WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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'The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever i7OildiS arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crosier.
War Department Demonstrates . Six-wheelers.
To-day (Tuesday) the War •Department is giving an important demonstration of rigid-frame six-wheeled vehicles to a large gathering of the Press, representatives of our Dominions Overseas and others interested in the development of means for military transport and the co-ordination thereof with those which will meet civilian requirements. We have no doubt that such a demonstration as this will do much to open the eyes of the participants to the eitiaordinary advantages conferred by the employment of more than four Wheels, and it should do much to' assist in popularizing this form of vehicle.
Six-cylinder Cars all the Rage.
Just as a few years ago there was an bverwhelming demand for four-wheel brakes on private cars, and practically every make of car is now equipped with them, so this year the six-cylinder car comes into•fashion. A truly astonishing number of new six-cylinder, cars will be shown at the Motor Show at Olympia, which open& on October 22nd, -whilst sixcylinder models are one of the outstanding features of the Paris Salon d'Automobiles, which opened on October 7th. This development is fully 'dealt with in the first Show Number of The Motor
published to-day. •
Monsieur Faroux, the well-known authority on automobile matters in France, 'writing 'in this issue of The Motor, points out that there are only three French manufacturers who are not staging a six-cylinder car this year. There is a well-illustrated review of innovations in French automobile design, as displayed at the Paris Salon, in today's first Show Number of The Motor, the pages of reading matter of which havebeen increased to 72. The price is 6d.
Across Unknown Australia.
Mr. Michael Terry has now led two expeditions across uninhabited parts of Australia, using motor vehicles as the means of transport. On his last expedition from Port Darwin to Broome vehicles using wheels for the good roads and hard tracks and RoadlessTraction units for cross-country work through the bush were employed, and it was no limitation on the part of the vehicles that prevented deep penetration of the Great Sandy Desert, as had been intended, but reports on the dryness of the known water-holes. In his first expedition, however, which occupied eight months from February 7th, 1923, a Ford ear was taken, stiffened up in its frame, equipped with a skeleton body and adorned with a two-wheeled trailer, and with a companion he set out to cross a stretch of country that in many respects was unknown, from Winton in Queensland, the railhead of the Townsville railway, to Broome on the north-west coast, traversing the entire northern part of the continent. The distance covered was 2,245 miles. Mr. Terry's book, "Across Unknown Australia," deals with the journey in a very interesting and
our readers to a small advertisement which appears in this issue. It refers to a Diesel oil engine weighing 9i lb. per b.h.p., which is claimed to be simple and fool-proof. The advertiser desires to get into touch with a firm which will develop and manufacture this power unit, A Hull Company's Appeal.
The watch and licensing committee of the Hull Corporation has recently received notification of the fact that an inquiry is to be held into the appeal of H. C. Motors, Ltd., against the refusal of the Corporation to license 17 buses to ply for hire in the city, mid against the refusal of the Sculcoates Rural District Council to grant licences for 15 omnibuses to ply for hire in its area.
• Circulation of "The Motor."
The circulation of The Motor, responding to the attraction of the annual Exhibition at Olympia, is some 88,000 copies this week, and will be in excess of 100,000 for the two following weeks.
The Gilford Chassis Capacity,
In certain of the issues of The Commercial Motor dated October 5th, the capacity of the Gilford chassis in the advertisement of Messrs. E. B. Horne and Co., Gifford Works, 465, 465a and 471a, Holloway Road, London, N.7, was incorrectly given as 30 cwt, instead of 50 cwt.
Welsh Council's Fire:Arrangements, The Gellygaer Urban District Council has decided to call for plans for a new fire-station at Trelewis. It was stated at a meeting of the council that six months would elapse before the site and plans would be ready and that a sum for a new motor fire-engine would be provided for in the estimates to be presented in March next. Proposed Reconstruction of Karrier Motors, Ltd.
There is a debit balance on profit and loss account of Karrier Motors, Ltd., of £371,471, and the directors now propose, according to a scheme issued with the annual report, to reorganize the company and to write down the issued capital (now £648,980) to the extent of 10s. per share on the preference shares and 15s. per share on the ordinary shares, thus reducing the capital to £125,000 in preference shares and £100,000 in ordinary shares. The arrears of dividends on preference shares dating from December, 1920 (the company having been formed in that year), are to be cancelled and the participating rights of the shares are also to be abolished, but,, as compensation, the holders are to have their fixed cumulative dividend increased from per cent. to 10 per cent.
The accounts for 1925 show a gross trading profit of £47,766 (nearly £2,000 more than the previous year), and after providing for depreciation and interest charges the net profit stands at £5,771, as against £2,170 for 1924.
The proposals were submitted to the shareholders at the annual meeting on Thursday last.
-'An A.E.C. Advertisement.
The front cover of this journal for September 28th contained a particularly effective advertisement of the Associated Daintier Co., Ltd. It illustrated one of the 70 vehicles for Glasgow's new bus service. The names and the address at the foot of the page, however, were set out in a somewhat misleading fashion. Our printers aver that it was set BO. as received. The composition of the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., should have appeared as it does on the cover of the present issue, and not with the name of "Associated Equipment Co., Ltd.," separated from that of its partner (The Daimler Co., Ltd.). We trust this 3vil1 now be clear to our readers.
More Thornycroft Six-wheelers for Overseas.
In view of the increasing interest in the rigid six-wheeled vehicle and the excellent results which have followed the use of several Thornycroft machines of this type supplied to the South African Railways, it is worthy of note that amongst a batch of orders received by John I. Thornycroft and Co.. Ltd., during a recent week were included repeat orders for six six-wheelers from the company's Johannesburg agents, five from their Durban agents and two from their Cape Town agents. In another part of this issue will be found a lengthy' illustrated description of the latest six-wheeled product of this com pany. ..
Buying Tilling-Stevens Passenger Vehicles.
We understand that Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., of Maidstone, have recently booked a repeat -order for 26seater passenger-carrying vehicles from the Harrogate Road Car Co., Ltd. We recently made a comment on the fact that little had been heard of late of the two-seater taxicabs which were promised for service in London. It is enlightening, therefore, to learn that Sir William Joynson-Hicks stated in the House of Commons a few days ago that the reason for the delay in putting these vehicles on the streets was that it was not possible to obtain material for their manufacture during the present dislocation of industry.
Express Buses for Manchester. The tramways committee of the Man
chester Corporation has recently again indicated that it is desirous of instistuting a service of express buses on all the main tram routes out of the city. The committee recently asked the watch committee to sanction such services, and a conference between the members of the lattey committee, the Chief Constable and representatives of the trainways department took place a few days ago. The proceedings on this occasion were of an informal character, hut the scheme will be further discussed at a meeting fixed for to morrow (Wednes day).
The idea of the tramways committee is not new, for some considerable time ago it sought permission to augment the tramway services in this way, but the watch committee would not accede to its request. In connection with the scheme it is proposed to use buses which have now been withdrawn from various routes worked during the summer months. At the outset 30-seater single-deck vehicles on pneumatic tyres will be used.
Bradford's Bus Plans.
The proposal of the Bradford Cor poration to establish a municipal bus service from Bradford to Guiseley, Yeadon, Rawdon and other districts is not viewed favourably by bus proprietors in Upper Airedale and Wharfedale. The Corporation has approached the urban councils of the three dislriets mentioned, and the authorities are taking joint action. A conference is being convened, when the procedure to be adopted either for or against the Bradford proposals will be agreed upon.
The members of the Airedale and 'Wharfedale Bus Proprietors' Association have forwarded a resolution to the Guiseley Council, in whiCh they strongly protest against permission being given to the Corporation, their plea being that there are members with buses ready to put on the road to meet the demands of the public.
An International Show in Egypt.
The Egyptian Charge d'Affaires in London informs us that the First International Motor Show in Egypt, organized under the patronage of the Royal Automobile Club. of Egypt, and authorized by the Permanent International Bureau of Motor Car Manufacturers, will be held in Cairo from February 16th to March 3rd, 1927. All particulars may be obtained from the Royal Egyptian Legation, 7, Charles Street, Berkeley Square, London, or from the General Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Mr. B. H. Gladstone, 83, Pall Mall, London,
"Northern General" Dividends.
The directors of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., have just declared for payment the following interim dividends, less tax, on the shares of the company for the year ending December 31st, 1926: Old fl ordinary shares, at rate of 212 per cent. actual (6d, per share) ; new £1 ordinary shares, at rate of 24, per cent, as from June 1st (30. per share) ; £1 six per cent, preference shares, 3 per cent. actual (74d. per share).
French Buses for Poland.
It is reported that the RocketSchneider Co., of Lyons, France, have lately received an order for 80 24-seated motorbuses for the Polish Government.
Personal Pars.
Mr. R. F. Donallack has just been taken into partnership with the firm of Messrs. Bonallack and Sons, the wellknown motor engineers and bodybuilders, of London. He will be the first of the fourth generation to carry on a business which dates back to the year 1825.
Mr. Arthur H. Blanchard, professor -.of highway engineering and highway transport at the University of Michigan, has sailed for Europe, where, we are told, he will devote several months to an investigation of the problems of highway engineering, transport and traffic control.
The position of „garage manager for the "Evening Standard" Co., Ltd., has recently been filled by Mr. T. D. Botterill, M.I.E.C. Mr. Botterill was, until lately, chief engineer to the London Co-operative Society, Ltd., the largest in the country. Formerly he was with Hovis, Ltd., and Merryweathers, of Greenwich, his actual apprenticeship having been served with the Wolseley Tool and Motor • Co. In his present capacity he has to manage a fleet of 84 vehicles.
Solex Carburetters in Demand.
In view of the increased demand for Solex carburetters, the manufacturers of this well-known component have found it necessary to erect new works at 223-231, Marylebone Road, London, N.W.1, and these were taken over towards the end of last month. Solex (Liceneees), Ltd., inform us that a number of labour-saving devices is in-. stalled in the new works ; a fitting department which enables Solex users to recieve prompt attention is available.
Eastbourne's Profitable Buses.
The report of the Eastbourne Corporation auditors shows that the gross revenue on the motorbus services during the past year was over £6,000 more than in the previous year, the net profit being £5,774, which is more than 1700 in excess of the figure for the previous year. The accumulated balance of profit, after transferring £4,300 to the relief of the rates, amounts to 131,636, in addition to which there is a reserve of £13,565.
Traffic Regulation by Coloured Lights.
A new system of regulating traffic came into operation in Berlin on October 1st. Instead of the traffic being regulated by policemen 'on point duty as heretofore, each crossing in the main streets now has an electric lamp, suspended from a wire, showing three colours, yellow, green and red, which are switeld on alternately from a central traffic tower on the Potsdamer Platz, a square occupying a central situation in the city. Green signals the traffic to proceed, yellow to look out for a change and red to halt. The result of the opening day's experiment was that long lines of traffic were held up and delayed many minutes for no apparent reason.
Battery Service Agents.
In the past it has been the practice of CA. Vandervell and Co.; Ltd., and Rotax (Motor Accessories), Ltd., to appoint their own battery service agents, 'but now; as a result of the association of the Lucas, C.A.V. and Rotax companies, and the fact that service will be dealt with collectively for the three companies by each of them, the names of several new appointments which have been -made will be of interest. The following have recently been appointed agents, and each of them will carry a comprehensive stock of batteries and parts of all three makes :—Rice Bros., Springfield Road, Horsham ; IL Feather-stone, 22, London Road, Tunbridge Wells; N. Wales Auto Electric Co.
C22 (1925), 9, Madoc Street, Llandudno: Fraser, Mares, Ltd., 69-70, Millicent • Street, Cardiff ; Brayshay and Paterson, Foundry Lane, Seagate, Dundee ; Pafford Bros., Ltd., 102-110, White chapel, Liverpool.
A Lorry and Bus Demonstration.
We learn that at the request of the Austrian Motor Manufacturers' Society, the propaganda tour of motor lorries, vane and buses, which the Salzburg Automobile Club proposed to hold this month, a reference to which was made in our issue dated September 28th, has been postponed until next year.
Prescribed Routes and Frontagers Rights.
The growth of motorbus traffic in Nottingham 'and the district of which it is. the centre, has led to the municipal authorities prescribing routes, concerning which several proprietors of vehicles have availed themselves of their statutory privilege of making representations to the Ministry of Transport. Both as to routes and the allocation of stands, the matter has become one of difficulty, frontagers complaining that they are being subjected to great inconvenience in regard to obstruction. It is pointed out, however, that under the order which has been now approved by the Ministry of Transport they will have a right of appeal to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.
Increasing Canadian Output According to a report just to hand from Ottawa, the number of motor vehicles produced in Canada during the month of August totalled 15,261, a figure which shovvs an increase of 73 per cent, over that for the corresponding period of the previous 3-ear. The number of vehicles constructed in the first eight months of the year was 155,347, of which 20,090 were lorries, 14,085 chassis and 113 omnibuses. rritish Van Deliveries.
We reproduce on this page a group of photographs depicting van deliveries which have recently been made from the works of three prominent British makers. The vehicle in the first illustration is a 24 h.p. 30-cwt. box van which the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Scotstouu, Glasgow, have delivered to a well-known company who manufacture potted delicacies.
The next picture in numerical order shows a 30-cwc. van of attractive design, which the -Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., Crossens, Southport, have supplied to the order of the Barker Transport Co., of Liverpool. It will be seen that good use has been made of the off-side body panel for advertising a well-known brand of pastille, whilst we are told that the other side of the van carries an equally effective advertisement.
The work which the heavy-duty van shown in the third picture is called upon to perform is that concerned with the rapid transport of meat to Smithfield Market from Swindon and district. The vehicle is a standard four-tonner produced by Dennis Bros., Ltd„ Guildford, and was supplied through the. agency of Messrs. L. 0. Hammond and Sons, of Cricklade. The body is of the tilt-van type, and the framework is of particularly robust proportions. Just below the roof are seven stout crossmembers which stretch across the full width of the interior, and from these members the carcases are suspended. The vehicle obviously has to do most of its work during the dark hours, and for this reason an electric-light is affixed to the centre of the roof so as to expedite loading and unloading. It is interesting to .note that, in the event of a breakdown in the electric-lighting system of this vehicle, the side lamps may be used to burn paraffin.
Taxicabs and Lotteries. •
Lotteries have long been popular among the Latin nations, a popularity which has extended to the Latin republics in South America. Taking advantage of this fact, a taxicab company in Montevideo, Uruguay, have lately introduced a novel form of lottery, with the object of inducing the public to patronize their vehicles in preference to those of other companies. The rear near-side wheel of each of the company's cabs has painted on its face at equidistances a series of numbers ranging from 1 to 20, an indicating finger being mounted on the end of the axle in such a way that it always remains vertical. The idea is that a fare on entering the cab chooses a number and informs the driver of his choice. If at the end of the jonrney the finger is pointing to the number selected, that is to say, if the wheel has come to rest with the chosen number opposite the finger, the fare wins and has nothing to pay
A Leeds Appeal.
Leeds Watch Committee has received notification from the Ministry of Trans-port of an appeal by Messrs. 0. and C. Holdsworth (Hebble Bus Services) against the decision of the committee, which has refused to grant licences for motor omnibuses to run in the city of connection with a proposed service' between Halifax and Leeds, and that it was intended to hold an inquiry at an early date.
Roads Protest in Scarborough.
• Mr. Tranmer, Glenluse, Raincliffe Avenue, Scarborough, will be pleased to hear from local commercial motor users and others who are prepared to support a protest meeting to be held during this month concerning the condition of local roads. Leaflets are being distributed, and it is hoped to arouse a spirit of 'action on the part of the responsible authorities. Coach owners, amongst others, will, no doubt, bear the matter in mind.
A Tram Obstruction Case.
The width of a motor lorry, which was delivering meat and thereby caused a Blackburn Corporation tramcar to be obstructed, resulted in the driver being summoned at Accrington a few days ago. Thc evidence for the prosecution was that a tramcar was held up for six minutes whilst the defendant was delivering meat from his van at a shop. The van, It was stated, was exceptionally large, and when drawn up to the kerb, at this particular point obstrucbed the trams. A eam inspector said that the distance from the nearest tramline to the kerbstone was 7 ft. 9 ins., and it was said that even if the defendant took his van
on the other side of the road a tramcar could not pass.
Mr. H. Rackhouse, for the defendant, submitted that a motor driver was entitled to stop at a shop for a reasonable time for the purpose of delivering goods. It was just as important that people should have food as that trams should
• run to time. No regulations were being infringed as regards the size and width of the van. A solution of the difficulty would be that the tram tracks should be interlaced at that point. A fine of 20s. was imposed. It was stated that there might be an appeal.
" National " Capital Increase..
In our issue dated September 28th, we referred to the fact that sanction wag being sought to increase the capital of the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd. At an extraordinary general meeting of the company which
has recently been held the scheme for increasing the capital from £300,000 to £500,000 was unanimously approved.
Sir J. J. Jarvis, Bt., chairman of the company, who presided, said that there is no immediate intention of making any further issue, although, if the business is to expand, it is clear that further capital will be necessary. He 'added that he thought be was correct in saying that no bus company of any magnitude are operating with such a low capitalization per vehicle as are the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd.
American Exports.
There appears to be no slackening in the exportation of industrial motor vehicles from the United States, the official returns just to hand for July last showing a further increase. The number of vehicles exported during the first seven months of the present year is given as 40,462 of a gross value of £5,643,330, as compared with 27,588 (£3,668,900) in the corresponding period of 1925. Local Proceedings.
Eastbourne Corporation is to consider the purchase of another motor lawn mower for the parks.
Northampton Corporation has decided that it is inopportune to inaugurate a motorbus service to Far Colton.
Birkenhead Corporation has authorized the purchase of a 1-ton motor lorry for the ferries department at a cost of about £225.
Bolton Corporation has accepted the tender of Mr. R. Pilkington for the supply of a 12-cwt. motorvan for the gas department.
The works committee of the Kensington Borough Council recommends the purchase of a motor road-sweeping machine at a cost of about £650.
The Ministry of Transport has rejected the appeal of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., against the refusal of the Cheltenham Watch Committee to grant licences for new bus services.
The tramways committee of the Leeds Corporation has accepted the tender of Karrier Motors, Ltd., at £9,182 for the supply of 12 bus chassis, and of that of Chas. H. Roe, Ltd., at )14,860 for 32seater single-deck boasts for them. The cleansing department of the Peterborough City Council has just taken delivery of a Lacre three-wheeled sweeper.
. Bermondsey Borough Council has authorized the purchase of a 1-ton motor lorry for the electricity department at a cost of about £150.
Manchester Corporation has accepted the tender of Mr. Frank Ellis, of Didsbury, for the supply of a tipping lorry for the health department.
The tramways committee of the Manchester Corporation has accepted the tenders of the Associated-Daimler Co., Ltd., for the supply of three single-deck motorbuses, of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., for Six double-deck top-covered motorbuses, and of Leyland Motors, Ltd., for three doubledeck top-covered motorbuses. Popular Transport Units.
Two of the most popular light cars, the Austin Seven and the Trojan, are also useful for meeting the needs of a number of business users, and a picture of each of these makes of vehicle equipped for commercial service is published on this page.
The Austin Seven is shown fitted up with a fixed coupe body, at the rear of which is a useful box carrier. The vehicle is one of several adopted for special service by the Barlock Typewriter Co., Ltd.
The Trojan chassis is depicted .with an attractive van body, and is one of a number of similar unite delivered by the Normand Garage, Ltd., to J. Lyons and Co., Ltd., the well-known caterers. The body is smartly finished and lettered.
Honiton's Latest Purchase,
• Honiton Town Council has decided to purchase a new 2,500-gallon motor fireengine at a cost of £1,135. In view of the council's decisien the captain and members of the fire brigade have withdrawn their resignations, which were tendered as a protest against the inadequate appliances they had to handle.