Answers to Queries.
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published.
Loss of Use of Van.
11345] "TRADER" enquires :-"My Van ran into an obstruction recently, and it was damaged rather severely in consequenoe. The ' other side ' admitted liability, and they are paying for the repairs, but they decline to pay for loss of the services of the van in my work. flave I any remedy?"
ANSWER.—We fear not, at this stage. Had our correspondenthired another motorean, instead of allowing his business to he upset by the inconvenience of doing without it, his claim would have been legally strong. Of course, if he has hired other vehicles specially to replace the disabled van, we should say he Call recover the cost of such hire.
Motorcab Working Costs.
[13461"YORES1IIRE" writes :—"We should be very greatly obliged to you if you could give us any reliable information as to the cost of running four-seated motorcabs of about 1211.p. We do not remember ever having seen any figures on this subject, and wonder if you had any information relating to the I ondon cabs of about this power. The item we are most uncertain about, and therefore most anxious for information, is tires ; we consider a charge of id. per mile rather too heavy, and should like your opinion as to whether we could safely reckon on less."
ANswero—With care, the price of tires for a four-seated unotorcab can be got down to under id. per mile, but this necessitates uniform and careful driving. Our issue of the 3oth April last contains all details.
Ambulatory Hoardings.
(T3471 " VAN BUILDER " writes :—" Some three or four years ago, you published an article pointing out the rent of a shop—in Regent Street, London, I think you took as an example--and mentioning a van used for advertising purposes, running up and down Regent Street at certain times of the day, when seen by so many people, and went on to prove the advertising value of the motorvan, looking at the van from this point alone. Perhaps I have given you sufficient of the article to enable you to give me the date of the issue containing the article. If so, will you kindly advise me what it is by return of post, so that I may turn it up. I may say I have your journal hound in volumes from the first number."
ANSWER.—The issue in question is that of " Tun COMMERCIAL MOTOR " dated the 23rd March, 19o5.
Provincial Omnibus Licenses and Routes.
[1348] " H.F.A.G." enquires :—" Can a local town court, stipulate the routes which motorbuses have to follow?" ANSWER.—The power of a local corporation, in regard the control of routes, depends upon its by-laws. If it h adopted the Town Police Clauses .Act of 1847, it can, und Sections 22 and 23 thereof, regulate the route of perso driving stage carriages, but only during the hours of divi service on Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday, or oth days of public feasts or thanksgiving. Section 27 and f( lowing sections of the Act, however, give the Commissionc (or the local council) power to license entirely at their d' cretion, i.e., they may license or refuse to license. If, them fore, licenses have been granted, the local council calm( unless it has a special Act, restrict your routes other than the days named above, but it can refuse to renew with° reason assigned.
After an "Inspection and Trial."
[13491 " L " writes :-" Possiblv you will remember th your representative examined a Milnes-Daimler chassis I me in the Isle of Wight about this time last year. I enclosing a statement af six months' working, thinkii possibly you might be interested, and I am not sure how get at the cost per ton-mile. The total cost of the lorry w 4-32o. " Six months' running of 28-3oh.p. Milnes-Daimler Tc sent out, Sol ; miles, 3,243 ; petrol (654 gallons), 4 3s. imd. ; oil and grease, ,4(1 16s. 7d.; insurance (: months), 4:9; sundries, .4-6 19s. 3d.; repairs, 4'4 IOS. tires, 4.13 lOS. ; two men, ..,6o; depreciation,
sum of 4;175 is the total cost for six months' running. often only send one man, but I have charged for two to be the safe side. The repairs are, of course, very small for ti first six months. I never put more than three tons up."
ANSWER.—We are interested to have the particulars your Milnes-Daimler chassis. We think you are.depreci ing it rather unnecessarily heavy, although it is a wise con• at the outset. 4:175 divided by 3,243 gives a trifle un( r3d. per vehicle-mile, but it is impossible to state the cost I ton-mile unless you know, pretty accurately, the avers load and the average length per trip (loaded portion onl If you do know that, you can take the multiple of lb two, multiply the result by the number of trips, and obt the cost per ton-mile by division into the total cost.