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Opinions from Others.

14th October 1909
Page 15
Page 15, 14th October 1909 — Opinions from Others.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should he on

one side of the paper only, and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for the views exibressed is accepted. In the case of experiences, names of towns or localities may be withheld.

Kingston's Loan for Fire.-engines.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,040] Sir,—ln your last issue, under the heading of Fire Brigade Mutters, I see that you record the sanctioning of a loan of £1,740 by the L.G.B. in order that Kingston-on-Thames may pay for its two Dennis motor fireengines. :Cow, the remarkable feature about this action is not so much the granting of the loan, but the fact that it was allowed without the usual local enquiry into its advisability. Surely, this is rather unusual procedure. Are we to suppose that the L.G.B. look with especial favour upon the acquirement, by local bodies, of automobile fire appliances, or is there seine other cause for the ready granting of these facilitie• --Yours faithfully, Newbury. t J., 7

A Lancashire Opening for Motorbuses.

The Editor, TILE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,041] Sir,I shall be glad if you can grant me a small space in your valuable journal, to state that there is the possibility of arranging a paying motor service not far from Preston. I have, for some time, been trying to get into touch with some firm which would be willing to undertake the matter. One way of working it would be to form a local company, and T have numerous promises of ,upport from loyal residents, at whose request I first undertook to look into the proposition. I put on a. hired vehicle, but one was not sufficient to pay : seven will be wanted, in order that three interconnecting routes may be worked. The necessary capital shouIcl be forthcoming if say, £200 is put up for preliminary expenses, and I am willing to give complete particulars to any interested party, if they will address me through your good self.— Yours faithfully, " ENGINEER." Preston.

Users' Experiences.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,042] Sir,—I have been 60 busy this week turning over in my mind the pros and cons. of one enquiry 1 have reeeived, the tonnage of which runs into five figures and extends over two years, that I have hardly had time to note the daily experiences my business supplies. One point, which is causing me some anxiety, is how far the road authorities will allow me to use their roads. There is no doubt that the railway authorities will bring pressure to bear on this subject, if I take the traffic away from them. I do wish, Mr. Editor, you would write an article on how far a motor-wagon owner is justified in using a road once he has bought a machine: it is a point that will have to be settled before motor-wagon carriers will feel free to take on big contracts. [We shall respond, .shortly.—En.]

I am glad to note that those insurance companies which undertake the insurance of commercial motor vehicles appear ready to accept reduced premiums: it points to an increasing confidence in the business. A rubber-tired petrol lurry was recently sold to a manufacturer of light bulky goods, and it has been returned, as unsuitable, with the statement that the springs are not strong enough to carry the weight. The makers, having tested the springs with a load of one-third more than that stipulated in the contract, are somewhat at a. loss to understand their customer's complaint, but they appear to have overlooked the effect of high speed on a bad road ; the speed may give to the load a temporary momentum, in a certain direction, which will not only defy the best of springs, but even threaten the stability of the machine itself. It is a point on which we carriers may yet have to witness some unpleasant demonstration. This is rather a

serious handicap to a petrol machine, as to obtain a large platform area involves either a very long wheelbase or else perching the driver on the top of his engine.

Business generally in not over good at the moment, as may be seen by my log sheet. The requirements of my customers are constantly altering, and, although the net returns are down, the drivers complain of overwork, which is the result of my not being able to fit the work together properly ; still, I am in a much happier position than some private owners in the district, who have practically nothing for their machines to do, and who are not so favourably placed as myself for substituting one kind of traffic for another.

My log sheet for the week is as follows :—Earnings, £50; tonnage, 131; mileage, 591; percentage of work done, 85; coke used, 6 tons; oil used (gear), 9 gallons ; (cylinder), 5 gallons.—Yonrs faithfully,

" MOTOR-WAOON CARRIER."

London General Methods.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,043] Sir,—Your Harringay correspondent of last week might have saved himself the trouble of sending his letter. The company mentioned is not out to learn anything as to the conduct of its business, its chief aim and object at the present time being to "smash " all opposition. It is, therefore, necessary for them to discontinue such remunerative servims as the late Peckham-Harringay route to run all available machines on the Leyton and Ilford service, to which places, by the way, another coinpany already run a good service. Then they must needs have a " chunk " off the enterprising little " Central " Company's ground and so, against the latter company, the L.G.O.C. run vehicles at the rate of about three to one of the Central Company. These tactics must have involved the L.G.O.C. in some heavy hisses, and one only marvels that the unfortunate shareholders have not, ere now, risen and protested against such a state of affairs. Monopoly may be a " great " thing, but crippling oneself to attain it is sheer madness.—Yours faithfully, Albany Road, Chadwell Heath, " CHADWELLISN." 8th October, 1909.

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Locations: Preston, Kingston, London

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