Motor Omnibus World—con.
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Services in Sheffield.
The Sheffield Corporation, notwithstanding its possession of Parliamentary powers to purchase and run motorbuses, has, as we have already reported, allowed these powers to remain in abeyance. Recently, however, the Council has regarded with some indications of favour offers for the establishment of such services by private enterprise.
Buessing Redivivus.
A number of the early-pattern Buesslog motorbuses, which were originally in the service of the London and District Motor Omnibus Company as " Arrows," and which were withdrawn from service a short time after that company was absorbed by the Vanguard Company, have again been put to work, and are running, at the present time, on Service 12.
A German View.
At the last monthly meeting of the Association of German Engineers, Herr-Engineer A. Heller dealt with the progress in the construction of motorbuses and heavy industrial vehicles, illustrating his remarks by means of dissolving views. All the points touched upon have, of course, formed the subject of articles or paragraphs published in our columns—for instance, the Marienfelde thre.e-point suspension, the Buessing depressed-face clutch, the same firm's method of springing, the leading systems of lubrication, and so on.
Herr Heller mentioned that all efforts to make any material reduction in the tire item of working company's bills had failed; the difference was only slight, or costs remained as they were. On the other hand, he stated, the fuel bill had been reduced by an improvement in the construction of carburetters, and he cited the Marienfelde apparatus for the carburation of benzol as an example. In conclusion, Herr Heller said that neither the steam-driven bus nor the petrol-electric vehicle had succeeded in making headway against the petrol omnibus; the defects inherent in the two former systems appeared to him insuperable from an omnibus company's standpoint. Referring to electric vehicles, and with the results of certain lire-brigade's electromotors in his mind, he predicted a great future for electric propulsion within metropolitan areas.
Naturally, he mentioned the electric bus on trial by the Grosse Motoromnibusgesellschaft, particulars of which NV e have already given.
For the Unemployed.
Twenty-eighth on the agenda paper, at last Tuesday's meeting of the I.ondon County Council, a motion stood for proposition by Captain the Hon. Fitzroy Hemphill, that the Council inquire as to spending not more than Lx,000,000 on tramways—in order to provide work. There is a nice unoccupied site down the middle of Cheapside, and there are no tramlines at present in Throgmorton Avenue, or Threadneedle Street! Why not spend any public money on roads, for the benefit and convenience of all?
Obstructions from Central f Standards.
When commenting upon the circular which was recently issued by the President of the Local Government Board (page 41 ante), we expressed our gratification that Mr. John Burns had stated the official disapproval—in no uncertain manner—of the erection of centre posts in connection with tramway:, and light railways, or with electric or other standard lamps. In these circumstances, we feel sure that various local authorities and officers will revise their opinions as to the expediency of such a disposition of poles and posts, for which other alternatives are easily found.
A Poor Response.
Only 15 of the 29 London Borough Councils have agreed to take part in the conference, which was proposed by the Poplar Borough Council, with reference to the alleged excessive speed at which motor Omnibuses are driven through the Metropolis. The Poplar councillors are asking the bodies which declined to join again to consider the matter. The communication further points out that it is proposed to enlarge the scope of the conference, so as to include consideration of all motor traffic.
Damaged Lamp Posts.
The Law Committee of Holborn Borough Council has had under consideration an offer from the motor omnibus companies to settle claims for damage to lamp posts which may be caused by the skidding of omnibuses, on payment in each case of half the amount of reinstating the posts. Having regard to the fact that an appeal is now pending in the High Courts as to the legal liability in cases of such accidents, the Council has decided (subject to the usual sanction) to accept the companies' offer.
Country Licenses.
The Chorley Rural District Council has had to consider an application for motorbus licenses, through the apparent ignorance of some people who lodged it. The Clerk very rightly advised the Council that it had no power to grant such an application, which was in respect of services to a number of local villages. Only county boroughs, or other corporations which have adopted the Town Police Clauses Act, of 1847, have the power to grant licenses for hackney and stage carriages, unless such powers have been specially taken by private-bill procedure. We suggest that particulars should he sent to the Secretary of the C.M.U.A., where such trouble arises.