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News and Comment.

15th August 1907, Page 12
15th August 1907
Page 12
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Page 12, 15th August 1907 — News and Comment.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

This journal fosters, represents, and chronicles commercial motoring in all its branches : our regular weekly circulation exceeds 8,000 copies, exclusive of any extra mailings ol special issues.

The R.A.C. Trials.

Seven fresh entries for the R.A.C. Trials bring the total number of vehicles to 62. The late arrivals are : in class A (a net load of lo cwt.), a "Unic" van ; in class D (a net load of 40 cwt.), Messrs. Durham, Churchill and Company ; in class E (a net load Co cwt.), the Ryknield Motor Company, Limited, and T. C. Aveling and Company, Limited; in class F (a net load of ioo cwt.), the Ryknield Motor Company, Limited, and Fiat Motors, Limited (2 vehicles). The entries from the Fiat Company arrived on the stroke of 12 noon last Saturday morning.

Fuel Supplies.

We are glad to see that the Trials Committee has decided to undertake the supply of fuel for the competing vehicles,. as it is more easy for the organising body 1.0 order the necessary supplies than for each individual competitor to make provision for the piecemeal consignment of his own requirements to a large number of stoppingplaces. If any competitor prefers to forward his own fuel, he will certainly experience not inconsiderable difficulties, especially in the case of coke On coal, and we recommend participants to leave that responsibility entirely with the Club, to the Secretary of which they should notify their requirements as regards quantity : they will, of course, have to pay for the fuel provided by the Club. The sealing of tanks is under discussion now.

Trailer Law.

We do not follow the reason for the Club's request that " to meet the requirements of the Law, those vehicles which draw trailers must carry a man on the trailer to apply the brakes." No such requirement is to be found in the Motor Car Use and Construction Order, and it is well known that the legal obligation is fully met by any one of the following alternatives : (a) a man upon the trailer, as suggested ; (b) if the brakes upon the motorcar by which the vehicle is drawn are so constructed and arranged that neither of such brakes can be used without bringing into action simultaneously the brake attached to the vehicle drawn; or (c) if the brake of the vehicle drawn can be applied from the motorcar by a person upon the motorcar independently of the brakes of the latter. The last-named condition has been held to be met by the leaning over of a second man from the foot-plate of a tractor in order that he might screw down the hand-brake at the front of the trailer.

Roadside Stoppages.

An alteration in the regulations which is to be commended concerns the making of any repairs or replacements on the road. Supplementary regulation No. 33 provided that no such repairs or replacements should be made " without the consent of the observer." This is now altered to read `.` without -notifying the observer." This change is apparently a small one, but its importance will be appreciated by all who know how desirable it is to impose no duties upon the road observers other than those of keeping the route and taking note of anything that may be done to the vehicle at any time.

Variable Loads.

We are extremely sorry to see that a departure is to be made from the simple conditions laid down in the regulations as published at the end of April. Nothing is more specific than the terms of supplementary regulation N. 9, which lays down eight definite loads for the eight classes. The Club has now issued a notice in which it is stated that " all competitors may carry any load they like, so long as it is not below the minimum weight for their class, and is not so heavy as to take them up in the next class." This decision, if adherence results, cannot fail to introduce the most annoying complication when the period of calculation arrives, and it is putting a direct premium upon overloading in order to gain more satisfactory performance records in net ton-miles. We regard this as a most disturbing change, and one which is bound to bring about confusion and dissatisfaction immediately.

Storage en route.

It has been found necessary, owing to the difficulty in finding suitable accommodation for such a large number of vehicles, to locate a number of depots in unenciosed spaces, where the vehicles will be stored either under canvas or tarpaulins. In this connection, apart from any general protective covering that may be provided by the Club, each competitor will be required to carry sufficient tarpaulins to cover his vehicle, as a safeguard against possible storage in the open, and such tarpaulins will be counted as part of the load.

Other Details.

We are interested to learn that the Club will provide each vehicle with a fire extinguisher, and that this will be dune at the Club's expense. Another point to be noted, arising out of the completion of the survey of the routes, is the decision of the Trials Committee to indicate the turnings in all large towns by means of flags : these should enable both drivers and observers to keep to the proper roads and streets without difficulty. It is also intended to supply a special route map of each day's running,

The Exhaustion of Petrol.

Apropos our brief article on the subject of fuels for internal-combustion engines (page s62), although the situation has not yet become acute, and although we recognise that the oil magnates do not intend to ignore processes for the conversion of their heavier hydro-carbons into spirit, there is, none the less, no advantage to the motor industry in their relying solely upon intended developments which these petroleum kings may have in mind.

Maple's Trials.

A series of preliminary nightly tests, by Maple and Company, Limited, of Tottenham Court Road, W., is now approaching completion, and severe nightly trials have been undergone by vehicles of the Arrol-Johnston, " Comercar," Dennis, Miines-Daimler and Thornycroft makes. The " Comercar " vehicle was illustrated by ,us last week. The results are being closely watched by the consulting engineer to the wellknown manufacturers of carpets and furniture, whose requirements evidently approximate very closely to that of which a standard omnibus chassis is capable of yielding.

Taximeters Triumphant.

The London Cabdrivers' Trade Union has come round to a more sensible view on the taximeter question, and has instructed its executive " to accept the Home Secretary's Bill in principle, and to get what amendments they can in the interests of the driver." An amendment in favour of the retention of the Is. minimum was rejected by an enormous majority of the men.

A St. Pancras Repeat Order.

The Newcastle Breweries, Limited, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, has placed a repeat order with the St. Pancras Ironwork Company, Limited, of St. Pancras Road, NAV., for another 5-ton steam wagon. The first vehicle of this make to be purchased by the company in question has been running very satisfactorily for over twelve months.

Fiat Motorcabs.

We understand that the recent issue of 200,000 cumulative, preferred, participating, ordinary shares, carrying interest at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, with the object of purchasing 400 F.I.A.T. cabs, has been successful. The issue was certainly brought out in a smart and taking manner by the promoters of the Fiat Motor Cab Company, Limited, whose registered office is at 62, London Wall, E.G. Our only criticism upon the prospectus concerns the too liberal estimate of profit, for 175. per cab per day, for 300 days per annum is too sanguine, and we seriously question if more than .a profit of los. can be maintained on this basis. Captain J. Orr-Ewing and Mr. D'Arcy R. Baker, of Fiat Motors, Limited, are members of the board.

Belief in Advertisement.

The value of commercial motors for advertisement purposes is evidently realised by the New Arrcl-Johnston Car Company, Limited, whose London agency has been employing one of the company's demonstration lorries for the incidental purpose of advertisement, at such times as the vehicle has not been booked for service with intending purchasers. The accompanying illustration will show how admirably this neat machine lends itself to such a use, and we can speak with every degree of assurance about the attraction it has proved wherever it has been seen.

Stagg's Patent Wheels.

The Stagg wheel, with its patent system of pockets for the retention of the spokes, is well known to many readers of this journal, and we have pleasure in illustrating two examples of the latest patterns, these being for the Vanguard Motorbus Company, Limited. The present wheel is the out

come of many gradual improvements which have been made by Stagg and Robson, Limited, of Selby, Yorks, but the general principle of the design is the same throughout, and a full description will be found in our issue for the 29th June, 1905, These wheels have stood up to their work under the heavy conditions of steam-wagon service, upon all sorts of bad roads, and the wooden spokes can be replaced in a more simple mariner, and more quickly, than is passible with any other class of artillery-type wheel.

A Removal.

The Darracq-Serpoliet Omnibus

Company, Limited, notifies its removal from 2, Coleman Street, E.G.. to Amelia Street, Walwarth Road, S.E.,

at which address its new telephone number will be So6, Hop, and its abbreviated telegraphic address " Leserpo, London."

Germany's Foreign Trade.

In the last-issued inonthly return is sued by the Imperial Statistical Office on Germany's Foreign Trade, some in teresting figures on the freight-motor branch are given. In tonnage, exports are more than, nine times imports, whilst the values stand in about the same ratio, thus :— Imports from January-June (inclusive).

Tonnage (approx.) Value (approx.) 996 cwt.

(20 vehicles).

A noteworthy feature is the large share of Switzerland in these imports : with 431 cwt. she claims over 43 per cent. ! France, who has not paid so much attention to the commercial type, sold but 41 cwt.--probably a solitary lorry. As Great Britain does not appear in the official list, her share may be put down as nil. Regarding the exports, the figures are, as in the former case, approximate, yet quite accurate enough for practical purposes.

Exports from January-June (inclusive).

Tonnage. Value.

9,078 cwt. .4.92,240. (I72 v Here Great Britain occupies an important position, having purchased to the extent of 5,963 cwt,, or 65 per cent. of the entire exports. European Russia is next to Great Britain with 480 cwt. " The Indian Trade Journal "of the I tat ultimo announces that 50 motorcabs arc shortly to be put upon the streets of Calcutta, and that the number will be increased to 200 at a later date.

Traction-engine Restrictions.

The London County Council by-laws in regard to traction engines, under the Locomotives Act of 1898, which were printed in our issue of the i6th May, have now received the confirmation of the Local Government Board, and are in operation. It remains to be seen Whether their restrictive influences will be of indirect benefit to motorwagon traffic.

Mail Contracting.

Thu directors of MacNamara and Company, Limited, the well-known mail contractors and cartage agents, have, for the third consecutive year, recommended a distribution at the rate of TO per cent, per annum on the ordinary capital, and at the rate of 8 per .cent. on the preference shares. L.2,000 is added to reserve, and £2200 is carTied forward. No wide adoption of

commercial motors has yet taken place, but, in the face of competitive influences, an extension of this branch will probably become imperative almost immediately, unless the company intends to confine its operations to short-distance carrying.

Tire Orders.

The Sirdar Rubber Company, Limited, of 34., Baker Street, W., and BradLrd-on-Avon, Wilts., has received two more repeat orders from I us Majesty the King, and a further repeat order for the War-Office ambulance at Aldershot.

Abbott's "Handy Hoist."

A self-sustaining hoist is a very useful addition to the ordinary plant of a motorbus garage or depot, or, in fact, in any place where relatively heavy weights have to. be moved about. Abbott and Company (Newark), Limited, makes a hoist which is capable of lifting weights up. to about 6cwt. It is intended to be bolted to a beam, or other flat surface. By attaching the machine to a bench, and carrying the steel rope over a pulley, it would be a comparatively easy matter to lift a gear-box, or other part of a transmis

sion system, away from its chassis. Yet another application of the hoist would be to bolt it to one of the main members of a covered wagon, which arrangement would easily permit the lifting of heavy goods on to the platform of the vehicle. Abbott and Company will, no doubt, alter the pattern of the hoist to suit the requirements of the purchaser.

Severe Usage.

The accompanying illustration of a standard, class " H " Leyland lorry, which vehicle is designed for loads of from five to. six tons, possesses interest by reason of the heavy load which it regularly carries. We understand that, on the particular occasion under notice, the motor had no less than toitons of pressed cotton goods in bales upon its platform, whilst an additional four tons of similar goods was on the trailer. Although we believe that every motorwagon maker requires to construct his machines sufficiently strongly to stand overloading and overworking, this example of abuse appears to be going just about four tons too far.

Dustless Roads.

The laying of roads in such a manner that they shall possess dustless properties, in conjunction with strength and resiliency, is a somewhat difficult problem, but there is evidence that success can be achieved by the use of granite cubes laid upon sharp sand. This system enjoys a considerable vogue in Germany, where the durable qualities of such an " armoured " macadam road have been proved for periods extending to as much as 20 years. An illustrated description of the laying of this class of material near Stockport was given in our issue of the 26th April, 19:4 whilst other references may be found in that of the 25th January, 1906, and we are now reminded by Durax Dustless Roads, Limited, of 57, Gracechurch Street, E.C., that a large number of additional contracts have been effectively carried out at, amongst other places, the following : Barnes, Birmingham, Cars..halton, Guildford, Hull and Nottingham. This paving has also the great merit of reducing sideslip and noise very considerably.


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