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 is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs,"—John Bgattie Crozier.
The Latest Morris 8-cwt. Van.
Considerable improvement has been made in the Morris 8-cwt. vans for 1927, and a recognition of modern traffic conditions is shown by the fact that fourwheel brakes can now be fitted, when required, to them.
Certain of the modifications already announced as having been effected in the touring cars are reproduced in the vans ; that is to say, send-elliptic rear springs, an all-steel dash, improved braking, adjustable controls and adjustable steering rake are included. The radiator will remain of the same type except that it will be higher than that used in the 1926 models ; this straightens the body line and gives an improved appearance.
Only one model is being listed for 1927, and the standard van sells at 1172 10s. with four-wheel brakes and full equipment, or at £160 with rear brakes only and simplified equipment.
On the Morris-Cowley commercial traveller's van similar chassis improvements have been embodied, and convenience is increased by the fitting of a door at each side. The respective prices, in this case, are .£175 and £165.
Recent Leyland Orders.
It is always of interest to contemplate' the orders recCived by the leading manufacturers and, as is known, we make a practice of placing details of some of them on record, because we think our readers find the information useful to them in many ways.
We find a certain amount of difficulty in dealing with the list of orders which Leyland Motors, Ltd., send us from time to time. For instance, the list before us, which covers the orders received durlug three or four weeks in August, runs to more than three pages of closely typed matter, and by its very size prevents us from making the full use of it that we
would like. We have not the slightest doubt that to any person particularly interested the list would be willingly sent by the manufacturers.
It covers a large number of orders for buses, bus chassis, motor coaches and motor-coach chassis for delivery to
various parts of the country ; many of the names of the purchasers are those of public-service vehicle operators who are already in possession of Leyland vehicles, the "repeat order" being a distinct feature of Leyland business.
The second part of the list before us deals with heavy goods transport, and it is evident that a considerable number of repeat orders and orders from new customers for vehicles of different capacities is being received regularly.
The list concludes with the names of eight municipal and civil authorities which have ordered fire-engines, portable pumps or fire-escape vans.
The Future of B.E.V. Trucks.
We are informed by Wingrove and Rogers, Ltd. 63, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.4, whose works are at Mill Lane, Old Swan, Liverpool, that they have recently acquired the business of British Electric Vehicles, Ltd., of Southport,
Wingrove and Rogers, Ltd., have been manufacturing controllers under their own patents for British Electric Vehicles, Ltd., since 1919, and they will now completely manufacture all standard designs of the B.E.V. trucks and locos in their own modern and wellequipped factory at Liverpool. The present management and the technical staff of British Electric Vehicles, Ltd., are being retained, so that continuity of design will be, secured and business will be carried on without interruption during the transition stage.
For the convenience of customers in the South of England, a London sales and export office has been opened at the address given above, under the charge of Major G. K. Ozanne, M.C., A.M.I.E.E., who joins the company from the Radio Communication Co., Ltd., and Mr. N. E. Bayliff, who has hitherto represented British Electric Vehicles, Ltd., in this district.
Application has been made to the Board of Trade to amalgamate the two names in the form Wingrove and Rogers British Electric Vehicles, Ltd.
Soviet Offers Prizes for Petrol Locomotive Design.
• Because large areas exist in Russia where water is scarce, the Government is considering the question of using locomotives fitted with internal-combustion engines in place of steam locomotives. Accordingly a competition is being organized and prizes to the value of £6,000, £4,000 and £2,500 are offered.
The locomotives must be capable of operating over tracks of the standard Russian 60-in, gauge and of negotiating curves of 825-ft. radius. A goods locomotive must be capable of developing a tractive force of 33,000 lb. at a speed of 10 m.p.h., and a passenger locomotive of 26,400 lb. at 18.65 m.p.h. Further particulars may be obtained from the Technical Bureau, Internal-CombustionEngine Locomotives Committee, Commissariat of the People for Roads and Communications, Moscow, Russia, Gorokhovskaia 8, kv. 57.
Coaches at Braemar.
In connection with the recent Braemar Highland Gathering, it is estimated that 6,000 people passed through Blairglycerin and Rattray en route for the scene of the gathering, fully 3,000 using motor coaches as the means of conveyance. We reproduce on this page a picture showing some of the vehicles passing _along the Cairnwell Road, or Royal Road, to Braemar. They are waiting their turn to ascend the Devil's Elbow, and it will be seen that motor coaches are quite prominent in the procession. So steep is the double hair-pin bend at this point that motor vehicles were only allowed to proceed singly at one-minute intervals.
An Accessories Exhibition.
The Royal Automobile Club of Belgium is organizing an exhibition of the latest Belgian and foreign accessories for industrial and pleasure motor vehicles, to be held on the club premises in Brussels from Septenlber 26th to October 6th. The accessories which are to be exhibited include adjustable spotlights, headlight da;wle protection shields, windscreen wipers, signalling devices, petrol-level indicators, gradient indicators, anti-freezing devices, radiator thermometers and thermostats, and a host of other appliances and equipment.
Polytechnic Course for Motor Traders.
A special coutse of lectures for members of the motor industry, intended for those wishing to sit for the diploma examinations of the Institute of the Motor Trade next year, will begin at 157, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, on September 27th. These lectures follow on the successful series given last year, and the fee for the course is only q. Full details may be obtained by applying to the hon. secretary of the Institute of the Motor Trade at 157, Great Portland Street, London, W.1.
A wide variety of subjects is covered by the lectures, including garage management, motor engineering, the elements of advertising and salesmanship and so forth, and some well-known names appear• amongst the lecturers.
Road Touring in Canada.
The Natural Resources Intelligence Branch of the Dominion Department ef the Interior at Ottawa, Canada, has just issued a booklet entitled, "Motoring in Canada," which has been primarily published for distribution amongst tourists in Great Britain and elsewhere who are contemplating paying trips to the Dominion. It is so written and illustrated as to provide tourists with an opportunity of securing information about those picturesque and historic centres which should be visited.
It is interesting to note that the number of motor vehicles entering Canada in 1925 was 28 per cent, more than in the previous year, and since attractive fares are now being quoted by Atlantic steamship companies it is likely that a greater number of motor tourists will visit the Dominion.
Withdrawing Bus Licences.
The drastic measure of withdrawing the whole of the motorbus licences held by the United Automobile Services, Ltd., in its area has been resorted to by the Eston Urban District Council as the result of a disagreement as to where the buses should pick up passengers. The trouble has arisen since the Teesside Railless Traction Board introduced a new motorbus route to Eston a few weeks ago. This is a prolongation of the trackless system in accordance with that undertaking's original intentions. The Teesside Railless Board is jointly controlled by the Middlesbrough Corporation and the Eston Council.
At the last meeting of the council it was reported that -within a few days of the new motorbus service being commenced the secretary of the United Automobile Services, Ltd., addressed a communication to the council stating that unless this was discontinued within a week his company would take up passengers anywhere on the car routes. lie
reminded the authority that the terms of the licences were that the buses should not pick up passengers on railless car routes.
It was stated that since that time the company's vehicles had picked up passengers at various points for Darlington, Middlesbrough and other destinations contrary to the terms of the agree ment, and the authority resolved to withdraw the whole of the 23 licences held by the company. The clerk observed that a quick settlement was necessary.
London Bus Routes : A Request.
The Association of Municipal Corporations has decided to support a request Of the Camberwell Borough Council asking the Ministry of Transport to submit proposals to Parliament which shall modify existing regulations as to motor traffic in the Metropolis so as to render it necessary that, before the running of omnibuses on any new route is allowed, the consent of the Metropolitan borough council or councils through whose area such routes are situated must be obtained.
Personal Pars.
The death occurred at Newcastle recently of a prominent Tyneside haulier, in the person of Mr: Alexander Scott, managing partner of the firm of Messrs. John Scott and Sons, road transport contractors, of Oxford Street, Newcastle. For many years past Mr. Scott had chargeof the business founded by his father over half a century ago.
We reproduce on this page a portrait of Mr. Sydney Bonallack, whose family name is well known throughout the van and motor bodybuilding trades in London. Mr. Borallack has recently joined the staff of F. G. Smith Motors, Ltd., of Goodmayes, in the capacity of cornraercial-vehicle representative. This company are now developing the commercial side of their business, and, from building operations which are proceeding rapidly, it is evident that they are anticipating considerable success in this direction. The three showrooms of the company—at Goodmayes, Ilford and Wanstead—are certainly in the centre of a rapidly growing area.
Wellington Wants British Lorries.
His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Wellington (New Zealand) reports that the Wellington City Council is inviting tenders for a number of motor vehicles. Included in its requirements are five 5-ton lorries and two 2-tonners, and all the vehicles have to be fitted with hydraulic tipping gear.
Those who are in a position to offer British vehicles can obtain further particulars regarding this call for tenders by applying to the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W., quoting reference AX 3,570.
M.A.B. Seeks Ambulance Chassis.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board is inviting tenders for the supply of 12 petrol-driven pneumatic-tyred low loadline ambulance chassis of a special type built to the Board's specification. Further particulars can be obtained from the Clerk to the Board, Victoria Embankment, London, E.C.4. Tenders have to be delivered by October 18th.
Coach Equipment Required.
We have been asked by the makers of certain high-class coach and bus bodies to point out that they are in the market for fairly large quantities of certain classes of equipment, and they wish to get into touch with suitable suppliers. The equipment required is as follows :— Friezette tapestry, "Deerlite " floor covering, water-closets, folding washbasins, exhaust heating—" Petry" system or others—wire mattresses as used in ships' bunks and overlay stuffed mattresses.
Those interested should write to us, addressing their communications to "Bus," care of the Editor.
A Novel Publicity Scheme.
Yesterday saw the opening of a sevenday scheme inaugurated by the Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd., Clifton Junction, near Manchester, with the object of selling more Exide batteries. A similar week was set aside for an advertising scheme of this nature last year, and its success prompted the company to increase the awards in the advertising appropriation set apart for this annual campaign. In connection with this year's event cash prizes of a total value exceeding £100 will be awarded for Exide window displays.
A Demonstration Driver. Motor manufacturing concerns are always in want of good demonstration drivers. We have particulars of an experienced driver, aged 38 and married, who is seeking a post. He is able to show good references, one from a leading concern with whom he worked for 12i years up to the middle of 1924, six years being spent inthe repair branch of the commercial-vehicle section. He lives in Coventry, but is quite willing to go elsewhere. Letters addressed care of the Editor of this journal, will be forwarded to him.
A Londoner in New Zealand.
At a recent meeting of the Wellington (New Zealand) Motor Bodybuilders Association, Mr. G. M. Johnaton, of George Johnston, Ltd., Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.C., was a guest. The president, Mr. J. E. Hunt, general
1322 manager of Standard Motor Bodies, Ltd., occupied the chair, and the leading members of the industry in the district were present.
The president extended a cordial welcome to Mr. Johnston and assured him that the motor bodybuilders of New Zealand were desirous of dealing with British traders. He declared that England should produce the a. equireinents of the trade in New Zealand.
A Conunercial Motor Exhibition for Cologne.
At a joint meeting of the State Union of the Automobile Industry, the German Automobile Agents' Union and the exhibition hall authorities on September 9th, it was decided to hold an International Commercial Motor Exhibition in Cologne from May 20th to 29th, 1927.
The exhibition will be divided into the following groups :—(1) Commercial motor for goods carrying, from 1 ton upwards, including vehicles specially de signed for exceptional uses. (2) PassenOr vehicles. (3) Municipal vehicles and appliances. (4) Agricultural motors. (5) Accessories. (6) Motor road construction.
The exhibition authorities will have the assistance of the transport department of the University of Cologne, and transport problems will also be discussed at conferences.
LIVI.T. Designations.
We are occasionally asked by readers of this journal to give them some indication of what the initials " F.I.M.T." and " M.I.M.T." stand for. Since the matter is one that may have a general interest to motor users, we would say that they serve to identify Fellows and Members of the Institute of the Motor Trade, the headquarters of which are at 157, Great Portland Street, London, W.1. Glasgow's Latest Buses.
A few days ago the first of a fleet of 65 buses which the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., are supplying to the order of the Glasgow General Omnibus and Motor Services, Ltd., was delivered. The chassis of the type of vehicle purchased consists of the makers' Model 413 on pneumatics. and the body which is fitted is the product of Messrs. Metcalfes, of Romford, London, E.
The body employed has a rear entrance with a drop platform, which facilitates entrance and exit from the interior. The body seats 30 passengers, and the seats, which are upholstered in. real leather, are of the semi-bucket pattern. Passengers are not likely to complain of the lack of ventilation, for 11 drop windows are incorporated in the body design. The driver is enclosed in a special cab alongside the engine. A point worthy of note is that the floor of the body is covered with rubber, and luggage racks are fitted along both sides of the interior.
Popular Halley Models.
Three important municipal authorities figure on the list of users who have recently. placed orders with Ralley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., Yoker, Glasgow. The Gloucester County Couneil is buying three 6-ton hydraulic tipping wagons, a similar wagon for 30-cwt. loads has been ordered by the Rotherham Corporation, whilst the Kilmarnock Burgh Council is buying a 500gallon fire-engine.
• So far as private orders are concerned, tha company are building a 4miner for Keith and Boyle, Ltd., of London ; 4 and 5-tonners for S. Allsopp and Sons, Ltd., of Burton; and a further batch of 31-tonners for the British Petroleum Co., Ltd.
Bus Service for a Housing Estate.
A useful addition to the motorbus facilities available in the South Shields district was made recently when the corporation inaugurated a new service between the centre of the town and the new housing estate at Cleadon Park, in order to meet the transit requirements of residents in that new and growing suburb. The municipality recently took delivery of two 30-seater Guy pneumatic-tyred saloon buses and these are employed on the new service. A 20minute service is being maintained;
Coaching to Brooklands.
GB. Motor Tours, Ltd., who have for some years past run a motor coach service to Brooklands on the occasion of the Junior Car Club's 200-Mile Race, will again operate the usual passenger services to this event, which takes place on Saturday, September 25th. Two vehicles will depart from the company's headquarters at 72, Great PortHind Street, London, W.1, at 11.30 a.m. and 12.45 p.m., the return fare being 6s.
The Latest in Motorbus Design.
During the conference at Liverpool of the Municipal Tramways Association, from the proceedings of which (reported in our last issue) it was obvious that tramways officials showed a very great concern at the development of motorbus competition and appreciation of opportunities which the motorbus offered for opening up new territory, a number of vehicle manufacturers had on view machines which were absolutely the last word in motorbus design and construedon. Over a dozen buses were assembled, including three Thornycroft saloons, a six-wheeled Guy totally enclosed double-decker, Leyland Lion and Lioness saloons, an A.E.C. trolley-bus and saloon motorbus, Karrier four and six-wheelers, an Albion saloon and a Saurer chassis.
ExIde Battery Depots.
We are informed that the Chloride Eleetrical,Storage Co.'s Irish representative, Mr; E. C. Hart, has removed to more convenient premises at 8, Pearse Street, Dublin. From yesterday (Monday) the Exide sales depot in Mapchester is at 18, Bridge Street.
The Albion Gearbox.
In a caption referring to the gearbox of the new 3-ton live-axle Albion chassis, which was described in our issue of last week, reference was made to the gears as being reversible individually. This was a typographical error and should, of course, have read renewable.
An Advertising Manager Free.
We understand that Mr. Victor Bingham, late advertising manager to Mann, Egerton and Co., Ltd., Norwich, is in a position to accept a similar appointment. Communications addressed to him at this office will be forwarded.
Local Proceedings.
Portland Urban District Council is to purchase a n2otorvan.
Camberwell Borough Council has decided to purchase a motor mower for the parks.
Fulham Borough Council has decided to purchaSe a water and dust-cart at a cost of £850.
Wortley Rural Council has decided to apply for sanction to borrow money for the purchase of a motor fire-engine. t Newport (Mon.) Corporation has decided to purchase a motor street-sweeping machine at a cost of about MOO.
• The tramways committee of the Manchester Corporation is asking for tenders for the supply of double-deck and single-deck motorbuses, and these have to be delivered not later than 10 a.m. to-morrow (Wednesday), September 22nd.
Saving Money by Electric Vehicles.
Hackney Borough Council reports that since the collection of refuse was undertaken by electric vehicles in April, 1924, a saving of about £4,000 has been effected. '