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News and Comment.

This journal fosters, represents, and chronicles commercial motoring in all its branches; it has the largest and best circulation throughout the United Kingdom, the Colonies, India, and foreign countries generally. No part of our exclusive and valuable circulation is due to the forcing of sales in useless quarters.

The official list of exhibitors at Olympia was published by "THE COMMER GMT. MOTOR " four weeks ago.

At the Agricultural Hall.

Cordingley's thirteenth annual motor exhibition will be opened on Saturday next, and will remain open until the following Saturday. The show of commercial motors threatens to be a disappointing one, though the few machines will be excellent.

Winding Up the Taximeter.

Certain of London's motorcabs which, by an oversight, have been in service with the recorder %vorking otherwise than in accordance with the Police regulations, have now been put in order. The requirement that the driving ring of the taximeter shall be fixed to one of the front wheels, or, if fixed to a driving wheel, that it shall be used in conjunction with a non-skid hand or tire, will now be rigidly enforced.

Better Roads.

The Motor Union campaign, in favour of the devotion of the proceeds of any taxation upon motor vehicles to the improvement of highways, by grants in aid from the Exchequer, coupled with a measure of supervision in respect of the useful application of any money so voted, is proceeding apace, and a great number of urban and rural councils have already passed resolutions in favour of this procedure, which is in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Motor Car Acts.

The Licensing Bill.

Our short leading article of last week, in which we pointed. out that brewers cannot legitimately plead this measure as an excuse for their not ordering motor wagons or tractors, by reason of the fact that the accepted life of such a machine is considerably less than 14 years, has been quoted in several quarters. Brewers will be shutting their eyes to a real economy in transport, if they blindly decline to consider business or purcliases whose effects must fall well within the period of the proposed time limit.

R.A.C. Finance.

Contrary to expectation, no member of the Royal Automobile Club made a single comment upon the fact that the Club's adverse balance of ,.3,252 for the year ended the 31st December last was practically due to the expenditure in connection with the Commercial Vehicle Trials of September-October last. We regard the incurring of this loss as a very strong .argument in favour of the Club's claim to recognition at the hands of users of comm:ercial vehicles, whilst the manner in which the trials were carried out admittedly strengthened those claims in other respects.

The Albany, Auto-Machinery, De Dietrich, Lindsay, and HillmanCoatalen companies have cancelled the spaces they had taken at Olympia.

Mr. Hugh H. Gregory, who was for a considerable period engineer-manager of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company, Limited, has been engaged by the Royal Automobile Club to assist the secretary, Mr. J. W. Orde, in the technical work of the club.

Cardiff Stable Charges.

Many of our readers will remember this journal's investigation into the matter of horse and motor costs at Cardiff: the. articles on this subject were published in our issue of the: t5th November, 1906. It is somewhat interesting, if late, to find that Mr. John Allcock, the Cardiff City Treasurer and Controller of Accounts, has now reported to the Council that horse charges which were supposed to amount to only gs. per day had been taken out without provision for a sinking fund, establishment charges, depreciation or proportion of rent, rates and taxes, and that the cost per one-horse cart and man should be stated at TOS. od., instead of gs. per dfly.

Motor Ambulances.

No less than 12 Dennis vehicles arenow owned and run by the Metropolitan Asylums Board. The last three to be delivered are illustrated on the next page. The use of motor ambulances is on the increase with all progressive hospital boards.

A Manchester Liquidation.

At a meeting of the General Motor Carrying Co., Ltd., held at 295, Deansgate, Manchester, a resolution was passed that the company be wound up voluntarily, and that John Miller, of 24, Moreton Avenue, Stretford, and Harry Hope Evans, of 3, York Street, Manchester, be appointed joint liquidators.

St. Helens Rubber.

The St. Helens Cable and Rubber Company, Limited, of Warrington, has opened .a branch at Cologne, where it has now established a warehouse for the distribution of its products in Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria. Its Manchester premises have recently been transferred to 287, Deansg-ate.

Encased Chains.

We drew attention, in our issue of the 30th January last, when reporting the Edinburgh Show, to the departure of the Albion Motor Car Company, Limited, of Scotstoun, Glasgow, in casing the side chains upon its chassis, and in bringing out a 3o-cwt. model. We are now glad to learn that this model has been most favourably received by the company's many customers, and that a satisfactory number of sales have already been made, botit to them and to new users.

Esprit de Corps.

Following-the example of the directors of the General Motor Cab Company, Limited, the board of the allied company, the United Motor Cab Company, Limited, entertained the staff and drivers, under the chairmanship of Mr. Davison Dalziel, on the night of the 9th instant, at the Holborn Restaurant. Both the chairman and Mr. Edgar Cohen impressed upon the drivers that they should regard themselves more as partners in, than as employees of, the undertaking.

Special Uses.

Many builders of commercial motors as giving an increasing degree of attention to the equipment of their vehicles in such a manner as to fit them for special trades, and to meet the arguments of would-be buyers who, want a set-off either to the relatively high initial cost, or the cost of working, per hour, in comparison with horse

drawn vehicles. Commercial Cars, Limited, of Luton, whose enterprise is admitted by everybody, has already in hand several modifications of this character. .

" Les Sports " is organising a cornpetition for motoreab drivers, to take place at the end of next month in Paris. The driver showing the most skill will be awarded the " Championnat de Conduite et d'Adresse."

Another Bakery Order.

A 2oh.p. Halley van was sold to James Taylor (Wheatholm), Ltd., of Airdrie, N.B., last Year. It has borne out the experience of other bakers who use rnotorvans, and has effected great economies in running Ext miles a day. The performance is fully equal to that of three one-horse vans.

The Conveyance of Milk.

The accompanying illustration is of one of the Adams vans which was re

cently shipped to Rio de Janeiro. A number of these vans are. to be used for the conveyance of milk, and the sides are fitted with louvre ventilators, whilst the maximum cubic capacity has been provided in the bodies. The engine is the Adams Manufacturing Company's, toh.p., standard type, but the wheel base has been extended by T2 inches, in order to give additional carrying space.

An Acknowledgment.

Says the " Sheffield Telegraph," in its issue of the T ith instant "-The commercial public is deeply indebted to 4 THE COMMERCTAL MOTOR for a second edition of its issue of the 5th March, containing a thorough digest of and some comments upon the report of the Royal A.C. and other judges upon the commercial vehicles trials of September and October last. This organ, being exprcssiy and competently devoted to this branch of the motor industry, etc., etc."

The Brazilian Market.

M. R. Ducastle, French Councillor for Foreign Trade, reports that there is a future for commercial motor vehicles in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Haulage by horse is very dear at Rio, and several delivery agents and furniture removers have had recourse to the motor vehicle. Some motorbuses and cabs are also on the streets, finding great popularity. The climate being warm and the country mountainous, the type of vehicle preferred is that with open bodywork and canvas coverings, and with rather powerful engines. Although the country roads are at present stony and irregular for the most part, and in some instances

scarcely defined, the more general use of the motor vehicle will enforce the remedying of these conditions.

Agricultural Motors at Padua.

Right through the month of June, agricultural motors will be on exhibition at Padua, and entries should be dispatched to the Commicio Agraria (via Cassi di Risparmio, 47, Padua), on or before 20th April. The first section of this show comprises steam vehicles up to 2oh.p., of the portable, road, and field classes ; the second, gas, alcohol, petrol, paraffin, heavy oil, and watergas motors ; the third electric motors ; the fourth, wind motors ; the fifth, hydraulic motors. Full particulars are obtainable from the C,ommicio in questien, as named above.

Canada's Needs.

We are indebted to Mr. W. A. :MacKinnon, Canadian trade condrnissioner at Bristol, for particulars of the competition for light agricultural motors, which is Lo take place in connection with the Winnipeg industrial Exhibition. The trials will be held in the early part of July next, and the machines will be subjected to tests which are calculated to -prove their usefulness for general farm purposes, such as ploughing ; disking ; harrowing ; rolling; seeding ; cutting and binding ; threshing ; hauling ; and general belt-driving purposes. The gross weight must not exceed seven tons (2,000 lb. to the ton). Other points which will be observed by the Judges include : horse-power developed; fuel and water consumption; distance that can be travelled without replenishing; turning capabilities; protection of working parts from mud and dust; durability; accessibility to all parts; [ravelling speed ; ease of manipulation ; clearance of working parts from the ground; steadiness of running for beltpower ; and selling price at Winnipeg. No restriction will be placed on the nature of the fuel or class of engine, whether steam or internal combustion, and the competition will be open to the world. The charge for space is only two dollars.

Economy of Petrol.

The British Petroleum Company, Limited, of 22, Fenehurch Street, E.C., asks us to draw attention to the unnecessary danger and expense of using motor spirit for the cleaning of motor vehicles. Ordinary lamp oil should be used instead, as it is less dangerous and much more economical.

" Sealomatic" Inner Tubes.

The poignant disadvantage which attaches to the pneumatic tire, viz., the ubiquitous puncture, has again been attacked in situ. The trouble and waste of time that is involved in repairing externally, by means of patches On such .punctures, is to give place, in the new " Sealomatic " inner tube, which has been put on the market by Messrs. Gillespie and Company, of 2t10, Vauxhall Bridge Road, to an automatic sealing up of any puncture which may take place in the tire. A demonstration of this tire was given to us recently, when it was shown that, in spite of the driving of large nails right into the tire, and subsequently running upon them through the London streets, no air was apparently lost. This tube, which is similar in outward appearance to the ordinary seamless inner tube, has inside it a !hick laver of indiarubber which has been chemically treated, and inside this again is a iecontl coating of another " tacky " material. The action of this Aube is explained as follows : any nail or other foreign article which has penetrated the outer cover and the inner tube, upon being drawn out from its improper position, allows the inner coating to follow it into the layer of prepared rubber, and this automatically seals up the hole left in such a manner that no air can escape. The company, of course, does not guarantee the tire against bursts or large incisions, but it is evident that, in the case of the ordinary punctures which are experienced on the road, thc invention should prove satisfactory, if the large addition to the -section of the tube does not affect the resiliency of the tire.

The Diplock Nut Lock.

The accompanyingillustration .shows a neat. and effective nut lock which has been invented and patented by Mr. Diplock of " Pedrail " fame. The spring plate may be bent into any desired shape to suit any requirements, and, as it need only be made of quite thin steel, it requires but little force to disengage the hexagonal hole in the end of the spring, from the hexagonal part of the nut. The nut may then be tightened or slackened as required. On removing the spanner, the spring plate will fly

hack to the position shown in the sketch, and, even if the nut is left quite slack, the spring plate will prevent it turning round. For securing the nuts on studs, or for set screws, thi.4form of lock is, undoubtedly, a most effective one, but, when used for bolts, it may be necessary to use two such spring elates, one Inc the nut and one for the bolt, in order that the latter may also he prevented from turning. There are many cases—in which the slackening of either the bolt or the nut might lead to disaster—where the use of two such locking devices would be justifled, especially as the lock cannot be lost on the road. The inventor's address is 61, Marsham Street, Westminster, and, we understand, he is ready to receive offers for the rights of manufacturing the invention.

A New Fare Recorder.

The Home Secretary's order permit

tingthe use of taximeters on horsedrawn cabs, which order came into operation the 1st ultimo. has been the occasion for introducing a new farerecording, and indicating instrument by The General Electric Company, Limited, of 71, Outten Victoria Street, E.C. This company has had much experience in the making of recording instruments for both electrical and mechanical machinery, and is, therefore, in a position to turn out a reliable machine, such as we believe this instrument will prove to be. It will be known as the " Aron " taximeter and the principle on which it works is the " hour-mile." The two views which we reproduce at the foot of this page will show its general appearance : the left hand figure shows the taximeter as seen from the front, whilstthe other view is taken from the hack. The flag handle (A), when depressed, causes the word " hire " and the amount of the initial " fare " to appear on the dial. By means of the other handle (B), the amount chargeable for extras is caused to appear in the space provided for that purpose on the dial. Each movement of the levers causes the gong (C) to ring and thus give an Audible indication of its work

, ing to the passenger. At the side of the instrument there are five spaces in which a complete record of the work of the vehicle for the day is recorded : the top one of these spaces shows the total number of engagements; in the second space is the total amount of money, in shillings and pence, received above the initial charges; in the third space, the total amount for extras; in the fourth space, the number of " miles vacant "; and, in the fifth space, the number of " miles hired." In the face of such a complete record of the day's work there should be no occasion for disputes between owner and driver.

This instrument has received the approval of the Commissioner of Pace, and many hundreds of horse-drawn cabs in London are now being fitted with this make of fare recorder. The

if is equally suitable for m0to-cabs and may be easily fitted thereto.

The Esher and Dittons (Thames Valley) District Council resolved, at its last meeting, to purchase, towards the end of the present year, a new steam fire engine.

Paraffin Vehicles.

John I. Thornycroft and Company, Limited, of Chiswick and Basingstoke, has shipped a 3i-ton, 24h.p., tilt wagon for the Southern Nigerian Government, on the order of the Crown Agents for the Colonies. Paraffin will be used as fuel, and, following the success of its paraffin engine in the R.A.C. trials, the company is now prepared to arrange that all its commercial vehicles shall be supplied with the necessary fittings to enable them to run on paraffin, at a small extra charge. The Kennedy Motor Company, of Glasgow, has also taken delivery of a two-cylinder, f6h.p., 3o-cwt., Thornycroft, delivery van for the carriage of dairy produce. This model was fully described and illustrated by us in our issue of the 20th ultimo, and is one in which great in: terest will centre at Olympia.

The Handling of Motor Spirit.

We hope the powers that be will shortly see eye to eye with commercial users of motor spirit, and that a lessening of restrictions in the Thames Estuary will enable this important fuel to he transported under less onerous conditions. We think that the directors of petroleum spirit companies are well advised in refraining from public criticism of the Thames Conservancy Board, no matter how much that board is deserving of criticism, but we believe these importers and traders are suffering under anachronistic and highly unnecessary regulations.. Ample experience is now available to show that motor spirit can safely be transferred from ocean steamers to river-side tanks, and transported in barge loads up a river, such as the Thames, without its distributors being hampered at every turn, and we are confident that the growing demand for petroleum spirit, both in the ordinary course of trade and for military purposes, must bring about an improvement of to-day's conditions, and a consequent reduction in price. Our contemporary "The Daily Telegraph" has recently interviewed one of the directors of the Anglo-American Oil Company, Limited, Mr. F. E. Powell, on this subject, and we are glad to note that Mr. Powell's views are coincident with our own. The earlier the date at which modern ideas are allowed to prevail, the better will it be for the trade of London, and obstruction should cease soon.

A New Consulting Partnership.

Lieutenant R. G. L. Markham, M.I.Mech.E., M.I.A.E., who, prior to his lengthy experience with Messrs. Thornycroft, was an engineer officer in the Royal Navy, and Mr. H. Waymouth Prance, A.I.E.E., A.M.I.A.E., have gone into partnership, as consulting motor engineers, at 143, Strand, W.C. The former gentleman has special knowledge of commercial motor vehicles, extending from the earliest Liverpool trials to those recently held by the R.A.C., and he is competent to give independent advice on heavy vehicle subjects, whilst Mr. Prance has a good knowledge of both motor vehicles and motor boats.

Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Company, of Vulcan Works, Pepper Road, Hunslet, Leeds, will exhibit one of its latest-type, six-ton, steam wagons, with compound vertical engine, single-chain drive, and artillerytype road wheels. This vehicle is a repeat order for Messrs. R. Chambers and Company, flour and general carriers, of 47, Mark Lane, L.C., one of whose earlier machines was illustrated and described by us in our issue of the 7th February, 1907.

The boiler of this machine is of the company 's well-known fire-tube type, with the fire box in the centre and lower half of the barrel. There are two sets of fire tubes, through each of which the hot gases must pass from the fire to the funnel. The crown of the fire box deflects the gases outwards through the lower set of tubes, to either of the two smoke boxes at the ends of the barrel, and the divided exhaust nozzles, which are disposed opposite the outer ends of the return tubes, help to carry the gases through this upper set and thence to the top of the funnel. The fittings include two safety valves, one of which is locked to prevent any tampering with it, washing-out plugs, mud-hole doors, starting valve, two test cocks, water gauge, pressure gauge, and blow-off cock.

The engine is of the vertical, compound type, with the link motion COMpiettiv enclosed, and runs in an oil bath. It is rated 35h.p. at normal r.p.m., the }Li). cylinder being inches in diameter, the 1.p. cylinder 71 inches in diameter, and the piston

having a stroke of 71 inches. It is stoutly built throughout, with ample surfaces, and the necessary stiffness. The transmission to the live back axle is by means of a Hans Renold roller chain, from a central chain wheel which is carried between the two spur wheels on the second motion shaft, to the differential gear on the back axle. This axle is 4,1inches in diameter, and of the best grade of Yorkshire iron. The main frame, of channel steel, is 6 inches deep by 3 inches wide by inch thick, with ample cross-stays and gus sets. The spring mounting is of good design, the front axle being arranged with an inverted, laminated spring, and a single-point support between it and the main body of the vehicle, so as to: allow easy passage over uneven ground.. All road wheels are of the artillery type, and, except that a special type of bady is fitted to this machine, it is similar to that which won a gold medal in the R.A.C. trials. Having regard to the fact that close upon 300 Yorkshire wagons have now been built and delivered, it can be properly regarded as an example of England's leading manufacture in the steam-wagon industry.

Wallis and Steevens.

s and Steevens, Limited, of Basingstoke, will show one of its latest-pattern, compound, steam tractors, with enclosed engine. Both axles are spring mounted, and the usual fittings are included. The tractor for the Agricultural Hall will have a driver's hood, the company's patent draughtcontrelling apparatus in the smoke box, and an extra large smoke box with spark arrester. The boiler has 19 smoke tubes, each rl inch in internal diameter, and four tubes at the Lop, each 2!1 inches in diameter. When standing, a damper covers the adjacent ends of the 19 smaller tubes, and the larger tubes admit of sufficient draught to maintain steam. The engine is mounted on a special form of deflecting plate, the object of which is to take strain off the boiler plates. The usual winding gear is fitted.

The other exhibit will be the company's traction type of road wagon, with enclosed engine. This wagon is designed to carry five-ton loads upon its own platform, and is of the single chain and live-axle pattern. Several are in work for Pickford's, Limited, of London. A special feature is the exceptionally shallow water tank, in order to provide ample clearance where any running has to be done over irregular surfaces.

Foden.

With a record of close upon 500 steam wagons to its credit, apart from earlier experience of the traction-engine field, Fodens, Limifed, of Elworth Works, Sandbach, is in a happy position in more than one respect. Its standard, 5-ton wagon, which was the pioneer of its type, and upon whose fundamental lines Mr. Edwin Foden was only able to settle after lengthy experiment, has become firmly established in the esteem of owners in all classes of trade, and equally in the good graces of drivers. In the first place, this type, of wagon appeals at once to any traction-engine man, and we believe that this explanation furnishes one of the chief reasons why it has, apart from its inherent merits, proved so acceptable and successful. The average traction-engine driver finds it " second nature " to drive one. The company will show two of its standard machines. One is the eighth repeat order for Joseph Rank, Limited, millers, of Primrose Mills, Victoria Docks, E.; the other is a repeat order from Mr. E. Thomas, carrier, of Barnstaple. Both should attract the notice of buyers. The Foden wagon has proved itself to be very economical in fuel and water, and a thorough hill climber. The engine design and disposition is such as to ensure this economy. Turning to the boiler, we may say that it is hydraulically tested to 350 lb. on the square inch, hut the normal working pressure is only four-sevenths of this; 50 tubes, each ti inch in diameter, are employed, and the company favours two injectors for feed purposes, these injectors being placed low down, so that they are always flooded with water from the tank, and an efficient straining box is introduced into the main feed pipe before it branches to each injector.

The transmission consists, essentially, of sliding cut-steel pinions on an extension of the crankshaft, one of which pinions is made to engage with one of two corresponding gear wheels on a short " stud " countershaft. A long chain, of the JIans Renold roller make, conveys the drive, from a small spur wheel, which is carried between the two change wheels on this counter_ shaft, direct to the differential gear on the live back axle. The gear reductions from engine to road wheels, are 9 to I, and 24 to 1, and these correspond with vehicle speeds of about 6 and 4, miles per hour respectively.

Motor Lawn Mowers.

Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Limited, of Orwell Works, Ipswich, will exhibit three of its motor lawn mowers this year. These will be : one 6h.p., with 42-inch cutters; one 4h.P., with 3o-inch cutters; and one 2.111.p., with 24-inch cutters. It is interesting to note that his Majesty the

has recently purchased two of the 30-inch machines. Prices vary from L:75 to .47150, and the weights from 42 cwt. to 23 cwt. Every precaution has been taken to manufacture these lawn mowers so that they can be steered with the greatest ease, so as to cut round curves and flower beds, etc., whilst means is provided for adjusting the height of the cut. Reversing gear can be fitted if desired.

The demand for motor lawn mowers appears to be increasing.

Saunderson.

IL P. Saunderson and Company, Limited, of Elstow Works, Bedford, will show one of its 5oh.p., 1908-type, agricultural tractors, and a 4h.p.,

air

coaled, portable engine, as well as other minor exhibits. Since this company put extra power into its " Universal " motor, the machine has proved itself capable of tackling very heavy jobs. The unique feature is the manner in which the drive is upon all three wheels.

Other Stands.

In the absence of full details as to the intentions of certain exhibitors, we cart do little more than draw attention to their names. Others who have taken space include : Messrs. W. L: Adams, Roadbridge Motor Works, near Southampton ; Mann and Overton's, Limited, 7a, Lower. Belgrave Street, S.W. (" linic " cabs and vans); Reo Motors, Limited, Broad Sancti.ary, Westminster, S.W.; Savage Brothers, Limited, St. Nicholas Iren Works, King's Lynn (five-ton steam wagon and compound tractor); Smith, Parfrev and Company, Limited, Pimlico Wheel Works, Fulham Palace Road, S.W. (axles, wheels, and motor parts); and Sharps Auto-Mower and Tractor Company, 19, Copperg,ate, York.

Sundry Exhibitors.

Messrs. Ceipel and Lange, of Vulcan Works, 72a, St. Thomas' Street, SE., will be showing a good range of speed-indicating and distance-recording instruments. Speedometers, ranging

in price from 44 Ijs. to ss., constitute this firm's special line, but the exhibit will include a new instrument to show the petrol consumption of an engine. This fitting measures only 8 by 4 by 2i inches, and can be attached to the dashboard of any motor vehicle using an internal-combustion engine. The company's Odometer, adapted for fixing to the hub cap of a road wheel, to which it forms a permanent attachment, will also be shown.