WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness _ of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crosier, A Useful Comparison of Exports.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has just issued an interest-. ing tabulation, which comprises a quarterly summary of exports of motor vehicles from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, France and Italy to the chief markets of the world. The figures, which cover the period from January 1st to March 31st last, are worthy of close study by all British commercial-vehicle manufacturers, for they clearly show that many markets remain to be exploited by them, whilst they also give a useful indication of the competition. which must be expected, from America principally.
During the period with which the figures deal, American makers shipped 3,648 commercial vehicles to Australia. whilst only 68 _British vehicles of a similar type • entered that country. Then, again, 366 commercial vehicles of Amairican make were sent to India, whereas only 29 of British make had this 'country, as their destination. So far as New Zealand is Concerned, 430 American commercial vehicles and 40 of British. build were imported in the three 'months.
The Austin Motor Co. and Their Shareholders.
In view of the opinions expressed by representatives of shareholders who were recently called into consultation, the directors of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., have decided that it will not be advisable to ask any class of sharehqlder to accept a smaller dividend than that to which they are at present entitled, and, further, they have decided to pay
off the arrears of both the A and B preference dividends in cash, over as short la term as the profits and cash resources of the company will permit. .Resolutions for the reduction of:the company's capital have been prepared for submission to -the shareholders, by which preferred ordinary and ordinary shareholders will be asked to agree to a reduction of the face value of their
shares to 10s. and 5s. respectively, in order that the deficit may be removed from the balance-sheet,' and the payment of dividends resumed.
The resolutions will provide that, on the reduction becoming effective, the rate of dividend on the preferred ordinary shares will be increased to 20 per oent. so as to equal the present The Demonstration of Commercial Sidecars.
Further to the paragraph which appeared in our issue of last week dealing with the demonstration of commercial sidecars being organized by the Auto-Cycle Union, we are now in a position to give details of the daily, itinerary which will be followed throughout the period of the demonstration, which takes place from September Otha 11th inclusive.
On the first day, the machines will travel from Reading and pass through Newbury, Basingstoke, Winchester, Andover, Salisbury, Warminster to Bath, the day's mileage being 121. On the second day, the journey will be continued via Radstock, Wells, Bridgwater, Taunton, Ilminster, Crewkerne, Dorchester to Weymouth, covering. a mileage of 98. On the following day, 88 miles will .be covered, and the route to be taken from Weymouth will be via Wareham, Poole, Bournemouth, South: amnton, Fa.reham to Portsmouth, from which centre the machines will then pass on the following day through Chichester, Bognor, Littlehampton, Worthing, Brighton,, Lewes and Eastbourne to Harstings, the mileage on this day being 98. On the fifth day, Rye, New Romney, Folkestone, Dover, Canterbury, Ashford, Maidstone and Tonbridge will be visited ; at the last-named place a stop will be made for the night, this day's mileage being 106. The itinerary for the last day will be from Tonbridge to Sevenoalcs, Reigate, Dorking, Guildford, Staines and Slough, the day's mileage being 70, and the total mileage covered in the six days 581.
New Garage for Independent Bus Owners.
It is stated that negotiations are proceeding for the purchase of the island site facing St. Pancras Station, London. It is said to be the intention of some of the independent bus proprietors to erect a commodious garage at this point, in order that they can better deal with heavy traffic during certain periods of the day.
Bus Results at York.
The accounts of the York Corporation for the year ended March 31st last show that a net profit of £425 was made o the motorbuses, and a net profit of £1,490 on the tramways, whilst a net loss of £1,121 was incurred on the trolley-buses." So far as the petrol buses are concerned, the revenue amounted to £9,737, equivalent to 12.01d. per busmile. In,regard to the trolley-buses, the total income was 14,056, equivalent to 15.13d. per bus-mile.
A New 1-tonner.• The Standard Motor Truck Co., Detroit, Michigan, announce that they are producing a new 1-ton truck known as the Fisher Junior (Express, which is a companion model to the Fisher Fast Freight 11-torrner, regarding which details have already appeared in our columns. The new chassis has a Continental six-cylinder engine, spiral-bevel gear-type rear axle, and is equipped with low-pressure tyres.
British -Confectionery Vans.
The two vehicles which we illustrate on this page have recently beeri delivered' to confectionery , companies. from the works of prominent-British makers. One , of them has been purchased frena Karriers Motors, Ltd., by Joseph Bellamy and Sons, Ltd.,Castleford, to augment their present-fleet of this make
of -vehicle. In this model 'company's E5 chassis, with a 15 ft. wheelhase is employed, and the van body. which it carries Is 14 ft. long, 6 ft. 6 ins: wide,
and 6 ft. high. It is constructed to carry 6-ton loads. A lock-up shelf is Provided underneath the body on each side for carrying tins of petrol. A C.A.V. six-volt lighting set is fitted, which, apart from supplying current to two exterior lamps, also provides for the needs of two lights in thebody
interior. The van is shod with Dunlop tyres and is finished in ultra-marine blue and red with gold lettering.
The other picture is of an attractive boxvan recently supplied by Leyland Motors, Ltd., to Barker and Dobson, Ltd., of Liverpool. This company are extensive users of Leyland vehicles, and have a number of vans of this make engaged in the distribution of their wellknown chocolates and Everton toffee. Their latest purchase Is finished in chestnut brown the lettering being in cream with a Lin gold line enclosing each letter. The users are fully alive to the publicity value of the motorvan, and, apart from carrying bold lettering on the side panels, the body has painted on the rear panel an attractive package finished in natural colours ; the prominence which is given to this is shown in a separate picture.
A Booklet on Lubrication.
" Motorcar Lubrication Simply Explained " is the title of an informative little booklet which has just been issued by C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd. The text matter is written in simple language so that the non-technical driver can obtain an adequate idea. of the lubrication system of his vehicle, and, by appreciating its importance, realise the need for regular attention to specific parts of the chassis.
Although the booklet is naturally written to draw attention to the merits of Castrol motor oils, the name of the company's product obtrudes . in very few instances in the. various chapters dealing with engine, clutch, gearbox, rear axles, brakes and chassis. A chapter is devoted to a few notes on engine troubles and shows how they can be diagnosed and cured. A copy of the bobklet can he obtained from the company, at Wakefield House, 30-32, Cheapside, London, E.0,2,
Tram versus Bus at South Shields.
At a recent meeting of the South Shields Town Council the watch committee recommended that 18 licences should be issued to the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., for buses to rum in the borough. After considering the suggestion, the chairman of the tramways committee referred to the fact that the revenue from tk trainwnys wus down by £7,000 over a period of 18 weeks, and said that unless the council was prepared to help the tramways committee against unrestricted competition, the tramways would eventually become a burden on the rates. He asked for a guarantee that the time-tables and specified fares submitted would be adhered to. He further said that if the council and the watch committee did not afford some measure of protection for the tramways, the municipal authorities would have to consider the possibility of purchasing a fleet of buses.
American Company Want Agents.
We are informed that Mr. G. H. Smith, St. Stephen's House, Victoria Embankment, London, S.W.1, has been commissioned by the Larrabee-Deyo Motor Truck Co., of Bingliampton, New York, to negotiate for the appointment of sole representatives in important centres in this country, for the various types and sizes of commercial vehicle which they manufacture.
We are asked to make it clear that the chassis of the fire pump for small brigades, referred to in our issue dated July 27th, is the product of Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., whilst the pump is made by Gwynnes Engineering Co., Ltd.
Personal Pars.
We understand that Mr. J. A. D. Gotta has resigned his position on the London sales staff of Karrier Motors, Ltd., and joined Barrett, Tagant and Gotts, Ltd., the manufacturers of Maxima lubricants, whose headquarters are at Corrison Works, Wandsworth Bridge, London, 8.W.6.
We are pleased to learn..., that Mr. J. Del. Strachan of Messrs. Strachan and Brown, who has been seriously ill for some time past, is now progressing rapidly, and his many friends in the trade will be interested to know that he hopes to return to business in the course of a few weeks.
Northern Ireland Licence Returns. An official return lately issued by the Government of Northern Ireland shows that there were 2,327 annual and 1,793 quarterly licences in operation in respect of commercial motor vehicles in Northern Ireland at the end of February last, as contrasted with 2,429 and 1,354 respectively at the corresponding time in 1924. Thus, whilst the num • ber of annual licences has decreased, an increase in quarterly licences is shown. Taking the two classes together, the number of commercial vehicles in use in Northern Ireland advanced to the extent of 337 during the course of the twelve months.
A similar position applies with regard to motor hackneys; whilst the number of quarterly licences rose from 1,859 to 2,209, those for the annual period declined from 1,257 to 1,045. Taking the two classes together, there was an in. crease of 138 vehicles.
Closing Bwlch-y-Groes to Coaches ?
Penllyn Council has recently decided to ask the Merioneth County Council to seek powers for the closing of BwIch-yGroes Pass to motor-coach traffic, owing to its dangerous' nature.
A Congested Market Place.
A picture which we reproduce on this page shows a section of the old market place at Garstang, a quaint town on the main road between Preston and Lancaster. Although the main street is very narrow, a market is held every week, the stalls and other market impedimenta occupying one side of the road. During the season the road carries a considerable number of vehicles passing in the direction of Morecambe, the Lakes and Scotland, and much congestion results. However; a new road is being constructed which will entirely skirt the town, but, as several new bridges have to be constructed, it will not be opened for traffic until 1927,
Petitions Against Bus Racing.
During the hearing of cases at Aberanion Police Court recently against bus drivers for racing one of the magistrates, who is a member of the Mountain Ash Urban District Council, issued a warning to proprietors of a decision recently made by the council, which does not appear to have been made public. He stated that the council had received petitions from ratepayers asking that action should be taken against those responsible for the racing of buses, and that the council had decided in future to make a note of the names of individual proprietors against whom complaints were made and to decline to reissue bus licences to them when their present licences expired. Many buses ply for hire in the council's area.
Liverpool's Seventh Motor Parade.
The seventh annual Liverpool parade of commercial motor vehicles will, as mentioned in our last week's issue, take place on Saturday, September 25th. The competitions in the steam and petrol fleet classes will be open to all members, whether haulage omtractors or not, but in the single-vehicle classes haulage contractors and members whose principal business is other than that of a haulage contractor will compete separately in two divisions. There will also be classes for six-wheeled vehicles and electric vehicles and special classes for nonmembers. Bonus marks will be given to vehicles travelling long distances to the parade ground. Vehicles may be entered B22 for the street parade alone (apart from the competitions), including any machines delivered since December 31st, 1925. Vehicles delivered later than this date are not eligible for the competitions.
For the fleet competitions any three vehicles, whether similar or mixed types or makes, may be-entered for the respective classes, but the vehicles to be judged together as a fleet must be declared by the owner on the entry form. All vehicles must be unladen and paraded without trailers. Entries for the parade must be made before August 28th.
Saurer Progress.
The Saurer Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., 21, Augustus Street, London, N.1.1, report that their activities continue to progress year by year, and that business is very good. For example, in the first seven months of the current . year, apart altogether from export business, their sales show an increase of as much as 40 per calt, as compared with those recorded in a similar period of last year. The company have in hand a number of orders for prominent commercial-vehicle users, these including the Bradford Dyers Association, Ltd.; Pickfords, Ltd.; the South Wales Transport Co., Ltd.; -Whitbread and Co., Ltd.. etc.
Sentinel Dividend.
After considering the accounts of the company for the six months ended June 30th last, the directors of the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., have authorized the payment of the usual interim dividend on the preference shares at the rate of 71 per cent per annum.
Ford Factory for Yugo-Slavia.
According to an advice from Belgrade, the board of directors of the Ford Co. have submitted an offer to the Yugo-Slav Government for the construction of afactory on Yugo-Slav territory. It is sad that the Ford Co. offer, at the same time, to put up capital for the reconstruction of the roads.
• Postal Services in Hungary.
Following the example of Germany and Switzerland, it is reported that the Government of Hungary has authorized the postal authorities of that country to organize services for the transport of both mails and passengers.
R.I.A. Activities.
The Roads Improvement Association will be represented at the Fifth International Road Congress, to be held in Milan from September 6th to the 10th, by its chairman, Mr. Rees Jeffreys, who,it will be remembered, acted as hon. secretary of the Third Congress, held in London in 1913. He has also been nominated as 'the representative of the Royal Automobile Club.
The Roads Improvement Association has asked Mr. Rees 1-effreys, who has already left England to study traffic conditions on the Continent en route, to make a special report upon the motor toll roads in Italy, both those that have been opened and those which are projected.
Motor Vehicle Manufacture In Australia.
In the scheme placed before the Federal Minister for Customs for establishing in Australia an industry for the complete manufacture of motor vehicles it was provided that the engines should be constructed by the Pureell Engineering Co., Ltd., Sydney ; the gears and transmission by Sonnerdale, Ltd., Sydney; the electrical equipment by the Electricity Meter Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Sydney; the bodies by Messrs. Smith and Waddington, Sydney ; the steel by Edgerton, Ltd., Melbourne, and the remaining parts by other concerns.
The manufacturers represented by the deputation propose to float a central company, with a capital of at least £1,000,000, in which the individual companies would be holders and directors. The present combined capital of the Contributing concerns is over 11,000,000, and by the time they are thoroughly equipped to undertake their portion of the industry close on another £500,000 would be added. This, together with the capital of the central company, would, it is said, place at least f2;500,000 behind the project.
The class of car the company intend to make at the outset is a six-cylinder Model especially designed to suit Australian conditions. The company have already secured an -option on 22 acres of land for a factory site. We assume that the possibility of producing certain types of commercial vehicle has not been overlooked
Darlington's Bus Plans.
Further important trolley-bus developments are foreshadowed at Darlington. It is announced that the corporation is to ask for a provisional order giving permission to operate these vehicles over a number of new routes, and so eater for the requirements of outlying parts of the town at present without transit facilities of any kiad. The proposed new sections will, if proceeded with, add another six miles of routes to the system. The most interesting feature of the new scheme is that, in almost all eases, circular routes are being aimed at.
It will be recalled that the corporation also obtained motorbus powers in its Bill prior to replacing tramtaby railless cars, and before going ahead with any of the new proposals the transport manager, Mr. J. R. P. Lunn, is to prepare comparative statementa showing the estimated revenue and working eipenses for both buses and trolley-buses.
Road Transport in Papua.
Papua, the largest of the islands of New Guinea, in the Pacific, not many years ago a terra incognita, is rapidly acquiring a number of motor vehicles for business and transport purposes, most of them coming from the .United States. The Vogel (Papua) Petroleum Oil Co. are carrying out oil-boring operations on 750 square miles of territory in the north-east. Geological indications are considered very favourable, and in the Dutch section, no great distance away, oil is being drawn and exported.
A Railway Company's Bus Services.
The road motor services maintained by the Great Western Railway continue to expand, and from time-tables which have just been issued relating to the services in Devon, East and West Cornwall, South and West Wales and North Wales it is evident that the company set themselves out to give excellent service to the travelling public. They have just revised certain of their servikes, whilst a new service has been opened between Stroud and Rodborough or Ki ngscourt.
They have also recently conamenced an attractive excursion by railway and road motor, passengers being taken by the former means of conveyance from Padolaigton to Wantage Road (Berks), there picking up the motor vehicle and journeying to Lamboura Station, several hours being allowed in the middle of the day to allow passengers to have luncheon and explore the country. At Lambourn Station passengers once again board the train and proceed to London. The excursion, which is run every week-day, provide.; a most interesting day on the Berkshire Downs.
A Closed Bridge.
Road subsidence in the Abertillery (Mon.) area has resulted in the local 'authorities issuing a elosure'order in respect of the Foundry Bridge, Abertillery, to all vehicular traffic.
Bristols in Demand.
The Bristol. Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., have just received a repeat order from the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., for live 2-ton Bristol lorries, fitted with suitable bodies for carrying cans of motor spirit.
Another interesting order secured by the eampany is from the Chesterfield Corporation, which is buying 16 of the company's new low-loading light passel' ge r chassis.
Avoiding a Steep Hill.
Those commercial-vehicle users who have occasion to travel over the main road from London to Oxford will be interested in a picture which appears on this page, showing, as it does, a road scheme which is being undertakera at Dashwood Hill near Stokenchurch. Many of those who use this road will know to their cost that Dashwood Hill has a very steep gradient with a surface which is not now in the best of condition, and many are the occasions on which heavily-laden vehicles are to be seen ' laboriously climbing the hill. They will welcome the news that, in the near future, they will be spared the need for negotiating this hill, for a new road is being constructed to skirt it, and this will terminate practically at the top of the present road. Some idea of the progress which has been made in connection with the work can be gathered from our picture.
A Good Use for a Travelling Shop.
We have just received a copy of the annual report of the National Institute for the Blind, in which a paragraph is published dealing with the use to which the Institute puts a motor vehicle equipped as a travelling shop. The chassis carries a specially designed body, and the vehicle is used for visiting farms and scattered rural greens. where the various goods made by the blind are sold.
Regulating Oil Production.
In an advice from Mexico City we learn that President Calles has issued a decree under which the Government wilt undertake to regulate oil production, with the object of preventing the exhaustion of the country's oil resources by immoderate exploitation. Thus the maximum production of any well may be fixed by adjusting the valves, and then placing them under an official seal.
Eastbourne's Profitable Buses.
The Eastbourne Corporation made a net profit of 16,000 in a period of 12 months on its municipal bus services, in spite of the fact that reduced fares were in force. Some idea of the popularity of the buses can be obtained from the fact that on the recent Bank Holiday 66,692 nassengers were carried. Motors in Warwickshire.
Warwickshire County Council reports that during the year ended March 31st last 35,264 motor and horse-drawn vehicles were licensed and 22,126 drivers' licences were issued, the total revenue amounting to £171,951 being paid into the Road Fund. The vehicle licences are up by 30 per cent, and those for drivers by 20 per cent. on the figures for the previous year.
During the year 2,870 new registration numbers were assigned to motor vehicles, an increase of 16 per cent. on 1925. There were approximately 14,500 transfers of ownership of motor vehicles during the year, an increase of 21 per cent, on the figure for the previous year.
A Ferodo Publication.
• Ferodo, Ltd., Sovereign Mills, Chapelen-le-Frith, have just issued a booklet • which deals with Ferodo friction linings
for the brakes of commercial vehicles. It is particularly interesting in that it contains a comprehensive tabulation showing the location of the brakes on a number of the prominent British vehicles and the size of the linings which are suitable for each type, together wii.h prices. The foreword to the booklet deals with the use of die-pressed Ferodo liners on vehicles fitted with four-wheel brakes.
Karrier's Magazine.
"The Karrier Gazette" for August has just reached us from Karrier Motors, Ltd., Karrier Works, Ruddersfi61d. The current number contains a large amount of interesting matter, amongst which details of the company's low load-line municipal tipper, the rigid six-wheeler, the R.B.-type sweeper, sprinkler and street washer are given. Transmission-brake maintenance forms the subject of a few interesting notes, and particulars are given of the recent reorgaeization of the service and repair departments of the company, which, it is stated, have now been amalgamated. The issue closes with a price-list and abridged data of the company's 1926 models.
Farm Tractor Construction in Russia.
It is reported from Leningrad that there are now two engineering concerns in Soviet Russia engaged on the con
struction of farm tractors. The old Obuchow Works in that city are building 40 h.p. machines known as the Bolschewik, and another of 75 h.p. termed the Cholt, while the Locomotive
Works at Kharkov ape producing a 50 h.p. Kommunar. All the vehicles arc staled to be of the chainitrack type. Tt is also reported that arrangements are being made for the construction of tractors at new works in Stalingrad.
Report on the Geneva Show.
The Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, informs us that a report of the Third International Motor Show, held at Geneva froth June 10th to the 20th last, has been received from the British Legation at Berne, and has been issued to those firms whose names appear on the special register of the Department. Other interested British concerns can obtain a copy from the address given above.
Local Proceedings.
Durham County Council has decided to purchase a motor ambulance at a cost of about £500.
Hull Corporation is to invite tenders for the supply of a 2-ton petrol chassis for use as a tower wagon by the tramways department.
St. Helens Corporation has decided to abandon the single-line tramway on the Liverpool-Manchester main road and to run a service of railless vehicles.
Westminster County Council has accepted the tender of the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., for the supply of a body with tipping gear for a Karrier chassis at £213.
Wimbledon Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs. S. D. C. Taylor and Co„ Kensington, for the supply of two Carrimore refuse-collecting vehicles at 1700.
The tramways committee of the South Shields Corporation recommends the acceptance of the tender of Guy Motors, Ltd., for the supply of two 30-seater motorbuses.
The engineering department of .the Nottingham Corporation has just placed an order for an Albion 2-ton chassis fitted with a hydraulically operated endtipping body.
Ramsbottom Urban District Council has now agreed with the Lancashire County Council for the insertion of the usual model clauses with regard to the running of motorbuses. in the county.
Cheshire County Council is making representations to the companies providing petrol pumps with a view to the type and colour of such pumps being made more amenable to their surroundings.
Newport (Mon.) watch committee has decided that, in the case of future grants of licences for hackney carriages, the proprietors be asked to produce their last receipt for payment of premium for third-party insurance.
Bolton Corporation has now come to terms with the Lancashire County Council regarding proposals for bus services outside the borough. Except in regard to certain routes the consent of the local authorities must be obtained.
Bexley Urban District Council is inviting tenders for the supply of a singlecylinder 8-ton steam road roller, and these have to be delivered to the clerk of the council, Council Offices, Bexley Heath, Kent, -on •or before September 1st.
At a meeting of the works committee of the Hull Corporation, the city engineer reported that he had received tenders for the supply of a streetsweeping machine, and after consideration of them it has been arranged that a Lacre sweeper be inspected and subsequently purchased if suitable fOr the work of the committee.
An Effective Fire Fighter.
Sohn Morris (Fire Snow), Ltd., Mulberry Street, Manchester, have just issued a catalogue which gives an indication of the value of Fire Snow extinguishers for fighting all types of fire, particularly those in which oils and chemicals are concerned. This type of extinguisher is largely_ used by fire brigades in all parts of the country, and is made in two sizes for use on various types of transport vehicle.