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Guildford's Dennis engine will take part in the " Horse Parade on the 7th inst.
We are now info' mad that Til hugsStevens omnibuses have been adopted by the Southport Corporation, and that two of these vehicles will shortly be delivered. We see no reason, therefore, why the Tillings-Stevens Co. should not fully cater for any Southport and district requirements.
L.C.C. Tramcars.
The total debt outstanding on the L.C.C. tramcars is £9,916,000. The debt charges amount to £738,000 yearly, or the equivalent of nearly a ad. rate. The results of the working for the last financial year fell considerably short of the Council's expectations, and it remains to be seen whether the £388,042 which is left available for sinking-fund purposes is sufficient to come up to the auditors' minineire standard.
F.I,A.T. Radiators The action of the MercedesDaimler Motor Co., Ltd., against the FIAT. Motor Cab Co. has further occupied the Courts. The appeal of the people was decided in their favour. Mr. Justice Joyce had given a decision in favour of the plaintiffs in the original action, but the Master of the Rolls, with whom were L.JJ. Buckley and Kennedy, have given a unanimous decision, on the grounds that the claims in Maybath's specification are too wide, which fact invalidates the patent for radiators of the honeycomb type, for the appellants.
Luxurious Bodywork.
The chassis of the vehicle illustrated below has been manufactured by the Daimler Co., Ltd. Of peculiar interest is the superb bodywork, which has been carried out by Christopher Dodson, Ltd., the well-known Westminster coachbuilder. This is one of the most luxurious and sumptuous bodies ever fitted to a commercial-motor vehicle to the best of our recollection. A delicate grey Bedford cord is used for the upholstery of the interior, while the ceiling is of Lincrusta Walton having mahogany fittings. The C.A.V. electric-lighting system is carefully screened and shaded ; crimson curtains are fitted to the windows. Ventilation is provided by means of drop windows at the front and in both doors, and, in addition, the top part of the rearside windows also opens. The body is painted black, relieved with white lines, throughout. Side biaotings, windscreen, and domeshaped wings add to the general luxurious finish of the vehicle. The Bradford tenders for three new machines must be lodged on or before Saturday next.
"Liverpool," Not " BristoL"
We much regret to find that an error occurred in our report regarding the working of taximeters at Bristol, in a paragraph which we published on the 10th ult. The matter should have referred to Liverpool, and not to Bristol as stated in the paragraph. We are naturally desirous to draw attention to this error in transcription, because we are told that Bristol has been free from such trouble.
Ten Points in Favour of Turbines.
The chief of a well-known fire brigade communicated to us, as we announced in our issue of the 17th ult., ten points why practical firemen prefer motor turbine fire-enT gines. He considers these are indisputable, and that they account for the preference which is now shown by the leading fire brigades tor turbine pumps. We quote : (I) all the pressure required for firefighting can be obtained with ease, without distressing the engine ; (2) economy in petrol consumption, through utilizing to advantage pressure in water mains ; (3) absence of vibration on chassis, suction and hose ; (4) greater radius of efficiency on fire jets ; (5) ability to use controlling nozzles without undue risk of damaging hose, etc. ; (6) less liability to damage engine and pump through a hose rip, when running at high pressure ; (7) fewer glands and packings to maintain ; (a) no valves to choke ; (9) better results on deep lifts ; and (10) greater simplicity.
The Local Government Board h-as sanctioned the borrowing by the Hendon authorities of 11240 for the purchase of amotor fire-engine.
The chief officer of the Folkestone brigade is still urging his committee to keep the brigade up-to-date by purchasing motor appliances.
East Ham T.C. is purchasing a 16-20 h.p. motor ambulance from Chalmers and Co., at a cost of 2403 12s. The vehicle will have a Wolseley chassis.
Hendon U.D.C. has granted a licence to the Tramways (M.E.T.) Omnibus Co., Ltd., to increase the petrol storage at its garage at The Hyde to 30,000 gallons.
Residents in the Chertsey neighbourhood have appointed a committee to appeal to the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., to pievide local motorbus services and connections.
Tramway Assessment Reduction The L.C.C. has circularized all the London Borough Councils asking them to reduce the assessment upon the tramway lines in their respective boroughs, in consequence of the falling off of the receipts from the tramway undertaking, which they allege to be due, amongst other things, to motorbus competition.
Ramsey Satisfied.
Hornsey Borough Council has decided, taking into consideration the grant made by the Road Board and the absence of adequate support from other local authorities, notto proceed further with its proposed action against the London General Omnibus Co. for a contribution towards the cost of making up omnibus routes.
When the Buses "Cut In."
Deptford Borough Council is to call the attention of the Commissioner of Police to the practice of " cutting-in " which has been adopted by drivers of motorbuses at the various tramway stopping places in the borough, asking him to give instructions to prevent this practice being carried on. The matter is also to be brought to the notice of the Executive Committee of the Guildhall Conference on Motor Traffic, Central Bus Affairs.
Notices are given of general meetings of the members of the Warwick Tyre Co., Ltd., and the London Road Car Co., Ltd., to be held at 14, Regent Street, S.W.. on the 5th May, and at Electric Railway House, Broadway, Westminster, S.W., on the 9th May, respectively, for the purpose of considering the accounts of the liquidators showing the manner in which the windings-up have been conducted, and the property of the companies disposed of. The Daimler Co., Ltd., is supplying four motorbuses to the Manchester Tramways Department.
The Darlington Garage Co., Ltd., has successfully tendered to the local R.D.C. at 2:712 10s. for the supply of a petrol tractor.
Toronto Mail Vans.
We publish an interesting photograph herewith of a small fleet of mail vans, which is in regular ser
vice vice n Toronto, This fleet consists
of six machines, of which four are 30 h.p. Russells, made by the Russell Motor Car Co., of Toronto, the other two being 28 h.p. Auto-Cars, made by the Auto-Car Co., of Ardmore, Pa. All these machines are shod with pneumatic tires. It will be noticed from our illustration that the van bodies themselves a-re comfortably fitted in regard to the driver's compartment with highsided doors and ample windscreens. The bodies have clerestory roofs, and they carry illuminated signs over the canopies, bearing the words " Royal Mail." This illinrination, as well as that of the headlamps, is provided for by a single
aoetvlene installation. Mail vans in Torontohave right of way over all other traffic through the city, and the provision of these illuminated signs is intended to help them to obtain a clear road after dark.
This fleet is worked and owned by the Post Office, and the machines are employed in collecting and distribuling mail matter between the sub-offices and the Nerth, South, East and West depots of the city and the central G.P.O. Trips are made about every half-hour—lour journeys in the morning and four in the evening, each van doing about 50 miles a day. At present letterboxes are cleared and the countryoffice mail is brought to the suboffices by horse carts, being transferred thence to these mail vans. The present fleet has been in service since 1911, and we understand has given entire satisfaction. We hear that the fleet is to be enlarged before long, and for this purpose the Government has purchased a large garage, which is known as the Dominion Government Garage.
West Ham Wants New Fire Plant.
At its last meeting, West. Ham T.C. agreed to a report of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade (Mr. Edward Smith) upon the question of providing upto-date appliances at the Council's new Silvertown fire station. Mr. Smith suggested the purchase of a petroldriven motor pumping fire-engine of the same power and capacity as the one now being used at Stratford, arid a petrol-driven motor fireescape a-nd hose-tender. He also suggested the disposal of several of the out-of-date appliances, including a steamer, manual, and a handpropelled fire escape.
Why a Dennis was Preferred.
The tender of Dennis Bros., Ltd., has been accepted by Malden and Coombes T..7.D.C., at £690, for a first-aid motor fire appliance. There was a long discussion at. the last council meeting with regard to this matter, one councillor asking why such eminent makers as Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., and llelessre. Shand, Mason and Co.. who quoted at 2748 and 2585 respectively, were passed over. Replying, Mr. Kirk, the captain of the fire brigade, gave the following details :—
" Leyland Motors, Ltd., was deleted on account of price ; Messrs. Simonis and Co., because the tender was not. in accordance with the specification, which asked for a 50 lap., and who tendered for a 25-30 lap. engine, which was unsuitable for the dietrict; Messrs. Shand, Mason and Co., similarly tendered for a 25 h.p. motor ; Messrs. Merry-, weathers tender was refused on the ground of the engine estimated for being chain driven. Messrs. Dennis •s tender was for a 50 h.p. engine as specified, capable of travelling at 30 miles an hour on the level, and from 10 to 12 up the worst bill in the district. During the latter part of the .discussion, it was mentioned that Messrs. Dennis were equally as eminent a firm as any of the others, and that they had supplied similar engines to Kingston, Wimbledon and Croydon.