WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all digiculties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Two-seater Taxicabs.
The new regulations concerning the construction of two-seater motorcabs were issued by Scotland Yard on Wednesday evening of last week.
The conditions of fitness already in operation respecting taxicabs must be adhered to, except that in the case of the two-seater cab the minimum wheel track is reduced by 4 ins., and the minimum width between the outsides of the springs is reduced by 4 ins., whilst the minimum diameter of the tyres is reduced by 50 mm. The figures in a comparative form are set out below : FourTwo seater seater cabs, cabs.
in. in.
Clearance (minimum) 10 Distance between outsides of :— Rear springs (mini mum) ... 40 36 Front springs (mini mum) 26 22 Wheel track (minimum) 52 48 mm. mm.
Diameter of tyres (minimum) ... 810 760 The total length of the vehicle must not exceed 14 ft., and the breadth must not be greater than 5 ft. 9 ins.
An important new condition refers to freedom from skidding, for if it be found that a vehicle is stpt to skid (which is defined as "moving improperly and independently of the steering ") the Commissioner reserves the right to serve a notice On the proprietor "not to use" and may refuse to licence the vehicle again until the defects are remedied.
The existing regulations with regard to brakes, etc., all apply.
Mr. Lewin Departs.
The decision of Mr. W. J. Lewin to relinquish his position with John Fowler and Co., Ltd., of Leeds, and to go out to Australia has not come as a surprise. Mr. Lewin feels the call of the sun, and as his health has for years not been of the best, we can quite understand that Australia is an attractive proposition. He will study the prospects for engineering out there and with his energy and enterprise will certainly not be slow in grasping any promising opportunity. He goes with our very best wishes, for he is a man greatly liked and appreciated.
Municipalities Buying Leylands.
Municipal authorities figure very prominently in the list of orders for vehicles which Leyland Motors, Ltd., now have in various stages of construction. Some of these are for goods models and others for passenger vehicles. Amongst purchasers of the former can be mentioned the Halifax Corporation, which is buying 50-cwt. chassis, the Accrington Corporation, which is purchasing a 50-cwt. vehicle fitted with a three-way hydraulic tipping body, and the West Riding County Council, for which three 5-tonners with
C20 three-way tipping bodies are in course of construction.
So far as passenger models are concerned, a number of Lioness buses is being built to the order of the Colne Corporation, Leviathan buses for the tramway authorities in Todmorden, whilst 26-seater Stockton-type buses are passing through the works for Bury.
The company are also building a number of fire-engines for municipal authorities, these including two engines for the Willesden District Council, one of 300400-gallon capacity and the other of 500-700-gallon capacity, and a 300-400-gallon engine for the Littleborough Urban District Council, whilst the fire-fighting equipment of the Rufford Pulmonary Hospital is being completed by the purchase of a portable pump which has been ordered by the Lancashire County Council.
An Engineer-designer Available.
An engineer-designer, who has specialized in the design of light and heavy commercial vehicles and has proved inventive ability, some of the products of his brain having been adopted as standard by many chassis builders, is available for a suitable position.
Letters addressed to "Designer," care of The Commercial Motor, 7-1. Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.1, will be forwarded to him. Railway Company's Big Order.
One of the largest orders recently received by Jam I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., is that from the Great Western Railway Co., who are buying 50 4-ton chassis which will be equipped with goods-carrying bodies built in their own works. Another repeat order which the company have obtained is from the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., who are purchasing five 2i-ton chassis, whilst a slumber of orders for the company's new type Al long chassis, designed for bus and -coach work, is in course of being completed.
Improved Taxicab Service in Liverpool.
Liverpool taxicab owners, who operate close on 500 vehicles, hope shortly to secure the development of what is known as the cab-rank telephone system. The Liverpool Motor Cab Protection Society is acting in cooperation with the telephone department of the G.P.O., and the ideal is a telephone on every stand. Already eight ranks have been provided with a telephone installation—Pier Head, Water Street, Victoria Monument, Bixteth Street, Copperas Hill, Lime Street, Williamson Square, Prince's Road—and the service started on April 15th.
The charge for taxicabs in Liverpool is is. 6d. per mile. The charge for waiting is 6s. per hour. The tariff is the same by day and by night.
A Ballot for Road Users.
Sterns, Ltd., Royal London Hou'se, Finsbury Square, London, E.C.2, have just instituted an interesting ballot scheme in which they are awarding prizes to the value of 1,000 guineas, the
first prize being 500 guineas. This scheme is open to all classes of user, and takes a very simple form. All that users of Sternol WW lubricating oil are asked to do is to indicate in their order of individual preference the different merits of this fuel, and the winner will be decided by the popular vote. Sterne' WW oil is marketed in four grades, so that all classes of user are provided with the opportunity for competing.
A Popular Petrol Pump.
Liquid Measurements, Ltd., Bush House, Aldwych, London, W.C.2, advise us that the Hammond petrol pump bas been developed as an entirely English production, and we are interested to learn that it is gaining great popularity amongst garage owners, proprietors of filling stations and the motoring public generally.. Features of this pump are its visibility and accuracy of measurement. The company inform us that they have recently received an order for a pump of their make and a Hammond patent filter tank to be installed at the Royal Garage, Sandringham.
We regret that the name of MeSsrs. Miller Bros., Clifton Road, Brighouse, was omitted under the heading "Gears and Gear Cutting" from our list of regular advertisers published in our issue dated April 13th.
No Longer a " Blind " City.
Until recently Liverpool was considered a " blind " city. In other words, the visiting motor-driver had no means, apart from his own sense of direction and by inquiry, of discovering the routes Gut of the city. This naturally caused peace:Mil on point duty to be 'inundated with inquiries. In the vicinity of the docks there is, as is well known, very heavy traffic and a large proportion of the motorwagons comes from outside towns. The absence of route-indicators and signposts, therefore, was a deficiency which caused all-round inconvenience.
The city authorities are now in course of signposting all the main routes out of the city, and in doing this they are earning the thanks of the entire roadusing fraternity.
The M. of T. and Traction-engine Studs.
With regard to representations • from agricultural interests in connection with the use of studs on traction-engine wheels when roads are covered with show or are frost-bound, the Minister of Transport states that the use of studs is at.present -prohibited and the Ministry is not disposed to permit the use of studs by a General Order to that effect. It is suggested that, the difficulties can Is' met by leaving the matter to the discretion of the highway authorities, and the hope is expressed that such authorities will favourably 'consider,apnlications from farmers and others for the use of such studs during unfavourable weather conditions:
Loudon Agents for Frome Tyres.
We are informed that the contract by whieh Mr. F. C. Hutchins, 12, Theobald's Road, London, W.C.1, has the sole London agency for Wallington, Weston and Co.,.Ltd., of Frame. Somerset, has been renewed for a further lengthy period. The Frome band tyre has been manufactured for a number of years past, and it has achieved success in various forms of commercial service. The London agent has been successful iii securing the renewal of a number of important contracts for the continued supply of these tyres to well-known London business houses.
Adequate stocks of solid, pneumatic and semi-pneumatic tyres are kept at Mr. Hutchins's depot, where an efficient press is also available and fitting can be carried out day or night.
Periodical Inspection of Buses.
At a meeting of the Sheffield Watch Committee letters were submitted from the clerk of the Wortley Rural District Couucil intimating that there were more than 100 motor omnibuses plying for hire within the district of the council which were licensed by Sheffield and another authority, and suggesting that .irt the interests of the public the vehicles should be inspected periodically.
The town clerk reported that all vehicles licensed in Sheffield were thoroughly examined and must be passed by a competent motor engineer before a licence was issued,, andthe owner must effect an insurance covering third, party and passenger risks. He also pointed out that licences were issued for the period ending June 30th in each year and there was no power to re-inspect a vehicle during the currency of the licence. This difficulty could be overcome by the issue of short-period licences, but the Departmental, Committee on the Licensing and Regulation of Public Service Vehicles (First Interim Report) does not recommend such licences. The report contains sugges tions for dealing with the periodical inspection of vehicles for incorporation in proposed legislation.
In the circumstances the committee decided net to alter the existing system at present.
FabrIkold Leather Cloth.
The company who market Fabrikoid leather cloth inform us that their title has been altered to the Welin-Higgins Co., Ltd., and that their address has been changed to Morley House, 314-322, Regent Street, London, W.1.
Leeds Water Charges.
Leeds Corporation has decided that the charges for water supplied for motorcars and steam wagons be 3s. and 30s. respectively, for any quarter or less period of a year for which an excise licence is in force.
Personal Pars.
Mr. Walter Wakelam, who has been hon. secretary to the Sheffield and Rotherham Area of the Commercial Motor Users Associaton has, we understand, been appointed manager of the Central African Transport Co., whose activities extend to Nyasaland, Rhodesia and British Central Africa. Mr. Wakelam was entertained to dinner by the local organization before taking up his appointment and he has now sailed for Africa.
Mr. A. R. N. Heath, M.I.A.E., is a director and general manager of Corber and Heath, Ltd., of Dartford, who are tire originators of the interesting Lowdeck vehicle described in this issue.
Mr. Heath was apprenticed to the North Staffordshire Railway Co., Stokeon-Trent, and during 1904 was in charge of the running of a steam bus from Leek to Waterhouses, leaving there about 1905 to become a designee with John I Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., at Basingstoke, where he remained until 1906. For three years he was with the G.W.R. (motor department) as designer in charge of holiday traffic arrangements and in charge of Penzance repair shops. Following this he became assistant engineer to the General Motor Cab Co., and then engineer-designer with Mr. Walter J. Idea at the London General Omnibus Co. In 1914 he became chief designer at the chassisbuilding works of J. and E. Hall, Ltd., Dartford, until he left to form the present company.
Mr. H. Corber's wide experience in bodybuilding has proved exceedingly useful in conjunction with the engineering knowledge of Mr. Heath, and it is fortunate that in their company the two sides are so well balanced.
Mr. Corber was apprenticed to road carriage building, after which, in ism he started in the wagon department of the Gloucester Railway and Carriage Co., Ltd. He then joined the Wolseley Co. when they commenced operations at Adderley Park, became manager of the body department of Vulcans, of Smithport, in 1907, but left them in 1911 to take up aviation with Grahame-White, for whom he built. the Hendon Aerodrome and a number of aeroplanes. In 1913 he joined the Austin Co., taking full control of body design and manufacture. During the war he controlled the building of aeroplanes, armoured ears, limbers, etc., for this company, leavin., in 1919 to return to Vulcans. In 1921 he opened up a London office for .Bromilow and Edwards for the sale of their well-known tipping gears and, later, joined X. C. Beadle, Ltd., of Dartford, where he was assistant to Mr. J. White, the managing director.
Institute of Metals Meeting.
A. general meeting of the Institute of Metals will be held at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, Westminster, London, S.W.1, on May 19th, when the 16th annual May lecture wills be delivered by Professor H. C. H. Carpenter, F.R.S., on "Single Metallic Crystals and Their Properties." The annual autumn meeting of the Institute is announced to be held in Liege from September 1st to 4th. It will be the first meeting to be held on the Continent since the successful Ghent meeting of 1913. Simms Motor Units Report.
From the report of Simms Motor Units (1920), Ltd., which has just been issued for the year ended December 31st last, it is clear that the company's business continues to grow and expand, not only in this country, but also abroad, for they have opened a branch at Wellington, New Zealand, and, apart from establishing other branches in Great Britain, have others under contemplation in the British Dominions and India.
The trading results for the year reveal a net profit of £25,429, after making provision for depreciation and other items. With a sum of E19,742 brought in from the previous year, the available
balance is increased to £45,171. A dividend of 10 per cent. less tax, the same as for the previous year, will absorb £12,000, and leave £33,171 to be carried forward. At the sixth ordinary general meeting of the company it was agreed to delete the "1920" from the title.
Daimler Buses on Order.
Newcastle Corporation has placed a contract with the Daimler Co., Ltd., of Coventry, for a further six buses of the company's make, with an option to purchase another six immediately. The machines will consist of the company's C.M.-type chassis carrying 30-seater single-deck bodies, in which the passenger entrance is at the rear.
Apart from this item of information, the company also tell us that the Teesside Railless Traction Co., who use a number of trolley-buses for passenger work, have arranged to purchase their first petrol bus, and this will consist of a Daimler C.M.-type chassis carrying a 26-seater single-deck body.
An Unusual Haulage Job.
Steel pipes 36 ins. in diameter and 27 ft. long do not provide the easiest loads to handle, but in connection with the relaying of a conduit to one of the distant reservoirs of the Bradford Corporation IL good many of these heavy pipes have to be tackled and delivered. Sometimes the pipes have to he deposited in very inconvenient places, so that they entail a minimum of handling when required as the excavation is made ready to receive them. '
The pipes are delivered by train to
the nearest railway station and shunted under a crane, subsequently being swung over and lowered on to the Leyland lorry owned by the waterworks department of the Bradford Corporation. The men, who are accustomed to the job, know the balancing point to a nicety, and very little time is required for loading. Narrow country lanes and difficult corners have often to be negotiated in order that a suitable dump can be reached, and then the task of unloading is carried out in an interesting manner. The chains holding the pipe in position are carefully released and by a gentle push in the proper place the three-ton load is made to slide off the lorry, a bolster of sacking having previously been placed at the spot where the edge of the pipe will hit the ground. The pipe then rests with one end on the ground and the other on the tail of the lorry. Another holster is placed behind the lorry and the vehicle started, the result being that the pipe falls with a bump on to the bolster. Blocks are placed along the road to prevent rolling, but when the men are ready they roll the pipe by hand into the desired position, there to await the excavators. Phases of the operations are depicted in illustrations on this page.
Increasing Use of Motors in Ceylon.
His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Calcutta reports that, according to a statement just compiled by the Director of Statistics, Ceylon, there are no fewer than 201 different makes of motor vehicle in use in Ceylon. The total number of vehicles in service is 10,240, of which number 1,268 are motorbuses and 937 motor lorries, vans, etc. The statistics show that there is now one motcr vehicle to every 459 persons in Ceylon.
British Chances in Chile.
Whilst German, Austrian, Italian, French and Swiss vehicles are to be seen in use in increasing numbers in Chile, it would appear, according to a report recently circulated by the Department of Overseas Trade, that British vehicles are not often to be seen.
There is apparently a growing market for all types of goods and passengercarrying vehicles in this country. The light motorbus has achieved much popularity, and in Santiago alone over 1,000 vehicles are in use. Moreover, vans and lorries are being used in increasing numbers in the towns and villages. Petrol vehicles have given satisfactory results in the nitrate industry and, on the whole, the market for such vehicles and also for steam wagons during the next few years promises to be one of considerable volume.
British manufacturers are not without a chance of securing some Of the trade which will be available, if they are prepared to adapt their models to suit local conditions, and to give demonstrations on the spot.
Merits of Power Petrol. "Fifty-five thousand miles without decarbonizing." That is the story of a Leyland bus running on the London streets and using Power petrol, a British " cracked " spirit, as fuel. It has now been established that cracked spirit gives excellent results on commercial vehicles of all types and that engines in which it is used run efficiently for long periods. Moreover, after extended service little carbon deposit is to be found in the cylinders. Power petrol is marketed by the Power Petroleum Co., West Street, Charlton, S.E.7, and is . refined in the Isle of Grain, Kent.
British Van Deliveries.
The group of pictures which is reproduced on this page shows several different types of van which have recently been delivered from the works of. prominent British commercial-vehicle makers.
The first is a Guy 21-tonner 'which has been supplied through Tom Garner, Ltd., the makers' agents in Lancashire. It will be seen that the vehicle is shod with pneuniatic tyres and, as a sidelight on this fact, it is interesting to note that 50 per cent, of the goods vehicles supplied from the works of Guy Motors, Ltd., during the past few, months have been fitted with such equipment, and that 99 per cent, of the public-service vehicles hard been similarly fitted. The van body is tartistically finished and a feature of note is the excellent protection afforded the driver.
The second picture is a 30-cwt. Dennis sheet van supplied to the Buckfast leigh Co-operative Society. For supporting the sheet which protects the body detachable hoopsticks are used. The colour scheme is black for the chassis and mudguards and chocolate for the wheels and bodywork.
In the third illustration a GH2 Leyland chassis fitted with a tilt-van body is shown. The vehicle has been supplied to the electricity department of the Liverpool Corporation and is built to deal with 5-ton loads. The' sides of the van, which are fixed, are 18 ins. high, and the tilt, which ig of stout canvas, is removable. The vehicle is painted royal blue, lined out in black.
The last picture is of a Karrier in sulitted meat van which has been supplied to the Lancashire Cold Storage Co., Ltd., of Liverpool. In this model the makers' JEf-type 65-:cwt. chassis is employed, and the distinctive body which it carries is soundly constructed, the interior being completely insulated by an interlining of cork.
Trial Sets of Cushion Tyres.
The Ducasble Tyre Co., Ltd., have removed to new premises at 1-3, Brixton Road, London, S.W.9, where a comprehensive stock of Ducasble cushion pneumatic tyres is available for various classes of commercial-vehicle work. A tyre press will shortly be installed at these( premises in order that the needs of users may he quickly met. It is interesting to note that, with the object of popularizing this make of tyre, the company are offering a limited number of trial sets on attractive terms.
Conuners for South Wales.
Commer Cars, Ltd., Luton, have just constructed a fleet of low-loading 3?type chassis for South Wales Commercial Motors, Ltd., Cardiff, who already own 30 Commer vehicles. These chassis are to be fitted with the company's new low-loading type rear-entrance body. This type of vehicle presents a very smart appearance and gives its complement of 30 passengers a high degree of comfort. The company tell us that they have just heard of a fleet of this type which has accomplished , over 64,000 miles without the need for anything more than ordinary attention and without any class of' repair having been uii dertaken. A.E.C. Depot in Dublin.
The depot of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., at 64,. Middle Abbey Street, Dublin, was opened on Monday last, and is under the charge of Mr. McLean, the company's area manager. The increasing development of A.E.C. business in Ireland has called for the establishment of this branch, which will be operated as a sales and service depot, and will carry a staff conversant with the policy of the manufacturers in these matters. Owners of A.E.Co. vehicles in Ireland should make a point of sending full records of their vehicles to the area manager.
Eire-engine Demonstrations.
A large number of people watched a demonstration given in various parts of the town of Tavistock one day last week with a Merryweather motor fire-engine. The engine had come from South Molten, where it had previously been subjected to severe tests. Its presence at Tavistock was due to the recent decision of the ,urban and rural councils jointly to purchase a motor fire-engine. Later, a demonstration is to be given by a Dennis engine.
Electrics for Islington.
The cleansing committee of the Islingtou Borough Council recommends acceptance of the tender of Electricars. Ltd., for the supply of two 3i-ton electric refuse-collecting vehicles at a total eost of k1,892. In. connection with its requirements the committee received seven different tenders, the prices ranging from £1,77$ to £2,218, according to the class of battery and size of body.
Local Proceedings.
Barnes -Urban District. Council proposes the purchase of a motor ambulance at a cost of £690.
North Brornsgrove Urban District Council is considering the purchase of a motor ambulance at a cost of £300.
Oldham Corporation has authorized the purchase of a 1-ton parcels motorvan for the tramways department.
Southwick Urban District Council is to consider the provision of mechanical transport for the fire brigade.
Carlisle Corporation has accepted the tender of the County Garage Co. Ltd., of Carlisle, at 1679, for the supdy of a motor ambulance.
Dewsbury Corporation has just ordered a Yorkshire gully emptier fitted with street-washing gear and sprinkling apparatus.
Portsmouth Corporation recommends the purchase of a motor lorry with sliding tilt from Portsmouth Commercial Motors, Ltd., at a cost of £369 10s.
The watch committee of the Glasgow Corporation has accepted the tender of the .Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., for the supply of a motor tower wagon at £724.
South Shields Corporation has decided to obtain further prices for the supply of a petrol lorry for the electricity department.
Mr. A. R. Greenslade has appealed to the Minister of Transport against the decision of the Gravesend Watch Committee in refusing him a licence for a motor coach.
The Merthyr Town Council is to purchase a covered-in double-deck bus for workmen's service, to secure the release of two single-deck buses now used for such work.
The tramways committee of the Morecambe Borough Council invites tenders for the supply of two saloon buses and two toast-rack vehicles, for promenade work.
The electricity committee of the Hackney Borough Council recommends the acceptance of the tender of the Pneumo Works, Clapton, for the supply of two Trojan motor vehicles at 1130 each.
The Westminster City Council invites tenders _for the supply of two chassis to carry 2-3-ton loads, and those with a low load-line will be considered an advantage. Tenders have to he delivered not later than May 3rd.
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The Cardiff Watch Committee has decided to buy an additional MorrisMagirus turntable fire-escape at a cost of £2,500.
South Shields Corporation has authorized the provision of hulk storage tanks for petrol and oil at the depot at a cost of £160.
Ossett Corporation has bad tenders for the supply of motor lorries for refuse collection, but decided to postpone the introduction of mechanical road transport until refuse bins are in more general use.
The works committee of the St. Pancras Borough Council recommends acceptance of the tender of the Chaseside Motor Co., Ltd., of Enfield, for the supply of a Fordson tractor at £250 10s. and a Carrimore trailer at £325.
A Useful Road Atlas.
• Many commercial vehicle drivers have on occasion to make long-distance runs, or journeys to areas with which they may be unfamiliar, and it is in such cases that they are assisted in their work by a map, or a series of maps, which serves to indicate the easiest and quickest route to be taken. To these men, and to others who may be called upon to undertake cross-country journeys, the road atlas of Great Britain just issued by Mann and Overton's, Ltd., 177, Battersea Bridge Road, Lon don, S.W.1, should prove helpful. The handbook has been prepared in a convenient size for the pocket, and its main contents comprise a series of 60 well-defined sectional maps which covers the whole of England, Scotland and Wales. These maps show principal roads and others of lesser importance, railways, canals, and distances between the chief towns and cities.
Many users will appreciate the value of-the town exit maps, which show the routes to be taken out of about 70 dif ferent places. A selection of motor routes, with progressive mileages, is given. There are actually 342 different routes dealt with.
The atlas can be obtained from the • company at the address we have given for the nominal sum of is.
Vulcan Works Busy.
Amongst the batch of orders recently received by the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., Crossens, Southport, one of the largest booked is from the Brighton Corporation, which is purchasing six 2-tonners. Another municipal order is that from the South Shields Corporation, which is buying a 2-ton tipping wagon. Repeat orders• have been received from Messrs. Rowe and Co., of Liverpool, for a 2-tonner ; Mr. W. J. Williams, of Bethesda, is buying a motor coach, and the St. Andrews Association an ambulance. Other recent purchasers of Vulcan vehicles include the Huddersfield Dyers Co., Ltd., Messrs. Robert Cawley and Co., A. and E. Clague and Todd, Cunningham and Petrie.
A Large Oil Contract.
Frank How and Co., Ltd., 77-83, High Street, Stratford, London, E.15, the manufacturers of the Trogon brand of lubricating oils, have recently received a contract from the General Post Office for the supply of lubricant for a large number of their postal motorvans. This contract, we are told, represents one of the largest single orders placed for lubricating oil for Fords in this country.