WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficultie3 of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crosier.
New Ford Prices.
Old Prices New Prides, Effective Effective on on Jan. 11, May 11, 1923. 1928.
Chassis 2105 285 Delivery van 2130 £110
Ton chassis ••• 2145 £115 Ton truck... ••• £170 £140 7ton van • •• 2175 •• • £145 Runabout ••• £120 £105 Touring car ••• 2128 £110 Sedan •• • £240 ••• £195
The Annual Dinner of the I. of T.
The fourth annual dinner of the Institute of Transport was held in London on May 3rd, the president, Sir Sam Fay, occupying the chair and being supported by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu; Sir Philip Nash, K.C.M.G., C.B. • the Hon. Sir g. H. Walton, K.C.M.G:, High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa; Mr. Arthur Watson; C.B.E. ; W. W. Ashley, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry ef Transport; Sir John and Lad3. Broodbank; Sir Robert. Hadfield, Bt. ; Et.-Col Pickard; Mr. and Mrs. E. Ny. Rudd; Mr. and rs. McDowell; Mr. E. .5. ShrapnellSmith, C.B.E. ; Mr. W. A. Stevens, Mr. P. Frost Smith; Lt.-Col. Hutchinson, D.S.O. ; Sir R. F. Dunnell,`Be, and many others prominent in the' transport movement.
Lt.-Col. Ashley proposed the toast of "The Institute. of Transport and the Transport Industry," in which he dealt with the development, of. transport and the advantages accruing to all classes of the people from such development. Sir Sam. Fay, a railway man. showed that he regarded the development of road transport as something to be expected arid' encouraged.
Mr. Shrapnelf.Smith proposed the toast of "The Guests," to which the High Commissioner for South Africa and Mr. Whitelasv, chairman of the London and North Eastern Railway, responded in extremely. interesting speeches. Sir Sam Fay, in the course of his speech, was • able to announce that H.R.H. the Prince of Wales has graciously accepted the position of president of 'the Institute.
"The Book of the Ford Van": New Price,
"The Book of the Ford Van" is an all-round guide arid handbook on the upkeep, operation, and possibilities of the commercial Model of 'the,Ford, written by Mr. R. T. Nicholson in the simplest. non-technical language. " It is a work that no user or owner of one of these vehicles can 'afford to be without, as the practical information in its pages cannot be obtainedin any other publication. It is pcofusely.illustrated, and contains an exhaustive index.
Under the three main headinge of the Look — viz. (1) " Practical Matters, such as Cost. Capacity, Loading, 'etc." ; (2) "Driving"; (3) "Care and .Maintenance "—there is a fund of practical information on thip very popular vehicle. This handbook, at the new price, 2s., is extraordinarily good value e18 for money. It can he obtained from all the principal booksellers and bookstalls, and direct from Temple Press Ltd., 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C., post free 24. 3d.
B.A.T. Traffic Receipts.
The traffic receipts of the British Automobile Traction Co.'s group for the month ef April,were as follows.— lsti week, £32,618 (Easter); 2nd week, 225,018; 3rd week, £20,566; 4th week, £20,259. The total traffic receipts for the first 16 weeks of the year was 2314,032, which figure represents an increase of £22,535 over the corresponding period of last year.
Electric Vehicle Demonstration Charges.
The electric vehicle' committee of the S.M.M. and T. has agreed upon the following standard charges fordemonstrations of electric vehicles to probable purchasers:-10 cwt., £5; 1 to 14-tanners, 27 10s, ; 2 to 20,onners, £10; 3-tonners snd vehicles of greater carrying capacity, 212.
Karrier Report.
The report of the directors of Karrier Motors, Ltd., for the year 1922, shows a loss on trading of £57,865, after making provision for repairs arid, maintenance, depreciation, writing-down of stock values, and all expenses of administration. After adding the deficit brought forward of £292.322.the 'total deficit; to carry forward is £350,188.
Motor Coach Demonstration Abandoned
It has been decided by the passenger vehiole committee of 'the C:M.U.A. that it is inexpedient to proceed with the proposed demonstration of motor coaches which, it was originally suggested, should be held at the end of this month. This decision has been reached after an interchange of views with, officials of the Ministry of Transport and after consultation with members of divisional committees in various parts of the country.
M.A.B. Ambulance Service.
A report ef the ambulance Committee of the Metropolitan Asylums Board dealing with ambulance arrangements in London was recently adopted and a copy forwarded to the Ministry of Illealth.
At the six ambulance stations controlled by the board there are 107 motor
ambulances and buses. The board's service deals with infectious and other hospital removals, the service in cornicetion -with 'street accidents being provided by the London County Council. . During 1922 the M.A.B. vehicles removed 51,767 persons, as compared with 59,280 in raao and 66,518 in 1921.
In concluding the report, mention is made of the fact that "the vast majority of house removals are made on medical advice, and we (members of the ambulance committee) are taking steps to acquaint every medical practitioner in London of the, method by which the board's ambulances, with or without nurses, may be promptly obtained at any hour of the day or night."
C.M.U.A. Parade in Edinburgh.
In connection with the Royal Infirmary Pageant to be bald in Edinburgh on May 26th, the Scottish Commercial Motor Users Association has arranged to hold a parade, of commercal. vehicles.
Prizes will be awarded in three classes, viz. :—Class I. — Best-kept vehicle (makers' carrying capacity not exceeding 30 cwt.),, prizes £5, £3, £1. Class II.--Best-kept vehicle (makers' carrying capacity over 30 cwt.), prizes £5, £3, 21. Olass III.—Best advertising vehicle, irrespective of age or weight, three certificates to owners and three prizes to drivers, pries £3, 22, 21. The competitions are open to members and non-members, but non-members winning. prizes will get only half the prize-money, the other half going to the Infirmary Fund.
A New Lancashire Road.
Sir Heury:.Maybury, Director-General of Roads, Ministry of -Transport, assisted at the opening of the new road between Lancaster and Morecambe, the length of which is four miles.
At the luncheon which followed the opening ceremony Sir Henry-Maybury spolcarat.seme length on the need for unrestricted development of motor traffic, and, especially of motor coach traffic. He asked his hearers not to believe statements that chars-k-bancs ,caused heavy damage to the roads, or that, in some cases; their occupants were guilty of unruly -behaviour.
The road which has now been opened was first started in January, 1921, It is 100 ft. wide between hedges, with a tar-macadam surface.
Thornycroft Dividend.
The directors of John I. Thornycroft and Co.' Ltd., have decided to pay an interim dividend of 3 per cent, on the cumulative preference shares of the company in respect of the financial year ending July 31st, 1923, less income tax at 4s. 6d. in the 2.
An Important New Bridge.
...The newly constructed bridge over the River Lougher, on the borders of Carmarthenshire and Glamorgan and between Swansea and Llanelly, was re cently formally opened. The bridge, which is the largest of its kind in Great Britain, is a ferro-concretie structure 36 ft. wide and 720 ft. in length, and is in the main West Wales route from Swansea.
The traffic way is 26 ft. -wide, and pathways have been built on each side, of a width of 5 ft.
The bridge has 18 elliptical spans of 40 ft. each, and replaces an old timber structure dating from the middle of the past century. The work, begun in April, 1920, was necessitated by the exceptionally heavy road traffio at this junction of the two counties named, and has cost the Glamorgan and Carmarthen County Councils jointly £70,000.
Prepared to Accept Agencies.
A new business has been opened in Radcliffe, near Manchester, under the title of the Irwell Motor Depot, the proprietress being Mrs. Andrew Plastow. the premises are in Dale Street, and have an exceptionally large showroom with offices, and the floor below devoted to workshops for repair work. This firm is open to accept agencies for commercial vehicles, in addition to other representations. The premises, being in the centre of a large industrial district, should lead to good business.
Parking at the Southampton Agricultural Show.
It may interest many of our readers to learn that Parsons and Kemball, Ltd., of Town Quay, Southampton, have secured the official appointment as garage contractors for the show of the Royal Counties' Agricultural Society, which will be held at Southampton from May 30th to June 2nd. The company will have a space of about five acres available for the parking of motor vehicles of all classes, including chars-asbancs. The garage entrance is immediately adjacent to the main entrance to the show.
An Important New Road in South Wales. The advancement of the scheme for improving communications in Wining Valley, in North and Mid-Glamorgan, details of which appeared in The Commercial Motor some months ago' has proceeded apace, and an important new traffic route was recently formally opened in the Garw Valley. The work of constructing the Pandy Road, only one and a quarter miles long, was undertaken by the Ogwal and Gars, Council and the Ministry of Transport, at a cost of £27,000. Although short the new road reduces the route from Brynmenyn to the Garw Valley by more than its own length, and avoids the need for traffic using the Abergarw Hill, with its many awkward bends and its gradient of 1 in 7.
The new road is tlmost level, and the maximum gradient for a short length is only 1 in 26. The new route from Brynmenyn joins the sld 'road in the Garw Valley above the Abergarw Hill, and will be used by all vehicles running' from Bridgend and Tondu to.Fontycymmer and Blaengarw, and by the several bus services of the district. When the new road was formally opened, the council invited the South Wales Commercial Motor Co., Ltd., and the Garw Transport Co. each to run a bus over the road as the first vehicles to make use of it. The metalled way is 18 ft. wide, with side walks of 6 ft. wide on each side. Several other important road improvements are in hand in the district.
Ford's Canadian Output.
The output of vehicles from the Ford Motor Co.'s factory in Canada in the first quarter of the current year was 21,000, an increase of 9,000 vehicles over the production for the first quarter of 1922.
Against a Speed Limit.
Harrington Urban District Council has called the attention of the Cumberland County Council to the speed of motorbuses travelling through the town, and made a request that a speed limit be fixed. The county highways committee, however, cannot see its way to recommend an application being made to the Ministry ef Transport.
Personal Par.
We recorded last week the fact that the Council of the Institute of Transport had elected Mr. A. Winter Gray to he secretary of the Institute, taking over that office on October 1st, when Mr. H. E. Blain' retires from the honorary secretaryship at the commencement of the Institute's new year. Mr. Gray was born in 1875. He was articled to a London firm of land valuers and surveyors, and for 10 years—up to February, I917—was in the department of the engineer and surveyor of the parish and borough of Lambeth, rising from the position of draughtsman to that of senior assistant. In March, 1917, he entered the service of the London Underground Railways as an assistant to Mr. H. E. Blain, C.B.E., who was then operating manager and is now assistant managing director. He was associated with Mr. Blain in the inauguration and administration of the London "Safety First" Council and the British Industrial " Safety First." Association, serving as general secretary to the latter. As a representative of the hon. secretary, Mr. Blain, he has been actively concerned with the Institute of Transport from its earliest days, having attended practically every meeting of the Institute, the Council, and its committees, including the provincial committee. He is a member of the Institution of Municipal and County Engineers (he was a member of the council of the Institution of Municipal Engineers for five years) and was awarded the Institution Premium in 1915. He has also been a member of the Royal Sanitary Institute. He brings considerable enthusiasm and tact into his work, and he carries the good wishes of all who know him in his new appointment.
Double.-deckers on Rural Serv'ce.
The Birmingham and Midland Omnibus Co., Ltd., have now commenced running double-deck omnibuses through rural areas. The services between Birmingham and Worcester, which commenced a few days ago, have proved a great boon, especially as they give greater comfort to passengers by doing away with overcrowding. Leeds Bus Services.
An improvement has been effected7in the bus services run by the Leeds.Corporation in the outlying districts of the city. Middleton village is. now completely linked up with the Dewsbury Road tram terminus, whilsr new buses have been put on the route between Fernley and Kirkstall Road and between Shadwell and Moortown.
, A short while ago the corporation purchased six chassis, which were to be fitted with suitable bodies, enabling the vehicles to be under the control of one man. Fonr of these vehicles are new in service, and the.bodiee for the other vehicles a-re now under construction in the tramways department's own works. Each vehicle is built to carry 16-18 passengers.
Accidents Not Due to Reckless Driving.
In his quarterly report to the Carmarthenehire Standing Joint Committee, the chief constable of the county corrects the tendency to attribute accidents to pedestrians, in which motor vehicles are concerne'd, to the carelessness of drivers, and vindicates drivers by suggesting, instead, that such accidents are generally due to culpable negligence by the victims of accidents. Of 151 accidents coming to the notice of the police, 12 were _fatal, arid of the total motor vehicles were concerned in 111.
The police, it was said, were rarely able to find accidents due to careless driving of motor vehicles, and there was no foundation for the assumption that, because motors were implicated, in the majority of accidents, that reckless driving was the cause. This conclusion was arrived at after examination of the details of accidents which had been notified.
The Road Fund and Rural Roads.
The Government, having decided to devote the balance standing-to the credit of the Road Fund (about one and a quarter millions sterling) to the relief of rates for the upkeep of rural roads, the Motor Legislation Committee has considered this decision, and is of the opinion that it is grossly unfair to the motor community, even as a. temporary expedient, and as such should be limited to certain selected rural roads. The Motor Legislation,Committee is also of the opinion that the Government should appoint at once a select committee of the
House of Commons, or a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament, for the purpose of investigating the present incidence of highway expenditure upon taxpayers, ratepayers, special classes of road users, and the owners of land.
The committee is also of opinion that, for various reasons, the select committee should give special attention to the origin, development and administration of the Road Fund, mainly because, under present conditions, the anomalous position may shortly be reached when a relatively small, section of the community would be contributing no less than 60 per cent, of the total expenditure on the roads of the country.
Coaches Inspected at Southport.
The annual inspection of the public service vehicles of Southport took place a few days ago. Four days were taken up with the examination of motor conveyances. There were 20 motor charsa-bancs before the examiners, of which 17 were passed, and 53 taxicabs, of which 42 were approved. The average time spent on the heavy motors was about half an hour, and on the taxicabs about twenty minutes. .
S.W. Lancs. Bus Enterprise.
Southport Watch Committee has granted a licence to a Leyland firm to run a motorbus from the Southport boundary at Scarisbrick to the tramway terminus at Haig Avenue, in connection with the service between Ormskirk and Southport. The service of buses from Ormskirk has been in progress for some time, and formerly ran to the Blowick tramway terminus.
Merryweathers at the Swansea Show.
Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., will again have charge of the fire-protection arrangements of the Bath and West and Southern Counties' Agricultural Show, which opens at Swansea on May 17th. At thefire-station on the show ground they will have one of their Hatfield motor fire-engines (1923 model), and also a trailer fire-pump on view.
Remarkable Traffic Growth.
Further testimony of the enormous increase n the use of road transport during the past ten years was provided at a quarterly meeting of the Northumberland County Council, held in Newcastle a few days ago, when it was intimated that the volume of traffic in the way of motorbuses, lorries, etc., -weighing over two tons was, in 1922, -practically 16 times that of 1912:
The meeting recommended that the roads and bridges committee should take seriously into consideration the whole question of roads and the effect of this traffic on them. It was pointed out that it was a vepy easy matter to have false economy in the way of repairs and construction of highways. It was possible that. enough might not have been spent on the roads, but the committee held that there should be some change in the source of revenue for the upkeep of the main roads. A special report was asked for, to be submitted at a meeting not later than November.
The annual expenditure under the head of main roads had increased, it was stated, from 271,345 M 1912 to £334,565 bust year, and the net cost to the county council for the latter has been £240,588 (including bridges and bridge roads).
Roads That Ruin Buses.
York Tramways Committee is calling the attention of the city council to the very unsatisfactory state of the roadways in the Pavement and Leeman roads, and to the damage which it is causing to the corporation omnibuses which use these thoroughfares.
Afraid of Competition.
Huddersfield Corporation has objected to the proposal of the Halifax Corporation to run a bus service to Elland Bridge, as it will be in serious competition with the Huddersfield mtuncipaI tramways. The Halifax Corporation has asked a committee to discuss the matter with the Huddersfield Corporation.
Scarborough Cab Fares.
Last year the watch committee of the Scarborough Town Council decided upon the compulsory use of taximeters, but it is now stated that their fitting will not be imposed during the forthcoming season. The proposal was responsible for much controversy last year owing to the favoured position of taxicab owners plying from private stands, and it is stated that a provisional order, which it is anticipated will shortly be granted, will remedy the anomaly. The compulsory introduction of taximeters has been deferred until January. 1924, when the matter will again receive consideration.
Petrol Storage Appeal.
At a meeting of the Bradford Watch Committee it was reported that the appeal of the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., of Carlton Chambers,' Albion Street, Leeds, to the Home Office, under the Petroleum Act, 1871, against the refusal of the committee to grant a licence to store petroleum in additional tanks to be provided in the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Co.'s goods yards at Manningham, on the ground of the proposed mode of construction of such tanks, had been allowed by the Secretary of State, who had granted a licence.
Agents for American Chains.
The Westminster Accessories Co., Ltd., inform us that they have been appointed eole distributing agents for the United Kingdom for the products of the Baldwin Chain and ManufacturingCo., of America, who claim to be one of the largest roller chain manufacturers in the world. Apart from heavy roller driving chains, they manufacture sprockets of all sizes and types, and malleable detachable link chains.
The lialchvin Chain Co. are the manufacturers of the well-known pinned-type roller chain, as used on Peerless lorries.
Bus Services in the Potteries.
The sub-committee of the Stoke-onTrent Town Council recently received 11 new applications for licences for motorbuses to ply for hire in the Potteries, but, after consideration of the existing position with regard to services in the district, five of the applications were refused.
Apparently the committee considers that it will be necessary in the near future to review the whole situation with regard to bus routes in the Potteries, and to fix a definite number of vehicles that might reasonably be allowed to run on each route. There are indications that on some routes there are already more than enough buses, and it is felt that adding to the number of vehicles in use on these routes would result in overcrowding, and present a menace to public safety.
This formed the principal reason for the refusal to grant some of the applications for new licences. The renewal of practically all the licences will be dealt with by the hackney carriage subcommittee about. the end of July.
kn Experimental Service.
Residents of 'Wheatley have, petitioned the Halifax Corporation for a motorbu.s service, and the tramways commit.tea has decided to run an experimental service for three months.
No Control Over Buses.
Regarding complaints of vibration and mud-splashing caused by buses in Green Lane, Ilford, the Essex County Council informs the Urban District Council that it has no power to prevent the running of buses.
Hackney's New Garage.
Hackney Borough Council proposes for the present to place its garage under the control of the borough engineer. When completed, the garage will house 24 electric vehicles used for dust collection, one electric lorry, five Leyland motor lorries, and three petrol motor road-sweeping machines.
A Proposed By-pass Road.
In reply to Lieut.-Col. Croft, in the House of Commons a few days ago, Cel. Ashley stated that plans had been rerecently submitted to his department of the Ministry of Transport for the conatruction of a by-pass road round the village of Buckland, in connection with the new east and west road already commenced from Peigate to Dorking, and he hoped that some such proposal will be found possible.
Local Proceedings.
Blackburn Corporation has decided te purchase a Ford tipping wagon for the tramways department.
St. Albans Rural District Council proposes to fix oil lamps to direction posts at Gustardwooci and Amwell.
The Mae,steg Urban District Council has called for estimates on cost of purpurchase of a new steam roller.
Clayton Urban District Council is considering the desirability of seeking powers to run motorbus services.
Bradford Corporation proposes the establishment of a central garage for all the corporation passenger motor vehicles.
Plymolith Corporation is considering the reorganization of the fire brigade and the establishment of a station at Avonmouth.
Sheffield Corporation Electricity Committee recommends the purchase of two 10.9 h.p. Galloway Thassis, 'fitted with service outfit bodies, at 295 each.
East Riding Standing Joint Commit.' tee recommends that a strong protest be made to the Ministry of Transport against any proposal to increase the speed limit for heavy motorcars.
To motor omnibuses are to be purchased by the St. Helens authorities, the selection of the particular type being left, to the chairman and the deputy chairman.
Bradford Watch Committee has refused to grant Blythe and Berwick, Ltd., licences to establish motorbus services from various parts of the town to Cleckheaton, Shipley, and Ilkley.
A committee of the Penarth Urban District Council, after observing trials with a 21 h.p. Atco motor mower in te parks and on a 1 to 7 gradient, has recommended the council to purchase a machine of this size.
Bradford Licensing Committee has appointed Mr. Melhuish to make expert examinations of motor vehicles for which hiring licences are sought, at a fee of £30 for the annual inspection and 10s. 6d. per vehicle afterwards.
New Midland Road.
The proposed new road connecting Birmingham with Wolverhampton was discussed at a recent meeting of the Dudley Town Council, when, after certain details in connection with Ihe scheme had been considered, the draft agreement relating to it was approved. It is understood that work will be commenced almost immediately after Dudley has voted £20,000 towards the cost.
For Cutting Helical Bevels.
The Laystall Motor Engineering Works, Ltd., Ewer Street, Southwark, 'London, S.E. 1, inform us that they have made considerable additions to their plant for cutting helical hevele, and that they are now in a position to give delivery in eight days. Moreover, as a result of arrangements which the corn
pany have made with certain steel manufacturers, they are now able to guarantee all gears for 12 months.
The Difference.
Warrington Town -Council has decided to advertise for three 2-3-ton motor tipping vehicles. In a report the borough surveyor states that: " fhe running costs of a 2-3-ton self-tipping wagon of the Vulcan type are estimated at £9 16s. per week. The present contract price of a man, horse, and cart is £6 2s, 61. per week. The work which can be done by a 2-3-ton motor lorry is, however, at least twice the amount done by a horse and cart, and the comparative costs are, therefore, £4 18s. for the motor lorry against £6 2s. lid. for the horse and cart, a saving of 20 ner cent, in the cost of cartage."
Asking for Lighter Buses.
The Pembrokesbire County Main Roads Committee has requested the Great Western Railway Co. to use lighter passenger buses. It was stated at .a meeting of the committee that the vehicles now, used are of five tons weight unladen, and members were of the opinion, that the public. could beserved equally well by lighter and smaller buses._ How to Show Profits.
The annual report of the Durban (South Africa) Municipal Council says the trarsport accounts show a surplus of £2,240, and suggests a more accurate costing system, so that the transport department hall not overcharge other municipal departments for services which should be rendered at cost.