WHEELS of INDUSTRY
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"Tae 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.
The Pagefield Refuse-collection System.
We have been asked to point out that Pagefield vehicles, whether used in connection with the Pagefield patent-refusecollection system or as ordinary lorries, have always been manufactured by Walker Brothers (Wigan), Ltd., Pagefield Iron Works, Wigan.
When it was decided, about two years ago, that the goods-carrying vehicles should be definitely identified with the oil engine, a sales company, entitled Pagefield Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., was formed under the control of Mr. G. It. Greenbergh. The function of this company is solely to handle the sales of oil-engined vehicles made by Walker Brothers (Wigan), Ltd., as distinct from the Pagefield refuse-collection system, with which the sales company is in no way concerned.
An Important Petrol-pump Development.
We are advised that the interests of W. and T. Avery, Ltd., of Birmingham, so far as petrol pumps are concerned, and those of Hardoll, Ltd., of London, have been absorbed by a new company trading under the name of Avery-Hardoll, Ltd., from headquarters at Queen's Park Works, 111, Salusbury Road, London, N.W.6.
The object of this association of interests is, we are told, to combine the experience in the design and marketing of the petrol-measuring apparatus of the Societe Anonyme Pour Torts Appareillages Metaniques, the proprietor of the well-known Harden pumps, with the manufacturing resources of W. and T. Avery, Ltd. By arrangement with certain important oil companies, the new concern has taken over licences to use their patents.
The board of directors of the company includes a number of distinguished British and French industrialists, of whom the chairman is Sir Gilbert C. Vyle, past president of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. The managing director is Mr. M. Duties, and the sales manager for Great Britain and Ireland, Major C. Campbell.
Raleigh Three-wheelers on a Month's Tour.
On Monday of last week two convoys of three-wheelers left the Raleigh factory at Nottingham to tour the country for four weeks. Each convoy included two vans and two lorries, one of which towed a trailer. Of the vans, one was equipped with shelves.
The two convoys were dispatched by the chairman and managing director of the company, Sir Harold Bowden, who was accompanied by two other directors, Mr. F. C. Bush and Mr. George Wilson.
After touring the streets of Nottingham for an hour the two convoys left, one for London and the other for Manchester. The former will spend the first fortnight in the London district, and
B20 will then proceed to Derby and Birmingham, whilst the second team, after stopping for a week in Manchester, will proceed to Liverpool, Bristol and Plymouth, spending a week in each.
West Wales Traffic Facilitated.
Heavy traffic in and through west Wales will be greatly facilitated by the raising of the weight limit for vehicles passing over Carmarthen Bridge from 2 tons to 5 tons. For months, vehicles weighing over 2 tons have had to make a detour of 15 miles.
"A Fair Chance for British Industry."
Withthe above title a most useful contribution to the case for road transport was issued last week by the Commercial Motor Users Association and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It is a reasoned statement upon the road-rail controversy, and constitutes a reply to the railways' publication, 'Fair Play for the Railways." Copies are being sent to all Chambers of Commerce and Chambers of Trade.
Another Municipality Buying Oilengined Buses.
The latest municipal authority to purehase Crossley oil-engined buses is St. Helens Corporation, which, through its transport department, has placed an order for three 48-seater double-saloon vehicles of this type. It is estimated that, by using the Crossley oil-engined machines the authority will save at least 1851) a year in fuel costs.
Owing to the intervention of the Easter holidays, advertisements for the issue of The Commercial Motor dated March 29th must reach the manager by the first post on March 23rd.
Commers and Hillmans at Rootes's Annual Show.
Last week Rootes, Ltd., held its annual show at Maidstone. In point of numbers, the vehicles were principally of Commer, Hillman and Humber manufacture. A novelty, this year, was the commercial-vehicle section, which included interesting representative types.
In the section dealing with Commer chassis, there was a Raider 30-cwt. model carrying a Luton-type van body, the vehicle being priced at £297 10s., a Centaur 2-tonner with a drop-side lorry body on the long-wheelbase chassis priced at £322 10s., and a Centaur short-wheelbase type carrying a flat platform body. Another Raider took the form of a boxvan priced at £300. It will be remembered that these two types of Commer chassis were subjected to an unusually rigorous road test, which was reported in our issue dated March 1st.
In addition, there was a 3-ton tilt van priced at £693, and a well-built G2-type chassis for a 21-ton load carrying a special agricultural body which permitted conversion into a double-decker for carrying small livestock ; this vehicle cost £690.
Amongst the commercial-type Hillmans was an ambulance at £440 intended for service in the Maidstone district. The standard 15-cwt. van was on view and was priced at £225, whilst a baker's van cost £245 (painting extra). Two small Austin vehicles were on view, one being the latest-type 7 h.p. van intended to carry 5 cwt. and priced at £113, whilst the 12 h.p., six-cylinder chassis carried a notably smart body.
A Progressive Hauliers' Organization.
At a meeting of hauliers of the West London district, held at the beginning of last week, a vote of confidence in the work of the Short Distance Hauliers Alliance was passed, and it was unanimously resolved there and then to form a regional committee for the West London district. Mr. P. Dietrich was elected chairman.
Those interested in the aims and objects of the Alliance can obtain full information from the secretary at 6, Stamford Brook Road, London, W.6.
Overseas Demands for MorrisCommercials.
Despite the conditions of unrest at Shanghai, we learn that orders continue to be received from that quarter for British-built commercial vehicles. Only a few days ago Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., Soho, Birmingham, received a further order for six 30-cwt. chassis to supplement the fleet of vehicles which has recently been shipped to the East. Other overseas orders recently received for Morris-Commercial products include one for 18 vehicles for New Zealand, another for 30 for India, a third for 16 for Holland, one for eight for Singapore, and several others from the Gold Coast, Trinidad and Zanzibar. New Registrations in January.
A return recently issued by the Ministry of Transport shows that the nubsher of new motor vehicles registered for the first time under the Roads Act, 1920, .during the month of January, 3932 was 21,804, as compared with 22,860 for January, 1931. The figure for January of this year includes 4,640 goods vehicles and 306 hackney vehicles, the comparable figures for the previous year being 5,066 and 579 respectively.
Buses Wanted in Johannesburg.
His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Johannesburg reports that the local city council is calling for tenders, which have to be pre.sented in South Africa by April 7th next, for the supply of from one to 10 double-deck motorbuses complete or, alternatively, for chassis only, which have to be suitable for carrying 50-60seater double-deck bodies. Those in a position to offer British-built products can obtain further particulars from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, by quoting reference GX11278.
Facilitating Traffic Flow in Yorkshire.
The highways committee of West Riding County Council considers that a grant of £2,000 should be made towards the cost of purchasing Toll Bar Road, at Bentham, in the rural district of Settle. The county council of Lanes is stated provisionally to have agreed to acquire the road for £4,000.
It is thought that if the toll be abolished much of the through traffic at present using the Lancaster-Richmond highway from Ingleton will be diverted to Toll Bar Road (as it is now known), thereby considerably reducing the distance to'lllorecambe and Lancaster.
Brown Brothers Trading. 111 The report of Brown Brothers, Ltd., for the year ended January 16th, 1932, reveals a net profit of £67,071, which is increased to £104,871 after adding the balance brought forward. It is proposed to pay a dividend for the year ended December 31st, 1931, on the 7,.3/4. per mat. cumulative preference shares, which absorbs £12,656 after deducting income tax, to transfer £20,000 to the reserve (bringing that fund up to £170,000), and to add £5,000 to the reserve for staff past-service pension. After deducting these amounts £67,214 remains and, after paying a final dividend of 71 per cent. (less tax) on the ordinary shares, making 10 per cent, for the year, which absorbs £28,125, there is a balance of £39,089 to carry forward.
The Decline in Railway Traffic.
Railway statistics for December, 1931, which have recently been issued by the Ministry of Transport, show that the total number of passenger journeys (excluding season-ticket holders) taken on all standard-gauge railways in Great Britain during that month was 94,946,466, a decrease of 5.3 per cent. compared with December, 1930. The journeys taken by passengers at reduced fares decreased by 608,097, and those at standard or ordinary fares by 4,71,3,965. The receipts from passengers (excluding season-ticket holders) decreased by 0.2 per cent.
The total tonnage of freight conveyed (excluding free-hauled traffic) was 24,048,838, a decrease of 1,429,992 tons compared with the figure for December, 1930. Freight-train receipts amounted to £7,643,277, a decrease of 5.6 per cent. The freight-train miles run were 443,388 less than in December, 1930.
Furniture Warehousemen and Removers Conference.
The Furniture Wareheusemen and Removers Association, Howard House, 4, Arundel Street, London, W.C.2, is holding its annual conference at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2, on May. 25th and 26th next. The Association's , annual dinner will be held at the same hotel on the evening of the first day. Leyland's Bristol Branch.
The Bristol branch of Leyland Motors, Ltd., has been removed to Bath Road, Brislin,gton. The telephone numbers, which remain unchanged, are Bristol 77024 during the day and Bristol 76952 at night. As is the case with other Leyland depots, a large stock of spare parts is carried.
N.Z. Imports: Britain Rivalling U.S.
A total of 613 commercial vehicles and chassis, valued at £93,842, was imported into New Zealand during the 11 months ended November last. The United States heads the list with 247 vehicles, followed by Great Britain with a total of 215.
Personal Pars.
Walsall Corporation has appointed Mr. Matthew Somerfield, formerly the assistant transport manager, as tramsport manager, following Mr. Vane Morland's transference to Leeds.
We learn that Messrs. G. B. and 3. Shudder, who, for many years, were connected with Blue Belle Motors, Ltd., have now joined the sales staff of the Arlington Motor Co., the well-known. concern of commercial-vehicle distributors.
Mr. Mark B. Linz, director and general manager of the Barton Motor Co., Ltd., Plymouth and Exeter, will be vice-chairman at the annual conference, to be held at Folkestone in May, of the Vocational Committee on Motor Engineering.
The Minister of Transport and the Secretary for Mines have appointed Sir Henry Jackson, M.P. for Central Wandsworth, as chairman of the Standing Committee on Mineral Transport. This committee was appointed in February, 1927, on the recommendation contained in the report of the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry, over which Sir Herbert Samuel presided.
Many members of the commercialvehicle industry will be interested to learn that Mr. Norman A. Hardie, the general manager (sales) of the Associated Equipment Co, Ltd., has been elected chairman of the petrol vehicles committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It may be recalled that since 1925 Mr. Hardie has been a member of the S.M.M. and T. Council, and he was chairman of the exhibition committee for 1931.
In connection with the sales of oilengined vehicles manufactured by John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd., Mr. K Crown has been appointed general sales and service manager for the home market. He has been connected with the concern in question since 1918, whilst he entered the engineering industry four years previously. He was appointed to his present position on his return from the Continent, where he was engaged for some five years on important work in connection with the company's affairs.
Mr. J. C. Wood is manager of the transport department at Leeds. He has had some 30 years' service with the Fowler concern, of which 20 years have been in connection with sales at home and abroad, during which period he has held the posts of sales manager for roadmaking machinery and sales manager for road-transport machinery.
Preventing Alteration of Carburetter Settings.
Fleet owners and transport managers, who keep a close watch on the fuel consumption of their vehicles, will be interested to learn of an innovation which prevents unauthorized persons from interfering with the carburetter setting. To combat the efforts of the type of driver who alters the official setting by the use of a reamer or other tool, the Zenith Carburetter Co., Ltd, 40-42, Newman Street, London, W.1, has produced a range of jets made from steel, the calibrated portions of which B22 are hardened. This prevents the carburetter setting from being altered by anyone who is not authorized to do so.
We learn that several important companies have already standardized these new steel jets on the carburetters of their business motors.
Huge Road Traffic in Tin Plate.
It has been stated that, during 1931, road motors conveyed over 109,0 tons of tin plate, in boxes, to Swansea Docks from the tin-plate works of Swansea and West Wales. In addition, a huge, but uncalculated, volume of tinplate is now carried by haulage contractors from South Wales works to industrial users in England and Wales. •
Croft Pareelear Demonstration.
On March 14th a fleet of Croft threewheeled parcelcars was dispatched from Bradford on a 14-week tour, which will not only have a publicity value, but will provide interesting statistics as re garde fuel consumption, water consumption and other operating costs.
We are advised by Croft Commercial Cars, Ltd., of Thornbury, Bradford, that the route to be followed, starting in the West Riding of Yorkshire, will lie through Lancashire, Cumberland, Westmorland and Scotland to Aberdeen and thence southwards through Northumberland, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Eastern Counties, London and the Home Counties, certain areas in the South of England, the return to Bradford being via the Western Counties, Wales and the Midlands.
Trent Motor Traction Results.
The report of the Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd. for the year 1931 shows a profit of £41,843, as against #40,375 a year earlier, after allowing £57,176, as against £43,797 in 1930, for depreciation. A final dividend of 6 per cent., making 10 per cent. for the year, is to be paid, whilst the reserve fund receives an allocation of £5,000. The carry forward is £20,729, as against £16,851 in the preceding year.
Well-known Haulier Dead.
The death took place on March 14th of Mr. F. I Sparkes, who, 40 years ago, founded the well-known haulage-contracting business of F. J. Sparkes and Sons, Cardiff. He was a noted exhibitor at agricultural shows.
A Valuable Year Book.
One of the most informative books on local government is that issued annually by the Municipal Journal, Ltd., 3 and 4, Clement's Inn, London, W.C.2, under the title of "The Municipal Year Book." It is a voluminous publication, and the 1932 edition, which has just been published, contains, apart from the indices, nearly 1,300 pages.
The latest volume contains many new and important features of outstanding interest to the local-government administrator and to the public in general. For example, there is an entirely new section deveted to street lighting, in which costs and technical details collected from 300 towns are given. Particulars are clearly set out of the coustitution of all local-government bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
A section which will be of particular interest to readers of this journal is that dealing with motors in municipal service. In this is to be found a tabula Hon of authorities operating motorbuses, which embodies much useful statistical material, and should be found of great value in conjunction with the analysis of municipal bus services which was published in our issue dated March 8th. A census of municipal motors gives the makes and numbers of each type of vehicle in the service of authorities thronghout the whole country.
"The Municipal Year Book" is a most valuable publication and sells at the price of 19s. Gd. per volume, or 20s.
by post. The edition for 1932 contains a preface by the Minister of Health, the Rt. Hon. Sir E. Hilton Young, M.P.
A Midland Haulage Concern's Dinner.
The annual dinner given to their employees by the directors of J. Beresford and Sons, Ltd., a haulage-contracting concern of Tunstall, was recently held, and Aid. Sir Frederick Hayward, J.P., attended. Mr. John Beresford founded the business in 1865, Mr. J. W. Beresford, his son, being the present managing director.
Aid. Sir Frederick Hayward referred to the changes in transport since the days when the company was operating horsed vehicles. He spoke of the need for good feeling and harrnouy in the relationship between employers and employees, and congratulated the concern upon its efforts to foster good fellowship.
An Albion Dividend,
Having considered the statement of accounts for the year ended December 31st, 1931, the directors of Albion Motors, Ltd., have resolved to recommend the payment of a 3 per cent. dividend (less tax) on the preference shares for the half year, but no dividend is to be paid on the ordinary shares of the company, as the directors feel that, under present conditions, the resources of the company should be conserved.
Motor Snow-ploughs Wanted.
The Commercial Secretary to His Majesty's Legation at Tehran, Persia, reports that the Ministry of Roads and Communications desires to receive quotations for the supply of motor snowploughs for clearing snow from the highways. Those concerns in a position to offer British products can obtain further details from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, &W.1, quoting reference GX11281.
Rhondda Traffic Manager Dead.
Mr. J. F. Horner, who has since 1920 been the traffic manager of the Rhondda Tramways Co., Ltd., died a few days ago at the age of 55 years. Prior to his appointment at Rhondda, Mr. Horner was traffic superintendent to Wigan Corporation.
The Smith Super Tower Jack.
S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., Crieldewood Works, London, N.W.2, has pointed out that the Super Tower jack, which is manufactured by this company, and in which overlapping tubes take the tilting stresses' is of the screw type, and not operated hydraulically.