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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage it by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crosier.

Wireless in Fire-fighting.

The rapid strides now being made by wireless into the motor vehicle world were indicated at the last meeting of the Darlington County Council. Councillor Young, in presenting the minutes of the cominittee responsible for the maintenance of the fire-fighting services of the town, after informing the council that the brigade, had now .been completely moterized,•went on to discuss the advantages of having wireless fitted to the fire-engines. The authority has for some time been considering the adVisability of erecting" a •

(lain Of fire-alarm stations in its neighbourhood, but-in view of recent wireless

developments it was suggested that the council should wait a While. . It was pointed out that, whilst they would be useful, and would serve for the purpose of the brigade keeping in touch with the station whilst engaged at an outbreak, the cost of such a scheme would be heavy. The lowest tender received was £110 per alarm post per annum, and the town would require at least ten or twelve.

If, instead, the engines were equipped with wireless, they could, whilst out, it was said, keep in communication with beadquarters, and be able instantly to secure additional assistance if necessary.

The cost would, of course, be much less than for a system of ordinary alarm stations.

The mechanical vehicles now engaged in fire-fighting in the borough are a Daimler motor pawl), which ',can draw

the steam fire-engihe, an International tender, is Dennis 303-gallon pump, a 500

gallon Leyland motor pump, and a 350gallon steam engine. In addition there are two motor ambulances and a motor police van under the control of the brigade authorities.'

Derby to Experiment with the Pagefield System.

Considerable criticism was forthcoming at a meeting of the Derby Town Council a few days ago regarding a suggested experiment by the' Highways Committee with the Pagefield system of house-refuse collection by petrol wagon and trailer, the apposition emanating from the Labour members, who complained that in the past three years the committee had expended £18,036 upon new vehicles and built a garage at a cost of £6,000. Oct behalf of the committee, Mr. T. C. Newbold pointed out, however, that in certain parts of lime town the collection was now made weekly instead of fortnightly, and it was desired to effect other improvements. The experiment was expected to result in the saving of 2e. per ton in the cost of collection. The committee's proposal was confirmed.

Birmingham Petrol and Trolley-bus Accounts.

The accounts of the Birmingham Corporation in respect of its passenger vehicle services, which. have just been issued for the year ended March 31st, give interesting statistics of the petrol bus and trolley-bus services.

The petrol omnibus revenue account E20 shows a falling off in receipts of £2,156, as compared with the previous period, notwithstanding the fact that three new routes have been opened up during the year. The receipts from these services amounted to £4,662, so that the actual reduction on bus revenue as compared with that for last year is £6,181. Operating costs have been reduced by

the sum of £10,6la, leaving a balance to be carried to the profit and loss account of £24,407, as compared with £15,865 for the previous year.

The trolley-bus service was instituted in Birmingham in November. During the 18 weeks to March 31st last the sum of £8,812 has been taken on these buses, and expenses have amounted to £5,789.

Fuel Research Board Resignation.

Sir George Beilby, LL.D., F.R.S.' has resigned from the directorship of Fuel Research and chairmanship of the Fuel Research Board under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: after nearly seven years' voluntary service. The Board was established in 1917 to investigate the nature, 'preparation and utilization of fuels of all kinds.

Mr. C. H. Lander, D.Sc., M.I.Mech.E., A.M.Inst.C.E., has been appointed director of fuel research, and Sir Richard Threlfall, K.B.E., F.R.S., present member of the Board, chairman. The Hon. Sir Charles Parsons, K.C.B., FAS., will continue his membership of the Board for a further period. Sir George Beilby retains his membership of the advisory council of the department, and has consented to act as honorary adviser to the Board.

The following have been appointed RS additional members of the Board :—Mr. H. A. Burrows ; Sir John Cadman, K.C.M.G.. D.Sc.' Dr. Charles Carpenter, C.B.E., D.Sc. ; Mr. Samuel Tagg; Professor Sir James Walker, D.Sc., LL.D., P.R.S. ; Professor R. V. Wheeler, D.Sc.

Allen-Liversidge Dividend.

The directors of Allen-Liversidge, Ltd.' have declared an interim dividend for the six months ended April 30th last at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum less tax, payable on July 7th.

Letters. by Motorbus.

A new postal service by motorbus has recently been established between.Doncaster and Crowle, linking up the villages of Barnaby Dun, Stainforth, Hatfield and Thorne. The institution of these services enables inhabitants in the smaller villages to pest up to 7.30 p.m., or three hours later than hitherto.

As a sidelight on the additional facilities which the postal road motor provides, it is interesting to note that the Doncaster postmaster intends to in• augurate on August 1st a motor mail service in the mining districts of Bradsworth, Adwick and Garcroft, the purpose of which is to give earlier delivery and, later collection of letters and parcels in these areas.

Ransomes' Report.

The report of the directors of RanBurnes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., for the year ended March 31st shows that the direetors of the company found it necessary, in view of trade conditions, to transfer £70,000 front the general reserve account to meet the further fall in value of the stock-in-trade. After making provision 'for depreciation, bad _ debts, and deducting interest on debenture stock an ddeposits, a sum of £5,896 remains to be carried to the profit-endless account, to which must be added £42,059, the balance from 'the previous account, leaving a total 'balance of £47,955.

Manchester Bus Results.

Tbe motor omnibus account of the Manchester Corporation Tramways for the year ended March 31st last shows that the traffic revenue was £29,406, equivalent to 17.436d. per bus-mile. Traffic expenses amounted to £11,799, general expenses to £2,458, repairs and maintenance to £6,416, and fuel expenses to £5,085, the total working expenses thus being £25,758, or I5.273d. per bus-mile.

The number of bus-miles covered during the 1922-1923 period was 404,765, and the passengers carried 2,590,400. At the time the accounts were made out the Corporation had in operation 16 motorbuses, these being 10 Daimlers of the double-deck type, five A.E.C.s of a similar type,. and one Karrier one-man bus of the single-deck type.

'A Notable Heavy-duty Model.

With reference to the article in our last week's issue entitled "Lifting the Load from the Ground," we are asked to state that the lorries which appeared in our group of illustrations were the Berliet 5-ton heavy-duty model, type CBA9. Over 25,000 of this model were supplied to the allies during the war.

Caledon London Agents.

J. Liversidge and Sons, Ltd., 561, Old Kent Road, London, S.E.1, have been appointed London agents and stockists for Caledon chassis and spare parts as made by the Caledon Motor Co., Ltd., of Glasgow.

A.E.C. Prices Down.

Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., inform us that the prices for their various models have been reduced as follow

3-4-ban chassis, fitted with Tyler engine, from £800 to £750.

5-ton chassis, fitted with Tylor engine, from £825 to £775.

Model 5 chassis, fitted with A.E.C. 45 h.p, engine, from £900 to £800.

5-ton chassis, with same engine, from £925 to £825.

Model 4 (or S-type), provincial chassis, fitted with A.E.C." 35 h.p. engine from £1,150 to £1,050. Model 5 (or S-type), provincial chassis, fitted with A.E.C. 45 h.p. engine, from £1,150 to £1,075. These prices are net for delivery at the company's works, and, of course, are subject to additions if other than the usual tyres and equipment are supplied.

Profits on Wolverhampton's Buses.

The motorbuses operated by the Wol. verhampton Corporation .appear to be giving most satisfactory results, and in the 1922-1923 report, which has just been issued, a gross profit of £10,755 is shown on the undertaking, as compared with £8,240 in the previous year. The total mileage run was 452,320. After payment of interest on loans, amounting to £2,511, and setting aside £2,648 for depreciation of the vehicles, the net profit on the year's working amounts to £5,596—a sum which has been placed to reserve. The total traffic receipts on the services amounted to £36,364.

Hackney Fares at Bridlington.

The Bridlington Watch Committee has recently submitted to the Ministry of Health the draft by-laws containing the revised fares proposed to be charged in respect of the hire of hackney carriages. The hire of a mechanical vehicle is to be at. the rate of 8s. per hour and 2s. for each quarter of an hour beyond this period. The fares for distance work out at 2s. per mile where more than four persons are carried, and 1s. 61 for less than that number, the respective charges for each half-mile beyond this distance being is. and 9d.

Storage Batteries and their Romance.

A very interesting booklet has been issued by R. H. Jackson, Ltd., of Manchester, for their clients, the Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd., Clifton Junction, .near Manchester. It deals with the origin of electrical storage batteries and with the methods of manufacture employed by the company, going on to deal with the uses to which the bat teries are put. , As is well known, since 1894, when the first electric delivery van was turned out in this country, the electric battery vehicle has acquired for itself a distinct place in transport, and Ironclad Exide batteries to-day stand extremely high in the opinion of all who have had any experience whatever of them, whilst in that most modern of pleasure-giving devices the wireless installation, the Exide battery is unexcelled for the work of lighting the valves.

We recommend our readers to drop a line to the Chloride Electrical Storage Co., +Ltd., for copies of the booklet, which, we are sure, will interest them.

One-way Bus Routes.

The works committee of the Lewishari Borough Council reports that it has received a letter from the Commissioner of Police stating that he has given the question of omnibus traffic in Blackheath careful consideration, and suggesting that omnibuses through Blackheath proceeding west should use the present, route, but that these proceeding east.l should go by way of Tranquil Vale, Royal Parade, and thus into Montpelier Row, and asking for this council's observations on the suggested alteration.

The borough surveyor has reported that, if the omnibus services are diverted as proposed, it will be necessary in a short time to make extensive repairs to the roads proposed to be used. The attention of the committee has been called to the dangers which arise from the narrow width of the road running through Blackheath Village, and the committee is of opinion that the proposal of the Commissioner of Police is a very desirable one, notwithstanding the •fact that certain repairs will be required to the proposed new route in a very short time.

Conveying Municipal Employees to Work.

The West Bromwich Town Council has made arrangements for men engagid on the construction of the new outiall sewer to be conveyed by motorbus from West Bromwich to the sewage farm. The cost is being charged against the scheme as an allowance in lieu of "walking time." It is not passible to charge the cost of the return journey against the scheme, so the men have agreed to contribute is. 3d. per head, leaving, approximately, £3 a week to be found by the council.

A Useful Set of Spanners.

Adjustable spanners have their uses, but there are many nuts so placed that only a set spanner will serve to unscrew them. There are two points to remember in connection with such spanners : they must be of sturdy construction and tough material. These points have been given attention in the spanners manufactured by the Birmingham Small Arms Co., Ltd.,. who market a set of five covering nine nut sizes from 3-16 in, to

in. 'These are packed in a strong wooden box of handy size fitted with steel partitions, the total cost of the set and box being la. 6d. Keeping the spanners in their box prevents them from being damaged.

The Latest in Splashguards.

In a paper dealing with mud splashguard experiments read at a recent meeting of the Scottish Tramways Association, Mr. B. S. Filcher, the manager of the Edinburgh Corporation jrramways, dealt at some length with experiments and developments which have so far been carried out with various types of splashguards. After referring to the merits and drawbacks of each type of guard, he pointed out that it had been suggested to try compressed air as an effective method of preventing splashing. His department is at present experimenting with a small blower which is coupled up to the casclan shaft of a vehicle and is driven at 4,000 r.p.rn. and which supplies sufficient pressure to blow away the mud immediately in front of the-wheels. The blower, Mr. Pitcher states, will also act as an exhaust fan, and can be utilized to ventilate the 'vehicle to which it is fitted.

A.E.C. Employees' Welfare.

For some time past the Associated Equipment. Co., Ltd., have given every consideration to the recreative side of their employees' lives, and they have established a. sports ground at Walthamstow covering 9/ acres. The ground was first opened in April, 1920, by Lord Ashfield, the chairman of the company, and, apart from three cricket pitches, eight tennis courts, three football pitches, a hockey pitch, a netball pitch, and two air-rifle ranges, a new two-rink bowling green has just been added. On the occasion of the opening of this green the first game was played by Mr. George Watson, deputy chairman of the company, and representatives of the management, staff, and works.

The ground and buildings cost over £10,000, there being a fine pavilion containing two storeys and convenient dressing-rooms, baths, and an excellent club-room. The membership of the A.E.C. sports club is now about 750.

Seeking a Situation.

We know of a man who has had over 12 years' practical experienCe in charge of repair shops with large staffs, in one case having had the supervision of 97 vehicles, with their stores, repairs, etc., and who has been chief inspecting engineer to one of the leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles. He is seeking a situation on the transport or engineering side of the industry. He is 30 years of age, married, and is quite willing to go abroad.

Letters addressed to " W.T.," care of the Editor of The Coniniercial Motor, will be duly forwarded.

A Chester Hire Service.

A well-produced booklet, or eight-page pamphlet, nicely illustrated, has been issued by the Carlux Hire Service, of Nicholas Street, Chester. It gives details concerning the Wolseliy landaulets employed in the service, some suggested tours, and details regarding the terms offered by the concern, which has been started by a group of ex-Service men, and who are prepared to cater for a highclass trade. The service seems to be run upon extremely good lines and should command considerable success.

As a result of. several years' experience with a Guy motorbus, which is run on regular servic.e between Clovelly and Bideford in North Devon, the proprietor of the famous "New Inn" recently purchased a similar new Guy vehicle.

Sheffield's-Profitable Buses.

The working of the tramcars and motorbuses owned by the Sheffield corporation shows a gross profit for the year ended March 31st last of £212,836, and a net profit of £94,516, an increase of £11,934 over the corresponding period of the previous year. ' On the motorbuses alone the gross profit was £15,102. For each £1 of traffic revenue the following expenses have been incurred under the various heads :—Wages, 8s. 4d.; salaries, 3i.d.; materials,. 1s. 100.; electric power, 2s. 11d.; local rates, 8d.; service of debt, 2s. 50.; income tax, 4/d.; renewals fund, is. 4d.; and other expenditure, including a contribution to city rate account, 1s. 7/d,

A Midland Reorganization.

The Midland Motor Cylinder Co., Ltd., of Dartmouth Road Foundries, Smethwick, announce that, in consequence of greatly increased business, a complete reorganization of their commercial departments has been carried out. The company claim to possess one of the finest chemical and physical laboratories of the kind in the country. These laboratories are equipped with upto-date plant, enabling analytical and research work to be carried out in connection with motor cylinders and other products of the company.

Reason for Refusing Bus Licences.

Messrs. Farmer, Jones and Griffith, Pontycymmer, recently applied to the Mae stag Urban District Council for licences to run new bus services. Same discussion ensued as to the public need for further road-travelling facilities. However, in view of the council's previous decision to grant no new licences for buses until after August 31st next, it was resolved to decline the application, and, at the same time, to notify the applicants of the basis of the decision.

The council of the county borough of Birmingham has allotted the additional letters "OL " in the registration of mechanically propelled vehicles.

Lincoln's Municipal Buses.

It was reported at the last meeting of the Lincoln City Council by Alderman W. S. White, chairman of the electricity committee, that the year's working on the municipal motorbuses showed a net loss of E3,073, which was £63 less than the previous year's deficit. That included the capital charges, and worked out at E60 a week. The capital charges amounted to £5,861,towards which they had a trading profit of £2,788. The charges were £1,253 more than in the previous year, owing to the fact that the undertaking had had to take some of the 6 per cent, stock issued, which it had become necessary to use in some way or other.

The capital charges would now be at the rate of £5,277 per annum, until the cost of the buses was repaid in 1926. The losses each year had been met by a subsidy from the borough fund. The -working expenses showed a reduction of £1,730, and the traffic receipts had fallen by 4224.

Motor Weights and Taxation.

At a meeting of the South Shields Corporation the town clerk reported that in _.the case of commercial vehicles he had not sufficient information to check the declared unladen weights (the basis of .taxation), and asked for instructions with regard to requiring all owners to have them weighed and produce weigh tickets. He was authorized to do as he suggested, and also to take such other steps as may be necessary under the regulations.

Price List of Piston Rings.

Messrs. Williams and James, of Chequers Bridge, Gloucester, have just issued a new piston and piston-ring price-list which contains a complete list of the diameter and width of pistons suitable for various makes of commercial vehicles, together with prices for single pistons or one-dozen lots. W. and J. piston rings are very largely used throughout the commercial-vehicle industry. Types of piston and their prices, with or without ring's are also

included for many makes of vehicle, as well as details of the company's cylinders and air-cooled valve plugs. A copy will be sent to any of our readers who are interested.

To Pay for Road Adaptation.

In accordance with the decision of the Ministry of Transport, the sum of £1,521 is to be paid by the Wolverhwnpton

Corporation to the Seisdon Rural District Council and £79 to the Tettenhall Urban. District, Council towards the cost of road adaptation, alteration, and reconstruction on the corporation's Codsail omnibus route.

A Complicated Affair.

Newport (I. of W.) Town Council has had a letter from the Ministry of Transport stating that the Minister had not yet received the report of the Departmental Committee on the licensing and regulation of hackney vehicles, and, hiving regard to the complicated character of this numerous questions referred to the committee, it was not anticipated' that it would be possiMelor it to report thereon fur some time.

COMMERCIAL MOTOR A Record "Royal Counties."

The annual show of the Royal Counties Agricultural Society, which closed at Southampton a few days ago, has made new records in several directions. It was the largest and most important yet held by the Society, and, apart from the record number of entries, a. feature was the striking increase in the display of internal-combustion engines in various forms.

The show is a very popular one with the .agricultural community, and, accordingly, considerable space was devoted to the establishment, of an official garage just opposite the show ground, covering an area of some acres. Parsons and Xemball, Ltd., Town Quay, Southampton, were the sole contractors for the garage facilities, and during the period of the show dealt with something like 4,000 chars-a.-banes, cars, and motorcycles.

Testing a Fire-engine.

When purchasing a new motor fireengine the Llandudno Council made the stipulation that the machine should satisfactorily perform a hill-climbing test carrying a krge fire escape and the crew of firemen. Upomdelivery of the machine recently the test was carried out, and the engine, with its full complement of equipment and men, climbed the Great Orme's Head in a manner which demonstrated its remarkable re,serve of power. The road which it climbed so successfully has a gradient in places of 1 in 4. .

Popular "Safety First" Competition.

No fewer than 161,000 pupils, attending 1,007 London County Council and extra-Metropolitan schools, have entered for the competition which is being held this year by the London "Safety

First " Council. These figures represent an increase of 161 schools and 21,000 scholars as compared with those for last year.

Chas. Macintosh and Co., Ltd., inform us that at the Royal Counties Agricultural Show held at Southampton recently, a census revealed the fact that over 50 per cent, of the steam wagons esihibited were shod with Macintosh tyres. This make of tyre has deservedly achieved a popularity amongst steamwagon users.

The Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co., Ltd., 44-46, Ki ngsway, London, W. C. , propose issuing, at intervals, a service bulletin for the benefit and use of all those who are concerned with the operation of F.W.D. lorries. The first bulletin of this description has just come to hand, and we note that the company have, for the information of their users, made use of a reprint of the article

• which appeared in our columns a few months ago dealing with the overhauling of their vehicle. It is intended that the bulletin shall announce any mechanical improvements made in the F.W.D. or its equipment, whilst it will contain useful instructions on maintenance and repair work.

Motorbuses in North Wales.

At the annual licensing meeting of the Llanfairfechan Urban Council a petition signed by proprietors of local motor vehicles and asking the committee to consider the interests of the ratepayers before granting licences to outsiders, was read. The following licences were granted :—Motor omnibuses : Bangor Blue Motors, 6; Mr. A. W. Hughes, 1. Motor coaches : Bangor Blue Motors, 8; Mr. W. Pickering, 2. The motor coach licences were granted to Bangor Blue Motors, Ltd., on condition that not more than foureoaches were available for hire in the district on any one day, and that not more than two coaches were on the stand provided by the council. The committee was recommended to provide extra stands for hackney carriages and motor vehicles.

Housing Tenants Ask for Buses.

At a meeting of the Leeds Corporation Tramways Committee a letter was read from the Middleton Park Estate Tenants' Association asking for an additional motorbus service to Middleton, and urg ing the committee to complete for public use the portion of the Ring Road which is at present in an unfinished state.

A resolution was submitted from the sub-improvements (development and housing) committee urging the completion of the portion of the road referred to.

It was resolved that a reply be for-. warded to the effect that steps have B2,4 already been taken to improve the bus service, and that the road will be completed for public use so soon as it is reasonably fit for heavy traffic.

A Load Limit.

In connection with the reconstruction of the bridge carrying Cumberna,uld Road across the Monkland Canal, Glasgow, it has been found necessary, in the interests of public safety, to limit the load on the existing bridge to 84 tons gross.

Refusing Bus Licences.

Rotherham Watch Committee has refused to grant Messrs. C.. and E. Wheway a licence to run an omnibus service between the Holmes district and Canklow Colliery.

Leeds Watch Committee has refused to grant Mr. Fred Marshall a licence for a bus to ply for hire between Gildersome, Drighlmgton, and Farnley.

Satisfaction from Pirelli Tyres.

A well-produced brochure which has recently emanated from Pirelli, Ltd., 144, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.4, is not put together in the losrm of the more usual catalogue, but comprises a number of illustrations of users'. fleets shod with Pirelli tyres, together with testimonials from the respective users. We note that Pirelli solid tyres are guaranteed for a minimum service of 12,000 miles, but it is noteworthy to place on record, after perusing a number of these testimonials, that this mileage is, in actual service, considerably exceeded.

The company will willingly send a copy of the brochure to any reader interested.

A Useful Handbook.

"Let M.E.' tell you" is the title of a little booklet which has been compiled by Mann, Egerton and Co., Ltd., of Norwich, and it contains in its pages much. useful information relating to general motoring and other matters. Considering its size it contains quite a wealth of detail which usually can only be obtained by reference to books of inuch larger compass. The company are distributing copies free to all those who make application.

Local Proceedings.

Leeds Corporation has decided on the purchase of an additional motor ambulance.

• Twickenham Urban District Council has ordered a Dennis fire-engine at a cost of £800.

Shipley 'Urban Distriot Council is inviting tenders for the supply of a motor • ambulance.

• Lincoln Corporation has decided on the purchase of a motor fire-engine and a motor ambulance.

Blackpool Corporation has authorized the borough engineer to purchase a oneton Ford truck.

Durham Rural District, Council has decided to purchase another motor wagon far haulage work.

Eastbourne Town Council has decided to purchase motorcars for the borough surveyor and chief constable.

The electricity committee of the Wolverhampton Town Council has author ized the purchase of three Ford vehicles.

Bradford Corporation has obtained information from other towns with regard to the question of central motor garages.

Hull Watch Committee haFs refused tc permit Mr. W. H. Blenkin to run a motorbus service from Hull to Little Weighten.

Halifax Corporation Transport Committee has ordered a Straker-Squire 6-ton three-way hydraulic tipping wagon at a lost of £1,2"74 5s.

Houghton-le-Spring Urban District• Council is inviting offers for the purchase of a 5-ton Clayton steam wagon with hand-tipping hotly.

Halifax Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized the purchase of a Dennis:2-24-ton 30 h.p. standard chassis on pneumatic tyres at a cost of £667.

Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways Committee has decided to purchase two motorbuses from Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., at a cost not exceeding £1,679 per vehicle.

In response to public complaints, the Lampeter Council is to consider the ad visability of improving the local firebrigade equipment by. purchasing a motor fire-engine.

According to a report. prepared for the Newport (Mon.) Electricity and Tram

ways Committee, the council's haulage service by. motor lorry in the 12 months ended March 51st last resulted in a loss of £2,165.

Leeds Watch Committee has refused the application of Messrs. Barrett and Thornton, motorbus proprietors of Otley, for the fixing of an omnibus stand at the junction of Woodhouse Lane and Wade Lane, and for hackney carriage licences in respect of vehicles plying for hire between Otley and Leeds.

No Licence Without Expert's Report. Bradford Watch Committee has decided that. all motor vehicles in respect of which application for licence to ply for hire is made after the annual licensing day shall be subject to inspection and report by the corporation's motor expert.

A New Service in Wales.

A new service has been commenced between Bridgend and the Pontycymmer mining district. The buses making the journey run to regular time-tables, and form part of the fleet maintained by the South Wales Commercial Motor Co.

Third-party Insurance.

Lancaster Watch Committee has decided that henceforth it shall be a condition of licensing a mechanically propelled vehicle as a hackney oarriage that the owner thereof shall produce a satisfactory third-party insurance policy, together with the receipt for the last premium in respect of such vehicle.

A Novel Dipper for Gauging Tank • Contents.

A very simple type of gauge for petrol and oil is being marketed by the London Merchants' Co., of 7, Lancaster Place, Strand, London vi,V.C.2. It consists of a flexible celluloid tube marked off at half-inch intervals and provided with an inlet at the bottom and a valve controlled by a thumb-knob at the top.. The gauge, which is known as the Ne er Fail petrol and,oil gauge is inserted into the liquid contained and the knob depressed. The gauge then fills to the level of the contents of the tank, the pressure on the ball knob is released, thus retaining the liquid in the gauge, which, on being removed from the container, indicates rha exact amount of petrol or oil in it. Other uses to which the gauge can be pat are for admitting petrol into the cylinders through the compressron taps, and for filling an oilcan from the main container. It is easily possible for the user of the gauge to mark off the measure of the contents, or to memorize the ratio of the contents to the half-inch markings on the' gauge. Being unbreakable, • the gauge can be carried loose in a toolbox. It is sold at 3s. 6d. retail.

Birmingham Cab Fares.

The Birmingham Corporation has fixed new rates for the hire -of motorcabs. For an ordinary four-whe.eled motor hackney the charge is to be 1s. if the distance does not exceed fourfifths of a mile, 'and for each one-fifth of a mile beyond this distance 3d.. In the case of taxicab sidecars, 8d. is the charge when the distance does not exceed four-fifths of a' mile and 2d. for each subsequent one-fifth of a mile.

Successful Thornycroft Students.

As an indication of tha thorough technical training .of the engineering pupils Of J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., the success which these. pupils achieve in the periodical examinations of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers can be instanced. At. the last examination of this kind held a few weeks 'ago the following six students traine.d at the. Basingstoke works were successful in ;passing the graduate examination :—Messrs. L. C. Andrews, J. Pyle, J. V. Fergusson, H. G. Radley, H. Johnstone, and F. G. Smith. In addition, three pupils were successful in passing the examination for associate membership, their, names being A..E, Baxter, A. V. Knowles, and A. B. Read.