WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealdh will be slowed by all dioicalties of transport at whatever .poirtis arising, as a carriage is by the roughnesS of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
The Trans-Syrian 'Desert Service.
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs gives some particulars regarding the administration of the new transport service from Beyrout, in Syria, to Baghdad, in Iraq. It is understood that the main service of the new Nairn Transport Co. will be between Syria and Iraq, although subsidiary services may be maintained between Haifa and the main route. In Iraq the service will be subject in general to the regulations of the Iraq Government, in the same way as other transport services between Iraq and Syria. These regulations provide, inter edict, that all cars must be officially inspected before departure and must be provisioned for seven days, and that convoys must normally consist of at least three cars. The Iraq section of the route is -adequately protected by the police posts and desert patrols of the Iraq Government. If conditions are considered unsafe the convoys are stopped. There is a strong police post half-way across the desert at Rutbah Wells, through which all overland traffic is now required to pass. The post is the halting-place for the night and is furnished with a wireless station, thus enabling any mishap to be reported promptly either to the Syrian or to the Iraq authorities. The Secretary of State understands that it is not considered practicable or necessary that each cenvoy _should carry a wireless transmitting and receiving set.
The Depreciation of Public-service Vehicles.
An inquiry has lately been conducted by the Public Service Commission of the State of Indiana, U.S.A., into the subject of the allowance for depreciation which must be made when working out the costs of running public-service vehicles. As a result of its inquiries it. has reported that immediately on being Put into service a vehicle is worth only 75 per cent. of the amount paid for it, whilst for the first two years depreciation should be reckoned at 2 per cent. of the purchase price per month. Thus at the end of two years the book value of the vehicle is only 27 per cent, of its original cost. Thereafter the Commission considers that depreciation can be estimated at 1 per cent, per month, so that in 4/ years the vehicle would be written off altogether.
Coal Dispute Affects Municipal Bus Services.
An effect of the stoppage in the coal trade was indicated by the consideration given at the October meeting of the Bedwas and Machen Urban District Council to the question of suspending bus running until after work in the coal industry has been resumed. The weekly Losses on the council's bus undertaking have grown since the stoppage commenced in May last, and they DOW amount to £34 per week.
This experience resulted in the council asking recently for a special report on the situation from the bus
control committee. The report now presented showed a bleak prospect until work was resumed generally in the pits. Whereas the council might continue ruuniug its buses at a loss of £34 per week, the alternative of suspending the service would give little better financial result. It-would necessitate an expenditure of £30 per week to maintain the buses if they were kept in garage, this
figure including the capital and standing charges on the enterprise. It was decided to continue the services and to effect every possible economy.
This experience of the Bedwas and Mach'en Urban District Council is by no means unique ; the Cardiff and Newport bus and tram services are experiencing a lean time, whilst a. considerable falling off in weekly revenue is reported by other South Wales muuicipal enterprises.
Dennis Profits.
The heartiest congratulations of the commereial motor industry will go out to Dennis Bros., Ltd., upon the result of their year's trading. The directors have been this to announce a dividend of 25 per cent, on the ordinary shares, and have been able to adopt the unusual course of returning to the shareholders 10s. per share—in other words, reducing the capital employed in the business by £250,000. This is one way of returning accumulated reserve funds to the shareholders, and leaving them free to make their own investments instead of the directors investing the surplus money in Government and other securities.
Joint Meeting of Technical Associations.
The successful idea of joint meetings of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Automobile Engineers was again carried out on November 4th, when Mr. G. F. Mucklow, M.Sc., read a paper on the effect of altitude and of hydrogen on an internal-combustion engine.
The Selling Rights in a New Spring Moderator.
We described in our issue of November 2nd the Cardin° Moderator, a device which introduces spring pressure between the frame at each side and the back axle to act as a damper of vibration, this appliance being made by Cardine Accessories, Ltd., of Bath.
We are now advised that Delco-Remy and Hyatt, Ltd., 111, Grosvenor Road,. London, S.W.I., have acquired the sole selling rights for the device. An Unusual and Amusing Accident.
Few accidents can be classified as amusing, but one which we saw a few days ago in Holborn caused an outburst of merriment from hundreds of onlookers. A van of about 1-ton capacity was travelling at between 15 m.p.h. and 20 ra.p.h., when the driver wished to slow down before reaching Gray's Inn Road. As( he applied the brake we, saw a look of consternation spread over his face, and, following this, the rear axle slowly emerged from underneath the vehicle. The van proceeded a few yards on its semi-elliptic springs and was followed up by the rear axle, which came to rest against it and not far from its normal position.
The most amusing feature was the change of expression of the driver from consthrnation to intense surprise as the rear of the vehicle collapsed on to the road.
An examination showed that the spring bolts had sheared at both sides, the fabric universal joint had torn away and all the brake rods had broken.
Thornycroft Dividends.
The accounts of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., for the year ended July 31st last have been made up and the directors propose to recommend the payment of the following dividends: 3 per cent, on the preference shares (making 6 per cent, for the year), Ti per cent. on the participating preferred ordinary shares and 3 per cent. on the ordinary shares. After these disbursements have been made a sum of £51,293 remains to be carried forward.
Wool Transport in New South Wales.
We recently had an opportunity for supplying the New South Wales Government Railways with copies of our tables of operating costs and -we have just received a letter from the goods superintendent in which he draws attention to the assistance likely to be derived from these figures in connection with the fleet of motor vehicles in operation.
Quite recently the Commissioners decided to deliver the State's 'wool clip by motor lorry and a fleet of vehicles was obtained for this purpose. Up to the present the arrangement has been an unqualified success and it has been possible to deliver over 13,000 bales from the terminus to the wool broker's stores in one day, with a general daily delivery of ahout 12,000 bales. Formerly this work was carried out by horse teams, but the present daily delivery of a greater number of bales and the promptness of delivering the wool at the broker's stores have already demonstrated the suneriority of the motor delivery system.
New A.D.C. Service Depot
Yesterday (Monday) the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., opened their new sales and service depot at 5-8, Caroline Street, Birmingham. The company'S Midland area manager is Mr. A. Gammon. More Official Orders.
• During September last the Crown Agents for the Colonies placed an order for lorry chassis with the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., and for motor road rollers with Barford and Perkins, Ltd. The War Office also placed a contract with Greenwood and Batley, Ltd., for a number of power-driven trucks.
Trolley-buses. Succeed Where Trams Fail.
The success of trolley-buses on the Martland Mill Bridge route, Wigan, is shown in the abstract of accounts issued by the corporation. The accounts show a profit of £3,335. As the cost of conversion of the route from a tramway was paid for out of revenue instead of out of loans there arc no interest and debt repayment charges to be met. Even if these charges had had to have been paid the route would have yielded a profit of £2,206.
Having regard to the fact that when.
operated as a tramway the route cost over £2,000 per annum the policy of the committee in recommending this alternative form of transport has been quite justified. The working of the three forms of transport, viz., tramways, petrol-buses and trolley omnibuses, shows a profit of 1451. Upwards of £13,000 was, however, expended on reconstruction, the principal items being: reconstruction of cars, £3,875; reconstruction of track, £3,435; and new petrol buses, £2,231. In addition £1,448 was placed to the renewals fund and £1,000 to the insurance fund. To meet these charges and the deficiency brought forward from the previous year the sum of £14,000 has been transferred from the rates.
Sales Plans of German Concerns.
• For some time past the sales of the vehicles produced by four German motor lorry and bus-building concerns—the Dux Automobil Werke, of Wahren, Leipzig ; the C. D. Riagirus Gesell-, schaft, of Urn ; the Presto Werke GeseiP
schaft, of Chemnitz, and the Vogtlandische Maschinenfabrik Gesellschaft, of Plauen—have been controlled by a jointly supported company known as the Deutsche Automobil Konzern (D.A.K.), of Leipzig. It is now announced that in view of the changes that have recently taken place in the German motor market, the four concerns in question have resolved to revert to the old plan of looking after their own sales indivi
dually. Hence the D.A.K. is being wound up.
British Lorry Deliveries.
The group of illustrations which we publish on this page shows lorry deliveries which have recently been made by three of the most prominent British manufacturers. The first is a Model 202 A.D.C., with a body having drop sides, which has been supplied to the British Dyestuffs Corporation; it will be seen that it is mounted on. pneumatic tyres.
In the next picture a 5-6-ton standard Dennis chassis is shown fitted with a somewhat similar type of body. This vehicle has been delivered to a company of millers in Swansea, through the medium of Messrs j. and P. Bevan, Clarence Terrace. Swansea.
In the third illustration a G.II.6 Leyland lorry in the service of a company of well-known woollen manufacturers of Rochdale is shown. The body, in this ease, is a plain platform, and the vehicle is shod with large-size pneumatic tyres, twins being used on the rear wheels. Better Roads for France.
While the planning of the French roads could hardly be better, it has for long been felt that the cobbled highways of the north and sandy ruts of the south were far from suited to the needs of motor users. Despite the Government's drastic policy of economies, the necessity for some improvement to the road surfaces has been recognized, and accordingly the finance committee of the Chamber and M. Andre Tardieu, Minister of Public Works, have agreed upon an increase of 130 million francs, 100 millions of which will be devoted to the repair of the main highways, or Routes Nationales, and SO millions will be spent on the departmental and local roads.
A Useful Emergency Lamp.
We have just received a brochure from the Runbaken Magneto Co., of Ardwick, Manchester, which gives details of a new lamp the company have just
placed on the market. It is a particularly useful accessory, and can be used in emergency for several purposes. A small, unspillable accumulator is fitted in the lamp, and is kept automatically charged from the electric system. The two-volt accumulator can be readily removed, and the lamp can be adapted, by means of different fittings, for a variety of uses. The ease with which it can be detached renders it particularly useful as a portable hand lamp.
Commercial Vehicles at the New York Show.
Plans for enlarging the American Motor Show to be held in New York in January next so as to include commercial vehicles have been approved by the American National Automobile Chamber of Commerce.
Buses in Cardigan.
Cardigan County Council has asked the clerk to communicate with the Ministry of Transport to ascertain if any action can be taken to regulate the number of motor omnibuses plying for hire in the county.
Advice on the Training of Automobile Engineers.
The Institution of Automobile Engineers has again put into operation a scheme, upon which it was at work before the war, of advising parents as to the procedure to adopt when they desire their boys properly trained as automobile engineers. The advice is given gratis, and it is suggested that parents should get into touch with the Institution at Watergate House, London, W.C.2, before their boys leave school.
Performing Important Municipal Work.
The upper illustration of the two pictures which we reproduce on this page ts of a 2-ton three-way tipping wagon which Guy Motors, Ltd., have supplied to the highways department of the Heanor -Urban District Council through their Derby agents, Messrs. F. Kenning and Sons. The raising and lowering of the body are controlled by Bromilow and Edwards hydraulically operated gear, which is of the three-way type, enabling the load to be discharged at the rear or at the sides.
In the other illustration a Leyland lorry in the service of the tramways department of the Burnley Corporation is shown. This is fitted with ELF. breakdown equipment as supplied by Harvey Frost and Co. (1924), Ltd. The crane is a 5-ton salvage appliance of standard type with two-point suspension, and a heavy commercial towing ambulance is shown in the foreground.
Recent Xarrier Orders.
Karrier Motors, Ltd., Karrier Works, Huddersfield, have recently received an order from the municipal authorities in Liverpool and Leeds for a number of rigid-frame six-wheeled buses. .Amongst other municipal orders received by the company we can cite those from the Newport and Londonderry Corporations and the Bethnal Green Borough Council
for motor-sweepers. In addition, the West Riding County Council. has placed a repeat order for a number of 0'22 30-cwt. and 4-ton hydraulic three-way tippers. A 500-gallon gully emptier is also under construction for the Worthing Corporation.
Amongst vehicles which the company are building for export is a number of 3-tonners for the Australian house of Schweppes, and 11-ton, 2-ton, 3-ton and 6-ton vehicles for Sydney, Australia.
Increased Traffic in Northamptonshire.
In a report of the Northants County Council reference is made to a census of traffic taken in 1923 and in 1926. It is shown that at the various points at which the census was taken the roads are now carrying an average increase of 143 tons per day, which is equivalent to a 43 per cent. increase. In 1923 the average number of motor vehicles per day passing a certain point was 137, and the average tonnage 306, whereas in 1926 the former figure had increased to 227 and the latter to 449. The census discloses a considerable increase in the• volume of traffic using the KetteringStretton and the Northampton-Welford main roads.
Road Grants for Welsh Authorities.
The Ministry of Transport report for 1925-26 on the administration of the Road Fund shows that Welsh counties received grants totalling £1,171,341. It states that through the medium of the fund Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire had been able considerably to increase the length of their main roads. Glamorgaushire is the largest Welsh county to benefit from the eund, having been granted £251,000, and, in addition to county grants made, the following sums were allocated to Welsh county boroughs in the year ended March, 1026:—Cardiff, £35,163 ; . Merthyr, £l1,97; Swansea, £29,783; and Newport, £6,117. Lorries Facilitate Farm Produce Transport.
The scheme introduced by the London and North-Eastern Railway Company a short time ago in the north of England, to expedite the collection and delivery of farm produce in isolated districts by the use of motor vehicles, is being rapidly extended. It is stated that these services have now been inaugurated at no fewer than 200 stations, and that similar facilities are to be extended to new districts. Arrangements are now being made to provide these speedy motor services in the East Riding.
Tractors in Prance.
The use of tractors is increasing in France, although as the imports of these machines are not shown separately, definite figures cannot be given. A retarding factor is the high cost of fuel. Tractors are made in France, but the market is dominated by America. A. fairly large number of machines is, however, imported from this country.
Darlington Buying More Motors.
The streets committee of the Darlington Corporation, which has employed motor vehicles for various municipal duties with success for a number of years, has decided to increase and modernize its fleet. To this end two vehicles which are now due for replacement are to be dispensed with, and authority has been given for the purchase of a 30-cwt, a 1-ton and a 12-cwt.
vehicle. Experiments are being conducted with a view to deciding upon the make or makes likely to perform the duties in the most efficient and economic manner. The corporation has also recently had a demonstration of the Pagefield system of house refuse collection, and is stated to have been favourably impressed with the results obtained.
A Bus Bookkeeper Available
We know of a man who has had much experience in connection with the keeping of books for motor omnibus concerns. Be was for three years with an important provincial bus company as assistantto the local manager and has served as chief traffic clerk and district canvasser to another prominent organization. He is desirous of obtaining a similar post. Inquiries addressed to the Editor will be forwarded to the proper quarter.
Stockton Wants Renewed Bus Powers.
Application is being made to the Ministry of Transport by the Stockton Corporation for a renewal, after February 14th, 1927, of the consent to operate motorbuses over a number of routes in its district. In 1920 the corporation obtained running powers for seven years, at which time it took over the existing bus services from a private undertaking. Included in the application is a request for powers to continue the Port Clarence and Seaton Carew service into the centre of West liartlepool. The sanction for this only extends at present to the West Hartlepool borough boundary, and at the last meeting of the West Hartlepool authority it was decided to oppose the new proposals.
Satisfactory Sparking Plugs.
We have recently kail under personal test a set of Igna sparking plugs madc, by the Igna Engineering Co., Ltd., of High Street,Dudley. These plugs are of unusually massive construction, as they are intended particularly for commercial work and have, we understand, given most successful results on this
• gervice. The chief difficulty in respect of the test we have been making with these ?lugs is that, so far, we have not been 3.ble to find any faults, and, therefore, there is very little to be said about them !xeept that they have proved perfectly mtisfactory.
Road Motors for the Mexican Railways.
According to a report jifst to band from .Mexico City, as a means of forestalling any future competition on the part of private owners in the way of motor truck transport, the National Railways of Mexico have decided to establish their own system of road vehicles for short haulage work. A first shipment of .25 lorries from the United States has lately been put in service between points in the district immediately adjacent to Mexico City, where there is a large number of industrial factories.
The operation of the vehicles is more or less in the nature of an experiment, and if they come up to the expectations of the railway officials a large number will be purchased and placed in service in various other parts of the country.
Engaged on Brick Transport.
A photograph reproduced on this page depicts part of a fleet of 2i-ton Vulcan lorries in the service of J. and A. Jackson, Ltd., brick manufacturers, of Longsight, Manchester. These vehicles
are equipped with hydraulic tipping gear, and as they receive their loads of bricks from an automatic loader, the waiting period at each end of the run
is reduced to a minimum. .
Darlington's Liking for Trolleybuses.
Darlington Corporation is proposing to make application for a provisional order to enable it to inaugurate additional trolley-bus routes in the town. A few months ago the replacement Of trains by trolley-buses was completed, but the existing services only eater for people living in the fully developed parts of the town. It is now the intention c.if the authority to open up services to outlying distriCts where large housing sites are springing up. Big Russian Purchases from France.
During the 12 months from August, , 1925, to August, 1026, the Russian Soviet Government purchased in France 7011 lorries, 144 taxicabs, 118 motor omnibuses and motor coaches, 56 motor fire pumps, 11 motor ambulances, 64 tractors, 144 trailers and 8 unclassified motor vehicles for industrial pur
poses. Russian industrial-vehicle re
quirements are enormous, indeed, almost unlimited. Unfortunately the business methods of the present Soviet Government leave much to be desired. Were it not for this fact, the country would present a much more interesting field for export.
Plymouth's Profitable Buses. Plymouth Corporation reports a profit of £765 on the municipal motorbus services for the six mouths ended Septem ber 29th „last. Passenger receipts amounted to £25,700, equivalent to 11.250d. per bus-mile, on a. total bus mileage of 548,285. So far as expenditure is concerned, maintenance and repairs absorbed £6,768, whilst traffic expenses accounted for 18,739, general expenses for £1,064, cost of fuel £4,667, and interest and sinking fund £5,200. A net profit equivalent to .335d. per bus mile is shown:. It is estimated that at the end of the year the total profit for the 12 months will be £1.455.
A.D.C. Vehicles in Demand.
The Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., inform us that from the middle of September to the early part of November they received 330 orders for ADO. vehicles of all types. An analysis of the orders shows that 244 vehicles have been ordered for use in this country, and 86 for service overseas. Particular lmenton is made of the order for 50 Model 413 single-deck buses for service in Athens, which has been placed by the Power and Traction Finance Co. The orders have been received from 54 different users, and a striking point is the fact that exactly half is in the nature of repeat orders.
The principal type of passenger vehicle now ordered is the single-decker, and, so far as goods vehicles are con
corned, those with floats and sided pratform and boarded tilt bodies are chiefly
in demand. c23 • Local Proceedings.
Grimsby Corporation is seeking -powers to run trolley-buses.
Oldham Corporation is to establish a service of motorbuses to Royton.
Burton-on-Trent Corporation has decided to purchase two Guy motorbuses.
Burton-on-Trent Corporation has decided to run a service of motorbuses to Winshill.
Hull Corporation has decided to invite tenders for the supply of a petrol road roller.
Stockton-on-Tees Corporation is inviting quotations for the supply of four motorbuses.
York Corporation has inaugurated an experimental motorbus service between Nessgate and Tang Hall.
The water committee of the Plymouth Corporation is considering the purchase of a Motor lorry.
York Corporation proposes to seek powers to establish trolley-bus services on various routes in the city.
Cheshire County Council is to obtain quotations for the supply of six mechanically propelled wagons.
Leeds watch committee is further to consider the purchase of a new motor patrol wagon and an additional motor ambulance.
The tramways committee of the Plymouth Corporation is considering the purchase of another twelve 26-seater motor -omnibuses.
Manchester Corporation has accepted the tender of Shell-Mex, Ltd., for the supply of a petrol storage _ tank at Bridgewater Depot.
Yore Corporation has accepted the tender of the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., for two motor lorries at £472 each. Leeds watch committee has granted a licence to Shell-Mex, Ltd., to store 204,000 gallons cf petroleum at premise§ in Goodman Street, Hunslet.
The tramways committee of the York Corporation secommends acceptance of the tender of Leyland Motors, Ltd., for the supply of three Lioness motorbuses at £1,212 each.
Barking Town Urban District Council invites tenders for' the supply of a road roller weighing 8 tons when fully loaded. Tenders have to be delivered by November 23rd.
Glasgow Corporation has accepted the tender of the Lacre Motor Car Co., Ltd., at £1,676, to supply four motor sweeping machines. after allowing for the value of four old machines.
Sunbury-on-ihames Urban. District Connell invites tenders for the supply of a motor fire-engine, and tenders have to be delivered to the council offices not later than November 19th.
The tramways committee of the Hull Corporation has accepted the tenders of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., and Henley Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., for solid and semi-pneumatic tyres, and that of the former company for pneumatic tyres.
The tramways committee of the Leeds Corporation has accepted the tenders of Guy Motors, Ltd., for a chassis for a 60-seater bus, of Karrier Motors, Ltd., for a chassis for a 68-seater bus, and of Chas. H. Roe, Ltd., for bodywork at 1740 per bus.
Birkenhead Corporation has obtained consent to the running of motorbuses on the following routes :—Pasture Road from its junction 'with Hoylake Road to Meals Common ; along Hoylake Road from its junction with Pasture Road to Bermuda Road ; along Upton Road from its junction with Hoylake Road to Upton Village.
Allen-Liversidge Dividend.
.Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., have declared a dividend at the rate of 61 per cent. per annum (less tax) on the preference shares of the company for the six months ended October 31st last.
Electrics or Municipal Work.
The cleansing department of the Wallasey Corporation has just placed an order with Eleetricars, Ltd., for another of the company's 2i-ton electric vehicles, thus bringing the total number of vehicles of this make in use by the corporation up to five. The company have also obtained an order from the Sheffield Corporation for a further two 31-ton electric vehicles.
Centrifugal Castings.
We have received from Newton, Chambers and Co., Ltd., Thorncliffe Iron Works, near Sheffield, a catalogue dealing with their centrifugal castings which are made under the well-known Hurst-Ball process, in connection with which the company have acquired the sole patent rights, plant, machinery and standard moulds from Centrifugal Castings, Ltd.. of Kilmarnock.
The catalogue deals with some of the advantages of the centrifugal process and with some of the applications of the company's castings.
Providing Battery Service.
We recently published a paragraph dealing with the special battery service being given by Messrs. Lucas, C. A. VanderVell and Rotas, and we have ROW received a list of the first six firms to be appointed under the company's service scheme. They are as follow :— Messrs. Knox Bros., 25, Bridge Street, Berwick-on-Tweed ; Alex. Shaw and Sons, 66-68, Brook Street, Hull; F. Wingfield, 13 Hish Street, Croydon ; Adams Bros. and Co., 47, Poole Road, Bournemouth ; Lewis Electric Sedan Co., 72, Eastbank Street, Southport ; A. W. Bridges, Bells Court, Newcastleon-Tyne.