WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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" The wheas of wealth, will be slowed b all difficulties of transport at whatever poiiits arising, as a carriage is by the rougimeAs of the roads over which it runs. ''—john Beattie Crozikr.
Drivers' Wages in the Carting Trade.
In accordance with the operation of a sliding scale under an agreement between the London Cartage and Haulage Contractors' Association, the Metropolitan and Home Counties Road Transport Association, and the Motor Transport Employers' Federation for the employers, and the Transport and General Workers' Union for the employees, a reduction of 3s. a week in the wages of drivers of horse and mechanical vehicles, and is. 6d. a week in the case of cer• tain other employees in the carting trade became operative on the first pay-day in May. The agreement referred to also contains some clauses with reference to rates of pay for overtime and statutory holidays supplemental to the decisions of the Joint Industrial Council for the road transport industry. The following is the new scale per week :—
Steam wagon drivers 738. Steam wagon drivers (mates) 58s. Motor drivers—
Tip to and including 15-cwt. ears 53s. Over 15 cwt. up to and including 2 tons ... ... 65s.
Over 2 tons ... ... 73s.
Pneumatic Tyres for Army Lorries.
The amount of impact received through the wheels by the axles and chassis of a motor vehicle is the ruling factor, all other things being equal, in determining wear and tear and the life of a Chassis and. conversely, in determining the wear on the road surface. It will be interesting, in this connection, for our readers to know that tests have recently been made, tinder the direction of Col. F. W. Herreriugshew, Chief of the War Planing Section. Motor Transport Corps, of the United States Army, with the object of ascertaining the comparative impact effect on the road between solid and pneumatic tyres, and the results obtained show impact of solid. tyres, under a load of wet gravel, to be 168, as compared with 100 for pneumatic tyres with a 50 per cent, overload of siMilar material. In other words, there was 68 per cent, more impaet when using solid tyres than there Wai when using pneumatic tyres.
At the present time all motor trucks up to 11. tons load capacity in tha United States Motor Transport Corps are equipped with pneumatic tyres. Further tests, it is stated, are being made by the department with Compression inner tubes, on the results of which will depend the decision as to whether or not •the heavier vehicles will also he equipped with pneumatic tyres.
1922 Commercial Vehicle Prices.
In spite of the fact that commercial vehicle prices are More or less -in a stale of flux these days as a result of unstable markets, there is little doubt that the book just issued by Stone and Cox. Ltd., 188-189, Strand, London, W.C. 2, giving 1922 prices of cars, lorries and motorcycles, will interest not a few engaged in various *phases of the industry. As a matter of strict fact,
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the book contains much more than a mere list of prices, giving details, as it does, of the makers of 'British vehicles, the names of conckessionnaires for foreign machines, year of manufacture of particular models and thelir present-day value, engine horse-power, bore arid stroke dimensions, chassis weight and carrying capacity, etc. Many pages are taken up by provisional rules and orders ofthe Miuistry of Transport in relation to road vehicles, whilst other informa
tion includes index marks, how to calculate horse-power, R.A.C. horse-power ratings, explanation of benefits in motor policies (a most valuable section for commercial user), and much other matter relating to insurance. The published price of the book is 5s. net.
Argentine Road Policy.
The Argentine Road Con-mission, sitting in Buenos Aires this month, is stimulating afresh the Republic's road schemes. The programme arranged will take nearly three years to complete. Not only will numbers of road-making machines be required, but many lorries will be required by the farmers in the agricultural districts.
Wireless on a Motor Coach.
There has been so much discussion lately on the application of wireless telegraphy to various uses that it seems only right and proper that the motor coach should not be left out in the cold. It will interest many readers who are carefully watching wireless developments to learn that a Sowerby Bridge char-ii-bancs proprietor has had one of his vehicles fitted with a complete wirelees installation after preliminary tests with the instrum_ent had proved satisfactory. By this means it will be possible for passengers who are road' touring to be in constant communication with the home station, and when the broadcasting scheme is in full swing, the coach party, when out on the moors, will be able to halt and be entertained with news messages from near and far.
Catering for Leeds Coach Passengers.
Taking the genuine working class, which has, in recent years, learned the joys of the open road and now finds no greater pleasure than that to be obtained from a motor coach trip, one sees that orderliness of behaviour is as much observed amongst that class as in any other 'section of the community. It is in the interests, not only of the motor coach passengers, but of the coach proprietors, that the latter now studiously set their face against 'the unruly individual, and, when we reported in our issue of April 25th an interview between a representative of The Commercial Motor and Mr. Robert Barr, the well-known char-it-bancs proprietor, of Meadow Lane, Leeds, the impression that was intended to be conveyed was that, Mr. Barr was placing in the forefront the interests of the workingman and his wife. Nothing more than this desire to provide for his patrons the greatest possible comfort and enjoyment in their outings must be read into the remarks contained in our report of that interview.
An Interesting Point of Law..
A great deal of misuse of index plates by motor dealers was alleged by the deputy chief constable in a case at Pontypridd Police Court recently, when F. Merry, of Treorchy, was summoned for using an unlicensed motorcar, and . Messrs. William Lewis and Sons, motor engineers, Cardiff, for aiding and abetting. It was stated that Merry was in charge of a char-ii-bassos which he had fetched from Messrs. Lewis's works that day, and which displayed DO licence disc but only an index plate in the front and a general identification mark
in the rear. Merry said he intended going for the licence later, but the deputy elliM constable, commenting on this practice, said that when it left the garage with. only an index plate a vehicle must be accompanied by, and be in sole charge of, one of the licencee's servants. The magistrates fined Merry 22 and Messrs. Lewis and Sons 21.
Testing Local Fuels in Australia.
A few weeks ago the Automobile Club of Victoria, Australia, conducted an interesting test on the outskirts of Melbourne, when some 60 vehicles, comprising tractors, lorries, cars and cycles engaged in a 20-mile trial, each using a declared fuel ether than ordinary petrol. The fuels employed were alcohol, benzole, shale zpirit, alkol and crude spirit. The run, it is said, was eminently successful, and it is considered that it. will give encouragement to those who are embarking upon the development of the Commonwealth's oil re sources.. .
Stonehaven Town Council has agreed to co-operate with the Scottish .Automobile Club in connection with a proposed centenary celebration of the birth of Robert W. Thomson, the inventor of the pneumatic tyre.
Leyland Report.
The report of the directSrs of Leyland Motors, Ltd., shows that the writing down of the company's stock to its proper -market value has meant providing for a depreciation of not •less than £696,983. Making allowance for this writing down, there is a trading loss for the period of 11 months to August 31st, 1921, of £539,804: By adding loan and hank interest (£87,801), income tax (£54,668), depreciation on buildings, plant, machinery and investments ()98,705), and deducting the balance of £58,245 brought forward, together with other items, this total is increased to £731,628, which, with the addition of £23,887 paid in respect of preference dividends, leaves a debit balance of £755,515. For the 12 mouths ended September 30th, 1920, the company made a trading profit of £215,085.
According to the accounts, bills payable at September 30th, 1920, amounted to £285,151, and at August 30th, 1921, to £18,340. Bank overdraft, trade and other creditors figured at £1,912,455 on September 30th; they were reduced to £1,779,196 eleven months later.
On the credit side, trade and other debtors stood at £382,409 at September 30th, 1920, whereas this sum had been lowered to £325,560 eleven months later. Stock-in-trade and work in progress at September 30th, 1920, amounted • to £2,444,137, whereas it was 21,477,841 at August 30th, 1921.
Disposal of Irish M.T. Vehicles.
Hundreds of motor transport vehicles of all types—from Crossleys and Fords to Foclen steamers, which up to recently were in the service of the military authorities, in Ireland—are now concentrated at the Aintree Disposal Depot, Liverpool, where they are being sold' by Mr. John Bennett. Some of the vehicles inspected by •a representative of this journal were within a few weeks of being brand new, and whilst others, particularly the lighter transport units, required adapting for eonnnereial service, the engines were, except in a few cases, in faultless condition. The sale of these vehicles has presented many tradesmen in a small way of business with a unique cpportunity of 'acquiring a motor which otherwise they would have been unable to afford.
Many of the Crossley tenders have
been sold to motor coach proprietors for rebuilding into 14-18-seater coaches. As to the Fords, about 100 of these were sold in the week immediately preceding our visit, in addition to 30 Dennis lorries.
Mr. Bennett told the writer that up to the present his firm had disposed of about 1,000 surplus Army lorries, and that they had about 1,000 more to sell. Compared with the condition of the vehicles which were operated in Flanders said France, the Irish MT. fleet is in much better condition. In addition to lorries, vans, tenders, ambulances, steam wagons, road rollers, Mr. Bennett has a huge quantity of unused spares, including tyres of all sizes, for sale.
New Birmingham Buses.
The Birmingham Tramways decided a few days ago to place orders for a number of motor omnibuses for .service on city routes. Experiments have lately been carried out with a number of types of buses on the Harborne route with a view to the selection of the vehicle which best. suits service conditions in Birmingham. As a result buses with a capacity of from 48 to 54 passengers, similar to the " S" type in use in London, will be placed on the road.
Leyland's Fire-engine.
A reports has been circulated in the Press referring to a mishap to a fireengine belonging to the local authority at Leyland, Lanes. As this machine is referred to as the" Leyland fire-engine," it. should be statesria order to obviate confusffin with Leyland Motors, Ltd., owing to the similarity of the name, that the fire-engine to which the mishap occurred was not manufactured by the established Lancashire company bearing this name. The engine is an old one, and it is interesting to hote that a committee of the Leyland Urban District Council has recently recommended that it should be replaced by a modern vehicle produced in the works of Leyland Motors, Ltd.
We have recently-published one or two paragraphs dealing with the application of Messrs. Keith and Boyle, of Harleyford Road, London, S.E., who run the Orange motor coaches, for two motor coach licences for Hove. The town council, after several refusals, has now agreed to grant the necessary licences.
Bournemouth Buses.
The annual report of the Bournemouth Corporation tramways 'manager states that in regard to the motorbuses the• Westbourne and Alum Chine bus has been in service during the whole year. The total receipts amounted to £668, as against £623, the miles run being 8,866, as against 8,615, the passengers carried being 64,001, as against 84,059, and the receipts per bus-mile work outat 18.07d., as against 17.35d. for the corresponding period last year.
The bus from Bosoombe Arcade to Boscombe Pier was kept in service almost continuously from April to November. The receipts amounted to £903, as against £432, the miles run being 5,966
as against 3,921. The passengers carried totalled 144,639, as against 101,687, and the receipts per bus-mile worked out at, 36.31d., as against 26.42d. last year.
The total operating expenses for these two services for the year amounted to £1,754 and the traffic and sundry revenue realized was £1,694, which shows a deficit on the working of sonic £60, as against a deficit last year of £151.
Karrier Sweepers.
Karrier Motors, Ltd., have just issued a well-finished production dealing with the Karrier road sweeper, sprinkler and collector. A full technical description is given of the construction of this machine, which differs in masy respects from the orthodox type of construction, whilst a section of the catalogue is devoted to a description of the parts requiring peri odical inspection and attention. The adjustment chart which is included shows clearly the various parts which call for examination, and should enable those in possession of machines of this type to undertake the work with the minimum of difficulty. The tabulation ef running costs should proves a useful guide to users, and will enable them to ascertain whether they are securing the highest possible efficiency from themachine.
The new presidential badge of the Institute of Transport, worn for the first time by Sir Henry P. Maybnry during the London Transport Congress last week and illustrated on page 420 of this issue, was manufactured by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths -Co-, Ltd., of 112, Regent Street, London, W.
Belgian Agriculture.
The use of agricultural machinery in Belgium is at present still more or less in its infancy. This is due to two reasons — the particularly conservative nature of small farmers and farm labourers, and the feet that land tenure is principally confined to small-holdings, the number of large farms being relatively few. Efforts are, however, being made to increase its use. The eighth Exhibition of Agricultural Machinery was held in Brussels in February, and a great variety of machinery of both foreign and Belgian make was exhibited, including the manufactures of about a dozen British firms.
The Beerenbond of Louvain, an important agricultural co-operative society, is also doing a great deal to improve agricultural methods and to introduce modern machinery. Imports of British machinery are hampered by the policy of the Belgian Government of importing from Germany and supplying to farmers as a, payment on account of claims for war damage.
Protecting the Small Bus Owner.
The annual licensing meeting of the Rhyl Council was the scene of a heated discussion a few days ago on the question of permitting proprietary stands for motors and hackney carriages. During the course of the discussion a point as to ancient rights was raised, and onbehalf of the owner of the Royal—Flotel it was contended that the council -should not prohibit, a stand outside the premised after one had existed for 100 years. It was stated that recently a new motorbus service had been established between Rhyl and Dysexth, but the polio() had raised objections to the bus standing outside the hotel because of the congestion of traffic. This attitude, it was argued, was a direct hit at the small man, as the proprietor of the bus had bought up the rights of the former owner of what was known -as " the Dyserth
which at one time was a slowgoing horse-driven vehicle. This antiquated vehicle had been replaced by a modern bus, in. which the owner—an exService man—had invested all his capital, and he was now faced with competition from one of the large bus-operating companies, who have placed a vehicle on 06 the same route. Members contended that the council should not prevent an ex-Service man from making a living, and that by running a bus service be was bringing trade to the town.
After further discussion the council, by a majority, decided to grant a licence to the ex-Service owner for the Royal Hotel proprietary stand.
Road Upkeep and Economy.
Sir James P. Hinohcliffe, chairman of the West Riding County Council, dealing with the report of the Economy Committee, said that no substantial saving in the annual expenditure would be effected without dealing with the policy of the principal spending committees, one of which is the Highways Committee. Local authorities were continually asking for improvements or widening or paving of main roads. As an illustration, he pointed out that for the year ended March 31st the Marsden County Council, which repaired the main road in its dia.
trict, had submitted claims for more than £11,000 for the repair of 4;', miles of the Standedge main road, and that to-day two miles of it were as bad or worse than a year ago. They were now told, he said, that it would cost £42,000 to make that two miles of roadway strong enough to bear the heavy traffic between Liverpool and Manchester and the West Riding.
Railways were the real highways for heavy traffic was the chairman's contention, and instead of seeking powers, as the railway companies were doing, to enable them to enter into competition with road traffic, he urged upon them to cheapen freights and expedite deliveries and improve the general management of their lines, so that they might take this unwanted traffic off the roads.
Services Without Sanction.
The highways comniittee of the Lindsey County Council has reported that some of the Lincoln Corporation motorbuses had been running beyond the city boundaries without the sanction of the county council. The clerk has been directed to ascertain the views of other authorities whose roads are being used by the corporation buses, and, meanwhile, to inform the Lincoln Corporation that its right to run buses over the roads is not admitted, and that the corporation would be held liable.
Rotherham Buses.
At a meeting of the Rotherham Corporation Tramways Committee the tram. ways manager reported that he had been in communication with Guy Motors, Ltd., with a view to arranging for the loan of a demonstration vehicle to inaugurate and maintain a service to the housing site until such time as the committee decide what type of vehicle should be purchased. He stated that the company would only loan a vehicle for a period of a fortnight, and as five weeks was the quickest time for the delivery of a new chassis, if purchased, it would have meant that at the expiration of the fortnight's trial period the service would have to be discontinued until the new chassis was delivered.
The chairman reported that the tramways manager -had informed him of the situation, and, in view of the necessity for opening this service as speedily as possible, he-had given instructions for an order to be placed with Guy Motors, Ltd., for one chassis at. the amended price of £365 7s. 6d., and also to place an order with the Globe Pattern Works, Rotherham, for one body. at £128 10s. The question of the other five vehicles is to remain in abeyance for the moment. The tramways manager further reported that he hoped to be able to commence this service in about a month's time.
Municipal Haulage in Australia.
Figures recently compiled in Sydney, New South Wales, disclose the fact that the use of motor vehicles is rapidly increasing, the registrations in that particular city having risen by 6,857 since April, 1920. At that time 2,367 motor lorries were in use, whereas in February of this year 3,597 such machines were in actual service.
Vigorous efforts are being made to induce the Melbourne City Council to probe. farther into the merits of motor traction for street cleaning and other
municipal tasks. The council intends to purchase a refuse-collecting vehicle. and may possibly invest in a mechanical watering cart. It is contended that a number of motor street sweepers should also be purchased. The city engineer, who toured Europe and America last year, is an earnest advocate of mechanical traction for municipal purposes.
Belgian Bus Services.
The comprehensive system of main and light railways and tramways in Belgium, coupled with the unsuitability of most of the roads near industrial centres, has given less encouragement than in other countries to the introduction of automobile transport, but a. beginning has been made with motorbus services in Antwerp (through British enterprise) and in Brussels, while the authorities of other districts have been approached with a view to the establishment of motor services as supplementary to the vicinal railways. British firms will do well to consider the possibilities of such enterprises, while bearing in mind that close cooperation with the local authorities and with the tram and railway services will be essential to the success of any scheme of this kind. Petrol, tyres and labour are relatively cheap, but vehicles must be of exceptionally strong construction to stand the bad pave roads.
Auxiliary Ignition for the Ford.
The Red Dragon auxiliary ignition for . Fords reintrodaices the old and welltried principle of dual ignition, bat uses a strongly made six-volt dry battery of large capacity, the whole device being enclosed in a neat enamelled metal case, which is merely screwed to the dashboard, and the two wires connected to existing terminals.
In addition to preventing the vehicle from being heldup by temporary failure of the ordinary ignition, the Red Dragon fitting facilitates starting, especially on cold mornings, being the next best thing to the self-starter. It will drive a Ford independently of the magneto. The makers, Red Dragon Accessories, of 64, Mortimer Street, London, \VI, inform us that the price of the fitting is 18.s. 6d.
An Unbreakable Lamp.
The Bartle unbreakable aluminium headlamp has already established itself as one of the strongest and most efficient lamps on the market. That its claim to be unbreakable is not an exaggeration is evidenced by the testimony received from the Tower Motor Co., of Liverpool who recently had a three-ton lorry involved in an accident.
This company, in a letter to James Bartle and Co.' Ltd., of Lancaster Road, Notting Rill, London, W., the makers of the lamp, point out that the impact was taken on the top portion of the rim that holds the glass. "The force of the blow," continues the letter, "was sufficient to bend the stock of the lamp practically backwards until the container touched the bracket palm, praying that the blow must have been considerable. Neither was the lamp glass broken, nor was the rim fractured, and we think it speaks highly for the design and construction of the lamp."
Horse versus Motor.
The chief veterinary officer of the, Birmingham Corporation, who is president of the Midl,ffid Counties Veterinary Medical Association said, in his inangaral address a few days ago, that motorists would have them believe that they were witnessing the passing-tof the horse, but that this was not so. They still had the heavy draught horse, he maintained, which, as a commercial prhposition, was better than the motor for heavy roads over a short distance.
It is difficult to befievti his assertion that many firms, who have been running motor vehicles, have found that the costof upkeep and repairs rendered this form of transport Uneconomical, and that they were returning to horse traction as the More profitable alternative.
It is known to all that the horse possesses certain advantages for shortdistance traffic in congested akeas, although the consensus of opinion on the merits of horse and motor traction for general transport purposes is all on the side of the latter.
Goodyear in France.
A branch of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., has been established in France, the title and address of the company being La Societe des Pneumatiques et Caoutehoucs Goodyear, 49, Rue de Ponthieu, Paris. Mr. E. Avery, who was for some time connectedwith the Goodyear Co. in Great Britain, is the managing director of the Paris coin:patty ; in addition he holds the appointment of managing director of the Cia Espanola de Neumaticos y Caucho Goodyear S.A. at 1, Calle Recoletos, Madrid.
Heavy Traffic on Narrow Roads.
At a meeting of the Belchamp Rural District Council it was decided to approach the Milford District Council With a view to the two councils repairing, withoutprejudice, the bridge over the river at Renny.
During the meeting the surveyor reported that heavy motor lorry traffic was being used on the Alphanistone, Bares and Pebmarsh road, which is a narrow thoroughfare unsuited and dangerous for this class of traffic. The council decided to serve a notice on users of the road, pointing out that heavy lorry loads were beyond the ordinary traffic,which can be carried along the road with safety.
Buses at Six M.P.H.
At a meeting of the Yarmouth Watch Committee the chief constable reported that the district traffic manager of the United Automobile Services, Ltd., had given instructions to drivers not to exceed a speed of six miles an hour through Queen's Road.
The Midland "Reds."
Outside Loudon, the best-known motorbus services in the country are probably those run by the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., .Ltd. During the past few years the fleet of Midland "Reds," us the bus-es are familiarly known, has grown considerably, and at the present time nearly 250 vehicles are in use running on 200 distinct services in 17 different counties, The company have just issued a useful handbook, which is intended to give a good general idea of the bus system, it being impossible to deal exhaustively with, and give detailed itineraries of, each route in the compass of the book.
The book shows not only how each part of the Midland area is covered by routes radiating from its own centre, but also the way in which these centres and districts are themselves linked closely together in a larger federation of through routes and connections.
The company's buses are mostly of the
single-deck saloon type, with drop-down•windows, the chassis being 40 h.p.
Tilling-Stevens petrol-electric.
Discount tickets are now issued by the company available on all route.s:.(Sunda.vs and Bank Holidays excepted) at the following rates :— One, hundred 2d. tickets ... 14s. 6d.
Fifty 3d. ... lls. Oil. Twenty-five 6d. ... ... 11s. Od. Twenty-five Is. ... ... 22s. (ki.
These tickets can be purchased from any inspector, timekeeper, or at any of the company's offices or garages. These privilege tickets are very popular with parties, and result in a useful saving to travellers.
A speed of 150,27 miles an hour, the mile being covered in 1997. secs., ,sounds colossal for a motor vehicle. Sig. Haugdahl, the. Norwegian racing star, is credited with thIaperformance on 11 Wisconsin oar on Jliaytona BeacMaat month. It is interesting to note that the necessarily teriific stresses were transmitted through a -1 hermoid Hardy disc universal joint made by E. J. Hardy and Co., Ltd., of Coventry.
Canada's Tyre Exports.
The rubber industry claims a considerable portion of Canada's manufactures, theft, being no fewer than 32 factories producing all kinds of rubber goods other than vulcanite and hard rubber. Canada's export of rubber goods increased from 113,000 dollars in 1910 to 8,000,000 dollars in 1919; 73.4 per cent. of all motor tyres, 76.3 per cent, of all tubes, and 91.2 per cent. of all solid tyres exported by Canada during 1921 were, it is stated, manufactured by the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. An interesting feature connected with Canada's export business during 1921 is that 20 per cent, of its exports were carried in Canadian vessels.
Shock Absorbers for Fords.
The essential feature of the Drednaut shock absorber, a Canadian invention for Ford Chassis, which is being marketed in this country by Brame° (1920), Ltd., St. Nicholas Street, Coventry, lies in the fact that it is not clamped around the ordinary leaf spring, in which position it would tend to prevent the spring functioning properly by taking the shock on the centre of the leaf spring and so .weakening it.
The action of the shock absorber supplements that of the existing Ford springs, the chassis being suspended on Your strong coil springs made of vanadium steel. The shock absorber arm is connected directly to the chassis and body of the car by a shackle link. Between this connection and the one at the end of the leaf spring the recoil of the leaf spring, after flexing, is controlled by a neutralizing action through the coil spring and shock absorber arm to the body.
Lorries for Greek Currant Industry.
Although the Greek market is not at present favourable to the import of lorries, chiefly Owing to had roads, low exchange, petrol ,taxation and import restrictions, there will ultimately be a considerable demand in Western Greece for lorries for the transportation of currants. Distances to the shipping quavs ere generally short, and railway facili rg ties few. Owing to the mountainous nature of the country, light lorries of good hill-climbing ability would prove most popular for this work, British terries will have to compete both against the exchange-favoured German and Italian makes and against the efficiently pushed American vehicle. Great, saving in time and cost of delivery can be effected by shipping to Patres instead of the Pirteus.
A. Collapsable Rim for Fords.
The Acre and Motor Co. (Manchester), Ltd., 8, Peter Street, Manchester, are the agents for the Sconor rim, which is said completely to obviate all the difficulties attendant on the removal from, and the replacing on, demountable rims of straight-sided tyres. The company have arranged a fitting station within easy distaxico of the Ford works at. Trafford Park, where users can effect a change over from the existing rims to the Sconor rims with little delay.
With this efficient collapsable rim any tyre can be removed and replacement effected with ease in less than three minutes. No tyre levers are required, and, furthermore, the possibilities of nipping the tube and distorting the rim do not exist.
Hungary's Roads.
Considerable improvement has taken place with regard to paving and repairs in the chief towns of Hungary, of which there are 37 in new Hungary with over 20,000 inhabitants, but the highways and by-ways between these towns are still in a parlous state and generally only fit for country carts.
In spite of great Budget deficit the Government has, according to a Department for Overseas Trade report, found it necessary to earmark 100 million korona in order to carry out the most essential repairs to roads not as yet fit for motor or lorry traffic.
The Rhondda Tramways Co. announce a loss of £4,191 on the working of their motor omnibuses this year, as compared with £1,051 last year. Similar results have been experienced in other areas where the buses are controlled by tramway officials.
. Local Proceedings,
Birmingham Corporation has arranged to erect a new fire station.
Merthyr Town Council has deferred the proposal to purchase three motorbuses.
Bishop Auckland Urban District Council has decided to invite tenders for a new fire-engine.
The Lincoln City Council has decided to purchase an electric refuse van from Clayton Wagons, Ltd., Lincoln, Bishop Auckland Urban District Council has refused to grant an application from a woman for a motorbus driver's licence.
The garage committee of the Glasgow Corporation recommends that the charge for the use of the garage cars be is, a mile. The present rate is is. 3d.
The motorcar central garage committee of the Glasgow Corporation recommends the provision of light motorcars for the heads of the corporation departments.
Rotherham Corporation has appointeea sub-committee to consider the question of the proposed establishment of a central garage for the corporation motor vehicles.
Rotherham Corporation Markets Committee has asked the superintendent to report as to the purchase of a suitable vehicle for the distribution of ice from the cold storage department.
-Westminster City Council propose to sell three steam wagons and one petrol lorry, which are too old to run efficientiv and obtain tenders for the supply oi'five new 3-ton to 4-ton wagons.
Bedford Town Council reports that the electric house-refuse collecting van belonging to Garrett and Sonst Ltd., has been retained on hire for a third month, and that belonging to Newton Bros. (Derby), Ltd., for a second month. The cleansing committee will report in due course as to the working of these vehicles.
A South Wales Fuel Depot.
A new motor spirit depot on a large scale is shortly to be opened in South Wales. Application was made by the British Petroleum Bulk Storage Depot, Portllangraith, to the Wynyddislwyn District Council for a licence for storing; 41,000 gallons of motor spirit. It is proposed to build three large tanks, capable of holding 35,000 gallons, and a separate delivery shed for 6,000 gallons, with pumps and can-filling apparatus. The application was granted, subject to certain structural alterations being made in the proposed building..
Accessory Prices. Down.
Price reductions are announced by
J. W. Pickavant and td., of Quikko Works, Lombard Co.,gtreet, Birmingham, for all Hassler shock absorb ers and several other accessories. Many of these lines are applicable for all types of vehicles, and quite a large number are for use on Fords only. The company notify us of the publication of an illustrated book, entitled "Utility," which they -claim to be a most helpful book on accessories.
Copies will be posted to all those who apply to the above address.