• Home
• Used vehicles
• Product news
• Dealer news
• Compliance
• Buying advice
• Archive

WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

A Cornish Coach Absorption.

The National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd., which recently acquired the Cornwall Motor Transport concern, has, we understand, taken over the interest of Mr. John Harding in Trelawney Tours Ltd., of Penzance and Newquay, and has purchased the business of the Trelawney Garage, Penzance, which has been under the same management. The transfer, which includes a fleet of 17 motor coaches, took effect on May 24th.

Mr. Harding went to Penzance over 20 years ago, and with the advent of the motor coach was one of the first to foresee its possibilities from a sightseeing point of view, He established Trelawney Tours, Ltd., at Penzance in 1914 with one vehicle, and a couple of years later he opened a branch at Newquay. He invented what is known as the "Silent Guide," a mechanical device fitted to the windscreen, which gives the passengers a key to the principal objects of interest mentioned in the programmes of the various routes as the coaches proceed on their journeys. This patent, of which the National concern is securing the rights, has proved very popular.

Street-cleansing Vehicles Wanted.

His Majesty's Consul-General at Lourenco Marques reports that a local concern has been granted the renewal of the concession for cleansing the streets of Lourenco Marques, and that it has expressed a desire to receive quotations for six steam or petrol-driven chassis (two with bodies), six trailers and a steam wagon or steam tractor. Further particulars can be obtained by British manufacturers on application to the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference A.X.6,327 being quoted.

A Brighton Plying-for-hire Case.

An interesting decision was recently arrived at by the magistrates at Brighton, when a London coaching concern, Grey Coaches, Ltd., was summoned for plying for hire at Brighton with an unlicensed motor coach. The company carried passengers between • Brighton and London, the passengers obtaining their tickets at a garage at which notice-boards were displayed, indicating the times at which the coaches were due to leave. The defence was that this procedure did not constitute plying for hire, and with this view the bench agreed, the summons being dismissed. The counsel for the prosecution said that, in due course, an application will be made to state a case iu the High Courts.

Liverpool's Ninth Motor Parade.

One of the outstanding points of interest in the list of entries for the ninth annual parade of the Liverpool Area Committee of the Commercial Motor -Users' Association is the substantial decline in the number of competing steam wagons, which will total 10 as against 48 petrol machines in the classes for members. In previous years the entries of the respective

B20 types have been almost equal. In the non-members' classes, 19 petrol vehicles will take part and no steamers, so that the total number of competing machines will be 77. The number of non-competing vehicles which have been entered for the route parade only is 176, of which 160 are petrol units. The Parade will take place on Saturday, June 9th, on a section of Queen's Drive, Liverpool.

A new award, termed the award of merit, will be instituted and may be affixed to the vehicle which becomes en titled to this distinction. A greatly increased number of certificates of new design will be distributed to drivers..

The Ministry of Transport Decision on the Gateshead Inquiry.

The Ministry of Transport has lost little time in announcing its decision in the case of the important inquiry held at the beginning of this month at Gateshead into the appeal of the County General Omnibus Co., Ltd., of Birtley, against the refusal of the Gateshead Corporation to grant permission for its buses to take up passengers in the borough. In a communication to the interested parties the Ministry states that it cannot find any justification for overriding the decision of the local authority, and, therefore, the application of the bus company is disallowed.

Now that the Ministry has upheld the corporation the company is to introduce a comprehensive return-ticket system for the benefit of passengers who desire to visit Gateshead without having to go on to Newcastle to board their return bus.

A Motorbus Wanted.

His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Port of Spain, Trinidad, has furnished particulars of a proposed motorbus service in the Port of Spain and adds that c.i.f. quotations are required for a complete bus. British makers of such vehicles can obtain further particulifrs of the class of vehicle required on application to the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, quoting reference AX.6316.

Pressure upon our space in this issue has again prevented us from dealing with the paper read bv Mr. J. A. Brodie at the Conference of the Institute of Transport recently held at Liverpool.

An Improved Refuse Collectot

One of the articles embodied in ou Special Municipal Number, which wa published last week, contained a refel cnce and sketches concerning a specit type of refuse-collecting body arrange to tip to the front as well as the real the forward tipping being embodie with the object of passing towards a front the load received at the rear.

The device has been, protected, model is available for inspection, an any communications from those into] ested will be forwarded tO the design( if addressed "Tipping," care of T1 Commercial Motor.

A German Show In the Autumn.

At the recent annual meeting of tl German Society of Motor Manufa tutors it was resolved to organize a International Exhibition in Berlin son time next autumn, the exact date not y having been decided upon. The she will include exhibits of vans, lorrie buses, tractors, tyres, accessories ar component parts.

Composition of the Indian A.S.C., LW The Mechanical Trinsport Branch the Indian Army Service Corps is consist of eight companies with fou wheeled light lorries, one section wi. six-wheeled light lorries, six compani for motor-ambulance work, four cot panics as mobile repair units, one dein one stores depot, four heavy repa shops, anti one workshop section.

Dennis Fire Pumps Demonstrated.

At the annual conference of tl National Fire Brigades Associatio which was held at Portsmouth fro May 23rd to 25th, Dennis Bros., Ltt displayed a range of its fire-fightil equipment, these including a 250-gall, trailer pump, a self-propelled pump the same capacity built for the Cove try Fire Brigade, a 300-400-gallon se propelled pump and a special 250-30 gallon pump possessing a particular low overall height. We hope to be at to publish an illustration of the la, named and a brief description of i outstanding features in our next issi A Three-purpose Tyre-pressure Galli The range of modern servicing app ances marketed by E.E.N. Paten Ltd., 92, Tottenham Court Road, Lc don, W.1, has received yet another s dition in the form of a tyre-press', indicator, which is known as the 33( Key. This handy device is, in effe a three-purpose appliance, as it ind porates the usual form of presst gauge, a by-passing button, which a, as a form of safety valve to let wanted air escape from over-inflat tyres, and a control lever, which ables the operator to fix the point pressure at which the supply of air the tyre shall be cut off.

The appliance can be fitted to I flexible tubing of any type of hand foot-operated inflator, and its gau which is accurately calibrated a graduated, shows pressures betw( 20 lb. and 120 lb. per srfuare inch.

A warning to motor-coach drivers and to drivers of heavy vehicles was issued recently at the Settle Petty Sessions, when a motor engineer of Burnley was ordered to pay costs in a ease in which he was summoned for .driving a 20-seater motor coach over the road from He'Meld to Airton, which has been closed by an Order—made on tha application of the • West Riding County Council—to heavy vehicles weighing 3 tons and motor coaches with a capacity for 20 or more persons.

In addition to this restriction, the following roads have been closed :—To vehicles weighing 2 tons and upwards unladen and motorcars and Motor coaches with a seating capacity for more than eight persons, excluding the driver—Malham to Gordale, Stainforth to Halton Gill, Langeliff a to Malham Tarn, and Capon Hall to Mulham. To vehicles of a similar weight and motorcars and motor coaches with a seating capacity for more than 14 persons— from Austwiek to Helwith Bridge. To vehicles weighing 3 tons and upwards unladen and to motorcars and motor coaches with a seating capacity for more than 20 persons—Giggleswick Station to Cross Streets.

A Thief-proof Petrol Tap.

A lockable petrol tap of novel design has recently been placed on the markt by the Ideal Fog Co., 179, Promenade. Blackpool. The handle of the plug of this tap is in the form of a long, rectangular flap, which is hinged at its base. When in the closed position, the flap can be turned over and a rectangular hole, which is cut through the handle, allows a metal piece of similar 3eetion, which projects from the side of the body of the tap, to pass through it. A hole is made in the metal piece, to allow a padlock *a be fitted to the device, thus securing the handle so that

the tap cannot be . turned on by unauthorized persons. The Ideal tap sells at the reasonable price of 7s. 6d., and can be easily, fitted in the petrolsupply system of any vehicle. The price includes a Yale lock and two keys.

Morris-Commercials for M.A.B.

The 31etropolitau AsylAs Board has recently accepted the tender of Fitch, McGillivray and Co., Ltd., at 1720, to supply four Morris-Commercial 1-ton chassis.

A Dutch Motor Road Train.

„ According to our Dutch contemporary, De Kampioen, a demonstration was recently given at the works of Verhoops Fabrieken en Agenturen, at Hilversum, Holland, of a new motor road train built to the designs of Herr Jonkhoff. The train, which is claimed to he specially suited to the requirements of the Dutch East Indies, consists of a four-wheeled petrol tractor and a motor coach mounted on two four-wheeled bogies. We described the system some time ago.

Estimated Loss Turned Into Profit.

In last year's estimates of the Blackpool Corporation the deficit on the motorbuses was expected to be £11,250, but the actual results cf the year's working show a profit of 1311, on a total income of £56,371. From April 1st to May 15th last the Blackpool Corporation fleet of motorbuses, comprising 24 Tilling-Stevens, 19 Leylands, eight Guys, two Barriers, four S.D. Freighters and one Vulcan, carried 888,407 passengers, an increase of 106,109, and the receipts of £5,793 were up by £933.

London-Coventry Daily.

A daily road service by special sa• loon vehicles has just been inaugurated between London and Coventry by Parlor Coaches, Ltd., of London. The ordinary return fare is 14s.

Bus Progress at Lincoln.

Much progress is being made in the transport department of the Lincoln Corporation, particularly in connection with motorbus services. This authority has recently placed an order for 16 Leyland buses, nine being of the Titan double-deck type and seven Lion models.

The operation of the buses in the past financial year resulted in a net profit of over £6,000 and, during the year, four new vehicles were purchased out of revenue. The corporation recently acquired a fine site in the centre of the city, where a new bus garage, to accommodate the whole of its fleet, will be built. An excellent bus service DOW runs to the various suburban districts.

Of Interest to Milford Users.

A great number of Hallford chassis has changed hands during the past two years, and it may be that some of the new owners are not cognizant of the fact that the Dartford Automobile Engineering Works, Powder Mill Lane' Dartford, Kent, is the maker's official service and repair depot. Stocks of parts for the various models are held, but, with the continued demand, they are quickly diminishing and those who need spares, or are likely to require them in the near future, would be well advised to seize the opportunity for obtaining them.

No-change Services Increasing.

The through services which, as foreshadowed in a recent issue of The Commercial Motor, were to be instituted by the United Automobile Services, Ltd., and the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd.;have now been put into operation. The two companies are now running direct no-change bus services between Newcastle, Stockton ,and Middlesbrough, and Newcastle, Durham and Bishop Auckland, in place of interconnecting arrangements. The number of these no-change routes, with mileages up to 40 and 50, is steadily increasing in the north country.

An Experienced Man Available.

A gentleman we have known for many years, with great experience both on the manufacturing and selling side of the motor business, is open for au appointment. We regard him as a.very capable organizer and business man who should be a valuable asset in developing Commercial motor business. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the automotive industry, including insurance, hire-purchase contracts, exports, a knowledge of the law as affecting this trade, legal procedure, etc., and is accustomed to formulating expert reports. Letters addressed to "B.C.," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.

Canadian Exports.

A quiet tone is prevailing in the commercial-vehicle industry in Canada. The exports during February last only amounted to 1,483 vehicles, bringing up the total for the first two months of the year to 3,147 machines, of a value of £228,817, as compared with 3,881 in the

corresponding period of 1927. PracticallY the whole of the vehicles exported were of the light class, with a carrying capacity not exceeding 1 ton.

An Unusual Tank Wagon.

The interesting fuel tanker which we illustrate on this page has recently been supplied to the Sheffield Corporation, which, ws are told, intends to use it for supplying petrol to its buses whilst they are actually iu use. The tank and the fuel-supply equipment are the products of the Dowson and Mason Gas Plant Co., Ltd., of Levenshulme, Manchester. The semi-elliptical tank has.a capacity of 300 gallons and a one-gallon selfmeasuring pump and swing arm are mounted at the rear. This is, we believe, a new feature so far as mounting a self-measuring pump together with the tank on a motor Chassis is concerned, but the method of delivering the fuel is practically the same as that adopted at roadside supply statiops. It is quite conceivable that the use of equipment of this kind Would, in many eases, result in a saving of time—and it wonlii possibly be cheaper to fill the tanks of buses in this manner in preference to having underground tanks and pumps at certain points of the route. It is, of course, appreciated that in all central garages fuel-supply installations are available, but it is not always convenient for the vehicles to return to the garage to have their tanks refilled, Particularly when they are engaged on long-distance services.

American Foreign Trade in Tractors.

The present year is witnessing a further striking increase in the exportation of motor tractors from the United States. During February last, no fewer than 6,145 machines valued at £843,647 were exported from America, bringing up the total for the first two months of the present year to no fewer than 12,434 machines of a value • of £1,648,253, as contrasted with 4,552 machines and £617,734 respectively in the corresponding period of 1927.

This year's total is made up of 5,878 track-laying and 6,656 wheel machines, the majority of the latter ranging from 15 h.p. to 32 h.p.; only 213 tractors exceed the latter horse-power. Italy was the principal outlet for light wheel tractors under 14 h.p., taking 541 ma chines of this type, followed by Germany with 200, and France with 150. Canada was the outstandino•' purchaser of medium-sized tractors, buying 1,742 machines, although Australia was also an important buyer, taking 707 tractors of this class. Canada was the largest purchaser of heavy tractors of 33 h.p. and over, taking 180 machines of this type.

The Ubiquitous Bus.

The southern county surveyor of Cardiganshire reports that there is now a regular service of buses on every road in the division except the road front Penrhingoleu to New Inn, which is only one mile in length.

The L.C.C.'s 1927 Licensing Work.

In connection with licensing offences the London County Council reports that it is principally concerned with those cases which relate to' attempts to evade payment of duty, or to the use of vehicles upon the highways before the necessary licence for the purpose is obtained. During last year 1,676 offences were reported under the Roads Act, 1920, as compared with 1,323 in the previous year, and, in accordance with the provisions of that Act, the amounts received by way of penalties are credited to the Road Fund.

The receipts in respect of vehicle and vehicles were registered in. London during the calendar year 1927, as compared with 46,500 during 1926.

Southdown's New Address.

The new address of the works of the Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., is Southdown Works, Victoria • Road, Portslade, Sussex.

Handling the Quikbed Bearing Outfit.

Further to our description of the Quikbed bearing outfit in our, issue dated May 15th, the maker of this appliance, Edmunds, Walter and Co., Ltd., informs us that it is now being handled from the company's branch at 290-292, Deansgate, Manchester.

Coach Owners for 21 Years.

To celebrate its coming of age, the Llandudno Motor and Garage Co., Ltd., the proprietor of one of the best-known fleets of motor coaches in North Wales, collaborated with the local branch of the National Union of Journalists, which also had just attained its twentyfirst anniversary. Speaking at a luncheon, Mr. F. A. Wilkes, managing director of the company, which is better known to the public as the "Royal Reds," reviewed the progress of motor coaching during the past 21 years, and made particular reference to the improvements in design. During his company's 21 years' activity, it had carried an average of 100,000 passengers per year and, during the whole of that time, it had not had a road accident. The party was taken on a tour of North Wales in one of the company's coaches.

The Motor Market of Ceylon.

statistics just issued show that in February motor vehicles in Ceylon increased at the rate of nearly 12 a day. This, however, is not a record, for during the previous month the increase was at the rate of 15 a day. On February 29th there were 18,138 motor vehicles in the island, as compared with 17.340 on December 31st, 1927. 'Classified according to the countries of origin, the total was made up as follows :—British 5,898, British Possessions (Canadian) 2,4()0, American 8,021, French 860, German 126, Italian 736, Belgian 80, Swiss 3, Austrian 3, unspecified 8, and unassigned 3. The total of 18,138 motor vehicles is made up of 9,495 cars, 1,394 cabs, 2,195 buses, 1,961 lorries and vans, 20 tractors, 70 trailers and 3,003 cycles,.

Oldham's Preference for Buses.

The Oldham Corporation is gradually substituting buses for tramcars, and a further step in connection with this development has recently been decided upon by the tramways committee, which will result in the tratucars being taken off the Ripponden Road to Grains Bar route. It Was estimated that, although only a single track existed, it would necessitate an expenditure of about £25,000 to put the track into a proper condition, and instead of involving the ratepayers in this commitment, the committee has decided to inaugurate a new bus service, If the proposal receives the council's support, the buses will run from the Star Inn to Grains Bar and it will be necessary to purchase about ten new vehicles to provide an efficient service.

Ousting the Tramcar at Maidstone.

At a luncheon held to celebrate the recent opening of the new Maidstone trolley-bus system, Mr. A. T. Lambert, the council's transport manager, stated that the reserve of £30,000, estimated to be necessary to enable the remaining tramway equipment of the town to he discarded, would shortly be avail able. He stated that the transport committee would probably be able to recommend the abandonment of the Loose and Tovil tramways at the close of the present financial year, or possibb before then.

The new Maidstone trolley-buses which have been supplied by Ransomes Sims and Jelferies, Ltd., Orwell Works Ipswich, will allow the provision *01 efficient 7i-minute services over threc routes previously worked by tramcars.

Bus Results at Burton.

In the year ended March 31st last the buses owned by the Burton-onTrent Corporation covered a total mileage of 397,453 and carried 2,281,980 passengers. The number of journeys per head of the population proved to be 47 and the average fare paid by each passenger was 1.808d.

The number of gallons of petrol used by the vehicles was 67,939 and the average distance run per gallon of fuel used was 5.84 miles.

The total income from the operation of the buses was 10.59d. per bus mile, the total amount being £17,536, whilst the working expenses totalled £12,242, equivalent to 7.40d. per bus mile. Thus it will be seen that the balance of income over expenses was 3.19d. per bus Of the fleet at present owned, 14 buses were in use throughout the whole year, whilst four were put into service in October last and two over three months later.

Canadian Production.

The number of motor vehicles manufactured in Canada during March last was 17,478, valued at 12,709,616 dollars. These figures show an increase of 39 per cent, in number and 51 per cent. in value over those for the previous month. Production was lower than in March, 1927, when 23,250 vehicles were produced. The figures, of course, are mostly concerned with private cars, but 2,967 chassis, 257 lorries and four buses were constructed.

Refuse Collection at Prestwich.

The surveyor to the Prestwich 'Urban District Council has reported on the' working of a S.D. Freighter and says that after a week's trial he estimated the cost worked out at 6s. 7d. per ton as against 7s. 2d. per ton for another make. Consideration of the matter was deferred for two months and, in the meantime, the surveyor is to get in touch with other makers with .a view to further demonstrations being made with vehicles suitable for refuse collection.

The B.P. Slogan Competition.

The chief prizes in connection with the slogan competition recently run by the British Petroleum no., Ltd., were awarded at the Savoy Hotel a few days ago, in the presence of a large gathering. The first prize of £500 was won by Lieut. C. R. A. Grant, of "Royal Oak," whose effort was "The Petrol that Pulls With a Punch," whilst the second prize of £100 was awarded to the originator of "You can't improve on it—your engine will."

The prizes were presented by a director of the Anglo-Persian Oil Co., Ltd., which is the selling organization of the British Petroleum Cc, Ltd., a nominee accepting the first prize winner's cheque on account of his en forced absence. Considerable interest was taken in the competition and more than 115.000 entries were received..

Limiting the Issue of Licences.

Weymouth Watch Committee has decided that the number of taxicabs to be licensed in the borough during the year he limited to 64) and that the number of motor coaches to be licensed during the same period be limited to 30.

Tenderers for Bournemouth's Buses. Bournemouth Corporation, which has recently been asking for tenders for six new buses, has received quotations from the makers of Albion, Associated Daimler, Bristol, Commer, W. and G., Dennis, Guy, Leyland, Ma-mislay, Pagefield, Thornyeroft, Tilling-Stevens and Vulcan vehicles. Motor Taxation in France.

In connection with a campaign which the French Commercial Motor Users' Association has lately inaugurated against the heavy taxation on industrial motor vehicles, a circular has been issued in which it is pointed out that, taking as an example a 5-ton lorry covering 15,000 kiloms. (about 9,375 miles) per year, the annual taxes have steadily advanced from 750 francs before the war to 3,570 francs in 1923 and to 10,075 francs (about £81 5s.) at the present time in Paris, and to 8,150 francs (£65 8s.) so far as other parts of France are concerned. The circular points out that 100,000 persons in the country depend far their livelihood on industrial motor-vehicle construction, and that 350,000 are employed in their driving and maintenance.

Higher Insurance Rates.

At a meeting of the tramways committee of the Rotherham Corporation the tramways manager reported that the Alliance Assurance Co. had dee:ided to increase the rate of third-party insurance for Petrol buses from is. 0d. to 2s. 9d. per 100 miles.

• A Private Bus Conference in Yorkshire.

A conference was recently held by the local authorities in the Calder Valley, to the south of Halifax, to discuss the position with regard to the local bus services, and, although the proceedings. were private and the reports to the various councils have been given in committee, it is understood that the Halifax Corporation and the Hebble Services, of Halifax, are endeavouring to arrange a new time-table for the running of the buses through the valley, this arrangement to cover vehicles travelling to and beyond Hcbden Bridge. There has been keen competition on the various routes, with much overlapping, and it is hoped that this arrangement will considerably relieve the congestion. The matter of the protection of the Halifax Corporation tramway services in the district has been one of the subjects under discussion.

For Heavy Goods Transport.

One of the most recent Earner 7-ton vehicles to be delivered is shown in an accompanying illustration and it will be seen that the vehicle has been purchased by a well-known London company of engineers. It is an example of the maker's new K7 model, which incorporates in its design a 60-80 h.p. fourcylindered engine of the Ricardo type with detachable head and has a wheelbase • of 16 ft. The chassis frame is of particularly deep section amidships, where the greatest stresses occur, and tapers towards the front and rear, whilst it is braced on the underside by struts and Tension rods. A channel iron bolster is fitted at the front end, its purpose being to enable unwieldy lengths of material to be carried without diffi culty. The body is 16 ft. long and 7 ft. 6 ins. wide.

With this latest addition to its fleet, Moreland, Rayne and Co., Ltd., now operates 2-ton, 5-ton and 7-ton lorries of Karrier make.

A Glass Maker's Expansion.

The old-established and progressive concern of John M. Newton and Sons, Ltd., 20-23, Charles Street, London, E.C.1, which has specialized in the supply of glass for over 50 years, has opened a new branch under the title of Newton and Andrewartha, at Manor Street, Plymouth, where large stocks of glass will be available and bevelling, silvering and other glass work will be carried out.

South Wales Bus Results.

The us services worked jointly by the Mynyddislwyn and Bedwellty urban district councils, under the title of the West Monmouthshire Joint Omnibus Board, were operated, in the year ended March 31st, 1928, at a loss of £4,063.

During the past 18 months the working of these councils' services has resulted in a loss of £6,763, which is stated to be equivalent to a rate of 6d. in the pound in the areas of both authorities.

It most be remembered, however, B24 that the recovery from the recent industrial disturbances has been slow in South Wales colliery districts and, together with other abnormal and adverse conditions, this factor has undoubtedly been responsible for the loss incurred.

In spite of this reverse, the councils still have faith in the contention that their buses will succeed and, we understand, they are not likely to sell the services. In this matter they are to be commended for the long-sighted view which they are taking.

British v. American Makes in Victoria.

According to figures supplied by the Motor Registration Department of Victoria, 6,249 commercial vehicles were registered in that State last year. Without taking account of 218 units of unknown origin, 85 per cent of the chassis originated in North America and 13 per cent. in Great Britain. The actual figures were: North America, 5,166; United Kingdom, 800; France, 34; Italy, 21, and Belgium, 10.

The leading North American registrations by makes were : Chevrolet, 2,048; Ford, 1,712; Dodge, 389; International. 353: Reo, 134; Whippet, 85 ; Rugby, 65;

Buick, 52; Hudson, 43; G.M.C., 42; Ruggles, 24 and Brockway, 31.

The British total was made up as follows :—Morris, 406; Bean, 221; Leyland, 58; Vulcan, 27; Albion, 22; A.E.C., 20; Karrier, 17; Thornycroft, 16, and Dennis, 12.

The W.D.'s Purchase.

Clayton Wagons, Ltd., of Lincoln, has secured an order for one of its 6-ton overtype steam wagons with hydraulically operated three-way tipping body from the War Department, the vehicle being intended for service at Shorncliffe Camp, Kent. The popularity of Clayton wagons of this type can be gauged from the fact that over 100 different municipalities are using them, many having large fleets.

Coaching to Scarborough.

The Express Motors, Ltd., of Darlington, which last year ran a comparatively large number of daily coach tours to Scarborough, has this year established a daily service to that popular east-coast watering-place. The return mileage is about 150 and a fare of 8s. per passenger is charged. Leyland and Guy coaches are employed. The Northern Ireland Roads Improvemeut Bill, which aroused certain opposition on the part of bus owners, has now Passed the committee stage in the Senate. In the final stages an attempt was made to make what has become known as " the anti-bus clause" oven more severe, but without success.

Under the terms of the Bill, power is given to local authorities to prohibit or restrict the driving of heavy commercial vehicles on third-class roads and in the committee stages in the Senate Colonel the Right Hon. It. G. Sharman Crawford (Government) moved an amendment extending this power to second-class roads, even when the vehicles had pneumatic tyres. County councils, he said, should have power to close a second-class road which the surveyor certified was not fit to carry buses.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Sir Dawson Bates, said the second-class roads were main roads and it was the duty of the county councils to keep them in good condition. Bus proprietors were already antagonistic to the power given to local authorities to close thirdclass roads and the Government had to take a more or less balanced view. He suggested that the amendment should be withdrawn until the measure was given a trial.

A Decorated Vehicles' Procession.

In connection with the Greater Brighton celebrations which take place on Thursday next, May 31st, there will be a procession of decorated motor vehicles. These are to be divided intc two classes, one being for vehicles of s capacity of 2 tons and over and th( other for vehicles below that Capacity Prizes are to be awarded in each class.

A Bus Body Specialist.

Some idea of the quality of the ben body products of H. Young (Motors) Ltd., of Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham can be obtained from a booklet whiel the company has just produced. Thi bodies are sold under the name of Stun diluxe and are available in a wide ratio of sizes and types. The booklet givu details of some of the bodies which tin company builds, these including smal and compact one-man-operated patterns large-capacity cloubIe-deckers and all weather touring models. Tilling and B.A.T. Merger.

We mentioned a few weeks ago that the name of the British Automobile Traction Co., Ltd., was about to be changed to Tilling and British Automobile Traction, Ltd. and we understand that the new title As now been adopted. The share and loan capital of the reconstituted company now exceeds £2,000,000.

The Junkers Diesel Engine in France.

At the recent annual meeting of the Societe des Automobiles Peugeot in Paris, it was announced that the branch works of the company at Fives-Lille, together with the licence to construct the Junkers light Diesel engines in France, had been disposed of to a new company, to be known as the Compagnie Lilois des Moteurs.

New Buses for South Wales.

The South Wales Transport Co.. Ltd., is to acquire 11 new saloon buses to replace older vehicles and five new buses (four Saureis) for new services. The Swansea Watch Committee has granted the necessary licences for the vehicles.

Lower Parking Charges.