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WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed

by ail difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

Exhibitors at the Roads and Transport Exhibition.

The Public Works, Roads and Transport Exhibition, which is to be held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, from November 16th-21st, under'the patronage of His Majesty the King, will be of a comprehensive character. From the list a exhibitors, it is evident that a remarkable display of modern plant and machinery used in the construction and maintenance of modern highways and in various other engineering directions is to be seen.

Amongst the most important exhibitors of direct interest to our readers are the following:—Aveling and Porter, Ltd.; Allan Taylor Engineering and Manufacturing Co.; Burford and Perkins Ltd.; Blackstone and Co., Ltd.; Britannia Batteries, Ltd.; Chaseside Engineering Co., Ltd.; County Commercial Cars; Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd. ; W. H. Dorman and Co., Ltd.; Electricars, Ltd.; Fodens, TM.; J. Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd.; R. A. Lister and Co., Ltd.; Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd.; Millers' Machinery Co., Ltd.; Muir-Bill (Engineers), Ltd; ; New Distributors of Edison Storage Batteries, Ltd.; Robey and Co., Ltd. ; Ruston and dornsby, Ltd.; Shelvoke hied Drewry, Ltd. ; Tangyes, Ltd.; Tuke and Bell, Ltd.; Tecalemit, Ltd.; Wallis and Steevens, Ltd.

A number of important papers is to be presented at the Congress, including one entitled "The Effects of Motor Transport on Village Economy," by Mr. F. G. Richens, of the Great Western Railway Co., Swindon, another entitled "Street Lighting in Relation to Transport," by Mr. H. Davies, M.InstGas.E., gas engineer, of Chesterfield, and third entitled " The Collection and Disposal of House Refuse," by Mr. S. C. Baggott, Minstar. and Cy.E., city engineer and surveyor, Lincoln.

Apart from British delegates several deputations from foreign municipal undertakings will attend the exhibition.

Exide Progress.

Mr. D. P. Dunne, joint managing director of the Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd., in the course of a speech made during the private car show at Olympia, referred to the fact that, despite the economic situation the company had recently reduced its prices of motor-vehicle and other batteries by approximately 20 per cent. It was a gesture of accommodation between the producer and the public, but a risk which was boldly taken with the Idea that it would probably pay, and this has proired to be the case.

Mr. Denne mentioned that built into the Exiele battery is a principle which not only gives life and satisfactory service, but enables starting in the coldest weather without hand cranking, providing the starting mechanism -be efficient. He defied the advice given by many makers that first cranking should be done by hand.

C20 Well-known Haulier Dead.

Mr. John C. Hindle, one of the bestknown road-transport contractors in the East Lancashire area, died at Blackburn last week. He was, from 1914 to 1930, chairman of the East Lancashire Road Transport Association and first president of the Lancashire Federation of Road Transport Associations.

Training of Automobile Engineers T An I.A.E. Paper.

At a general meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, to be held at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, London, W.0.2, on November 3rd, at 7.45 p.m., Mr. Brian G. Robbing, M.Sc., will read a paper entitled " The Training of Young Automobile Engineers." The paper will subsequently be read at the Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Manchester and Wolverhampton centres of the Institution of Automobile Engineers.

Gilford to Manufacture Junkers Engine.

We are asked by the Gilford Motor Co., Ltd., to point out that the oil engine which is being fitted in the company's front-wheel-drive passenger vehicles will be manufactured in this country -under licence from the Junkers concern.

A Road-signs Decision.

Under Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, signs of a character prescribed only by the Ministry of Transport can lawfully be erected, and the design, colour, etc., is dealt with in Memorandum No. 291 (Roads). The Royal Automobile Club tells us that the Ministry has now authorized what may be termed M.T./R.A.C. signs which conform with the official design, but bear the R.A.C. monogram.

Herbert Morris's Report.

Herbert Morris, Ltd., the well-known concern manufacturing lifting and transporting machinery, made a profit of £9,811 for the year ended July 31st. 1931, as compared with £48,593 in 1929-1930, provision in the past year's accounts having been made for depreciation tothe extent of £24,744. The preference dividends have been paid, but no distribution is recommended on the ordinary shares. After adding £10,000 to the reserve, the balance of £37,010 is to be carried forward.

Bedford Passenger-model Prices.

The prices of the new Bedford passenger chassis and complete vehicles, which were fully described in our issue dated October 13th, are decidedly interesting.' The 14-seater chassis sells at 1250 and the 20-seater chassis at £265. The 14-seater bus with Waveney coachwork costs 1470, and the all-weather coach with Grose coachwork £500. The 20-seater service bus with bodywork by Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., London, N.W.9, costs £550, and the saloon coach with tiler same make of bodywork £560, or with al-weather head £590. The 20seater Willmott-bodied bus costs £565.

An A.G.E. Announcement.

In continuation of its policy of coordinating the activities of its subsidiary companies, Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd., announces certain redistributions in the manufacture of its well-known products. For instance, the manufacture of Ballard boilers has been transferred from Peterborough to Rochester ; Burrell traction engines are being made by Garretts at Leiston, Bull motors at Ipswich, whilst the production of forgings will continue at the Lincoln works.

It was stated that one of the early anticipatory results of a tariff will be the manufacture of oil tractors in extensive quantities, as the Garrett tractor with an Aveling engine won the R,A.S,E. silver medal and recently worked 977 hours without a atop, thus breaking the American and world record of 481hours' continuous working by a petrol tractor. L.C.C. Issues More Licences.

According to the public control committee of the London County Council, the police made last year 59,972 inquiries in respect of Road Fund licence offences ; this is an increase of 13,089 over the previous year's figure. The Road Traffic Act is said to have increased the work considerably.

The council issued 503,565 vehicle licences as compared with 472,690 in 1929, but the number of new vehicles registered was 47,500, showing a decrease of 3,500. Drivers' licences totalled 260,922, as compared with 254,778 a year earlier.

Further Drop in Canadian Exports.

During July last a further decline took place in the overseas demand for Canadian commercial vehicles, 290 vans, lorries, buses and chassis being shipped from the Dominion, bringing • the total exports for the first seven months of the year to 3,826 vehicles valued at £303,231, as contrasted with 8,993 and 1696,345 in the corresponding period a year ago. At the present time the best markets for Canadian vehicles are South Africa, India, Trinidad and British East Africa.

Yorkshire Agent for Gardner Oil Engines.

Those who have knowledge of the great amount of work which Mr. W. H. Goddard has performed in connection with the development of the oil engine will be interested to learn that he has been appointed sole agent for Yorkshire for Gardner engines for road transport. He will be available at the Commercial Motor Show on the Gardner stand, No. 233, in the gallery, where he will attend to the needs of all those who are interested in this particular engine, or who require advice on oil engines for transport purposes.

A Compact Booklet on Hints and Tips.

Sternol, Ltd., Royal London House, Finsbury Square, London, E.C.2, has issued a revised edition of its booklet, "First Aid for the Car." Although it is designed to assist the owner-driver, it should also prove of great help to many commercial-vehicle drivers, as it enables the cause of mechanical troubles to be ascertained, and clearly indicates the way in which speedy cures can be effected. It is not merely a treatise on lubrication, but contains useful information under various headings. A copy can be obtained, post free, by writing the publicity department of the company at the address given above.

Bus Results at Bradford.

The annual report of the general manager of Bradford Corporation's tramways department shows that in the year ended March 31st, 1931, a gross profit of £16,012 was made on the operation of the motorbuses and of £4,817 on the working of the trolley-buses. Revenue from the operation of the petrol buses amounted to £156,679 and working expenses to £140,667, the comparable figures for trolley-buses being £100,054 and £95,237 respectively. These amounts were carried to the net revenue account, where interest, sinking fund and other charges accounted for 130,990 in connection with motorbuses and £17,114 for trolley-buses.

At the end of March last the 90 petrol buses owned by the corporation were

operating over a route-mileage of 53, whilst the 63 trolley-buses were serving 27 route-miles. During the year which we are reviewing, the trolley-buses covered an aggregate mileage of 1,828,206 and carried 15,221,525 passengers, whilst the motorbuses carried 19,594,161 passengers.

Tradesmen Want More Buses.

Watford tradesmen want more buses. The local association of shopkeepers states that bus services bring a substantial amount of business into the town, in some cases from points 15 miles distant, and that if this trade is to be fostered, the existing bus services must be augmented and new ones instituted. It is suggested that the services to and from Watford should be increased by 25 per cent. The municipality has not yet taken any action in the matter. Car-parking During the Show.

The Commissioner of Police has intimated to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders that he cannot see his way to provide by regulation for the parking of vehicles on the highway during the course of the International Commercial Motor Exhibition, so long as there is available garage or parking accommodation on private premises within what he regards as a reasonable distance of Olympia. He has provided a plan giving an indication of such accommodation which is available.

The Royal Automobile Club has special " season " arrangements in relation to the parks under its control at Russell Road and North End Road, and inquiries in this connection should be addressed to the Roads Department of the Club, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1.,

Bus Results at Blackpool.

During the year ended March 31st, 1931, there was a gross profit of £92,046 on the operation of the passenger-transport department of Blackpool Corporation, the working of motorbuses having contributed 12,748 to that amount. During the 'year the income from the operation of buses totalled £68,231,0 whilst working expenses amounted to £65,183 these figures on it per-bus-mile basis being 11.23d. and 10.78d. Loan charges on the motorbus section amounted to £15,225, so that the net loss on the year's working was £12,477, contrasting with a loss of £16,883 a year earlier.

During the past year the buses ran an aggregate mileage of 1,457,438 and carried 9,086,031 passengers. The vehicles are operating on 12 distinct routes. At the time that our analysis of municipal. bus services was published in March last, Blackpool was operating a fleet of 57 buses, most of them being of Leyland and T.S. Motors makes.

Engines of A.E.C. 4-tamers.

With reference to the article which appeared in our issue for last week, describing the latest A.B.C. models, it should be noted that the manufacturer intends to continue to fit the fourcylindered 65 b.h.p. engine to both the Mercury normal control and the Monarch forward-control 4-ton chassis, and the more powerful four-eylindered engine will be standardized on the Matador 5-ton chassis.

Transport Costs for Four Systems.

It is not often that one has an opportunity for comparing the costs of transport by motor with those of horse cartage, railway and water craft. In the annual report of Manchester Corporation's rivers committee this informa tion is given. It is stated that the average cost of operating a well-known make of 30-twL. lorry (excluding driver), was Is. 8.&d. per hour. During the past 12 months 8,153 miles were run, making an average per week of 156.8. Fuel was consumed at a rate of 11.3 m.p.g., and the net cost per mile run was 5.5d.

The all-in cost of horsed transport, per horse per working hour, was 1s. 0.9d., the cost of keep per horse per week being Ils. 10.14.

The cost of working a rail locomotive and wagons per operative hour, exclud ing driver, was 4s. 8.14. Concerning sludge disposal at sea, each steamer trip cost £75 2s. 8.14., equivalent to 1s. 6.54. per ton of sludge.

United Motors' New Depot.

The new depot of United Motors, Ltd., at North Road, Islington, London, N.7, is now in full working order. The company retains its representation for Great Britain and Ireland of the Federal chassis, but will not be exhibiting at Olympia next month.

October 27, 593r. Death of Mr. W. .1. McCormack.

Many persons engaged in the commercial-motor industry will learn with the deepest regret of the death of Mr. W. J. McCormack, which occurred a few days ago in London. For many years he had been a senior official of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd. His experience in connection with tyres for motor vehicles

dated back to the earliest days. HE eventually joined the Dunlop organization, first as assistant manager to Mr. W. H. Paull, at that time head of Of_ solid-tyre department. His next appointment was to the sales managership of the commercial-vehicle tyre department, in which capacity, throughout the war, he carried through negotiations for the Government for tyre supplies on a colossal scale.

Two years ago he was elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Coach Makers and Coach Harness Makers of London. His election, which was a timely recognition of the work he had accomplished as a member of the council of the British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers, was unique, for Mr. McCormack was the first individual directly associated with the tyre industry to be chosen for that office.

Current Licences and New Vehicle Registrations.

The Ministry of Transport recently issued a return which shows that the number of licences current at the end of August in respect of motor vehicles (excluding tramcars and trade licences was 2,158,177, compared with 2,217,601) at the end of August, 1930. This year's total includes 348,969 goods vehicles end 86,208 motor hackney vehicles.

So far as mechanically propelled vehicles registered for the first time in August, 1931, are concerned, the total of 12,758 compares with 15,070 a year earlier, hackney vehicles having decreased to 368 from 475, whilst goods vehicles increased to 3,201 from 3,054.

Artiflex Appointing Agents.

Artiflex Six Wheelers, 12, The Crescent, King Street, Leicester, inform us that, having formulated a definite policy to sell their articulated attachments only through the trade, they have now decided to appoint distributing agents in the London, Manchester and Birmingham areas.

Exploiting Bus Routes in Egypt.

The Commercial Secretary to the Residency, Egypt, reports that the local authority is calling for tenders for the exploitation of four motorbus routes in the City of Alexandria. United Kingdom concerns can obtain further particulars by applying to the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, OM Queen Street, London, S.W.1, quoting reference GX.10841.

A London Haulier's New Facilities.

As from November 1st, the new headquarters of Broad and Montage, Ltd., the haulage-contracting concern, will be at Blackw'all Lane, Greenwich, London, S.E.10. A large, covered loading ramp is under construction which, when complete, will enable goods to be quickly transferred, for redistribution, from the company's regular trunk-service lorries to its fleet of small vans, and vice versa. Accommodation at night for the lorries of other contractors will be available, and this should be of assistance to provincial hauliers. Municipal Purchases and Proposals.

NEWCASTLE Corporation is buying four S.D. Freighters for refuse collection at a cost of 12,528.

The health committee of MANCHESTER Corporation is to purchase an electric truck at a cost of 1208.

The Borough of EAST REWORD has placed an order for a Morris-Commercial 250-400-gallon fire-engine.

BROADSTAIRS AND ST. PETER'S Urban District Council has taken delivery of a Morris-Commercial 21-ton fire-tender.

The works committee of Sournw_sax Borough Council recommends the purchase of a tractor and trailers at a cost of about 1685.

PEMBROKE Town Council has approved a proposal to establish a joint fire brigade and to buy a fire-engine, estimated to cost up to 1900.

NEWCASTLE Corporation has accepted the tender of R. Rankin and Sons, Ltd., Newcastle, at 1416, for the supply of a Morris-Commercial ambulance.

lafmoeswonns (Suffolk) Urban District Council proposes to buy a motor fire-engine, if sufficient parishes in the neighbourhood agree to contribute an annual retaining fee.

ORMSKIRK Urban District Council is buying a Morris-Commercial R-type fire

tender, complete with first-aid equip. me.nt, which is to be used in conjunction with a Gwynne trailer pump.

MARYLBBONE Borough Council is considering the question of obtaining modern refuse-collection vehicles. The borough treasurer is to submit a detailed report concerning the cost of the present fleet, with a view to a comparison being made with the borough engineer's estimate of £21,000 for new vehicles.