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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is 7.4 the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier,
The Railways 'Partially Give Way.
We are in a position to announce that the North-Western and Midland group of railways have decided to withdraw the word " passenger " from the clause in the Bill under which they seek power to provide road transport, and that, as restilt, the omnibus undertakings will withdraw their opposition to the Bill. The interests of manufacturers of vehicles are being satisfied by the inclusion of a clause in the Bill asserting that the companies are not to be empowered to manufacture motor vehicles. Thus, the opposition from road transport interests has been whittled down to that emanating from owners of goads-carrying vehicles, and, unless they put up a stronger fight than has hitherto been the ewe, we feel that they will lose, and the companies will get the powers asked for. Each vehicle owner must throw all his weight into the ecale, the Commercial Motors Users Association or one of its local divisions being the best medium for the presentation of his case.
An Important Meeting.
An important meeting will be held at the offices of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders at 3 pen. on Thursday next. The meeting is called by the Motor Legislation Committee, and the representatives of the railway groups that are asking for increased powers to run road motor services will explain the objects of their Bill and the nature of the safeguards proposed by them. It is not inconceivable that this may lead to some modification in the opposition, particularly in respect of manufacturers, who would not have very serious cause for complaint if the railways undertook to refrain from manufacturing vehicles or spare parts for themselves for a eiffisiderable period of years.
Birmingham and the Railways Bill.
In reconsidering opposition to the Railways. Bill, the General Purposes Committee of the Birmingham Corporation states that the Bill contains no provisions as • to limiting the .routes to be traversed by the road vehicles to be pioVided by the railway companies, as to the adoption and repair • of roads to be used by them, or as to the licensing of._ Vehicles for the conveyance of passengers. , The corporation should not acquiesee in such limited powers being -granted to the railway com panies. .
Closing a Scottish Road. •
'the Ministry of Transport has given notice of the holding of a local inquiry to--be held in. the Court House, County Buildings, Kirkcudbright, on Thursday, February 23rd, at 10,30 a.m., to consider an application from-the County Council of Kirkcudbright to (1) prohibit the
• driving of mechanically propelled vehicles the axle weight a. of whichexceed 2 tons upon the bridge over the River Dee at Kirkcudbright, and (2) limiting. to 10 miles per hour the speed of other me
Cha.nically propelled vehicles upon the bridge.
This application has been made under the provisions of the Roads Aet, 1920, which enables the Ministry of Transport to make Orders prohibiting or restricting, subject to such other exceptions or conditions, as may be specified in the Order. The Act, however) provides that no Order can be made until a local inquiry has been held, at which any person who 15 given notice is entitled to appear.
The matter has been investigated by the Scottish Commercial Users Associs.tion, and they are of opinion that if the Order was allowed to go through without any opposition great hardship would be caused, and they will oppose the granting of the Order in question. All who are interested in opposing the application are invited to communicate with the secretary of the Scottish Commercial Motor Users Association, 43, York Place, Edinburgh.
. New By-pass Road.
Drivers of motor vehicles between Preston and Liverpool have to negotiate, when reaching Ormskirk, a number of dangerously narrow and crooked streets. For some time there has been_an agitation for a by-pass road, the construction of which will cost about £70,000. The Ministry. -of Transport has now intimated that it is prepared to pay half the cost.
A New Continental Engine.
The Continental Motors Corporation have started the production of a special bus model engine for vehicles weighing from 44 tons to 5i tons. This new power unit will be known as Model 4L, and is specially designed to meet speed requirements and to provide for adequate lubrication. The other engines made by the company are also being redesigned in order to permit, greater speeds; this, incidentally, is one of the results of the fitting of pneumatic tyres to motor vehicles, which has rendered possible the running of lorries and passenger vehicles at higher speeds without causing excessive vibration.
Transport in Asia Minor.
According to the Department of Overseas Trade, the Turkish Government has just published an important law relating to road transport in Asia Minor. The principal conditions provide that motor lorries for public purposes will be admitted into 'Turkey free of customs duty, as will spare parts and accessories in conformitywith the laws laid down by the Ministry of National Economy.; oil and Petrol will also be admitted free.
The Ministry of National Economy and Finance will fix transport tariff
• rates. The States will enjoy a 25 Per cent. reduction on tariff rates, but will not employ more than 50 per cent. of the total number of lorries intended for pub lic transport. Public transport companies will be obliged to carry mail bags free, provided the weight does not exceed 25 kilos. per ton per lorry. No lorry must carry a Toad which exceeds 2 tons.
The 'Blackpool Motor Coach Station.
The Blackpool motor station is now in the hands of the builders, who are busily occupied building a new frontage on the lines already indicated in The Commercial Motor. The stationwill reopen at Easter.
It has been decided to provide drivers of coaches using the station with meals, and, as they will have a room of their CAVEC in the station buildings", it will be seen that generous provision has been made for "the man at the wheel." • York Traffic Figures.
The following summary gives the traffic figures for the month of De.cemleer and the cot-responding month of the previous year for the York City Council's traffic services :— Cars, omnibuses and railless vehicles (combined) 19211920.
Mileage ... 74,519.09 73,739.56 Passengers ... 793,301 840,374 Receipts £6,050 9e. 95. £5,689 Os. 3d. Receipts per mile ... 19.48d. 18.52d.
Omnibuses ;— Mileage 3,896.50 5,742.51 Passengers ... 35,109 42,314 Receipts £277 11s. 6d. £281 4s. 6d. Receipts per mile 17.10d. 11.75d.
Runless vehicles :— 1920 (9 days). Mileage ... 3,123,40 838.56 Passengers ... 31,290 10,172 Receipts £245 13s. 6c1. £77 4s. 84. Receipts per mile ... 113,87d. 22.I0d.
A Road Warning.
The Automobile Association, as a result of a few reports of alleged inconsiderate driving, appeals to road users generally to.drive with due regard to the safety of men working on reed repairs. . Where large portions of road are being dealt with the road men are usually protected by barriers. In some cases, however, where small sections are being repaired in patches, etc., it is not .practicable to protect, the road men in this way, hence this appeal for special consideration.
London Traffic Control.
The Essex County Council has written to the Ilford Urban District Council inquiring whether any 'difficulties had been experienced by the district council with regard to the tramway serVivee in its district which would be remedied or lessenedif the services were under the control of the L.C.O. The Ilford Council has re-, plied that it knows of no difficulties that would be remedied or lessened if its tramway servloes were under the control of the L.C.C., adding that, whilst the Ilford undertaking pays its way, the L.O.C. . tramways show a considerable loss.
More Extraordinary Traffic.
Judgment was issued a few days age in Ayr Sheriff's Court in an action of interest to motor vehicle , users and road authorities. The pursuers iri the case were the Thornhill District Committee, and the defenders were James M'Gregor and Son, wood merchants, Ayr, and 11. and'e. H. Pickle, grain merchants, Thornhill. The defenders were sued for M68 for damage caused to a section of road in Nithsdale, alleged to be due to the haulage of timber by the defenders.
The Sheriff has now held that the haulage was extraordinary traffic, and that the pursuers have failed to prove the amount of the extraordinary expenses incurred by them in repairing the portion of the district road. He therefore acquitted the defenders' and found the pursuers liable to the defenders in expenses. On the question of extraordinary expenses incurred by the pursuers in repairing the road, he held that estimates of expenditure were not accounts of actual expenditure, and when proof of facts was required by eta Lute he did not think that estimates prayed such expenditure. In his opinion the most important item of proof to enable the Court to judge whether there had been extraordinary expenses incurred in the repair of a particular road by reason of damage was proof of the expenclitaine.Iaid out in prior years.
Bradford's Trolley-bus SZherne.
An Inspector of the Ministry of Health held an inquiry at Bradford a few days ago with reference to the application of the Bradford Corporation for a Provisional Order (a) to enable the Minister of Transport to authorize the use by the Corporation of trolley vehicles upon any route or routes within the city, or partly within and partly without the city ;_(b) to remove the limit of weight
of five tons imposed by a Local Act of•1910 in respect of such vehicles at the
discretion Of the Ministry of Transport; and (c) to en..able the Ministry of Transport to grant borrowing powers for the purpose of the establishment and equipment of trolley vehicle and car sheds and depots.
On behalf of the' Yorkshire Woollen District Tramway Co. an assurance was asked for that the Corporation did not intend to seek powers to run trolley vehicles in competition with them, or in their areas, without obtaining the permission of the authorities concerned. The inspector assured the representative of the company that they were fully protected, and suggested that any objections they wished to make should he made when the Corporation asked for a Provisional Order from the Ministry of Transport.
Entering into details of the case of theCorporation with regard to trolley vehicles, the town clerk suggested that among the places to which the Corporathin might seek to run such vehicles were Baildon, Clayton, Calverley, Cleckheaton, and White Crass, Menston. None of these places was at present. reached by tramways. In addition, it might be necessary to replace the railed cars on Some of the tramway routes by trolley vehicles an account of the enormously increased cost of relaying tram tracks.
The tramways manager said that owing to the increased cost of track construction, 75 per cent., of the lines would eventually have to be abandoned unless some form of transit cheaper than railed eani was adopted. In closing the inquiry the inspector complimented the officials of the Corporation upon the uncommonly complete and efficient manner in which they had presented their case. The report would be presented to the Ministry in due course.
A factory and yard, with a ground mite of 5,000 sq. yds., is advertised, for sale at Derby.
British Government surplus lorries, totalling 160, are being sold in Arkansas at 50 per cent, below cost price.
The Automobile Engineering Ca., Ltd., 2a, Bessbormigh Place, London, S.W.1, have acquired the sole manufacturing and selling rights for the Ford accessory known as the 11.T. economizer (or Holley transformer), the former concessionnaires, Messrs. G. S. Peacock and Co,, having retired from business. The retail price has been raised to 25s.
French Oil Wells.
A recent report from Paris says that the Standard Oil Co., which is working in alliance with the Banque de Paris et des Pays Bali,. is obtaining rights for oilprospecting in the Landes region in south-western France.
At Bastennes oil has been found from time to time during the last 25 years in biturniaous deposits there, and operations are to embrace this district.
Prospecting in the Basses-Pyrenees has already been undertaken without result, and the only wells which are working in France to-day are those at Pechelbronn in Alsace.
A New Practical Handbook for Motorcyclists.
The,latest edition to the Temple Press publications is an entirely new practical handbook, " Motorcycle Efficiency and How to Obtain It," which should meet a long-felt want of motorcyclists. Written in the simplest non-technical language, it describes how any type of motorcycle can be maintained at its highest pitch of efficiency, and expense, time, and labour be economized. A special feature is made of describing adjustments, and the method of taking to pieces, cleaning and replacing the various parts of a motorcycle when necessary. Numerous hints and emergency " dodges " are given, and there are over•200 -pages of practical information, with a mass of illustrations of great value to Motorcyclists. The new handbook is obtainable from Temple Press Ltd., 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, Londou, E.C.1, price 2s. 6d. net, post free Zs. 9.A., also from leeding booksellers.
We understand that Mr. Leo Swain has just been notified that the application filed during the war period for a patent for the United States of America for the well-known Leosco tube sayer, has now been granted, and the number of the patent is 1,403,82L
'The Edmonton Urban District Council invites tenders for the supply of a Ford ton chassis, fitted with an ambulance body. Tenders have to be delivered before February 15th to the ToWn Hall, Edmonton, London. N.9.
Order for Straker-Squires.
It is refreshing to hear of fairly large orders being placed with British manufacturers, and it. augurs well for future trade. Straker Squire, Ltd., Augel Road Works, Edmonton, London, N. 18, inform us that they have recently been favoured with a repeat order for 12 additional single and double-deck buses on their A-type chassis from the Progressive Motor Omnibus Co., of Wellingborough.
This company have standardized single and doable-deck buses of StrakerSquire manufacture for their various passenger services, which they are running in the County of Lincoln and the surrounding districts. They intend opening up new routes as the basis of a big, development in the near future, and it IS for these services that the new vehicles are intended. The company's A-type Straker-Squire buses have given excellent results, and there can be no better method of expressing the opinion which the company hold of these ma-chines than by the repeat order.
• Timken Axle Service.
The Automotive Products Co., 3, Berners Street, London, W. 1, inform us that, as the sole representatives for the Timken Detroit Axle Co.'s products in the United Kingdom, arrangements have been made whereby a complete stock of spare parts for the various models of Timken axles produced will be stocked in a. central spare-part dep5t in London, from which all service in connection with these axles _will be conducted. It is the intention of the companyto work in the closest co-operation with the coneessionnaires and agents for American vehicles which are fitted with Timken axles, and for that purpose they will be pleased to hear from all representatives with whom they have not so far been in touch.
A Tractor for Hauling a FireEngine.
The Ormakirk Council has agreed to purchase a tractor for their fire-engine provided that the rural authorities in the locality are prepared to participate in a contributory scheme for the maintenance of the fire-fighting equipment.
It had, by the way, been reported to
a meeting of the joint authorities contributing to the maintenance of the Ormskirk Fire Brigade that tenders for a motor fire-engine had been received amounting th £1,700, £1,790, and £2,200, but they could not afford to buy at that price. The suggestion was then made that a motor wagon be purchased to haul the existing fire-engine, the Orn-iskirk Council to use the wagon for other of its own work as required.
In view of the disadvantages of such an arrangement, one of the contributing authorities decided to inquire of the Southport Corporation itsterms for attending fires within the Aught= district.
A Surrey Bridge Restriction.
We are informed by the surveyor to the Surrey County Council that Hampton Court Bridge is now restricted to the passage of vehicles not exceeding five tons gross weight. A temporary notice warning traffic to the above effect has already been posted on the bridge.
Asking for Higher Taxes.
The Finance Committee of the East Riding County Cou.icil has expressed the opinion that the tax levied on heavy motor vehicles is quite inadequate; having regard to the damage done to roads by such vehicles, and asked the County Councils Association to take the matter up with the appropriate Government Departmeuts with a view to the tax being increased.
The •Knaresborough Rural District Council recently recoested the County Council to-ask the Ministry of Transport to grant an order prohibiting heavy traffic on Abbey Road, Knareshorough, but a letter was received from the County Council a few days. ago saying that it enuld not make such a recommendation.
Simms Motor Units (1920), Ltd., of Percy Buildings, Grease Street, Rathbone Place, London, W. 1, inform us that they have opened a branch in Manchester, at 6, Park Place, Cheetham Hill Road, for the purpose of carrying out repairs to magnetos and starters, and for stocking and selling magnetos, magneto spare parts of all makes, sparking plugs, vulcanizers, etc
Northern Traffic Restriction
A number of authorities in the country has recently decided to seek authority to close roads in their respective areas against heavy motor, and especially motor coach, traffic, and at their quarterly meeting held in Newcastle a few days ago, the Northumberland County Council passed a report containing a. proposal to make an application along these lines.
The question of closing roads and bridges in the county, Alderman II.' J. Aynsley told the meeting, had been receiving the attention of the Bridges and Roads Committee, whose report be presented, and, as a result, the various district councils concerned had been requested to send in lists of such roads and bridges which in their opinion should not be used by heavy motor traffic. Many of these lists had been received. Application, it was proposed, should be made by the county council for an Order, under Section 7, Sub-section 4, of the Roads Act, 1920, for closing the roads named to motor vehicles exceeding 6 ft. 6 ins_ in.width and 16 it. in length, or 2 tons weight. The committee had resolved that through traffic only should be taken into account; or in other words, that agricultural or other traffic to farms and houses should be exempted. Through traffic meant more particurarly char-abanes traffic. Restrictions on 229 roads had been applied for by councils, as well as for several streets and bridges. All bridges now closed against traction engines the committee proposed to close against weights over 5 tons and four bridges against weights over 2 tons.
It was also stated at the meeting that of the sum of 299,639 obtained from the Ministry of Transport for the year 1921-2 three-quarters had been expended on the roads. In consequence of the deplorable state of some highways in the south-east part of the county, they had made application for a further grant of £80,000, of which the Ministry were willing to grant half. They had also sanctioned the borrowing of the other half. For the year the sum of £199,639 had been spent on roads in the county.
We are given to understand by A. and S. Andrews, Ltd., Uxbridge Road, Laing Common, London, W., that, as from February 4th, the price of the Fordson tractor has been reduced by 70 to 2120.
Prohibited Roads.
Prohibition orders have been lodged with the Ministry of Transport by the East Riding County Council as follows: The road in the Borough of Beverley from Railway street, at its junction with Wednesday Market, via Wednesday Market, Butcher Row," and, Toll Gavel, to Register Square. Prohibiting the use of the road by all mechanically propelled vehicles (exceptpassenger carrying motorcars not of the char-a-bancs or omnibus type, light motor vans, and motorcycles).
The roads in the Pocklington, urban district known as Clark's Lane, Post Lane, Waterloo Lane, Waterloo Square, and Pen, Lane. Prohibiting the use of the roads by all heavy mechanically propelled vehicles.
The roads in the Sculcoates rural district known as Ladywell Cate, Welton, and Petterill Lane, Sutton. Prohibiting the useof Ladywell Gate, Welton, by all heavy mechanically propelled vehicles, and Potteri.11 Lane, Sutton, by all mechanically propelled vehicles.
An Up-to-date Continental Brigade.
The town of Amsterdam possesses, for it size, probably one of the finest motor iire-brigade services on the Continent. In April of last year the town put into use 12 Mercedes-Daimler motor pumps. These vehicles are of the 3 ton type, and have four-cylinder engines developing 60 h.p. In addition, the brigade has recently taken delivery of four motor ladders, which are carried on a similar chassis to the pumps. In these vehicles the engine drives a dynamo, which in turn supplies the Current for three motors; one motor supplies the power for lifting the ladder, the second for lengthening the ladder, and the third enables the whole ladder to turn in. a complete circle.
The Amsterdam Fire Brigade equipment also comprises a salvage wagon and a Cadillac light carfor the commander's -use. In addition, there.are a number of small electric vehicles and two small motor pumps, which can be attached to the salvage wagon. These smaller ve.hi. eles are for use in districts where the bridges cannot bear the weight of the larger vehicles.
A Motor Snow Plough.
According to our contemporary, "Municipal Engineering and Sanitary Record," Mr. W. H. Sager, the cleansing superintendent, Halifax, has -designed a snow plough attachment which consists of a steel plate or plough about 9 ft. long, 15 ins, wide, and 1. in. thick, supported by two strong iron stays fixed to the chassis of the 3 ton Halley petrol wagon belonging to the Transport Department, which, in ordinary times, is used or any kind of laulage work.
It. is so arranged that in the winter season the stays may be left in a fixed position without any inconvenience, and immediately there is a fall of snow the plough can be fitted in about 15 -mins. and ready for work. It is fixed between the hind and the front wheels at an angle of about 45 degrees, and clears sufficient snow to allow the hind wheels to run on the-newly cleared ground.
After a recent fall of snow the plough turned out at 7 o'clock one evening, under the personal supervision of Mr. Sagar, and by II. p.m. had pushed the greater part of the snow to the sides of the principal thoroughfares in the centre of the town, enabling the 64 carts and over 200 men to commence loading operations early the next morning, with the result that close upon 1,100 loads of snow were removed from the streets during the day.
New Long-service Buses.
Ribble Motor, Ltd., of Preston, have been in communication with the Southport Watch Committee with regard to a new motor omnibus service between Bolton and Southport. Licences are to be granted by the Southport Watch Committee with a terminus at Blowick. Last year the company was given permission to run motorbuses between Southport and Ormakirk and Southport.
and Preston, on tire understanding thatthey did not compete with the corporation trams.
Another new service, which we understand will be inaugurated this summer, is between Preston and Blackpool, and in this connection arrangements have been made for garaging at the Blackpool motor station.
A Record Load.
Dealers in farm produce find motor transport an excellent aid to their business in the collection, marketing, and distribution of all kinds of agricultural products. Mr. J. Jones, of Chester, has two Straker-Squires for the purpose, which were supplied by W. -13. Horn. Ltd., of Birkenhead, and the vehicle in the illustration reproduced herewith is shown with its record load of 69 bales of hay, weighing 4 tons, 15 cwt. This machine has been driven 12,000 miles without the slightest mechanical trouble.
Dangerous)-Trees,
The Commissioner of Police has drawn the attention of the Walthamstow Urban District Council to the danger to bus traffic, owing to several trees in some roads projecting beyond the edges of the kerbs, and the council intends to remedy the cause of complaint.
Speed Limit Inquiries.
The general secretary of the Commercial Motor Users Association has been informed by the Minis'-er of Transport that it has been decided not to comply with the application of the Town Council of Southport for an Order under Section 7 (4i of the Roads Act, 1920, limiting the speed of heavy motorcars to eight Miles an hour along certain roads within the borough.
It will be remembered that the application was opposed by the C.M.U.A., who were represented at the local inquiry which was held last October.
A.E. Meetings.
Among the forthcoming meetings of the Institution of Automobile Engineers the following should be ,particularly noted :— Tuesday, February 215C—Ordinary general meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, New Street, Birmingham, at 7 p.m., when Dr. W. R. Ormandy and Mr. E. C. Craven will read a paper entitled "The Physical Properties of Motor Fuels—A Discussion of Their Bearing on the Motor Industry." Thursday, February 23rd.—Orelinary general meeting at the Masonic Hall, Coventry, at 7.45 p.m., when Mr. E. L. Bass will read a paper entitled "Engine Lubrication." Tuesday, February 28th.—Informal meeting at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, St. James's Park, London, SAVA., at 8.30, when various recording instruments used on motorcars will he demonstrated.
The annual dinner of the British Motor Cab Co., Ltd., was held a few days ago at the " Horns," Kennington, Mr. Richard Twelvetrees, the joint general Manager and chief engineer, and Mr. H. Mc'Earlane-Davie, joint general manager and secretary, presiding over a representative gathering.. The occasion served to mark the cordiality of the relationship existing between the management, staff, and employees of the corn pany.
Firestone Tyre Losses.
In connection with the big losses sus tented by some of our tyre-making concerns, it is interesting to observe the effect of the depreciation in the fah oi rubber and other stocks on the finances of large tyre manufacturers in other countries.
In the case of the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., of. Akron, Ohio, the loss for the past year was 16,000,000 dollars in stocks and other tangible assets. In spite of this, the surplus, as shown by the accounts, is' nearly 16,000,000 dollars. The sales for the year were reported as 86,000,000 dollars, representing a decrease of -42 Per cent, in cash and.15per cant..in number of tyres sold. An interesting feature of the report is that the selling expenses decreased by 38 per cent, and the factory overhead charges by 58 per cent.
A Municipal Experiment.
. The Highways Committee of the St. Pancras Borough Council recommends the purchase from Tuke and Bell, Ltd., of two one ton motor lorries at £272 each. The committee states that it has had under consideration the question as towhether it would be more economical for the council to purchase motor lorries insteed of hiring day carts for the cartage of materials. As an experiment, a motor lorry was hired for a period of one week, and it was proved that the motor vehicle was able to carry out work equal to that usually done by three day carts. Tenders . for the supplyeof two one ton motor lorries were invited, and the following were received : Allan, Taylor and Co., of Wandsworth, for £85 each.
Herbert Lomas, Ltd., of Manchester, for £270 10s. each.
London Lorries, Ltd., of Kentish Town, for' £330 each.
Tuke and Bell, Ltd., of Lichfield, for £272 each.
The committee was advised by the borough engineer that .the best tender for the council to accept would be that of Messrs. Tuke and Bell, as their vehielest would be fitted with a screw tipping gear, and it is, in effect, the lowest tender, because the lorries are painted and kttsred without extra charge. A calculation has been made -upon the figures quoted by the lowest tenderer for the day cartage contract, now under consideration, and it appears that these Motor lorries could be pnrchased mit of the saving in cost that would be effected in 12 months' use.
A Quickly Adjustable Spanner.
A. useful type of adjustable spanner, known is the S.A.E.O., is being marketed by the World Agency and Trading Co., Ltd., Bank Buildings, 16, St: James's -Street, London, S.W.1. This spanner overcomes many of the disadvantages Which are assoaiated with the tyPaegenerally in use. In, the latter the adjustable jave has to hd screwed up against the nut, and it is very apt to slip during use, with the result that the corners of the nuts -Weenie founded, and they are then Very .difficult to turn. • In the S.A.E.O. spanner the hardened sliding jaw is -cut with a number of retchet. teeth, which, in the' Ordinary cenerSe, mesh with similar teeth cut along the handle of the tool, and the teeth are kept in contact by means of a light spring securely attached to the
sliding jaw frame, space for this being allowed between the back of this frame and the back of the spanner handle.
When in use the .tool is gripped in one hand and the thumb pressed lightly on the back of the eliding jaw frame. This pressure, acting against the spring, brings the ratchet teeth out of mesh, and the sliding jaw can then, be moved freely to any required position within its limits of travel. It can thus be moved up to the nut, and when pressure of the thumb is released the ratchet -teeth engage, and the spanner is ready for work with no possibility of slip occurring.
Owing to its construction it is remarkably strong, and it is hardened and tempered to resist wear. It is made in four sixes: Nos. 0, 1, 2, and 3, the prices being 3s. 3d., Si. 9d., 9s. 9d., and 13s. 4d. respectively.
No Mileage Charges.
Blackpool Corporation Tramways Committee has refused to grant the request of the Thornton Urban District Council for bus mileage charges.
Buses for Blackpool.
'As the Corporation has rejected the proposal for municipal bus services, the' Blackpool Tramways Committee now suggests that licences should be granted for private services to those' who will agree to terminate such services at the. end of three years without compensation..
A Street to be Avoided.
At the request of the Burnley Corporation, the L. and N.W. Railway has agreed to get its motor drivers to avoid, so far as possible, Arch Street, which the Corporation deems dangerous for heavy traffic owing to its gradients and narrowness.
Vetoing a Bus Route.
The L.C.C. has, at the request of the Islington and St. Pancras borough Councils, made application to the Minister of Transport under section 7 (4) of the Roads Act, 1924, with a view to the issue by the Minister, after holding an„ inquiry, of an Order prohibiting motor omnibus traffic along the route proposed by the London General Omnibus Co., Lid., from King's Crosa to Highgate via York Road, Breelenock Read, Junction Road, and Highgate Hill, on the ground of the unsuitability of a part of the route in question for such traffic.
Local Proceedings.
St,. Helens Town Council has authorized its Motorcar Sub-committee to put. chew a light motorcar.
Blackburn Corporation is considering a scheme for the insurance of all the corporation motor vehicles.
Blackburn Watch Committee has asked for a month's consideration of a new omnibus service to Mill Hill.
Worcester City Council Electricity Committee is considering the purchase of a 5 or 6 ton petrol lorry for haulage purposes.
St. Helens Corporation Parks Committee has asked the borough engineer to obtain prices for a 'new motor engine for the motor launch, .
Kendal Corporation Health Committee has appointed a sub-committee to consider the advisability of purchasing a motor ambulance.
The Birkenhead Gas Committee -has accepted an offer from the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., of a 5 ton Sentinel wagon for £1,075.
Newport, (I. of W.) Town Council has now asked the surveyor to invite tenders from' selected firms for a steam or petrol motor water wagon.
Rotherham Corporation and the Rotherham Rural Council have arranged to discuss the question of motorbus services in rural districts.
The L.C.C. has sanctioned a loan by the Hackney Borough Council of £7,750 in respect of five 6. ton motor vehicles purchased nine months ago.
Local authorities are conferring on a proposal to convert the canal from Chesterfield to Horwoodea distance of eleven miles, into an arterial road.
Worcester City Council is being asked to consider the admissibility of introducing mechanically propelled vehicles for street cleansing -and watering.
Rotherham Corporation Tramways Committee recommends the purchase, for trial purposes, of a Ford 14-seater bus at an approximate cost of 360.
• Gloucester City Council is negotiating with .surrounding authorities withthe idea of the City Council purchasing a second fire-engine to send to rural fires.
Burnley Corporation Tramways Committee has asked a sub-committee to re. port as to the deeiranility of instituting motor omnibus services in the borough.
Burtonon -Trent Corporation • has
granted a licence to the British Petroleum Co., Ltd., to store 29,000 gallons at the new Spirit Stores in 111allow Street.
The Transport Ministry has sanctioned a loan by the Hull Corporation for £10,000 for the purchase of motor omnibuses, the repayment period being fixed at six years.
Ilkeston Town Council has accepted the tender af Messrs. Hickman Bros., for the supply of a 25 cwt. Guy chassis with a locally built tipping body at the price of 2475 inclusive.
Leyton Corporation is recommended to accept the tender of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., to supply a charging motor generator for installation at the electric vehicle garage at the price of £410.