In Public Service.
Page 10
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Proposals and Purchases.
Nelson Town Council is purchasing a Laffiy motor street-sweeper IY4All W. and F. Archer, Ltd., Upper Edmonton.
The Municipal Authority of Dunedin (New Zealand) is about to purchase three motorbuses, and they may be battery-driven.
Darlington Corporation requires tenders, per the Borough Surveyor, on or before the 22nd inst., for a five-ton end-tipping wagon.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board is puechaeing an additional 30-cwt. electric vehicle, for the service of Queen Mary's Hospital, at about £550.
The L C.C. has sanctioned the provision of two sample sets of fittings, stores, etc., at a. cost of about £100, or its projected ambulance service.
More steam wagons are being purchased by the L.C.C. : tenders for six five-tonners were recently asked, and seven makers sent in quotations. The successful tender, the lowest, was from Fodens, Ltd., of Sandbach, at £4140, with rubber tires. In respect of the further purchase of two-ton petrol wagons, of which two were wanted on this occasion, tenders were received .from nine makers, and that of the Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co., Ltd.—the lowest — at 2904 us., was accepted. The decision to fit all the steam vehicles with rubber tires is one to be recorded with interest.
We referred to the anticipated economy (I5 is. ed. per day) in our issue of last week (page 123 ante). The eight vehicles will be used in connection with the renewal and repair of the permanent way of the L.C.C. tramcar undertaking. Each of the Fodens will be fitted with a jib-crane, and these cranes will be supplied by Herbert Morris, Ltd_ Provincial Motorbuses.
The annual report of the directors of the British Automobile Traction Co., Ltd., for the year .ended the 31st December last, provides interesting reading. The sub-scribed capital is £50,000, and the .company is able to show a profit, after deducting all expenses .ehargeable to revenue, of £14,471. This is derived from undertakings in London, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent., Nottingliarnshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire, end Worcester shire.
The company, of course, is to a considerabk extent a "holding" company, i.e., with interests in other undertakings. Mr. S. E. Gareke is managing director. c2,
The clauses relating to powers for the running of motorbeses, in coiArnuance of existing tramcar routes, have .been withdrawn from P the Glasgow rovisional Order.
Gateshead Town Council is withdrawing its opposition to the North Eastern Railway Co.'s Bill for power to run trolleybuses across the High Level Bridge, subject to certain amendments' being included.
In the City of Liverpool during the past year 503 taximeters were submitted for examination and tested for time and distance. Of this number fee were found to be incorrect either in time, distance or that they could be fraudulently manipulated.
The L.C.C. Tramway Fiasco.
The danger of locking up public money in any particular form of plant is thoroughly exemplified by the position in which the L.C.C. tramway undertaking is placed. It is necessary to take a considerable sum from reserve to meet interest and sinking-fund charges. The actual sum, for the last financial year, is £91,705, and no provision has been possible in respect of renewals.
The Highways Committee will no doubt blame the motorbuses, but the latter are the vehicles of the public choice. They are giving the railbound tramcar the go-by wherever they have the opportunity to do so. Another serious aspect of the state into which the L.C.C. tramcar undertaking has fallen is presented by the continued neglect of the permanent way ; the rails and track, in many parts of London, are becomingincreasingly a menace to the safety of other users of the highway, For every penny thus saved on tramway account, it is probable that individuals lose 50 pence.
Fire Brigade Matters.
Wey bridge U.D,C. is asking tenders for a motor fire-engine.
Dunfermline Town Council is purchasing a motor fire-engine.
Reigate Town Couneil has bought a Dennis first-aid motor-tender, at £765.
Epsom -(J.D.C. has referred back the propesal tdpiirehase a motor fire-engine.
Cobham Parish Council has decided not to purchase a motor chassis to haul its fire-engine.
Haslingden and Todreorden are purchasing Merryweather engines with reciprocating pumps.
The Ramsgate TOWn Council has' been recommended by its Watch Committee to purchase a motor fire-engine.
The superintendent of the Nottingham Fire Brigade recommends that the two remaining steam ene gines be replaced by petrol engines;
Grimsby To-N n Council has adopted a series of resolutions in resueet of the motorizing of its brigade, and the rendering of services outside the borough.
Karriers for Portrush.
Visitors to Portrush will do well to look out for six handsome Karrier chars-h-hancs, supplied from, the works of Clayton and Co. (Had dersfield), Ltd., which are for local and district service.
Carrying Colliers.
The miners of the Maltby-Main colliery, near Rotherham, have been much in want of means of conveyance to and from their work. A new motorbus service, between Wellgate (Rotherham) and the pit at Maltby, appears likely to solve the difficulty. The route followed is via Wiekersley and Bramley, and weekly tickets are issued.