WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheel of .wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by ' the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Croier.
Auto-Carriers New Capital.
The directors of Auto-Carriers (1911), Ltd., recently decided, With the sanction of H.M. Treasury, to invite subactiptions towards the 19,8:73 6 per cent. cumula, tire participating preference shares of 21 each hitherto unissued. These were offered in the first instance to existing. shareholders at par in proportion to their -present holding, and aright Was given to each shareholder to..., apply for furtliir
. shares, should any be available by leason of some shareholders ,tiot. exercising -• their right. The list. closed on 3rd'Deeember, and the issue was largely over
-, subscribed, so that the additional applications Could only be satisfied,to the extent of 57per cent. The whole of the coMpanyF; authorized capital of £50,000 is now subscribed.
. The Benevolent Fund. .
, How many designers, draughtsmen, • tracers, sales assistants; clerks and typists
• (male and female) in the commercial motor industry know that for 5s. annnally,they can be members of the dycle ai Motor•Trades Benevolent Fund? A fund which, as AS founder,•hon. secretary and hon. treasurer, MT. A. J. Wilson, 154, Clerkenwell Road, E.G., said.at the A.G.M. on Thursday last, has now ,no less than 233,296' accumulated assets, and which in the past twelve months alone.* disbursed 23655 in assisting 106 knein hers who had struck a Incise spoke in the Wheel of fortune: One man Who had only paid three contributions of five shillings each has been a pensioner solely, dependent on the Fund for some years 'now. A lucky day for him when he thought of joining—no insurance could beat this ! Mr. Ernest Brown, of the fafrions BrOwn Bros. concern, who has just vacated the position ,of'president, to be succeeded by' Sir Charles Cheers Wakefield, 'ex-Lord . Makin' 'of London, has raised nearly 23000 in trade donations during,the -last few weeks. Any of our comthercial .motor concerns whose names;arainot yet on 'the list of donors to this excellentoinstitution can send in
their contributions to swell Mr. Brown's list until the: end of this montlf.'4Tbe Fund now includes 'aircraft firms, but Only. employees on the,sales or 'administrative sides 0 of factories are eligible; mechanics have their •own sick and insurance clubs. Branches of the' Fund are • spread all over the United: Xingdomthree ,new centres have recently been instituted respectively in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Nottingham. Full particulars of the Fund and application forms for membership Will gladly be supplied on application to the hon. secretary, at the address given.
Government Tractor Work.
According to Sir R. Winfrey, in•reply to an interrogation in the Rouse of Com/WM.5, from the middle ef Mirch up to the end of November a total of 265,000 acres had been ploughed by the Government agrimotors.
The directors of Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., have .declared'a final divitlentLiat the rate of 5 per cent., and' a bonus of 1s. per share, less tax, for the year ended 30th September last.
French Army Engine Sale.
. In view of the success of the previous auction sales, two more took place ott Saturdays, 1st and 8th December, at the Ecole Militaire at Paris. In addition to a large number of motorcycles several motor engine; were shown, varying :in prices, _according tc condition, from £32 to 212. As examples, a 30 h.p. Cominer Car four-cylinder engine, with cylinders cast in pairs, on which the minimum price of £24 was fixed, realized 231 2s. in the sale. A 12 h.p. Brennabor monobloc. engine priced at £16 fetched 219, and a 15 h.p. Berliet, for' which 228 was asked; was Sold at £30. A number of gearboxes were priced at from 22 to 212, and although not many were sold, those that. were realized good prices. Back axles changed hands at prices varying from 24 to 226. A few radiators fetched from124 to 26 each, and steering' gears sold at from 22 upward. Although over 2283 worth of goods remained unsold, the sale has already realized more than £520 above the minimum prices fixed on the articles. It is now generally felt, however; that motor engineso•in particular should' be sold in a different manner from that in which cars are disposed of, as defects in the engines are not so readily discoverable by test excepting to experts, and ,the general public therefore are not quite so keen in buying. engines as cars. Yet another lot of 116 vehicles were sold on the 15th December at the Champ de Mars.
The directors' report of the Parent Tyre Co., Ltd, shows a profit for the year of 2115,658 Se. 3d., which is slightly better than tin the last few years. The sum of 2496 10s. 85. is brought forward, and the directors have made appropriations of 5 per cent. on the preference shares, 8 per cent, on the ordinary shares, and 11 per cent, on the. deferred shares, absorbing2116,058 15s. -6d., so. that a balance of 296 Os. 5d:remains to be carried forward. A dividend of 23 per cent. on the deferred shares is forecasted for the ensuing year.
Mastodon Tractor Wheel.
In transferring. an agrimotor from farm to road duty much time and trouble are very often expended -in the removal of strakes or lugs which are SO frequently utilized before the machine can be ac commodated for read travelling. The Mastodon tractor wheel, manufactured by the United States Traction Wheel Ga., -of Chicago, illustrations of which we include on this page, has been introduced with the express view 4of eliminating this wasteful expenditure of both time and labour. The special feature of the machine, it Will -be seen, is the tread, which is composed of curious-shaped Sections, somewhat resembling the foot of the Inastoclon---after which the wheel is 'appropriately named. The makers claim that this wheel will work satisfactorilyon any class of soil which is tinder cultivation by agrimotor.. and that it is altogether unnecessary to fit any form of stroke. The wheel is stated to have such a firm grip upon the soil that. the engine will Aall before the wheels will slip. Owing to its open construction the wheel does not pack the soil, but leaves it comparatively loose. As the wheel revolves each section of the tread grips the ground independently, continually creating new bases for traction. When it is required to run the machine on the road a patent sectionally-constructed road ,band is put . around the circumference of the wheel. These bands can be removed or replaced very quickly.
Our Electrical Resources.
There is evidence of interesting discussions in Germany which would indicate that a considerable amount of reliance is intended to be placed on the intensive development of electric pciwer as an agent of rapid reconstruction of the industrial prosperity of that country. A recent issue of Electric Industries" has an ab Cd0 sorbing article on this subject, which Shows that befoye the war Germany had gained undoubted economic advantage by its public encouragement of electrical science, whereas we, on the other hand, had shown gross neglect of our own opportunities.
It is urged by our contemporary that England is the most favourably situated country in the world for deriving public and private benefit from electrical pro gress. Our population is conveniently distributed, our fuel supply is much richer than that of Germany, and, moreover, is infinitely more accessible.
Millions for Mars.
Interesting information is to hand from Washington with regard to the amount which the United States Governinent will be asked to provide for the prosecution of the war. The total for the next financial year for this purpose is set out at
2,200,000,000. Of this sum, to the Signal Service, which includes aviation, is appropriated 227,2oo,ocia. The Quartermaster s Corps is allowed £4aOOOO,OOO, and under this head will come the exPenditure on motor lorries. On armoured motorcars the expenditure of £15,000,000 is contemplated. it May well be ;condluded that the American motor trade may expect a very busy time in construction for a'considerable'time to come.
Offer to Farmers.
Farmers who are anxious to make a contribution towards the ploughing. of 2,400,000 acres of 'grassland, whiCh the nation requires by next year, but who are ham-strung by difficulties inn-inner able, Will be interested in the offer which we are entitled to make an behalf of Morris, Russell and Co., Ltd., 75, Curtain Road, London, E.C. 2. They are prepared to help farmers out of their ploughing troubles. Any of our farmfhg readers who are anxious to have their land turned by traetor are invited to communicate with the company at the above address, stating acreage to be ploughed, nature of soil, and local rate of payment for ploughing, when arrangements will be completed to help them immediately. There is no restriction concerning radius from railway station. The facilities offered are not unlimited, and inquiries will be treated upon the basis of" first come; first served."
A note from Mr. J. B. Clarkson, mapaging director of Messrs. Hope Gibbons, Sons and J. B. Clarkson, Ltd., Welling-. ton, New Zealand, informs uS that this concern has now opened an office in Sydney, Australia, in order to look after the interests of the manufacturers represented in this territory.
Tractor Ploughing Figures.
Sir Richard Winfrey, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, some days ago, concerning the number of ploughing tractors in England and Wales for each Week from 6th October, the number of stares ploughed ea,z.h week, and the
aver* ploughed by each tractor,gave the. folio.wing interesting fig,nres:—
„ 24 ... 1640 .. 15908 ... 9.7 ... 8.05 Dee. 1 1660 ... 14956 ... 9.0 ... 9.00
This average is based upon the whole of the tractors in COtaIlliffili0[1_, ineloding those standing idle through had weather, repairs, or travelling from farm to farm. If only tractors actually at work were &tinted the average acreage would be
muell higher, .
He pointed out that 'as the average . acreage ploughed per week varies from
• week to week' directly in accordance with the weather conditions,. a .column has been added to the Statement showing the percentage of working hours during whichr the tractors were idle on account
of-weather." • • —
Petrol Regulations. .
The Car and General Insurance Corp. haii arranged in card:form, of a size -suit. able for the pocket or desk,-. a •Surninary of the regulations attaching to Alm use Of petrol in 'licensed motorcars, either of ithe private or commercial type, also A snritmary of the lighting regulations ap' plicable in the Metropolitan area and in the districts outside' of 'London, with a reference to the towns. Where special reghlations apply. We believe that this Summary of. the Motor Spirit ReStriCtiOns Order . and LightingRegulations, as it is entitled, is issued free, and we strongly recommend Our readers to obtain a copy from the office of the7company, 83, Pall
• Mall, London, S.W. 1. ,
_Yorkshire for Yorkshire.
. The "Mann " is a warn] favourite among, .Yorkshire steam wagon users.
On this page we show a 5-tonner—one of four-.—owned by George Hattersley and S0115, Ltd., machine makers, Northbrook Works, 'Keighley. This engine has been working for seven years, carrying supplies to the works, principally pig iron and coke, and the firm has been using
Mann vehicles for at least 18 years. To the knowledge of the present foreman, 14 engines have been purchased during
15 years, and in hiswords, there has not been a " wrong-'un " amongst them. The earlier machines had steel .tyres, but of recent years rubber tyres have been adopted, a course which was found to lead to a considerable saving in the repairs bill, added to the lives of the
vehicles, and also contributed to the comfort of the .drivers.'. Dunlop .tyres have been Used hivariabiy, and have given every satisfaction as regards mileage.
And the F.I.A.T. Went Forth.
The combination of initials, which form a word, is very common with the Italian makers, as witness F.I.A.T., S.P.A. and S.C.A.T, When the F.I.A.T. Co. was formed it was decided to adopt a title which would fully explain the nature of the business and the location of the firm, and at the same time to get such a COMbination of initials as would form a readily-remembered word. This was no easy matter, and dozens of combinations were obtained without anything sati.sfactory being arrived at.. The best corn. bination appeared to be Fabbrica Italiana Antomobili, the initials of which,ge,4ve the word " F.I.A." This was placed on the office wall, together with .a nuinber of others, with a view to soliciting suggestions from all &liners. The word" F.I.A." would probably have been adopted, but a stranger wrote after the title the word "Torino," followed by big interrogation . mark. This was a happy thought; for the factory was being established in the town of Turin and the feur initials gave the euphonious and casily pronounceable word "
Ford Tractors for ,France. .
It is stated in America that Henry Ford has offered 12,000 tractors to the French Government after 6000 haVe been completed for England.If the Offer is accepted the American market will not receive any tractors. until late in the sum mer. • .
Petrol for Tractors.
It was stated in the House of Commons some days ago by Sir Richard Winfrey Chat contracts were placed several months ago for sufficient, motor spirit to cover the estimated reqnirements of the department's tractors during the next four 'months. With regard to skilled labour for the machines, it was pointed out that arrangements are being Made to train the necessary men in ample time to man the tractors so soon as they are delivered.
Recent Registrations.
Gee Gear Co., Ltd. Capital £30,000 in £1 shares. Engineers, ate.
Ludgate, Ryder and Thomas, Ltd. Capital £100 in M_ shares. Manufacturers of motor fittings, accessories, etc.
fugate Engineering Co.:41,W. Capital 42000in shares. Manufacturers, designer§ and repairers of and dealers in internal-combustion engines, aircraft, aeronautical apparatus, etc.
Thames Side Engineering Co., Ltd.,' capital £2000 in £1 shares. To take over the engineering business of W. Miller, carried on at the Erith Motor Works, Peinbroke Road, Erith.
E. Hunt and Co., Ltd. Capital 25000 in £1 elle-Li-es. To take over the business of general motor engineers, etc., carried 01ir as E. Hunt and Co. • 2, Mellish Street, hlillWall, London,.E. Registered office, 2, Mellish Street, Millwall, E.
E.B.T. Syndicate, Ltd., with a capital of £20,000 in £1 shares, to be engineers, manufacturers of agricultural and other machinery, motor-vehicle builders, etc. Registered PffiCe is at 5, Thavie's Inn, E.C.
Ashford Aircraft Works, Ltd. Capital £10,000 in 9,750 preference shares of Li each and 5000 ordinary shares of is. each, to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in aircraft, motor vehicles, parts, batteries, etc. Registered office, Cree House, Creechurch Lane,E.C. 3.
First-aid Cabinets.
• Alfred Herbert, Ltd., of Coventry, are placing on the market first-aid cabinets suitable for use in factories such as blast furnaces, copper mills, iron mills, foundries and metal works' enabling such works to comply with the Horne Office Order of two months ago.
The cabinets are fitted with six drawers, with a compartment above them, and contain eye drops and eye pads with bandages, iodine dressings, sterilized dressings for fingers, hands and feet, banda,-,,es and other items of equipment, witi full instructions. These cabinets have been prepared in.conjunetion with Mr. C. F. Thackray, of Leeds, and Mr. Thackray's experience ia placed at the dispoSal of Alfred Herbert's customers in respect of the cabinets, and , a1s4 for haler .equipments for factories of 500 workers Or 'over.
. .
• Partnership'Dissolution.
Notice is given, of the dissolutions of the following partnerships :—(1) Between Arthur John Allen and John -Henry Coldham, carrying on business as motor garage proprietors and • engineers, at BoYetliorpe Road, ,Norwich, under the style of the Norivich Motor-Ce, All debts due to and owing. by the late firm will be received and pe,41.. by Jolin Henry Coldham; (2) 'between Charles Deane and Henry ,Fred Deane, carrying on busineas as tyre repairers, and dealers in motor accessories, at 18, Denman Place, Denman Street, Westminster., under the style of the Graham. Tyre Repairing Co. All debts due to and owing by the late firm Will be received and paid-by Charles Deane.
An interim dividend has been declared by the directors' of Messrs, Brown Bros., Ltd. on the. ordinary ,shares at the rate of 2i. per cent., free 'of income tax, in respect of the profits of the current year.
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New Roads for Transport
• Mr. • Arthur Harrison, Borough Engineer of. Southwark has prepared for the Borough Council a report on afterwar development. He declares that new main roads built primarily Inc motor transport and laid out on new lines, opening up cheap land and con. necting large markets,would probably assist Mere than any other means in developing the resources of the country. The new roads should be 'planned on. Straight lines and of a ,Nidth of 150 ft. The highways should net enter any large town, but rather puss them ,at an easy distance, and that rough land could be procured at a cheap rate.
Factories, workshops, etc., in touch with ,these roads would, with motor vehicles, be enabled to deliver their manufactures into the towns and ports direct, without frequent transhipment, and so reduce the congestion of the railways. • The roads would also be of the utmost military value.
The new roads' should be laid out without toe much regard to existing roads, but where an existing road did coincide with the line of a new road, it should be incorporated in the new road.
Roa,cls of this class would touch all grades of manufacturing and producing districts, and would provide good facilities for conveying mains, both for water and power supplies. The construction of the roads would immediately absorb practically all 'surplus labonr, and as it advanced would cause such developments to continue the absorption of labour,
Local Proceedings.
A motorvan has been loaned to the Marylebene B.C. for the collection of waste paper. Various local authorities are to make representations to the Tees Commissioners as to the necessity for providing an up-to-date fire service for the river area..
Woolwich B.C. is borrowing £1000 from the L.C.C. so that it can purshase '
,6-ton Sentinel skarn wagon for 2960, and build a shed for housing the machine, for £40.
Upon the expiration of the petrol contract for, the Lambeth Board of Guardians the &wring Petroleum Co. state
that they are making no further contract, but will supply at prices ruling on the day of delivery.
For M. and N. Schools.
A little brochure has just been issued containing notes upon technical works on meter ,mechanics for those entering the mechanical branches of the services. A copy will be sent post free on receipt of a postcard addressed to Temple Press Ltd., Technical Publishing Dept., 7-15, Resehery. Avenue, London,
E.C. I. —
The London offices• of the AngloMsxican Petroleum Co., Ltd., the Eagle Oil Transport Co., Ltd. Highways Construction, Ltd., and the Bo-wring Petroleum Co., Ltd. {Kerosene and Spirit Department), have been transferred from Finsbury Qourt to 16, Finsbury Circiis, E.C. 2.