News and Comment.
Page 10
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This journal is extensively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses.
Some interesting particulars of the way in which the proprietors of Oxo and other beef extracts distribute their specialities to retailers are given on page 75.
Our leading articles this week deal with the following topical subjects : (1) "The Richmond Conference " ; (2) " The careful costing of the single motorvan " ; and (3) " The 1913 Motorvan Parade."
Two interesting new accessory devices are described in this issue, viz., the Stewart-Morris paraffin carburetter and the White combined electric starter and lighting equipment (pages 71 and 73).
Following our prompt illustrated report of the motor-transport happenings in the recent Grand Army Manceuvres in East Anglia, we think it is interesting to include in this issue a further batch of illustrations of the transport and supply columns in the field, together with some text matter embodying certain information which was unavoidably held over last week owing to lack of space, and a number of definite conclusions which have been drawn from the behaviour of the transport in the field.
More about Worms.
AL the present time, when so much attention is being focussed on the relative merits and claims on behalf of worm-gear and bevel-gear final drives, our review (pages 66-67) of much of the interesting information which was recently nresented in the form of a paper to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers will be of interest to our readers. The tests, of which we give a number of tabulated particulars that have been specially compiled for this journal, concern the records of investigations made by the Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Co.
The Meeting at Richmond.
Our first Editorial article in this issue has reference to the undoubtedly important conference of Western area local authorities. which took Place at Richmond last week. As the question of surface transnort between these surrounding districts and the centre of the Metropolis is becoming one of great urgency, in view of the successful encroachment by motorbue companies into territory which has been almost exclusively reserved for the trains hitherto. we think it wise to record the principal statements which were made at that conference. We do so on page 69.
The next two issues of this journal will deal iii particular with the subject of the equipment of commercial vehicle repair shops and factory plants.
Shrapnell-Smith—Godman Wedding.
The marriage of the Editor of this journal, Mr. Edward Shrapnell Shrapnell-Smith, and Miss Sarah Rosalie Godman, daughter of Major-general and M1'6. R. P. Godman, was celebrated at St. George's, Hanover Square, at 1.30 p.m. on Thursday, the 19th inst. The church was tastefully decorated, and the large gathering of guests included : the Hon. Arthur Stanley, M.P., who acted as best. man, Sir George Gibb, Sir David SaIomons, Sir John II. A. Macdonald, Sir Boverton Redwood, Sir John Thornycroft, Colonel Crompton, Mr. Edward Manville, Mr. Sidney Straker, Dr. Hele-Shaw, Dr. Seeretan, Mr. Raymond Dennis, Mr. Rees Jeffrey, Mr. Lyon Thomson, Captain Hume, Mr. Oscar Thompson, and many others well known to our readers. The ceremony, which was fully choral, was followed by a reception at 5, Upper Beigra,ve Street, the residence of the bride's parents. The honeymoon is being spent in the North of Scotland.
A further tender for the supply of a motor roller and tractor, by Barford and Perkins, Ltd.,. of Peterborough, has been accepted by the Crown Agents for the Colonies.
Masonic Votes.
The Editor acknowledges receipt of votes from the following readers: Mr. F. W. Robson (3) and Mr. J. IE. Ames (1). The election is to take place on the 10th prox., and any further votes sent to us before that date will be heartily welcomed.
French Agrimotor Trials.
The third of the series of international agrimotor exhibitions, which commences to-day (Thursday) at Bourges, promises to be more successful and to call forth much more interest than any of its predecessors. The exhibition has been organized by the Central Automobile Club, with effective support from the Government, and the ploughing competition forming part of the movement is in the hands of the Agricultural Commission of the Automobile Club of France. It is intended that the exhibition shall cover the various and varied applications of the internalcombustion motor to agriculture. An interesting accessory will be the motor fair, at which all kinds of motors, motor accessories and appliances, either new or secondhand, will be admitted for sale or exchange. Obviously, the object is to give agriculturists the same opportunities of trading their motor stock with one another as they at present have of disposing of their horses in the horse fairs. There will be an exhibition and competition of fire-engines and pumps, with special attention for machines suited to farm" usages.
The ploughing competition may see 16 machines from 13 makers take nart. These are: Vermond and Guellennee (2); E. Bauche (2) ; Case Co. (1); Bajae (1) C.I.M.A., or International Harvester Co. (1): Rohn (1); Gilbert (1); Hubert Linard (1); Landrin (1) ; Lefebvre (2) ; De Mesrnay (1) ; Filtz (1) ; and Champenoise (1). The ploughing competition will last three days, the let to 3rd prox., the machines operating on different fields for the first two days, and coming together on a 100-acre piece of land for the final test. The Minister of Agriculture will visit Bourges, and distribute the prizes, on the 6th prox. Prince Pierre d'Arenberg is a keen supporter of the trials.