News and Comment.
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This journal is extensively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses.
Overseas Orders, The Crown Agents for the Colonies have recently accepted the tenders of the Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Co. Ltd. for motor chassis, etc., and of and and Verkins, Ltd., for motor rollers.
Obituary.
We associate ourselves with the many expressions of regret at the sudden death of Sir Charles D. Rose, Bart., the late Member for the Newmarket Division.
Sir Charles Rose was nominated a member of the R.A.C. Committee in March, 1904, and was subsequently Chairman of the Club. He took an active interest in motorcar legislation, and was friendly towards commercial traffic. The movement loses a sincere and capable worker, and the death creates the first vacancy on the Road Board. We offer our condolences to Lady Rose and her two surviving sons. Two other sons lost their lives during the South African War.
Steam Engines as Brakes.
Mr. John Burns, on Saturday last, signed the Motor Cars (Use and Construction) Amendment Order, 1913, under which Article H of the Motor Cars (Use and Construction) Order, 1904, is amended. We quote the essential part of the new Order below.
" Article I. –Article II of the Order of 1904 as amended as aforesaid shall have effect as if to Condition (4) of that Article there were added the following paragraph, that is to say :—`Provided also that in the case of a motorcar which is propelled by steam and which—
(a) exceeds two tons in weight unladen ; and (b) has one brake in good working order, and of such efficiency that the application of that brake to the Motor Car shall cause two of its wheels on the same axle to be so held that the wheels shall be effectually prevented from revolving ; and (c) is not used either as a stage carriage or otherwise for the conveyance of passengers for gain or hire ; the engine of that Motor Car, if it be capable of being reversed, shall be deemed to be the second independent brake required by this Condition.'" Editorial reference to thig important change in the law will be found on page 148. X.Y.Z. Transport.
The head office address of the X.Y.Z. Transport, Ltd., is now Carnwath Road, Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, S.W., and the telephone number 1990 Putney. This company uses Berna lorries.
Topical Subjects.
Our leading articles this week deal with the following topical subjects: (1) "Next Month's Parade ' (2) "Tile Fall in Rubber ;" (3) " Front and Side Lifeguards for Road Motor Vehicles ;" and (4) " Reversible Stearn Engines now Legalized as Brakes."
Edison Storage Batteries.
Mr. W. H. L. Watson, who is associated with Mr. J. F. Monnot, the sole coneessionnaire for Edison storage batteries and vans, at 41, Great Portland Street, W., and 31. Rue Darn, Paris, will next week contribute an article on some of the points which have been raised by Mr. H. P. MacConnell in our pages.
The Polack people have issued a very smart pamphlet bearing on its front cover the words " Service—as shown by some Extracts from Letters." It contains excellent testimonials, and is, in fact "What Users 'fell Us."
The Editor of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, on the nomination of the Royal Automobile Club and the Roads Improvement Association will be called to-day (Thursday) to give evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on London Street Accidents.
Port Elizabeth Tractor and Plough Trials.
Further advicea from our Port Elizabeth correspondent show that these trials went off quite successfully. The President of the Trials Committee was Mr. C. H. Mackay, and the Hon. Consulting Engineer Mr. C. E. Lawford, whilst ilkJames Woodin waa Secretary. Colonel H. B. Cuming was Chairman of the Tractor Trials Committee. The programme extended. from the 25th to the 29th March inclusive, and considerable interest centres throughout South Africa in the results. These are not available as we go to press.
A Drivers' Dinner and Concert.
A pleasant function took place at the " Apple Tree and Mitre," Cu rsitor Street, E.C., on Saturday last. This was the annual dinner of the Association of Amalgamated Motor Drivers, at which Col. R. E. Crompton, C.B., took the chair. Supporting Col. Crompton were Mr. H. Lyon Thompson, Mayor of Westminster, Mr. T. H. Jones, Mr. Lyell, and Mr. W. H. Berry (Tim COMMERCIAL MOTOR).
An excellent dinner was provided, and a concert, contributed by a troupe composed of members of the Association, followed, gave rise to much hearty laughter. The chairman in his address, spoke of the increasing difficulty which the presontsrlay commercial motor driver experienced, in the endeavour not to run over the stupid pedestrian, and the admirable manner in which driving, on the whole, was conducted. He promised to bring forward his views on the efficiency and carefulness of the 1913 driver in his evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Commons into Traffic Accidents before which he would shortly appear for the C.M.U.A. More W.O. Leylands.
The War Office has ordered 55 subvention-type, 30 cwt. (aviation model) Leylands, and this will bring up the Department's total fleet of that make to 120 vehicles.
Earlier to Press,
THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, oaring to 7tVex$,SiVe large increases in circulation., now goes to press some eight hours earlier than I ormcrly,
Adviecs and notes for Editorial consideration must reach the offices not later than each Monday morning, if it be desired that they shall be put in hand for use if possible) in the issue for the following Thwsday.
Gazette.
The creditors of the Garrett Hinge Rim and Wheel, Ltd., and the Northern Counties Transport, Ltd., are requested to send in particulars of their debts or claims to Mr. F. Ingrain, The Chimes, The Mall, Southgate, N., and to Messrs. J. Todd, and P. T_ Haslam, Winkley Square, Preston, not later than the 6th May and the 9th May, respectively. New Registrations.
Express Carriers (1913), Ltd., with an authorized capital of £5000 in £1 shares, and with its office at 31, Finsbury Square, E.C., to carry on the business of carriers, collecting and delivery agents, etc., and to adopt an agreement with. the M.A.L.D.A. Motor Association. First directors: A. E. Bailey, D. G. Robertson, and F. F. Davies.
McCurd Lorry Manufacturing Co., Ltd., with an authorized capital of £45,000 in 21 shares (10,000 preference) and with its offics at 10 and 11, South Crescent., Store Street, Tottenham Court Road, W., to acquire from W. A. McCurd certain rights, in connection with the manufacture of motor vehicles, etc. First directors: Sir Delves Broughton and W. A. MeCurd.
King's Cross Garage, Ltd., with art authorized capital of LE5,000 in X1 shares, by J. A. White, Stevenage House, 40-44, Holborn Viaduct, RC., to carry on the business of owners of cabs, omnibuses, vans, etc., and to adopt an agreement with W. M. Hodges. First directors: H. A. Arkwright, F. W. French, J.P., M. Lea, Hon. A. J. Mulholland, P. C. Middleton, and Capt. C. H. Fenwick.
We learn that Maple and Co., Ltd., has placed a, .contract for Bisner solid-rubber tires with the Commercial Tyre Co., Ltd., of 22, Albert Embankment, S.E.
With regard to the report that 20 ex-London omnibus chassis sold to the Greek Government at high prices before the war. were condemned by the authorities, Mr. Stuart A. Curzon has supplied us with the following information. He defrayed the expenses of a qualified engineer to visit and report on the machines. These were found to be in satisfactory condition and thy are now in service at Athens.
For Transporting Grapes.
The illustration herewith serves to point out the general trade utility of the commercial motor. Used in the Italian vineyards for the conveyance of grapes, the tank is, to all intents and purposes, air
tight. This construction is called for owing to the necessity of keeping the fruit immune from the ravages of insects during transport. When horses were employed in haulage work of this kind, growers were faced with heavy loss owing to the numerous flies and insects attracted by the animals. This loss is now considerably lessened. The Motor Manufacturing (2o. and Alfred Burgess, Ltd., The Mall, Finchley, N., is the English concessionnaire for machines of this type.
Prussia' s Diesel Locomotive.
The trials with the Diesel-driven locomotive built for the Prussian Railway Board have now terminated, and the engine will shortly be at work over the Berlin-PotsdamMagdeburg line. We described and illustrated this machine in our issue dated 30th January, 1913, p. 478. The trials took place on the Winterthur Romanshorn railway,. in. Switzerland, and were under the control of Messrs. Sulzer. who have supplied the engine for the locomotive. [The Editor of one of our sister journals, accompanied this engine, and he has supplied us with the following particulars.—En.] The journey from Winterthur to Berlin was made via diverse routes with the object of giving the locomotive a good trial under working con ditions. It was on the road for about three days. The first run was made in combination with a steam locomotive, drawing a. goods
train. After this test the steamengine was taken away, and the Diesel pulled the train alone. Towards the end of the trial it was coupled on to the As:am locomotive again, and was used for passenger service. No trouble was exnerienced throughout these trials. Very little will probably be heard of the locomotive for the next twelve months, as the Prussian State Railways intend carrying out exhaustive trials under varying conditions.