• ANSWERS TO QUERIES.
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Our readers will be nfor ned by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a' direct reply is desired, a stamped addressed envelope should be enclosed if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published.
Wants an Axle Sleeve Made.
[4361] (Neath).—Any local engineering firm could make the axle sleeve which you require. The first essential, however, is n priority certificate from the Priority Department, 1, Caxton Street, Westminster, London, S.W. 1. If this be not obtained, no supplier will be able to get the material to make the component required.
Buying a Lorry : How About Petrol Allowance?
[4362] (Carrier).—For a petrol licence you should make application to the Secretary to the Petrol Control Committee, 1, Berkeley Street, London,' W. You will be more likely to get a favourable award if you can provide proof that the work which you are about to do with your vehicle is of national importance. For this purpose you should .obtain, if possible, a certificate from the local munitions board, the military officer commanding the district, or the Food Control Board, at Grosvenor ,House, UpPer Grosvenor Street; London, S.W. 1. The name of the secretary to the Food Control Board is Mr. Burton.
Number of Motor Vehicles in Various Countries.
[4363] (Robertson).—No statistics of the number of motor vehicles in this country in private or commercial use have been published since the outbreak of war, whilst the number -of' vehicles used by the Army we are not allowed to state. The number of vehicles in France, Canada and India has never been published. .The number in use in the U.S.A. ,of all kinds has been stated to be about four millions, but no reliable figures have been published, nor are any figures obtainable as to the weekly circulations of the papers, now that the depletion of .staffs has causedthe cessation of publication of chartered accountants' certificates.
How Can' I Prevent-Waste of *Lubricating Oil on a Titan Tractor ?
[4364] (Darlington).—Your trouble does not arise through the inability of the piston ring to retain pressure, but to the -fact that your paraffin is not fully vaporized or kept in vaporized form, but reconclenses on its way from carburetter to cylinder, and the period of burning in the cylinder is not sufficiently long for all the paraffin globules to be consumed. The paraffin would leak past the piston rings, and it would leak past whatever lubricant was used on the walls.If the induction pipe is long, you had better pack it with asbestos, and adopt any other means you canto keep the induction pipe warm so as to prevent,the recondensation referred to.
WantsCylinders for Compressed Gas.
[4365] (Camelford.)—In your case, what will have to be provided will be a group of cylinders, or one or more separate cylinders which could be set to your nearest source of gas supply for charging. The question is purely one of getting The metal requisite for making the cylinder's and getting the cylinders made. Perhaps you can get hold of some well-boring tube, or some carbonic-acid gas cylinders, or some cylinders taken from railway running stock when the running stock was converted from the use of coal-gas to the use of electric light. We recently published an article stating what has been done with well-boring tube made up in groups of three 4-ft. lengths, mounted in pyramid form, the set holding about 500 cubic ft. of gas; which is just about equivalent to two gallons of petrol. Many minds are busy with this problem' and there is no doubt that before long it will be solved.
060 Farming by Motor Lorry.
t1366] (Arnold).—Weicannot recommend you to buy a motor lorry in the circumstances you name. A vehicle to do the work of one horse would not pay for work about a farm. It would not be suitable for work upon the land, and would certainly not be of any use for pulling a plough, or for use as a tractor on the land. It is unlikely that a lorry for carting farm produce would be of any use if it cciuld not be made to carry three tons. Such a vehicle would cost about £600 and if you ran it 350 miles per week it would cost; including interest on capital, depreciation, etc., £18 perweek.
Am I Liable for the Carriage Tax ?
• [4367] (Cardiff).—The question o of deciding as to whether a vehicle is liable to the carriage tax rests with the local authorities. If it is -an ordinary, fiveseated car, and not fitted up for the carriage of goods or samples, it will be rather difficult for you to make out a case against paying the tax. The fact that it bears the' name of tbe firm in gold letters on the side helps in a degree, but it does not go all the way. Even if the car were supplied with movable-fittings for the carrying of samples, the authorities could, still insist on the payment of the tax on the ground that the -fittings could be removed and the car could be used for private purooses.
Motorcars used exclusively and 'solely for the conveyance of goods in the course of trade or business are exempt from Inland Revenue duties.
Wants More 'Coal for Eight Steamers.
[4368] (Blackburn).—You should certainly apply to the Coal Controller about your fuel. His address is 8, Richmond -Terrace, Whitehall, London, S.W. 1, and you will receive prompt attention if you mark the envelope of your letter' "Reference 'D.W;1." Apply for a form of return in respect of coal or coke now in use, and future needs.
Welsh coal or anthracite is not to be 'issued to owners of steam wagons, so that you will be compelled to use ordinary coal. This fact will successfully protect you from unfair prosecution on account of the emission of black smoke. The authorities have not been pressing such cases of late because of the known difficulties in the wav of obtaining ad,equate supplies of the right class of fuel, and only those cases where the offence was ooviousiy aggravated by the lack of reasonable precautions have been proceeded with.
Overhanging Trees and Gas Containers.
[4369] (Bournernouth).—With reference to the cutting back of overhanging trees which are damaging motorlorries fitted with coal-gas containers, Section 65 of the Highways Act, 1835, provides that the highway authorities may take proceedings for the removal, 'pruning, etc., of hedges and trees when the hedge or tree is an obstruction to traffic along the highway. If the matter cannot be dealt with by consent, the highway authority is authorized to summon the owner or occupier of the 'adjoining land upon which the trees are growing to appear before the local magistrates. If an order is made for the trees to be cut, and is not obeyed, the owner is liable to a penalty; and the highway authority is authorized and required to do the work at the cost of the owner. If, therefore, it is found that trees in any district overhang the highway so as to be likely to damage or obstruct the traffic, the matter should be brought to the notice of the local highway authority.