Answers to Queries.
Page 17
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A Second-hand Steamer.
[1,460] " A.C.C." write :—A customer of ours is anxious to procure a second-hand motor, steam preferred, to be used in a carrier's business, chiefly to deliver coal and other produce in the surrounding district. One that would have a hauling capacity of from three to five tbns, he thinks, would be most suitable for his purpose. We shall esteem it a favour if you can give us some information as to the best type of motor for this purpose, and also where it might be had, and the probable cost."
ANSIVER.—A second-hand steam wagon is a safe purchase, subject to proper inspection and trial by a competent engineer. It so happens that some of our issues contain no advertisement of a second-hand steam lorry for sale, but such offers are occasionally made in our sundryadvertisement columns. You might be able to pick up a good second-hand vehicle by addressing one or other of the makers who advertise in this journal. The cost ranges from £150 to r.-300, according to age and condition.
Railway Threats.
[1,461] " TRADER " writes:—" I saw your reply (No. 1,450) to H.L.D.' in which you say railway oompanies are not legally entitled to forbid the passage of motor vehicles over level crossings which cut highways. Did you see the recent case of the Northumberland County Council v. The North British Railway Co.?"
ANSWER.—Yes ; the case in question came before us two months ago. The company stated that 24 hours' notice must be given before the Cumberland C.C. road-engine used any of its level crossings, and the case came before Mr. Justice Joyce (Chancery Court) on the 30th June. The plaintiffs sought an injunction to restrain the defendant company from obstructing their traffic from going across the Bush level crossing, between Longtown and Gretna. When the case was about half heard, the railway company withdrew, and explained—rather thinly, we think—that it only meant there might be some delay if notice were not given. This altered the whole complexion of the case, and 5s. damages for delay was allowed. It shows, however, that the notices are invalid and misleading.
A Single Side-lamp.
[1,462] " NORFOLIC " writes One of my men was
stopped last night by a policeman for not having his nearside lamp alight on his steam wagon, although he had his off-side and tail lights both burning brightly. Is one obliged to have two lights on the front of a wagon ? If this is so, it is a great shame, more especially as other vehicles can go about without even showing a red light behind, and the front light mostly placed on the dashboard—about two feet inboard."
ANSWER.—Unless there be a county or other local bylaw which specifically requires all road vehicles to show two headlamps, your motor wagon complied with the law.
We recommend you to call upon the local superintendent of police, and to draw his attention to the wording of Article 11-7 (1) of the Motor Car Use and Construction Order of 1904, which reads: " The lamp to be carried attached to the motorcar in pursuance of Section 2 of the Act of 1896 shall be so constructed and placed as to exhibit during the period between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, a white light visible within a reasonable distance in the direction towards which the motorcar is proceeding or is intended to proceed, and to exhibit a, red light so visible in the reverse direction. The lamp shall be placed on the extreme right or off side of the motorcar in such a position as to be free from all obstruction to the light." The use of the word "lamp " in the singular, and the specific statement that it shall be placed on the extreme right or off side, should settle the difficulty in which you appear to think you are placed. We think, none the less, that it is expedient to carry two side-lamps, as such lighting more readily conveys to other users of the highway the fact that a vehicle is approaching. One generally associates a single lamp with a bicycle.
" M.A.S." Parts Wanted.
[1,463] " WEYMOUTH " writes :—" I have recently purchased a second-hand motor called the 'Straker' which is not the make of Straker and Squire, Ltd. The name on steering wheel is ' Straker-MacConnell,' and the steering-gear box has the letters M.A.B.' cast on. Can you inform me who the makers are and their address, as I desire to lay in a small stock of spares?"
ANSWER.—Straker and MacConnell, Ltd., went into liquidation. They had no connection with the StrakerSquire Co. The letters " M.A.B." probably mean Malicat and Blin, whose parts are stocked in London by Gauthier and Co., 8, Great Marlborough Street, W., and United Motor Industries, 45-6, Poland Street, W.
Motor Wagon for Irregular Work.
[1,464] " NORTH " writes :—" I am a cartage contractor, furniture remover and carriage proprietor, employing some 12 horses and 10 men, in a small country village. My work is very irregular. At times, my stock is much too small to cope with the work, and again I am for a couple of days possibly with half my horses lying idle. Do you think a motor vehicle capable of taking a 24-ton load would do for my work ? I should require it mostly for cartage work (as a lorry) and occasionally as a char-abanes. Also, could you supply me with data as to working expenses of this kind of vehicle? I take it that a petrol lorry loaded up could travel along a fairly-good road at the rate of six to eight miles an hour?
"My knowledge of mechanics is absolutely nil, and my interest in motor haulage dates from January last, when I started to take your little journal. I should be obliged if you would not publish my name and address as it would be sufficient to alienate some of my customers were they to know that I was hankering after those d—d motors.'" ANswart.—A 24-ton petrol vehicle should do your work admirably. If, at any time, you had two or three pressing jobs on the same day, we presume you would still be able to hire horses in the district? Such a petrol lorry is entitled to travel at 12 miles an hour. The fact that your work is very irregular is all in favour of motor haulage, because a motor costs nothing while it is not working, except interest on capital. Depreciation, having regard to the good quality of modern vehicles, can safely be put at a maximum of 0.8d. per mile run, and need not be charged if the vehicle "stands ".from time -to time.
• You can safely reckon that the cost per mile of working such a lorry, with every provision for contingencies and maintenance, should not exceed 9d., provided you can give it as much as 250 miles a week on the average. If you cannot give it that much, and if you will let us know what you think you can average, we shall be happy to
a detailed estimate free of charge.