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."—Jahn Beattie Crozier.
Permiss:on Refused to Purchase Fire Equipment.
The GieRiper U.D.G. recently applied to the 'Ministry of Health for sanction to bprrow and expend 28,000 en fire brigade equipment which was to include ene, and possibly two, motor fire-engines The Ministry has notified the council that in view of the high rates of the district it would be ill-advised to proceed with the scheme. This communication was received with resentment by the council, whose members resolved to inisist on proper equipment, and interview the Minister upon the urgent need of the appliances.
The Ministry was categorized as a " Ministry of Death" rather than a Ministry of Health.
Two Appeals Dismissed. • At a meeting of the Merthyr Watch Cirremittee intimation was received that the of Transport had decided against the appeals made against council decisions by Messrs. E. Snow and Sons and Mr. A. W. Harrison in respect to Down Valleys bus service.
The Ministry was of opinion that the refusal of an additional licence to Messrs_ Snow was justified, and that the council was reasonable in asking Mr. Harrison to run his service the full distance between Aberfan and Merthyr and according to time table approved by the council.
East Midland Road Transport.
Matters of considerable importance in relation to future rates of remuneration and conditions of working were discussed at a protracted meeting of the Road Transport Board for the East Midlands area,. held at Nottingham recently, and attended by representatives of employers and employed from a widely extended area.
At the end of discussions extending over three hours and a quarter, in the course of which the workmen's delegates retired several times to confer separately regarding the points under consideration, it was intimated that there was no statement which at that juncture 'could be usefully supplied for Press purposes, the meeting being adjourned until the 25rd inst. '
An Appeal for a Petrol Licence.
At the Hove Watch Committee the inspector under the 'Petroleum Acts submitted a further application from Mr. A. Hine, Victoria Garage, Kingsway, to store 500 gallons of petroleum in a tank on his premises and for permission to erect a pump and swing arm. The inspector reported that in this case it it proposed to sink a-large cylindrical steel tank of the Gilbert and Parker make, supplied by the Anglo-American. Oil Co., 2 ft. under the floor of the garage, about 6 ft. from the entrance.
The pump would be placed on a solid concrete base an whichever side of the entrance may be permitted, and would have an athaehed swing arm, which, when in use, would reach over the pavement, and when out of use would be swung back parallel with Mee building and fastened to a beam forming the head to the doors.
The position of the tank is somewhat different from the position in the former application, but the inspector considered that the new position is a more congested and unsafe one than the previous site.
lie also reported that his objections to the granting of a licence in the first application would still apply in the case of the present application, and that, after careful consideration of th,e facts, he was of opinion that the proposition is unsafe, and recommended the licence being refused.
It will be remembered that on the previous application the council refused to grant a licence, and an appeal was made by Mr. Hine to the Home Office, but the Home Office upheld the 'council's decision, The committee recommends that a licence be refused Mr. Hine, the grounds of refusal being based upon the report of the inspector, and that the position of the underground tank referred to in this application is in a more dangerous position than in the previous application.
A Moscow Exhibition.
An exhibition train is being organized in Charbin by the American Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Moscow Agricultural Exhibition, This train consists a demonstration cinematograph, and consists of 21 wagons. We understand that two English exhibitors of motor vehicles will participate.
Hoods for Buses.
In reply to a recent question in the -.House of Commons, the Under-Secretar for the Home Office said that the question of allowing omnibuses with hoods to be placed on the streets had been referred to a committee set up by t Ministry of Transport, and that the Home Secretary proposed waiting; the report of this committee before eonaing to a decision.
The Guardians of Huddersfield Union contemplate the purchase of a motor ambulance, and manufacturers desirous of obtaining particulars regarding the vehicle required can do so on application to the Clerk of the Guardians, Ramsdell Street, Huddersfield
Mechanical Transport for the Territorials.
A limited number of medium brigades of the Territorial Army is being allowed. to experiment with mechanical transport during this year's annual training. The following grants for the current financial year are being made to the Territorial Army 'Associations to meet the cost of hiring inotorvant and 3-ton lorries on the establishment of Territorial Army units at their annual training, Where \V. D. vehicles lia.ve not been made available Motervan.s, £8 per week, or, if hired for a shorter period, '.£1 3s. per day ;
3-ten lorries, 10s. per week, or £2 per day.
Season Tickets for Coach Parking.
It was pointed out at a recent meetingof the Pertheawl U.D.C. that the parking of vehicles at Lock's Common regulations and charges operated harshly on resident" visitors, who had daily, and -sometimes more frequently, to pay the garage charge in order to make use of that section of the town, despite the fact that they might be staying at Perthcawl for some time. It was resolved that to meet the case season tickets be issued to ;those visitors staving at Perth. cawl for 14 days or mane, by which a. reduced charge for parking of cars on the common will be made and the continual payment of such fee be avoided.
Bus Rivalry at Penmaenrnawr.
The Royal Blue Bus Co., of Llandudno, and Messrs. J. Fred Francis and Sons, Colwyn Day, sought to run omnibus services to Pennmemnawr, and when the matter came before the canned a resolution was moved that permission be only granted to the Royal Blues.
An amendment was moved that DO further applications be granted for the reason that there was no standing accommodation available in the town. Four voted for the motion and four for the amendment, and the .chairman gave his casting vote in favour of granting the application of the Royal Blues.
Petrol Pump Permits.
The Pembrokeshire County Council has determined that the fature charge per annum fur permits to erect street petrol pumps will be one guinea plus the cast of the agreement between proprietor and council.
Combined Rail and Motor Tours.
An arrangement has been made by the L. M. S. Railway Co., and the Tocia Muter Co. whereby passengers may purchase combined rail and road tickets. from all North Wales stations to Pwllheli ; thence per the Toeia Motor Co.'s buses to Abersoch and Aberdaron.
Temple Press Ltd. (proprietors of The Motor, -Motor Crding, The Light Car and Cgetecar, etc.) have an opening for a business repreeentative. Applicants, who must have had previous experience in obtaining advertisement orders for good. classjeurnals, are requested to write, in confidence, stating qualifications, to ale General Manager, 7-15, Rosehery .A.venrue, E.C.
A Hackney Carriage Problem.
, The Tenby Connell has discussed the question of hackney carriage proprietors resident in outside areas. sending their. vehicles into Tenby to•• ply fur hire in competition with local owners.
It was revealed that' at 'present a • charge of Is. only is made upon outdo proprietors for sanction to trade in Tenby, and -ecfuncillors wiShed to know' if some revenue for rate relief could not be obtained from such vehicles.
The town clerk Stated that no scheme could be devised for operation this summer.' 'no (-hey Motors were granted 'a licence at the instance of the Ministry of Transport and the council had little any in the matter.
Eoentually the clerk was instructed to devise a scheme for operation as'seon as possible, calculated to restrict outside proprietors operating in the district, and for the imposition cif fees for local trading sanctions for such proprietors. Messrs. Grey Motors, who were instanced as an outside concern trading in the borough, were instructed to remove from the walla of the 'town their advertisements, which, it was alleged, were exhibited without the council's consent.
Abolishing a Toll Gate.
With reference to the joint. decision of the Public Works Committee of the Cardiff Corporation and the Penarth U.D.C. to acquire the Penarth Road And toll gate, for the reconstruction of the former and the abolition of the latter, previously reported in this journal, the Cardiff City Council has now re ferred back to its committee the recom menclation that the Bute Estate, the owners of the road and gate, be notified of the intention to treat on the estate price of sale, ,22,000 plus eosfs of trans• ter, for further consideration of the price involved.
It was stated that the Ely river bridge and the road reconstruction would cost the joint purchasing .anthorities £70,000, in addition to the purchase price. The road is used by all traffic between Cardiff, Barry, arid Penarth, And by bus services between the towns.
The' extent to which road transport has developed; and it was reported to bechiefly commercial motor traffic, since 1917, and the heavy Stuns paid to the private owners at the toll gates each rear by transport owners were revealed in the detailed figures of toll receipts from January 1st to December 31st of each year, submitted for consideration bv the Cardiff Council--1917, £2,941 ; 1918, £2,304; 1919, 44,091; 1920,
.£6,277; 1921, .£8,276; 1922, £9,192.
The first five months of 1923 show an increase of toll fees paid of £865 over the, corresponding period of 1922.
The acquisition of tho toll by local authorities is awaited with anxiety by owners of transport using the road.
The read itself is in bad repair and was characterized as one of the worst in the county, whilst the Ely bridge, used by traffic up to 12 tons, is declared by Cardiff Council officials to be unsafe.
At present there is onus on no one to repair the road.
Whilst it is generally anticipated that the purchase will be made by the councils, the delays in proceeding to give the owners statutory notice to treat causes uneasiness, for formal notice, by authorizing Act of Acquirement,' has to be given before August 16th next, or the authorities will lose the right to insist on taking over.
No Taxi Exceptions.
Blackpool Watch Committee has refused to accede to a request ofthe Blackpool Taxi Owners' Association, for the "hiring by time" in the proposed new hackney carriage bydaws to be made to apply only to commercial travellers, persons shopping, doctors engaged on professional work and the like, or, alternatively, that the hiring by Mine should be amended in the ease of Motor hackney carriages to apply only where for at least half of the time of the hiring the motor hackney carriages are stationary.
A Bus Co.'s Appeal.
At Sheffield Corporation questions Were asked by Couneillor Mitchell and answlered by Councillor Driver, deputy chairman of the Watch Committee, regarding an appeal against a decision of the Watch Committee rising to grant bus licences to Messrs. Underwoods, as follows
Had the Ministry of. Transport arrived at a decision upon the appeal of Messrs. Underwoods ag.amst the corporation in respect of the refusal of licences, and, if so, with what resultlYes,. and the Ministry of Transport. had allowed the appeal.
When did the Ministry so decide?During April.
As the.corporation, by an overwhelming majority, decided to prosecute the appeal, why has not the result been reported?—Thc Watch Committee' did report that it had granted the licences,
What expense had the corporation incurred in the matter?—Only the expenses of certain officers of the corporano), attending the hearing of the appeal.
Reason for Selecting Electrics.
After making inquiries into the relative merits of petrol., steam and electrically driven vehicles and their suitability for collecting nightsoil, a sub-committee of the Warrington Sanitary Works Committee has reported in favour of the electric type.
The recommendation has-been adopted by the Town Council,and it is proposed to purchase five electric vehicles,–,vhich will replace the present horse-drawn nightsoil carts. Their advantages were stated to be:—Simplicity of driving, ease and quietness in starting, -no changing gear, little mechanical knowledge required to operate, no wear and tear while unloading and loading, oiling reduced to a minimum, and silence,
No More Aid ?
Ata meeting of the Bridlington Town Connell a letter front thu chief engineer, Ministry of Transport., was read relative to the application made by the council for financial assistance towards the purchase of a new steam wagon, in which it was stated that the Minister of Transport regretted he was unable at the present time to entertain any applications for financial assistance towards the cost of purchasing road plant. Midland Road Transport Operations.
Such uniform success has "attended the admirably conducted operations in connection with the motor haulage section of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce, representing one of the first official undertakings of the kind in the Midlands, that it came somewhat jn, the nature of a surprise at the last meeting of that body to learn front a report of the Road -Transport Committee that there had been a loss on the working for the six -months ended December last. But the circumstances have been altogether exceptional, and warrant no misgiving as to the results of future work.
The period dealt with has been one of exceptional difficulty, owing to bad trade and the competition entailed by a reduction in rail rates at short notice. Certain concessions in relation to the commission charged were made to the haulage contractors to enable them to meet such competition, and this accounted .for the loss shown. A fall in the price of petrol and other items of running costs has made it unnecessary to continue the reduced rate of commission, and the full rate is now being charged. In these circumstances it ie anticipated that the accounts for the current half-year will show a better result. The department is handling a large amount of traffic, returns since January having shown a substantial increase. The committee's report justifiably added that the Chamber may be congratulated on the fact that the department •isin a virile condition, and that it has not, in spite of the continued depression in trade, become a charge on the funds of the Chamber.
,Birkenhead Bus Profits.
At it meeting of. the tramways committee the Birkenhead Borough treasurer recommended that the £5,025 appropriated by the financecommittee from the profits of the undertakings in aid of rates he taken from the motor omnibus profits, leaving a balance of £6,665 from the omnibuses to be transferred to the omnibus reserve fund.
The profits on the tramway& amounted to £13,714, but all this was transferred to the renewals fund.
Tyre Price Bel:Mak:ins.
We are informed that the following tyre and inner tube. makers have. redared their prices ;—The Goodyear Tyro and Rubber Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., on their ell-weather tread and leVingfoot
cord and fabric pneumatic tyres, as from July 7th; Stepney Tyres, Ltd., make .-reductions in all their sizes, including the new all-rubber cord tyres, the Road Grip, and the Samson and ordinary inner tubes; the Brame° Compression Tube Co., St. Nicholas Street, Coventry, announce a reduction in the price of their compression puncture-proof tubes by as much as 20 per_cent. Reductions have also been made in the prices of Dominion Royal Cord and other tyres made by the United States Rubber Co., Ltd. - We know a firm in a good way of business who recondition lorries and are looking out for a good, capable man who will nndertake the Supervision of the workshop so that the principal can devote his time to the selling. It will be quite a good position for the right man.
Will anyone interested, who has the experience, write to us giving his age and salary required, and we will forward the letters to the right quarter? Applications should be addressed "Major," c.o, this journal.
Mr. C. F. Elme, of the Elms Engineering and Motor Works, Christchurch Street, Chelsea, London; S.W. 3, has asked us to point out that he is now the sole proprietor of these works, having severed his connection with Mr. P: B. Ta.nebtrurne as from the 5th inst. Any debts will be settled by the present proprietor.. .
Startingfrom 'Cold with Paraffin.
For purposes where a heavy-oil engine can be employed, burning paraffin or crude fuel oil, the engine which will etart from coId.without pre-heating and without electrical apparatus certainly offers some advantages. For work on .a farm M providing power for plough lug, cultivating, threshing, root-cutting, etc., paraffin, provided its combustion is as nearly perteet as possible so as to avoid dilution of the crankcase oil, is looked to as solving the problem of the farmer in. the employment of power. In this connection we are pleased to be able to congratulate Petters, Ltd., upon the fact that they have been awarded the silver medal at the Royal Agricultural Show for their 12-14 lah.p. oil-engine designed to burn paraffin and crude oil.
The patented device which enables the engine to start instantly from cold consists of a 'paper tube (abeut the size' of an ordinary sporting cartridge), which is inserted in the tube holder, into a match and screwed nto the vaporizer. It then supplies sufficient heat for running the engine until the tube holder becomes hot -enough to carry on the combustion of the fuel
The engine to which this device is fitted is disposed horizontally on a portable framework, so that it can be drawn anywhere to wherever power is wanted. The engine runs on a two-stroke cycle, and has a system for the injection of solid fuel, a patented method of lubrication and a half-compiession device which enables it to be cranked by hand in the same way as a small petrol -engine,
Telephone Facilities for Cab Ranks.
Manchester has recently extended its telephone facilities, thus making it possible to secure a cab at. most hours of the day or night. Six ranks, five of • them near the centre of the city and one in the suburbs, have been fitted with telephones. These-are not for public use in the sense that they can be used for general purposes, but they are so in that they hive been placed in the ranks for the convenience of people wishing to 'order vehicles..
The Wrong Turning.
St. Paneras Borough Council has had a communication from the Commissioner 'of Police stating that he has received an application from the Central Omnibus Co., Ltd., for permission to operate a service of omnibuses between Putney High `Street a-nd Tufnell Park Road, Boston Hotel. It is suggested that for the pur
pose of turning the vehicles at Tufnell Park Road, the omnibuses turn to the left out of Tufnefl Park Road, run up Fortess Road, turn to the right into Lady Somerset Road, thence through Oakford Road, Burghley Road•and Dartmouth Park Hill to the Boston Hotel, a distance of about 300 yards. The Council is asked whether it has any objection to the sugg,ested-enethed of turning: at these places.
The Borough Council reported that it . considers it most undesirable end unnecessary for the omnibuses to cross the mainroad at the junction of Fortes
:Road and Junction Road, and that, for the purpose of turning, the vehicles
should go from Tufuell Park Road into Brecknock Road, thence along Seuthoote Road into Tufnell Park Road, which' would be g shorter and more convenient method of turning.
An Unusual Shock Test. • The designer of a motor lorry can hardly be expected to take into account the possible contingency of a full load being dropped on to the. lorry from a height of some 10 ft. This, however, has actually' happened in the case of -a .4-ton A.E.O. lorry purchased in 1920 by Messrs. John P. Wardle, of South Shields, proprietors of saw and planing mills. • • Recently, while delivering a fell load . of 90 deals—weighingin all about four . tons---to a ship-repairing yard on the TYne, this lorry was subjected to an extraordinary shock test. The breakage of a link in the sling chain caused, the full load to fall on to the lorry when . occupying the position indicatedin the accompanying • illustration. The shock was such that the lorry rebounded to a height of about 2 ft. from the ground.
Naturally, after an aecic4nt of this kind the forrY was exarnined., and, to the great satisfaction of 'those concerned, it was found to be in a safe condition to he worked. This judgment was confirmed by the insurance company,
and the lorry wai kept, on the road for a month before any work was carried out to it. Al, theemid of that time it was handed, under the instrueii•ons of the insurance company, to Messrs. Baulard and Foster, of South Shields, in order that a thorough examination should 'be made, and it was found that the only work needed was the straightening of the two cross-members.
Incidentally, the accompanying picture i3 interesting on account of the arraeg-ement of the driving cab. It. will be observed that this occupies only a portion of the width of the vehicle, so that when long timbers are being carried these can extend forward..
At a Birkenhead Highways Committee meeting the surveyor submitted and reported • upon an application from the Mersey Motor Co. for permission to fix a. swinging arm to a. petrol primp in con
nection with their premises on south. side of Hamilton Street. The committee considered the matter and decided not to raise objection to the fixing of the arm.
Power Alcohol in Cuba..
Cuba devoted most of its attention to . .
tho growingt of sugar during the War. When the world elminpset. in in 1920, however, planters found it very difficult to dispose of their stocks, and, in consequence, especially as petrol 1479s as much as 65 cents pet gallon in many districts, it, was thought that the surplus sugar could be used for the extraction of .power alcohol. The result has been se eminently satisfactory that. to-day everygitrage and motor -establishment in and around Havana maintains two fuel pumps —one for petrol and the other for alcohol. To Havana petrol now .sells at 37 cents per gallon, whilst alcohol is retailed at 23 cents per gallon.
It is said from 30 'per cent.. to 50 per cent. more of Cuban power alcohol is required to give the same reaulte as with petrol, but good results are claimed for it, only slight alterations in the. carburetter being necessary' for its use, although occasionally specialcylinder .heads are -fitted.
It should be remembered that Cuba is close to the United -States, Mexico, and Venezuela, whence ...petrol -is •easily obtainable at a cheap price. In many other part's-of the world where..sugar ran be readily grown, but where oil is not only very expensive but often impossible to obtain, the experience of Cuba should be taken well to Lheart.
• Petrol •Pump Accuracy.
Regarding the cominnniCation Of the Board of Trade with respect to petrol pumps, the Manchester Corporation Watch Cominittee– has instructed the town clerk to inform the Board of Trade that the committee cannot approve of its inspectors stamping any measuring instrument whieli they have no power -to examine when in use ; to, urge the Board to take the earliest opportunity of reintroducing, the Measuring Instruments
1922, and to communicatewith the Members of Parliament for the City -and the principal local authorities with a view to their taking sirnilar action.
Local Proceedings.
Farehain Urban District Council is considering the desirability of the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
The Ammanford medical officer of health bas recommended the council to procure another motor ambulance car.
• Gellygear Urban District Council is sending a deputation to the Ministry of Health in order to obtain consent to the establishment of a motor fire-brigade.
Bradford Watch Committee promises favourable consideration to pro-posed bus services, by Mr. H. HinchJiffe, to Clayton, kianningham, and :Great' Horton . •
Wolverhampton Corporation has accepted the tender of Mr. Arthur :Griffiths for the extension of the meter -garage building at the Commercial Ited .Station at a cost of £499 15s.
Bridgend Urban District Council is inviting tenders for the supply of a. petrol fire-engine.
Eastbourne Corporation accounts show a net profit for the year of £6,264 on the municipal motorbus undertaking.
Barnsley Corporation has had 12 tenders for the supply of a 30-cwt. or 2-ton petrol motor tipping wagon, and authorized the highways.committee to make inquiries with reference to the tenders for the supply of Vulcan, Karrier, Leyland, and Thornycroft vehicles, and to recommend one for acceptance.
Bradford Corporation Markets Committee has empowered the chairman and deputy chairman, with the markets superintendent, to formulate and put in operation for an experimental period certain prescriptions for the better regulation of traffic along the roadways and open spaces at St. James's Market. Wolverhampton Corporation Cleansing Committee has purchased a Ford chassis of £139, and has arranged to fix a lorry body at a cost of £31.
At Teignmouth Urban District Council, Mr. Hicktnott declared that the tariff charged for vehicles passing across Sheldon Bridge was throttling the trade of the town.
At Oxford Watch Committee an application Was received from Mr. Walter
erring, of 12, Bath Street, Abingdon, for a licence to ply for hire in Oxford with a. 14-seater motor coach, but a licence was refused.
Wolverhampton Corporation Cleansing Committee has accepted the tender of the General Vehicle Co., Ltd:, for the supply of one set of batteries complete. for an electric vehicle, at a cost ef £186, less an allowance of 215 for the old set (total, £171).