Answers to Queries.
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed ; a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure un our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach us for lists of motorcab and commercial-vehicle owners ; these we never supply. Our advertisement columns are open to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the purposes of 'trade.
One Side Lamp or Two ?
[2366] (Halifax).--It is safer and wiser at all times to carry two side lamps, as there are numerous local and county by-laws which require two to be carried. One (off) side Lamp and one tail lamp are sufficient under the Motor Car Acts, but not under certain lighting by-laws.
Dealing in Vehicles on Maintenance Terms.
[2367] (Salesman).—Firrns which lay themselves out to do motor hiring generally confine themselves to one or two types of vehicles, and in some cases are directly or indirectly interested in those vehicles. You might possibly be able to get some arrangement concluded with Mr. Stuart A. Curzon, of 98.100, Victoria Street, S.W., or with French's Garage and Motor Works, Ltd., Balham High Road, S.W., but this matter is generally one of finance.
Liability for Injury to Vare-paying Passengers.
[2368] (Newcastle,).—You are nominally not responsible to your passengers, but in practice it is undoubtedly wise to insure against the risk. When you are proved liable, you may, of course, have seine basis of recovery against third parties, following a collision. Before passengers in a char-a-banes can recover from the proprietor of the vehicle, in respect of injury or damage sustained by them, they must prove negligence on the part of the proprietor or of a servant of the proprietor. Notwithstanding this, we advise you to insure, because, in the event of any accident, it is generally very easy to prove such negligence to the satisfaction of a jury.
Bonuses for Drivers in a Mixed Fleet.
[2:369] (Sheffield),—It is best to recommend that you should apply the broad rule of giving each driver 25 per cent, of any money that he clearly saves you by extra-careful driving or special attention. This necessitates your fixing your normal costs under various heads. We suggest that you utilize our free sheet of costs as a guide. It will probably apply under most of the headings, although in your business you may possibly have special insurance risks to cover. . A bonus for freedom from accidents is important, and a bonus for the man amongst your drivers who has been on the severest work in any week is also a suggestion which we think you might consider. We also refer you to Answer No. 2357 (issue of the 9th inst.).
Starting With a Taxicab.
[2:170] (New Owner).—The registration of a new taxicab costs 21, which is payable to the registering authority under the Motor Car Acts, and you must also take out. a driver's licence, under the same Act, which will cost you 5s. ; the former is a single payment, but the latter is an annual one. These are licences under the Motor Car Acts. A transfer of a car licence costs 5s., and not 2.1.
A taxicab licencee, in addition to the foregoing, requires a hackney-carriage licence, and you must get that from the local hackney-carriage licensing authority. It will cost you 15s., if the vehicle weighs
one ton or less unladen, or 17s. if the vehicle weighs more than one ton unladen, each year. You cannot ply for hire without a hackney-carriage licence D6 of this kind, and the local hackney-carriage licensing authority may also charge you something for your own badge as a local driver. It is not necessary to pay any carriage tax beyond the foregoing, provided you use the vehicle solely as a taxicab or a hackney carriage or for the conveyance i of goods. You may not use t as a private pleasure vehicle to give friends an outing, without risk of having to pay the full 3d. a gallon petrol tax. So long as you do not use the vehicle for private purposes, you are entitled to a rebate of 1W, per gallon on ail the petrol you use, and any garage will tell you how to proceed to recover it. The first step is to take care that you buy no petrol without obtaining a certificate from the garage to the effect that the full duty of 3d. per gallon has been paid on it. The possible use of the vehicle for advertising purposes is independent upon enforceable rules in respect of advertising in the streets in particular towns. There are such rules, for example, in Liverpool.
A Paying Basis of Revenue for a Contractor's Four-ton Petrol Lorry.
[2371] (Liverpool Triangle).—The extent and degree of light loading, running light and terminal delays will be the principal factors in determining the satisfactory returns from the proposed contracting with a four-ton petrol lorry. You will not find a satisfactory return for yourself unless you can so arrange the charges that you see a revenue of is. 3d. per mile run. With a certain amount of empty running, the mileage empty must be added to the mileage run under load, before computing the necessary income. When that figure is calculated, it can be divided by the load, and the cest per ton for the job found. In special cases, when it is possible to get loads both ways, and to be assured that there will not be material delays at the terminal points, you may find it expedient, occasionally, to base the charges on a revenue of ls. per mile run. That is an absolute minimum.
The above figures Are the best that can be given in simple terms to help you to control quotations for work to be done.
Accumulator and Magneto Ignitions.
[2372] (Agents).—Commercial Cars, Ltd., fits its engines with Bosch dual ignition, having a double distributor for two sets of plugs, and a four-way coil for use with a four-volt accumulator. With this type of ignition, the engine can be run on a magneto or on accumulators, independently of one another, or both the magneto and the accumulators can be used at the same time. We understand that the coil used is of Cominercar make.
Daimler icommereial models are fitted with the Bosch ZRI dual ignition, which combines the use of Bosch coil and accumulator. This is only a three-way coil, and the magneto has only one distributor ; con
sequently, there is only one set of plugs. With this ignition, it is possible to run either, on the magneto or the accumulators, independently of one another, but, of course,. using the same distributor for each. The accumulator and magneto cannot be used at the same time.
The Associated Equipment Co.„ Ltd., which makes the L.G.O.C. B-types, also uses ignition as fitted to the Daimler. Halley's, Lacre's and Hall's also use this type, as well as the normal single-ignition magneto.