Answers to Queries.
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Automobile Watering Carts.
L1,843] " ENGINEERS, VANCOUVER, B.C." write
As regular subscribers to your paper, we shall be very much obliged if you will place us in communication with the firm or firms who manufacture auto water carts, after the style of those in use by the London County Council and other cities. In order to save tune, perhaps you will be so good as to pass the inquiry forward to them direct with the request that they will mail us, as early as possible, full particulars with detailed specifications and illustrations,together with actual photographs if possible, capacity, price, and best trade terms which they could offer us, as there is considerable business to .be done in this class of motor vehicle in British Columbia. We shall also be glad to know how soon shipment can be effected of the above vehicles in the event of an order."
ANSWER.--We forwarded a copy of this inquiry from one of our readers to each of the six English makers whom we considered could fill the requirements.
Our Trade Campaign : Many Preliminary Inquiries.
[1,814] " SEASHORE" writes :—" I shall be obliged to you. if you will kindly send me the addresses of the makers of motorvans, up to 5 tons capacity, which you can recommend. I have read your article in 'The Hardware Journal!"
ANswEa.—The simplest way in which we can answer your query, in the first place, is to send to you, under separate cover, a copy of the latest issue of this journal, and to refer you to the business announcements therein of the various makers of commercialmotor vehicles. We have no hesitation in recommending you to obtain further particulars from any of the makers whose announcements appear in this issue. In the meantime, we shall be happy to give you more detailed information with ivgard to the running and tlfe upkeep of individual machines, if you care to write to us again and to give us full particulars of the delivery work which you have in mind.
fWe insert this al an example of a number of similar prelhninary which we have sent to inquiring readers of our articles in the various trade journals.--End
Combined Employment.
[1,845] " HUNTSMAN writes :—"Having been greatly interested in commercial-motor matters for some years past, T have gained a great deal of pleasure and knowledge through reading your paper as well as your sister paper 'The Motor.'
"I now take the liberty of asking for your free advice regarding certain matters. I am thinking of running one or two motor chars-5.-bancs, from one of the Midland towns to the surrounding villages.
"(I) What licences am I required to take out for the following work : (a) for the transport of private parties at any time and anywhere ; (b) for the principal trade that I should do, viz., starting from one of the principal hotels, loading up in the road or yard if required, and then running to two or three neighbouring villages ; (c) for calling at residents' houses in the morning and taking them to their business in town and home again in the evening, doing light deliveries at the same time ?
"(2) Which do you recommend, chain or worm drive—stating your reasons and which is the cheaper to maintain?
"(3) What power do you recommend for a 30-seated char-it-bancs ? There are a few short and fairly-stiff hills in the surrounding district. I should like to do most of the running on top speed, but I do not wish for too great a margin of power for fear of cost.
"(1) What speed does the law allow for such
vehicles, and what do you consider to be the best and safest?
(5) What would be the running costs per mile for a 30-seated char-h-bancs, including maintenance, depreciation, fuel, oil, insurance, etc., etc.? • " I should do my own driving, but should keep a mama I o do the cleaning, etc., at about Ll a week. I shall require your expert advice and opinion again when I am ready to buy the cars and am in a position to start operations."
ANSWER.—You will not require a public-service licence to enable you to carry private parties at any time and anywhere on your chars4-bancs. The machines, if used for this purpose solely, however, must be registered with the county council authori ties, like all other motor vehicles, and you will have to pay the horse-power tax based on the size of the engines fitted to your machines. You, will also have to pay the full 3d. tax for petrol used on vehicles that are used for private hire. The great point to remember is that, if you intend to ply for public hire, i.e., to pick up passengers whom you have not previously contracted to carry, in a public thoroughfare or other public place, you must secure a licence to do so from the local authorities.
Then, as the owner of a hackney carriage, you are not liable for the new horse-power tax, but you have instead to pay the two or three guineas Excise tax under the 1806 Act, together with the wheel tax as a hackney carriage. In addition, the fuel used on a hackney carriage while it is plying or standing for public hire, is subject to a 50 per cent. rebate of the 3d. tax.
The class of employment which you suggest, viz., plying in connection with one of the principal hotels and running thence to neighbouring villages, picking up passengers, who have previously booked their seats, at their own houses, and doing light delivery work at the same time, is a combination of privatehire and ordinary delivery work. In reply to your query with regard to chain or worm drive, both systems are now being used with complete satisfaction ; the worm drive is undoubtedly the quieter of the two, especially after some wear has taken place, but the chain drive is more accessible for repairs. Perhaps, if there is anything to choose between the two in your case, you will be well advised to purchase a chain-driven machine. We are inclined to recommend you to apply for a public-service licence, as then you are at liberty to undertake any class of work you like, whether private or public hire, and you will be able to take advantage of the rebate on the fuel.
We know the district in which you intend to work, and we do not think it would be advisable for you to employ an engine giving less than 30 h.p. Where the registered axle weight of any axle does not exceed six tons, and where the heavy motor ve hicle has all its wheels fitted with tires made of a soft or elastic material," 12 miles an hour is the permissible limit of speed. The running costs of a modern type of 30-seated char-a-bancs, in such country as yours, providing you can keep your weekly mileage up to, say, 350, should not exceed 9d. per mile, and this total will include all possible charges, such as driver's wages, fuel, lubricant, tires, repairs, rent, rates and lighting, insurance, and claims, depreciation and interest on capital. We shall be happy to act for you if, as you say, you will require our advice and information when you wish to buy the cars and to start them in service. In the meantime, if there is any other information with which we can help you during your preliminary investigations, we are at your disposal.