News and Comment.
Page 10
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The authority, circulation and influence of this journal rest upon facts.
Are the brakes on all your vehicles in proper order ? See page 523.
"The Extractor" propounds an interesting prize competition on page 535, and one which we hope will be widely supported.
This journal, in conformity with the settled policy of the S.M.M.T., is not supporting the efforts to secure commercial-motor backing at the Agricultural Hall in November next.
The Coventry Chain Co., Ltd., was amongst the exhibitors who suffered the total destruction of their stand at Brussels, but this progressive company is rapidly building its duplicate exhibit for the new British section.
London Motor Mails.
The Postmaster-General invites tenders for the conveyance of letter and parcel mails, by motor-mail vans, under four separate contracts, between various London officesaind London railway stations, etc. Full particulars may be obtained from the Controller of the London Postal Service, G.P.O., E.C. and tenders must be lodged on or before Thursday the 15th inst. Contractors will be required to submit terms for a five years' contract, or for a seven years' contract, or for both.
"Very Little Trouble and Had No Accidents."
An interesting West-London experience is that of Messrs. E. and R. Garrould, who have a thriving business in the drapery and furnishing line at 128-130, and 150-160, Edgware Road. According to Mr. E. Garrould, his firm has been feeling its way rather cautiously with regard to motorvans for parcel delivery. Two years ago, the first van (a four-cylinder 12-14 h.p. Unic) was ordered, and it has run on an average 300 miles a week since, and " it has given us very little trouble, and had no accidents." For some years, Mr. Garrould has considered that horse delivery has been out-of-date, but, so far as fast vans go, he has found the cost of pneumatic tires more than was expected. The worst enemy of the air-filled tire is said to have been the gravel which is thrown over the streets during the winter and the spring. A second van, in the shape of a two-cylinder, 1910type, one-ton Lacre, on de Nevers solid tires, which is shown below outside the dispatch department while being loaded up in the morning, is now in service. The vehicle is fitted with a body by Bayley's, Ltd., and is smartly finished in lake and gold. It is being worked hard over a route of 60 miles or so a day.
The Albion Co., to whose new three-tom:ler we devote several earlier pages of this issue, finds that the more-conservative business houses throughout the country are following the lead of their more-progressive competitors. On the other hand, Messrs. Cooper and Co., of Glasgow. Liverpool and London, the well-known grocers and provision dealers, who ordered their first Albion van some five years ago, represent the houses who go on buying. They have just bought two more Albions, making five in all of that make, which is the best testimony possible to their faith in motor transport, and should influence others. Auxiliary Plant.
In regard to the motor lorry for the Stockport Corporation Tramways Department, tenders for which were invited in this journal's advertisement columns a fortnight ago, the tender will be decided in favour of the mostsuitable vehicle for the work, rather than upon the lowest price. The local tramways manager, Mr. A. T. Earciley, favours ample power, having regard to the hilly routes over which the service will have to be conducted_ The Winnipeg Agricultural Motor Trials.
The third series of tests for agricultural motors at Winnipeg, which commenced on the 18th July, has resulted in the following placing of the competing machines:— Class A. No. of Points.
1. 15 h.p. International Har vester ...
2. Avery Tractor class B.
1. 20 h.p. International Har vester Class C.
1. Gas Tractor (Minneapolis)...
2. International Harvester ...
3. Gas Tractor (Winnipeg) ...
4. Goold, Shapley and Muir ...
Class D.
1. J. I. Case Co.
Class E.
1. Avery Co. ... Class F.
1. J. I. Case Co.
2. Avery Co. ... :3. Homely Co. ...
In our next issue, we hope to givs tables which will show the results obtained during the various tests, together with some technical details of the competing machines. We published numerous views from the scene of the tests, three weeks ago. 306.7 275.3 329.3 354.4 350.1 334.0 274.0 267.0 269.3 356,1 291.9 280,S
Fire-Brigade Matters.
Mather and Platt, Ltd., of Salford, whose turbine pumps are used by several builders of motor fire-engines, have just declared an interim dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum.
Scotland Moving.
Glasgow's formal request for " offers " for the supply of six petrol motor (combined pump and first-aid) machines will be found on the first of our sundry-advertisement pages.
Edinburgh, to whose intentions we have also made references already, wants tenders for four petrol motor pumping engines and one petrol motor fire tender of not less than 70 h.p. The Town Clerk, Mr. Thomas Hunter, W.S., must have tenders in his hands by the 14th inst. A deposit of £2 2s. must accompany any application for a form of tender.