News and Comment
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This icute al is aemitted to possess the influence, the men, the standing and the leading circulation. It is exclusively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses throughout the Empire.
Widespread publicity is being given throughout the country to the arrangements for the Coronation Motor Parade, which the C.M.U.A. is organizing for Whit Monday next. It is anticipated, also, that corresponding publicity will immediately follow throughout the Colonies and Dominions overseas.
The latest delivery of a 20 h.p. Lotis ambulance is that to the Smethwick and District. Joint Hospital. There is inside accommodation for two stretchers, with a centre seat for the attendant. This chassis has a special arrangement of spring suspension, and a silent wenn drive. The necessary metal rings are fitted at the corners of the body, to allow easy lifting, so that other bodies may be fitted if desired. The motor ambulance in use at Nottingham is a 16-24 h.p. Humber chassis.
Mr. A. Mallock, F.R.S., presents a paper entitled "Wheel and Road" at the April meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, held on Wednesday the 12th inst., at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, S.W. The author deals briefly with the history of wheels, and later proceeds to discuss their reaction and effect upon the road. Another very-interesting paper, in which the subject of wheels was treated largely from the historical point of view, was delivered by Mr. Henry L. Heathcote, B.Sc., the chief research chemist of Rudge-Whitworth, Ltd., the latter paper being read at the Royal Society of Arts on Wednesday the 5th inst. A summary of this paper is reproduced on pages 112 and 113 of the present issue. Prosecution or Persecution at Bolton.
A correspondent writes :—" If it were possible to ascertain how much money has been extracted, or, should I write, extorted, from owners of commercial motors who venture to use the streets of Bolton, the total would no doubt be Krugerian—it would be staggering! It is always said that the specialist in any line of business can succeed, and the Bolton Corporation seems to have specialized in the prosecution (or persecution) of enterprising, up-to-date firms who consider the horse unsuitable for smart transport work. Excess of speed ; excess of registered axle-weight ; wheels of illegal design : these are amongst the allegations on which the changes have been rung in Bolton police court. "But is it legally permissible for a prosecuting solicitor to premise with some general remarks about road damage, depreciation of property on highways, adverse effect on the health of residents in road side houses, and the need for stopping offences by imposing heavy fines? I was under the impression that all statements made in opening a case, and in cross-examination, should be proved in the evidence of witnesses. Why do not defending solicitors interpose, if they consider generalizations unfair ?
"It is evident that motor-lorry drivers must be exceedingly careful in Bolton. Ten years' good character as helmsmen will count for little, when they are caught overdoing the speed a little. The drivers have on more than one occasion complained that they have to drive by guesswork. This is deplorable and remediable, and the firm that would make a speciality of speedometers for heavy motors will score."
Winter Wheels That Tore a Road Up(?)
The enterprise of the Bolton police has found a new outlet, for, on Tuesday of last week, the Bury firm of Messrs. S. Smethurst was prosecuted for having on their heavy motorcar tires which were not smooth and flat in accordance With the regulations of the Local Government Board, as per the Motor Car Acts of 1896 and 1903. The magistrates permitted the police solicitor to open the proceedings with the following :—" We say that for owners to turn out wagons in this condition is absolutely ruinous to the borough, and we ask that they should not do it. It is not a reasonable and fair use to turn out a wagon with a wheel in this condition. It is absolutely callous to the well-being of the roads, and to the interests of the ratepayers in the districts through which they travel."
A special detective said he noticed the motor wagon leaving marks along the setts of a highway, and found that the wheels were literally running on four steel rims an inch wide, and between these were blocks of wood and rubber ; but the wood was worn in. below the level of the steel, and the rubber was very soft. The wheel was fractured it. broke lumps off the setts, and "it seemed to plough macadam up."
The justices imposed a fine of six guineas and costs, and spoke of the decreasing value of property on the main roads of the town, the injury to health caused by the noise, and the increased costs of road repairs -till due to the motor traffic through the town.
" Culled from Contemporaries," one of our occasional features, is included in this number—page 126.
The War Oflice is placing large orders for Sirdar pneumatic tires, both grooved and steel studded, and also for Sirdar inner tubes.
Readers are invited to note that the London address of Clayton and Co. (Huddersfield), Ltd., is 68, Victoria Street, S.W., and not No. 25 in that thoroughfare.
The Corrosion 'Research Committee of the Institute of Metals is now actively engaged in preparing an elaborate series of investigations into the causes of the corrosion of brass condenser and radiator tubes.
Beginning on the 16th inst., the Sunday service of steamers for the conveyance of vehicles and goods, between Birkenhead and Liverpool, will be resumed, beginning at 10 a.m. Double the week-day tolls will be charged.
The Petroles de Grosnyi Co. re cently sold its motor-spirit business in the United Kingdom to the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., and we must compliment the latter company upon its acquirement of this additional source of supply.
Dunlop Staff.
Mr. Wallace IL Paull, until recently general manager of the Clipper Tyre Co., has become the commercial manager of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., in succession to Mr. J. J. Shannessy. Mr. Paull will retain his connection with the Clipper Tyre Co., the directors of which concern have asked him to accept. a seat on the board.
" Commer Cars" in lient.
Mr. Ronald Vinson, of Orpington, IV ho is himself an owner of " Commer-Car " vehicles and the district agent of Commercial Cars, Ltd., points out that the vehicle owned by Mr. Higgs, of Orpington, to which we made reference a _week ago, is a 31--ton " Corm-11er Car," and not a Dennis. We regret that a local correspondent made this error in his advice to us.
More Motorvans by Request.
Sir John Barker, Bart., presiding at the 18th ordinary general meeting of the proprietors of John Barker and Co., Ltd., at the Town Hall, Kensington, on the 7th inst., remarked that the use of motorvans for the delivery of goods outaide London, for the convenience of the company's customers, had resulted in the receipt of requests from customers for extra motor deliveries to he put on. The directors hoped that these extra services would be thoroughly appreciated. R.A.S.E.
We are officially informed that the King will arrive at ...Norwich, on Wednesday the 28th June, at 12.5 p.m., and will lunch at the Royal Pavilion in the show ground at 1.15 p.m. He will leave the showya,rd at 3.55 p.m., and proceed to London by the 4.5 p.m. train from Trowse. His Majesty will, none the less, find time to visit the Horse Ring, and to drive through the principal avenues in
the showyard —not omitting the Implement Section, in which commercial motors and allied exhibits are as usual to be on view. It may be noted that the applications for shedding in the Implement Section are slightly in excess of those at Liverpool last year.
S.M.M.T.
Mr. Edward Manville has been unanimously re-elected President of the S.M.M.T., for the fourth time in succession ; Messrs. S. F. Edge and Albert Brown have been re-elected Vice-presidents. The new Committee of Management is constituted as follows : Messrs. A. R. Atkey, H. G. Burford, D. Citroen, R. Dennis, E. Gascoine, E. M. C. Instone, F. Lanehester, W. M, Letts, A. S. Mays-Smith, F. W. Shorland, J. D. Siddeley, and Harry Smith. The Hon. Treasurer has yet to be chosen. The Polack Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., has been gratified kry the award of a gold medal for its tires, by the jury of the International Railway and Transport Exhibition, Buenos Aires.
Melbourne Wants.
The Melbourne Motor Transit and Touring Co., of 115, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, asks us to intimate that it is prepared to correspond with makers who are de sirous of being represented in Australia. It is equally desirous to make arrangements to extend its dealings in accessories and all kinds of supplies.
C.M.U.A. Membership.
There is no slackening in the flow of fresh applications for admission to membership of the Commercial Motor Users Association. Intending new members should bear in mind the fact that every week's delay, at this time of the year, means loss to them : the advan ta.ges include free legal defence, and the suPply, if desired, of a copy of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, free by post,. each week. A remittance of two guineas, to the Secretary, Commercial Motor Users Association, Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, S.W., covers both the entrance fee and the first annual soloscription.
Messrs. D. R. Smith and Co., of Riley Street; Chelsea, S.W., have undertaken the maintenance of a Thornycroft steam wagon, for a period of two years, for the Chelsea Borough Council.
Speed Registers for Commercial Motors.
Our Bolton correspondent writes : —" The assertions made by more than one heavy-motor driver re cently, to the effect that speed has to be simply guessed at because there is no speed-gauge sold for commercial motors, ought to be at once disproved if untrue, or if correct it ought to be remedied. The excuse has been submitted on various occasions to a Lancashire Bench that is constantly dealing with offenders. A speedometer is obviously just as easily, practicable for a motor lorry as for a ear, and it would be a far-cheaper investment for an owner to buy a suitable milometer than to keep swelling the funds of a notorious police court. Apparently, there is scope for an enterprising vendor of speed registers in Lancashire just now.'
Recent Registrations,
W. T. Lord, Ltd., with an authorized capital of 22,000 in 21 shares, and with its office at 6, Great Marlborough Street, W., to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in motors and carriages of all kinds, etc. First directors : W. T. Lord and F. W. Davrell.
Easther, Ltd., with an authorized capital of 28,000 in R.i shares, by Fetch and Co., 42, Bedford Row, W.C., to take over the business of a manufacturer of motorcar bodies, etc., carried on at Winchester by E. A. Easther and M. S. Furdey as " E. A. Easther." First directors : E. A. Easther (managing director) and M. S. Purdey (both permanent, subject to holding £500).
Ideal Motor Hood and Carriage Works, Ltd., with an authorized capital of £3,000 in Li shares, by A. H. Atkins, Ltd., 27-8, Fetter Lane, E.C., to take over the business of a patentee and manufacturer of folding hoods for motorcars, etc., carried on by J. Hopper at 43, Parson's Green Lane, -Fulham, S.W., as the Ideal Motor Hood Co. First managing director, S. A. G. Morley.
James Grose, Ltd., with an authorized capital of 2100 in 21 shares (60 management, and 40 ordinary), and with its office at 4, Old Jewry, E.C., to take over the business carried on at that address, and to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in motorcars, motorcycles, etc. First directors : J. Grose, H. A. Grose, and G. P. Grose,
Eullagar Engine, Ltd., with no authorized capital of RIZi,000 in Li shares, and with its office at Pilgrim House, Newcastle-on-Tyne, to ac quire from H. F. Fullagar a licence to manufacture, use and sell engines for use on land, etc., manufactured according to certain patents for inventions relating to internal-combustion engines, etc.
United Motor Lock and Fittings, Ltd., with an authorized capital of LIMO in 21 shares, by Jordan and Sons, Ltd., to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in accessories for automobiles, etc.,
and to acquire two certain inventions. First directors : H. W. Mayen and W. H. Appleby.
Wood-Milne Tires.
We have had an opportunity, through the courtesy of Mr. Cohn Macbeth, the London Manager of Wood Milne Ltd., to examine a set of special tires, of which a number are now undergoing service tests on London streets.
The set which was inspected by a representative of this journal was mounted on the wheels of a Tilling Daimler. The tires in question are known as "steel rubber" specialities. The metal constituent consists of a definite quantity of steel wool. This steel wool consists of a mass of very-fine steel wire, which, we understand, is specially made for Wood-Milne; Ltd. The effect r f this constituent wire is undoubtedly to resist. the abrasive action upon the tire surface. The actual tires which were inspected by us fully confirm the claims that are made by Wood Milne Ltd. on their behalf. Although running over roads on which a large amount of road grit is employed at this time of the year, the running surfaces of the tires were perfectly smooth and almost unscratched. A tire of well-known make was mounted on one of the front wheels, whilst a Wood Milne was raountel on the other, and a comparison of the respective surfaces was most instructive. The ordinary tire had embedded in it a large quantity of road grit, and its surface was covered with small cuts. The Wood-Milne tire was perfectly smooth and had worn down evenly all over. The wire could easily be felt on passing the hand over the surface of the rubber. The principal claim on behalf of this interesting speciality is that much longer life will be secured, owing to the cat-resisting properties of the wire. At present the tires in the service of Tillings, the London General and other large users, have done about 6,000 miles each.