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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed 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.

Our Tables of Operating Costs for 1927.

It will be noticed that the Operating Costs Tables are fewer this year, because there is now only one scale of taxation for public passenger service vehicles throughout the whole of the country, whereas, previously, there have been two scales, one applicable to the Metropolis and one to areas outside of the Metropolis.

In next week's issue of The Commercial Motor we shall publish a series of tables covering the operating costs and haulage charges in connection with six-wheeled motor vehicles, both of the rigid-frame type and the articulated type. It has not been an easy task to obtain the necessary data for these tables—hence the delay of a week in publishing them.

We urge readers who do not file the journal to preserve the tables and the article accompanying them for future reference. It is proposed, however, to reprint them in pamphlet form for gratis circulation.

East Kent Report.

.The report of the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., for the year ended September 30th last shows that, after deducting all items chargeable against revenue, including provision for depreciation of rolling stock, plant and leasehold properties, there is a profit of £31,274, which, with the amount brought in from the previous year, gives a total of £38,937. From this sum 11,000 is being allocated to the general reserve, whilst a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum will absorb £25,750. After deducting these sums, a balance of £12,187 remains to be carried forward. The dividend now being paid is the same as for last year.

During the year the company has put Into service a number of new vehicles of the latest type, and it contemplates introducing further improvements in connection with the rolling stock. As our readers will know, the company maintains a comprehensive network of services in those areas of the counties of Kent and Sussex east of Favershani, Ashford and Hastings.

Thornycroft Vehicles in Demand.

John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., tells us that the recent announcements of price reductions for its motor vehicles have been followed by a gratifying spurt in the number of orders received. For the week ended November 20th, a repeat order was received from the Great Western Railway for six 30-cwt. chassis, whilst Messrs. Everingham Bros., of Pocklington, Yorks, placed an order for a 20-seater Durbar bus, and Fergusons, Ltd., of Reading, ordered a 80-cwt. hinged-sided

lorry. Other outstanding orders included those for three 20-seater omnibuses for the Clifton College • Ground Committee ; for a bus of the same seating capacity for Messrs. Chamberlain Bros., of Durham ; another for a type Al box van for the British Broadcasting c20

Co., Ltd.; a similar chassis with hingedsided lorry body for Messrs. Masters and Sons, of Lindfield ; and a 30-cwt. subsidy chassis for the Burnley Co-operative Society. In addition, orders for other types of Thornyeroft chassis for shipment to Denmark, Nyasaland, Singapore and Australia were received.

Leyland Steam Wagons.

We have been advised by the secretary of Atkinson Walker Wagons, Ltd., that the company has, by agreement with Leyland Motors, Ltd., taken over, as from November 1st, the whole of the steam-wagon portion of the Leyland business, and has been appointed sole licensee for the manufacture and supply of parts for Leyland steam wagons. Arrangements are being completed and a department established to accord efficient service to all users of Leyland steam vehicles, and all inquiries relative to these are now being dealt with at the Frenchwood Works, Preston. This paragraph had to be excluded from last week's issue, pressure on space being very great.

Folkestone Bus Appeal Granted.

In our issue dated October 26th last, we referred to the appeal of the Cooperative Transport Society, of Folkestone, to the Ministry of Transport against the refusal of the Folkestone Town Council to grant it licences for certain buses. At a meeting of the council a few days ago, a letter front the Ministry giving its decision on the appeal was considered, and this advised that the licences should be granted or renewed unconditionally. The council has adopted a recommendation of its watch committee that the licences should be granted, and the summonses against the Society for plying for hire with unlicensed vehicles, which were deferred Pending the result of the appeal, have been withdrawn.

Public-service Vehicles in France.

At the annual congress of French automobile clubs recently held in Paris a long discussion took place as to the defective condition of many of the public-service vehicles at present in use throughout France, it being considered that such vehicles form a danger to other road users. In the end it was decided to recommend to the Government that all such vehicles should be subject to an annual inspection by officers of the Mines Department.

Canada's Growing Motor Industry.

According to figures which have just been circulated by the London office of the High Commissioner for Canada, the motor-vehicle exports of Canada are increasing. In the twelve months to September 30th last, goods and passengercarrying vehicles were shipped to 61 countries throughout the world, the total value of the exports amounting to 40,706,949 dollars. In the previous year the exports of the Dominion represented a value of 33,813,829 dollars. The number of motor vehicles of all types exported in the past twelve months was 76,664,compare.d with 64.917 in 1925.

During the first nine months of 1926 the total production of complete vehicles and chassis was 172,300, valued at 105,560,838 dollars, the figures showing an increase of 35 per cent. in number and 27 per cent, in value over the corresponding period of the previous year.

Rapidity in Tractor Construction.

A noteworthy feature of the recent German Motor Show in Berlin was the large number of firms in that country which is now devoting attention to the construction of tractors for agricultural and haulage purposes. One of the principal manufacturers is the Hanover Maschinebau Gesellsc.haft, of Linden, Hanover, which is now turning out large numbers of 28 h.p. and 50 h.p. Hanomeg machines of both the wheeled and chain-track types.

Owing to the increasing demand, both from home and foreign users, particularly in Russia, where the Hannmag is offering increasing competition to the Pordson tractor, the, company has recently adapted part off its works for the assembly of the machines on the travelling-platform prineiple, as a result of which one tractor can be turned out every forty minutes.

M. of T. and Halifax Bus Proposals.

Halifax Corporation has received notification from the Ministry of Transport that approval has been given to the proposal to run a service of motor omnibuses to Cleckheaton, but that in the case of the application for permission to run a service to Rochdale it was considered that a case had not been made out by the corporation.

The application for powers to run to Rochdale was objected to by a number of private companies and by the railway company. The latter complained that its service, which it considered sufficient, would be affected, whilst the private companies objected to the application because they had been unable to get licences from Halifax, but, as their appeals were not rejected, but simply held over, they had no right of appeal to the Minister of Transport.

No reason is said to have been given by the Minister of Transport for the refusal of the application of the appeal, and a deputation is to endeavour to gain an interview. The route has been served by the corporation tramways for some time, and it is stated that the receipts have been satisfactory.

Big Order from Australia for a British Company.

In an advice which we have received from Melbourne (Australia) it is stated that a well-known motor-distributing company in that city has • recently completed a contract for the supply of 10,500 British cars and motor lorries to be delivered during the course. of next year. The value of the contract is stated to be approximately 18,000,000, and it has been placed with the Morris Co. It is said to be the largest eingle contract over received by a British manufacturer from overseas. A considerable proportion of the order will consist of Morris-Commercial moterg.

Success of Glasgow-Edinburgh Bus Service.

It is reported that the bus service between Glasgow and Edinburgh, to the inauguration of which we referred in our issue dated. November 2nd, is proving singularly successful and forming a " diqi»ct, menace" to the railways. It is under the control of the Scottish hfotor Traction Co., Ltd., and is the outcome of an amalgamation among siveral local motorbus businesses at Armadale, Coatbridge and other places en route, all of which are now merged in the Edinburgh concern.

Splendid vehicles—very comfortable end up to date—have been provided, and These run from each terminus at intervals of 20 minutes. The road runs, from east to west, through Broxburn, Balhgate, Armadale, Clarkston, Airdrie, Carnbridge and Shettleston, and the distamer: covered is about 40 miles.

The single and return fares between the two cities are 2s. Od. and 4s. 4d. respectively, whereas the comparable railway charges are 3s. NI. and is. (third class).

A Mossley Agreement.

At a meeting of the tramways committee of the Oldham Corporation it was mentioned that officials recently attended at Mossley with reference to the suggestion of an inspector of the Ministry of Transport that the representatives of the authorities concerned should endeavour to come to an agreement with respect to the Mossley Council's refusal to grant licences to the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd. when a communication was submitted from the company setting forth a number of proposals which was not acceptable to the other authorities concerned.

In the circumstances it was decided that a deputation of representatives of Oldham and Ashton Tramways Departments, and the Stalybridge, Hyde, Moseley and Dukinfield Joint Board should seek an interview with the Ministry of Transport in London.

New Lincolnshire By-pass Road.

The first concrete road to be constructed in the Holland Division of Lineolushire, situated at Spalding, was publicly opened towards the end of last month. The event marked the completion of the first stage of SPalding's i:e3,378 scheme for the development of the sugar beet industry in this centre of the Fenland district. Nine hundred yards long, the road had been constructed at a cost of £12,2. It pro vide s through communication to the factory from the Pinchbeck road.

Declaring the road open, Captain Richard Gleed, J.P. (chairman of the roads and bridges committee of the Holland County Council), sad the scheme would cost the county £1 19s. 3d. per day, and the Spalding authority 13s. per day, for a period of twenty-live years.

Welding Engineers' Meeting. A meeting of the Institution of Welding Engiuters will take place at Caxton Ilan, London, S.W.1, on December lath, when Mr. G. H. Gulliver, D.Sc., will read a paper entitled " Some Features in the Path of a Crack." Ticket.s giving admission to the meeting can be obtained from the hon, secretary to the Institution, 30, Red Lion Square, Lender, W.C.1.

First-aid Boxes for Busmen The first-aid boxes which the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., recently decided to install at terminal points on bus routes have been placed in position, and over 40 of them are now available at different points on the company's system. The Gas-producer Campaign in France.

Apparently some of those interested in the gas-producer movement in France are becoming unduly enthusiastic, for we learn that the orgaizing committee of the competition of such apparatus lately held in South-West France has submitted a resolution to the French Ministers of Commerce and Finance urging that a law be introduced to provide that all heavy commercial vehicles should be fitted with gas-producers and cease to use petrol.

Inst. of M.T. Membership.

The membership of the Institute of the Motor Trade continues to increase, and the latest branches to be formed are at Brighton and Southampton, whilst applications for admission have been received from other parts of the country,

As our readers may know, the Institute aims at raising the standard of tompetenceihmongst motor traders, and each branch of the parent body has before it a strong programme of lectures.

Retiring from the British Petroleum Co.

It is with regret •we learn that Mr. S. A. Sereeton, general sales manager of the British Petroleum Co., Ltd., has. for reasons of health, decided to retire front that position as from January 1st next. We understand, however, that arrangements have been made whereby Mr. Screeton's valuable experience and advice will continue to be at the disposal of the company, with which he has been associated for close upon 30 Years.

Laystall's Many-sided Activities.

Full detail of the activities of the Laystall Motor Engineering Works, Ltd., Ewer Street, London, S.E.L are contained in an illustrated booklet which the company has just issued. It clearly -sets out the scope of the various departments of the company, and, what is Particularly useful, gives a list of prices for the work carried out in each. Glasgow's Bus Powers Under Discussion.

At a recent meeting of the Glasgow Corporation the draft provisional order by which the corporation is seeking Parliamentary powers for the erection of a bridge over the Clyde at Pinnieston was approved.

• Apart from the clause relating to this bridge, other matters dealing with the Omnibus Order were discussed. Several members of the corporation criticised the action of the corporation in seeking power to manufacture buses, and one of them contended that the corporation could never hope to be in a position to lay down plant for the mass-production of buses, which was the only system under which they could he produced economically.

Other members expressed their views on the same point, but the convener of the tramways committee pointed out that the order merely sought the same powers possessed by the corporation in connection with tramcars. A division of the council was taken on the point, with the result that the clause was approved, the voting being 46 for the proposal and 34 against.

• Bus Conditions at Chorley.

At a meeting of the Chorley Watch Committee a letter was read from the Chorley Motor Omnibus Joint Committee recommending the issue of hackney carriage licences to the following for the period ended March 31st next, viz.:— Messrs. M. and S. Freeman, Bridge's Motors, J. and R. Singleton, Eccleston Motor Co., M. Ellison and Sons, Mr. W. Gardner, Mr. J. B. Jump and Mr. T. Parkinson.

The joint committee is still in communication with Dallas Services, Ltd., Mr. J. Fishwiek and Mrs. H. Rowley regarding matters connected with their time-tables.

With regard to the application received from Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., the joint committee decided to recommend each constituent authority to refuse each applicatiou, owing, it is said, C22 to the refusal of that company to agree to accept the conditions which the committee has drawn up in connection with the • granting of hackney carriage licences. The Horwich Urban District Council has already refused the company's application and notice of appeal to the Ministry of Transport has been served.

Popular Karrier Models.

Amongst recent orders which have been received by Karrier Motors, Ltd., Karrier Works, Huddersfield, is a number for various rigid-framed sixwheelers. These include an order for a 66-seater, covered-top, double-decker from the Manchester Corporation Tramways Department, whilst Mr. W. Young, of CarJuke, is buying a number of chassis to which single-deck bodies will be fitted.

Several co-operative societies have recently placed repeat orders for Karrier vehicles, these including those at _Bradford, Hebden Bridge and Huddersfield, whilst the company is also supplying 3-ton and 4-ton chassis to two of the leading distri

• -1

butora of motor spirit which already run vehicles of this make.

Several municipal appliances are also passing through the Karrier works, these including sweepers and collectors for Guildford and Stoke-on-Trent Corporations and the Kettering Urban District Council, whilst 4 750-gallon sweeper and eprinkler is under construction for the Newport Corporation.

Try, Try, Try Again.

At a meeting of the Hull Watch Committee an application was made by the Hull Road Motor and Electrical Engineering, Co., . Ltd., for licences to run omnibuses between Hull and Hessle, via Prestongate, Barrow Lane, Swanland Road, Willow Park and Anlaby. It was pointed out that this was the third application made by this company for working this route. The two previous applications had been refused, and they had appealed to the Ministry of Transport against the derision. Mr. Bell, of the company, appeared before the committee, and it was pointed out that, as there was an appeal pending, it could not deal with the further application.

Bituminous Sands for Roadmaking.

It is reported from Edmonton that a commercial use has at last been found for the bituminous sands of Northern Alberta. A road construction company in California has secured a concession to which a four-mile branch railway is to be built. The company claims that bitumen can be shipped so far east as Winnipeg and sold for less than im ported asphalt. Negotiations are in progress with numerous, municipalities in Western Canada for the supply of asphalt. The project is of the utmost importance in Western Canada, where the high cost of paving materials has retarded road construction.

Licences Issued by L.C.C.

At -a meeting of the London County Council the following questions were asked by Mr. J. W. Gilbert and answered by Mr. Jacobs, the chairman of the public control committee :—

Can he state the number of motorcar and motor drivers' licences issued by the council for the first nine months of the present year?—Vehicle licences, 234,464; drivers' licences, 177,455.

'Whether there is any increase in the number of each kind of licence in this period over the corresponding period of 1925, and, if so, what is the percentage of increase?—Yes. Vehicles, 11.5 per cent. increase; drivers', 14.5 per cent.

• Whether it is expected that the percentage of Increase will continue during the remainder of the year?—Yes.

A British Section at the Leipzig Fair.

In connection with the International Industries Fair, which will be held at Leipzig from March 6th to 12th next, a special section is being given over to the exhibits of British manufacturers. The British section of this important Fair was inaugurated in 1925, and a total space of 6,000 sq. ft is available for the display • of the products of makers in this country. At this Fair 21 different countries will be represented. We have perused a copy of a brochure, which gives details of value to intending exhibitors. It cap be obtained from the hon. organizing secretary, 1, Gower Street, London, W.C.1. "Petrol, St. Albans."

A somewhat novel form of service is offered to users of commercial vehicles by the recently opened St. _Albans Petrol Service Station. The telegraphic address of this concern is as above, the telephone number being St. Albane 999, and all operators of commercial vehicles plying regularly between London and the South, the Midlands and the North, are invited to make free use of the station as a means of getting into touch with drivers, not merely in emergencies, but as A matter of routine.

The station is situated on the main St. Albans-Barnet road, quite close to the railway bridge. There are four primps of the Hammond visible pattern supplying various brands of motor fuel. A tower is available for the supply of water and compressed air, and stocks of lubricating oils, tyres and other sundries are carried. The station has been erected in the grounds of a very fine old Georgian house to the design of a leading architect, but the house has been left standing and adapted for use as a dining-room. and rest room. Day and night service is maintained, not only in the filling station proper, but also for the provision of hot drinks and refreshments and of hot baths.

"From Colliery to Can."

The title given above is borne by an interesting descriptive booklet which the National Benzole Co., Ltd., Wellington House, London, S.W.1, hes. just. produced. In preparing this publication the company has endeavoured to weave intl., the somewhat hard technical facts concerned with the production of National Bensole a thread of romance, as well as to explain to transport users that, by purchasing this product, they are assisting in. the exploitation of a British by-product industry.

Buying Fleets of Bristol Vehicles.

Amongst receut orders for fleets of vehicles which have been received by the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., of Bristol, is one from the British Petroleum Co., Ltd., for eight 4-ton chassis, which are to serve as the basis of tank wagons. Another fuel company I nying Bristol vehicles is Shell-Mex,

Ltd., which has recently placed an order for six 4-tanners, to be used for carr:-ing supplies of spirit in cans.

On the passenger-vehicle side, the estnpany has received an order for three double-deck, covered-top buses, mounted on Bristol heavy passenger chassis, from the Doncaster Corporation, and another for a 86-seater bus (in which the same chassis is used) from the Bath Tram

rays Motor Co., Ltd. The vehicles for Doncaster are 52-seaters, in which 26 passengers are carried in both saloons, and the driver is accommodated in an enclosed cab alongside the engine.

Each of the users referred to above already runs Bristol vehicles.

Servicing Agents.

We understand that the Westinghouse Electric International Co. has recently appointed the London Magneto Bepai,:ng and Winding Co., Ltd., 78, Hainnesad Road, London, N.W.1, as aervieing agents for Great Britain and Ireland for its automobile -lighting and starting equipment.

Motor Trade Examinations.

Of the various centres throughout the country at which the examinations of the Institute of the Motor Trade are being held, Liverpool, so far, beads the list with the greatest number of candidates, its figure, we are told, being even greater than that of the Metropolis.

Local Proceedings.

Northfieet Urban District Council has asked the surveyor to obtain particulars of trailer tire pumps.

Cheltenham Watch Committee is considering the provision of a motor tractor to haul an old horsed fire-engine.

Birkenhead Corporation is inviting tenders for the supply of nine single deck and ten double-deck motor omnibuses.

Hull Corporation is seeking the loan of motor vehicles so that tests may be made to ascertain the most suitable type of vehicle for refuse collection.

The fire-brigade committee of the Chelmsford Corporation recently witnessed a demonstration of certain fire appliances, with the result that the council. has been recommended to purchase a Dennismotor pump.

The tramways committee of the Plymouth Corporation has accepted the tender of the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., for the supply of ten bus chassis at E741 each and for the supply of six chassis of a similar type in exchange for six old chassis at a-cost of-£3,000.

• The Wealdstone Urban District Council is inviting tenders for the supply of a motor ambulance, the equipment of which must he so arranged that two patients and an attendant can be carried. Further particulars can be obtained from the surveyor, council offices, Wealdstone, and tenders have to be delivered by December 21st.

The transport committee of the Plymouth Corporation has accepted the following tenders: Motor cylinder oil: Shell-Max, Ltd., 1,000 gallons; Texas Oil Co., 2,000 gallons; Dick and Co., 1,000 gallons; Wakefield and Co., 2,000 gallons. Gear oil: Texas Oil Co. and Wakefield and Co., 600 gallons each. Journal oil: Shell-Mex. Ltd., 1,500 gallons; Texas Oil Co. 1,500 gallons; Dick and Co. 2,000 gallons. Cup grease: Dick and Co., 5 tons; Wakefield and Co., 5 tons ; Texas Oil Co., 2 tons.

Inst. P.E. Meeting.

A general meeting of the Institution of Production Engineers will be held in the council room of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 81, Pali Mall, London, S.W.11. to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, when a paper will be read by Mr, E. C. Gordon England, technical director of Gordon England, Ltd., entitled "The Conservation of Human Effort in Industry." A Bus Station for Durham ?

Before proceeding with a scheme for the establishment of a central motorbus station in the city, Durham City Council has decided to confer with omnibus undertakings operating in the area in order to ascertain whether they are prepared to make a contribution towards the cost. It may be recalled that, when a similar proposal was mooted at Darlington a year or two ago, proprietors in that area expressed their willingness to pay a reasonable rental in return for the advantages they would secure from ft well-appointed station. Unfortunately, that scheme has not been proceeded with, but it is possible that steps may shortly be taken to revive the proposal.

Horses Prohibited in Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is apparently the first city in the world to recognize that horse-drawn vehicles are a big hindrance to the solution of modern traffic problems, the authorities of that city having lately issued a notice that, as from January 1st next, no horsed vehicles will be allowed in the centre of the city.

Sheffield's Asphaltic Surfacing.

According to the report of the city surveyor of Sheffield, asphaltic surfacing has become practically the standard for roads in the city, except where severe gradients, or other special conditions, call for different treatment. The area laid during the year ended March last was 144,190 super. yards, and at this period there were 657,190 super. yards of asphaltic surfacing in Sheffield. Although some of the surfacing was laid down in 1917, very little of the material has worn out.

The city surveyor says that the introduction of asphalt has been one of the main factors in reducing road costs. A point of interest is that a bituminous compound has now been devised for painting the surface of asphalt, in this way prolonging its life.

French Authorities Demand Splashguards.

The French police authorities hare recently issued an order to the effect that, as from January 1st next, all commercial vehicles in France weighing, with their load, over 3 tons, must be fitted with a device that will prevent the splashing of mud on to pedestrians or property.

Representing Oto Motor Products.

We are told that Mr. It. B. Turner, 87, Vincent Street, Glasgow, has recently taken over the sole representation for Oto motor devices in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Amongst the accessories which Messrs. Ole Motor Products market is a rapid and efficient vulcanizing outfit, to which reference was made in our issue for August 17th last. The Latest G.W.R. Buses.

The Great Western Railway Co. is now taking delivery of a new type of motorbus for use on country services. The chassis is of the latest Maudslay type with pneumatic tyres and fourwheel brakes. The bodies, which are being built by John Buckingham, Ltd., Birmingham, are of the single-deck type with the driver's seat entirely enclosed. As indicating the great improvement which has taken place in motorbus construction, it is stated that the new vehicles, which are being put into service in the Slough and Abergavenny districts as well as in parts of the West of England, weigh 1 ton less than the old vehicles, and have a seating capacity equal to them.

A New Type of Headlight.

We learn from Chicago that Mr. W. E. Wissler, of Des Moines, Iowa, chairman of the lamp committee of the Eleventh Annual Convention of the Automotive Equipment Association of America, reported at a meeting that a new light bulb for motor-vehicle headlights has just been invented. It is said to be capable of throwing a beam of light up or down, and the light can be dimmed or increased by merely touching a button. The new bulb is technically known as the depressible-beam doublefilament bulb. It is said that it can be used with any type of lighting equipment.