News and Comment.
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The regular contemporary interest shown in the pages of this journal is the best testimony to the leading position which it occupies.
An interesting demonstration of Vieo wheels was given in London last week. We hope to revert to the matter in our next issue.
Thomas Tilling, Ltd., of Winchester House, Peckham, S.E., has purchased from the Wolselev Tool and Motor Car Co., Ltd.' tie contract for the mail service between London and Aylesbury, and has added this service to the many others which it conducts so successfully.
Royal Lancashire Show.
To the list of intending exhibitors of heavy motors which we gave last week, there have now been added the following : the Ivel Agricultural Motors, Ltd., one of its latest pattern riAchines, with a binder attached having a 7 ft. cut. ; Aveling and Porter, Ltd., a compound steam tractor.
Scottish Motor Mails.
The Glasgow-Edinburgh parcel mail service, to which we referred last week, will pass through Shettleston, Baillieston, Coatbridge, Airdrie and Bathgate on the eastern trip, a distance of 431 miles. The westward journey will be through Coatbridge as on the eastward run, and thence to Glasgow via Motherwell, Hamilton, Bothwell, and Uddingston, a total distance of 53i miles.
Motor Rollers.
We learn that the City Engineer of Hull, Mr. A. E. White, is highly satisfied with the three-ton Barford and Perkins water-ballast roller which ik owned by the Corporation of the Humber port. He has found the total cost of working, inclusive of repairs, but not including depreciation, to be less than is. per hour, and the good behaviour of this machine has largely influenced him in his decision to employ other mechanical transport for the work of his department.
Lever Brothers Extensions.
Another three five-ton " Commer Car " vans have been ordered by Lever Bros., Ltd., for use of the London branch in Upper Thames Street, E.C. This makes eight fiveton " Commer Cars " in the service of the world-renowned producer of Sunlight soap. Other orders are on the point of being placed.
Manchester Show 1910.: 7:3
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, at its Council meeting last week, came to the decision that there was no reason to depart from its previous resolution in regard to the non-approval of a Show at Manchester. Next year's Manchester Show will, therefore, as we anticipated, be—to quote the word which is applied locally—" unsanctified." It will, however, be a very successful one from the commercialvehicle standpoint. It is of more than passing interest to note that, on Monday night last, the whole of the officers of the East Lancashire and Cheshire Agents' Section of the S.M.M.T. resigned by way of protest against the treatment of Manchester in this matter.
Running on Sand.
According to the latest report of his Majesty's Consul-General for Egypt, it appears that four ArrolJohnston cars and motor lorries were commandeered, at Khartoum, for the rapid transport of officers and stores to a rising in the Gezira, 100 miles away. Both cars and lorries got through the desert without a hitch and saved the situation.
City of London Steam Wagons.
We would suggest to the City of London Corporation the expediency of its obtaining a maintenance contract for the steam lorries which it owns. Probably Mr. H. C. Bauly, of Bow, would be pleased to undertake this. The report of the City Engineer, Mr. Frank Sumner, states that maintenance is very expensive, due largely to the frequent stoppages and startings, but the Chelsea and the Westminster Councils do not make the same complaint.
Australian Interest.
The "Sydney Morning Herald" of the 12th ult, contains a most-instructive column-article entitled "The Commercial Motor." It refers, at considerable length, to the War Department's trials of tractors last March, and dwells upon the value of the Liverpool Self-Propelled Traffic Association's trials of 1898 to 1901. We cannot afford space to quote from the article at length, but it is evidence of the growing interest in commercialmotor problems which is asserting itself in New South Wales, in common with other parts of the Australasia.
Canadian Agricultural Motor Trials.
As we go to press, results come to hand of the second international competition for agricultural motors, from Winnipeg :— CLess A (gasoline).—lst (No. 5), International Harvester, 15 h.p. : 2nd (No. 15), Avery Co's. tractor, 12 h.p. ; 3rd (No. 12), Marshall and Co., Ltd., 12 h.p.
CLASS B (gasoline).—lst (No. 7), International Harvester, 20 h.p.; 2nd (No. 6), Russell and Co.. 20 h.p.; 3rd (No. 21), International Harvester, 20 h.p.
CLASS C (gasoline).—lst (No. 16), Kinnard-Haines, 40 h.p.; 2nd (No. 8), Marshall and Co., Ltd., 25 h.p. 3rd (No. 19), International Harvester, 25 h.p.
CLASS D (stearn).—lst, J. I. Case Co. 2nd, Russell and Co. ; 3rd, Avery and Co.
The highest points were taken by engine Nn. 15 (International Harvester), and it won the special gold medal. The conditions are contained in our issue of the 24th December last.
There will be no meetings of the S.M.M.T. during August, but a meeting of the Committee of Management will be held to-day (Thursday).
The special type of cart lamp, the outcome of study by the Marquis of 13re,adalbane, to which we referred at some length in our issue of the 15th inst., and which lamp was exhibited at the Highland Society's Show, is manufactured and supplied by George Polkey and Co., Ltd., of Birmingham.
"Long" and "Short" Days.
The 30 h.p., four-cylinder, Thornycroft lorry, which we illustrate herewith, is doing excellent work for the Albion Brewery of Leeds. It undertakes, on alternate days, long and short journeys, so that the driver may not be overworked, and its area of operation includes the Cleveland Hills, It has sufficient platform capacity to bring home 11 ton of empties, and its journeys aggregate, during the present busy season, be
tween 1,550 and 1,600 miles per month. Once a week the machine does a run of more than 140 miles in a single day, and it is after a trip of this kind that the driver is given, perhaps, only 11 miles to do the next day.
Motor-spirit Taxation—Is It Protection?
An interesting point arises just now, in respect of the attitude of the Customs and Excise towards benzole. We are reminded that Mr. Hobhouse, on behalf of the Treasury, when replying to Mr. Brunner on the 22nd ult., with reference to the regulations under the new motor-spirit taxation, concluded : " I should add that the Commissioners are aiming at the taxation of spirit which is ordinarily and generally used for driving motor vehicles, and are not attempting to levy the tax on the various other substances which, though not at present generally used as motorcar fuel, could be, or are occasionally, used as substitutes for, or in association with, such fuel." It is now clear that bensole is not paying any tax, and we find that manufacturers of this hydro carbon are circularizing agents and consumers to that effect. We have no political bias on this matter, and we believe that Tariff Reform is rapidly coming, but this instance cannot be put forward as other than an outstanding case of protection for British manufacturers. It is, therefore, of great interest to the country at large, but it breaks down an avowed principle of the Government which now holds office. Or, does the Excise find the tax unworkable?
Halley's Sales.
One of the latest 20 h.p. 30 cwt. Halley lorries has been delivered to Laurie and McConnal, Ltd., of Cambridge. We reproduce a photograph of this machine, which is giving great satisfaction to everybody who has to do with its running. Other recent orders include two Halley vans for a large furnishing house at 'Brighton, and one for the Junior Army and Navy Stores at Aldershot.
Leyland's New Two-tonner.
We are able to illustrate herewith the first Leyland lorry, for a load of two tons, to be sold with a 4 in. fourcylinder engine. It has been supplied to a Whitworth firm, and is able to travel 12 miles to the gallon under full load, which is an excellent result in everyday work. This engine, with four-inch cylinders, is being widely fitted to Leyland_ models just now, and one of them, during the visit of his Majesty the King to Lord Derby in connection with the review of. the Territorials, and subsequently to Manchester, provided the pop. er for a similar two-ton Leyland van to carry the Royal baggage throughout. By no other means could the work be done.