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ONE instance of the practical forethought which has been put into the construction of the new Ford works at Dagenham is in connection with the systems for prevention of waste. Oil, after passing from machine tools, is collected and discharged on to a travelling belt. This is so constructed that the lubricant passes through it, but metal chips, etc., are retained on the surface of the belt and delivered to a collection point at one end of the run. The oil falls into ducts and is drained away for use again.
MOUNTING the front axle behind the engine is likely to become a widespread practice in this country in the construction of large four-wheeled vehicles. Not only does it make possible more correct loading of the tyres and the obtaining Of legal axle weights, but it improves manoeuvrability. In the case of a Trader Six turning around in a narrow road we noted that four " locks " sufficed, as against seven with a normal-type machine of similar overall length.
ciS IN a return just issued by the Ministry of Transport giving details of the motor-vehicletaxation receipts from December 1st, 1930, to February 28th, 1931, the illuminating fact is revealed that the average receipt in respect of a whole-year licence was £13 17s. 6d. for cars taxed on horsepower, £20 Os. 6d, for electric goods vehicles, £24 2s. 6d. for internal-combustion and steam-driven goods vehicles and £48 10s. for motor hackneys.
LAST week we were present at the opening by Mr. H. G. Wells of an exhibition entitled "The Architecture of Modern Transport," which was held by the Royal Institute of British Architects at their headquarters, 9, Conduit Street, London, W.1. The exhibits consisted of photographs and scale models coVering every means for transport and their appurtenances, including coach and bus stations, garages, filling stations, bridges, etc.
It represents the first attempt which has ever been made to collect and co-ordinate illustrations of all the ramifications covered by the word transport. Mr. Wells rather startled the assembly by suggesting that the only cure for unemployment was to knock down and rebuild every city and town in the country, replanning them with new thoroughfares, etc. He gave no hint however, as to where the necessary money was to be found.
Chatting to us afterwards, Mr. Wells mentioned that the chief interest of the exhibition is in what lies behind it, the photographs, models, etc., being merely representative of the vast changes which are occurring.
A POINT which was made rather a lot of at the recent public sitting of the South-Eastern Area Traffic Commissioners at Lewes was the charging of higher rates for coach excursions, etc., on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays than on week-days. Applicants, when questioned about this, generally replied that it was the accepted custom. If seems to us that the position was being given rather the wrong colour, and if applicants had replied that it was more a matter of charging lower rates in the week, when most people were at work and business was slack, the commissioners would have received a truer impression of the actual state of affairs obtaining in the industry.
A BILL has been introduced into Parliament with the object of extending to the railway companies the provisions of Clause 97 of the Road Traffic Act, which prevents road-service operators from issuing limited-liability tickets to passengers. Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent writes that the Bill was given a first reading without dissent, but it is unlikely that it will proceed farther during this session.