Answers to Queries.
Page 20
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed if a request tor privacy is not sPecially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach us for lists of motorcab and commercial vehic:e owners; these we never supply. Our advertisement
columns are opea to those who desire to make announcements to owners for their own benefit.
Tire Company's Address.
[1,794] "IRISH CABS" write :—"We should consider it a favour if you could let us have the address of the company who are marketing the Evans-Doubleday tire. We should like to know where it could be seen."
ANSWER.—The address you require is as follows: The E.-D. Tyre Syndicate, 37, Walbrook, London, E. C.
Non-stop Motorbuses.
[1,795] " DieEeToR " writes :" I should like your opinion as to whether any objection would be raised by the police to the institution of non-stop motorbus services, morning and evening, from outlying points to and from the City, much on the lines of the custom which used to obtain in the horse-bus days ?
" I should not, of course, suggest anything in the nature of excessive speed, but merely that at certain times in the morning and evening particular motorbuses would be known to run through without stopping at the usual picking-up points. Whilst T believe this is technically illegal, unless the seats are booked in advance and each vehicle is fully so booked, I imagine that a practice that was allowed for ninny years might. be revived, in suitable manner, without objection on the part. of the Public Carriage Department."
ANSWER.—It is an offence for a driver or conductor to refuse to admit and carry at the lawful fare any person for whom there is room and to whose admission no reasonable objection can be taken. If a driver were to refuse to stop to admit. such a person he would be guilty of an offence of which the police are bound to take notice. It is interesting to note that it has been held that seats cannot be reserved by conductors.
Under the above circumstances, therefore, we have to advise you that non-stop motorbuses, if they be fully-licensed machines, would only be allowable providing all the seats were occupied throughout the whole route.
Insurance Inquiry from Canada.
[1,796] " EDITOR, CANADA," writes 1 am post
ing you, under separate wrapper, a copy of the special edition that we got out for the recent motor show here. In it I reproduced some comment of yours on the Canadian commercial-motor situation.
I hope you will find it of interest.
"I am under the impression that there has recently been a great deal of controversy in England regarding automobile insurance policies. I believe that several motoring magazines published a model policy, the adoption of which would protect the motorist from unscrupulous insurance companies. Could you tell me anything about this model policy and where a copy of it could be obtained '?"
ANSWER.—We observe with interest your quotation of our leading article anent the Winnipeg Trials of last year. We enclose a copy of the model policy that has been drawn up by the Royal Automobile Club ; ten of the principal English companies are now quoting to this, viz. : Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd. General Accident, Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, Ltd.
Gresham Life, Fire and Accident Insurance Co. Law Accident Insurance Society, Ltd.
Col. Kinloch, of Lloyd's.
Dreadnought Underwriters. Red Cross Indemnity Association.
London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Co.
Railway Passengers' Assurance Co.
Royal Exchange Assurance.
One of Many Similar.
[1,797] " AN INQUIRING MIND" writes : —" Some time ago I noticed in your valuable journal some interesting statistics concerning motorcars. Can you supplement these by furnishing me with the following details :—
(1) What is the number of commercial cars now running in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man ?
(2) What is the number of pleasure cars in each of these countries ?
(3) What is the number of motor fire-engines? (4) What is the proportion of chain-driven machines to live-axle chassis?
(5) How many taximeters are there in use of each make ?
(6) What is the proportion of driver-owners of cabs in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Birmingham (7) What is the number of solid tires consumed in Great Britain yearly ? "
ANSWER.—The Editor trusts that it will not inconvenience " An Inquiring Mind," but he finds that his staff will not have time to compile the required statistics this side of the Coronation Parade, or the other side, either, for that matter.
Police Plate Necessary.
[1,79o]" MAN OF HARLECH " writes :—" I should be glad if you would advise use if, in your opinion, I am entitled to the petrol rebate.
" I run a regular motorbus service from the village
of to and from — , 18 miles in each direction. About four months ago I sent in my claim for the petrol rebate on the official form, but I have heard nothing further since then. I asked the local Excise officer, a day or two ago, what was being done. He said he had heard nothing definite, but he was under the impression that I would not be entitled to the rebate, on the ground that I did not hold a police licence, and, consequently did not ply for hire, within the meaning of the Act. The licence I hold is a hackney carriage one, and cost £3 18s. I have not received any official intimation to the above effect, but I should much esteem your valuable opinion."
Axswea.—The local Excise officer is obviously wrong if he states that, because it is not necessary for you to secure a police licence in your district, therefore you cannot be capable of " plying for hire." You actually do ply for hire, and that qualifies you for the petrol rebate under the terms of the Act. Whether you have to get special permission to "ply for hire" or not is nothing to do with the case at all. You can only claim rebate on the spirit which you use while you are actually in service. Vehicles used for private-hire do not entitle their owners to the rebate. You should press for the rebate from the local officer and intimate that, if your "claim be not considered without further delay, you will lay it before the cornmissioners in London.