WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
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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 Crozier.
Scammell's Report.
The report of Scammell Lorries, Ltd., for the year ended September 30th, 1931, shows that, after providing for depreciation, interest and directors' fees, there is a net profit of £667, the amountavailable for distribution being £23,998 after adding the balance brought 'forward. Of this sum £6,350 is set aside for income tax, whilst £10,000 is to be transferred to the reserve account to cover an investment in, and a loss by, a subsidiary concern, leaving £7,648 to be carried forward.
In the report mention is made of the fact that world conditions have made it impossible to reap the benefit of the efforts made to build up an overseas trade and, as the difficulty in securing remittance from abroad still persists, the directors have deemed it advisable to transfer a further £10,000 from the profit and loss account to the reserve.
Developing the Rutway System.
We have received a communication from Sboobridge, Jani and Co., 10a, Connaught Road, Poona, India, concerning the Rntway system of transport, to which it may be remembered we gave considerable prominence a few months ago. This concern is engaged in developing the system, and informs us that, in the near future, it will be in the market for many tractors and would prefer those of British make if the cost be not much higher than for foreign makes.
A New Ferry to the Isle of Wight.
Early in 1932 a new ferry route will be operated from a point south of Lymington to Yarmouth, in the Isle of Wight, thus reducing the time taken for reaching the island from the mainland to about seven minutes, as compared with an hour. The distance between Lymington and Yarmouth is 1+ mile, whereas 6+ miles separate Portsmouth from Ryde and 12 miles separate Southampton from Cowes on existing ferry routes. It is understood that motor coaches will be able to cross by the new ferry.
A Scottish Year Book.
"The Motor World Annual" may be said to be in a class by itself, because it is a year book of Scottish motoring. It is edited by Mr. G. H. Cutbush, of the Motor World Publishing Co., Ltd., 73, Dunlop Street, Glasgow, 0.1, and is priced at 2s. It is a comprehensive book, and contains much of general interest, as well as matter essentially for the motorist.
The Affairs of Spicers Motors, Ltd.
To meet the demands made by increased business, it has been considered desirable completely to reorganize 'and extend the activities carried on for some years by Spicers Motors, Ltd. This concern has, therefore, been voluntarily wound up under section 230 of the Companies Act, 1929, and a new company with a larger capital, called Spicers Motors (1931), Ltd., has been formed to acquire the business as a going con B20 cern. Colonel Lister and Mr. E. Spicer, directors of the original company, together with Mr. M. T. Drake, who will join the board, will be responsible for the management.
The directors of the original concern have signed and filed with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies a declaration of solvency ; therefore, all creditors will receive 20s. in the pound.
Edinburgh Seeking Tenders.
Edinburgh Corporation is inviting tenders for the supply of six coach chassis and bodies, as well as for 11, or alternatively 19, bus chassis and single-deck bodies for mounting on them. Specifications and tender forms" in respect of each tender can be obtained from the transport manager, 2, St. James's Square, Edinburgh. Tenders have to be lodged at the City Chambers, Edinburgh, not later than 10 a.m. on January 15th, 1932.
A 750-mile Fish-transport Service.
An important company has just been formed in Denmark for the road transport of fish, two or three times a week, from Esbjerg to Paris, a distance of 750 miles. Esbjerg is, writes our Paris correspondent, now one of the greatest export centres of Denmark, particularly for the fish trade.
A fleet of fast refrigerator vans has been acquired and the route passes through Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium and France. Each lorry will carry about two tons of fish in vacuumjacketed ice-boxes. There will be two drivers for each vehicle, in which a sleeping bunk is provided. Special arrangements have been made with customs authorities in order to minimize the time lost at the various frontier posts.
A Legal Work for 55.
" Motorists and the Law" is the title of a new book by Mr. B. K. Parry, M.A., Barrister-at-law, and published, at the price of 5s. net, by Charles Griffin and Co., Ltd., 42, Drury Lane, London, W.C.2. It has an introduction by Sir Herbert Austin, K.B.E. The book is small compared with many legal works, containing only 179 pages, but it would appear to meet the needs of the average owner, driver or garage proprietor.
A Useful Reference Book.
"The Trader Handbook, Diary and Garage Reference Book" for 1932 is a most useful publication, which includes specifications of all types of motor vehicle on the British market and other handy information, such as Empire and foreign import duties. A new feature is a guide to makers and suppliers of garage and workshop equipment.
It is published by the Trader Publishing Co., Ltd., St. Bride's House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C.4, at the price of 10s. 6d., post free.
Saving Money on Repairs.
All motorists are keen on cutting down repair bills, and the most effective means for doing this is to tackle small repairs oneself. A complete guide to the subject of motor-vehicle repair is "The Motor Repair Manual," and this, read in conjunction with "The Motor Electrical Manual," will enable the owner-driver successfully to carry out at home repairs and adjustments which would otherwise invite a bill from the garage.
Bus Tickets Easily Cancelled.
Eus operators will be interested in the Midget patent ticket-cancellation punch that is being marketed by Cooper, Webb-Jones and Co., Stockwell Works, Walsall. It is mounted on a back plate riveted to the bag or punch strap, the punch sliding into flanges ,on the plate. The device is light and is conveniently operated.
It is possible for each conductor to be supplied with a different shape of die, enabling return and transfer tickets effectively to be cancelled. In this way, the work and expense involved in collecting return and transfer tickets and issuing exchange tickets is avoided.
No Revival of Speed Limits?
Recently Middlesex County Connell made representations to the Ministry of Transport for the retention of speed limits in nine thoroughfares, but the lierinistry suggests that the council should abandon the application.
It is stated that, whilst the Minister is unable to express an authoritative Interpretation of an Act of Parliament, it appears to him that he has no power to revive the restrictions by an Order under Section 122 of the Road Traffic .k.et. If the county council desires to reimpose these restrictions, an application will be requisite under Section 46 of the Act.
An Economical New Radiator Lamp.
Romac Motor Accessories, Ltd., Romac Works, The Hyde, Hendon, London, N.W.9, has introduced a new radiator lamp, retailing at 5s. 9d. It is claimed to burn for 40 hours at one tilling and radiates a good heat, whilst safety is another feature that is stressed by the maker.
The company points out that its quart tin of non-freezing mixture has been reduced in price from Os. 6d. to 5s. 6d. retail.
Free State Tractor Exports Lower.
The Irish Free State exported, during the nine months ended September last, 3,547 'complete tractors, valued at £336,001, as compared with 15,133 machines (£1,575,928) in the corresponding period a year ago, whilst the exports of tractor parts dropped in eine from £832,314 to £146,522. During the same periods there was also a striking decline in the value of the imports of tractor parts into the Free State, from £815,080 to £84,068.
A Spring Specialist's Factory Extensions.
Herbert Terry and Sons, Ltd., the well-known concern of spring specialists, has added a new wing to its main factory at Redditch, primarily for the pnr. pose of making additions to the tool and finishing plants. The new building is a three-storey structure, and it has been equipped with up-to-date machinery.
The company's mime is synonymous with springs, but it has also earned a reputation for its presswork, wirework and capstan products, which are made to precision limits.
Another important branch of the company's activities is the manufacture, at its Alcester works, of flexible steel shaft ing for all purposes. Certain of the outfits which are marketed enable power
tools to be carried to the job and drilling, grinding, polishing, tapping and similar work may be easily and ciently carried out in otherwise inaccessible places on chassis, etc. At the present time the company's three factories are working at high pressure, despiteworld-wide depression in industry.
Switzerland Interested in Trolley-buses.
Switzerland is paying increasing attention to trolley-buses and it is stated that the municipal authorities of Lausanne have decided to introduce that type of vehicle into the town. The vehicles s.re being built by the Brown Boveri Co., of Baden. A Useful Crane.
A handy mobile crane for use in a garage, etc., is being manufactured by John Andrews, Ltd., Haydock Park Garage, Warrington Road, Ashton-inMakerfield. This British-made crane has a capacity of 1 ton and measures 7 ft. from the ground level to the centre of the jib, and 2 ft. 3 ins, from this Centre to the nearest point of the vertical portion of the jib, whilst the width at the base is 2 ft. 11 ins. The block and tackle is hand-operated through a worm gear. A hinged handle is provided to manoeuvre the crane, which runs on rollers.
The Motor's Progress in Canada.
According to the preliminary report of the Dominion Bureau of Statistics dealing with 'The Highway and Motor Vehicle in Canada, 1930," the road mileage open for traffic at the end of last year was 394,373, of which surfaced roads totalled 80,498 miles. In many parts of Canada, particularly in the Prairie Provinces, there is a large mile
age of unimproved earth roads, the total for the country being 158,640. During last year the capital expenditure on road construction amounted to 69,998,233 dollars.
At the end of 1930, the total number of motor vehicles registered in Canada was 1,239,888, an increase during the year of 44.294. Ontario led the Canadian provinces with 564,669 vehicles. No motors were registered in the northwest territories. The revenues from motor-vehicle registration totalled 20.166,283 dollars.
During the 12 months motor-vehicle accidents resulted in the death of 1,29(1 people, an average of 10.40 per 10,000 registered vehicles.
Road Traffic Signalling.
At a recent informal meeting of the Institution of Civil Engineers, at which Sir Henry Maybury, G.B.E., K.C.M.G., C.B., member of council, presided, the subject of "Road Traffic Signalling" was introduced by Major H. E. Aidington and Mr. E. B. Hugh-Jones, M.C., B.Sc, Major Aldington spoke of the importance of extending the electric automatic signalling system, if for no other reasons than those of expediting the movement of traffic and of economy. He pointed out that, in the London traffic area alone, 1450,000 is spent each year in the provision of police officers to regulate 1322
traffic at points of intersection. He
indicated how the provision of facilities for roundabout working or for electric signalling, or a combination of both, would be an advantage to the public, adding that, by the adoption of such methods, accidents had' been reduced.
Mr. Hugh-Jones followed with a full exposition of the installation of electric signals in Oxford Street, and described the mechanism and method of control.
The subject created a large amount of interest amongst those present, and questions and criticisms raised were -dealt with by the authors.
Exeter's Buses Doing Well.
In the past municipal year the receipts from Exeter Corporation's buses amounted to 122,030, equivalent to 12.44d. per bus-mile. The working expenses amounted to 115,566, or 8.79d. per bus-mile. The gross profit of 16,464, representing 3.65d. per bus-mile, was carried to the net-revenue account.
This sum was sufficient to pay loan charges of 14,795 and to make a revenue
contribution to capital of 11,459, carrying 1210 to the renewals and reserve fund.
It is stated that the new bus under. taking is prospering and a much larger mileage is being covered than when trams were in use.
Repeat Orders for Thornyeroft's.
A striking feature of recent orders obtained by John L Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., has been the number received from present users of Thornycrofts, these including Messrs. Andrew Harper, Peebles, who have placed a 20th repeat order for a 30-seater bus ; Boots, Ltd., Nottiqgham, a 12th for 2-ton chassis ; Bucks Mechanical Transport Co., Ltd., a ninth for a 2-ton van • C. T. Faulkner and Co., Ltd., an eighth for an 11-ton lorry ; Karriers Delivery Service, Liverpool, a sixth for a 3-ton six-wheeler, and a number of others.
New overseas orders are in hand for the shipment of vehicles to South Africa and the Far East.
Distributing Singers in Ireland.
Miskelly and Orr, Ltd., of Belfast, has been appointed the main dealer for Northern Ireland for the distribution of Singer commercial vehicles. The maker's Free State distributor, P. J. Tracy and Co. has made arrangements with Messrs. Cahill Brothers, of Dublin, to handle Singer commercial vehicles in the Irish Free State,
How the Money .Goes.
As a sidelight on the past year's operations of the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., the report of which, for the year ended September 30th, 1931, was reviewed in our issue dated December 15th, it is interesting to observe the precise manner in which every 1.1 of income is absorbed. A diagram prepared by the company shows that, for the past year, the following were the figures :—wages, Os.; tyres, materials and running expenses, 3s. 11d.; renewal of vehicles, plant and leaseholds, 2s. 113d.; taxation, 2a. 4d.; petrol, 111d. ; administration, 41d.; a total of 18s. 91d., leaving is. 21d. as profit.
Menai Bridge Toll Revenue.
The revenue derived from the lease of the Menai Bridge toile for the five years to the end of 1925-26, it is officially stated, only slightly exceeded the disbursements. The sums realised by the direct collection of tolls during the five years to the end of 1930-31 and the figures for expenditure (including
the cost of collection) were as follow :— Receipts. Payments.
Year.
1927-28 13,058 3,288 1928-29 13,010 3,376 1929-30 13,737 3,581 1930-31 13,804 5,028 The payments cover only current maintenance, but the age and character of the structure indicate the need for accumulating a reserve fund to meet the ultimate cost of heavy renewals or reconstruction. The balances are, therefore, retained in a special fund for this purpose.
To Benefit a Coachbuilders' Institution, The Alan Turner Operatic Society, which is associated with Messrs. Ernest Turner, makers of coachbuilders' supplies, will present on February 4th-6th, 1932, inclusive, "The. Gondoliers," one of the most popular of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, in aid of the Master Coachbuilders Benevolent Institution. This is said to be the only institution of its kind directly connected with the
bodybuilding industry. The performances will be given in the Rudolf Steiner Hall, 33, Park Road, London, N.W., and tickets can be obtained from the Institution at 157, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, or from Northdown House, Northdown Street, London, N.1, the prices ranging from 2s. 4d. to 15s. Motor Manufacture in the Free State ?
A clause in the Road Transport and Road Traffic Bills recently introduced into the Irish Free State Parliament provides that a company authorized to engage in road transport, under a royal charter, special statute, or other statutory Order, "shall be entitled to construct, repair and maintain for itself or any other person, vehicles, machinery, plant and material for use in, or for the purpose of, road transport."
The Government proposes to give preference in the issue of motor-vehicle licences to persons whose vehicles are manufactured wholly or partly in the Saorstat, as well as to take into consideration the extent to which such vehicles are maintained by Saorstat labour. Further steps to aid the Free State bodybuilders are provided by a clause enabling the Minister for Industry and Commerce to attach to a licence a condition requiring the use, either exclusively or to a specified extent, of vehicles manufactured wholly or partly in the Saorstat.
Road Transport Progress in Palestine.
According to a Department of Overseas Trade report dealing with economic conditions in Palestine, mechanical road transport continues to develop. In addition to regular bus •services in the principal towns and between different towns and villages, there is also a bus route between Haifa and Beirut. The overland desert service is also increasing and passengers from Haifa can reach Baghdad in about 30 hours, or 47 hours if they prefer to rest a night in Damascus.
Villagers now use motor lorries for the distribution of their products to 1he various local markets and obtain better prices with less trouble than was the case when only animal transport was used. .
At the end of 1930 there were 2,860 motor vehicles in use, including 711 buses and 524 lorries. Most vehicles in use in the country are imported in chassis form and practically all the buses in service have bodies made in Palestine.
More Motors in Middlesex.
Middlesex County Council has taken a census of all vehicles registered with the council and for which licences were in force at any time during the quarter ended September 30th last. The figures show an increase of 832 over those obtained at a similar period last year, when an increase of 5,502 over the preceding year's statistics was revealed.
Interesting Pierce-Arrow Dents Oilerigined Conversion.
Shaw and Co., a transport-contracting r_olicern of 322, King Street, London, W.6, has effected an interesting oilongined conversion employing a PierceArrow 1918-model chassis, which has Lone a tremendous amount of heavy work in sand and gravel haulage.
The oil engine installed in place of ihe original petrol power unit is a Deutz four-cylindered model of 115 ram, bore and 170 mm. stroke, developing 55 b.h.p. at 1,300 r.p.m. It has the standard Deutz fuel pump and injectors, and the front and rear cylinders are equipped with six-volt heater plugs to facilitate starting by a six,volt set.
The original three speed gearbox and overhead-worm rear axle of 7.2 taki ratio were retained, . and on to the oilengine crankshaft a Pierce-Arrow flywheel and clutch were fitted. The vehicle has solid rear tyres, but 36-in. by 7-in, pneumatics have been fitted to the front wheel,
Since the conversion was completed, the machine has covered about 8,000' miles in regular sandpit work, and we are told that it is performing quite successfully.
.• Sparking Plugs for Heavy Duty.
Since its introduction, the Lissen C.M.-type sparking plug has been well received by motor-vehicle operators. The plug embodies stepped mica insulation, which is claimed to obviate any tendency towards oiling or sooting, even under abnormal conditions, and it is said largely to contribute to the easy-starting properties of the plug.
The centre electrode, which is Of heavy section, is made from a special alloy capable of operating at high temperatures, without pitting or burning. The triple earth points are made from the same material. The external construction of the plug is on robust lines, so that it can withstand rough usage.
The price is 6s., and the manufacturer is Lisseii, Ltd., Lisseniurn Works, Worple Road, Isleworth, Middlesex. Municipal Purchases and Proposals.
WALSALL Corporation is recommended to buy a Gardner oil engine.
The electricity..committee of KETTERING Urban District Council recommends the purchase of a Morris van.
The works committee of PADDINGTON Borough Council has authorized the purchase of a Fordson tractor at a cost of £290.
LYE AND WOLLESCOTE Urban District Council has recently taken delivery of a Morris-Commercial 250-400-gallon fireengine.
CLuN Rural District Council is buying a Morris-Commercial 250-400-gallon low load-line fire-engine with first-aid equipment.
The education committee of NoarnumBERLAND County Council is recommended to consider the purchase of another mobile dental clinic.
Personal Pars.
The creation of new markets and the extension of those which already exist are subjects which are continually beinginvestigated by the Austin Motor Co., Ltd.,. and in this connection we can mention that Captain A. C. II. Waite, a director of the company, left England on December 18th for Egypt.
Mr. A. E. Tyrrell, who used to be the sales manager of Weyinann's Motor Bodies (1925), Ltd., has now joined the staff of G. Seammell and Nephew, Ltd., and will work in conjunction with Mr. Walter W. Burch, works manager of the eoaehbuilding department, in developing that comparatively new sectaon of the company's actiVities. Mr. TYrtell was formerly with Mr. Burch at the Vickers works..
Tipping Gears at Low Cost.
A useful range of tipping gears Is being marketed by Henry Lowe and Sons, Ltd., Falcon Iron Works, Royton, Lanes, at competitive prices. There is a hand-screw model for tilting 1i-2-ton loads to heights of 5 ft. or 6 ft., screw diameters of 1 in. and 2-i• ins being available. The gear mechanism is totally enclosed and a self-aligning
attachment is provided. This type is priced at £9, complete with hinges.
The range includes models capable of lifting loads from a ton to 6 tons, the cheapest being priced at £5 12s. A twin-telescopic-screw type with a if in. internal screw and a 21-in. external member, giving a lift of 6 ft., costs £28.
The specification includes steel channels, steel-alloy gears, mild-steel winding screw machined and cut double thread, and a malleable-iron dust-proof gearbox. Over 20 different m,odels are available.
Brake Facings Supplied at Short Notice.
Progressive methods are being employed by the Turpin Engineering Co., Ltd., 177, The Vale, London, W.3, to increase the popularity of Bramec brake facings, for which the company is acting as distributor. Various patterns of this material are available, including metallic and non-metallic, die-pressed and flexible facings. Supplies can be offered from stock.