LI .724] " WIDE WORLD writes :—" Having been driving
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in London and in different parts of Ettgiand for 5.1, years, I would be glad if you could advise me how to secure a situation abroad. I am now driving a London bus, but would like a change. I do not mind where it is, but would prefer South America, Australasia, India or Africa. Could you give me the address of fir Mexican Packing Co.? I hope I am not putting you to too-much trouble. I am 26 years of age, very strong and healthy and not afraid of hard life or work. I have a clean licence and excellent references."
ANiWER.—We think that. the simplest advice to give you under the circumstances is to suggest that you put a small advertisement in our coming " Dominions and Overseas " issue, which will be published on the 8th December. Copies of this number will go to all parts of the world. An insertion in the " Situations vanted " column, if it were suitably composed, should bring you into touch with likely opportunities abroad. The address of the Mexican Packing Co. is Mexico City.
Pleasure-car Chassis for Commercial Uses.
[1,725] " Oseri„sNos " write: " We are considering the purchase of a second-hand private-motorcar chassis, in order to convert it into a commercial van. The tilt-van body required must not be less than 8 ft. long, including the driver's seat. It must be able to carry light loads locally—about 10 cwt. of furniture. etc.. but occasionally it would have to take about 20 cwt. on journey's rip to 2030 miles. We should be pleased if you will kindly give us your advice on the following questions:— " (1) We have inspected a 10 h.p. chain-drive chassis, about four years old, which is offered for sale. It has a good wheelbase, but the van body would have to overhang the back axle by half its length. Do you consider this frame would be suitable for the work?
"(2) We propose fitting new back wheels, with solid tires; do you think it necessary to fit a stronger back axle, aud springs, or to strengthen the present .ones?
" ($) Would the expenses entailed, in converting as above, repay us with satisfactory results?
" (4) What is your opinion of the conversion of any private-car chassis for commercial purposes, such as the work mentioned above?
" (5) What power is advisable? Would the gear ratios of early-pattern private cars be suitable, or would it be necessary to fit larger chain sprockets on the rear wheels?
" (0) Is the general build of pleasure-car frames, etc., strong enough when fitted with heavier rear wheels and solid tires ?"
SECOSD LETTIM :--" We are sorry to trouble you again, brit, since the despatch of our last letter, we have been to inspect a motor chassis which we think is more suitable for our requirements. It has been offered for sale by a Euston Road motor dealer, who says it has only been on the road for about six months; it is one of 30 or 40 purchased from an insolvent French firm. Particulars are as follow : 16-18 h.p., four-cylinder, 1908-type chassis ; chain drive ; high-tension magneto ; specified as specially built for commercial work and to carry 30 cwt.; length behind dash 8 ft.. giving good space for body with little overhang. The frame, springs, axles, etc., appear to be strongly built. Back springs are 3 ft. by 2 in., with seven or eight leaves, with cross-spring at back. Gears, etc., seem to be in verygood condition. The complete chassis, less tires, is being offered at £125, which seems to be very moderate. We should be greatly obliged if you could let us know, as soon as possible, your opinion upon the following que.stions:— " (I) Have you heard anything of these chassis, particularly if they are specially built for van work, or are they only extra-strong taxicab chassis?
"('2) Can spare parts be easily obtained?
" i3) Do von think this motor would be suitable for 25-cwt. loads, with van body, on solid tires, providing it was geared lower? "
ANSWER.—In reply to the questions in your first letter, we have to give you the following general information :— (1) No.
(2) Without an examination of the chassis, we are unable to advise you as to which parts should be strengthened. The probability is that the whole chassis is quite unsuitable for solid tires.
(3) No,
(-1) Only in quite-exceptional cases is it reasonable to expect a chassis, that has been designed for pleasure-ear work, to prove at all suitable or satisfactory for employment under industrial conditions. Only after most-careful examination and advice can the choice of such a machine result in anything but a waste of money. (5) The power required entirely depends upon conditions of load, tare weight, speed, road surface, gradients, etc., etc. A van which will have to take one ton under normal conditions will want an engine of about 16 h.p. to 18 lop. It is improbable that the existing gears would be suitable.
(6) No.
In reply to your second letter, without inspection we
are unable to tell you if the chassis is an industrial model or if spare parts are obtainable.
(1) We can inform you that very few of these machines are in use as commercial motors in this country.
(3) We strongly advise you not to attempt to ' make shift " with a converted pleasure-vehicle chassis. You would do better to secure, by advertisement or otherwise. a good second-hand industrial model, provided that you obtained a thoroughly-trustworthy report on the machine by some reliable expert. We have a department in oonnection with this journal, which is constantly engaged in executing work of this kind for moderate fees. Your best course is to secure a new machine.
Running a Cab Without a Police Plate.
[1,726j " CloarrwALL " writes :—" 1 am starting in this district a 16-20 h.p. Argyll with a landaulet body for public-hire work. There is no borough licence to 'obtain. Will you be good enough to answer the following queries :
" (1) For what taxes and licences shall I be liable, and where do I apply about satire ?
" (2) Can I obtain the petrol rebate, seeing that I .111 plying for public hire?
"(3) Do yon advise the fitting of a taximeter? I surmise that London charges would be too cheap for this district. "(4) If you advise a taximeter, whose do you recommend? If you do not advise a taximeter, what charges do you suggest I should make ?"
ANSWER—Our replies to your inquiries are as follow :- (1) As you intend to use the machine as a public hackney carriage, you must obtain: the ordinary county registration, £1, and the ordinary motor-driver's licence, 5s. You will also have to pay the old two-guinea excise duty. as a light locomotive, and the 15s. wheel-tax as a hackney earringe. We understand that you are not required to secure a police plate, and this presumably is because the district, in which you intend to ply for hire, has not adopted the Town Police Clauses Act of 1847. The above registration and licence must be obtained from the county or borough authorities; the excise duty is payable to the local Inland Revenue collector.
(2) Yes, except in respect of the occasions when you use the machine for private-hire work. (3) You will find it advisable to fit a taximeter as it will inspire confidence in your clients. One shilling a mile and -Is. no hour for waiting should prove suitable.
(4) The Arou taximeter, made by the General Electric Co., 00a, Salusbury Road, Kilburn ; the Bruhn, made by tire Bruhn Taxameter Co.. Ltd., 245, Gray's inn Road: the Premier, by the Premier Taximeter Co., 106, Albany Street, N.W.