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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"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."—Joks Beattie Crozier.

Municipal Bus Control : The • M. of T. View.

The Penarth Urban District Council recently requested the Ministry of Transport to hold a somewhat unusual type of inquiry into the running of bus services. The council claimed that it has for long unsuccessfully endeavoured to prevail on the proprietors of buses in use on the route from Cardiff to Penarth to conform with a time-table to be drafted by the proprietors themselves or by the council, so as to avoid unnecessary plying for hire, racing and the clashing of times of departure from stopping places. The council also complains that routes prescribed are not always adhered to, and that the attitude of proprietors to competitors is such that it is impossible to control or reconcile them.

Accordingly, Mr. H. Fisher, a Ministry of Transport inspector, recently visited Penarth to investigate the situation, and the Ministry has now—and in very quick time—announced its findings in this matter. The Ministry affirms the right of the local authority to demand that its regulations shall be conformed with. At the penalty of the summary suspension of their bus licences, it calls upon the offending three companies mutually to agree upon a time-table within one month or to notify the council of their inability to do so. In the latter event, the council is to draft its own time-table, and the non-conformity with it by the proprietors is to lead to the withdrawal of licences.

Wallasey-North Wales Communications.

On Monday of last week there was opened at Wallasey a new gateway to North Wales—a now hydraulically driven swing bridge across the Wallasey Pool to Birkenhead, replacing the old Penny Bridge. The overall dimensions of the bridge are :—Length, 203 ft. ; height, 22 ft.; width, 32 ft. It has a roadway 19 ft. wide, and is designed to carry rail and tram traffic if required. The bridge has a 100-ft. span and has a 4-ft. footpath on each side. It will link up with the newly made road and improve traffic facilities between Wallasey and North Wales. The improvement scheme was started two years ago, and the work has cost over £1,000,000. The tolls to be charged will be the same as on the old bridge.

Laystall Extension.

The Laystall Motor Engineering Works, Ltd., opened new premises one day last week in Gravel Lane, London, S.E., close to their Ewer Street works. The whole of the welding department, together with its machine-shop equipment, has been transferred there. For many years now, the name of Laystall has been associated with high-class repair work, especially where difficult and complicated jobs of welding and machining are concerned. Work for the motor trade has been a speciality, and the heaviest class of commercial vehicle work, both steam and petrol, is handled daily.

It is not generally known that a nuns

her of well-known manufacturers of high-speed engines have certain components—notably carefully balanced crankshafts—mranufactured by the Laystall Co. Large stocks of replacement parts—pistons, crankshafts, etc.—for every type of commercial vehicle are carried.

The opening of the new works practically doubles the available door space, and all work is now handled with the utmost despatch.

New Officers of the S.M.M. and T.

At a recent meeting of the Council of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd., the following were elected as officers of the Society for the current year :—President, Mr. R. W. Maudslay ; vice-presidents, Sir George Beharrell, D.S.O., and Mr. Cl. M. Young, B.Sc. ; honorary treasurer, Mr. Leslie Walton.

Bus Competition Affects Tramway Takings.

Even in Spain the increasing popularity of motorbuses is causing uneasiness in electric tramway circles. Thus, in Cartagena the local tramway company reports a falling off in receipts owing to bus competition. A similar state of affairs is reported from Madrid,

Bating of Patents Committee.

A committee has been appointed by the Board of Trade to consider whether any and, if so, what change is desirable in the practice of—

(a) Dating patents, applied for under Section 91 of the Patents Acts, as of the date of application in the foreign State ; and (b) dating patents granted upon or dinary applications as of the date of application in the United Kingdom.

The main question which the committee has to examine is whether this practice should be continued or whether patents granted upon applications made under Section 91 should bear some later flate, such as the date of application in this country, or the date of grant of the patent, whilst still giving the applicant the priority as regards inventorship which must be given under international arrangements.

The committee will be glad to receive suggestions or representations upon the matters covered by its terms of reference, and communications should be addressed to the secretary to the committee, M. B. Cl, Crewe, the Patent Office, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C2.

Exhibits at the Yorkshire Agricultural Show.

The Great Yorkshire Agricultural Show promoted by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society was held at Harrogate on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week, the stands in the machinery section of concern to readers of this journal including displays by J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.; Karrier Motors, Ltd.; the Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co., Ltd.; Clayton Wagons, Ltd.; Bean Cars, Ltd.; Dennis Bros., Ltd.; the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd. ; Fiat Motors, Ltd.; Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.; Guy Motors, Ltd.; Marshall, Sous and Cu., Ltd.; the International Harvester Co. Ltd.; .Tohn Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd. ; Wm. Foster and Co., Ltd., and others. The exhibits embraced cattle wagons, generalpurpose lorries, buses, motor coaches, rollers, agrimotors, • tipping wagons, country carriers' vehicles for goods and passengers, timber lorries, horseboxes on low load-line chassis, etc. Considerable interest was shown in the transport and haulage sections.

Two Million Miles' Unremunerative Running.

The annual meeting of the Barnsley and District Traction Co., Ltd., was held in London recently, when the competition from privately owned buses formed the subject of much discussion. A shareholder asked if it were not possible to transfer a sum from the reserve fund in order that the dividend could be maintained at 15 per cent., which hai been paid for some years past, but the chairman (Mr. Leo M. Myers), in reply, said that it had been necessary to reduce the amount to be carried forward so that a 10 per cent. dividend could be paid. The company, he added, had had a disappointing year, and the large amount of competition with which they had been faced was not calculated to benefit the public. As a sidelight on this factor, he mentioned that the company's vehicles had run at least two million miles that were onremunerative during last year.

It • would • certainly appear that greater control on the part of .the licensing authorities is needed to lessen the intensive competition which now prevails, or co-operative action amongst, the owners themselves might improve conditions for all concerned, for, as they now exist, it is doubtful whether the interests of the public are best served.

The Barnsley and District Traction Co., Ltd., employ over 100 vehicles.

Popular Vulcan Models.

Amongst public authorities which have recently placed orders for vehicles manufactured by the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., Crossens, Southport, are the Rawtenstall Corporation, the Morecambe Corporation and the Egliam Urban District Council, all of which are buying 30-cwt. tippers. Another municipal order is that from the West Derby Union for a Vulcan

ambulance. The makers' 2-tonner is also in big demand, and many orders for it have recently been received from prominent mechanical transport users.

Sheffield's Popular Buses.

It is a sign of the times and of the growing popularity of the motorbus amongst the travelling public, as well as indicating the increasing disfavour with which the tramcar is viewed, that the receipts on the buses run by the Sheffield Corporation continue to increase, whereas the takings on the municipal tramways show a marked decline. In a recent period of a week the Wu receipts were up by £1,012 and those on the trams down by £581, as compared with the corresponding seven days of last year.

Vehicle Examination Fees.

Stoke Watch Committee has considered the question of the examination of vehicles in Connection with the annual licensing, and decided that a fee of 10s. fid. be charged in respect of the reexamination of any vehicle and that a similar fee be also 'charged in the event of a 'proprietor failing to present his vehicle for examination at the time stated.

This resolution applies to vehicles presented in a dirty condition, thus causing delay lathe examination.

Steering-arm Fatigue.

Reporting on a motorbus breakdown. the bus superintendent of the Merthyr Corporation states that it has been his experience that steering arms have a definite life, after which they snap due to fatigue, and the only method to eliminate these fractures, as far as humanly passible, is to have all tIN steering arms heat-treated after a certain_period. He has, therefore, ordered one of each three arms as spares which will enable him to have all the buses in service as the steering of each is treated. The practice of heat-treating steering arms at stated intervals is common amongst important bus undertakings.

Using a Lorry for selling oil

• Stoves.

A problem that has faced manufacturers of oil stoves and their dealers has been to find a means of demonstrating the working of the equipment to people who were only "casually interested, but who, with some knowledge of the advantages to be obtained by its use, might become possible buyers. People thinking of buying oil stoves could be taken

to sales rooms for demonstrations, but they were few in number.

An American company have recently solved the problem to their own satisfaction by installing their apparatus in an attractive setting on a motor chassis and taking the sales room to the pro-. spective customer. The special body on

the vehicle shown in the acompanying -illustration is built on a Rea bus chassis. Inside the miniature white house the complete oil-burning apparatus is installed, ready for demonstration at any time. With this outfit the company can make a demonstration anywhere within reasonable distance of their headquarters.

Buses for School Children Wanted. , The Newcastle Education Committee has decided upon an interesting scheme to ensure the safe transit of school children, In order to put this into effect it is inviting tenders for the supply of four motorbuses, each capable of accommodating 40 children, together with a chauffeur and a conductress, Tenders have to be delivered to Mr. Thos. Walling, director of education, Northumberland Road, Newcastle, not later than August 4th.

Personal Pars.

Mr. A. Cartwright has just been appointed a-director of Vickers, Ltd., and Mr. G. G. Sims secretary of the company.

We are pleased to learn that Mr. Alfred E. Terry, a director of Herbert Terry and Sons, Ltd., Redditeh, is making satisfactory progress after a breakdown in health, which necessitated a serious operation being performed His many friends in the trade will wish him a speedy recovery.

Mr. Harry Stevenson has been elected chairman of Allen-Liversidg,e, Ltd., in succession to the late Mr. C. S. Gilman, J.P., Mr. Barry Stevenson, who has been a director of the company since 1910, and has acted as deputy chairman since 1917, is also chairman of United Carlo Gatti, Stevenson and Slaters, Ltd.

Mr. Herbert Frood, the originator of Ferodo friction linings, has resigned his position as chairman and managing director of Ferodo, Ltd., his place being taken by Mr. H. R. Turner. Many years ago Mr. Frood studied the question of brakes in connection with the lift gear of mine shafts, where an extremely high speed is attained on the surfaces hi the drums, with the result of a severe tax upon any brake material that is applied to them. As the outcome of close study and extensive experiment, a bonded asbestos was produced, which not only fulfilled all requirements, but was applicable to brake and clutch work on motor vehicles, and it is not going too far to say that the material has never been improved upon in this or any other .country. Mr. Frood has a very delightful personality.

In view of the passenger transport developments which are taking place at Morecambe, where, as mentioned at length in our last week's issue, the authorities are putting into service a number of six-wheeled double-deck buses, it is interesting to learn that Mr. H. C. Ludgate has recently been appointed the general manager of the tramways and motors department of the corporation.

Mr. Ludgate was educated at the Lincoln Technical School and joined the waterworks department of the Lincoln City Council in 1913. After WI years' military service during the war, he entered the transport world in November, 1921, and was appointed chief clerk of the tramways and motors organization of the Lincoln authorities, the latter part of his four years' service being spent in the capacity of assistant manager. Mr. Ludgate left Lincoln in March, 1925, to take over the management of the motorbus department of the West Itridgford Urban District Council so that he arrives at Morecambe with a number of years' experience in matters relating to municipal passenger transport.

L.G.O. Acquisitions.

It is just officially announced that during the course of the past six months the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., have acquired controlling interests in the following independently owned bus companies :---The Horseshoe Traction Co.; the Primrose Omnibus Co., Ltd.; the Olympic Traction Co., Ltd.; the Lonedale Omnibus Co., Ltd.; the Ubique Omnibus Co., Ltd. ; the Direct Omnibus Co., Ltd. Should a Hackney Inspector be Allowed to Drive ?

An unusual point arose at Carlisle recently during the hearing of a case in which Percival, Ltd., a well-known local company of motorbus and motor coach owners, were summoned for having obstructed the hackney carriage inspector of the Carlisle Corporation in the execution of his duty. The question raised is one as to whether an official of a public body has any legal right to drive a motor vehicle as part of his inspection. Evidence in this case Was that the official was refused permission by the driver (acting on the orders of the company) to drive the machine when the inspector desired to see whether the bus had two independent brakes in efficient order. The driver, however, expressed willingness to let the official sit beside him and drive wherever he required. The defendants contended that such a claim was not made either in the metropolis or elsewhere. The magistrates found the case proved and imposed a fine of fi and costs in each of the three cases. The company gave notice of their intention to lodge an appeal against the conviction.

Life-saving by Turntable Ladder.

We reproduce on this page a group of illustrations of the Leyland-Metz turntable ladder which were taken on the occasion of a demonstration at Chorley with a machine which is being supplied to the Huddersfield Fire Brigade.

The pictures are of special interest in that they show the operation of the special life-saving apparatus which permits the operator to release his hold of the rope without any risk to the person who is being rescued. In most instances the rope is released by gradually relaxing the pressure of the hand. Should the man standing at the escape suffer injury from a falling roof, rafters, or through any other untoward cause, it would often mean almost certain death to the Person depending on his service. In the Leyland-Metz appliance, however, this

possibility is obviated by the use of a special device which stops the slipping of the rope immediately the hand pressure is released. With this vehicle in servtce, one or two firemen would, in the ordinary way, be on the ladder equipping those to be rescued with life-saving apparatus. After they had performed this service, they could then be piloted to earth by means of the equipment we have briefly described. The details of the rope control can be seen in one of the pictures.

Tilting Dividend.

It is stated that the directors of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., have declared an interim dividend on the ordinary shares of the company of is. 6d. per share, subject to tax of 4s. in the I. The interim for last year was at the same rate.

Wigan's Bus Plans.

Wigan Town Council has just decided to make applications to the Ministry of Transport and the local authorities of the districts concerned for the necessary consent to run a motor omnibus service between Wigan and Horwich. The council approved of the purchase by the tramways committee, of two 32-seater saloon buses at an approximate cost of ±2,600, and has decided to apply for sanction to borrow that sum.

Institute of Transport Council.

The Council of the Institute of Transport has had elected to it, to fill the vacancies that arise annually on the completion of terms of office, the following, who will serve from October let next :—Mr. Charles R. Byrom, 0.B.E., Mr. Stenson Cooke, Sir Philip Dawson, M.P., Mr. George Ellson, Mr. J. H. Estill, Mr. Sidney E. Garcke, Mr. W. G. P.'Maclure, 0.B.E., Sir Ernest W. Moir, Bart., Mr. E. S. Shrapnell-Smith, C.B.E., and Mr. H. Wheeler.

Middlesbrough's First Motorbus Station.

An important addition to the road passenger transport facilities of Tees

side was made . July 16th, when Middlesbrough's first motorbus station was opened for the use of many of the buses operating between the town and the surrounding countryside. The station, which is practically in the centre of the town, forms a most convenient terminus for vehicles. Glass-sided shelters of reinforced concrete and seats have been provided, and the station should serve a most useful purpose by enabling the ever-increasing volume of bus traffic to be better regulated. It is adequately lighted.

Two other bus stands have also been arranged for vehicles plying in the town and surrounding districts, and from the three recognized termini buses will run to most parts of the South Durhani and Cleveland districts, including Darlington, Reclear, North Ormesby, Hinderwell, Lingdale, Whitby, Eston and Saltburn.

Centralized Passenger Transport Control.

The Cardiff City Council has deferred the consideration of a scheme under which, at a cost of from E75,000 to £100,000, the city bus and tram undertakings would be accommodated in and controlled from headquarters in the centre of the city. The scheme is of importance to all Cardiff transport users in that it would result in the demolition of certain premises, and the construction of a road that would provide an alternative route for traffic which has now to proceed via the main streets of the city in order to pass from cast to west and vice versa.

An estimate of the cost of the scheme which is less elastic than that given is to be obtained.

A Show Cancelled.

The continuance of the coal strike, n conjunction with intermittent outweaks of foot and mouth disease in 'Lanarkshire, has led to the cancellation Eor this year of the annual summer show organized by the Glasgow Agricultural Society, already postponed from June 1st to August 10th. The show was to have been held at Scotstoun Show Grounds, Glasgow, and there was a possibility, in view of the relaxation of SILK and T. regulations on the subject, that certain types of commercial vehicle would be amongst the exhibits.

Potteries Trarnways Abandonment.

A special committee of the Stoke-onTrent Corporation has considered a letter from the Potteries Electric Traction Co., suggesting that seven bus licences shonld be issued for vehicles to run on the llanley-Longton route, in which event the company would apply to the

Ministry of Transport for an order authorizing the abandonment of the tramway track. The committee is informing the company that before coming to a decision it would like them to state definitely whether they are prepared to consider the withdrawal: of the trams now running in the city and to give the exact number of bus licences they would require if the substitution scheme be carried out. • Thornycroft Works Busy.

The orders which John.l. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., Continue to receive con-thin a preponderance of those for the company's 36-e*.t. Al chassis. This model is being used as the basis of passenger vehicles being constructed for Smith and Son (Doncaster), • Ltd.; Castlehouse, Vasey and Ca., Ltd.; Venture, Ltd.; and Messrs. Thompson and Son, of Dublin. Six" chassis of this pattern are being supplied to Australia in conjunction with four type Q chassis, whilst other overseas .orders which :the company have received include one from Brazil for four: type Al 'chassis and another for a BX-type Chassis for duty in Vancouver, British Columbia. Most of these orders are in the nature of repeats. Amongst overseas deliveries which the company have recently effected mention should be made of those type Al chassis shipped to South Africa, Australia and India, including two type Al rigid sixwheelers for Messrs. Robertson and Moss, of Johannesburg.

Many other, users in various parts of the country have ordered Thornycroft vehicles, whilst a number of important users has just put vehicles of this make into service.

Control of Municipal Bus Services.

A meeting of the Municipal Tram-ways Association Standardization Committee was held at Cardiff a few days ago, when further investigation into the standard control of municipal bus services and the question of overhead charges and equipment was Made.

Mr. W. Nairne (Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd.) presided, the meeting having been held at Cardiff in compliment to Mr. H. Storm (Cardiff -tramways department), who is a member of the committee. During the adjournment the committee was entertained to luncheon by the Cardiff Tramways Committee, Mr. R. L. Llorsfield (Cardiff tramways manager) presiding.

Mexican Import Duties.

Under a new decree which came into operation in Mexico on June 8th last, the import dutyon all motor vehicles intended for the transport of goods has been changed to 10 centavos per legal kilogramme, whilst chassis will be admitted at 5 centavos, plus the usual surtax of 12 per cent, of the duty. Motor fire-engines, street cleansing machines and tractors will be continued to be admitted free.

A Coventry Traffic Comparison.

The traffic revenue figures concerning Coventry's buses, and trams in respect of the week ended July lith are interesting when compared with the data for the 'corresponding week of 1925.

• In the period referred to, 14,700 fewer passengers were carried onthe tramcars Ibis year than last. year, whereas the buses increased their burden by.17,075 passengers. The decrease in tram revenue amounted to over £96. British Municipal Models.

Most of the prominent British makers continue to be busy on municipal orders, and many types and sizes of vehicle are passing through their works for such buyers. Amongst those which have recently been delivered we illustrate three machines on-this page. The first picture is of a Dennis lorry which is now in the service of the cleansing department of the Islington Borough Council. It is used to make calls on fish-shops in the borough, collecting from each a bin containing offal, while a fresh bin is left in its place for collection on the succeeding round. The chassis is a standard 30-cwt. model, and the body which it carries was made by Messrs. Smith and Sons, of CodaIming, expressly for the work. The top and ends are fixed, but each side is composed of three sliding doors, which render the whole of the interior and the 24 bins which it can carry directly accessible. The body is completely lined with zinc, half-round runners being fitted to the floors to permit the bins to be easily slid in and out.

The next picture shows a 2-ton•Vukan lorry built for the electricity department of the South Shields Corporation. The body is a tipper, elevated by hydraulic means, and it has detachable sides.

The third illustration is of a 1113-tylv Earlier sprinkler, sweeper and street washer—a model very popular with municipalities. The chassis is to all intents and purposes the makers' standard 2-tonner, but it can be fitted with tanks of either 350 gallons or 750 gallons capacity, depending on the nature of the work to be performed.

The equipment consists of a rectangular-shaped tank 3uounted, at the rear, from which water is supplied to the sprinkler heads situated at the front of the vehicle or to the washing nozzles, four in number, placed forward of the sweeping brush, which is set at an angle behind the rear wheels, and conveys sweepings from the centre of the road to the gutter side. Both sprinkler heads and washing nozzles are pressure fed, and are 'separately controlled by the driver from his seat. The three inside washing nozzles can be cut out by means of a valve, when the fourth nozzle on the gutter side may be used for the flushing of gullies.

Both the sprinkler heads and the washing nozzles are supplied from the tank by means of a pump, which delivers water under pressure. The volume supplied to both is variable and under the control of the driver.

A C.M.U.A. Presentation.

At a meeting of the north-eastern division of the Commercial Motor Users Association, held a few days ago at Leeds, Mr. H. Jeffries, on behalf of the division, presented the retiring chairman, Mr. R. J. Armstrong, with a cabinet of cutlery in recognition of services rendered to the C.M.U.A. As mentioned in our issue dated July 6th. Mr. Armstrong is leaving Yorkshire to take up the position of manager of the removal and warehousing department of the Army and Navy Co-operative Society, Ltd.

Plymax and its Uses.

Under the title "The Book of Plymax, or Metal-Wood-Metal," Venesta, Ltd., 1, Great Tower Street, London, E.C.3, have just issued a booklet dealing with their product known as Plymax. It is well illustrated, and gives an indication of the variety of uses to which Plymax is being put, these includ jug panels for the bodies of all types of road vehicle and linings for garages and sheds. Plymax, as the name suggests,, consists of plywood faced with thin sheet metal (steel, zinc, copper, aluminium or others) on one or both sides. The core is plywood, but the number of plies

varies with the thickness. A special waterproof cement is used to obtain proper adhesion of the metal face to the core.

Solving the Housing Problem.

"Concrete Garages" is the title of a little book which the British 'Portland Cement Association, Ltd., 20, Dartmouth Street, London, S.W.1, have just issued. Many of the points which are considered necessary for a garage to be efficient are dealt with in the book. It stresses the importance of proper ventilation and suggests the provision of a sufficient number of ventilators near the floor for carrying off heavy petrol fumes and of others at a higher level for extracting hot air and smoke.

B24 The subject is dealt with in a thorough manner, and suggestions are offered on the subjects of the size and dimensions of the garage and the type of construction to be favbured. The publication is issued gratis, and the types of garage with which it deals include those of interest to commercial owners.

Lorry Manufacture in Poland.

The construction of the first automobile factory in Poland, belonging to the Ursus concern, between Wlochy and Pruszkow, near Warsaw, is now nearly completed. This factory will construct not only lorries and motorcars, but also engines for automobiles and aeroplanes. The construction of the workshops is almost finished, and machinery is now being installed. It is believed that the factory will begin operations in November at the latest. It possesses an iron foundry and a copper foun

dry, and its production, it is estimated, will be 500 cars a

year. It is said that the works have already received an order for 300 lorries from the War Ministry.

A Qualified Man Available.

We know of an educated and energetic man, aged 37, who is seeking a post on the sales or publicity side of a motor manufacturing business. He is an experienced correspondent, is skilled in the drafting of sales letters, the compilation of catalogues, leaflets, instruction books and other aids to salesmanship. We shall be pleased to pass on to him any letters addressed "W.," care of the Editor, The Commercial Motor, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.1.

Trojan Service Agents.

Users of the Trojan light van will do well to secure a copy of a booklet hat Leyland Motors, Ltd., Leyland, Lanss., have just issued, which gives an extensive list of Trojan agents and service depots in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Distinctive Lorry Deliveries.

Of the three vehicles which are shown in a group of illustrations published on this page, the first is of one of two Associated-Daimler 2i-ton lorries recently supplied to an important London company of sanitary engineers.

The second picture shows a type Al 30-cwt. Thornycroft chassis carrying an interesting type of body constructed by the makers' Yeovil agents, Messrs. Vincent's Motor Works, who supplied she vehicle to Messrs. Sheppard, hardware merchants, of Wimborne. The body has been built to allow for a display of the owner's hardware goods, which, as the picture shows, can be arranged in tiers. Behind the driver's cab lock-up cases with roller shutters are provided; these are intended for the display of plated goods. When the vehicle is travelling on the road snitable curtains can be drawn across the goods carried on the body.

The 2-ton Renault lorry, which is the subject of the third picture, was purchased specially for the collection of fruit from farms and their rapid conveyance by night to Brentford Market. The market-garden body with which it is fitted was built by Messrs. Clemmt Butler and Co., Oxford Road, London, W.4, and is 10 ft. 3 ins, long behind the cab and 6 ft. wide. Since the photograph was taken the vehicle has been fitted with steel hoops, giving a height of 6 ft., and a number of removable shelves so arranged that 1,200 handles of strawberries can be carried in one load.

Fuel Supplies at a Parking Ground.

The question of providing petrol supplies and pumps at the municipal parking ground for motor vehicles is being considered by the Aberystwyth Town Council. The view is expressed that such an arrangement would be a convenience to vehicle owners. Local Proceedings.

Surrey County Council has voted £120 for the purchase of a motor mowing machine.

Morecambe Corporation has authorised the purchase of a tipping lorry for the gas department.

Carlisle Corporation is seeking power for the provision and maintenance of a motor ambulance service.

The Ministry of Health has held an inquiry into the application of the Reigate Rural District Council for a loan of £950. for the purchase of a motor cesspool emptier.

Glossop Corporation has referred the question of the purchase of a motor lorry to the chairman of the transport committee and the borough engineer for (ousideration. .

Glasgow Corporation has accepted the riders of Messrs. Robert Hamilton and Sou for the supply of motors with two men at 75s. per day, and of Mr. Archibald Alexander to supply a steam wagon. at 75s. a day. . Tynemouth Corporation has decided to purchase a police van at a cost of £375.

Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation has given a fourth repeat order to Guy Motors., Ltd„ for two 32-seater tames.

Pretoria Town Council is buying three buses of British construction, although they will each cost £300 more than a certain type of American vehicle.

BradlNal Corporation has accepted the tender of the Harrison Automobile Co., Ltd., at £1,076, for the supply of a petrol lorry for the streets department.

The highways committee of the Wandsworth Borough Council recommends acceptance of the tender of R. Garrett and Sous, Ltd., at £1,164, for the supply of a steam gully emptier.

The fire-brigade committee of the Croydon Co more tion recommends acceptance of the tender of Dennis Bros., Ltd., for the supply of a motor fire-engine at £1,462, a fire-escape and water-tower ladder at £436, and a motor ambulance at £806.

Saurer Orders.

The Sewer Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., 21, Augustus Street, London, NAVA., report that they have recently booked a number of interesting orders. Amongst these is one, a repeat, from Pickford's; Ltd., for special vehicles, an. other from Whitbread and Co., Ltd., for a chassis to carry a tank having a capacity equivalent to 40 barrels of beer, and a third from the British Electrical Federation for bus chassis for the South Wales Transport Co. The buses are for use on an extremely hilly route with a maximum gradient of 1 in 5.6, and an average gradient of 1 in 9. In addition, the company are constructing 2-ton pneumatie-tyred high-speed chassis for service in India.

Application is being made to the Ministry of Transport by the Dudley, Stourbridge. and District Electric Traction Co., Ltd., for an Order authorizing the abandonment of certain tramways outside the borough of Dudley.