WHEELS of INDUSTRY " The wheels of wealth will be
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slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Important Announcement re the Harrogate Conference.
We are advised by Mr. J. Beckett, F.S.A.A., the general secretary of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association, of 3, Clement's Inn, London, Vir.C.2, that there will be no vehicle demonstration during the period of the conference, which will be held at Harrogate from September 24th to 26th.
We understand that the organizing body has requested the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to advise its members that vehicles should not be sent to Harrogate. The reason for this decision, according to a statement made to us, is that Harrogate is not considered to be a suitable centre for such a demonstration.
New Vehicle Registrations.
The Ministry of Transport has recently issued a return giving particulars of the number of motor vehicles registered for the first time during June last under the Roads Act, 1920. Included in the total of 27,233 vehicles, a figure which contrasts with 31,968 for June of last year, are 4,131 goods vehicles and 1,255 hackney carriages.
Xetal Safety Glass Report.
The accounts of Xetal Safety Glass show a loss of 16,025 for the year ended March 31st, which increases to £12,178 the debit to be carried forward.
The directors state that every effort was made to obtain contracts which would permit the works to be run at their output capacity, but full success was not attained.
It is proposed to reduce the capital from £185,000 to 1117,500 by reducing the nominal value of the preferred
ordinary shares from to 10s. The bulk of these shares are 10s. paid, and in their case the reduction takes the form of the cancellation of the uncalled liability. In the case of the remainder the capital paid up in excess of 108. is being returned and the uncalled liability• cancelled.
Rushton's Sales Manager.
We learn that Major T. R. Irons, who for many years was service manager of Crossley Motors, Ltd., has now joined the staff of the Rushton Tractor Co. (1029), Ltd., and that he will act as industrial sales manager of the company.
Marketing the Benes Fuel-oh Pump for Diesel Engines.
Regular readers of this journal will recollect that we described the Benes fuel-oil pump for Diesel engines in our issue dated February 4th. The design is extremely sirnple and these pumps can be made by ordinary workshop processes as opposed to toolroom methods.
A company has now been formed, which is known as Benes, Ltd., for developing the Benes patents ; Mr. C. Peterka is the manager. The registered office is at 280, Salisbury House, London Wall, London, E.C.2, whilst the general offices are at Buchanan Buildings, 24, Holborn, London, E.C.1. The directors are as follow :—Mr. G. H. Stuart-Buuning, 0.B.E., J.P. (chairman), Mr. Josef Benes, Mr. Raymund M. Clark, Mr. F. Kershaw J.P., Mr. Charles Peterka, and Mr. Vtirm. Littlejohn Philip, 0.B.E., J.P. The Benes pump will now be made entirely in Britain by British labour, whilst the capital, we understand, is entirely British.
Ford Agricultural Activity.
A few days ago we had an opportunity for observing the degree of success which has attended the efforts of the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., to cultivate certain of its land adjacent to the huge works which are being erected at Dagenham. When this site was acquired, it was overgrown with twitch grass, but Mr. W. 0. Watt, a wellknown Essex agriculturist, was called in to assist in the development of the land and, from a first-hand inspection of this year's crop (the second), we can say that highly satisfactory results have certainly been secured.
During 1928-1929 two plots of four acres and 73 acres respectively were cultivated and harvested. All the tillage, seeding and harvesting were carried out by Fordson tractors, three machines actually being employed. The soil is, by nature, heavy marsh land.
The plots were sown with wheat and a remarkable harvest was obtained. The yield from the four-acre plot was 135 ewt., working out at 331 cwt. to the acre. The total revenue from this plot was £60 5s. The 73-acre field showed a still more remarkable result, for in this ease the .yield was 632 qrs. 4 bushels, i.e., 2,844t cwt., equivalent to nearly 39 cwt. per acre. The total revenue from this acreage was £1,314 10s., or £18 per acre.
Apart from other factors, one being that no manure was used, the efficiency of .Fordson tractors has been amply demonstrated.
Inquiry into a Licensing Refusal.
The refusal of Wallsend Corporatlion to renew the licences of Wakefield's Motors, Ltd., North Shields, in respect of a service between High Farm and Station Road, Wallsend, , was recently the subject of a Ministry of Transport inquiry. Fire-engines Wanted in Egypt.
The Commercial Secretary to the Residency, Egypt, reports that the Minister of the Interior, Cairo, is calling for tenders, which have to be presented in Egypt by September 20th, for the supply of motor fire-engines. British manufacturers can obtain further particulars by applying to the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference A.X. 10,085 being quoted.
Tractor Trade in the Argentine.
Reference has frequently been made in these columns to the extensive export trade in farm tractors enjoyed by American manufacturers. Some figures lately issued show that one of America's most important markets for such machines is the Argentine Republic, to which country tractors to a value of no less than £1,771,000 were exported last year, as compared with £933,000 in 1928. In addition, the value of the exports of American tractor engines and parts increased from £157,600 to £310,200. The wheeled machine is generally favoured in the Argentine. Engines with capacities of 15-32 belt b.p. are required.
Another Successful Year for Eastbourne's Buses.
_According to the recently issued report of the general manager of Eastbourne Corporation's bus undertaking a net profit of £6,440 was made in the year ended March 31st last, as compared with a net profit of £3,618 for the previous 12 months. The gross revenue amounted to £81,686 and expenditure to £67,288, the gross profit thus being £14,398. After deducting loan charges, etc., amounting to £7,958, the balance is as already given.
During the year the buses ran 1,169,917 miles and carried 14,063,225 Passengers, the average number of Passengerscarried per bus-mile being 12.02. Although the number of passengers carried constitutes a record, the number of miles run is lower by 45,815 than the
figure for the previous year. These facts, taken in conjunction with the increase in the net profit, indicate that a more economical service has been maintained, and this would have been still more apparent had it not been for an increase in the price of petrol.
The rolling stock of the corporation consists of 53 buses, all but three of them (Dennis one-man-operated singledeckers) being of Leyland manufacture.
A Goodyear Appointment.
Mr. F. R. Purchase sails shortly to take up a position in the new Goodyear tyre factory which has recently been built at Buenos Aires. He joined the company at Wolverhampton in 1928, and, having been trained in all departments of the factory, has a good knowledge of tyre construction.
Cleaning Livestock Vehicles.
It should be remembered that compliance with the Transit of Animals Order, as to the cleansing and disinfection of mechanically-propelled road vehicles used for the conveyance of animals, is required irrespective of whether or not a particular district or county be free from foot and mouth disease restrictions.
M. of T. Decides in Favour of a Municipality.
The Ministry of Transport has decided to make no Order against Newcastle Corporation in connection with the appeal made by Mr. T. F. Dale, the Throckley bus owner, against the refusal of the corporation to grant him licences to ply for hire in the city. As was stated at the recent inquiry, which was reported in The Commercial Motor, a few weeks ago, the contention of the local authority was that the NewcastleThrockley route, in respect of which Mr. Dale made his application, was already adequately served.
New Studebaker Lorries.
Arrangements for the formation of a new subsidiary concern to handle the commercial-vehicle side of the Studs,baker and Pierce-Arrow business were recently completed by the formation of the S.P.A. Truck Corporation. The new concern will make its headquarters in the former Studebaker works, in Detroit, which have been idle since late in 1928, when all manufacturing was concentrated at South Bend, Ind., U.S.A.
The plant has over 1,000,000 sq. ft. of floor space. Amongst the first of the new models of the company will, it is stated, be a Studebaker line of smallsized lorries, including 1-ton and 20-30cwt. vehicles. In our issue dated August 19th we gave details of the 30-cwt. model.
Another Test Match.
Tests to determine the respective merits of horse and motor haulage for the removal of household refuse are to be carried out by Accrington Corporation. At the council meeting at which this decision was ratified, Coinacillor Constantine asked if this "test match " was to be played to a finish. He would have been prepared to buy any number of tipping wagons if only they could get the controversy out of the way.
Free State and Tractor-part Imports.
The official returns just to hand show that the value of the tractor parts, excluding engines and axles, imported during the five months ended May last into the Irish Free State amounted to no less than £639,760, as compared with 1198,739 in the corresponding period of 1929. During the five months under review the exports of tractors from the Free State amounted in number to 13,153 and in value to £1,368,511, and of tractor parts to £674,330.
Railway Company to Build Bus Station.
The desirability of having a central bus station in Belfast has been mentioned many times during the past few years, the most popular suggestion being that the Smithfield Market, a large square in the centre of the town, should be turned into a covered park. In the absence of any indication that action is likely to be taken by the municipal authorities the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., which operates a large fleet of buses in Ireland, has taken over Smithfield Mill, a disused industrial establishment near the square mentioned, and this, we understand, is in the near future to be converted into a bus station.
Preston's Bus Profits.
During the year ended March 31st last the 19 buses comprising the fleet of Preston Corporation were operated at a gross profit of 15,552, total revenue amounting to £26,041 and working expenses to £20,489. Interest on loans, income tax, sinking fund and interest charges totalled £4,200, so that a surplus of £1,352 resulted, this being increased to £2,236 by the amount brought forward from the previous. year.
In the past 12 months the buses ran 365,688 miles and carried 4,195,628 passengers. The actual gross capital expenditure on buses up to March last was £32,199. The services are maintained by vehicles of Leyland make.
Dorman's Trading.
During the year ended March 31st Iast the net profit of W. H. Dorman
and Co., Ltd., the well-known internaleonibustion-engine maker, of StaffOrd,
was 15,381, as against £13,373 in the' previous year, reducing the debit brought in to 140,629. It is anticipated that the new high-speed Diesel engine, which has recently been placed on the market, will meet with considerable success.
A Seven-day Non-stop Run by Lorry.
C. H. Mason and Co., Ltd., an authorized dealer for Chevrolet vehicles, of Newcastle and Gateshead, recently ran a Chevrolet lorry non-stop for a period of seven days and nights. The vehicle was a 30-cwt. drop-sided lorry and it was operated over a route of about 40 miles around Tyneside.
The enterprise attracted much notice and a crowd of people assembled to witness the arrival of the vehicle after its exacting period of use. The speedometer revealed that a total mileage of 3,288 had been covered. Six drivers were employed an1 they worked inshifts
of four hours. Refuelling was carried out by passing over tins of -petrol and water from other vehicles, assistants emptying the contents into the 50-gallon petrol tank and keeping the water in the radiator up to the normal level. The bonnet was lifted now and again so that the oil level could be inspected and a supply of lubricant added, if found necessary. The vehicle ran without a hitch. Since the introduction of currenttype Chevrolets distributors have carried out many striking demonstrations.
Warwick's Licensing Figures.
During the year ended March 31st last Warwick County Council issued 54,319 motor licences and 29,587 drivers' licences. The total , revenue from all sources amounted to £237,806. The increase in revenue is due mainly to the greater number of licences issued in respect of commercial vehicles and private cars.
Increasing Bus Traffic at Wallasey.
In the year ended March 31st last the receipts on the buses run by Wallasey Corporation were £109,067, as compared with 153,393 in• the previous year, the large increase being mainly due to the gradual supersession of trams by motorbuses. Municipal buses were first operated in Wallasey in 1921, and in the first year 811,135 passengers were carried, whilst in the past year 12.560,361 persons were transported. The net profit on the buses during the past year was 124,047, the comparable return for the tramcars being £955.
At the end of March last the corporation had in service 46 Leyland buses and nine Karriers, eight of the latter being of the well-known rigid sixwheeled pattern.
Free State Bus Statistics.
For June, 1930, the vehicle-miles run by buses operating in the Irish Free State totalled 1,981,000, as compared with 1,954,000 in the corresponding month of 1929. The number of passengers carried dropped from 4,205,000 to 4,140,000, whilst receipts from passengers fell from 174,559 to £67,991. June is the second month of this year in which the gross receipts from passengers have fallen below the corresponding figures for 1929. On cross-border services, however, there have been steady increases in all departments. Passengers have increased in number from 50,000, in June, 1929, to 134,01)0 in June last, whilst vehicle-miles increased from 95,000 to 159,000 and receipts from £3,553 to 16,964.
Holland's Tractor Imports.
During the six months ended June last 131 tractors and road rollers, valued at £39,833, were imported. into Holland, as compared with 125 machines (£38,416) in the corresponding half of 1929. Of the total, 64 machines (20,416) are credited to Germany, 44 (£3,500) to France, 7 (£8,500) to Great Britain and six (12,084) to the Irish Free State.
Taking Over Railway Buses.
Following the amalgamation of the interests of the Great Western Railway Co., the Wrexham and District Motor Transport Co., Ltd., and the Corris Railway Co., it is announced that the road passenger undertaking will take over the G.W.R. motorbus services operating over a wide section of North and Mid "S"Crales, and the border counties of Cheshire and Shropshire. New depots are to be opened at Wrexham and Oswestry.
Newport Prefers Buses.
Newport (Mon.) Town Council is to introduce 48-seater double-deck buses on the Chepstow Road route, from Westgate, town centre, to Royal Oak, beyond the borough boundary, in place of the tramways service, which is to be abandoned. This is the second tramways route to be abandoned in favour of buses by Newport Council, the Malpas Road trams having been discarded some time ago.
Seeking Injunction Against Corporations.
An application for an injunction to restrain local authorities working joint motorbus services between Rawtenstall and Burnley, is being made by the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., of Preston, on the ground that before such services can be instituted consent must be secured by the municipalities concerned from the Ministry of Transport.
Popular Small Rollers.
Barford and Perkins, Ltd., Peterborough, has just issued a new catalogue which describes its " B " series of 3-ton and 4-ton motor rollers.
Small Jolters are being increasingly used where formerly much heavier and more expensive machines were employed, and a section of the company's Peterborough factory has been specially laid out for their mass production.
The various uses to which the B-type roller can be put are indicated in the catalogue and a preliminary abridged specification is followed by details of the salient features of construction. Figures of a practical test are given, with the object of showing the saving which can be effected by a small motor roller as against the usual steam roller.
A copy of the catalogue can be obtained from the company direct, or from the publication department of Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd., Aldwych House, Aldvirych, London, W.C.2.
Serviceable Sling Chains.
In workshops and garages sling chains can be made to serve very many purposes, such as to aid in lifting engines, gearboxes or axles, whilst they can be used for towing vehicles and securing heavy loads. A range of these chains is now offered by the Service Equipment Co., Ltd., Drayton House, 30, Gordon Street, London, ; they are sold under the well-known Manley-Page cognomen.
A popular size for light-vehicle users is No. 2,811; the safe working load is 1,300 lb,, and the two 9-ft. 8-in.
branches are joined by a i-in. thick ring, whilst hooks are provided at the free ends. The links are made of welded chain. The price is a 2s. 6d.
For Clearing Gas Mains.
Alan Taylor and Co., of High Street, Wandsworth, London, has recently supplied one of its gas-main water-clearing outfits to the Gas, Light and Coke Co., Ltd. The vehicle, which will be stationed at the company's Harrow garage, consists of a Morris-Commercial 1-ton chassis on which Alan Taylor and Co. has fitted a steel tank, enclosed driver's cab and its special pump attachment. The last-named is mounted high up on the near side of the engine, from which it is driven by a silent chain.
Tecalemit Products.
A new catalogue dealing with the various products of Tecalemit, Ltd., Mitre House, Scrubbs Lane, London, N.W.10, has just been issued. Apart from the various lubrication devices and accessories which are dealt with, bulk lubricating and service equipment is referred to, as well as air filters, petrol filters, oil filters and electric clocks.
The Other L.M.S.
Negotiations have been proceeding between Lawrence Motor Services, Ltd., and Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., for the amalgamation of the two services. We understand that an agreement has been reached, and, subject to the approval of shareholders in the former, that undertaking will be merged in the Ribble organization. Some months ago the Lawrence concern acquired the motorbuses of the Fleetwood and Knott End Motor Co., which gave them a mono
poly of the Fleetwood local bus services. The company also provides facilities for travel between Fleetwood and Poulton, Burn Naze and Thornton.