WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheels of wealth will be 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.
Mr. Henry Garner.
Mr. Henry Garner can be classed amongst the pioneers of the motor industry, having set up on his own account in business in 1898, gradually developing right up to .the present time, as the industry grew and expanded into its various modern forms." His first business venture was on his native heath at Naiftwich, in Cheshire, where he remained until 1908, at which time he removed to Birmingham and founded the business of " Henry Garner, Ltd.," at Moseley, Birmingham.
His activities in the commercial vehicle side extend right back to the earliest days, but, in more concentrated form in 1911 and 1912, when he took up the Midland distribrition of Austin and Lure commercial vehicles. • The outbreak of war brought him into contact with the commandeering officer requiring large numbers of motor lorries immediately, and the entire services of the firm were turned in this direction, handling the whole of the commandeered vehicles for the midland belt of England and Wales, overhauling chassis, in many cases entirely •rebuilding and equipping them with bodies and accessories ready for service. It was late in 1914 that the idea was put into definite shape for developing motor lorries carrying Mr. Garner's own name. At first, owing to the situation, it was necessary to Manufacture in the United States, with careful and complete co-operation on this side, to secure success. Just after the Armistice new models were developed and built at Moseley.
The last stage to bring the business to Its present state of development took place about three years ago, with a new line of commercial vehicles, having a capacity of 2-2i tons for goods, or 20-26 seats for passengers, resulting in the present production, which is nearly 100 per cent. English, and embodying the personal experience gained from sales and service of past years.
At the time of going to press there is a further development on foot for the opening of a new works, with a much increased capacity, in the new manufacturing area at Tyseley, Birmingham.
In the main Mr. Garner's activities have been confined to his own business, but a few months ago he took up the chairmanship of the Bowden Brake Co., Ltd., Tyseley. His recreations are golf, tennis, chess and music.
Two-seater Cabs and London.
At its meeting last week, the London County Council had before it a report of its highways committee, which reviewed the question of the licensing of two-seater taxicabs to ply for hire in the Metropolitan Police district. The basis of the highwms committee's review was the report of the committee, which had been appointed by the Home Secretary (already dealt with in our columns). This committee, it will be remembered, expressed the opinion that, on general grounds, it is not desirable that there should be two rates of fare for carrying two passengers (1s. for the first mile in a cab seating four peraile, and the projected 9d. or 10d, for the first mile in a cab of the proposed type to seat two people), and suggested, therefore, that the Home Secretary should endeavour to obtain a reduction in existing fares in conference with the trade, and that, if no agreement or reasonable reduction of fares can be arrived at, two-seater cabs should be admitted anti the lower fare authorized for them. In view of the need for avoiding an increase in street conges,tion, the highways committee of the council thinks that it is a matter for consideration whether there should be an increase in the number of taxicabs licensed to ply for hire and in the nciin bers of drivers of such cabs,. but, sub:lea to this„it recommends that approval be given to the experimental use of twoseater cabs. The council endorsed this view without discussion.
Guy's Report.
The report of Guy Motors, Ltd., which has just been issued, shows that the company made a net profit of £24,221 in the year ended September 30th last. after providing for bank interest and for depreciations. The company's financial position at the end of the year, comparing liquid assets and liabilities, has improved by £35,441 since the date of the previous accounts. To last year's profit must be added a sum of £9f323, brought in from the • previous year, making a total of £33,544, and this amount is to be_carried forward.
Paris Ruses Help Trains.
Heavy snow is fortunately unusual in Paris. When it comes the streetcleaning arrangements of the city, although excellent in ordinary circumstances, are scarcely adequate tO cope with the situation. During the recent wintry spell the. municipal' motor omnibuses of the French capital were put to a variety of unaccustomed uses. The slot-system electric tramcars were seriously interfered with by the. snow, and the amusing sight of motorbuses towing tramcars along to give them a start was to be seen in parts of Paris.
In addition to this, a. number of road-sweeping machines of the antique horse-drawn variety was unearthed from somewhere, and with these contraptions hitched on behind, spare omnibuses were put on to road-cleaning duty with considerable success. Commer Prices Down.
In our issue of last week we referred to the new policy of Commer Cars, Ltd., of Luton, and, following the announcement of the company's reconstruction, new prices for their various models have come into force. The new prices are rendered possible by reason of the intensive manufacturing programme which has been arranged.
So far as goods chassis are concerned, the prices are as follow :—Two-' ton worm-driven chassis, £465; 3-ton -worm-driven chassis, £700; 4-ton chaindriven chassis, 1685 (this model fitted with an engine of 115 min. bore and 144 min. stroke and four-speed gatechange gearbox sells at £695) ; 4-ton worm-driven chassis. £750; 5-ton chaindriven chassis, £825; 6-ton chain-driven chassis, £850. So far as passenger chassis are concerned, the following are the prices when Dunlop resilient tyres are fitted :-16-20-seater, £572; 20-25seater, £577; 30-seater, £745; 33-46
seater, £755. If Dunlop pneumatic tyres be fitted and a Spare wheel supplied, these prices are £625, £658, £850 and £860 respectively.
Westinghouse Brakes Proving Popular.
We are informed that, as a result of the increasing demand for the Westinghouse brake for power-driven motor vehicles and trailers, arrangements are being made by the Westinghouse Brake and Saxby Signal Co., Ltd., 82, York Road, London, N.1, for the establishment of service and fitting stations throughout the country. They have already appointed Carrimore Six Wheelers, Ltd., whose works are situated at North Finchley, London, N.I2, as service and fitting agents for the London area and the Home Counties.
Buses for America.
In view of the number of bus chassis which is produced by American manufacturers and the fact that users in the United States have a wide range of models fret which to choose, it must be very gratifying to the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., WaItbarnstow,
London, E.17, to have secured from the Equitable Auto Co., Ltd., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, an order for two A.B.C. buses of the type which is illustrated on this page. The chassis of this bus is the company's Model 409, more familiarly known as the N.S. type, which incorporates in its design an A.E.C. 35 h.p. engine, a single-plate clutch and a three-speed chain-driven gearbox. With the exception of the staircase leading to the enclosed upper deck, which is on the off side and in conformity with American practice, the buses are similar to those run on the streetg of London by the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd.
A Chance for British Makers.
A Building Construction Exhibition is being organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Turin, Italy. ' The exhibition will be held during May and June next, and British makers will have an opportunity of showing vehicles designed for road construction in the Construction Group. Those interested may obtain further information from the secretary of the Mostra Internazionale di Edilizia, Via S. Quintino, 4, Torino, Italy.
A Gilford Tipper for Wales.
Although the Gilford chassis, which is manufactured by Messrs. E. D. Horne and Co., Holloway Road, London, N.7, has only been on the market for a short time, it is winning its way into favour amongst many transport users, and one of the latest deliveries which the company have executed is that made to a coal merchant and haulage contractor of Burry Port, South Wales.
From the illustration of the machine which is published on this page it will be seen that the chassis is fitted with a tipping body. This is operated through the medium of a telescopic screw at the forward end, the raising and lowering of the body being hand controlled. The body has hinged sides and tailboard, Which can be removed if it be desired to use the vehicle as a at platform lorry. The machine is a standard 2-tonner with the exception that a' shorter frame than that normally employed is used, and was supplied through R, -E. Janes, Ltd., Dillwyn Street, Swansea.
New Distributors for Caledons.
Messrs. Robson and Norman, Prudhoe Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, bring to our notice the fact that they are now sole distributors for Caledou industrial vehicles in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, and they inform us that they are in a position to give almost immediate delivery of all types of this make. The company have fully equipped repair shops and a service depot, and have recently carried out extensive alterations to their premises so that increased work can be undertaken. Demonstrations of Calcdon vehicles can be arranged.
Barimar Service in Six Centres.
Barimar, Ltd., 14-18, Lamb's Conduit Street, London, W.C., calculate that over 1,000 frost-fractured cylinders were sent to the company during the recent severe weather. In this connection we learn that cracked water jackets and burst radiators can be treated at the repair stations of the company in Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastleon-Tyne, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as in London. Citroen Van Price Reduced.
Citran Cars, Ltd., Citran Buildings, Brook Green, London, W.6, advise us that the price of the 11.4 h.p. Citron van has been reduced from £195 to £175. This little van is a handy transport unit, and is designed for dealing with 7-cwt loads. It possesses a capacious box body which has double doors at the rear opening to the full width of the body. The driver's cab has seating space for two people, and is protected by curtains, which can be rolled up and strapped below the roof.
The van is economical to run, and the makers claim for it an average of 35-40 miles to the gallon of petrol consumed. It should prove to be a most suitable transport unit for all classes of user dealing with small loads, particularly those with limited capital at their disposal.
A Motor Supply Organization for Co-operative Societies.
There are 1,200 co-operative societies in the United Kingdom, probably 7011 of which own commercial vehicles and many of them, like the, London, Woolwich, Plymouth, Newcastle, Leeds and Birmingham societies, have rio or more in regular daily service. It is estimated that there are 4,000 motor vehicles engaged in the transport work of the wholesale and the retail societies, and that the total for England, Ireland and Scotland is about '4,500. No adequate census has yet been taken, but these figures are based upon knowledge of what is being done.
The expenditure on motor spirit, calculated on an annual mileage of 10,000 per vehicle IS about £300,000, and the suggestion is being made for a centralized co-operative motor organization to supply vehicles, tyres, oils, petrol, etc., and to develop the cooperative market through a co-operative agency.
American Production in 1925.
The production of motor vehicles in the United States in 1925 reached a new record of 3,883,000 cars and 492,000 commercial vehicles, or a total of 4,375.000 according to a statement. issued by the president of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce. The highest previous year's production was in 1923. when 4,086,000 vehicles were produced. The wholesale valtie of cars and vehicles manufactured last year approximates $3,000,000,000.
The past year was particularly favourable for the. American commercial vehicle industry, its output being nearly 12 per cent, of the total outpnt.
The Orwell Range of Industrial Trucks.
Ransomes, Sims and Sefferies, Ltd., Orwell Works, Ipswich, have done much to popularize the use of electric industrial trucks for various classes of work, and, as might be expected, the company have produced many models which are valuable for use in a number of widely different circumstances. Details of their range of electric industrial trucks are contained in a catalogue which the company have recently issued.
It embodies nartieulars and illustrations of 24 different models, including several special types, such as the F type, which has a short overall length and is intended mainly for use in railway and other lifts. Another special model is the tiering truck, which can be used for loading and unloading goods at different heights, and in the catalogue an example is illustrated operating in an engineering shop delivering work to a radial drill at the level required. Then there is an electric truck fitted With swivelling and derricking crane, whilst several tipping trucks are available. Reference is made in the catalogue to all these special types and also to the standard range of trucks. The catalogue is clearly printed and well illustrated.
Leyland Longevity.
Although for purposes of depreciation the period of useful life of a heavy motor vehicle is usually assessed at about five years, there are many instances where such machines have been in constant service for a much longer pelod. An example is to be found in the ease of the Leyland lorry which is illustrated on this page, this machine having been supplied to the Northern Dispatch Motor Co. in 1912, since when it has been engaged on arduous work. In our picture the machine is shown. being loaded up with wood pulp at the Preston Docks. The average load which it carries is 20 bales, each bale weighing 5 cwt. It will be seen that this load, in the aggregate, is in excess of the rated 4-ton capacity of the vehicle, and, although the machine has very often dealt with overloads, no visible signs of detriment to its mechanical condition, we are told, have been observed.
The Albion Co. and Tyre Prices. The, Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow, point out that, as there appears to be little likelihood of any reduction in the price of rubber tiering this year, they have decided to include the advances in tyre costs in the list prices of any Albion chassis affected by them. No extra cost for tyre advances will, they inform us, be charged separately.
Bus and Rail in Competition.
An interesting new motorbus service, worked on the co-operative principle, has just been inaugurated between Newcastle, Gateshead, Birtley and Chester-le-Street, by members of the Chester-le-Street and District Motor Omnibus Proprietors' Association, an organization formed for the protection of the .interests of small Concerns and iudividual owners in the district. Operating to a recognized time-table they are providing a frequent service of buses, under the style of the General Motor Services, the fare being is. 2d. for the through journey. This is the same as the reduced fare recently introduced between Newcastle and Chester-le-Street by the London and North-Eastern Railway in order to compete with bus traffic, and the bus proprietors have an advantage in possessing a central stand immediately outside the Newcastle railway station. On Saturdays an express service is
operated, the through run taking half an hour.
The association is affiliated to the Blaydon and District Proprietors' Association, which last year figured prominently in a tussle with the Newcastle Corporation, when the latter extended its road services.
A Dinner to Villiers' Governing Director.
A few days ago the directors, staff and employees of the Villiers Engineering Co., Ltd., Marston Road, Wolverhampton, gave a complimentary dinner to Sir Charles and Lady Marston in commemoration of the recent honour bestowed on their governing director. Mr. F. H. Farrer, the managing director, occupied the chair, and, in proposing "The Health of the Guests," he pointed to the work which Sir Charles had done for the town and the company, When Sir Charles founded the company in 1898 they employed about 20 to 30 hands only, whereas there are now 500 employees On their books.
Guys for Biscuit Transport.
The 1-ton chassis produced by Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, is widely used in those transport spheres where a speedy, reliable delivery wait is required, and amongst users of it may be cited a number of prominent business heuses. Huntley and Palmers, Ltd., for instance, the well-known biscuit makers, are the users of such Guy machiees, and they have recently taken delivery of the two 1-ton vans shown in an accompanying intiktration, these vehicles constituting a repeat order.
The vans are of a most attractive appearance, being painted a chocolatebrown colour, with the lettering in 'gold standing out in bold relief. Each van has a permanently fixed ladder at the rear, giving access to the roof, which is enclosed by a rail.
The chassis are the company's standard 1-tonners, the only variation from normal practice being the fitting of the fuel tank at the rear of the chassis with Autovae feed to the engine.
Cbventon's Progress.
At the third annual dinner of Coventon'S, Ltd., some interesting statements were made by Mr. J. C. Moth, the managing director, and by the manager, • Mr. J. B. Parrington. The fleet of Scammell tractor-trailers now numbers 25. During 1925, 2,656 trips were made: The •mileage of the vans was 421,756, and that of the tankers 36,383. The geods carried amounted to 30,000 tons, valued at £300,000, and the total losses through breakages, etc., were under 125. • An important feature is the inauguration of a new free insurance scheme, by which the next of' kin of any man who dies after having been in the employment of the company. for a minimum period of six months, receives £100. If he retires, he Call, after a certain time, himself continue the premium and so
retain the'benefit. • Where the S.D. Freighter Scores.
A picture which we reproduce on this page shows three types of vehicle which are used by the Swindon municipal authorities for refuse collection. On the right is to be seen an old-type horse cart, in the centre a horse cart in which the body is certainly of a more sanitary type, whilst on the left is one of three S.D. Freighters which the authorities have had in service for the past six months.
Swindon is a town which abounds in narrow baeltways, in 'which the S.D. Freighter is readily able to manteuvre. Some idea of the respective loading lines of the three types of vehicle can be obtained from the illustration, and it will be seen that the S.D. Freighter shows up to excellent advantage in this respect. The S.D. Freighter built for refuse collection is supplied with neat canvas covers to reduce the risk of the contents of the body being blown about.
A Piper-on Arc Welding.
A meeting of the Institution of Welding Engineers will be held in the library of the Philosophical Hall, Park Row, Leeds, on January 29th, when a paper entitled ".The Are Welding of Seams in Steel Plates," illustrated by lantern slides, will be read by Mr. J. T. Carr, A.Sc., the reading to be followed by a discussion. The chair will. be taken by Professor F. C. Thompson, B. Sc.
Russia Orders 200 German Lorries.
It is reported from Brunswick, Germany, that the Bussing Co., of that town, have lately secured an order for 200 motor lorries for the Soviet Government.
Local Proceedings.
Warliagham Parish Council has decided to purchase a motor Cesspool emptier.
Lampeter Town Council proposes to allocate St. Thomas Square as a parking-place for buses.
Rainshottom Urban District Council is seeking powers to establish motorbus services within and beyond the district.
The highways committee of the South Shields Corporation is considering the purchase of further motor vehicles.
Hartlepool Corporation hats lodged its Bill seeking powers to abandon certain tramway routes and to institute railless vehicle serviced.
Hobart (Tasmania) Corporation has authorized the city engineer to make inquiries regarding mechanical vehicles for street sweeping and cleansing.
Douglas (I.o.M.) Corporation tramways manager has prepared areport on the substitution of cable-care by motorbuses on the Upper Douglas route.
South Shields Corporation recommends the purchase of a Ford road tractor and Eagle tipping trailer for the sum of £470 and a 1-ton truck at a cost of £240. • The Bedwas and Maelaen Urban District Council has accepted the tender of Karrier Motors, Ltd., to supply a new bus for £1,000, an old buts being taken in part payment.
Oldham Corporation has decided to start a motorbus service between the Oldham Market and the DrIossley Market. It is also proposed to run double-deck buses between Hathershaw and Summit.
The tramways committee of the South Shields Corporation has decided to run a motorbus service between Keppel Street and Boldon Colliery to replace a private service which has ceased running.
Runbaken's New Works.
We have recently been informed that the Runbaken Magneto Co. have opened a new works at 30, Tipping Street, London Road, Manchester, also a depot at 14, Rathbone Place, London, W.1, and that they accept responsibility under guarantee and service for all accessories bearing the name " Run baken." Super Motorbus Station for Glasgow.
The site at the corner of 'Waterloo and Wellington Streets, Glasgow, diagonally opposite the Alhambra Theatre, about the fate of which there has been much speculation in recent years, is to be utilized as a garage and bus station. A company is being formed to carry out the project, and amongst the directors are several prominent Glasgow business men. It is intended to erect a building to cost about £100,000, the basement of which will be used as a motor garage, with room for 80 vehicles, whilst the bus station will be on the ground floor. This will have platforms for passengers, and will be able to accommodate 36 passenger vehicles at a time. The station will be the terminal point for bus services which the company intend to institute to various districts outside the city. Above the bus station there will be waiting rooms, refreshment rooms, etc.
. Belgian Motor Taxes: The .tax on motorcars and other motor or steam-propelled vehicles has been fixed by the Belgian Chamber a 40 francs per horse-power, and at .60 francs for each horse-power above 24, without exceeding 5 per cent, of the gross value taxable on January 1st of the year of taxation. On all lorries, tractors, furniture vans, etc., weighing over 2,000 kilos. the tax is not lower than 36 francs per 100 kilos. The Low Load-line and Accessibility.
Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, 'Wolverhampton, draw our attention to the fact that they have seen it suggested in certain quarters that the development of the low-loading one-step bus has materially affected the accessibility of the vehicle. They are not aware of the 'manner in which the accessibility of any unit or units has been impaired, and naturally, as one of the pioneers of the low-loading bus, they are interested in the subject. Perhapsthose who have criticised this form of construction will feel prepared to give definite reasons for their contention, and thus give manpfacturers and the public a case to answer.