WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheel oi 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 rans."—John Beattie Crozier,
The Dublin Show.
The Royal Irish AgriCultural Society's Annual Show at Dublin, which was held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of last week at the usual fine showground at Ballsbridge, was invested with very special interest this year owing to the decisions arrived at by various manufacturers' associations, minding, of course, the Society of Zlotor Manufacturers and Traders, to limt the permits for their members to exhibit to the coming "Royal" at Darlington. and to this important fixture in the Irish capital. The show at Ballsbridge last week was the second erganizad by Hr. Boharte, who inay be recalled as the energetic late secretary of the Lancashire Agricultural Society, in which office he had already created for himself an excellent reputation as an organizer. The Irish display shows eVidence of his activities, and in Dublin particularly much gratification is expressed at the enlarged nature of the exhibits both in the live-stock classes and in the large sections devoted to agricultural implements and machicory. It is, of course, with the latter branch of the exhibition that readers of this journal are particularly concerned, and we are able to record that on the whole the display to be seen was a fairly representative one. For some local reason, the management made no attempt to group the mechanical transport exhibits together ; they were scattered all round the implement yard, and as a matter of fact took is good deal of finding.
There is great, interest in Ireland in the agricultural tractor and its auxiliary implements. That' interest indeed .appears to be keener than. in anany parts of England, and we learn from discussion in the showground that large numbers of the more approved' types of agricultnral tractors have been disposed of In Ireland during the past, "six months. Amongst such machines there were to be noticed as exhibits several international Ear, Testers, a Titan, as couple of well-known Saunderson British-made machines, a Forclson, a Wallis and an Alklays ; not a very great display, it is true, but typical of the models which have on the whole done best to secure a reputation in the British Isles.
Turning to the mechanical transport .exhibits, we found that the Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd.—thatsnew amalgamation of •which a good deal has been heard lately, and which comprises a number of very important concerns— had, amongst a display of machines which are not specifically of interest to the commercial vehicle ualustry,anne of the latest Garrett -5 ton k steam wagons bearingthe new amalgamation's sign on its smokehox, and in addition there was one of the well-known Barford and Perking petrol rollers of 'the heavier types. Thompsons Motor Car Co., Ltd., have a great many interests, and showed a remarkable display on the one stand, cornprising, amongst other machines, a Clayton caterpillar tractor, Stewart lorry, a 5 tort Foien-, and a Clayton and Shuttleworth steamer, three fine examples of Albion manufacture; two Commer Cars, one a char-k-hancs and the other a lorry, a similar selection from the Caledon
C4 factory, a I. ton and a Napier 2 banner. Then the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society showed a Dennis 4 tonner, and a Garner chassis in spite of the fact that the members of the S.M.1■1.T. are prohibited by the terms of their bond from exhibiting chassis, components, or anything but complete machines.
Elsewhere in the grounds were to be seen two excellent examples of .Karrier productions, and we also notice that the agent showing these machines had a gearbox and back axle displayed separately. We imagine this, too, to have been a technical infringement of the regulations. A Guy 2 tonner, and one of the Austin new worm-driven machines were grouped with the Karriers.
Thornycrofts were well represented by three machines—two of their 4 banners and one of the smaller ones and on the next stand Orwell electric s were shown. A Halley six-cylinder of the now type first shown at the Glasgow Exhibition was the centre of a good deal of attraction, and finally we have to add that Ashenhurst, Williams and Con the agents for Leyland, showed two well-finished machines—one a ehar-k-barics and the other a 4 tors platform wagon, as well as another 4 ton platform wagon finished in service green.
America Has Only Eighteen Years' Petrol Supply.
The report of the tr.S. Geodetic Survey issued a few days ago says that the country has only 18 years' supply of etroleum at an annual output of ,000,000 gallons.
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The import duty on caterpillar-type tractors imported into Sweden is 10 per cent, of their value.
The first provincial meeting of the C.M.T.J.A. takes place at Blackpool on Saturday, June 5th. After the conference the councillors will be taken for a motorcar trip through the Lake district, dispersing on Sunday evening.
The magnificent fleet of single and double-deck omnibuses belonging to the Oxford Electric Tramway Co., Ltd., rendered excellent services in connection with the recent Oxford County Show. The services of the Exeter buses were also highly valued.
A dinner was given to Mr. F. Ayton in London yesterday (Monday) evening by a number of manufacturers of electric vehicles ancl tremponents. Mr. Aytnn has done a great deal for the electric vehicle inoustry, and the compliment was therefore fully deserved.
The Stock Motor Plough Co., of Berlin, have declared a dividend of 12 per cent., as compared with 8 per cent. for the previous year. The squeals that Germany cannot pay would appear to be entirely unfounded if this company's activities are representative of the prosperity of ether commercial concerns.
• Power Alcohol.
To-morrow (Wednesday) a cOnference will be held in London to discuss the necessary alterations in the regulations under existing legislation. The meeting will be convened by Mr. E. S. ShrapnellSmith, C.B.E., chairman of the Empire Motor Feels. Committee, and it will be attended by representatives of the Government and of the leading motor organizations. The next step in the introduction of power alaohol will be Ian agreement under which supplies will be provided, at prices equivalent to those paid for petrol, for some 50 selected users of commercial vehicles all over the country. It
is estimated that 5,000 this per week will be required for this service, whilst provision will be made for a feather quantity to be supplied to manufacturers of engines and carburetters who may elect to conduct experiments or tests. The object of this distribution to -users is in order to ascertain whether there are any difficulties in the matter of distribution or use which have not so far been -foreseen.
The Scammell Six-wheeler on Tour.
Following the example of certain other manufacturers of commercial vehicles, G. Scaram,ell and Nephew, Ltd., Fashion Street, London, E. 1, are organizing a tour with their six-wheeled tractor lorry in order to give those persons who cannot come tip to town an opportunity of seeing the vehicle in different parts id the country. The tractor lorry will visit agents in certain of the chief .towns and will stay with these agents for periods of from five to six days As many demonstration runs as practicable will be arranged, and Mr. Robert Johnston will tour round in a tender car and will answer any queations which may be asked. The itinerary will be as follows :—The vehicle will leave London on May 25th, and will remain at King's Lynn until June 1st. It will then proceed to Birmingham, will remain there until June "7th, at Manchester until June 14th, Liverpool until June 18th, York 'until June 26th, and Darlington until July 3rd. "Intermediate towns will be visited as arranged with the agents.
Further information regarding the trip may be obtained front the company's address at Fashion Street, London., E. 1.
Restoring Scored Engines.
We have, received from Bar:finals Ltd., an attractively printed folder. giving details of a new welding process which has been elaborated by the company's experts. Barirnar's plan of restoring scored cylinders of all kinds owes its birth largely to the recent disastrous smoulders' strike, which closed many foundries in the kingdom. Ba,rimars claim that their process actually cuts out three-quarters of the work and nine-tenths of the delay occasioned by the old system, and at the same time yields a very satisfactory repair.
Details of this interesting work may be obtained from 10, Poland Street, W. 1.
A Coming of Age.
The well-known East Anglian motor engineering company, Mann, Egerton and Cu., Ltd., of Norwich, attained their • majority last month, having been founded • in April, 1899, by the present chairman and managing director. They have pro.gressed rapidly throughout the intervening years, until to-day they rank as one of the best known concerns tonnected with the motor industry in this country. It is worthy of note that, amongst the 1,200 employees of the company, more than 50 have served for periods exceeding 10 'years, whilst over 20 have periods of 15 years to their credit, and four have served for 21. years.
Upper Renfrewshire Road s.
Mr. Robert Drummond, road surveyor for the Upper District of Renfrewshire, states in his annual report that, in addition to ordinary expenditure for the current year, "a special grant of £18,490 was given by the Road Board to help to meet the increased coats, and also to help to re-surface important roads with improved materials. As a result of the introduction of -bituminous materials for binding new metal coatings and the maintenance of new road surfaces, the life of the road is in every case more than doubled. It is proposed next year to spend £6,705 on tar spraying."The estimates amount to £50,577, an increase of £13,051, wholly accounted for by universally-increased costs.
Road Transport and Warehouse Loads.
Whatever the state of trade in Liverpool -may be now, there is reason for believing that-when more warehouses are erected, and there is talk of some being erected in the suburbs, there will be an increased demand for short haulage work, and perhaps less congestion at the docks of lorries waiting for long-distance loads. At the present time there is a famine of warehousespace, with the result that goods are often -transported direct from• the quay side to destination. There is not much doubt that the facilities offered by road transport have encouraged the diseussion of schemes for suburban ware houses. It is proposed to erect one warehouse at Ford near Liverpool, which will accommodate 1,000,000 bales of cotton Motorbuses in Nottinghamshire.
Whatever may be the future arrangements regarding the administrative control of areas which the Nottingham Corporation has beep seeking to annex in the immediate neighbourhood of that city, district authorities are manifesting no want of activity in their promotion of independent schemes of read transport, and in all directions motorbuses are being favoured to the exclusion of the tranneara.
The Nottingham Council, as one of the solatiums offered in connection with the proposed municipal extension, had promised a widening of the bridge over the Trent, the main artery of traffic leading out of the city on the southern side, and to extend the tramways into West Bridgford, the residential suburb whose inhabitants, living immediately contiguous to the municipal centre, have
• \been the chief opponents of the scheme. Accordingly the Bridgford Council have determined upon purchasing two new buses at a cost of £1,900 to supplement
its already large stock of conveyances, and to lay out £1,300 on garage eatension.
In other parts of the county, and notably in the colliery districts along the Trent valley, which are at present very imperfectly served by passenger trains, considerable progress is also being made with road transport undertakings, which are designed to meet the needs oi a rapidly increasing population, which, of late years, has been augmented at an enormous rate through the development of new mining enterprises in Nottinghamshire.
A M.P.'s Prophecy.
"Every time I visit Liverpool," says Dr. B. F. P. McDonald, M.P.. fur Wallasey, " what impresses me is the long queue past the Dock Office of idle men, idle carts, idle motors, idle steam wagons ! What a fabulous waste of money stands there: Yet our civie governors see only one way out of the difficulty, two more -luggage boats is their panacea! Let us face the matter fairly and squarely. Let us think of the immensely growing future. Let us realize the certain ,development of the Wirral, which nothing can stop, and the only solution will he found in a second Mersey Tunnel. 1 have no desire to be a dogmatic prophet ; but I have no hesitation in saying that within ten years cross-Mersey -creme would be doubled."
Liverpool's Half Million Bus Riders.
The Liverpool Corporation omnibus returns, show that for the four weeks ending April 10th the passengers, carried numbered 455,840, the receipts £3,380, and the mileage 52,845. The figures for the corresponding period of last veer were passengers 114,789, receipts £769, and mileage 0,757.
The British Mercedes Motos„.-Co. Ltd., of Len Acre, have been appointed -sole eoncessionnaiies for Oldsmobile cars, and tractors for London and the Metropolitan area, and have secured the services of Mr. A. L. Challis, who has had charge of the Oldsmobile division for General Motors, Ltd., of Long Acre.
Mr. A. W. HinsbelwoZd is new chief Scottish representative to Sterns, Ltd-, his offices being at 19, Waterloo Street, Glasgow,
• Personal Pars.
11.R.H. Prince Albert has promised to attend on the opening day of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society's Show at Belton, where implements and machinery will be included. The show will open on July 29th and close on August 2nd. The last show was held in1007.
We are glad to see that Mr. Frank Lanchester, the president of theSociety of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, is making a good recovery and that be regards his fractured arm as an excuse for humour rather than for complaint.
• With great regret, we learn that Mr. H. E. Olive, who took Major Sayler's place in the Management of the Goodyear Tyre and Robber Co. (Gt. Britain), Ltd., some months ago, died suddenly at Margate on the 9th inst. He had 'been connected with the company for five years.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Geddes, G.C13., G.B.E. M.P.' Minister of Transport, has consented to become a vice-president of the Imperial • Motor Transport Council, and has nominated .Sir Henry P. Maybury, -K.C.M.G., •C.B., Director-General of the Roads Department of the Ministry of Transport, to membership of the Council.
Mr. R. S. Lutton has been appointed manager of the automobile lubricants department of Sterns, Ltd., of Royal London House, Finsbury Square, London, his services haying been secured for it period of years. Be joined the staff of that company 18 months ago, so that his rapid rise-would go to indicate excellent work cm his part.
Mr J. B. Clarkson, of New Zealand, is again in this country, having been, recommended to cross the globe in order to recuperate in Devon, after undergoing an operation in Sydney. He has-done so much for the British motor industry in the Colenies"that one feels it a pity that the industry cannot back up .1iie efforts to the requisite extent. He is a director of the De Dion Co. _
The fallowing nominations to membership of of the Imperial Motor Transport Council have been made -by the War Department :—Major-Gen. Sir E. E. Carter, K.C.M.0,, C.B.' M.V.O., Director of Supplies and Transport; Brevet [dent.Colonel M. S. Brander, R.A.S.C.; and Lieut.-Colonel T. M. Hutchinson' D.SC., 0.B.E., R.A.S.C., Chief Inspector of Mechanical Transport.
Major Stenson Cooke, Secretary of the Auto-mobile Association and Motor Union, and Mr. 11: Percy Boulnois, M.Inst.C,E., chairman of the Roads Improvement Association, have been elected members of the Council.
Mr. -J. Graham Reece is the managing director of Messrs. 3. Blaker and Co., Liverpool, a firm which next year will celebrate its jubilee. It is 16 years ago since the firm bought, its first commercial motor, and two years later inaugurated the Post Office mail service between Liverpool and Manchester and adjacent districts. Mr. Reece is one of the best-known figures in the motor trade, and is chairman of the Motor Trade Section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce of which Mr. 0. F. Rymer, of another well-known local concern, is vice-chairman.
Vulcan Pay the Price.
To extend their activities, the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., of Southport, have leased from the Southport Town Council two of the largest hangars on the north foreshore for three years, at a rental of £1,560 for the year, exclusive of rates. The offer of the Vulcan Co. will yield a substantial return to the Corporation, which had purchased the hangars from the Air Ministry at scrap prices. The council will receive £4,329 for rent and rates for the three years, and, as the price of the buildings was £830, the Corporation will therefore make a, profit of 23,499, and then have the building for nothing.
Sharing the Damage.
The county surveyor of Durham repelts that some time ago a motorbus belonging to the United Automobile Services, Ltd., damaged the low retaining wall on the north side of the main road in Durham Mare, Bishop Auckland. The road at this point is very narrow, and in rebuilding the wall the District Council arranged to set it back to widen the road, the cost of the work being 453 7s. 2d., towards which the United Automobile Services, Ltd., have agreed to pay £12. The surveyor recommends that the balance be divided between the County Council and the Urban District Council, each authority contributing £20 13s. 7d.
Have You Seen This Van?
A few days ago a Ford van belonging -to the American Drug Supply Co., Ltd., was stolen from outside the premises of the London and North-Western Railway, Dimcannon Street, Charing Cross. The registered number is LU7908, and the engine number (11195961. The van, including the frame, was painted, a dark blue colour, and had gold letters on both
the sides and at the back. We are asked to publish this brief description in the hope that garage proprietors may be able to help in the recovery of the van.
Stoppage of Roads Reconstruction Scheme.
The West Perthshire District Committee have received intimation from the Ministry of Transport that they are unable to give any further grants towards the cost of completing the scheme for the reconstruction of roads in the Kinnin district, and that they cannot indicate the future policy of His Majesty's Gov 06 ernment regarding such grants. The scheme, which was in progress early in 1914, embraced the reconstruction of 25 miles of roads, of which nearly 15 miles remains to be done, at. an estimated cost of £29,805. The district committee has resolved to urge the matter upon the attention of the County Road Board, and to ask that body to take action along with other local authorities.
Naphtha in Slovakia
It is reported from Prague that rich .naphtha springs have been bored in four or five places in two districts in Slovakia., and, according to experts' estimates, Czec.ho-Slovakia will now be rendered completely independent of petroleum and naphtha imports from Poland, Roumania, and America. • The naphtha is stated to be of excellent quality.
France Prohibits American Chassis Imports.
A decree waspassed a few days ago forbidding the importation into France of American chassis weighing less than 2,500 kilograms (approximately equiva
lent to the English weight of 21 tons). Under the ruling adopted by the French Government only the heaviest lorries are to be admitted into France from foreign ministries. Many of the largest American companies are actively represented in France' including Peerless, Packard, Stlelen, Locomobile and Pierce-Arrowto mention only a few of those well known in the commercial vehicle world —and the prospect from their point of view is, to say the least of it, not very encouraging; in fact., some opinions go so far as to my that the big American businesses will be entirely wiped out.
Comparative figures for the years ending January, 1913; 1919, and 1920, show that the value of vehicles imported from America was 241,000 francs, 3,400,000 francs, and 19,321,000 frames respectively for each of these years. The present demand for heavy lorries is very small on aocount of the considerable numbers of war-returned vehicles awaiting disposal.
The Standard Oil Co. have advanced the price of petrol in America to 34 cents per gallon.
The British Piston Ring Co., Ltd., Holbrook Lane, Coventry, have appointed Mr. Thomas B. Hamilton, of 5, Fortfield Terrace, Upper Rathraines, Dublin, as their Irish representative.
-Thornycroft Trustworthiness.
A most remarkable performance was recently carried out by a Thornycroft lorry in the employment of a Bristol user. With a full load of 3 tons 7 cwt. aboard, it recently made a trip to Pool Farm, situated upon the famous Porlock Hill in North Devon. The hill was for many years impassable to touring tars until a satisfactory road was opened of an easier gradient.
The route to Pool Farm necessitated traversing roads, although attempted before, which had never been successfully negotiated by a heavy lorry. The driver was warned by many people in Porlock that the trip veas impossible, but after inspecting the route he decided to take the risk, and so well was his confidence justified that he succeeded, and only found it necessary to use his low gear on the last stretch of the hill. The route at this point was covered with snow, and it was necessary to wrap the tyres with rope to prevent. them skidding. The return journey with the unladen vehicle was also accomplished without a hitch.
The lorry was of the "J" type and had already seen three years' war service before recently being pureha,scl by Messrs. A. M. Davies and Co., the wellknown haulage contractors of Bristol.
Such a test as the one wehave desaibed does not usually come in the average day's work of a lorry, but very often exceptional circumstances do arise, and it is gratifying to know that the medium commercial vehicle is well able to tackle the severest of conditions. The performance of the Thornycroft was a most commendable one.
China Waking Up! •
China is notorious as a country for bad roads, but it is interesting to learn that, according to information received from Nanning, the Yunnan and Kwangsi authorities are contemplating the organization of a company with a capital of 5,000,000 dollars to construct a motor road between Yurinanfu and Nanning, the capitals of the respective provinces. It is proposed that 1,000,000 dollars be contributed by the provincial Governments and the other 4,000,000 dollars by the public.
The new patent automatic lift grubber made by the Sannelerson Tractor and Implement Co., Ltd., of Redford, was awarded the first-prize silver medal at the Royal Dublin Society'e Showheld last week.
Wallasey Buses.
Although the Wallasey Corporation motor omnibuses have only been running a little over a month, and have not yet emerged from the experimental stage, it can be stated on the authority of the chairman of the committee superintending this enterprise, that the buses are just paying expenses. By May 1st, that was after four weeks' running, the buses had carried 61,148 passengers and the receipts were £678. The expenses had only been roughly estimated, but if the cesult is as favourable as is 'stated, Wallasey buses, of which there are only about' hall a dozen, have made an auspicious stjert. The fares and stages are undergoing revision.
Fighting Lorry Fires.
We have consistently advocated the use of tire extinguirners on motor vehicles. With chassis prices continually increasing, this becomes of even greater importance. One of the most satisfactory devices of this kind is the Pyrene fire extinguisher, made by the Pyretic Co., Ltd., of 9, Grosvenor Gardens,
S.W.1. This accessory has fouled much favour amongst commercial-vehicle users and has been the means of saving many valuable lorries, together with ' their
tion. cargoes, from partial or entire destrncMotor Works; Mr. D. T. Brock, well known in connection with the Zenith carburetter; and Mr. W. Emmett.
An example of its efficiency is forthcoming from South Wales, where a lorry in the service of Messrs. John Lewis, of Merthyr, caught fire in the workshop. The position of the vehicle was such that it could not be taken out in the open in time, and for the moment it looked as if the whale service station, including much valuable stock, would be lost in the conflagration. In a letter from the concern to the Pyrene Co., they state that the lorry was well alight, "but one application of Pyrene immediately suppressed the flames."
Aircraft for Disposal.
The company which recently purchased the whole of the surplus stock of aircraft material from the Government., i.e., the Aircraft Disposal Cc., Ltd., have now taken occupation of 'their sales department at Regent House, Kingsway, W.C. From this address they are prepared to deal with inquiries, and, orders for this stock, and from time to time offers for disposal of the various materials will be circulated.
Some of this material may be of use to commercial vehicle manufacturers, and, should this be the case, we suggest that they communicate with the company at the above address, stating their requirements.
So fax as complete aeroplanes and engines are concerned, the company intend to maintain a fixed price list, quoting definite prices, frein which a rebate will be given to British concerns dealing with aircraft. and aircraft accessories and components.
• Refining Oil in Australia.
One of the provisions of the agreement between the Australian Government,and the , Anglo-Persian Oil Co. relates to the establishment of a 'refinery „in' Australia capable of treating up to W0,000 tons of crude oil which will be supplied by the Anglo-Persian Co. until oil is available from the Commonwealth or th‘seTerritories.
American Accessories Available.
The Automotive Products Co. have recently commenced , operations. They have taken ever the business hitherto c-arried. on by the late Mr. Lawrence Moore and the W. H. Allison Co., of Detroit, as .'sales managers importers and exporters of commercial vehicle parts. The partners are Mr. E. B. Boughton, who was previously head of the commercial vehicle department of the Daimler Co., and recently manager of the Ruston fiornsby Aircraft and The company have the representation in this country of -some of the leading component manufacturers in the 115.A.
Lace Vehicle Workers' Wages.
Consequent up-on the introduction of great numbers ef motor vehicles, supplementing horse conveyances in the lace trade, demands for largely improved conditions have arisen on the part of drivers in Nottingham. A settlement regarding new terms has been arranged, these including a 48 hours' week and advances of wages, vaiying from 5s. to 20s. weekly, according to grade, with back pay front March.
Mudguards for Heavy Motors.
In a circular to local authorities the town clerk of Worcester says his Watch COinniittiter has for some time past been urging the local omnibus company to fix. guards to the vehicles to prevent the damage and annoyance caused to pedestrians and shopkeepers by the mud splashed from the •wheels. He'.accordingly asks other authorities to join in a request to the Ministry:of Transport to make an order dealing with the nuisance, , similar to one which, he says, has been made in an Irish district.
Local Proceedings.
Estimates for a second fire engine are required by Bath Corporation.
A 30 cwt. motor lorry is required by the Metropolitan Asylums Board.
£1,700 is to be spent on a motor fire. engine by Puntefra,ct Corporation.
Darlington T.C. proposes to inaugurate is service of motorbuses at an estimated cost of £10,000.
The clerk of Sutton (Surrey) U.D.C. is, to re-Port upon the cost of an date motor motor fire-engine.
Hertfordshire C.C. proposes a charge of :2d. per bus mite in respect of new motor omnibus services.
Merthyr Corporation is to apply for sanction to borrow £1,310 for the purchase of an electric lorry.
Burton-on-Trent Corporation has decided to sell four horses and purchase a 3 to 4-ton motor vehicle.
A motor fire-engine,, complete with firstaaid outfit and escape, is to be purchased by Dalton-in-Furuess U.D.C.
The Dundee Corporation Works Committee requires a 3 ton motor lorry and a 5 ton trailer at a total cost of £1,685.
The purchase of a combined street sweeper and loader has been decided upon by the Nelson Corporation Health Committee.
Plymouth Corporation has accepted the
tender of Barford and Ltd., for the supply of two road rollers Perkins,or £1,819.
Northampton Trarawaye manager has been authorized to obtain a second-hand chassis for the tower wagon, at a cost of about £550.
Plymouth Corporation has ciccided to purchase from Mann's Patent Steam Wagon Co., Ltd., four 5-ton steam wagons at £1,305 each.
Willesden Electricity Committee is making inquiries as to the cost" of purchasing a more powerful electric vehicle than those at present in use.
Sanction has been given by the Ministry of Health to the raising of a loan of £2,770 by the Oxford Council for the purchase of a motor fire-engine. '
Loan sanctions have been given by. the Health Ministry to Lytham Council to borrow £847 fora motor wagon, and to Runcorn Council to borrow £377 for a motor lorry.
Asked to express an opinion as to the desirability of changing the rule of the footpath, the Urban District Council's Association bias decided in favour of the left-hand rule.
Plymouth Corporation has accepted the tenders of Edisons Accumulators Ltd., for two 2-ton electric vehicles for £1,500 each, and of Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries-..Ltd., for one 3i-ton electric vehicle for 21,725 10s.
Chadderton U.D.C. has drawn the .attention•of the Urban District Councils Association to the nuisance caused by the emission of black smoke from steam wagons, and suggested that the Governshould be urged to take prehibitive /maims. .
Inquiries have been held by the Ministry of Health into the application, of Torquay T.O. for sanction to borrow £1,900 for the purchase of a. motor fire, engine, and West Bridgford U.D.C. for sanction to borrow 21:900 for the puv chase of two motorbuses.