News and Comment.
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This journal is exclusively read by the principals of many wealthy commercial houses, by the heads of important Government and Colonial Departments, and by numerous officers of Local Authorities. It has a certified and genuine circulation (Home, Colonial and Foreign).
There will be no commercial-vehicle exhibition, at Olympia, in 1910.
The scheme for an experimental Horseless Sunday in London has been advanced a stage—see page 398.
A British company—Sturmey Motors, Ltd., of Coventry—has succeeded in securing an important Russian contract, in tile teeth of strongly-supported competition from France and Germany—see page 388.
The Commercial Motor Users' Association will be represented on the " Central Committee for Road Statistics," which has been formed by the County Councils Association, by Mr. Shrapnell Smith.
In W. H. Smith's Service.
Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son, the world-reputed booksellers, newsagents and library proprietors, whose effective establishment of new depots up and down the country has been so noteworthy a feature of the last few years, are turning a 2i-ton " Commer Car " van to good account between their Letchworth and London branches. Illustrated particulars of the service accomplished can be studied on pages 384 and 385.
Motor Spirit Regulations.
Official details have reached us, from the secretary of the London Custom House, in respect of the new regulations for the delivery from bond of motor spirit. It will be noted (page 389) that persons who annually use not less than 500 gallons, and who " give bond," may receive the spirit in quantities of eight gallons at a time. Consumers of smaller annual quantities may receive two gallons at a time, but under the conditions specified for those who do not " give bond."
A Municipal Motorvan.
The Wandsworth Public Health Committee reports that the motorvan purchased in December, 1904, at a total cost of £348, now performs work equal to that which could be done by two horses at a cost of £156 per annum. The committee is satisfied that the use of a van should be continued, the average yearly expenditure being only £69 16s. 8d., made up as follows :—Petrol and lubricating oils, £16 8s. 2d. ; tires, £5 17s. lid. ; chains, 15s. 9d. ; repairs, £41 14s. ; other running expenses (sparking plugs, recharging accumulators, etc.), £5 Os. 11d. The present van requires repairs at a cost of about £45.
Tenders have been obtained for another van, of larger capacity, and the committee has decided in favour of the quotation of the Eclipse En
gineering and Motor Manufacturing Co., for the supply of a Lacre van, the body lined with zinc, tool box and tools complete, for £445, with an allowance of £45 for the old van. A guarantee for six months is to be given.
Headlights and Lamps.
On Monday and Tuesday next, a number of the latest headlights will be tested, by the Royal Automobile Club, at the Crystal Palace—presumably at night-time. No fewer than 21 manufacturers and factors of acetylene, electric, petroleum, and petroloxygen lamps have entered examples of their productions, and more than a few are likely to prove of interest to our readers. In these days of motormail services, and other developments of the petrol vehicle for loads in the neighbourhood of two tons, it is an all-important matter to have good headlights for use on the road, both from the public and the owner's standpoints. The entries include lamps from: Bleriot, Ltd. ; Badger Brass Manufacturing Co. ; S. Smith and Son, Ltd. ; Motor Accessories Co. ; G. A. Vandervell and Co. ; Salsbury Lamps, Ltd. ; Universal Motor Imports, Ltd.; Willocq-Bottin Motor Lamp Co. ; Rushmore Lamps, Ltd. ; Sylverlyte, Ltd. ; Howes and Burnley, Ltd.; Sherard Cowper-Coles (Reflector. Syndicate, Ltd.); Rotas Motor Accessories, Ltd. ; Alfred Dunhill, Ltd. Brown Bros., Ltd. : Messrs. Weill Bros. ; Messrs. Wincot and Son ; Mr. C. H. Gentry: Worsnop and Co., Ltd.: Messrs. Willibald, Tueer and Co. ; Samuel Hall and Sons. Ltd.
In this connection, although the matter concerns less-powerful lamps, we learn with much interest that the Marquis of Breadalbane has been interesting himself in experiments with a lamp. suitable for farm carts.
Among the difficulties urged by the opponents of universal lighting is the impossibility of putting a lamp on a cart where it can be seen from all points, and the danger of carrying a light on a cart containing hay, straw, or other inflammable material. Lord Breadalbane's lamp has glass only to the front and the back (white to the front, and red to the rear), and it is hung from the axle by a hook, thus making it .available for any number of various carts, so that, if a farmer have two lamps and be out with a string of tour carts, he uses one lamp on the tront cart and one on the rear cart. It is not supposed to give light to the cart., but it shines in such a way that it can be perfectly well seen by anyone approaching or overtaking the cart. This lamp is to be on exhibition at the Highland Society's Show.
The Buenos Aires Exhibition (1910).
Next year, from the 3rd June to 31st July, as we have already reported, the Argentine Rural Society will hold an International Agricultural Exhibition, at Palermo (Buenos Aires). under the auspices of the Government of the Argentine Republic, in celebra. tion of the first centenary of the Argentine Emancipation. A class is specially set apart for agricultural motors, whether propelled by steam or internal-combustion engines, and we expect that numerous British manufacturers will elect to be represented on the occasion. There will be no comparative competition in the machinery and implement section, but the judges will award prizes according to their views of the qualities and novelty of any exhibit. The approximate price for a stand 30 yards long by 10 feet deep is £20.
No separate classification appears to be set aside for ordinary road transport. vehicles, or tractors, but we feel sure the secretary of the exhibition, Engineer Enrique M. Nelson, whose address is Florida, 316, Buenos Aires, will be glad to give further information on that point. Applications for space, in any event, must reach Buenos Aires by 10th September, and we shall be happy to lend to any interested manufacturer such particulars of the exhibition as we have. The Lancashire County Council has appointed four more officers to check the back axle-weights of motor wagons.
We learn that the 'Latest addition to the motor fleet of the Petroles de Gmsnyi is a three-tonner from Leyland Motors, Ltd.
The Blairgowrie (N.B.) District Committee. has decided to purchase a tractor and two tip wagons, at an estimated cost of ;1;600.
" Durax "PAvin in Lancashire.
Further large allocations of money have been made by the Lancashire County Council in respect of the "armouring " of macadamised roads, whilst other considerable extra sums have been voted for the strengthening of ordinary macadam roads. Approved methods of tarring will be applied in certain of the latter eases.
Another Bolivian Project.
Mr. Luis Curutchet, of La Paz, Bolivia, has been authorized, so reports the " Financier and Bullionist," to establish and maintain a motor service for goods, between the present inland terminus of the Central Northern Argentine Railway, in La Ouiaca, and the towns of Bytini, Topiza, Potosi. and Sucre. The free entry of all rolling-stock and parts has been sanctioned by decree.
Strawberries by Motorvin.
Reports from various parts of the country, and particularly from Cheshire and Kent, indicate that motorvans have., as in previous years, been very widely used for the conveyance of strawberries from the beds to the wholesale markets, and even to individual shopkeepers. As many as 3(./) pecks of freshly-gathered berries have not infrequently been taken in a single load, and it has been found possible to average close upon 20 miles an hour point to point. In some cases, deliveries were made direct to large preserving firms, and it has been amply demonstrated that, except for mileages in excess of 100, where express-train services can be turned to account, the road motor is both more expeditious and cheaper than any other mode of conveyance.
Models for Motor Manufacturers.
The accompanying illustration of an artillery wheel is reproduced from a photograph of a beautifully-made model, the exact size of which is 21 in. It is a fair example of the accuracy of detail which Mr. W. Noyce, of 27, Wharton Street, King's Cross, WC., is prepared to guarantee on all work entrusted to him—whether by motor manufacturers or private individuals. Mr. Noyce can undertake the production of any class of models, correct to scale, at prices which really may be considered very low for the excellence of his workmanship.
Derby Co-operative Satisfied.
Yet another good report is to hand from an important co-operative society. Mr, J. B. Rest, the secretary of the Derby Co-operative Provident Society, Ltd., which bought the twoton Dennis van now illustrated
through Starey's, Ltd., of Nottingham, some 18 months ago, writes to inform us " Our motor is engaged in the delivery of groceries and provivisions ; it runs about 270 miles per week, and the work required of it is done very satisfactorily. We use it principally for long distances, where we find it economical as compared with horses." This report must be added to that from Barnsley.
The annual outing of the employees of Temple Press Ltd., takes place on Saturday next, the venue being Hastings.
Big Fine at Bolton.
For having a back axle-weight of 10 tons, a. steam-wagon driver named Joseph Parting-ton, was fined a and costs, at Bolton, on the 6th inst. A load of floor-boards was on the platform, and these allowed the weight to be unevenly distributed.
Laundry Delivery.
Some of the laundry journals indulge in foolish diatribes against the motor trade. The use of motorvans by laundry undertakings goes along merrily notwithstanding. A letter has come in from Messrs. Swanston and Bones, of the Mount Collyer Laundry, Limestone Road, Belfast, together with a photograph of their 10 h.p. Siddeley which we reproduce, and they state, inter olia: " This van is used for the collection and delivery of laundry goods, and we find it an advantage for our longer distances, The body—by Messrs. William Denby and Sons, of Belfast—is of varnished mahogany and has an attractive a ppea ra ime.• '
Thornycroft Orders.
Recent orders for Thornycroft vehicles are reported to us, by the office Sales Department, which is located at 2, Albemarle Street, W. :—three twoton 30 h.p. lorries, for Messrs. Duesank, Chovil and Co., of Birmingham, for service in Pernambuco; One twoton 30 h.p. chassis, for Messrs. Harris Lebus of Tottenham—their fifth repeat order; and one two-ton 30 h.p. chassis, for the Wellington Fire Board, New Zealand. Also, through the medium of its northern representative, Mr. C. Pemberton Wooler, of 3, Winston Gardens, Headingley, Leeds:— one 30-cwt. 16 lip, box van, for Messrs. Samuel Law and Sons, of Cleckheatou ; one 3i-ton 30 h.p. tipping wagon, for Messrs. Joseph Sykes Bros., of Huddersfield; and one 3.-ton 30 h.p. lorry, for the Economic Motor Express and Delivery Agency, Ltd., of Manchester and Southport.
The Aspley Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., with its office at Aspley, Nottingham, and an authorised capital of £20,000 is one of the private registrations for June. An agreement with International Rotary Motors, Ltd., and the intention to run motor-vehicle services of various kinds, are the declared objects.
The Speed of Motor Mails.
The expeditious conveyance of mails is of first importance to the community, provided, of course, the public safety be not ignored. The Punterdame (South Wales) Bench thinks a schedule of 21 miles in 117 minutes, with 18 stops for collections, is too rapid, and that 1.0 m.p.h. is ample. We trust that the postal authorities will " stand to their guns " in this matter, and that they will refuse to be influenced by grandmotherly views which are anachronistic.
S. M.M.T.
The S.M.AL T. does not appear to be upset by the protests from Manchester. The agents' section, as a whole, appears to cause no small amount of unrest at headquarters, but we think Manchester has, as a wealthy and purchasing centre, a case for differentiation. Would there be any loss of dignity if the London Council were to appoint a couple of delegates to visit Manchester? We think not, birt, perhaps, no suggestion of that kind has yet come from the north ?
Petrol Storage in Pimlico.
With reference to the description, in the issue of this journal for 24th June, of the new storage plants for " Mex " spirit in Pimlico, the Thames Bank Wharf Motor Works, Ltd., now writes to es: " The installation you refer to does not adjoin our works but is on our premises, and is erected on the east side of our private dock in Grosvenor Road, under arrangement with the proprietors of Mex ' motor spirit, for which we are the agents." The managing director of this company is of opinion that it is important that this should be made clear.
Institute of Metals.
We received from the secretary of the Institute of Metals, recently, the first number of the journal of that Institute, which contains several papers of great interest to manufacturers of motor vehicles, together with the discussions which followed their reading at the Institute, Among these papers, the one by Mr. J. T. W. Ichevarri, on " Aluminium and Some of its Uses," contains much detail information relative to the nature of aluminium alloys, whilst another paper, which will be read with interest by motor manufacturers, is that by Mr. A. Phillip, B.Sc., one of the Admiralty chemists, and entitled " Notes on Phosphor-Bronze." The journal is published by the Council of the Institute of Metals, at Caxton House, Westminster, S.W.
Homoil Trust, Ltd.
The directors, in view of circumstances which apparently vitiated the prospectus upon which the public was invited to subscribe, have decided to return the application money, and not to proceed to allotment. Apart from the doubtful advantages of the fuel, which has to he used in conjunction with a particular carburetter, there was a clerical error in a vital calculation, and one sentence, which purported to advance an important statement about the financial prOspects, was constructed without any subject. We sympathize with those who have been put to trouble and expense for nothing over this flotation, but a little more circumspection over the drafting would probably have saved all the annoyance. Later on, perhaps, we shall hear more both of " Homoil " and the Toni-Griinewald carburetter; both are possessed of merit, but there is no occasion to claim for them unique superiority in comparison with ordinary brands of motor spirit, and ordinary carburetters of proved value.
London's 1909 Prize Scheme for Careful Drivers.
The Executive Committee of the Commercial Motor Users' Association, at its July meeting, decided to organize, as usual, a meet and parade of , commercial motors in London, during the fall of the year. Last year's marking scheme is to be revised so as to give more effect to the condition of the vehicle or tractor on parade and the driver's personal qualities. It is felt that too much importance should not be attached to a long mileage record for the machine itself, although this should be undoubtedly taken into account.
Paraffin Engines.
Messrs, Charles Price and Son, of Broadheath, near Manchester, have sent in one of their latest descriptive catalogues dealing with the various types of internal-combustion engines which they are now manufacturing. On the occasion of a recent visit to the works at Broadheath, one of our representatives was given the opportunity to examine in detail some of these engines under construction, as well as the complete working drawings of the different models. The engines are made in sizes varying from
h.p. up to ns h.p., and are particularly suitable for electric-lighting sets, motor rollers, or commercial vehicles for Colonial and foreign use. These engines, of course, will run equally well with petrol fuel, alcohol, or town gas, and we have no hesitation in saying that, pourer for weight, they are quite equal to anything else on the market. We were also interested to note that this firm is paying special attention to the design of inspection ears for the use of engineers responsible for the permanent way of large railway undertakings, and many very practical designs were shown to our representative on the occasion of his visit. A recent delivery from the works at Broadheath was an engine for the driving of a special form of alternating-current generator — as used for Marconi wireless telegraph installations.