• 5i Million Bus-miles per Annum.
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The eighth annual dinner of the East Surrey Traction Co., Ltd., was held a few days ago at Redhill. The chairman of the directors, Mr. J. W. Nettle, presided, and he was supported by Mr. Temple Newell, another director, and Mr. A. IL Hawkins, managing director.
In the course of a speech, Mr. Temple Newell drew attention to the progressive policy of the company and to the fact that one of its aims was to employ the most up-to-date rolling stock in order to give efficient service to the public. In this connection he cited the fact that pneumatic tyres had been tried on certain vehicles, and said the company's experience bad been such that, in all probability, at no distant date such equipment would be the rule rather than the exception on its buses.
Mr. Hawkins, in the course of a toast proposing the staff and employees, said that the company was carrying 22 million passengers and 100,000 parcels per year. The total annual mileage of the fleet was 5,600,000. Although so many miles were run, the number of accidents in which the vehicles had been involved was very small, the reported cases being one in every 10,000 miles run, most of them being of a minor character.
Municipal Buyers of Guy Buses.
The Leeds Corporation, which, as indicated in our analysis of municipal bus services appearing in our Special Passenger Vehicle Issue for last week, already owns a big fleet of buses, a large number of them being of Guy manufacture, has recently 'decided to add to its fleet by the purchase of four Guy sixwheeled single-deck buses.
c2f.! . Another corporation which has placed an order for Guy vehicles is Wolverhampton, which is buying eight sixwheeled, six-cylinder, double-deck buses. When these vehicles are delivered, the Wolverhampton municipal authorities will have 42 Guy buses in service. A further municipal order recently received by Guy Mptors, Ltd., was from the Hull Corporation, which is buying two 26-seaters.
A Van with Saloon-body Lines.
An illustration published on this page depicts an interesting delivery which has recently been made by Leyland Motors, Ltd., to Barker and Dobson, Ltd., the well-known confectionery concern of Liverpool. The body was constructed at the Leyland works and is mounted on a Lioness passenger chassis. It is of high-class design and its general lines are mostrraceful. Glass Tights are fitted to the roof so that ample natural light is available in the interior of-the van, thus enabling the goods which are displayed to be seen to the best advantage. A sliding door is constructed in the front bulkhead, so that easy access can be gained to the interior from the driver's compartment.
The rear of the body is entirely built in and it carries a decorative publicity panel. One of the features of the van is the remarkably fine finish obtained in the painting and lettering. The body is painted chocolate and lettered in gold.
L.C.C. Contracts.
The London County Council has made contracts with the United Service Transport Co., Ltd., for the hire of petrol lorries required by the tramways department for the year at an estimated cost of £3,500, and with John Rowland and Co., Ltd., for the hire of 2i-ton motor vans at an estimated total of £8,225.
The N.U.T. Business Sidecar Outfit.
The N.U.T. Engine and Cycle Co., Ltd., Station Road, Walker, Newcastleupon-Tyne announces that the price of its commercial carrier is now £75.
Freeing the Wye Valley Bridges from Tolls.
The matter of freeing all the Wye Valley bridges and roads from tolls was referred to at a recent meeting of the Hereford County Council. It was reported that. practically all the local authorities of the area had petitioned the council to buy the toll rights.
As an experiment in buying the toll rights, it was recommended that the Herne Bridge toll be negotiated for at once. This was agreed to and members urged that the Fownhope and other bridges be freed so soon as is practicable.
Another Bus Service from Newcastle to London.
The third saloon bus service between Newcastle and London has been commenced by Mr.. J. Glenton Friars, of Blaydon, near Newcastle, one of the pioneers of motor coaching on Tyneside. A feature is that the route is to be worked by handsome Associated Daimler express restaurant saloon vehieles.
The vehicle used on the inaugural trip was on view at the Commercial Mettor Exhibition held at Cilympia in November. Seating is provided for 20 passengers, and there is a kitchen and a lavatory. Each passenger is provided with a tip-up table fitted to the rear of the seat in front, and the equipment also inclinics a table lamp for each passenger, as well as radiators and electric fans.
It is understood that a company is to be formed, under the auspices of Travers, Ltd., motor specialists, of Newcastle, to operate a fleet of these saloon 'vehicles from the North.
Agrimotor Trials in the Argentine.
Under the auspices of the Argentine Ministry of Agriculture an international trial of agricultural motors is to be held near Buenos Aires on •April 20th next. Entries for the event are to be sent to the Ministry at 974, Passe Colon, Buenos Aires, from which particulars can be obtained.
Karrier Agent in Lancashire.
R. Bamber and Co., Ltd., 33, Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Sonthport, informs us that it has been appointed sole selling agent for Karrier Motors, Ltd., for the West Lancashire territory, enclosed by a line through and including the following towns : Liverpool, Birkenhead, Chester, Warrington, Wigan, Chorley, Blackburn, Preston and Fleetwood.
Farm Tractors in Australia.
The use of mechanically propelled appliances for farming is spreading to all parts of Australia, a considerable number of tractors being now in use, particularly in the States of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. The tractor has gained a firm foothold in the Wimmera wheatgriming district of Victoria, in which many American tractors are in use.