Opinions from Others.
Page 26
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should .be on one side of the paper only, and type-written by Preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibilst5 for the views expressed is accepted. In the case of experiences, names of towns or localities may be withheld.
Bakers and Motorvans.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,308] Sir,I was much interested to read the remarks of a baker, in. your issue of the 9th inst., the more so as this is my particular line of business, and I am a user of light vans myself. Without doubt, the inotervan greatly expedites the delivery of bread, and is far preferable to the slow and unwieldy horse delivery. I would like to mention, however, that I find the light type of van, which is most suitable for this class of business, expensive in regard to tire upkeep if pneumatics are used. I was informed that the ordinary solid tire would damage the machinery of the vehicle, and therefore I decided to fit a well-known make of resilient wheel and tire, which has solved my trouble in regard to tires. I feel sure that many motorvan users and intending motorvan users, have been placed with the same problem as myself. The other items of upkeep, i.e., petrol consumption, oil and grease, general repairs, etc., do not amount to an excessive total, considering the much-wider area which can be covered by the motor, as compared with horse delivery. The tire question is all-important, and I consider that I have seen it solved.—Yours faithfully,
WHOLESALE BAKER.
[We understand that this correspondent refers to Lynton wheels.--Eo.1
Heavy Motorcar Axle-weights in Leeds.
The Editor, Tut COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,309] Sir,—I regret that absence from home has prevented my customary perusal of THE COMMERCIAL Moron, and I have only just had the opportunity of seeing some of the recent issues. I am much obliged to you for kindly publishing my previous communication [No. 1,289.—En.]. wherein I culled a clause from the local regulations in this city which states " That the sum of the registered axleweights of all the axles of a heavy motorcar (that is, including a trailer) shall not exceed, when laden, 12 tons."
Iii your issue of 12th January last, in which say letter appeared, you expressed a doubt as to the accuracy of this statement. I, therefore, have pleasure to enclose you herewith a copy of the registration form in question, and have underlined in red ink the extract referred to.
may say that the licensing authorities who are responsibfe for the interpretation of the Act represent a city which includes within its area no fewer that five manufacturers of heavy motorcars, i.e., steam tractors, steam wagons, and trailers. Surely, one would expect. such authorities to be sufficiently well conversant with the various Acts of Parliament as to render a correct reading of the regulations governing the use of the vehicles under discussion, and any opinion which they may formulate. due to the authoritative source from which it emanates. inust of necessity take precedence over the opinion of the writer, particularly in view of the fact that he was politely informed by the " Gentleman in Blue" that, if at any time he (the constable) came across a steam tractor and trailer of the aggregate weight of 20 tons (loaded), he would promptly secure a conviction.
It seems to me absurd that a certain official in one town should read the Act in a contrary light to that of another official in a neighbouring town, and by so doing minimize the profits of the user by reducing the loads hauled. Goodness only knows, the manufacturers and users of self-propelled vehicles are already hampered to a ridiculous extent by petty restrictions, which appear to have been instituted with a view of crippling an industry which gives employment to thousands of men throughout the country. I am much obliged to " An Owner Near Bolton" for giving his reading of the Act, but you will see that I have not misread anything: if I register a vehicle and a certain
clause appears on the registration form, I naturally assume that I must conform to the document which I have signed. What action would you advise users to take in a district where the officials have evidently framed regulations which are erroneous ? Any information published in your paper will be much appreciated by—Yours faithfully, REGISTRATION.
[We are obliged to this reader for drawing our attention to a stupid error of the Leeds authorities, and we are drawing the attention of the Secretary of the Local Government Board to the mistake. A trailer is not a heavy motorcar.—En Prospects in Jamaica.
The Editor, Tax COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,310] should be greatly obliged if you could for ward me a copy of your paper " Motorbus or Tramcar " read before the Road Congress in Brussels last August, and mentioned in your December issue. [We have had pleasure in doing so.—En.] It may be of interest to you to know that there is a very-promising field in this island for commercial meters, there being an excellent system of main roads, some 2,000 miles in all, and an increasing number of motor vehicles of all kinds is being imported. Several motor lorries of English make are now in use and doing good work, though this branch has suffered something of a set-back, owing to the importation of American machines of an unsuitable type. This department has in use several combined light tractors and road rollers, which are doing capital work, and much reducing the cost of haulage of stone. The purchase of more is contemplated by the Government at an early date.--Yours faithfully, N. ROOTS, Inspecting Engineer P_W.D. Kingston, Jamaica. Delay in Ordering.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,311] Sir,—An incident which has just occurred now causes us to write this letter in the interests of owners, not only for customers for Lotis vehicles, but for others, whom we would urge, if they have any intention of ordering at all, to do so at once.
The incident referred to was the renewal of negotiations with a firm, Who commenced to discuss a van as far back as September, and who are now much disappointed and astonished to find that they are not able to get delivery in three or four weeks. They had, they inform. us, suspended negotiations in the autumn, because they would not be requiring the vehicle until the spring, and they would " wait until then." In this matter, we are not singular, for the pressure which is being put upon the productive capacity of the Lotis works is, we believe, being repeated in many other factories in the trade, and we would urge those who wish delivery of their vehicles, to place their orders at least three months before the time they require them. Large numbers of people, we find in our experience, consider and discuss and delay ordering until a few weeks beforethey require the vehicles, and to such, no doubt, three months for delivery sounds a long time; we may point out that, quite apart from. any exceptional pressure upon the works, if a body with anything like a finish is required, it will take a good 10 weeks to build, and then there will be 10 days or a fortnight to fit it to the chassis and finish the completed vehicle off. Of course, lorry bodies finished in French grey can be got through very quickly, but, where purchasers desire to take advantage of the advertising value of a motorvan, and to have a strikingly-finished vehicle, the time mentioned must be allowed.—Yours faithfully.
STITRMEY MOTORS, LTD.