WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be stowed
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by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Amended Regulations for Public-service Vehicles.
On March 31st the Minister of Transport made the Public Service Vehicles (Licences and Certificates) (Amendment) Provisional Regulations, 1931, which amend in certain particulars the regulations made on February 9th, as to the procedure on applications for licences and certificates in respect of public-service vehicles and road services. The amendments are as follow : (1) A new regulation is added to deal with the question of the public-servicevehicle licence in the case of a vehicle hired by one operator from another. The Minister's attention was drawn to difficulties which might arise in this respect, and his intention to deal with this point by way of amendment to the regulations was announced on March 3rd.
(2) Provision is made for a fee of £5 for the approval of a type vehicle the chassis and body of which conform with a chassis and a body which have each formed part of different vehicles already approved as type vehicles.
(3) Verbal amendments are made in the prescribed forms for declarations and certificates of conformity with a type vehicle.
A Conference on Bituminous Coal, The Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, U.S.A., announces a third international conference on bituminous coal, to be held in Pittsburg from November 16th-21st next. The event will be similar to congresses held in 1926 and 1928, and the results of recent studies of coal, emphasizing improved methods of utilization, will be presented for discussion.
The programme will include papers on the carbonization, liquefaction and gasification of coal ; by-products ; the mechanism of combustion ; cleaning of coal and its preparation for the market ; pulverized fuel; power plants ; domestic heating, etc. _ _
English Electric Co.'s Trading Results.
The accounts of the English Electric
• Co.; Ltd, which was financially reconstructed inthe early part of last year, show a trading profit for 1930 of £..2,857, compared with E71,343 in 1929. Provision for interest charges, rent of Rugby works, etc., requires £106,653, so that there is a net loss of £103,796, as against a loss of £47,211 in the previous year.
As the reorganization of the capital did not become effective until June last, the directors have charged the loss for the period to that date, amounting to E12,184. against the sum available on the reduction of capital. This leaves a balance of 131,612, representing the loss for the remainder of the year, to be carried to the debit of the profit-and-loss account.
Applications for Licences.
Requests have been made to the Traffic Commissioners by the following for licences to operate daily services and excursions and/or tours:—
Mr. A. A. Chinery, of Acton, Suffolk, from headquarters.
The Varsity Express Motors, Ltd., of Cambridge, to various seaside towns and between Cambridge and Poole.
The National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd., of London, to Clacton and Southsea.
The Eastern Counties Road Car Co., Ltd., Ipswich, for groups of excursions.
The Ortona Motor Co., Ltd., Cambridge, to various seaside towns.
Mr. F. Hudson Rose, of Chelmsford, between Chelmsford and Charing Cross, London, and from Chelmsford.
Mr. W. R. King, Lowestoft, from headquarters.
Mr. B. Washington, of Littleport, Cambs, from Ely.
The Caledonian Omnibus CO., Ltd., Dumfries, between Dumfries and Glenkiln.
Mr. J. E. S. Balnaves, Dunblane, to Bridge of Allan and Stenhousemuir. Lanarkshire Traction Co., Motherwell, for new services.
Scottish General Transport Co., Ltd., Kilmarnock, for new services.
Mr. P. Wheatley (Cambridge Comfort Coaches), Cambridge, in that town. The United Automobile Services, Ltd., of Norwich, between Norwich and Hemsby Beach. William Young, Ltd., Ayr, for new services.
Eastern Valley Motor Services, Ltd., London, for a group of excursions and tours.
City of Oxford Motor Services. Ltd,, London, for excursions and tours. Mr. P. F. Gammen, Brighton, for excursions.
The Westminster Coaching Services, Ltd. London, to Ramsgate, Eastbourne, Worthing and Bournemouth.
Shaw and Duval, Ltd., of Surbiton, from Kingston to Bournemouth. United Service Transport Co., Ltd., London, for excursions and tours.
Redear Services, Ltd. from bridge Wells.
East Midlands Commissioners' First Sitting.
At Nottingham on April 8th Mr. J. H. Stirk, chairman of the East Midlands Area Traffic Commissioners, accompanied by Mr. A. W. Lyne and Captain Fitzherbert Wright,held the first public sitting under the Road Traffic Act, 1930.
The first cases considered were applications by Nottingham Corporation and West Bridgford Urban District Council, and these met with no opposition.
Skegness Motor Service, Ltd. applied for eight licences in respect Of routes in the district There were two objections, the first being from Lindsey County Council, which objected to the summer service between Skegness and Gibraltar Point, on the ground that part of the road under the council's control was merely a cart track and unsuitable for a bus service. The other objection was made by the Lincoln Road Car Co., Ltd., and referred to the company's service between Skegness and Mablethorpe, the grounds being that the objecting
• company was able to deal with the tra.ffic between these points. Mr. F. C. Bray, for ,Skegness Motor Service, Ltd., said that his company had been in business sine(' 1920 and had operated the Skegness-Gibraltar Point service since 1929. Other applications by the same company met with no objections.
M. of T. Favours Bus Stations.
The Ministry of Transport is circulating local authorities with reference to the need for providing coach and bus parking places and stations off the highway, and directing attention to the important new powers conferred on local bodies by the Road Traffic Act, 1930, whereby reasonable charges for their use may be made. It is stated"that the Ministry would be willing to give advice and that the unemployment grants committee had indicated its willingness to assist in meeting the cost.
A Booklet on Tyre Making.
The evolution of the motor tyre, from the raw rubber blocks which arrive at the factory to the finished tyre, is described in an interesting way in a booklet which has recently been published by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd. Each of the main operations is illustrated and explained in non-technical language. It is stated that the total rubber-mixing capacity at Fort Dunlop exceeds 2,000,000 lb. per week.
In order to make certain that the inner-tube rubber is entirely free from grit, it is forced through a fine metalmesh filter with 2,500 orifices per sq. in. 'it' patentsystem of joining tubes without a seam is described and the process of making the familiar, three-stud tread ' is dealt with.
Benes Pump Improvements.
Since our recent description of the Benes fuel pump, still further improvements have been embodied, it now being possible to adjust the output of individual cylinders without the. use of • tools, and while the engine is running.
Another control enables all cylinders bar one to be thrown out of action, so that the engine can be started on one cylinder without fuel being injected to waste.
An Austin Seven Six-Wheeler.
Although intended purely for pleasure purposes, the particularly ingenious Austin Seven conversion illustrated herewith has possibilities for internal works communication. In reality, it is a six-wheeler designed to run on a narrow-gauge railway track, the front and rear pairs of wheels naturally being flanged, whilst amidships is a pair of small nonflanged wheels.
The normal transmission system has been retained and provides the usual three forward and reverse gears. Use has been made of the frame sidemembers, although they have been lengthened by several inches. The fourwheel brakes could not be adapted and a retarding effect is afforded by a transmission brake operated by means of a lever.
The conversion was executed by the Connaught Motor and Carriage Co., Ltd., Berkeley Street, London, W.1.
Prize Competition for Safety Week.
Prizes to the value of £5,000 are to be offered during "Safety Week," which is being held from May llth-17th, by the National "Safety First" Association, in a competition designed to intpreis upon the public the importance of the provisions of the new Highway Code. The whole of the prize money has been guaranteed by Mr. Gordon Stewart, chairman of the association's appeal committee. The first prize is to be £1,000 in cash, and competitors are asked to arrange in order of importance 12 of the provisions of the code.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the British Cycle and Motor . Cycle Manufacturers' and Traders' Union have promised to make the scheme known to their members.
M. of T. Upholds Municipal Action. The Minister of Transport has announced his decisions in connection with the appeals by Messrs. John Bros. (Grovesend), the Imperial Motor Co. (Abercynon) and the N.C. Luxury Coach Co., Ltd. (Cardiff and Swansea), against Swansea Corporation's action in refusing licences for various routes. In all three cases the Minister upholds ; the municipality's decision.
The hearing of the appeals was reported in our issue dated March 31st.
M.R.S. Report for 1930.
The report of M.R.S., Ltd., of Liverpool, for the year ended December 31st last, shows a tending profit of £14,242. After providing for income tax, depreciation, etc., there is a balance of £4,784 which, added to the carry forward of £3,531 from last year's account and deducting the dividend for the year ended December 31st, 1929, amounting to f1,154, leaves an available balance of £7,161. A dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, less tax, is to be paid and this will absorb £1,027, leaving £6,134 to be carried forward.
The company's business consists of two classes of transport, i.e., general traffic and heavy or specialized work, and in the latter connection the company possesses an unique reputation. MILS., Ltd., has established and equipped depots in various centres for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of its services.
Road Works Contracts.
Middlesex County Council recently accepted the tender, at £94,500, of Roads and Public Works, Ltd., Ruebilder House, 180, Clapham Road, London, S.W.9, for the construction of a section of the North Circular Road from the L.M.S. railway bridge at Stonebridge Park to Hangar Lane, Ealing. The contract involves some rather interesting work, as it comprises the construction of a new road about a mile long
and 100 ft. wide, with a reinforced concrete foundation surfaced with asphalt. The road is to be run under the Grand Union Canal and a concrete aqueduct is to be built to carry the canal over the road. A section of the River Brent will also have to be diverted.
Another contract which this company is undertaking is the widening and reconstruction of about three miles of the Maidstone-Chatham road. The road will be built with a reinforced concrete surface and includes the construction of a by-pass at Sandling. The cost is £55,000.
Removal of a Repairs Specialist.
As many of our readers will be aware, H. C. Bauly, Ltd., has been established in works at 131-133, Bow Road, London, E.3, for the past 30 years, in connection with the repair of steam wagons of all makes and the construction and repair of trailers of all types. The company tells us that it has now disposed of these premises to Messrs. Hillman's Saloon Coaches and that it is removing
to new works at Eleanor Street, Mornington Road, Bow, the works being equipped with up-to-date machinery to enable repairs and replacements to be carried out to all types of lorry and trailer.
Tenders for Passenger Transport.
Tenders are being asked for by Pembrokeshire education committee for the transport of senior .pupils in the county to Milford Central School. Particulars of the work may be obtained from the Director of Education, County Offices, Haverfordwest.
M. of T. and a Glasgow Inquiry.
The Minister of Transport has announced his decision in connection with an inquiry that was held a short time ago in Glasgow, when the city corporation asked for permission to run buses between Muirend and Clarkston, and Merrylee and Malletsheugh Inn, in the county of Renfrew. In the former case consent has been given, but in the latter it has been withheld.
Walsall Buys More Dennis Buses.
Walsall Corporation, which at present has in use eight Dennis Lance six-cylindered double-saloon buses, has placed a repeat order for a further four
of this model. When these are delivered, it will bring the total number of Dennis buses supplied to this corporation to over 80.
Arranging Working Hours and Wages.
Negotiations are proceeding favourably between South Wales bus proprietors and the representatives of the employees with regard to the new arrangement of working hours entailed in observing the Road Traffic Act. An endeavour is to be made to secure for the area a common agreement on wages and hours, instead of a variety of district schedules.
Buses Save £4,000 Annually.
The tramways committee of Burnley is recommending the town council to substitute buses for trams on one of the in-town routes six miles long and to purchase a number of double-deck vehicles at a cost of £27,000 for the conversion. It is computed that the changeover would effect an annual saving of £4,000, besides helping to relieve acute traffic congestion in the town.
Trial of an Austin Seven Van.
The Austin Motor Co., Ltd., recently submitted an Austin 7 h.p. van for trial under the general competition rules of the R.A.C., and the report of the trial has now been issued. It was conducted to obtain records of fuel and oil consumption and of general reliability over a distance of 1,000 miles. The total running weight of the vehicle was lfii cwt.
The trial was held over the R.A.C.'s six standard routes, which consist of out-and-home runs from London on the main Cheltenham, Exeter, Peterborough, Stratford-on-Avon, Bath and Coventry roads. The test was run at an average speed, excluding all stops, of 27.1 m.p.h. and it was found that a distance of 42.75 miles was run per gallon of fuel used, this being equivalent to 34.8 ton miles per gallon. The oil consumed was 1.8 pinn Valkyries in Demand.
Amongst the important operating concerns which have recently ordered Albion Valkyrie 32-seater chassis are W. Alexander and Sons, Ltd., of Falkirk, which is buying 25 machines; Midland Bus Services, Ltd., of Airdrie, which has indented for 15 chassis ; Red and White .Services, Ltd., of Lydney, Gloucestershire, which has nine vehicles of this type on order ; and the L.M.S. Railway (Northern Counties Committee), Belfast, Which is pnrchasing eight Valkyries.
India's Itpports Lower.
India imported 1,658 complete corns mercial motors and 4,429 chassis during April-December of last year, the total of 6,087 (761,096) contrasting with 11,653 and £1,369,235 respectively in a similar period of 1929. Of the total the United States is at the head of the list with 4,240 vehicles, followed by Canada with 1,578, Great Britain 210 and other countries 59. • Trent Motor Traction Report.
The report of the Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., for 1980 shows that a profit of £40,375 was made, as against £27,121 in 1929, the sum available for distribution being £51,307, after adding £10,932 brought forward. A dividend of 10 per cent, is to be paid, as against 8 per cent, for the previous year, 4 per cent. having been paid as an interim dividend, whilst £7,656 is to be written off goodwill, leaving £16,851 to be carried forward. The total revenue was £382,880, as against 1342,603 in 1929,• and an allowance of £43,798 was written off for depreciation.
The East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., is buying 20 A.E.C. Regal single deck passenger vehicles.
The Bicester and District Bus Co., Ltd.„ has been registered' as a private company 'with a nominal capital of 12,000 in £1 shares. The registered offiCe -of 'the company is at 34, Market Square, Bicester.
We learn that the Welin-Higgins Co., Ltd., of Coventry, has been purchased by Rexine, Ltd., Grosvenor Road, Coventry, and the latter is now dealing with all business relating to Fabrikoa, Tontine and Ventube.
The Cooper-Stewart Engineering Co., Ltd. 136437, Long Acre, London, W.C.2, has issued a catalogue dealing with its range of speedometers, windscreen wipers, electric horns, spotlights, etc. The commercial-type speedometers marketed by the company are illustrated and briefly described.
ITEMS OF NEWS IN A FEW LINES
Plans are to be prepared for a garage and engineering shop for the Hull municipal buses.
During the past year 652 goods vehicles were imported into Shanghai, as compared with 1,891 units in 1929.
Wigan Corporation has now replaced all its tramways by bus services. The trams were first introduced 20 years ago.
Merceas-Benz oil-engined vehicles are now being tested in actual service in New York, Albany, and Newark, U.S.A.
Ripon Corporation is considering the construction of a relief road ''from Bedern Bank Top to the North Road, at an estimated cost of £25,000. I It is reported that in June 1,000 New York taxicabs are to be equipped with mechanical devices which will flash before the eyea of passengers a continuous listof illuminated advertisements.
• The trial -operation of trolley-buses fn parts of Tokio is to be undertaken by the municipality.. If the experiment proves to be successful the service will be extended in various parts of the city.
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A special sub-committee is agatn to consider the -question of forming a company to manufacture bodies for Glasgow Corporation's buses. Such a move is favoured by severallocal .organizations.
Mr. Wannell, a Torquay corporati6n inspector of Public-servide vehicles, has been appointed to the positioa.of nubileservice-vehicle— examiner ' under the Traffic Commissioners for the western area.
The transport committee of Glasgow Corporation, recommends that, in the next provisional -Order to be promoted by the corporation, a clause should inserted for additional borrowing powers to the extent of £500,000, for transport • purposes.
Bean's "New Era."
An interesting function recently took place at the Bean works at Tipton, when a number of the principal Bean agents was invited to a luncheon to view the New Era 25-cwt. lorry and to inspect the factory. Mr. Peter Brown, of the Eiadfield concern, was in the chair. Mr. Noel Martin, the managing director of Bean Cars, Ltd., spoke with enthusiasm about the new project and referred to the enormous amount• of testing to which the chassis had been subjected before the design was finally approved.
Another Licensing Appeal Result.
The result of the Ministry of Transport inquiry into the refusal of Bangor Council to grant a licence to ply for hire between Bangor and Liverpool to Messrs. Pearsons, of Liverpool, has been announced. The Ministry has decided not to interfere at the present time, but Its decision is without prejudice to the rights of the Traffic Commissioners to consider the position.
The Anglo-Persian Oil Co., Ltd., is buying 35 Albion 3-ton chassis for use by the British Petroleum Co., Ltd.
According to the chief constable's report for 1930, the number of buses in use in Neath (Glam.) has since 1926 increased by 100 per cent., there being now 150 licensed vehicles in operation.
The public-health committee of Hastings Corporation is in favour of _entrusting J. Hollingsworth, Ltd.., of Hastings, with the maintenance for five years of the—mUnicipality's three Page. field loriies and 10-containers and equipment, at a cost of £415 per year.
Mann, Egerton and Co., Ltd., 5, 'Prince Of Wales Road, Norwich, has • equipped aspecial -van with various . popnlar lines of its garage equipment for the. purpose of, touring the country and giving practical demonstrations to
_tradefleet owners and, others eon. cerne I in motor-vehicle operation and maintenance.