ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.
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"A.K.33." (Sunbury-on-Thanies).-1Ve have sent a note to Professor John Scott asking him to notify you when his handbooks on "Motor Farming" are ready.
"Registration."—The weighing is done free of charge and by arrangement. The authorities should study your reasonable convenience as to day and hour. When you are nearly ready, write to the town clerk and make your own suggestion for the necessary appointment.
"Coventry"—Compare the two, either text or advertisements. We invite it. Again, there is no advertisement in our journal other than on a business basis. We have no occasion to make "concessions" and do not. We thank you for congratulations on our special omnibus issue. Users and others are certainly willing to give us information however they may ignore requests from others.
Dairyman" writes :—" As a retail dairyman, I should be glad of any information which would help me to decide whether motors or horses would be the most economical for working a retail dairy trade."—Reply: The proportion of time spent in paying calls is so high compared with the duration of any whole round that it will be difficult to make a motor pay. If there is a lead of five or six miles before deliveries begin, especially if the country is hilly, it is probable that two horses could be replaced by one small motor costing 4185 new. If horse and other charges totalling 56s. a week can be replaced, on the basis of the motor's doing 18o miles a week, then the mechanical vehicle may safely be introduced.
"Disgusted."—We agree with you that the Automobile Club is probably acting in ignorance of the conditions that are before it. You must admit that we have not hesitated to express our candid opinion. We differ from you in the one point that we regard it as unfair to condemn even untried and inexperienced men before they have been given the opportunity to prove what organising capacity they possess in such matters. We must remind you that we have expressed our disapproval of this "trial and error" system, which may be fraught with serious consequences for the Club officials. It is hardly right to put much blame on the Club committee ; ihe members are, not unnaturally, guided by their chief paid official. If his judgment and power of supervision turns out to be bad, doubtlessly he will be told of it.
"Royal Oak" writes :—" I am a carrier, running two horses three days a week, to and from country town is miles distant, or, roughly, too miles a week. My loads vary a great deal. I have had 35cwt. out, and have come home with only scwt. It is all according to my customers' requirements. Candidly, I fear that motor haulage is at present far too expensive for my business, although I feel that it is to he the great power of the future, and am glad to see its progress. I saw in your paper that a delivery van; to carry rocwt., will cost 44 a week to run, including everything, but my expenses for two horses are only 42 ros. a week. Further, I require a vehicle that will carry 35cwt. if necessary, and mine are very bad roads in some parts. So I think you will agree with me that as regards motor haulage for my work, well, the time is not yet ! My costs are : provender 2os., shoeing as. 6d., putting up in town 3s. 6d., driver's wages 175., and sundries—such as tyring and small repairs, painting (which I do myself), harness upkeep, traces and pole straps, and two licenses—which average out about 75. 6d."—Reply : The weekly mileage is too low to allow a motor sufficient scope to pay. Possibly our correspondent can arrange to work extra routes. lie evidently manages to carry on his business at very small expense, being in the country. The purchase of a second-hand steam lorry, for about 4200, when the load capacity would safely be three tons, and the total cost 44 res, a week, including driver, might meet this ease. It depends on the ability to secure fresh traffic, failing which, we advise "Royal Oak " to stick to his horses. The 44 first quoted includes depreciation.