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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

M.H.C.S.A. Opposes Commissioners' Views on Indicators.

The Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, Ltd., has replied to the recommendations of the chairmen of the Traffic Commissioners, concerning the use of destination add other indicators.

The Commissioners recommend that, in addition to the usual destination indicator, express or limited-stop vehicles should carry a descriptive sign, coaches engaged on tours and excursions should be labelled "tour," "excursion," etc., and vehicles engaged on special services should be marked "special," Duplicate stage and express carriages should be marked "duplicate," whilst contract carriages should carry an indicator exhibiting the word "contract."

The indicators should be of a prescribed type and size. The Commissioners favour the official numbering of the routes of stage and express services, and propose that a system whereby each traffic area has classified schemes of local, inter-local and inter-area numbering should be adopted.

The M.H.C-.S.A. contends that the proposals are not justified, that adequate information is already provided on stage carriages, and that, for an express carriage, the exhibition of the name of its destination is sufficient. It is maintained that "private," the expression now used, is better understood by the public than such terms as " special " or "contract."

A Paper on the Dazzle Problem.

At a meeting of the newly formed Society of Automotive Electrical Engineers, held at Magnet House, ffingsway, London, W.C.2, on January 9, Mr. T. J.

Sack, of the General Elec tric Co., Ltd., read a paper on antidazzle lamps.

He dealt with permanent and temporary anti-dazzle devices for motor vehicles, including dipped beams, depressed or flat-top beams, bifocal lamps, diffuser bulbs and glass fronts, etc.

It may be mentioned that the secretary of the new society is Mr. W. C. Stoddart, of 45, Woodhastwick Road, London, S.E.26, whilst Jar. Seek is the London chairman. R.H.A. Not Maintained Chiefly by Big Hauliers.

A statement has been issued by the Road Haulage Association to dispel an idea, apparently prevalent, especially among smaller contractors in and around Loudon that the Association

was founded London, and is maintained principally by, the larger contractor.

The founders of the R.H.A., the statement relates, realized that to succeed it must he run on democratic lines.

Each area committee has the right annually to elect one member to the governing council, and an equal number of central members is elected at the annual meeting. One third of the latter retire each year. At the latest annual meeting, those who retired were all re-elected. In the areas every haulier has an equal chance of election.

At least 75 per cent. of the present membership, running well into the second thousand, the statement continues, are contractors who own one to four vehicles, which Proves that the interests of the small operator are not neglected.

The statement concludes by emphasizing that, in submitting its observations on the Salter Report to the Minister of Transport, the Association stressed the hardship the owner-driver• would incur by the proposals of the conference.

Brewer's Transport Rearrangement.

Peter Walker and Co., a concern of 'brewers, of Warrington and Liverpool, intends to close its Liverpool depot in Crown Street. and in future to centraliza the transport organization at its headquarters at Warrington.

Westinghouse Trading.

During the year ended September 30, 1932, the Westinghouse Brake and Saxby Signal Co., Ltd., made a profit, after deducting income tax, of £05,128. The directors propose transferring £35,000 to reserves, and, at the general meeting to be held on February 10, they will reeommend a dividend of 31 per cent., less tax. This will leave £27,832 to be carried forward, as against £27,719 brought into the accounts.

United Service Transport Development.

At the recent annual meeting of the United Service Transport Co., Ltd., Mr. Stewart Cole, the chairman, who presided, said that, with regard to French's Motor Engineering Co., all the shares of which were owned by the United Service Transport concern, it had been decided that it should be wound up, and henceforth incorporated with the Tatter.

Transport Post Available.

A man witli good experience in the organization and operation of longdistance road transport is required for the London office of a well-known haulage concern. He should be of good appearance and about 40 years of age. The salary will be between £500 and £600 per annum, and there are good prospects for the right man. Letters should be addressed "Haulage Office," care of the Editor.

Croft Three-wheelers in the Midlands.

We are informed that the Croft three-wheeler is now distributed by Tricroft Motors, Ltd., in the area within a 15-mile radius of Birmingham. This company has its headquarters at 83a, Ladywood Road, Birmingham 16, and its directors are Mr. S. P. Cook, who was lately a director of the Birmingham Motor Mart, and Mr. W. H. Bishop, of Weathershields,

Ltd. The latter concern manufactures a variety of bodies to suit the Croft chassis, and is prepared to supply any kind of special body.

Film-transport Business Purchased.

The film-transport business of the Bradford and Leeds Transport Co. has, we learn, been bought by Film Transport Services (Broxburn), Ltd., which has branches at Leeds and many other centres. Mr. W. F. G. Phillips, who was one of the partners in the Bradford and Leeds Transport Co., is in charge of activities in the Bradford area.

I.A.E. Western Centre's Dinner.

The western centre of the Institution of Automobile Engineers is holding a dinner at the Grand Hotel, Bristol, on January 20, at 7.30 p.m., and amongst those who have signified their intention of being present are the president of the Institution (Major C. G. Nevatt, 0.B.E.), Sir Herbert Austin, Mr. L. H. Pomeroy, Mr. Tom Thornycroft and Mr. G. G. Hayden. Tickets, price Os. 6d. each, may be obtained from the honorary secretary of the centre, Mr. A. Williams, 39, Downend Road, Fishponds, Bristol.

Spenborough Tipping-gear Prices.

We regret that, in our small-advertisement columns last week, the incor rect prices for the tipping gears of the Spenborough Engineering Co., of Heckmondwike, were given in the company's advertisement. The reduced prices which are now operative were given in the advertisement of B.B. Sales, Ltd., the Spenborough distributor for London and the south-east counties. An editorial reference in the same issue made it clear that the Spenborough concern had reduced the prices for its band-operated end-tipping gears, both of the single-screw and telescopic-screw models.

Personal Pars.

Mr. R. Melhuish, A.M.I.A.E., has been reappointed examiner of hackney carriages for Bradford.

The staff of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., at Stanley (Co. Durham), has made a presentation to Mr. J. Forster, the superintendent, who is leaving to take charge of the Bensham depot.

We learn that Mr. Clifford Kilburn, A.M.I.A.E., is taking up the position of chief draughtsman with Fodens, Ltd., Sandbach, Cheshire. He was recently with Armstrong-Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., as technical salesman, and previously was 6i years with the Thornycroft Co. as designer ; he has also served with Leyland Motors and Armstrong Siddeley.

Chatting recently with Mr. C. F. Lawrence King, M.I.A.E., F.R.H.S., who, as recently announced, has now a big interest in the meat trade in the West of England, we learnt that he will probably return to the motor industry, partly in connection with a very interesting move which is likely to occur regarding a new petrol development, particulars of which we hope to be able to release in the course of a few weeks.

Mr. N. Ehnslie, His Majesty's Senior Trade Commissioner in South Africa, is now in this country on an official visit, and he will be available at the offices of the Department of Overseas Trade during the period from January 30-February 4, for the purpose of interviewing representatives of concerns interested in the export of United Kingdom goods to South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. Mr. Elmslie will also visit a number of sentres in the

provinces. Those desiring interviews with him should write to the Comptroller-General, Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, SAVA, quoting reference 3782/1/32.

Mr. G. F. Crisp has been appointed northern sales superintendent to Armstrong Sourer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., with his headquarters at the company's sales and service depot, Reddish Road, Reddish, near Stockport, Cheshire. Mr. Crisp's activities will cover the whole of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire, and the country north of the border of Scotland.

He has had over 20 ,years' experience In the commercial-vehicle industry and is well known for his successful pioneer efforts in introducing the Saurer vehicle to the northern areas of England between the years 1923 and 1928. Since then he has been on the staff of Oswald Tillotson, Ltd.' first as manager of the Liverpool depot and, more recently, as sales superintendent for A.E.C. vehicles for the southern districts.

Petroflex Tubing Development.

S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., Crickiewood Works, London, N.W.2, advises us that it has secured the sole selling rights for Petroflex tubing, manufactured by the Petroflex Tubing Co., Ltd. Cassiobury Works, St. Albans Road, Watford. A Tanker for the Transport of Glucose.

We publish on this page an illustration of a Guy Warrior 6-ton tanker, which Guy Motors, Ltd., Wolverhampton, has recently supplied as a repeat order to Manbre and Garton, Ltd., of Hammersmith, London. The vehicle has been built for the transport of glucose, and the tank, which was made by Messrs. Fraser and Fraser, Bromley-by-Bow, London, E.2, is of 960 gallons capacity.

The liquid is discharged from the tank by means of a Stothert and Pitt 3i-in non-reversing-type rotary displacement pump, which is driven by a power take-off from the gearbox. A. full tank of glucose can be discharged in 35 minutes. The temperature of the liquid when the tank is filled is 120 degrees F., and it is necessary that the temperature drop must not at any time exceed 50 degrees P. For this reason, the tank is lagged with Mfol, 1i in.

thick, and encased with steel plate. The total weight of Alfol used is 6 lb.

Boxes are fitted along each side of the tank to accommodate hose 9 ft. long and of 3-in. section. The sump of the tank has a cleaning plug, to which is connected a 4-in, pipe line leading to the pump.

Welding Engineers' Meeting.

A meeting of the Institution of Welding Engineers will be held at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, Westminster, London, S.W.1, on January 18 at 7.45 p.m., when Mr. C. Helsby, M.I.Struct.E., will read a paper entitled "Welding in Civil Engineering."

American Proposal to Convert Railways to Roads.

An increase in road mileage and a decrease in rail mileage has recently been suggested by the Rhode Island commission on Foreign and Domestic Commerce, of America, which recommends that 2,000 miles of obsolete railway track in New England be replaced by hard-surfaced roads. It is asserted that the railways owning the roads could, by law, be given exclusive use B22 of them for their own motors, with the privilege of charging toll to others. In case the railways themselves did not wish to own and operate the new highways, these could he sold to the respective States.

A New Lightweight 30-seater Oiler.

A three-axle 30-seater bus of light construction, having a Saurer 85 h.p. oil engine has just been put into operation in 4witzerland. The chassis and body are made of Anticorodal, an aluminium alloy, which, as its name indicates, is non-corrosive, and may be used in rolled, cast, or plate form. The vehicle scales 7 tons tare, and has an opening head which is electrically operated from the driver's position.

Buyers of Daimler Passenger Chassis. Further to the paragraph appearing in our issue dated December 30, the Daimler Co.. Ltd., asks us to state that Wallasey Corporation is buying five Daimler double-deck buses. The chassis will incorporate the company's Fluid Flywheel and the bodies are to be built by the English Electric Co., Ltd.

The Daimler Co., Ltd:, has also secured an order from the British Electrical Federation, on behalf of the Yorkshire Traction Co., Ltd., for six coach chassis, which will also embody the Daimler Fluid Flywheel transmission system.

Tubular Seats of Light Weight.

The Layeock Engineering Co. Victoria Works, Millhouses. Sheffield, is producing tubular-framed lightweight seats for passenger vehicles, and several interesting features are incorporated.

The weight per seat has been reduced to 14 lb. per passenger. The pede-stal supports are easily adjustable, whilst the body-rail bracket, fitted on the inner side of the seat, is also adjustable. The rubber fillings of the seat are of the slow-periodicity pattern.

A feature is made of the grab handle, which is incorporated in the seat-back frame at the upper corner. The handle does not protrude beyond the ordinary contour of the frame and is shaped so that it may easily be grasped from the front or from the back.

Britain Gaining Hold on Indian Market.

During the six months ended September last, India imported 1,007 commercial motors and chassis, valued at f129,615, as compared with 2,629 (f269,178) a year earlier and 4,084 (f540,788) in the corresponding six months of 1930.

The most noticeable feature of the return is the heavy fall in the imports of American vehicles—from 2,193 to 597. On the other hand, the number of vehicles credited to Gt. Britain increased from 105 to 233. Canada is third in the list with 154, a drop from 306.

Hydraulic Hoist Co.'s Tipping Gear. The St. Paul tipping gear, to which reference has often been made in this paper, is manufactured here by the Hydraulic Hoist Co., Ltd., 1-3, Brixton Road, London, S.W.9. The name " St.

Paul" has been registered. In our issue of December 13, in an article on speed in loading and unloading, we did not mention the Hydraulic Hoist Co., Ltd., in connection with the St. Paul gear.

East London Rubber Co. to Distribute Robbialoid Products.

We are advised that the East London Rubber Co. has been appointed distributor of the well-known Robbialoid spraying cellulose products for the garage trade in England and Wales, and stocks are held at the company's London and Sheffield depots. An interesting booklet, entitled "The Robbialoid Car-Painting Process Explained," can be obtained from the company at 29-33, Great Eastern Street, London, E.C.2.

A Specialist in Garages.

E. C. Walton and Co., Sutton-onTrent, Nottinghamshire, which has been established since 1878, markets, amongst its various products, a useful range of garages, some being particularly suitable for housing commercial motors. Details of different types of motor garage and house are given in a catalogue recently issued by the company and, although those referred to are mainly suitable for the private-car owner or garage proprietor, the concern can well meet the requirements of commercial-vehicle users or those catering for their needs in the matter of vehicle accommodation, and will give them helpful advice and estimates.

The Evans' Economy Jet.

With regard to the above jet, a paragraph concerning which was published on page 686 of our issue dated December 30, we are informed that provisional protection has been granted only for the special jet made for the type of carburetter used on Bedford vehicles. Protection has not been applied for in the ease of the type which was illustrated.

Railwaymen Request Enforcement of Road Traffic Act.

Wiltshire Standing Joint Committee has been asked by a local group of the National Union of Railwaymen, rigidly to enforce the provisions of the Road Traffic Act on all motor vehicleepassing through Wiltshire, particularly as regards the working hours of drivers and °verb:el ding. The committee replied that the police were satisfactorily carrying out their duties under the Act.

Degreasing Plant on Tour.

James W. Carr and Co., Ltd., 26-27, Budge Row, London, E.C.4, the southeastern-area distributor to the motor trade for the well-known I.C.I. degreasing plant made by Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., informs us that during the next week or two it will have at its disposal a Morris-Commereial 30-cwt. demonstration van carrying self-con tained equipment.

The source of heat is carried on the vehicle, which is, therefore, able to visit garages, maintenance depots, etc., and to give demonstrations on the spot, all that is asked being a supply of oily and dirty mechanical parts.

Various types of plant are made, and that demonstrated is one of the most popular—namely, a hot-vapour degreasing chamber, having above it a cold zone to keep the vapour down. The company will be pleased to arrange demonstrations if requests be made during the next few days.

Winding-up of Liverpool Association.

Mr. P. Taggart, who is acting as liquidator of the Liverpool and District Motor Haulage Contractors Association, which was formed about 12 years ago, announces that all claims have been, or will be, paid in full. There will be no surplus to be divided amongst members at the conclusion of the winding-up. The liabilities of the members to contribute will arise only if members claim to share in the funds of the company.

An Address by Lord Ashfield.

On March 3 Lord Ashfield is to address the Royal Institution on the subject of "London Passenger Transport," and it is possible that he may make some interesting revelations.

For Charging Accumulators from the House Mains.

A new battery charger has been introduced by the Westinghouse Brake and Saxby Signal Co., Ltd., 82, York Road, London, N.1. Its object is to enable the owner of a vehicle, the accumulator of which is heavily taxed during running hours, to use the main electricity supply to his garage to charge the battery while the vehicle is off the road.

Known as the Westric, the device incorporates a special transformer and the Westinghouse metal rectifier. It is supplied with a plug for connecting it to the mains, and a socket and plug for the connection made to the vehicle.

It is quite simple to fit, full instructions, together with diagrams, being supplied with the instrument. The price is £3 15s. It is suitable for alternating current only, and the frequency and the voltage of output and input should be stated when ordering.

Austin Dividends.

The Austin Motor Co., Ltd., has declared dividends on the 7 per cent, preference and 6 per cent. B preference shares in respect of the half-year to January 31, 1933.

Transport Wages Agreement.

There has recently been signed, at Liverpool, an agreement to which the parties are the Conference of Liverpool and District Road Transport Employers and the Liverpool and District Carters and Motormen's Union, and by which the standards are fixed for the employment of motor-vehicle operatives. Thousands of men are affected, as the agreement has been signed not only by the representatives of the transport associations, but by nominees of the millers, coal owners, wholesale grocers and seed, oil and cake trade.

Effect is given to the accumulative 48-hour week. All time worked beyond 48 hours is to be paid for at overtime rates, whilst that worked on Sunday is at double rates.

Second men are to be employed on all vehicles upwards of three tons carrying capacity, but with the following exception :—In the case of tank, tipping or hopper wagons, or up-country container or flat traffic, where no work entailing the services of a second man arises, and provided that the driver is not called upon to load or unload the vehicle, the employment of a second man shall be optional on the part of the employer.

The employment of trailermen is optional, but drivers are not to be called upon to load or unload any machine.

The .weekly wage rates are as follow : —Drivers, steam vehicles, 67s.; drivers, petrol vehicles of over 2 tons, 67s. ; drivers, petrol vehicles of 2 tons and under, 60s.; drivers, petrol vehicles of 1 ton and under, Ms.; second men, steam vehicles, 60s.; second men, petrol vehicles of over 4 tons, 60s.; second men, petrol vehicles of 4 tons and under, 59s.; trailermen, Ms. The foregoing rates represent a reduction of 3s. per week.

A British Vehicle for the Danish Army.

Amongst overseas orders recently received by John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., was one for a six-wheeled chassis for the Danish Army Transport Corps.

Q-type Buses Being Offered to Municipalities.

The Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., has informed Stockton-on-Tees Corporation that it proposes, subject to the Ministry of Transport approving its new design of bus, to consider the early production of a limited quantity of complete Q-type vehicles.

The company is offering a sample bus to some of the important municipalities, for delivery in the spring. The estimated cost for the complete vehicle, including fluid transmission, preselective gearbox, servo-assisted Lockheed hydraulic brakes, 11.25 in. low-pressure tyres and standard 62-seater all-metal double-deck body, will, we understand, be £1,800.

Electrics Make Headway in Prance.

As in this country, an increasing number of electric vehicles is being brought into use in France for dust collection and street cleansing. The Paris municipal authorities operate nine Sovel 5-ton vehicles, whilst the municipal council of Havre, after making ex

tensive trials of a similar machine, has now a dozen 5-tonners in use for purposes of this description.

Commencing with the new year, three Sovel vehicles have also been put in service in Le Creusot. The motive power for the machines is supplied by Tudor-Ironclad 44-cell batteries of 450-amp.-hour capacity.

Dagenham's New Fire Tender.

Further to the paragraph appearing in our issue for last week, we are now able to publish a picture of the interesting fire tender recently built for the Dagenham Fire Brigade by Wilsons (Kingston), Ltd., 20, High Street, Kingston-on-Thames. This company is responsible for the body, which is mounted on a Fordson 2-ton chassis, having a wheelbase of 13 ft. 1 in. It is designed-to carry eight firemen, two alongside the driver and three on each side, and the equipment includes a 40gallon water tank and hydrant coupling, ladder, first-aid box and a reel with 120 ft. of hose.

The pump is capable of delivering 14 gallons of water per minute at a pressure of 100 lb. A foam generator is

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also fitted, whilst at the rear of the body there are two sliding trays in cupboards which are capable of carrying 10 cwt. of foam.

At the rear there are six one-gallon fire-extinguishers on each side, these having been supplied by the National Fire Protection Co., Ltd. We are told that, at a recent demonstration, one of these extinguishers put out two fires, consisting of 350 gallons of oil and 12 gallons of petrol respectively and covering an area of 250 sq. ft., in 10 seconds per fire.

The cost of the comtilete vehicle, as illustrated, is £575.

Walsall Buying Many Trolley..

buses.

The transport committee of Walsall Corporation has recently placed an order with the Sunbeam Motor Car Co., Ltd., for 15 six-wheeled trolley-bus chassis for £17,250. Bodies (60-seaters) are to be built by Metropolitan-CammellWeymann Motor Bodies, Ltd.; J. C. Beadle, Ltd.; and Short Brothers (Rochester and Bedford), Ltd., each company supplying five bodies. The vehicles are for use in.connection with the corporation's scheme for changing over from trams on the Bloxwich route.