WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The wheels 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 Crozier.
Where the Bond Operates.
We are given to understand that the Agricultural Show to be held at Belfast iron. May 29th to 30th inclusive has been approved by the Society of Motor Manufacturers anrl.Traders for the exhibition of commercial vehicles only.
Weaelso learn that the demonstration which Is being organized by -the Institute. of Cleansing Superintendents, !to take place at Margate next month, and the Congress and Exhibition at Liverpool of the Royal Sanitary Institute, to be herd in July, will not be approved as demonstrations and exhibitions under the, bond.
The September Tractor Trials.
The trials of agricultural tractors which are being organized by the S.M.M. and T. take place as already announced in these columns, near Hounslow, from September 9th to 12th inclusive. Those Who are interested in the trials and are at. all likely to enter machines for them are requested to coramuiricate with. the tractor trials organizer at the London office of the Societf.
Traffic Accidents for First Quarter . of .1924.
At -a .meeting of the London " Safety First" Council, bald a few days ago, a statement was made by Mr. Alderman .1: H. Bisgood, J.P., chairman of the council, on traffic accidents in London during the first quarter of 1924. There were 16,591 accidents during this period, made up of 175 fatal and 16,516 non-fatal, the vehicles involved in the total number of accidents being :— Mechanically propelled, 13,076; horsedrawn, 2,025; ped-al-Cycles, 1,590. There was a percentage increase of 20 in the number of accidents over the corresponding period of 1923, and, although this is serious enough in itself, the position is more acute when it is realized that the figures for the first quarter of the present year exceed thoae of the corresponding period of 1922 by 52 per cent.
A chart which the council has prepared shows in a lucid manner how the fatal accidents relating to the chief classes of motor vehicle have fluctuated during thee past ten years, and it offers conclusive proof of the value of the driving test imposed on all drivers of publicservice vehicles.
It is pleasing to note that,. notwith standing the increase in street accidents, the fatal accidents to children show a decrease, and in this connection it is appropriate to refer to the Annual Essay Colnpetition for school children organized by the council, in which nearly 200,000 children are competing this year as compared with 161,000 last year. It , is interesting to mote also that the Free: dom from Accidents Competition is also proving popular, the number of men tali
, mg part in the current i competition being 13,062, as against 10,729 n 1923. Another chart prepared by the coundl shows the fatal accident statisties in so far as they relate to the ages of the victims. It is made clear-that the proportion of fatalities to people under 15 years of age (about one-third), between 15 and 60 years of age (about one.' 820
half) and 60 years and over (about onefifth) do not vary very largely from year to year.
. Taxation ol Municipal Vehicles.
One of the anomalies of the taxation of motor vehicles is that under a certain interpretation of the, Finance Act of 1920 the duty imposed upon vehicles used by municipalities and other public
authorities for public health purposes is based on the h.p. of the engine. We believe that the S.M.M. and T. has made representations to the Ministry on this matter.
Thornycroft Preference Dividend..
The directors of J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., have decided to pay an interim dividend of 3 per cent. on the cumulative preference shares of the company in respect of the financial year ending July 31st next, less income tax at 4s. 6d. in the £1.'
Bearing Specialists.
Mr. W. B. Wilkins, who has been associated with the ball-bearing trade for a number of years, has commenced business under the name of the Bearings Service Co. with offices at Carlisle House, 8, Southampton Row, W.C.1.
As is indicated by the title of the company, they are concentrating their activities upon the supply of all makes • of ball bearings anti thrust washers, as well as Timken roller bearings, and they will make a special feature of meeting all urgent requirements with despatch.
Mr. Wilkins will be glad to hear front his many friends in the commercial vehicle world at his new address, and for the convenience of users we would inention that his telephone number is Museum 3190. • A New Speed Limit Section.
It is proposed to institute a speed limit of 12 m.p.h. for all vehicles using the New Chester Road between the Birkenhead boundary at New Ferry and Eastham. a distance of about three wiles. This is a main road section and bears a great weight of traffic bound from Liverpool and Birkenhead to North Wales, Cheshire and Staffordshire districts. Although the Bebington and Bromborough Urban District Council has fixed this speed limit, it requires ratification by the Cheshire County Couneil.
Transport and the B.R.A.
Transport, although not directly the subject of a paper read at a meeting of the Business Research Association of Great Britain a few days ago, figured prominently in some of the. speakers' remarks. Mr. W. A. Cooke, of Shootbreds, Ltd., in a paper on "Research as Applred to Business Management,". stressed the great need for-scientifiC in Trig regarding the proper sphere of the various forms of transport in the efficient conducting of a departmental store. It was also suggested that, as road transport now plays so important a part in national business, a representative of the C.M.U.A. be invited to read a .paper, o r :series of papers, dealing with the scope:.of the motor lorryin this and Other fields.
The although only in the first few weeks of its existence, promises to develop into a very virile body. At the International Advertising Convention, to be held at Wembley, July 14thal9th, its speakers will hold the platform for a. day and a half. Its members, too, will be entitled to certain privileges, including free entrance to the Exhibition during the sittings of the Convention. Mr. Sinclair Wood, 1, Arundel Street, W.C.2, the lion. secretary, will be pleased to supply information as to membership of the Association.
Traffic to Chester Races,
Traffic arrangements for the Chester races, which were held last week,' were practically the same as last year. Motor coaches, except those going into the course enclosure, were all stopped outside the centre of the city, and traffic to the course from Birkenhead and Warrington was diverted so as, to avoid congestion in the main streets of the city. The traffic from Birkenhead was directed down Canal Street, while that from Warrington proceeded to the course via George Street and Canal Street. Arrangements were made on an extensiiie Reale for the parking of vehicles, and for this purpose the lead works fields, a yard in Canal Street, the Infirmary Field, a field in Wrexham road and .fte Cattle Market were utilized.
Traffic Arrangements at Barnsley.
Barnsley Watch Committee has interviewed a deputation from the Barnsley area of the C.M.U.A. with regard to a number of apiestions affecting motor omnibus services and the allocation of stands to licensees adopting and running to an organized time-table, and the committee 'recommends that the association be asked to submit detailed proposals and time-tables showing its suggestions, in order that the committee may have an opportunity of giving the question furtherconsideratien.
Sweden wants Light Tractors: The total number of tractors in Sweden is estimated at 600, and half of this number was imported during last year. The light, cheap type of machine seems to be most preferred. A small-wheeled tractor of American manufacture is mostly in demand
A New Fire-fighting Unit.
On page 429 of this issue we illustrate an interesting little fire-fighting machine which should prove of considerable value• for use in small villages and rural areas where facilities do not alWaye exist for quickly obtaining assistance in the event of a fire.
The basis of the machine is a DuneIt motoreye'.e, the product of Diinford and Elliott (Sheffield), Ltd., of Bath Street, Birmingham, and the Carrier fitted to it is reptete with ve`rious fire-fighting apparatus:There is one large tank in ilie centre with a capacity of 25 gallons, Which contains chemical fluid for the purpose of subduing ordinary outbreaks' of fire, whilst two extinguishers situated at the front each hold three gallons of a special chemical intended for use in cases of firecaused by oil, petrol or fluids ef a similar dangerous nature. There is another extinguisher at the rear which carries three gallons of fluid simi
lar to the contents of the large tank, and this is for use in the case of an exceptionally small fire. A small C.T.C. petrol extinguisher with a capacity of one quart of chemical fluid is also carried, and this is instantaneous in action. The hose fitted to the large tank is 25 ft. long, and it will throw a jet of water for a distance of 50 ft. A strong collapsable ladder, 12 ft. in length, is also carried, and this completes the equipment of this useful fire-fighting unit,
Buses Proposed for Bradford.
No sooner has Bradford turned down the comprehensive scheme of substituting trolley-buses of a large type for the piesent tramcar service, suggested because of the expense of relaying, the tramway permanent-way, than proPosals are being made for the institution of a motorbus service. . The tramway committee of the Bradford City Council has recommended the Parliamentary Committee to apply for Parliamentary powers to run buses in the city to link up various tramway routes. The proposals put forward in support of this recommendation come somewhat strangely from quarters which have in the past put forward such strong pleas for the trolley-bus. The statement is made that on routes where only half
hourly _services are required motorbuses c-an be, more economically operated than trolley-hoses, and that the heavier capital expenditure involved' in theprovision of trackless cars is not justified.
Lorries Still to Enter Japan Free.
The import duties on most' of the commodities which were permitted to enter Japan free after the earthquake of last. September have been reinstituted. Commercial motor Vehicles. however, are proving of such value' for reconstruction work that an exception has been made in the ea.sa of lorries, parts and equipment. It is not known how long this exemption from duty will remain in force.
The Debate on Motor Taxation.
The Automobile Association has published a reprint of the official report of the very interesting debate which took place in the Ffouseof Conimons last
month, when a resolution, supported by all parties in the House, was passed in favour of a system of motor spirit taxation instead of the present lump-sum tak per vehicle. Motor-vehicle users desiring copies of this booklet should make application to the head office or any area office.
Safety of Underground Fuel Tanks.
• In his annual report, the Portsmouth inspector of weights and measures states that the increasing number of underground tanks and measuring pumps for petrOl is satisfactory from the point of view; ef safety, and the pumps, while not being "measures' its the strict sense of the word, have been treated as such,' and carefully tested and found correct within very narrow limits..
A.Motor Mower and Roller.
With reference to the motor mower and roller attachment built by. William Edgeumbe Rendle and Co., Ltd., and exhibited at the British Empire. Exhibition, We wish to point out that the name of the makers was incorrectly spelt in our mention of their exhibit. .They also draw our. attention to the feat that the machine will push mowers of from 16 ins.
• to 26 ins. cut, RD that it is useful for a large variety of work.
Parking at Darlington.
—
Whilst for some considerable time past the Darlington Town Coupcii has been fully alive to the nec'essity for providing adequate parking facilities in order to regulate the ever-increasing motorbus traffic plying in and out of the town' the question has hitherto received no definite advancement owing to the heavy expenditure necessary to make the desired arraingement At last, however' there is a promise of a definite move,' far as a preliminary the markets committee has drawn up a scheme which will both provide the parking space and assist in traffic regulation, at a cost of £1,300.
The privasal is to Construct a road-Way throngh the Leadyard from the Market Place into Feeth-on-the-Field,' the parking ground, and thereby establishing a. circular route which will permit of a constant stream of buses without causing congestion.
The scheme will come before the next meeting of the town council, and, in the meantime, the town clerk is taking counsel's opinion with respect to the council's powers in bus-licensing matters, and with respect to bus traffic generally.
Northern General Transport Report. The Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., who control a vast network of motorbus services in the North from their headquarters at Chester-k -Street, have just issued their report for the past year, which shows that the net traffic receipts, income from investments and other revenues amounted to £73,216. After deducting administration expenses and £6,945 for loan and debenture interest, and making a provision of £27,558 for renewals, there remains a sum of £32,447, to which must be added the sum of £970 brought for'ward, making a total of £33,417. The sum of £5,000 is allocated to reserve and 81,894 to a sinking fund for --the redemption of debenture stock, and after these items have been deducted, together with dividends paid on the preference and ordinary (Th.:per cent.) shares, a sum of £3,012 is carried forward.
The council of the Institute of Transport has accepted the resignation of Mr. H. Es Blain from the chairmanship of the committee, and has elected him the first honorary member of the Institute.
New " General " Garages.
Concurrently with the opening of the tube railway *extension to Edgware in July, a new meterbus garage for housing the L.G.O. Co.'s vehicles serving this district will be opened. This is now being erected on a convenient site adjoining the Edgware Station in Church Read, and is the comthencement of a scheme for the linking up of the villages within a three-mile radios of Edgware with the new tube station. Provision is being made for adequate bus facilities for the districts beyond Edgware as they develop.
Including the garages now wider construction at Hanwell, Sutton, Romford and Sideup, which will be completed during the present year, no fewer than eight new garages will have been erected within the past two years, giving accommodation for 600 buses. Plans are also being prepared for a garage at Muswell Hill.
New Thornycroft Lorries for the Dominion Express Co.
The accompanying' illustrations show the latest types of Thornycroft motor lorry used by the Dominion Express Co. (of Canada) in London and Liverpool. The important part played by the motor lorry in the operations of the company, not only in Northern America 'itself,, but in the 'British Isles, was briefly relatedggin a' 'short illustrated article which appeared in these pages
822 in October, 1920. The aim of the corapany in question (which, by the by, is closely associated with the Canadian Pacific Railway) is to encourage trade to and from Canada, and their activities are well known in London and Liverpool and other large towns in the United Kingdom, also in many parts of the Continent.
On every Canadian Pacific passenger train is attached a Dominion Express car —the Dominion Express Co. being the only company having the exclusive privilege of carrying express traffic on all lines of die C.F.R. From Europe the Dominion Express Co. operate express services from the ports of Liverpool, Southampton, Glasgow, London, Antwerp, Hamburg and Havre to all parts of Canada, Central and Western United States and the Fax East.
. The company own a fine fleet of metervans and lorries, which are used for collecting the goods and packagesof customers, and their heavily laden lorries ere A familiar night at the landing-stage at Liverpool. The European head office of the company is' at 62-65, Charing Cross, S.W.1.
Will " S.F.V.," of Kensington, who sent lie a letter which appeared on our "Drivers' " page, in our issue for May 6th, under the heading, "Useful Garage Tools and Appliances," send us his full address in order: that remittance in connection with the. contribution may be forwarded?
A Reading Bridge Closed.
The borough surveyor of Reading advises us that his town council is proceeding to rebuild Caversham Bridge which carries the Reading-Henley road ever the River Thames. The bridge is closed as from yesterday for a period of approximately 18 months, and all traffic proceeding from Reading will in future have to pass over the recently completed Reading Bridge.
It is the intention of the borough surveyor to erect a number of suitable signs indicating the best routes to 'be taken "by drivers of road vehicles. Certain routes are recommended for the use of ordinary motor vehicles, whilst there is an alternative route which must be used by vehicles over 12 ft. 6 ins, in height, as the first route passes under a low railway bridge.
Petrol in Street Sewers.
The L.C.C. Public Central Committee reports that its attention has been called by the main drainage committee to the serious danger that would be caused by the accidental discharge of petroleum spirit into the sewers in the event a a loaded petrol tank meeting with an accident in the streets. To meet this -contingency it has arranged or the petroleum inspectors, so seen as they have cognizance of such discharge, promptly to telephone information to the chief engineer, and also to the borough council controlling the local sewers concerned which are connected with the council's main sewers. The committee has also taken steps to secure the co-operation of the London Firo Brigade and of the Metropolitan Police in the matter.
Venezuela Needs Commercial Motor,.
Venezuela is said to offer considerable potentialities for road transport vehicles. The railway mileage is very limited, considering the size of the country, whilst new roads -are being constructed whidh will enable vast territories of rich, undeveloped land to be linked up by motor vehicles. Motorbus services in the country have been given an impetus by the recent. successfni iu auguration of a service between La Guaira 'and Maiquetia,. The high cost of petrol is this main deterrent at present to the extended use and development of road motors for goods and passenger transport, but Venezuela is potentially rich in oil deposits. Two wells alone are capable of producing between .them 100,000 barrels a day, if only suitable transport vehicles were available to convey the oil to distributing centres.
Road Transport Preferred in Ceylon. The wide introduction of motor Vehicles into Ceylon is seriously affecting railway receipts. On certain sections of the main line this competition has become so serious that in some cases receipts have fallen from 700 to 300 rupees a day.
As, a counteracting measure, the Government is seriously considering the advisability of electrifying the railway system, but hydro-electric developments will also create an opportunity for the extended use of electric road vehicles. More than 1,200 motor vehicles entered Ceylon last year, of which number and Canada makers supplied 1,004, Great Britain 109, France 74 and Italy 11.
A Birmingham Bus Report.
The report Of the Birmingham and Midland Motor OmnibusUo. for the year ended December 31st last shows that net traffic receipts, together with interest and dividends and other" revenues, amounted to R98,698_ After deducting administration and general expenses an other items chargeable to the revenue account, and adding the sum of £19,680 brought forward from the previous year, , a balance of £85,887 remains. Of this sum £25,000 is to be allocated to reserve, whilst dividends on -the preference and ordinary shares will absorb
43,173, leaving 217,714 to be carried forward.
Goodrich Tyres to be Made in England.
it is authoritatively stated that the E.F. Goodrich Co., of America, have decided to manufacture their various rubber products, which include tyres of different kinds, in Great Britain, where the company already undertake a large volume of business. Mr. :F. B. Titus, the vice-president of the company, has recently stated that they have entered into a provisional agreement to acquire the Ajax Rubber Works, occupying about ten acres at Leyland, Lancs., in the purchase of which is included the right to manufacture Wood-Milne solid and pneumatic tyres.
The enterprise, which is one of much importance, will be under the personal direction of Mr. Bertram G. Work, who has been chairman of the American company for 17 years, Scottish Agent s New Premises.
Frank Hopper and Sons, Ltd., of :Glasgow and Inverness, advise us that, as a result of the /increase in their business, they are removing to larger and more centrally located premises on May .28th. The new offices will be at 1044, Bishop Street, Anderston Cross, Glasgow, where ample showroom accommodation is available. The company, as our readers know, specialize in the sale and distribution -of commercial motor vehicles throughout. Scotland.
The Economy of the Trojan Van.
" Treble Your Trade With a Trojan" is the pointed title given to a pamphlet just issued by Leyland Motors, Ltd., of Leyland, Lancs., in which it is sought to indicate the efficiency and economy of the Trojan light van for tradesmen's use when compared with other forms of delivery. It isshown that the annual
running costs of a boy-propelled tricycle are £53, of a horse-van £191 and of a Trojan parcel-van £253, the respective mileages which the vehicles cover (tricycle 4,125, horse van 5,500 and parcel-van 16,500), giving a cost per mile of 3d, for the tricycle, 8i-d. for the horsevan and 30. for the Trojan van, these figures being based on a working year of 50 weeks, made up of 5i days per Week. The case for the use of the light van is proved. by placing reliance on sound economic facts.
Protection for Roads in Rural Districts.
West Riding County Council has withdrawn its •petition against: the Beaterham Corporation Bill as the corporation has conceded clauses for-the protection of the county council with regard to the :running of motorbtises and trolley vehicles along' main roads in the rural district of Rotherham. ..
Services Must Not Clash. '
Otley Orban District Council prepdses to grant. the' 'application of the Harrogate Road Car Co., Ltd., for licences for two motorbascs to run bitween•Harrogate,-Otley and Ilkley, subject. to the buses being satisfaetory and a timetable being Submitted which, to far aspossible, must not 'clash with those :relating to other services.
Trent River Crossings.
It is encouraging to note that simultaneously, with the works which are at present in ,progress at Nottingham for widening and strengtheni.ng Trent Bridge, which forms the main avenue for traffic between points north and south, the Gunthorpe toll bridge, which is some miles from the city and situated
between Nottingham and, Newark, is to be acquired' by the county authorities from a priVate Company who are the owners. The Price to be paid is £9,500, 'and aenew, structure will be erected, at an estimated 'cost, including the purchase of land, of £125,000. It was re-ported at 'thelest meeting of the Nottinghamshire Council that the Aiinistry of Transport was prepared to rerommend a grant of 65 Per cent. towards the cost of the new bridge and 50 per eent. towards the acquisition of land and Construction : of new roads.
Devon Passenger Services.
The Devon Motor Transport Co., Ltd., .whoseeheadquarters are at Okehampton, and whose passenger vehicles cover prac.tioally the while of Devonshire and the greater part of Cornwall, have inaugurated an extenSiorr of their system in the 'latter county with an hourly service of buses between Penzance 'and Truro, via -HaYle;eCamborneand Redruth. Upon this service; a fleet of five 'new Bristol saloon, buses, painted green is engaged, and the management. of ;he company states that it is probable that further extensions in other directions will be made in the future.
Another, Publicity. Vehicle. While passing the ,depot of the Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd., at 219-229, Shaftesbury Avenue', London, W.C.2, a few days ago, we saw their new G.M.C. model K16 van, -whiCh had just beers delivered. This vehieleehas a body built to resemble an Exide battery, and it will be noted from the illustration which we publish orethis.pege that the likeness is excellently carried out, even to the imitating of the dovetailing of the case and the terminals and connecting bars.
'Those parts of the side panels which cover the wheels are made separately and are held in position by small bolts. to facilitate wheel or tyre changing.
Local Proceedings. •
The L.C.C. has purchased a 14 h.p. Unic 1-ton chassis.
Aylesbury Town Council has purchased a Dennis motor lorry.
Rotherham Corporation has authorized the purchase of a motor lawn mower.
Edinburgh Corporation is inviting tenders for the eapply of a motor tower wagon.
Wimbledon Corporatitse has asked the surveyor to obtain prices for the supply of a 1-ton motor lorry.
Ossett Town Council has decided on the purchase of a 2i-ton Karrier tipping wagon,at a cost of £729.
Barnsley Corporation proposes the purchase of a Ford tipping lorry for the eewage works at a -cost of £200.
The L.C.C. has purchased two motor mowing machines at £100 each for use in Southwark and Finsbury Parks.
INolverha.mpton borporati on Parks Committee has purchased a Dennis motor lawn mower at a cost of £75.
Wimbledon Corporation has asked the borough engineer to obtain prices and , particulars of a motor road sweeper._ Market Has-borough Urban District. Council is raising a loan of £1,300 for the purchase of a motor „fire-engine.
Gravesend 'Corporation proposes to purchase two Ford lerries at £193 each from the Kent and Essex Niotors, Ltd.
Stapleford (Notts.) Prierslf Council has decided to purchase a motor chaisis as a first-turn-out" appliance for the fire-brigade
*Luton Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs. 'Take and Bell to supply new tipping bodies for two motor vehicles at a coat. of £149.
East Ham Corporation last year received £14,013 from . licences for 3,004 vehicles, compared with £11,730 for 2,678 vehidee a year earlier.
Sheffield Corporation Health Committee has authorized the purchase of a Sentinel steam wagon for general haulage work, at a cost of about £860.
Leeds Corporation has asked the commercial manager to submit information with respect to the suggested purchase el mechanical haulage vehicles.
Rotherham Watch Committee has deaided to invite tenders for the supply of a trailer pump capable of pumping 250 gallons of water per minute.
Sheffield Watch Committee has authorized' the sale of two Ford ambulances and the purchase of one motor ambulance of a snore suitable typo.
Stalybridge Corporation has made a contract walls the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., for the provision of bulk Itorage .plant for petrol at the fire station_ Market Harborongh Council has authorized the market superintendent to allot and designate the standing places for motor-and' ether _vehicles in the Cattle Market.
Llanelly Corporation bask asked the Boneuer. Surveyor to report upon the present cost of scavenging by' electric v-ehiries as compared with theeld system of scavenging by horses and carts.
1524
The L.C.C. has purchased a motor lorry for use ii, connection with work in Victoria Park.
Notts. County Council is making bylaws prohibiting the throwing of paper streamers from ehars4-barics.
Portsmouth Corporation Parks Committee recommends the expenditure of £340 on the purchase oil a motor lawn mower.
Wimbledon Corporation has authorized the purchase of a motor lorry for the electricity department at a cost not exceeding £650. .
A committee of the Croydon Corporation recommends the purchase of six Burford 30-cwt. petrol lorries at £527 10s. each.
West Riding County Council is now making by-laws prohibiting passengers from flying streamers and balloons from motor coaches.
Leyland Motors, Ltd. have given a demonstration with a 300-gallon motor tire-engine before members of the Llanelly Town Council.
Llanelly Corporation proposes the purchase of a weighbridge for heavy lorries to be placed at the corporation depot at a cost of £550 or £600.
Sheffield Watch Committee recommends the purchase of a Dennis 60 h.p. 500-600-gallon fire-engine and first-aid tender at a cost of £1,500.
Blyth Corporation has asked the sanitary inspector to make inquiries as to the class ofmotor vehicle which is suitable for wet refuse, and to submit prices and particulars of such machines,
Torquay Borough electricity engineer reported that hired team labour was costing £432 per annum, and the electricity committee has decided to purchase a 1-ton motor lorry at a cost of £200.
Aylesbury Town Council has decided to purchase a anotor fire-engine and other fire-brigade plant at an estimated 'cost of £1,750, and has asked the borough surveyor to invite tenders for the equipment.
Bradford Corporation is recommended by the tramways committee to accept the tender of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., for the supply of six one-mancontrolled type electric vehicles for the awn of e9,216.
Newport (Isle of Wight) Corporation, which received eight tenders for the supply of a 30-in, motor lawn mower, has accepted the tender of Messrs. Smith and Whitehead for the supply of an Ate° mower for £85 10s.
In order adequately to protect from fire the many valuable engineering and shipbuilding establishments and the densely peopled residential areas of Hele burn, the local urban district council has appointed a sub-committee to go thoroughly into the question of the establishment of a fire brigade, complete with modern machines and equipment.
At a meeting' of the Burton-on-Trent .Corporation it was stated by the borough surveyor that the usefulness of the new Lacre motor wagon would be considerably enhanced if it were fitted with a 400-gallon water tank with spraying nozzles and control gear. The corporation has decided to purchase a tank of this description at a coat of about £120,
Municipal Bus Activities.
Rawteristall Corporation is inviting tenders for the supply of four saloontype motorbuses.
Sheffield .Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized the purchase of two additional motorbus chassis.
Portsmouth Town Council has decided _ that the four motorbuses on order shall be of the 25-seater saloon type and of 30 h.p.
Castleford Urban District Council is asking the Minister of Transport to make grants for the maintenaete of roads used by motor omnibuses. .
Warrington Corporation has asked the tramways managerto report as to the desirability of extending the enoterhiss services to points outside the borough.
Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized the ex; tension of the proposed trolley-buS..ser-vice to the "Three Puns" teethe Fordhouse.
Bradford Corporation Tramways Committee reocenunends the promotion of a special Bill in Parliament for the pm'. poseof obtaining powers to run motorbuses within the city.
Preston Town Council has agreed to a recommendation from the tramways committee that a tender be accepted for the erection of a garage on the north side of Holmbrodk Road to accommodate 12 motorbuses.
Glasgow Corporation Tramways Committee has asked the finance committee to report on the operations, within the city, of various companies running motorbus services to and from the city and outside districts.
Leeds Corporation Markets Committee has let land in Harewoed Street to Messrs. Dibb and Warnes at a rental of 10s. per week for the purpose of putting down and taking up passengers on their motor omnibus service between Leede and Tadea.ster, etc.
The St. Helens' Tramways Committee has decided to purchase an additional Bristol motor omnibus. The question of extending the Reinford omnibus route has been referred to the chairman and the deputy chairman of the committee for consideration and report.
Wolverhampton Corporation has retained Mr. Alfred Baker, general manager of the Birmingham Corporation Tramways to advise in regard to the proposal to take over and convert the Wolverhampton, Seclgley and Wadley tramways system to trolley-bus traction.
Shipley Urban District `sCouncil has granted licences to the Premier Transport Go., Ltd., for a bus service from Shipley to Baildom The council raises no objection to the proposals of Messrs. Blythe and Berwick to arrange their bus stand at the side road adjoining the Conservative Club, upon their undertaking to arrange for a man to pilot the buses in and out of the main road.
The East Surrey Traction Co. has commenced a new service from West Croydon to Sanderatead.
More L.C.C. Ambulances.
The L.C.C. Fire Brig:de Committee -eports that last July the council de:ided to obtain two additional'. ambuances. En 1922 tenders for four chassis sere obtained by public advertisement :o which the existing ambulance bodies eould be fitted, and the most suitable hassis were found to be those of Clement Talbot, Ltd., which were sup
plied for 2595 each. This company have since eupplied seven chassis to the council at a reduced price of 2500 each, plus 220 for contingencies, and now offer the two additional appliances at the same figure.
John Chalmers and Sons, Ltd., are also prepared to provide the new bodies at the price previously quoted—namely, 2147 10s. each, plus 220 for contingencies. In view of the special requirements of the ambulance service and the necessity for obtaining the ambulances at the earliest 'possible moment, the committee has accepted these offers.
Fire-fighting Equipment Wanted in Spain.
The municipality of Malaga has under consideration the purchase of a motordriven eemhinatien -chemical wagon for use by the local fire-brigade. The authorities are undecided as to the exact type of machine: required, except that it must, be Motor driven. The manufac turer securing this order might be successful in obtaining orders for similar vehielesfront other Spanish municipal authorities.
Pumps at Stretford.
Stretford Council's Highways Committee has resumed consideration of the subject of petrel pumps on highways', and adjourned the question of the removal or otherwise of existing pumps sine die. The committee, however, lies resolved that it is not desirable that permission should be granted for the erection of petrol pumps on the public highways in the future. ,
B.A.T. Traffic Receipts.
The traffic receipts on the passenger Motor vehicles . owned by the British Automobile Traction Co.'s group during the month of April amounted to .2126,267, the aggregate for the 17 weeks of the year being 2420,173, which figure represents an increase of 287,805 over the corresponding period of last year.
' The annital golf tournament of the Manchester Centre of the ,,Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund held in the early part of the month resulted in a transfer of the Freeman Rosehowl to Mr. R. F. Terry, in the serVice of Hans Renold, Ltd., the runner-up being Mr. J. Quick. The function was \N ell attended by rooter traders.
A Guide to London.
Prompted by the demand there has been for the two guides issued last year —viz., " London's Country, No. 1, North of the Themes"; and " London's Country, No. 2, South of the Thames" —the Underground authorities have been encouraged to publish a third book, en titled "A Guide to London."
We have just received a copy of this book, which includes in its contents a host of information relating to the his torieal and other associations of -the Metropolis. Many of the chapters have been Vspecially contributed by wellknow authorities. The whole purpose of the handbook is to place before the visitor and the resident short descriptive noticeson the chief features of interest, and supplementary to the text matter is a series of maps and plans and street drawings which have been expressly prepared for the guidance of the reader. Other featm;es of the handbook are the itineraries of the 12-day sight-seeing excursions, whilst aerial photographs of the principal centres are included. The handbook is a Veritable compendium Of knowledge and useful facts, and at the price. of is. should find a ready sale.
We are informed that the output of the Citron factory is now more than 200 vehicles per day, and that 150,000 of this make are now in service.