Answers to Queries.
Page 19
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Scotland Yard's New Regulations for Motoromnibuses.
[1,490] " D." write:—" How can we obtain the full Scotland-Yard requirements for new motorbuses?"
ANSW in verbatim copy of the regulations is in
cluded n our issue of the 9th September, but you can get original copies on application to the Commissioner of Police, New Scotland Yard, S.W.
Flexible Shafting Wanted.
[1,491] " C." writes I shall esteem it a favour if you will give me the addresses of a few firms who manufacture, or control the sale of, flexible shafting and casing, as used for taximeter drives."
ANSWER.—F. L. Anderson, 1, Furnival Street, Holborn, E.C. ; Surgical and Electrical Instrument Co., 46, Queen Victoria Street, E.C. ; .13ambridge Patent Flexible Shaft Co., Engineering Works, Kettering.
Registration as a Company.
[1,492] " LANARKSHIRE " writes:—'. A friend and I. intend buying a motor lorry for the carrying trade in this district, and we would be pleased if you will inform us whether we need to register as a company."
ANSWER.—You are under no obligation whatsoever to register as a company, except that such registration would limit your liability to the amount of the subscribed capital. For example, you might register the company for .k.1,000, which would cost you, including legal expenses, something in the neighbourhood of £20, and then subscribe as many shares of zet each as you chose. The protection afforded is that no shareholder can lose more than the number of shares subscribed, whereas, if you do not so limit your holding, you might become liable, in case of accident or other contingent circumstances, for a very large amount, by virtue of unlimited partnership. Probably, if you covered the risks to third parties by insurance, you would find that quite a good alternative.
A Small Omnibus Enquiry.
[1,493] " SOUTH WALES " writes :—"Could you tell nie if it is possible to get a really-quiet. motorbus to hold 12 inside only ? Also, approximate price, and weight with fuel and water aboard. We have such noisy rattling motorbuses running here, that we are seriously contemplating getting a couple and running them ourselves, if we can be satisfied we can get what we want. There is a hill of 300 yds., say 1 in 10, otherwise level road."
ANSWER.—You cannot do better than purchase a 30-cwt.
chassis from one or other of the undernoted makers: Maudslay Motor Co., Ltd., Parkside, Coventry ; Commercial Cars, Ltd., Cambridge Circus, London, W.C. ; Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford, Surrey. All these machines run quietly, and they have sufficient power comfortably to take the bill you mention. If you can usefully provide for a weekly mileage of about 300 miles, the inclusive working, cost, as well as provision for sinking fund, should not exceed 9d. per mile : this includes wages for both driver and conductor, and it allows for the present high price of rubber tires, as well as for contingencies. The weight, without passengers, might be kept below 50 cwt. Learning London.
[1,494] " I.J.F." writes :--" I hope you will not mind telling me if there is any place where I can learn London, as I want to get on the taxicabs. I hold the R.A.C. certificate for driving, but know London not quite enough."
ANSWER.—There is a school for teaching the way about London, and the address is 166, Clerkenwell Road, E.C. We would point out, however, that London can seldom be properly learnt by any man in less than six months.
Rates of Depreciation.
[1,495] " TYNESIDE " writes Would you kindly let me know what the usual percentage is for depreciation for a car which is working every day, and also do you calculate on the original cost until at the end of, say, five years the car is entirely written off ?"
ANswna.—Your conception of depreciation is really on the basis of at least a six years' life, as you have to make allowance for the fact that any vehicle has a residual value at the end of five or more years. Depreciation, provided you buy an approved type of vehicle should now be treated as a mileage charge. Please refer !to our issues of the 26th August and 7th inst.
Tires on Trailers.
[1,496] " DEVON " write :--" We should be glad of you, opinion on the following matter. We use a trailer wagon, in connection with our steam motor, and this never carries more than two tons. The tires of the wheel are 24 in. ones. The local police say that they must be 3 in. Ought they to be ?"
ANSWER.—The legality of the tires upon your trailer depends upon its unladen weight: if the unladen weight be one ton or legs, you are perfectly in order with tires which are 24 in. wide. If the unladen weight of the trailer exceed one ton, they must be 3 in. wide. You can refer the police in this matter to article 11 (2) of the Heavy Motor Car Order, 1904, if you find the weight of the vehicle to be one ton or less.
Watering on Bridges.
1,497] " MANCHESTER" writes :—"My drivers are being bothered by the police near — for not being far enough away from the abutment of a bridge when taking water. (I.) In what section of Motor Car Act is this stated? (2.) What and where is the abutment of a bridge or culvert ? (3.) How can a driver ascertain No. 2 query ?
" The police charge the driver with being within 10 ft. of the abutment of the bridge."
ANSWER.—(1) There is nothing in the Motor Car Act itself, but by-laws or regulations may have been made. Are there any such? If so, they must be sent before advice can be given. Do you refer to the provisions as to heavy locomotives? (2 and 3.) The abutment of a bridge is the support for the extremity of the bridge; that is the support from which the arch springs. It is assumed that the driver is charged with "stopping " within 10 ft., etc., and not merely " being" there.
Drivers will do well to avoid watering from weak or reputedly-weak bridges. We should like to have a copy of the notice, if there be one on the bridge in question.