WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"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."—John Beattie Crosier.
Trade Men Cross the Atlantic.
Mr. H. G. Burford, chairman of the Commercial Vehicle (Petrol) Committee of the S31.31. and T. and a past vicepresident of the Society, and Mr. Frank Lanchester, a past president of the Society, leave to-morrow (Wednesday) for the United States, and Canada and will be away until early in February. It is expected that on their return a fair definition of the meaning of "Canadian origin" for motor vehicle chassis and parts will be procurable.
Death of Mr. C. S. Windsor.
It is with deepest regret that we learn of the death of Mr. C. S. Windsor. managing director of James Bartle and Co., Ltd,, which took place suddenly in his office on December 18th. Mr. Windsor was taken ill whilst dealing with his correspondence, and in spite of medical aid he passed away an hour or ' two later. Mr. Windsor was well known in the commercial vehicle trade and also in the car industry, having given his name to the touring car produced by his company.
Renewal of Licences.
A vast number of motor-vehicle users will be seeking a renewal of their existing licences on or before the end of this year. and, in order to avoid delay, the Ministry of Transport draws attention to the fact that applications for renewals should be accompanied by :
(a) Renewal Form 1l.F.1.A. (where there has been no change of ownership; or Declaration Form (where ownership of vehicle has changed since last licence was taken out); (b) The Registration Book for the vehicle; (c) The old licence (for Post Office renewals only) ; and (d) The amount of duty.
Renewal Forms and Declaration Forms may be obtained at any Money Order Post Office. The conditions under which renewals may be effected at the principal post races will be found set out in Renewal Form R.F.1.A.
The M.A.B.'s Ambulance Needs.
The ambulance committee of the Metropolitan Asylums Board reports that it believes the difficulty the Board experiences in obtaining ambulance chassis to meet its requirements in all respects is largely due to the fact that it has so far been unable to demonstrate by actual example that arrangement of component parts of a chassis which it regards as most suitable, and, in view of the limited demand, manufacturers are unwilling to build specimen chassis which may be unacceptable upon completion.
The Board's requirements are not severe; in fact, they tend in the direction of simplification, but great importtance is attached to the arrangement and location of the various component parts upon the chassis.
The committee thinks that it will secure the results aimed at if the Beard purchases a set of standard components from several manufacturers and
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assembles them at the Mead Works into a specimen chassis, which can be shown to manufacturers as embodying the arrangement of parts necessary for the Board's ambulance service. This procedure, it is stated, should result in substantial economy, for such a modified chassis should be obtainable at the same price as the Board pay at present. It is found that to obtain chassis of current design which avoid, but even
then only partly, the difficulties at present experienced, involves the purchase of larger, more elaborate and, consequently, more expensive chassis than are really necessary.
It is therefore proposed that a specimen ambulance chassis be assembled at the Mead Works at an estimated cost of £600 and fitted with a body at an estimated cost of £250, complete with fittings and equipment.
New Dunlop Directors.
We are informed by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., that the Rt. Hon. Lord Colwyn, P.C., D.L., has accepted an invitation to join the board of the company. It will be remembered that he was a director of the Shrewsbury and Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd. They also state that Messrs. L. V. Kenward, W. H. Paull and D. G. Snodgrass have been appointed directors of the newly constituted Birmingham local board of the company, of which Sir Eric Geddes and Sir George Beharrell are chairman and vice-chairman respectively.
Bus Licensing Grants.
At a meeting of the Stoke Watch Committee Mr. E. B. Sharpiey, the town clerk, referred to the decision of the Home Office, declining to allow the charges in respect of the licensing of omnibuses to rank for an Exchequer grant, and reported that it would appear from inquiries made from other local authorities that this was the usual practice.
The town clerk is to bring this matter forward at the next meeting of the Council of the Association of Municipal Corporations.
Bus Services in Anglesey.
Holyhead Council has received a petition signed by 179 hackney gartinge proprietors and motor omnibus owners protesting against the establishment of a permanent motorbus service in Anglesey by companies outside the county. The committee recommended that the petitioners be informed that the council would consider their petition after they have submitted a time-table similar to the one issued by the Bangor Blue Motors, Ltd., and this was agreed to. Cleanliness of London's Buses.
In our Parliamentary Notes in last week's issue we referred to the fact that the Minister of Transport had been questioned on the desirability of using such materials as rep, velveteen and the like for upholstery in public-service vehicles, on the score that such materials collected dirt and germs.
As a commentary on this matter, the London General Omnibus CO., Ltd., point out that they employ a staff of 900 cleaners to attend to the important work of cleaning their vehicles which are in everyday service. The work has to be carried out in the space of a few hours, and no effort is spared to see that the vehicles are properly cleaned. As each bus comes in from its day's duty it is thoroughly washed, for which purpose washing machines which spray the buses with water at high pressure are used. Apart from attention to exteriors, the floors of both decks are swept and washed, and all cushions are taken out and vacuum-cleaned every night. In addition to these measures of precaution, every bus of the company's fleet is sprayed with a disinfectant specially prepared in their laboratories.
Derbyshire Company's Successful Bus Enterprise.
The report of W. T. Underwood, Ltd., for the year ended September 30th last shows a net profit of £4,769, out of which the directors recommend the allocation of £3,982 for the payment of a dividend at the rate of 15 per cent. per annum less tax, the balance remaining (£787) being carried forward. The company run a number of bus services from their headquarters at Clowne, Derbyshire, and have made steady progress during the past year. The completion of new repair works at their headquarters has enabled considerable improvements to be effected in the appearance and efficiency of the fleet. The public in the area served are provided with reliable and comfortable means of travel by their vehicles, which are operated strictly to a published time-table.
Price of Water Tokens Reduced.
The Liverpool branch of the, Commercial Motor Users Association has notified its members that the price of water tokens will be reduced from 9s. to Ss. per dozen from January 1st next. These tokens are used to operate the lock mechanism attached to street hydrants from which steam wagons obtain supplies of water, and the price is regulated by agreement between the C.M.U.A. and the British Waterworks Association.
Russia Buying Fordson Tractors:
According to an advice from New York it is stated that the Ford Motor Co. have just signed a contract with the Soviet Government for the supply of 10,000 Fordson tractors at a total cost of six million dollars. The tractors are being supplied in time for spring ploughing and will be delivered cornnlete with ploughs, snare parts, etc. Praising Halley Coaches.
Messrs. Brierley Bros., Conway Road, Llandudno, who run a fleet of Halley motor coaches under the title of "Cream Motors," are obtaining extremely satisfactory service from the machine's, and they are loud in their praises of the reliable running which they have given. In a letter which they recently sent to Haley's Industrial Motors, Ltd.' they say, " We have tried six other makes of machine in this district, but not one of them has given
• the reliable results as your P-type Model. 'The chief point we may mention are the sweet running of the six-cylinder engine, the exceptionally good brakes, speed and also the small amount of upkeep."
The company claim to be the largest motor-coach owners in the district, and in their recent communcation they add that "any further machines of this type purchased by us will certainly be of the Halley P-type." Better testimony of Halley merits is surely not needed.
New Saurer Agents.
The Saurer Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., 21, Augustus Street. London, N.W.1, inform us that they have appointed J. Blake and Co., Ltd., 132, Dale Street, Liverpool, as their nents in Liverpool. the North-West of Latcashire, the Wirral Peninsula and the counties of Flint, Denbigh, Carnarvon and Anglesey.
• United States Production.
Shipping reports filed with the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce show that a new record was established in November by the American automobile industry, when 379,300 commercial vehicles and cars were mannfactured. The total number of vehicles produced for the eleven months is 3,997,954. which exceeds the record total for eleven months in 1923 by 5.6 per cent, and renders it certain that _the, total for the whole of 1925 will be the largest in the history of the industry.
Modern Case-hardening Practice. David Brown and Sons (Huddersfield), Ltd., Park Works, Lockwood. Huddersfield, have just published an interesting book on modern case-harden jug practice, which has been prepared by their research staff. The company point out that case-hardening has developed from a little-understood process, haphazardly performed, into one of great commercial importance conducted on a strictly scientific basis within very fine limits. The booklet treats very thoroughly with the subject and fully describes the trend of modern practice in case-hardening with special reference to the DBS carburizing compound.
Increased Belgian Taxation.
In order to balance its Fagot the Belgian Government has just decided to increase many of the taxes. That on light motorvans remains unchanged, but the tax on vehicles and tractors weighing more than 2,000 kilos. (about 2 tons) is to be 36 francs per 100 kilos. (2 cwt.) instead of 25 francs as at present. This scale applies to vehicles with pneumatic tyres and is to be increased 50 per Cent, where wheels are provided with types of semi-pneumatic tyre, 100 per cent, where the tyres are of solid rubber, and by 150 per cent. where they are of metal.
Karrier Sweepers in Poland.
Various types of municipal vehicle produced by British commercial-vehicle manufacturers have achieved considerable popularity abroad, not only in British possessions, but in foreign countries, and orders are constantly being received for machines for special uses. A typical instance is that of two Karrier sweepers which have recently been built and delivered to the municipal authorities of Warsaw, Poland, by Karrier Motors, Ltd., Karrier Works, Huddersfield.
The machines are illustrated on this page, and each consists of the RS-type sprinkler, sweeper and collector, a model which has practically double the capacity of the company's well-known RS() model, to which we have had many occasions to: refer in the past.
This larger type of Karrier sweeper incorporates two brushes as against one on the smaller machine. The front brush, which is chain-driven, is set diagonally.across the chassis behind the front wheels, and its action is to throw sweepings from the gutter side into the centre of the track, from which they are removed by the main brush situated at the rear of the machine between and behind the rear wheels. '
The main brush is also chain-driven, and it delivers the sweepings on to a cam-operated pan, from which they are conveyed to the interior of the sidetipping body by means of chain-driven rotor brushes enclosed in a casing. The body, it, should be noted, has a selfopening boor, The Karrier machine of this type sweeps a maximum width of 7 ft., and all the controls are under the sole charge of the driver. A water tank of 100-gallon capacity is slung beneath the chassis, and a semi-rotary pump delivers water at high pressure to sprinkling jets in a tube placed across the front
of the vehicle below the radiator. These, jets .throw a spray of water to a width of 10 ft. . .
The sweepers which have been delivered to Warsaw. have right-hand steering, and this enables the drivers to secure a close view of the gutter and also of the forward brush while it is in operation. .
Winter Work for Coaches.
The proprietors of many motor coaching undertakings find themselves with a very meagre amount of work during the winter months, for, apart from the conveyance of football and dance parties, there is but little business available. Enterprising concerns, therefore, desirous of maintaining a fair round of business throughout the year find that it is necessary to look in other directions.
In this connection the South Durham Motors Ltd., of Hume Street, Stockton, have, since the termination of the coaching season, made an extremely interesting departure in the way of the inauguration of a bus service from Stockton to Thirsk. Formerly the company devoted their attention solely to the provision of pleasure tours, but the institution of a bus service is proving of great value in the neighbourhood and finding work for 'Carrier soloons which were purchased during the past summer. These vehicles are most luxuriously appointed, and are providing extremely comfortable and speedy facilities between the two important townships. Connections are made at Thirsk with main-line trains to the south, and the service therefore fills a very real want in local transport arrangements.
Bridging the Estuary of the Dee. A conference was recently convened by the Holywell Rural District Council to discuss the scheme for the construction of an embankment across the estuary of the Dee, and representatives of many municipal authorities interested were present.
The clerk to the Holywell Rural District Council, in outlining the scheme, said that if an embankment were constructed across the Dee from Hilbre Island to the Point of Ayr, between Prestatyn and Greenfield, the distance from Birkenhead to the North Wales coast would be lessened by 21 miles, and that approximately 20,000 acres of land would be reclaimed ; moreover, canalization of the River Dee would also be made possible, and a considerable impetus would be given to the industrial development of the district.
-Many members took part in the die
a22 mission on the scheme, and finally a resolution was passed as follows :— " This conference of the authorities which are represented here is of opinion that the means of trailsPort between North Wales and the industrial areas of Cheshire and Lancashire and the North needs to be improved, and requests the Ministry of Transport to appoint one of its engineers to advise upon the best means of improving the navigation of the River Dee and of improving the means of transport by constructing a bridge and embankment across the River Dee."
The resolution is to be forwarded to the Ministry of Transport Development Commissioners and other authorities concerned.
Money Prizes for Drivers.
Forty-five drivers and second men of prize-wbaning vehicles which participated in the Liverpool C.M.U.A. parade received their cash prizes last week, the recipients being employees of 14 different firms. The prizes were on the following scale :-1st, driver 10s., second man £1 ; 2nd, driver £1, second man 15s.; 3rd, driver 12s. 6d., 8ecand man 7s. 6d. Medals, which are a replica of the C.M.U.A. badge in silver and enamel, have also been distributed to the drivers of the prize-winning vehicles in the members' fleet classes.
M.C.L. Equipment for W.O. Vehicles.
We are informed that the M.C.L. electric lighting and starting equipment, as marketed by the Midgley Car Lighting Co., Ltd.. 17-19, Cockspur Street, London, S.W.1, is being fitted on vehicles in the service of the War Office, this make of set having fulfilled the conditions in the official specification.
A Wakefield Appointment.
Following the retirement of Mr. Frank Fisher, after 19 years' service with C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., we learn that Mr. Alonzo Limb has been appointed to the position of manager of the company's motor department. Mr. Limb was formerly the chief man uNcturers' representative of the company. S.D.-Freighters in Demand.
Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., Letchworth, inform us that during the course of the recent Roads and Transport Exhibition and Congress held at the Agricultural Hall, Loudon, N.1, they booked orders, amongst others, for three machines for cable-drum work for the General Post Office, three chassis for saloon buses for the Plymouth Corporation and two dust-carts for the Searborough Corporation ; each of these orders was a repeat.
Amongst other orders which the company have recently received are several from prominent municipaland private undertakings. In the former category there are the Reading Corporation and the Shipley Corporation, and in the latter Henry Edwards and Son, Ltd., and Johnson and Phillips, Ltd., the lastnamed being the company's fourth S.D.Freighter, Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., have also been accepted as contractors to the War Office, and two S.D.Freighters are being supplied for internal works use at the Royal Arsenal, -Woolwich.
A Helpful Municipality.
The decision of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., to institute a motorbus service between Newcastle and Consett, where they have recently opened a large new depot and garage, has now been facilitated by the action of the BlaYdon Urban District Council in agreeing to grant a number of licences applied for a few months ago_ At two previous meetings the authority turned down the application on the ground that the district was already adequately catered for, but at a meeting held last week it was decided to give the necessary powers, en far as the Blaydon area is concerned, and to license the fleet of 40 vehicles for which the company had made application.
Traffic Powers of Bristol.
Bristol Watch Committee recommends a Bill to secure the following powers for the better control of traffic in the city :— (a) To prescribe the routes to be taken by vehicles, either, generally or during particular hours.
(b) To -prescribe streets in which vehicular traffic shall pass in one direction only.
(c) To specify the stands to be occupied by particular classes of omnibus, and the time during which omnibuses may remain on such stands.
(d) To specify places at which tramcars or omnibuses AO not stop to take up or set down passengers.
(e) To prohibit vehicles of any description from passing a tramcar or omnibus stationary for the purpose of taking up or setting down passengers.
Sunder.and Fire Brigade's Purchase.
The Sunderland Fire Brigade, white!), during the course of the past year or two, has steadily pursued a policy of disposing of horse-drawn engines and equipment in favour of mechanically propelled vehicles, has just taken delivery of a new Leyland motor fireengine. The brigade now possesses three motor engines, and is regarded as being one of the best-equipped forces in the north country.
A Commer for Brewery Work..
Duck-ley' s Brewery, Ltd., havejust taken delivery of the Commer vehicle illustrated on this page, which represents one of a recent repeat order for additional vehicles placed by the company with Commercial Cars, Ltd., of Luton. Messrs. Buckley have had considerable experience with Commer I. vehicles, and the fact that they have made -periodic increases to their fleet with vehicles of this make is proof of the satisfaction which they have obtained from them.
The particular vehicles which are now being supplied, and of which that illustrated is representative, are so constructed that the side rails, which are easily detachable, form the skids for unloading purposes—an . arrangement which is ingenious and practical. The chassis consists Of the makers' RC 4-ton typo, a model which has acquired a good reputation in many transport circles. During the -recent ma.meuvres at AlderShot, a fleet of Gominer vehicles of this type was withdrawn from ordinary service and gave a good account of itself during the military operations.
Remarkable B.A.T. Traffic Receipt Increases. • The traffic receipts on the vehicles run by the companies comprising the British Automobile Traction Co.'s group for the four weeks• ended December 4th amounted to £130,523, this figure representing an increase of 120,317 over that for the corresponding period of 1924. The total traffic receipts to date for 1925 reach 12,144,792. The regular • increases in receipts must be very gratifying to the company, whose ramifications are most extensive. The tottll • receipts for the present years are con siderably in excess of those for a like perio,d of 1924, the actual difference being £427,132.
An E.N.V. Appointment.
E.N.V. Motors, Ltd., 6, Whitechapel Road, London, .E.1, inform us that, owing to the increasing demand for their spiral bevels and other types of gear, they have found it necessary to appoint a travelling representative for .Great Britain. We learn that the company have secured the services of Mr: .W. T. Day, who was for many years with E. G. Wrigley and Co., Ltd. .
Bearing Service.
The Ran some aml Marie Bearing Co., Ltd., of Newark-on-Trent, have sent us a copy of a service booklet which they have recently issued.. In this booklet are to be found lists of sizes and prices of the standard types of ball and roller hearing which the company manufacture. It is pot up in a handy pocket size and can he'obtained on application to the compauy.
Local Proceedings.
• Hanwell -Urban District Council haS decided to invite quotations for the supply of a motor fire-engine.
Tynemouth Corporal-ion. Cleansing Committee is considering the purchase of an additional mechanical vehicle.
The municipal authorities of Edinburgh have decided to purchase a motor ambulance at an estimated cost of 1760.
Torquay Corporation is giving notifi cation to the effect that no vehicles with left-hand drive will be licensed after February 1st.
Chesterfield Watch Committee hag refused to grant a hackney carriage licence to an applicant who did not produce his insurance policy.
Bexhill Watch Committee has decided to obtain estimates for the. provision of a large-size foam apparatus to deal with outbreaks of fire at garages, etc.
Portsmouth Corporation has arranged for the city cleansings surveyor of Westminster to advise as to the best method of organising its transport and stores services.
Worcester Corporation has approved the Bill, to be introduced into the next Parliamentary Session, to deal with the whole situation concerning trams, omnibilges and trolley-buses.
The Metropolitan Asylums • Board has acCepted the tender of the Dunlop Robber Co, Ltd., for the supply of 128 pneumatic tyre covers and 48 inner tubes for the sum of :E609.
The public health committee of the Manchester City Council is prepared to receive tenders for tivo motor ambulance bodies ; tenders must be delivered , not later than December 31st.
The general purposes committee of the Erinton-on-Sea Council recommends that a motor fire-engine be purchased to replace the existing steam-engine, which has seen 11 years' service.
Stoke Watch Committee recommends that no charge be made for the first or annual inspection of any vehicle, but that where a second inspection is necessary a charge to caver the cast be made.
The Ministry of Transport has rejected the appeal of Mr. George Barrett, of Whittlesey, against the decision of the Peterborough Corporation in refusing to grant a licence for his motor omnibus.
The County Borough of Walsall invites tenders for the supply of motorbus chassis and bodies, and full particulars of the requirements of the authority can be obtained from the general manager and engineer, tramway offices, Walsall.
An Engineer Available.
We know of a young engineer who has had experience in many branches of the road transport industry, and who was, until recently, the proprietor of a provincial bus service, who will be open to take a • position as transport or traffic manager in the early part of next month. Letters marked " Engineer " and addressed c.o. The Editor of this journal will be forwarded to the proper quarter.