What Users Tell Us
Page 4
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Intervia774.16'
"When notrengaged in
transport of milk, we fit char-a-bancs bodies."
While carrying out a works inspection in Bristol some short time ago, we chanced to be introduced to Mr. F. Didham, a well-known wholesale dairyman of Church Road. During a chat over the matter of motor delivery with this gentleman, we came to the conclusion that the machines in his ser vice would prove representative for inclusion in our series of interviews with users.
For the past twelve months, Mr. Didham has used a 30 h.p. Lacre.
and a 16 h.p. Lacre-Albion, for delivery work, and he expressed himself as being delighted with the results obtained.
" My two machines," he explained, "have displaced eight horses, one van, and two carts. I .estimate my delivery expenses during the last twelve months as fol lows. Inclusive cost of motor main tenance, including 15 and 20 per cent. respectively for depreciation, .t195. My horses, during the pre\ ious twelve months, cost me £205. although they did not perform nearlyso much work as the petrol machines."
We expressed astonishment at this statement, but were assured that it was quite correct.
" I previously employed a stableman and two drivers. Now, how ever, I only employ one odd man. rind my son does all the driving of the motors."
"An extraordinary saving, nevertheless," we remarked.
"You will, perhaps, be interested to hear of the work performed?" Mr. Didham suggested. "We are quite sure that our readers would be," was the answer. And so the story of business enterprize was once again expounded. We may remark en pamtat that. Didham's dairy is at Chew Valley, in Somerset, and is situated about 14 miles away from Bristol.
The road between the town and the depot is an extremely hilly one, and is very punishing to horses. Previously six animals—two for the journey out, two for the journey
home, and two resting—working with one van, transported 300 gallons of milk per day., taking eight
hours for the double journey. Now the 30 h.p. Lacre occupies 211. hours, and transports 400 gallons of milk, a total weight of about two tons. "You would be surprised," said Mr. Didham, "at the saving effected with these machines. 'You ean, of course. easily imagine on a very hot day what a serious loss it is to us when several hundred gallons of milk turn sour during transportation. To avoid this, we formerly had to work right through the night in order to take advantage of the cooler hours. We can now leave the depot, however, at four o'clock in the morning, and be in Bristol by 6.30 a.m., in time for the early supply.
"We have a contract for 300 gallons of milk daily for the Bristol Workhouse, and a further contract with a large firm of chocolate makers, both of which have to be supplied without risk of failure. Previously-that is, before we got the motorvans -we were forced to reject this business, as too much time would have been occupied in giving. delivery, as well as increased cost Incurred in providing extra sans and horses.
" I am more than pleased with the performance of the machines,said Mr. Didham, in conclusion. "The first set of tires for our Lacre were De Nevers, and they averaged 11,894 miles. We are now using ' Fromes,' owing to greater fitting convenience in Bristol. During the summer afternoons, when the machines are not engaged in the transport of milk, we fit convertible chars-it-banes bodies, and carry pleasure parties into the surrounding country.
Well, motors are certainly paying me. Here are comparative costs. They cover 12 months of running, and the wages of the drivers are not included. For the newer vehicle—the Lacre—which was purchased for 2445 without tires, I have allowed depreciation at the rate of 15 per cent., while for the Albion, which is a, very much older machine, and was bought for £170 from a Harrogate hotel, I have allowed 20 per cent."
MOTORVAN COSTS.
-E a. d.
Depreciation (Lacre) 66 13 4 Depreciation (Albion) 34 0 0 Tires for Laere ... 50 0 0 Old tires on Albion ... 10 0 0 Laere tires (1000 gds.) ... 4 4 0 Albion tires (2000 mls.) 4 12 0
Repairs ... ... 29 15 10 Petrol at is. :3(1., less 11.2d. 94 3 7
Oils and grease ... 7 5
Total £300 13 11
Char-k-banes receipts ... 106 3 5 Total cost ... ... 194 10 6 HORSE COSTS.
Fodder ... 198 0 0 Shoeing ... 10 0 0
Depreciation ... 47 5 4
Vet. ... 4 4 0 Sundries, bedding, etc. ... 6 0 0 Total £265 9 4