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News and Comment

23rd April 1908, Page 10
23rd April 1908
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Next week—"The Motorcab Special." Order now.

A single issue, complete in itself, with descriptive and illustrated articles, as yell as many valuable hints upon organisation and particulars of working costs, it promises to be well received and supported in all quarters. Some particulars about its sp:ecial circulation are given on page 210.

Fire Brigade Requirements.

Rochdale Corporation has decided to ask the Local Government Board to sanction a loan of 4-1,000 for the purchase of a motor fire engine, and Bradford City Council, after a long discussion, has taken a similar decision in respect of an expenditure of ..1,25o. At Bradford, much was said about the avoidance of cruelty to horses, and interesting statements were made as to the number of animals which fall down dead in fire-brigade services, as well as mention of the fact that the average life of a fire-brigade horse is less than that of a London bus horse.

Mr. Charles E. Esse.

Mr. Charles E. Esse, who is well known to many of our readers, will shortly complete the term of his engagement on the Editorial staff of this journal. Mr. Esse, notwithstanding his duties as Secretary to the Society ot Road Traction Engineers, will have a very large amount of free time each day, and we feel confident, once it is known that his services are available, that not a few people will desire to avail themselves of his combined engineering, journalistic, and commercial knowledge of practical affairs in commercial motoring. His experience is combined with an exceptionally pleasant nature and personality; hence, he should prove a valuable acquisition in any directorial, managerial, or departmental capacity, where a capable and responsible worker Is needed.

The new council of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is constituted as follows : ordinary members, Messrs. E. M. C. Instone, J. D. Siddeley, .C. Jarrott, E. Powell, S. F. Edge, E. Gascoine, F Lanchester, H. G. Burford, C. Johnson, T. H. 'Woollen, A. Brown, H. Austin, Harry Smith, J. E. Hutton, R. Dennis, S. Straker, W. G. Williams, G. du Cros, P. Richardson, H. du Cros, jun., E. Lisle, H. Storni-ley, T. Clarkson W. M. Letts, H. Johnson, F. Coleman, H. J. Swindley, H. J. Moyses and F. R. Simms ; associate members, Messrs. A. R. Atkey, G. Prosser, G.. Mann, W. Parker Thomas, A. Farnell, A. C. Hills, H. Carver, Major F. Lindsay Lloyd, IL J. Lloyd, and H. G. Atkinson. Mr. Edward Manville has, by unanimous resolution, been requested to continue in office as president during the ensuing year.

A Scotch Agency.

Mr. Edmund Tainsh, the manager of the Lanarkshire Motor Company, of Cadzow Bridge, Hamilton, N.B., is to be congratulated on the attention which he is now giving to commercial vehicles. This company has a splendid garage in Hamilton, and is giving particular care to Pirgyll vehicles.

Wolseley.Siddeley Lorries,

Amongst the Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Company's recent deliveries we note one of an 18h.p., 3o-cwt. Siddeley lorry for the Oxford Cooperative Society, Limited. This vehicle, of which an illustration is given on page 213, is employed for the conveyance of goods in and around Oxford. The body is 8 feet long, and is mounted on runners, so that it may easily be removed for access to the gear box or other parts of the under carriage. A large box for tools is placed in the space over the rear wheels, between the body and the frame members. The chassis is of the standard, ISh.p. type, as bought by the War Office, India Office, Midland Railway, and others.

An Unprofitable Departure.

We announced with regret, two weeks ago, that Motor Vehicles, Limited, of Bury, had gone into liquidation. The adventure of the backers of the Lancashire Wagon Company, Limited, into the region of hirepurchase finance for motor vehicles does not appear to have brought the anticipated results, although this is largely, in our judgment, because the directors were not well advised in respect of the contracts which they undertook. We observe, too, that the late secretary of the company, Mr. A. E. Dearden, has been committed for trial at the Manchester Assizes for alleged falsification of certain registers.

Local Control.

Bolton is a black spot in the opinion of drivers and owners of motor wagons. Tins Lancashire town, owing to its geographical position, attracts a lot of through traffic, and the Town Council holds that this traffic should be discouraged; hence, in rivalry with one ether Lancashire town lying a little farther to the East, Bolton has become something in the nature of a plague area, and the Motor Car Acts and Regulations are enforced with extreme rigour, whilst there is an inclination to take advantage of mere technical breaches, So far as any excess over the registered axle-weight of a lorry is concerned, we must point out that the police are merely doing their duty. however the prosecutions may annoy offending parties.

A Big Dividend.

As in 1906, the directors of the Continental Caoutclaouc and Guttapercha Company, of Hanover, are again in a position to declare the splendid dividend of 40 per cent., in spite of the "hard times" alluded to in the report. Trading profits are 6,229,155 marks (311,458) against 5,638,998 marks in the preceding year, and, after making the prescribed and rational deductions, there remains a sum of 3,157,971 marks (.4-t57,849) for allocation, Of 101,516 marks more than in 1906. In the balance-sheet, the company's accountants estimate the land owned at 2,392,449 marks, the buildings at 3,855,2o6 marks, and the machines at 2,792,449 marks. Since 1906, the value of the machinery has increased by over a million marks. In a recent article, we described some of the plant used by the company. The directors say that in the first months of the current year trade was tolerably brisk, and they cherish the hope that this year's trade will show a satisfactory result. They also say that they have sunk capital in a rubber property in a Brazilian forest, in order not to be too dependent upon European markets, and expect to economise considerably on their rubber purchases. Shall we get cheaper tires, in view of these large profits? Messrs. Martini and Htineke, the Hanover firm whose speciality is the manufacture of plant for the fire-proof storage of petrol and the like, have converted themselves into a company with a capital of 1,200,000 marks, or 4.6o,000.

For Wines and Spirits.

The accompanying illustration shows how one of the oldest-established firms of wine merchants in this conntry has found it expedient to adopt motor delivery. Mr. Frank H. Butler, who for some years was honorary treasurer of the Royal Automobile Club, is an ardent motorist himself, and he made a trial of a Lacre van, in the summer of 1905, between his London and Brighton depots. As a loyal member of the R.A.C., however, he decided to wait for the conclusion of the Commercial Vehicle Trials, and, notwithstanding the several postponements of that competition, he adhered to his resolution. In the end, as will be observed, there was no occasion for him to make a change in his choice, and the Lacre Company got the order.

Mr. Simms and Berlin.

We learn that Mr. Frederick R. Simms is interested in the company which has recently acquired Loeb's famous garage in Charlottenburg. It was from this garage that the Imperial German Automobile Club held its "

Gold-Medal " Trials last fall, as fully reported by us in October. The equipment of the garage is on a unique scale, and every " tenant " has his own division for the washing down of cars. Extensive repairing and fitting shops are also provided, as well as large stores for materials, tires and lubricants, etc., and the petrol supplies are moved by means of carbonic acid gas under pressure. The situation of the garage is exceptionally central and convenient, whilst the charges appear to be very moderate. At the moment, only small provision is made for dealing with commercial vehicles.

Lighter Motors Wanted.

Apropos the tests of agricultural motors which are to take place at Winnipeg in July next, we are interested to observe the recentlyexpressed views of Mr. A. Burgess G-reig of that Manitoba city in regard to the use of such machines. Writing in "The Farmer's Advocate," he expresses the view that machines of five ton weight will be the most successful for the replacement of horses. He points out that any breakdown in a larger unit means the throwing idle of large gangs of men and teams, whilst the heavier engines are unable to get about in wet seasons.

Limerick Roads: The Editor, on the occasion of his visit to Limerick, in February last, was much struck by the vile condition of the roads in the city and neighbourhood, and more particularly in the city itself. A soft local limestone is largely employed, and we do not wonder that steps are being taken to secure the ap pointment of a commission to enquire into the cost and management of both the county and city roads. There is a great feeling in the county of Limerick, where a large number of steam lorries are employed in connection with the creameries, much to the financial benefit of the farmers as a body, that the roads should be improved, and that Imperial help should be given.

A Question of Strength. 4."=are glad to note that the opposition of the Motor Union to the confirmation of the Light Railway Order for the Barton and Immingham Light Railway, the promoters of which sought to obtain authority to have a level crossing upon a certain highway near Barton (Lincolnshire), has been successful. The Board of Trade has now given its decision that the promoters will be required to provide a bridge, in lieu of the proposed crossing of this particular road in the parish of Barton-on-Humber. The C.M.U.A. should now see that the bridge is sufficiently strong to carry heavy motors.

The Stettin Corporation has now acquired a Stoewer vehicle for practice trips by the Stettin Fire Brigade. It has a four-cylinder engine developing some izh,p., and a similar automobile will be placed at the disposal of the Berlin Fire Brigade for a like purpose.

A New Cab Company.

The Liverpool and Manchester District Motor Cab Company, Limited, has been registered with an authorised capital of ,;100,000, divided into ng,000 ordinary shares of Li each, and 20,000 deferred shares c.): is. each. The object of the company is to adopt an agreement with J. A. Lawton and Company, Limited, of Liverpool, the Liverpool Motor Cab Company, Limited, and the Manchester Motor Cab Company, Limited, and a large number of 8-t th,p. Panhard cabs will, amongst others, be used. It may not be generally known that J. A. Lawton and Company, Limited, has been working a total of upwards of 6o cabs in the Liverpool and Manchester district for some months past, with most g-rati lying financial results.

For Upper Burmah.

The accompanying illustration is of a complete, I2-18h.p., two-cylinder, " Lotis" postal van, one of a number on order for service in Upper Burrnah. We gave, in our issue of the 13th February last, an outline drawing of this van, together with its principal dimensions. The chassis has been lengthened to give a g-foot wheel base, and about to cwt. of mails will be carried in addition to passengers. In the absence of mails, an additional six natives can be taken, whilst there is plenty of room on the roof for luggage. Ventilating louvres are fitted to the rear compartment, and the front seat has adjustable roller blinds of Willesden canvas. This vehicle is to undertake a journey of 102 miles per day, and is fitted with duplicate ignition sets. It will he in the charge of a native driver.

Mr. Robert George Jeffries, of Carshalton Road Motor Works, Sutton, Surrey, advises us that he is open to repair any vans or other commercial motors in the Sutton district, and that he is desirous to take up suitable agencies.

Peter Union Tires.

Mr. Richard I3ockemuhl, the head of the Peter Union Tyre Company's business in England, tells us that a number of people in the company's works at Frankfort-on-Main have been there for 20 years and more. The accompanying illustration is of the Peter Union stand at Olympia, and many supporters of this journal will recollect the interesting examples of

tires which were then collected together, inclusive of a number which had seen very hard service on the driving wheels of motorbuses.

Berlin's First All-motor Firestation.

Berlin's new fire-station in the vicinity of Friedrichshain probably constitutes a model of its kind. Some two or three weeks will elapse ere the four mechanical vehicles acquired for service leave the Bautzen works, but all is now ready for their reception, and some of the arrangements present points of no little interest. As to the automobiles themselves, we shall have an escape on the latest modern lines, a first-aid gas engine, a tender and an engine with steam-driven pump. Each of these has its separate exit door in the central building, and all doors can be opened by a single lever from the alarm room. To avoid turning, vehicles re-enter the central block through a fifth door in the right wing. Only veteran drivers—men who have had a lot of experience in driving horse-drawn brigade vehicles through Berlin's streets—come into consideration for posts as drivers. The personnel numbers 41, of which 23 answer a call. Firemen who happen to be on the first floor at the moment of the call need not use the staircase to reach the yard, but slide down rods attached outside the building. The left wing contains a forge, carpenter's, wheelwright's, mechanic's and fitting shops, batteries being overhauled in a special room in the cross-building. I understand that Berlin's first all-motor, fire-station will be inaugurated by a special ceremony on the part of the corporation.—From Our Berlin Correspondent,

Watching the "Taxicabby."

"The London Gazette," for the loth instant, contained the new regulations for taxitneter cabs in London. These are made under the hand of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, Sir E. R. Henry, by virtue of the powers conferred on him by Section 4 of the Registrar of Metropolitan Public Carriages Act of 185o. The new rules came into force on the 15th instant, and their working has already effected a marked improvement in the deficiencies of service which it is sought to remedy. We quote the regulations in full :

. The drivers of the first two 1110torcabs must be with their cabs and be ready to be hired at once by any person.

2. All cabs on the standing must move up as vacancies occur.

3. No motorcab engaged for somc. future time shall remain on the standing, unless willing to accept any intermediate hiring that may be offered.

4. No disabled motorcab shall remain on the standing unless such disablement is strictly temporary, and can be, and is, remedied at once. If the disablement is not of such a nature, a notice (in a form to be ap-proved by the Commissioner) must be at once placed on the cab to the effect that it cannot be used, and will be removed for repair.

Provided, that no cab shall be suffered to -stand across any street or thoroughfare, or opposite the end of any street or carriage-way, or upon any place where foot-passengers usually cross the carriage-way.

There is no question that the tendency of the men has been to go to the ranks, and to pick their jobs. They are afraid " to crawl," and afraid to take -every fare that offers, because trouble .ensues if they show less than a net 6d. per mile run.

We are indebted to the Royal Automobile Club in respect of the majority of the drawings included in the article on pages zoo to 202. The wheel section in the R.A.C. report was its unique feature, as we pointed out in our comments at the tune of its publication.

The "Jupiter" Fire Extinguisher.

A demonstration of the capabilities of the " Jupiter " fire extinguisher was given, on the 9th instant, at Worm. boltFarm, Shepherd's Bush, by Messrs. The " Jupiter" Fire Extinguishing Company. The tests were made with two distinct types of machine : one of these was a chemical fire extinguisher, whilst the' other was a special type for the putting out of petrol fires. The chemical machines which were used upon this occasion held 21 gallons of fluid each, and the average endurance of the jet was four minutes. A small shed, similar to a sentry box but wider, was painted over with fresh tar, and over the floor were spread shavings, damped with paraffin. The whole structure was then set on fire, and, when fully alight, one of the machines was directed at it. The flames were extinguished in just over half a minute.

A lake of tar, some eight feet in length, and about three feet wide, was then prepared, and on top of this was poured paraffin, with some wood shavings as an extra. A match was applied, and when the whole surface was ablaze, the jet put the flames out after a duration of some 45 seconds.

The efficiency of the petrol extinguisher was next demonstrated. The machine consists of a main cylinder, which is filled with a special liquid, and two smaller, outside, vertical chambers that contain carbonic acid gas at a pressure of approximately Ito lb. on the square inch. The gas and liquid chambers are separated by a valve, which has to be opened before the necessary force to discharge a jet can be obtained. The first test was made by pouring about zi gallons of petrol upon a piece of bare ground, the petrol covering an area of about sixty square feet. When the whole of the surface was in flame, the petrol extinguisher was brought to bear upon it, the result being that the flame was wholly extinguished in about 45 seconds. The remains of the same petrol was then relighted, and put out in r5 seconds.

Further, to show the capabilities of the apparatus, a brick tank, lined with cement, had been prepared, its dimensions being about 2 feet 3 inches square by 9 inches deep, and into this receptacle was poured a gallon and a half of petrol. The machine succeeded in wholly extinguishing the flames in under a minute. To show that the petrol was not entirely burnt, or evaporated, the residue was relighted, and again extinguished. Other demonstrations of the different types of machines made by the company will, our representative is informed, take place shortly. The address of the company is 35, Cannon Street, London, E.C.


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