USING OIL FUEL FOR A PETROL • VEHICLE.
Page 37
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
An important test case came before the stipendiary magistrate at Wolverhampton on January 11. The point was as to whether a vehicle which started on petrol and changed over to a heavier fuel should be taxed at the petrol rate or at the rate applying to oil-engined vehicles. The case has been adjourned for a fortnight.
Major E. G. E. Beaumont, consulting-engineer, said that the vaporizer fitted would not allow Diesel oil to be used. Mr. R. J. Clothier, K.C., said that many owners fitted vaporizers and used paraffin because it effected a 10 per cent. economy. A chemist gave evidence of making three tests of the fuel, and said that the third test definitely showed it to be a heavy oil.
Mr. Clothier submitted that there was no case to answer ; the addition of a vaporizer did not constitute an alteration in the condition of the vehicle which would justify a higher rate of taxation.
A chemist of an oil-refining company said that the paraffin or kerosene as used in this -case, although heavier than light oils specified in the 1928 Act, was not a heavy oil.
Licensing in North-Western Area.
Two interesting applications for carriers' licences were dealt with recently by Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. J. Whiteley said that business was slack during the basic year, and the vehicles used in his business were reduced in number and tonnage to seven! and 231 respectively. He now wanted 12 totalling 51 tons. Much of the increased carrying was for Imperial Ci4emical Industries.
Mr. Chamberlain reserved his decision, but said that the case had features of its own. The applicant's own haulage business was only 10 per cent,. of the total haulage, but had he chosen to get a vehicle for his own business " with a ". Class C licence, and applied for Class A liceeces for his hire or reutard work, any of the tonnage could have strayed to a wider field, but under a Class B licence conditions could be imposed, and he commended the decision to apply for a Class B licence.
W. Kayley, Ltd., demolishers, had one 3-tonner in the basic year, but now wanted four vehicles up to 241 tons. In the past few years so much demolishing had been going on that the company could not keep pace with the requirements without the extra vehicles.
This application was granted, subject to the carrying for hire or reward being restricted to customers for the scrapped materials.
I.F.S. Imports Higher.
During November last, six complete commercial vehicles; valued at £1,129, were imported into the Irish Free State, as compared with 59 units, Valued at £11,211, during the same month in 1933. The number of motor chassis (including commercial-vehicle chassis) imported rose from 109 in November, 1983, to 174 in November, 1934.
During the 11 months, JanuaryNovember last, 41 commercial vehicles, 1,869 motor chassis, and parts and accessories valued at £513,053, were imported, as compared with 96 commercial vehicles, 1,745 chassis, and parts, etc., valued at £400,057, imported during the corresponding period of 1933.
Thames Tunnel Plan to Materialize? A step nearer the realization of the scheme to build a tunnel under the River Thames, between Essex and Kent, has been taken by Essex County This tunnel would confer incalculable benefits on users of commercial vehicles, who now have no means for crossing the Thames, between Kent and Essex, other than by the ferry at Woolwich. • Essex County Council has sent a resolution to the Minister of Transport to the effect that it is prepared to honour its obligations if the Minister will observe .his. Twenty-one local authorities are stated to have decided that the project should go forward.