WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage it by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crosier.
L.G.O.C. Report.
The report of lie directors oI the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., for the year ending December 31st last shows an increase of £553 in traffic receipts, an increase of £24,490 in expenditure, an increase of £52,065 in the receipts for rents, advertising, interest, etc., a decrease of £8,452 in expenditure on interest., rentals, other fixed charges, and an increase in the net income of £36481. The traffic receipts totalled £7,501,425 (into this figure the operation of the common fund, affecting the whole of the Underground group, enters) ; the expenditure was £6,960,572; the miscellaneous receipts (chiefly the advertisement revenue) were L235.617; the total net income was £776,470, from which £144,021 interest, rentals and othercharges have to be deducted, leaving a profit of £632,449. There was brought forward from the previous year's accounts £67,928. The sum of 2375,000 is appropriated to reserve, and -outof the available balance of /.1325,377 dividends totalling 8 per cent, free of income tax have been paid or recommended, and 71,762 remaine to be carried forward.
Liverpool C.M.U,A. Annual Meeting.
Speaking at the fifth annual general meeting of the Liverpool Area Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Assn. dation held on February 14th. Mr. L. H. Hall, the chairman, said that at the last annual general meeting reference was made to the need for a federation of haulage associations. One or two meetings had been held in the Liverpool district with a view to ascertaining if such an amalgamation were possible, but, so far, he regretted to say, no solution had been found, because of the difficulty of reconciling varying interests. Personally, he thought it was a very important matter, and that, sooner or later they would have to get. together for the benefit of everybody concerned. He would like to see more members taking an interest in the workings of the Association.
The following gentlemen were reelected to the committee :—Messrs. Edwards, Williams, Lake, Jones, Taylor, and Snow.
The annual report stated that last year did not bring about that renewal of prosperity in road transport for which all had been hoping, but there were now indications of a general and all-round improvement taking place.
The scheme for providing an improved eater supply for steana wagons was well :deemed, and it was expected that a thoroughly satisfactory system would shortly he introdueed.
The plan of giving each member three free legal defences, or an unlimited number for an extra subscription, was found to be unworkable, partly because it was too expensive and partly because too much time and energy were wasted on trivial cases. Members are now entitled to free legal defence in an unlimited number of cases, provided they are capable of being contested. Dnring the year 1022 the Associat;on defended 85 cases in the Liverpool area.
Bl8 The condition of, and the transport facilities at, various bridges have been engaging the committee's attention and have been brought to the notice of the authorities concerned. These include Menai Bridge, Sutton Weaver and Acton Bridges, and the Crowle Wharf and New Bridges. The condition of roarla in Wallasey and the Liverpool Dock roads had also received very neces sary. attention. • Seeking Road-closing Order.
Stockton Town Council is to apply to the Ministry of Transport for an order prohibiting or restricting the use of heavy motor vehicles over a number of roads in the district. -It is intended, however, that the roads shall still be open to vehicles engaged in work on the land, or those which are utilized in conveying commodities to houses adjoining the thoroughfares.
Assisting Road Users.
The Bridgend Urban District Council has permitted Mr. H. Gosling to inaugurate a new bus service between Wick and Bridgend, and has adopted and will put into execution a scheme of the Public Works Committee for standards and signs to be erected throughout the area to direct traffic and warn road users of dangerous corner approaches.
French Trial of Electrics.
It is stated that the Union des Syndicate de PElectricite, of 25, Boulevard Malesherbes, Paris, is holding a trial of electric vehicles in connection with the French Automobile Club and the Society of French Motor Manufacturers, in ordei to popularize the use of electric motor vehicles. The suggestion is to organize a reliability trial, both for industrial and touring _vehicles, from September 15th to 30th, which, it is understood, will be confined to vehicles of French manufac ture.
New Lancashire-Yorkshire Road.
At a meeting of the Liverpool Chantbee of Trade a few days ago the chairman referred to the project for a new trunk road from Liverpool to East Lancashire and West Yorkshire, and added that a monopoly of carriage was always a source of danger to trade in general. All the trade associations, v:ith the exception of the railway companies and cart owners, were unanimously of opinion that such a road was essential to the interests and development of the trade of the districts concerned.
The opinion of the Chamber was that the railway companies would not suffer in the long run, but, on the contrary, would benefit. by the increase of trade coming through the port for short-distance haulage when time was a vital question. At present no road approaching Liverpool could be said to be reasonably suitable for heavy motor traffic, a factor which he considered had a detrimental influence on the commercial development of the city. He added that the Mersey Dock Board fully concurred in that opinion.
A Ford Australian Factory ?
According to a report from Melbourne it is rumoured that a Ford factory is to be erected at Newcastle, New South Wales in close proximity to a steel manufacturer's works.
Single-deckers for Blackpool;
Blackpool Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted the tenders of Tilling-Stevens. Motors, Ltd., for -three 40 h.p. motorbus chassis and of Messrs. Batteraby and Son for the construction of three 30-seater bus bodies.
Overloaded Vehicles.
Finding that much road clainag4 is due to the overloading of vehicles, the Ayrshire County Council is considering the advisability of installing weighing machines at suitable points.
A.E.C. Orders.
After a prolonged test of a 54-seater double-deck S-type bus, the Birmingham Corporation has placed an order with the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., for a fleet of 12 vehicles. The company have also received orders for seven A.E.C.s for use in South Wales, and for a further small fleet of S-types for Barcelona.
One-way Traffic.
The question of cong-estion of street traffic at Newporthas become acute, and has been discussed by the local council and by the chamber of trade. The latter body has evolved a scheme for' submission to the council whereby, it is hoped, matters may be bettered.
To relieve congestion in streets near the Provision Market, it is suggested that traffic should be allowed to .come into Market Street and Griffin Street only at one end in each case, the other ends to be used as traffic exits.
In the matter of the council's decision to divert the traffic on the Cardiff Road to Dock Street via Ebenezer Terrace, the chamber of trade suggest that Dock Street should be widened.
A Long-lived "Star."
The Star Engineering Co., Ltd., Frederick Street, Wolverhampton, recently received a letter of considerable interest from the owner of a Star vehicle, Mr. G. S. Thompson, of Warkworth, Northumberland.
Mr. Thompson purchased his 12 h.p. four-cylinder Star van about the beginning of 1912, and in March, 1913, particulars a his work with this vehicle were included in our series of articles entitled, "What Users Tell Us.' Mr. Thompson has been using the vehicle ever since that time, and it is still 'running well. . The only renewal has been a ball race on the driving shaft, and this in spite of the fact that the machine is now over ten years old. It is certainly a remarkable testimony to the quality ofthe materials employed in, and the design of, even the earlier Star vehicles.
The Carriage of Bars and Girders. The transportation on motor vehicles of awkward loads such as baulks of imber, steel bars, long girders and the like is a problem which, with complete iegard for the law, cannot, be entirely solved. Strictly speaking, the law regards any load carried for the time being as forming a part of the vehicle itself from the standpoint of the overall length of vehicle to be permitted and -the amount of overhang permissible behind the back axle.
If the whole load consists of long bars or' timbers, then the only way to endeavour to keep so far as possible within
the law is to carry the load on a slant, the forward ends projecting diagonally upwards over the bonnet. If, however, only a portion a the load is of this character, the remainder consisting, say, of general engineering supplies, at least a partial solution is that which has been adopted by Messrs. Dunlop and Rankin, of Leeds, on their A.E.C. lorry. It will be observed in the accompanying illustration that on this vehicle the dash has been cut away so that the forward ends of bars or girders laid straight fore and aft in the oody—when fitted—will protrude through the dash and, if necessary, right out to the forward end of the vehicle.
One of the results of carrying the load in this way must apparently be a certain sacrifice of engine accessibility for the time being. Nevertheless, the idea is an ingeniouvone, and may well commend iiaelf to certain other users who are faced with a somewhat similar problem.
An Economy Committee at Work.
An economy committee of the Sheffield Corporation Las prepared a scheme for saving £1,200 per annum by reorganizing the motor services of the various corporation departments.
Blackpool Taxi Fares, Blackpool Watch Committee has considered the question of reducing the hackney carriage fares to is. 6d. per mile irrespective of the number of passengers carried, but deferred the matter to the next meeting.
The Welsh Bus Dispute.
At a meeting of the 13edwas and Machen Council the omnibus committee's report was considered. This report. showed that a deputation had been received from the local chamber of trade, the ratepayers' association, and other bodies, who had discussed with the committee the question of the dispute over the bus running with the Caerphilly Council.
The deputation had expressed satisfactier' with the Bedwas council case, and promised support for the defence in the Chancery action to be instituted by the Caerphilly council to restrain the Beclwas council from running its 'service in the Caerphilly area.
Contract Haulage Cheaper.
Two traction engines with trailers were purchased by the Metropolitan Asylums Board to meet difficulties arising out of war conditions, for the haulage of supplies from Dartford. Now the Board reports that it is more economical to do the haulage by contract, and it is, therefore, proposed to sell the tractors.
Protection Against Competition.
Blackpool Corporation Tramways Committee has asked the Parliamentary Committee to insert a protective clause in the Thornton Improvement Bill now before Parliament relative to the running of motorbuses, and particularly in competition with the corporation's buses in Victoria Road, from Thornton Station to Cleneleys and the Blackpool and Fleetwood tram service.
Profitable Motorbuses.
The annual meeting of the Tocia Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., was held at Garn, North Wales, a few days ago. The report for last year showed a very satisfactory position. The receipts in fares alone were £6,579 19s. 8d., and a dividend of 7i per cent, has been paid. When it is realized that the company has paid for all the motorbuses that were added to the fleet during the year.
Petrol Pump Precautions.
Wolverhampton Watch Committee has sanctioned petrol pumps in streets, subject to payment of two guineas per annum; to the position of each pump being approved; to the corporation being freed from any liability in respect of accident or damage caused by the pumps being placed on the footways; and t,o the pumps being removed on 48 hours' notice if they should, in the opinion of the corporation, prove to be a nuisance.
Cheshire .County Roads.
The cost of the main roads in the county formed ene subject of a discussion at a recent meeting of the Cheshire County Council. It would appear that the roads are deteriorating •badly, and that better methods are needed to maintabs them in a proper state-of repair. -.In the course of the discussion sense interesting figures were quoted. It wa,s stated that in 1910 the charge on the roads for that purpose in the county was 295,836, and in 1922 £217,456. The cost per head of the population in Cheshire in 1910 was 3s. 30., and in 1922 6s. 11d. Thetotal expenditure on the main roads in 1910 was £264,000, and in 1922 £667,085.
These figures are given by the chairman of the main roads committee, and reflect the need of the roads and their condition being given serious attention in order to keep them fit for use by heavy traffic, which is growing rapidly.
It is the intention of the council to experiment with rode asphalt roads between Chester and Manchester and Chester and Birkenhead, it being considered that the suggestion that concrete should be used for certain road constructional work would prove far too costly, in view of the fact that such roads cost between £15,000 and £20,000 per mile,.
A -General-purpose Body.
We illustrate on this page a Ford ton chassis which is fitted with a generalpurpose body made by Frank Allen,
Ltd., of Brigg, Lincolnshire. It, has been designed with the express purpose of meeting the needs of station bus proprietors or of -those men who carry out small mail contracts. For this reason the body is intended to serve two purposes—that is to say, it can be used for both goods and passenger transport—and with this object in view it has been arranged that the seats, which are.disposed longitudinally in the body, can be tipped up.
The body is provided with an entrance at the near side, which is intended for the use of passengers, and two wide doors at the rear, which, when open, provide ample space through which goods can be loaded or unloaded. Passengers entering at the front pass through the driver's.compartment, and to the body
interior by way of a sliding door behind the drivers compartment. The windows in the doors at the rear are made to be lowered between the inner and outer panels.
The price of the Allen general-purpose body is .£150, and this includes domed rear wings, which give the vehicle an attractive appearance, and good-quality spring cushions, which provide passengers with the maximum of comfort. It may not be out.of place to mention that the company who have designed and constructed this body have been coachbuilders since 1817.
Haulage by Steam, and Petrol.
A Leicestershire County Council report shows that last. year the costs of haulage averaged is. 6d. per ton-mile by the eightSentinel steam wagons. and Is. 9d. day the four -Mandalay petrol vehicles.
Fire. Brigade Charges.
Rotherham Corporation has instructed the town clerk to inform the Thurnscoe Parish Council that the corporation fire brigade is prepared to attend fires in the Thurescoe urban district for the suns of £10'10s. for each occasion the fire brigade is called upon, and a retaining fee of 230 per annum.
Touring Motor Coaches.
Swindon Watch Committee has granted an application by the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., for licences for three motor coaches to ply for hire as public vehicles on public tours to and from the following places and Cheddar, Stratford-on-Avon, Henley, Wye Valley, Savernake Forest, Stroud Valley, Weston-super-Mare, and Bournemouth.
Swansea Road Schemes.
The Swansea Highways Committee, after receiving a deputation of local ratepayers, has resolved that one of the first employment schemes to be put in hand shall embrace the widening of the road over Cwmbwrla bridge. This has been characterized as one of the most dangerous spots in the area.
A police census reveals that on Saturdays over 1,600 vehicles cross the bridge.
Seaside Sidecar Taxis.
At a meeting of the Worthiug Corporation Licensing Committee a letter was received from Mr. J. M. Blenkins, of 16, Hoene Terrace, inquiring whether the council was disposed to license a, sidecar -taxi to ply for hire in the borough, and stating that sidecar taxis were already licensed at Brighton, Eastbourne, .Haste ings and Bexhill-on-Sea.
The committee decided' to inform Mr. Blenkins that if formal application be made and the vehicle presented for inspection the committee will be prepared to give such application favourable consideration, and that draft by-laws be prepared by the Town Clerk fixing the rates or fares for the hire of sidecar taxis as follow :— For any distance not exceeding one is.
For every quarter-mile or portion thereof beyond the first mile, 2d.
For each four minutes or portion thereof whilst waiting, 2d.
Refuge Dangers.
The Assistant. Commissioner of Police has informed the Lambeth Council that the great objection which the police have to refuges being placed in any position other than 'between up and down streams of traffic is that a person approaching such refuge from the kerb naturally looked to the right to see if traffic were coming. Having reached the refuge, he than naturally looked to the left to sea if traffic were approaching from the opposite direction ; but, having reached the refuge, he did not, naturally, again look to the right to see if other traffic were coming from that direction, and so accidents occurred.
Accidents in the Potteries.
As a result of an increase in nonfatal and fatal streets accidents in the Potteries, the chief constable, in his report to the watch committee, appeals to drivers of road vehicles to exercise greater care, particularly in taking corners and in emerging from by-roads. He added that if slow-moving traffic would keep to the near side of the road and leave the centre free for fast-moving ‘ehicles. much better use would be made of the roads.
Fighting American Competition.
At a meeting in Birmingham a few days ago, when the National Union of Manufacturers' Midland Council discussed an address by Sir Herbert Austin, M.P., on his experience of the motor industry in America, the serious effect which the law duty on imported cars, commercial vehicles and parts has upon the British industry was. dealt with. Much discussion ensued, andit was suggested that the remedy was to make our tariff walls sufficiently high to prevent unfair competition. The following resolution was passed : "This meeting of the Midland Council of the National Union of Manufacturers desire the administrative committee of the union to call a meeting of motor manufacturers af Great Britain to see whether representation may be made to the Government that if the dutyon imported cars and parts and commercial vehicles and parts can be raised soa'S" to be effective, they will be able to concentrate on greater production, reduce the price of British manufactures, and employ substantially a larger number of workpeople."
Taking Over Private Roads.
The surveyor, to the Northallerton Rural District Council has reported that • he has inspected the rations tenures roads in the district, which cover close on five miles. The roads are situated at East Harlsey, Morton-on-Swale,
Thimbleby, Yafforth, Hanby, and Thornton-le-Beans, and, with the exception of the owner of that in the Yufforth area, all are rece:ving some exemption from the rates. The owners of the respective roads are to be asked to put them in a proper state of repair, when the council will consider euitable terms for obtaining control.
The Manchester-Liverpool Road.
We reported in our last issue that the Lancashire County Council had decided to proceed with the construction of the new main road between Liverpool and Manchester. After cloeing for press, however, we learnt that the scheme had been temporarily held up, due to the disinclination of the Manchester City Council to contribute towards the cost. The Ministry of Transport subsequently offered an additional contribution of £500,000, in order to secure Manchester's support for the scheme, but without avail. Local opinion seems to suggest that the scheme may not mature after Private' v. Municipal Enterprise.
It was stated at a meeting of the Penarth Council that the proposed Cardiff Corporation motorbus service between Cardiff and Penarth—that was to have been run in opposition to the present excellent services of private owners—will not, materialize—at least, for sonic time.
There has been considerable opposition in the local Press to the suggestion, that a municipal service should be run, against services privately owned, over a comparatively lengthy route out of the area of the municipality owning the vehicles. Opinion was expressed that the route was already well served by the companies who had exploited and enterprisingly nursed the needs of the public.
The Penarth Council, at the time, ap pealed to the Ministry of Transport to delay the projected Cardiff service until the Windsor Road, the route tentatively put forward, had been reconstructed at the part expense of the Cardiff Corporation, irs view of the use it would make of it. The Ministry decided that Cardiff, if th-e, bus service were run, wonld be partly liable for the preparation of the road.
In view of the fact that the proposed service has not materialized, the Penarth Council hae,now•deeided alone to undertake the workof 'improvement arid to reserve for adjustment the question of contribution by the Cardiff authority toWards the cost, if at any future date a motorbus service be run.
Recutting Valves and Valve Seats.
Quite a number of cutters is marketed for refacing valves and valve gears, but it, is seldom that one finds the two fine-. tons combined in the same instrument is the case with the J. and S. combined reseater for valves and valve seats, manufactured by the patentees, A. A. Jones and Shipman, Ltd., of Leicester.
The important feature of this tool is that both the valve and valve seat are trued from a single central bearing, thus ensuring a true surface at an accurate angle to the valve stem ' The method of applying the new tool can easily be seen by referring to the drawing which we reproduce. When cutting a valve seat, the cutter is locked on to a spindle provided with an operating handle, whilst, when cutting a valve, the valve stem ie passed through the cutter and is gripped by the special handle provided, so that the valve can be rotated against the cutting face. The tool is made in six eizes.
Personal Pars
Mr. W. J. Lewin, M.I.Meeb.E., is no doubt well known to many of our readers, but, for' those who have-not had the pleasure of meeting him we reprok duce his portrait on this ,page. Mr. Lewin is the enterprising and versatile general manager of the Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon iCo., Hunslet, Leeds, a poet which he has held for 10 years, although he' has been wit1i4he company' double that time, joining them as a junior draughtsman and nieunting by, consecutive steps to:his present position.
He was trained et the works of Ruston and Proctor, Ltd., at Lincoln, serving his time as a working apprentice and becoming expert. ip•turning, fitting, and work pertaining to the drawing office, leaving at the age of 26.
Mr. Lewin is a manewith big ideas, which he knows how to carry out, as is exemplified in the :latest production of the company—anew. steam wagon, which embodies a three-speed gearbox and, double-reduction final drive in a dead -axle.
• During a recent visit to Scotland we had the pleasure of renewing our acquaintance with Mr. Kenneth McLean, who joined the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., as a special representative. Mr. McLean, until he entered on his new duties; was an inspector of mechanical transport, with the rank of captain, and it was in this capacity that ho visited the Vulcan works in order to expedite delivery of some 50 Weans ordered by the War Office for service in the Ease His efforts there were so appreciated that he was asked to resign his commission and accept a position on the staff of the company. Mr. McLean is a gentleman of considerable energy, combined with a likeable personality, and we have no doubt that he is making good in his new position.
Mr. H. C. Lester, who was for many years with Dennis Bros., Ltd., after which he became connected with Wells and Mayner, Ltd., of Birmingham, is slow acting as a manufacturers' represeutative, andhe is sole agent for Dennis Bros. in the counties of Worcester and Warwick, and South Staffordshire. Mr. Lester's address is 87, Oakfield Road, Cannon Hill, Birmingham.
Avoiding a Dangerous Hill.
Vehicle drivers will be glad to learn that very shortly they will he able to avoid the notorious Kittle Hill gradient, the steepest. it is stated, in the Gower Peninsula, with its 1 in 5 elope. The Gower Rural District Council has undertaken a road scheme that will do away with this route. Plans for a 33-ft. wide Wirt° messing the Bishopsiton Road, near to the " Beaufort Arms," have already been submitted.
Road Maintenance Exemption.
plackpool Corporation Tramways Committee has had further correspondence with the Thornton Urban District Council on the subject of expenses in connection with the maintenance of roads in the district of Thornton, in consequence of tho running of buses, and ha a in. structed the town cleA to apply to the Ministry of Transport for exemption from the payment of the costs of road maintenance.
Local Proceedings.
Ossett Town Council has decided to purchase an Austin motor ambulance at a cost of £875.
Burton-on-Trent Corporation has decided to purchase a Ford chassis at £170 and a tipping body at 240.
Weymouth Fire Brigade Committee recommends the purchase of a Dennis motor fire-ermine at a cost of 21,260.
Plymouth Corporation has asked a sub-committee to report as to the desirability of providing a motor ambulance.
Nelson Town Council has asked its Tramways Committee to consider the desirability of establishing motor omnibus serviced.
Wimbledon Corporation has directed the borough surveyor to obtain from the makers prices for installing a petrol tank and pump of standard design.
Swindon Corporation has asked its Highways Committee to consider the desirability of selling an old steam wagon and purchasing a new vehicle.
Leeds Corporation Tramways Committee has empowered a sub-committee to purchase six motor omnibus chassis at a price not exceeding £500 each.
St. Andrews Town Council has decided to purchase a motor road roller at a cost of £695, it having been shown that this would prove cheaper than hiring.
The Hyburn Valley Joint Hackney Carriage Licensing Authority has called a conference at Ripponden to discuss matters regarding motorbus services.
A Nottingham County Council report shows that the cost of haulage for the year averaged 11d, per ton-mile, the vehicles used being a Foden, a Burrell with two trailers, and two Clayton s with trailers.
Spennyamor and neighbouring district councils are proposing the establishment of a joint fire brigade, with modern motor appliances. Inquiries are being made as to the cost, which has been estimated at £21,000.
Cardigan County Council has asked its Main Roads Committee to consider the provision of two motorcars for the surveyors and four motorcycles for the foremen in order to secure the better supervision of road work. Merthyr Tydfil Town Council is purchasing a road roller at a cost of about £1,000.
A sub-committee of the East Ham Corporation recommends the purchase of an Austin chassis to which an ambulance body can be fixed.
Petersfield Urban District Council is negotiating with the rural council regarding a mutual scheme for the provision of a motor fire-engine.
Camberwell Borough Council has decided to invite offers for the supply of a 1-ton chassis to which a disinfecting van body can be fitted.
Aberdeen Town Council invites tenders for the supply of four motor coach chassis and two 20-seater and two 26seater passenger bodies. Tenders have to be delivered at the Tramway Office,' Marischal Street, Aberdeen, not later than February 24th.
Consent with Condition.
Maidstone Corporation proposes to run motorbuses in the area of the Hollingbourne Rural District Council. which has signified consent on condition that the corporation agrees to contribute towards the cost of road maintenance.
Expert Inspection.
Bradford Watch Committee suggests the adoption of the principle of having hackney carriages and omnibuses examined and reported upon by an independent expert before such vehicles are submitted for the committee's inspection at the annual licensing meeting.
Hinds for Horses and Motors,
Carmarthenshire County Council recently made known to a deputation of the County Horse Vehicle Users Association, who attended and complained that the animals were not considered in the making up of .th,e roads), that a scheme has been adopted to widen all the county roads. This scheme provides for a minimum width that will permit of 14 ft,. in the centre being tarred for the use of heavy traffic, and leave room at each side for an untarred portion for use by horse vehicles.
Hartlepool Trolley-bus Scheme
The scheme for instituting trolleybuses at West Hartlepool is to go forward. This decision was reached at the last meeting of the town council, after the proposed substitution of tramcars, by railless cars, over the Foggy Furze route had been held up for several months as a result of unexpected difficulties which had been placed in the way of the scheme.
The route mentioned is the second oldest in the country, and a keen advocate of the newer mode of road locomotion remarked that the council could not hope to make its services clear of the rates with old machinery, it could not compete with 26-year-old plant.
Four buses' ordered from RaiHess, Ltd. last September would, it, was stated, have now been running but, for the difficulty in raising money. One of the obstacles encountered was the fact that the corporation was unaware, when it first considered the substitution Scheme, that a Parliamentary Bill was essential.
As an instance of the satisfactory operation of trolley-buses, the Birmingham and other systems were mentioned.
An Appeal Threat.
Despite a threat, of an appeal to the Ministry of Transport, the Swindon Watch Committee reiterates its refusal to grant the Norton Motor Services a licence for a motorbus to ply for hire between Lechdale and Swindon, '
Compulsory High Fares.
Gateshead Town Council has rejected a proposal of the Watch Committee that fares on omnibuses running over tramway routes should be identical with those charged on the tramcars: Bus fares, therefore, will continue to be double the tram fares.
Licensing Dates.
Swindon Corporation Licensing Committee recommends that in future the period for which the licences for omnibuses and hackney carriages are granted shall be from June 1st instead of January 1st, and that the annual inspection of vehicles be made in April_