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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

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

The Roads Transport Congress and Exhibition.

The Public Works, Roads and Transport Congress, whieh is to open in London on November ilith and continue for eight days, promises to be the most representative and important gathering of its kind that has yet been held in this country. The various organizations officially representing the kcal public services are almost without exception taking part in the congress, Each of the organizations has hitherto had its own annual meeting, and will continue to do so. but the joint congress is gja entirely new development, which will give to the members and officers of municipal bodies opportunities of conference, both formal and informal, which the smaller sectional gatherings have obviously not been able to afford.

The preliminary programme of the congress, which is issued from 9, Victoria Street, Westminster. indicates that a series of conferences will be held for each Mandl of the public services represented. ThetPublic Works, Roads and Transport Exhibition, which takes place at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, London, N., is run in conjunction with the congress. The Exhibition is being well supported, and, as on previous occasions, the motor vehicle industry will be well represented. This Exhibition affords municipal engineers and others interested in the work of local authorities an excellent opportunity for examining the latest types of road vehicles built for the diversified duties of municipalities.

Mr. Nixon on Trams.

We regret that, in the heading to the contribution in our last issue by Mr. C. B. Nixon, director of Leyland Motors, Ltd., and dealing with the advisability of scrapping the trams, the BI 4 author's name should have appeared as "Mr. C. B. Moon." We can only blame our own handwriting for an entirely unjustifiable error.

Dunlop Passes.

The death of John Boyd Dunlop at Belfast on Monday of last week removes one who has played a highly important part in the development of road trans port. It is possible to ascribe the return to the road entirely to Dunlop and his epoch-marking invention, for, as a result of the vast improvement which it effected by the reduction of road vibration, the ranks of cyclists rote from a few thousands to the millions. When the motorcar was in vented, the development of the plea.sure vehicle undoubtedly hung upon the possibility of producing a pneumatic tyro that would stand the weight and driving strains necessarily imposed by each wheel. When that problem was solved, motorcar design advanced without restraint, the development of the commercial vehicle chassis in nowise lagging, although solid tyres in their ease proved to be the more suitable. Without the coming of the pneumatic tyre—the outcome of a flash of genius—there is no saying how far road travel could have improved. Up to the 'eighties the pleasure travel on the road did not extend beyond a large group of cyclists, and a few patrons of the horsed char-iibancs.operating within a short radius of holiday resorts. J. B. Dunlop was a curious man, probably more suited to a scientific: or professional career than to a commercial life. He played a part in the early developments of the first company, but, for many years has been entirely unconnected with the vast business which has grown out of his idea. lie was fortunate to meet, in those early days, men like Du Cros, Hely and Mecrecly.

Are Attendants Necessary . on Trailers ?

Recently the Greenwich Borough Council asked the London County Council to support the introduction of legislation making it compulsory for an attendant to be placed upon all trailers to motor vehicles, in order to prevent the serious risk to life entailed by the dangerous practice of children riding thereon. This request was supported by the Bermondsey, Bethnal Green, Camberwell, Hackney, Holborn, Islington, Lewisham, Poplar, Shoreditch, Southwark and Wandsworth• Metropolitan Borough Councils, and also by the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, in reply to a request for his observations on the suggestion, • stated that " it is as common to see children hanging behind single vans as behind trailers, and the drawbar connection has led to many fatalities: if a man were specially required to keep children off trailers, he would equally be required to keep them off single wagons. It is possible that an attendant would not keep continuously alert to prevent children hanging on to his vehicle, but that, at intervals, he would attempt to frighten them away after they had hung on, and, in doing so, would produce rather than

prevent accidents. The police themselves have to exercise great care in cases where children are concerned, but the average van attendant, not having their status and responsibility, might not be so careful."

Having regard to. this expression of opinion, the L.C.C. informed the Greenwich Borough Council and the ether local authorities associated with them that it could not take action in the direction proposed.

Closing Scottish Roads.

The Ministry of Transport has given notice that four local inquiries to consider applications from county councils for the closing of roads to motor vehicles of varying weights and widths will be held at Selkirk, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Perth.

The inquiry which will be held at County Buildings Selkirk, on November 7th, deals with the prohibition of the use by locomotives and heavy motorcars of the Tibbie Shiels-Tushielaw road. The applications have been made under the provisions of the Roads Act, 1920. The Scottish Division of the C.M.U.A. has given notice of its intention to appear at each of the inquiries.

We greatly regret to hear that Mr. B. G. Panics, managing director of the British Motor Trading Corporation Co., died, after a long illness, on Thursday of last week.

Prices' Co., Ltd., of Battersea, have often been asked for a tourist's tin to hold a, full gallon of lubricant or fuel, and to meet this demand they have recently put up a container of this size These ti s will be sold at 5s. 6d. each.

Ford Body Space.

One of the criticisms levelled against Ford chassis, whether of the light .van or ton truck type, is that the frame is so foreshortened as to render necessary a considerable amount of body overhang if the owner wishes to utilize a fairly large body for use with bulky but light goods. Various devices have been brought. into being with the object of lengthening the frame. Some of these are merely extension pieces, whilst others embody additions, such as stronger springs, etc., which enable the vehicle to carry a somewhat larger load than would otherwise be possible.

Such a device is the Realorry manufactured by C.T.V., Ltd., 104, High Holborn, London, W.C. 1. The set includes a stout pressed-steel frame with its own cross-members, which is bolted to the Ford frame proper. It is considerably wider than the latter and is also much longer. It is provided with two semi-elliptic springs which replace the Ford single transverse spring, these springs being held to the Ford axle by special. clamps, which are said to strengthen. the joints in the axle hous ing. It is claimed that these springs will stand an overload of 50 per cent., and that they are long enough to give easy riding. In order to stand this extra load a special truss rod is fitted under the Ford axle.

One advantage is that the Ford frame does not have another super-imposed, and, therefore, the loading height of the body is not increased, whilst in other respects the well-known features of the Ford are retained.

An outfit suitable for the Ford van is priced at £20, and that for the ton track at 230.

A Satisfied User of Large Pneumatics.

The illustration which we reproduce at the bottom of this page shows a Garford lorry equipped with Goodyear giant pneumatic tyres of 36 in. by 6 in. dimensions. This vehicle was purchased by Mr. A. E. Hodson, a manufacturing confectioner of Nottingham, from A. R. Atkey, Ltd., of that city, in July, 1920, and up to the present it has covered 14,689 miles without any tyre troubles whatever. It says much for the great saving in maintenance which is claimed to be effected by pneumatics, that the vehicle has never been in dock for repairs of any description. The average petrol consumption of the vehicle works out at 14 m.p.g., and the load carried daily is between 30 and 35 cwt. of bottled sweets and other confectionery goods.

Mr. Hodson finds that by the use of pneumatics he is able to do away with a considerable amount of packing; moreover, he has not had any breakages or sustained any loss in damage to goods. The journeys which are made embrace Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, the Potteries, etc., and the owner of the vehicle says that the fact that more deliveries and more miles are covered per day is largely due to the use of pneumatic tyres.

A Bowser Book.

Messrs. S. F. Bowser and Co., 32, Vietoria Street, London, S.W., have recently compiled an interesting brochure showing the various up-to-date garages throughout the country. The first inns

tration in the booklet shows the first kerb-side pump installed in the United Kingdom by Messrs. Legg and Co., of Shrewsbury, and a close perusal of the other pictures will show how quitikly the up-to-date garage proprietors of Pte country are installing equipment of this kind.

The book is largely made up of a series of pictures, amongst which are shown the systems adopted by several large users. Suggested arrangements for various types of filling stations are also given.

Gloucester's ',Refuse Transport.

In regard to house refuse collection in Gloucester, Major Carter, the City Surveybr, says the vehicles mostly used are horse-drawn. Petrol vehicleshad not been a great success financially. Eketries were making town work a field of their own, and were proving especially valuable for the collection, of house refuse.

A factor which entered largely into the question of horse and mechanical vehicles was, says the suryeyor, the length of haul to the dump. For a short haul horses could still hold their own, but the modern tendency was for hauls to get longer and longer, as people were gradually getting less tolerant of refuse being disposed of in their. midst. or near them.

Canadian Imports.

According to a report of H.M. Trade Commissioner in Canada and Newfoundland during the year ended March 31st last, 1,706 commercial motor vehicles, to the value of 3,579,000 dollars, were im ported into Canada. Motor vehicle parts to the value of 11,760,000 dollars were also imported, but a great proportion of these were requaed for the 5,926 passenger cars Which were imported during the same period. In all three classes practically the whole amount is made up of vehicles and components of United States manufacture, the total imports from the United Kingdom only amounting to 184,000 dollars.

British manufacturers find it difficult to compete 'with American products, owing to the differences in cost of production, and even where a purchaser is sometimes willing to buy a British vehicle at a higher figure, he is often deterred by the difficulty which may •be experienced in obtaining spare. parts.

Barimar, Ltd., have sent us a copy of the waistcoat pocket edition) of 'The Welding Test.' It is fully illustrated, and comprises 16 pages of condensed data relating to scientific welding. A free copy can be obtained from 10, Poland Street. London, W. I.

East African Roads.

With the exception of Uganda, East Africa can be said to possess no road system. Most of the feeder traffic to the railways in litaiya and Tanganyika territory is effected by ox-wagons over rough tracks. Roads, as they are generally understood, exist in the towns only, though they are yearly increasing in Kenya, and it is now just possible to run motor vehicles is the dry season from Nairobi to Kampala. Transport by oxen, however, is bound to do most of the feeding to the railway from the agricultural districts for some time to come.

In Uganda, on the contrary, there is a good network of roads, which is partially due to the, lack of railway facilities, which encourages Government and private mechanical transport enterprise. It is interesting to note that experiments are being made with the Stronach. Dutton road-rail system of transporting in Uganda., the Government having built a 50-mile line from Kampala to tap a large cotton district, If this trial proves successful other lines are bound to follow at an early date.

New Inst.A.E. Centre.

The newly-formed Loughborough Graduates Brands of the Inatitution of Automobile Engineers held their first meeting recently, when a valuable paper was given ori Efficiency Tests ôfa Sixcylinder Aero . Engine" by Mr. W. P. Johnson,-the president of the institution being in the chair. Mr.Johnson. gave particulars of tests taken with an indicate'. fitted to all the cylinders, a, card being taken, from all the cylinders as nearly, simultaneously as possible. The attendance at the,mceting amounted to 107, •which gives promise that the new branch will be a most active one.

Canada. GetsHuge Order.

The Shanghai Motor Co.,a concern subsidized by the 'Chinese Government, has placed an Order with the Multnomah Meter Co./ of Vancouver. B.C., for 3,300 lorries. The value of this order exceeds 2,000,000, and is considered the largest single order for motor vehicles

ever issued by Asia. The lorries are to be used over the transport systems based on Shanghai and Hong Kong. Before this company got the order, it sent an expert to China to survey the country over which the vehicles Will operate. He found that much of the area was devoid of roads, as we know them, and the result was that he designed a special vehicle for the purpose.

This will be a 30 cwt. lorry, with a very narrow track, capable of negotiating the rough up-country trails over which it will run. It is claimed that the narrowness of the chassis will not interfere with ease in turning, nor will it interfere with the lorry's loading capacity. The Multnomah plant at Vancouver is being enlarged to cope with this order. The first shipment leaves for Shanghai on December 1st, and the remaining vehicles will follow at the rate of 150 a month for 21 months.

For Increasing Yotir M.P.G.

• We have recevied from Messrs. J. W. Pickavant and Co., Ltd., Quikko Works, Lombard Street, Birmingham, a neat little folder which fully illustrates and describes the Hollings easy starter and petrol economizer. This "neat little gadget," as it is accurately described, is suitable for all types of motort vehicles, and it is claimed to start the engine easily, give more m.p.g., greater power on hills and less carbonization. Those Interested. should apply for a copy of the folder to the address given above.

Efficiency Meetings.

-• The first meeting of the seventh ses.3ion of efficiencymeetings was held on October 18th at the L.G.O.C. Training School, -Milman's Street, Chelsea; Mr. H. E. Blain, C.B.E., assistant managing director, presiding over an attendance of upwards of 400 members of the administrative and control staffs of• the allied companies. The paper on this occasion, ," The Cinema in Transportation," was read by Mr. L. Findlater,. superintendentof employment, training and catering, L.G.O.C. The paper showed how the cinema can be employed as an aid to transportation, and also dealt with the origin and development of the cinema.

Tractors in Morocco.

His Majesty's Agent and Consul General at Tangier (Sir Herbert E. White, K.C.M.G.) reports to the Department of Overseas Trade that, by an " Arrete Viziriel " dated September 24th, it was decreed that the application of the bonus of 60 francs per hectare for the cultivation of land by motor traction, which was authorized on Septeinber 15th, 1920, with a view to encouraging this mode of cultivation, should be extended to December 31st, 1921.

New London-Southend Road.

Negotiations between the local authorities, private owners, Ministry of Health and others interested in the construction of the new arterial road between the Metropolis and Southend are said to be nearly completed. So far as the London County Council is concerned, the scheme can be proceeded with right away, for the land belonging to them, through which the new road will pass, was promised some time ago. The Essex County Council is the local authority chiefly affected, and it will be in a position to co-operate at an early date in the construction of the new road, which will be 40 miles in length, will cost approximately .3,000,000, and give immediate employment to 12,000-15,000 labourers.

Leicester's New Ambulance.

The illustrations on this page show an ambulance which has just been delivered to the Leicestershire centre of the St. John Ambulance Association by Messrs. W. Wright and Son, of 265-273, Melton Road, Leicester, who are rasponsible for the bodywork, which is., erected on a Siddeley-Deasy chassis. The body is of mahogany panels lined with three-ply. The interior is provided with slides and slings for the accommodation of two stretchers on one side and a seat on the other., Alderman W. S. Lovell, the chairman and treasurer of the committee., who per. formed the inauguration ceremony when the vehicle was delivered, referred briefly to the facilities for ambulance removal in the past.In 1885, he said, hand ambulances were stationed at different points in Leicester. A year later

The Brewers' Exhibition.

There are several commercial motor vehicle and allied manufacturers exhibiting at the Brewers' Exhibition which opened on October 29th and remains open until November 4th. They are Agricultural and General Engineers, i ad. ; W. Allchin,. Ltd.; Carrosserie Latyriter, Ltd. ; Fodens, Ltd..; Henry Garner, Ltd.; Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd. ; Raneomes, Siths and Jefferies, Ltd.; Sentinel Waggon Works (1929), Ltd., and Slough Lorries and Components, Ltd.

We are unable to refer to the exhibits of these concerns in this issue, but we presume that they will, in most cases, be standard productions. If, during the course of a visit which we shall make, we find there are any deviations from standard practice, we shall include details for the benefit of our readers in our next issue.

Fifty Yorkshires for One User.

Manufacturers who can claim to have sold 50 vehicles to any one user are fully justified in taking a considerable amount of pride in this achievement.

Amongst the few who can claim this distinction are the Yorkshire Commercial Motor Co., who have sold over 50 of their steam wagons to Shell-Mex, Ltd., and the illustration which we include on this page shows the 50th vehicle about to leave the work.; at Leeds.

It has a 1,000-gallon tank for the carvying of fuel oil. We understand that similar wagons are giving the most satis factory service in the same capacity. '

Owing to its construction, the York. shire wagon is particularly suitable for this purpose, the positioning of the boiler and of the vertical engine permitting a long platform with ai comparatively short overhang, and, in addition, the load is more evenly distributed over the two axles than in some other types. The wagon is provided with a thaeespeed gear, the sliding pinions being mounted on a square on the crankshaft and driving through to the second motion shaft ; thence the drive is by roller c.hain to the enclosed differential on the rear axle.

Salford Corporation Buses.

The annual report of the Salford Corporation Tramways Department gives the following details of the motorbus services :—Bus miles run, 47,969; passengers carried. 422,312; percentage of working expenses to receipts, 81 per cent. ; average traffic revenue per mile, 19.837d.; average bus miles per day per bus, 97; average speed per hour, 6.53; average bus hours per day, 16; average working expenses per bus mile, 16.130d.; average fare per passenger, 2.253d.; average number of passengers per bus mile, 8.80.

Prospects in East Africa.

It is commonly said that, in proportion to its white population, British East Africa is the largest user of mechanical transport in the world; and, according to the report of H.M. Trade Commissioner for 1921, which has just been issued, the popular makes are the Ford and Chevrolet I ton trucks. With the exception of Uganda, where modern roads add to the popularity and use of 3 ton lorries, practically all of British make, there are no

roads outside the towns in East Africa, that can be traversed advantageously by a heavier vehicle than a 1 termer. In the rainy season these roads are often tendered impassable. Transport in the cauntry districts is at present, and ;will continue to be for some time, by oxdrawn wagon.

The predominant, need of East Africa would seem, to be at present for a light general utility vehicle of high clearance, for which spare parts must be readily available. Appearance counts for little if utility can be guaranteed.

_ New Newcastle_ Coast Road.

At a conference of representatives of local authorities on the north bank of the Tyne, held at Newcastle a few days ago, the question of a new road from Newcastle to the coast which, if constructed would cover a large and important industrial area, was discussed, and it was decided to form a committee of representatives of the councils concerned to consider details of the scheme.

Mr. W. J. Steele (City Engineer) said the scheme would affect Wallsend, Long. benton, Tynemouth, and Earlserm Councils, and the cost would he borne lry the authorities; making the road. The greatest cost would fall on the first-named council.

The chairman of the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton Council mentioned that an official of the Ministry of Transport' had informed him that the money allocated to the north for roads had been absorbed. There might be, however, more funds available in the immediate future.

Leyland Buses for Preston.

Preston Corporation Tramways Committee recommends acceptance of the tenders of Leyland Meters, Ltd.,. for the supply of three motorbus chassis for , £3,340 10s., and the English Electric Co.. Ltd., of Preston, for three bus bodies for £1,425.

New Service for Bradford..

Bradford Corporation Licensing Cone: mittee raises no objection to a proposal for a motorbus service between Lidget Green and Clayton Moor, subject to the promoter giving undertakings to the satisfaction of the town clerk safeguarding the interests of the corporation„as tramway undertakers.

Canadian Agriculture.

The importance of Canada as a-Market for agricultural implements is growing rapidly. It is true that. Canadian manlu. facturers are meeting much of the demand for implements of this description, but certain • of these factories are branches of parent. concerns in the United States, and in some cases it Would be more accurate • to say that the machines are assembled and not made in Canada.

Iii the report for August on the conditions and prospects of British trade in Canada, H.M. Trade Commissioner says that he does not know of any other trade which is so obviously and essentially bound up with Canada's future, for the Dominion must always take a leading place amongst the agricultural producers of the world. He says that if United Kingdom manufacturers do not make .a really strenuous effort. now to .secure a share .of the trade they will lose the opportunity for ever.

During the 12 Months ended March 31st 11,402 'traction engines for farm purposes were imported into Canada, to the value of 10,160.949 dollars, and daring time same perOed spare parts for these engines, to the value of 1,871,647 dollars, were imported., and every cent of these huge totals went to the 'United States.

-These figures speak. for themselves, and surely are sufficiently large tocause British manufacturers to consider seriously the possibilities of the. Canadian market.

A Contract for Rollers. •

• The Reads and Bridges Committee of the West Sussex County' Council is iiiViting tenders far. the supply, on hire, of steam.rollerg for work'during the season eliding Niel-eh 31st, 1923. Conditions of elertract• and forms, Of tender may be obtained upon application to the County Surveyor: at North. Street, Horsham. Aptilications Marked !` Tenders for Steam Rolling" must be received not later than November 21st next.

The Associated Equipment CO., Ltd., inform us that the British Ex-Officers' Travel 'Association have placed an order for sik ALEC. limousine motor roaches similar to that shown by the company ateOlympia.

Local Proceedings.

Lichfield R.D.C. requires a one ton Ford lorry.

The question of purchasing a motor tipping wagon is under the consideration of Meltham U.D.C.

A motor vehicle is required by the Executive of the Winsley Sanatorium at Bradford-on-Avon.

West Bridgford U.D.C. requires a new bus to replace two reserve vehicles which are to be disposed of. Messrs. Bobey and Co. have successfully tendered to the Enfield U.D.C. to supply a 5 ton steam-wagon and trailer.

Baico Patents, Ltd., are to supply the Ruislip-Northwood U.D.C. with a 30 cwt. petrol tipping wagon for 2383.

Doncaster Corporation is considering the desirability of making a charge for the garaging of motors at the race meetings.

Five tenders, ranging from 22,130 to 22,575, have been received by Blyth U.D.C. for the. supply of a motor fireengine.

New Malden U.D.C. wants to borrow the 81,700 required to purchase a steam fire-engine, and is applying for the necessary sanction.

A recommendation to purchase a number of motor vehicles for streeb cleansing, and two one-ton Ford wagons, will, shortly be considered by Barnsley T.C.

Bridlington Corporation Highways Committee recommends the purchase of a 5 ton Clayton steam-wagon and two 3 ton side-tipping trailers at a cost of 21,400.

South Shields Corporation has arranged to discuss with the South Shields Rural District Council a proposal for a motor omnibus service to Boldon Colliery.

Having had complaint s about excessive motor speeds through the city, the Chester Watch Committee has asked the Chief Constable to see that the -speed limits are observed.

Wallasey Corporation has asked Its tramway committee to consider the possibility of providing motorbus services to meet traffic needs whilst the New Brighton ferry is under repair.

Halifax Corporation Tramways Committee has referred the question . of special rates of charges for the carriage of a large number of parcels to the chairman and tramways manager with power to act. The Ryton Council has accepted delivery of a new Ford motor ambulance.

Swansea Corporation is providing a garage for electric vehicles at a cost of 21,877.

Pontypool Urban District Council is getting a loan of 2290 so that it can purchase a motor lorry.

Llanelly Town Council has obtained pet-mission to borrow 21,352 for the purchase of two motor lorries.

Swansea Corporation Stores Committee has accepted the tender of Messrs. Hill and Bennett of 4s. 3d. per ton for haulage of tar macadam.

Aberdeen Corporation is proposing to secure Parliamentary powers to enable it to establish motorbus services, Huddersfield Corporation has asked the tramways manager to make arrangements for a motorbus service to Kirkheaton.

Blackpool Corporation has authorized the parks superintendent to obtain tenders for the supply of a motor lorry for the parks department.

For the purposse of alleviating unemployment, „Sedgefield Council is seeking permission to raise a loan of 210,000 for the construction of a new road between Trinodon Colliery and Trimdon Grange.

Buses for South Shields.

South Shields Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted the tender of J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., subject to the firm being able to satisfy the tramway's manager as to time for delivery, for the supply of three chassis of 40 h.p. at a cost of 2893 each. In all 18 tenders were received.

In regard to bodies, further information was sought from the English Electrical Car Co., in regard to the tender of 2460, whilst Christopher Dodson, Ltd., were. asked if they would depart from their standard frarne and supply teak framing instead. Messrs. Dodson would not deviate from the specification, but the English Electrisal Car Co. offered to provide teak frames at the price of 2 II per. car, which was accepted.

Workmen's Buses.

Halifax Corporation Tramways Committee has decided for a period of six months to run workmen's motorbuses, as an experiment, to Siddal, An experimental workmen's service of trackless cars is to be run to Wainstalls.

We learn that Mr, Charles R. Clark has resigned his position with Whiting, Ltd.