Correspondence.
Page 16
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters shou:d be on tize side if the paper only, and type-zbritten by preferenci. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for the views expressed is accepted.
An Official Enquiry front India.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
[70of Sir :• --You will please note my letter of 'enquiry for a three-ton petrol lorry, and in this you will find specified the xvork the machine will have to do. I have been a constant subscriber, since 1904, to your valuable sister-journal, " The Motor," and have more recently become interested in COMMERCIAL MOTOR." 1 now beg your assistance in distributing the copies, which I send for the purpose, to firms of repute in the commercial motor branch. I have sent direct tc.)—LSeven names. follow.—ED.]
It may be added that this is probably the first of many such vehicles that will come into use in this rapidly expand
ing district.-1 am, Sir, yours faithfully, H.SKEEN. Prison Press Office,
Yeravda Central Prison, near Poona, Bombay.
We have had pleasure in acting upon the request ['mit is made in this correspondent's letter.--En.:
Maintenance Contracts.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
[761] Sir :—In the correspondence which recently took place in the Press concerning the question of maintenance contracts in regard to commercial vehicles, it may be remembered that we took the line that this work lay in the legitimate sphere of the local garage and repairs business, and was no part Of the work of the manufacturer, and that such contracts necessarily could not be entered into by him. Since that time, we have had several enquiries from intending customers as to maintenance contracts, and we shall be glad if all garage and repairing firms, which are prepared to enter into such contracts with local owners, will communicate with us, as we desire to compile a list of such firms for :ready reference in case of need, so that we may be able to put possible business in their way. As a case in point, we are in communication now with a firm in the City of London which is desirous of entering into a maintenance contract with some local firm, if it decides to purchase a vehicle.—Yours faithfully, STURMEY MOTORS, LTD.
" Lotis " Works, Coventry.
'Since-the first appearance of this journal, we have favoured the idea of suet' local maintenance by competent engineering middlemen—En.
Motor Wagon or Tractor?
The Editor, " THE ComME2cIAL MOTOR."
[762] Sir :—The tar macadam in question was steeped road metal, and not existing metal tarred after its being put down. It was a layer about 4 inches thick, so far as I remember, placed on to an existing macadam road. The gradient at this spot would be probably x in J5, up hill. After our attention was so forcibly called to the question, we carefully observed both the tractor and a traction engine, and we found the slipping to be distinctly visible on the level, but, of course, much more markedly so when on a
slight gradient. Even with the traction engine and its crossbars, we have seen it distinctly on a gradient which, on inspection, would not be more than I in zo. The 'fiveton wagon, under precisely the same road conditions, did not slip.—Yours faithfully, J. C. CORNOCK.
A No4W Duty for County Councils.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
[763] Sir :-1 have been struck by your suggestion that county councils ought to purchase self-propelled fire-fighting plant, and I am glad to see that to-day's issue of the" Bristol Mercury " gives a prominent place to a quotation of your recommendation. Public bodies move very slowly when it comes to a question of change from what is popularly regarded as a settled attitude, but you very rightly point out that the advent and successful use of motor fire plant provides occasion for an immediate reconsideration of the matter by county councils. I hope, myself, that the Gloster County Council will be one of the first to take some action, as its roads are well suited for high-speed travelling in cases of emergency. Apart from the destruction of property, I am sure that, to take one instance only, the loss of the Cromwellian letters at Burley-on-the-Hill is irreparable from the standpoint of historic interest, but it was exceptional good fortune, in the case of this fire and others which occurred about the same time, that no lives were lost. Motor fire escapes and powerful motor pumps can alone furnish the necessary guarantees for the safety of county residents, and it is to be hoped that many of them will waken up and themselves agitate for the establishment of county fire brigades.-Yours faithfully,
8th August, 1908. WEST COUNTRY.
An Order Waiting.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR," 17641 Sir :—I am a lover of horses, and hope never to be without them, but business is all speed and promptness: I am just thinking that, from your weekly comments on motors, I am behind the times. Although living in a village, I wish to be as smart in despatch as My town friends.
My delivery extends 18 miles out; to reach each customer and to return often means a long day, and late home. I usually have it load of half-a-ton, with driver and boy extra, and from your published accounts I am led to understand that my delivery could be managed, by a toh.p. motor deliver}, van, at half the cost of keeping horses, anti the work done in about half the time. Now, to show that I really mean business, I am prepared to engage a motor delivery van for one month, to purchase at end of trial if to my satisfaction, and to pay for hire in the event of my not purchasing, conditionally that reasonable charges are offered by the motor manufacturers. Owners of horses know the value of a horse, but not of it motor, and others like myself wish an equal guarantee, in purchasing a motorvan to the one they have when they purchase a horse.
I hope to get a response through your valuable paper.—
Yours faithfully, FRED HALL. The Stores, Clifton-on-Teme, near Worcester.
[We are unaware of any guarantee -that a horse will not fall sick or die our correspondent presumably refers to the average expectation of work from an animal. If he can give the necessary mileage, say, 50 per day, he can effect big economies, and he will be sure, now, to hear from malters.—En.