News of the Week.
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From " The Times " of April 12th : " 'THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR is framed on plain and practical lines. It bears every appearance of prosperity already."
Messrs. Boult, Wade and Kilburn, chartered and. international patent agents, of in and nz, Hatton Garden, E.C., who abstract the patent abridgments each week for "Trip. COMMERCIAL MOTOR," have taken additional premises in Fetter Lane.
A" Municipal Engineers' Day" has been organised by our contemporary, "The Surveyor," for Friday, May 6th, in connection with its section of the forthcoming International Building Trades' Exhibition at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington.
The Road Carrying Company, Limited, of Liverpool, which was the pioneer heavy motor traffic company in I,ancashire to undertake motor transport on any considerable scale under the 1896 Act, is now principally devoting its attention to the selling of touring cars and delivery vans, but an early renewal of its activities in the conveyance of both passengers and goods is anticipated. The prospects of success for this company will undoubtedly improve if the support of the shareholders is given to the directors. The Company's new garage in Leece Street, Liverpool, was completed last week.
Lord Stalbridge, in acknowledging the toast of " Our Railways," at the anniversary dinner of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers held last week at the Hotel Cecil, remarked that once engines were built to suit the road, but the mechanical engineer had won the day. and now he was " boss of the show," and the road was built -it> suit him. We hope the experience in railway track construction will find a parallel in the common roads of the country, for signs are not wanting that the more progressive county councils do intend to make their highways suitable for modern traffic conditions and to save the expense.
The motor cab is now an assured certainty, as those who are the moving spirits in the two companies recently announced, are practical people. The drivers of the old horsed cabs, whilst anxious to drive the latest type of public service vehicle, desire to earn their living upon the reckless " hand-to-mouth " system, which has been a source of continuous friction between the cab owners and the drivers for many years past. The men are already talking of using every possible means of opposition if taxameters or any kind of distance recorder is fitted. The horsed cab trade is in quite bad enough condition without bringing along foolishness of this kind, and the men must adapt themselves to altered conditions. In Paris and Berlin drivers and owners alike are entirely satisfied with the use of the taxameter, and in one notable case the men have petitioned for its use. Our" Laundry Trades " number will be published on May tith, and will contain a mass of up-to-date information about delivery vans and lorries.
• The fact that eVe.ral hiring Carr.: panics are in course of formation to undertake the work of motor •jobmasters has to be noted.
The genesis of these proposals is found in our own references to the scope that exists for travellers' broughams and delivery vans propelled by mechanical power.
Messrs. Thomycroft's order for the service in Malta, referred to in our issue of April 6th, has been increaSed by another three double-deck omnibuses, making seven vehicles in all.
The Ivel agricultural motor was in evidence last week at Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea, when a demonstration was given to the leading farmers of the district. Mr. Dan Albone and Mr. A. Hoffmann represented the makers.
The total of motorcars registered by the London County Council has now reached 9,800. When, 9,999 is reached, no more numbers will be allotted with the index letter " A." The new identification mark will include the letters " L.C.," which are appropriate to the area.
Invitations to attend a conference at the Westminster City Hall, at 5 p.m. on May 19th, have been issued by the Metropolitan Paving Committee for the purpose of considering what steps can be taken to protect traders and the public against the breaking-open of streets by the PostmasterGeneral and public companies.
Mr. Frank Sumner, M.instr.C.E., borough engineer and surveyor of ‘Voolwich, was appointed chief engineer to the Corporation of the City of London at the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on the 13th instant. Mr. Sumner will accordingly succeed Mr. D. J. Ross, who, it may be remarked, uses four motor vehicles for the sanitary service of the City streets.
The prospectus of Tangent Wheels, Limited, 36, Aldersgate Street, E.C., is ready for issue, and offers 33,000 ordinary shares of Lt each out of an authorised capital of ;/:,5o,000. The object of the company is to acquire the British rights to manufacture Tangent Spoke Wheels, Resilient Truck and Trolley Wheels, and resilient motor wheels under an agreement with the Gare Patent Tyre and Wheel Co., Ltd. The value of these wheels, which combine rubber, wood and rubber solution in their construction, has been demonstrated during the last two years, and the company, which will pay only ..125 of the preliminary expenses, merits support. 17,000 shares and -,68,000 in cash are to be paid to the Vendor Company, which has developed the several wheels to their present stage of practical application for motor omnibuses and lorries.
A correspondent of the " Daily Express " voices a need for better bus accommodation between the dillerent terminal stations in London. There are horsed bus services at present plying from Euston, St. Pancras, and King's Cross to Charing Cross, Victoria, and Waterloo, bu, only at long intervals, and. by somewhat roundabout routes.
The Great Southern and Western Railway Company of Ireland consider that they have hit upon a happy idea in sending to England a jaunting car with a pictorial advertisement supported from the well. This outside car will be driven round the principal manufacturingdistricts in the North of England, and should prove an attraction.
A Motor Traffic Company, whose aim is to provide an eflicient service for the three northern counties of Scotland, has been formed at Golspie for the conveyance of passengers, mails, and goods. At the southern end of the country, the North British Railway Company has decided ;o establish a service of motorcars between their stations at North Berwick and GuIlene.
The opening function of the Isle of Wight motor omnibus service, which is illustrated on pages 126-127, was admirably performed by Lady Adela Cochrane, of Carisbrooke Castle, who has written to us explaining how she has had this project in mind for several years. As Nki f e of the DeputyGovernor of the island, Lady Cochrane's interest has greatly aided the undertaking, which should have a prosperous future in view of the abnormal taste for locomotion which characterises the inhabitants of the island. It is a remarkable fact that the country people visit such towns as Newchurch and Cowes in great numbers, especially on Saturdays, and this trait should be turned to good account by the company who are running the cervice.
Messrs. Meade-King and Robinson, of Oldhall Street, Liverpool, have for some years been importing motor spirit, and are now developing the trade under the registered brand "Giant," which is so often seen nowadays. They are taking special interest in the heavy vehicle movement, and are supplying the spirit in steel casks and various other packages to suit the convenience of customers. We are pleased to see that the basis of supply and distribution is a wide one, for it is a distinct advantage to users to have a number of experienced concerns ready to cater for their growing requirements. When it is remembered that the consumption of petroleum spirit for London's motor omnibus service will reach some 12,000 gallons a day by the early months of next year, the necessity for stead," preparation is obvious. The Gas Lighting Improvement Co., Ltd., and. Messrs. Carless, Cape! and Leonard are also movingvery strongly in this matter of Eastern motor spirit.