven miles, which, with petrol at 2s. 11d, per gallon, cost 5d. per mile. The distance travelled on one charge of gas is Eli miles. The cost of converting the lorry for use of gas was 235. It is the company's intention to encourage the use of coal-gas power for commercial by the establishment of charging in the city and suburbs. vehicles stations The steady progress of the Beldam Tyre Co., Ltd., is marked by the declaration by the directors of an interim dividend of 6 per cent. on the B shares for the half-year ended 30th September last. .
A scheme is on foot whereby it is designed to create what is described as an "international air station " in Leeds, and an address has been given by Mi.. .Stuart A. Hirst, chairman of the Black burn Aeroplane Co., Leeds, to the Council of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce with a view to enlisting the sympathy of that body in the movement.
Scottish Oil Industry.
Buis now acknowledged officially that the Scottish shale industry rendered the Government most valuable help during the late shortage of oil fuel. Of course, the contribution made to the general stock was relatively small, but in the circumstances it was very appreciable and welcome at a time when supplies were reduced to a very low level.
The shale output of the Lothian sinkings is about 3,500,000 tons per annum, and from this quantity there are extracted about 70,000,000 gallons of crude oil. An undertaking wras given some three years ago that this output would he maintained till the end of the war, and the promise has been faithfully and amply fulfilled. Over 75 per cent, of the crude oil is converted into finished products. Against these figures of Scottish output the imports of petroleum into the United Kingdom before the war amounted to about 366,000,000 gallons, or five times as much as the Lothians yielded of crude oil.
Free trade nearly spelled the ruin of the shale industry. About 50 years ago the retail price of refined oil was 3s. 6d. per gallon, but. at the end of 1911, it had fallen to 40.
The Industrial Reconstruction Council.
A conference on Restriction of Output will be held under the auspices of the Industrial Reconstruction Council on Tuesday, 17th December, at .6 p.m., in the hall of the Institute of Journalists, 2 and 4, Tudor Street, E.C. 4. The subject will be introduced by Mr. Wilfrid Hill, of Birmingham, a member of the Whitley Committee, after which the discussion will be open.
The directors of the Fuller Accumulator Co., Ltd., Woodland Works, Chadwell Heath, have recommended that dividends of 10 per cent, on the preference shares and 15 per cent, on the ordinary shares should be paid out of the past year's profits The six-ton steam wagon which we illustrated on page 295 of our issue for the 28th November was an Atkinson product and not as mentioned.
12th December, 1918. Karrier Catalogues.
Two tastefully-produced catalogues, or rather folders, are to hand from the makers of Karrier industrial and public service vehicles, one dealing with the 50 h.p. three-four-ton live axle type and the other dealing with the 50 h.p. chaindriven five.tonner. The early circulation of these folders following upon the historic events of the past few weeks shows that the company are keeping a watchful eye on the possibility of early post-war expansion and development. A technical description of each type of chassis is given which, although succinct, is very com plete in general detail. The illustrations which are included of complete chassis and of detailed parts, have been neatly worked . up and. evince clearness of essential parts. All information concerning the construction of each chassis that is needed by the prospective buyer is embodied.
A Reliable British Lamp.
The question of installing a reliable and efficient lighting system, upon com mercial vehicles is a point of paramount importance to the driver, and should be given adequate consideration by the user, especially as the day's work of the vast majority of vehicles at'this time of the year is continued some hours after sunset. The present period of restricted street lighting makes the need for dependability upon the lighting set very itecessary.
One type of British-made lamp upon which absolute reliance can be placed is that manufactured by Messrs. J. Blake and Co., 20-22, Rodney Street, Liverpool. The J.B. aluminium acetylene lamps for commercial vehicle use are the result of many difficulties experienced with lamps on motor yaps used for Post Office contracts and on a number of vehicles which have been maintained for leading firms. The careful running costa kept by the firm showed that over a period of six months the lamp mainteuance on their mail vans alone cost over £70. Apart from the cost there were, of course, delays and troubles on the • road inseparable from inefficient lamps. The outcome of these trials and troublesJ is the J.B. lamp.
Two points were looked upon as being
essential in the design of a commercial vehicle lamp; firstly economy in upkeep, and secondly easy repair. Seeing that there are no hinges, rivets or fittings to work loose in the J.13. lamp it can readily be understood that economy i
in upkeep s such that it is only in case of accident that any part requires to be replaced, whilst so far as the second consideration is concerned the lamp is so designed as to enable an new part to be fitted by the driver within two minutes. The lamp is constructed of aluminium, cast in one piece, and machined in one setting, the latter ensuring that the mirror. bed and faces are square. The front or door has no pins, hinges or other parts likely to become loose.
The front consists of a ring of aluminium, held in position by means of two, thumb screws with lock washers, and it is stated that a. new glass can he fitted within 30 seconds. A rubber ring fitted around the glass allows for expansion and contraction, and at the same time forms a packing. The inner edge of the aluminium face is tapered off to allow the glass to enter. The Mangin mirror has concaveNanvex lens, the outer (convex) surface af which is. flatteneds;withinf the inner
(concave) surface; The convex surface is silvered, and the radii are so proportioned that, by using a glass of certain optical quality, all rays wh:cra come from the focus and strike The lens mirror are reflected in a beam of perfectly parallel light. Behind the mirror is fitted a semi
vulcanite washer allowing for expansioa and cOntraction. • The lamp is made in three types, viz., side lamp, standard headlamp, and a special headlamp which has special brackets to fit individual types of dumb irons. The company justly claim that the lamp is a solid mechanical piece of workmanship which can be described as an engineering job and not a tinsmith's —an apt phrase which we ungrudgingly. endorse.
Rural Transport.
Essex local authorities have discussed with the Highways and Transport Committee of the Essex County Council the question of rural development and waterway development and agreed that a motor barge service should he established between Heybridge and London and Chelmsford and Heyhridge. Chelmsford representatives urged that the Chehner and sBlackwater navigation canal should be dredged and deepened to take small coasting vessels as well as barges, and by such means goods could be taken direct from London and other parts to Chelmsford.
Wolverhampton Town Council has passed building plans for the following:— Orbit Motors, Ltd.. offices, etc.,. Sedgley gtreet; Sunbeam Motor Car Co., enamelling shop, etc., Upper Villiers street ; H. T. Mould, garage, Richmond Road.
R. M. Wright and Co., Ltd., automobile engineers and agents, Newland and Water Lane, Lincoln, have taken up the sole representation for the County of Lincolnshire for the Austin productions, and are fixing up sub-agents for this territory.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR Local Proceedings.
Chester-le-Street Rural District Council has decided to obtain another motor wagon.
Hoddesdon Public Health Committee are to consider the provision of an ambulance.
Cork (Ireland) Guardians have under consideration the purchase of a motor ambulance.
Minehead and Williton (West) District Hospital Committee are to invite tenders for a motor ambulance.
East Ham Town Council has accepted the tender of Shrewsbury and Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd:, at £49, for repairing the wheels of the motor fire engine.
According to reports of the Chelmsford Corporation, the black smoke nuisance at the works of the National Steam Car Co. no longer exists. . . • Eastbourne Corporation is inquiring if Leyland Motors, Ltd.' can give preference for immediate delivery of ten new motorbuses under existing contract. , York City Council has accepted the offer of the Yorkshire Insurance Co. to take the risk of claims of accidents to passengers on the motor omnibuses on payment of an increased premium on the present policy.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board have renewed, for 12 months, agreements with the Tudor Accumulator Co., Ltd., for the maintenance of the batteries of electric vehicles on the same terms as before, viz., lid. and lid. per mile run.
A Ford Wheel Puller.•
The removal of vehicle wheels, whether it be from heavy lorry or light van, is an unpleasant task, unless some simple mechanical means be employed to effect their release. In the accompanying illustration we show a new wheel puller which has been specially designed by the A.S.C. Manufacturing to., Baltic Cham bers, 19, Bishopsgatc, London, E.G. Z, to enable Ford wheels to be readily removed. It will be seen that the body of the device is perforated, thus making for lightness of construction, which is a feature. These perforations, incidentally, serve another purpose, for they enable the relative positions of the operating bolt and of the axle end to be seen when the wheel puller is in place—a feature which should facilitate operations previous to the removal of a wheel, apart from ensuring a direct action on the axle.
Provision is made to enable the tool to be of value if the diameter of the wheel hubs should vary slightly, the body of the device being split at one side, where an adjusting bolt plumes through two lugs and enables the threads on the wheel puller to be adjusted to grip the wheel hub tightly. The present price of the A.S.C. device is 7s. 6d., but we are given to understand that this figure may have to be revised in the near future.
"The Light Car and Cyclecar " announces that, commencing with the week after Christmas, the date of publication will be changed from Monday to Friday. The Christmas issue on 'Monday, 23rd December, will remain current for 10 days. The following issue will be a special New Year's number, published on Friday, 3rd January, and each issue thereafter will be, published on .Fridays. ft will specialize in announcements of week-end events.