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 Crozier.
Northern Commissioners' Protection Basis.
The Northern Commissioners have announced a revised decision on the policy of protection to public service vehicles operated by local authorities in substitution for trams'. They have decided to afford the same measure of protection as afforded to trains, provided the fares are no higher and provided arrangements are submitted for approval for the carrying of passengers at special rates, at certain times of the day. If satisfied that such a service be adequate, the Commissioners will not superimpose another service on the same route, but if a through service is operating over the local authority's route, they may afford protection by attaching to the licence for the through service a condition that the minimum fare shall be in excess of the maximum fare on the municipal vehicles. Variations of the principle may be neces
sary in particular cases. The Commissioners are holding to their fare basis of 1d. per mile in urban areas and id. in rural areas, with a reduction of 25 per cent: for return journeys.
Pyrene Parkerizing and BonderIzing.
The Pyrene td., Great West
Road, Brentford, Co.,Aiddlesex, is the sole proprietor of the patents for Great Britain and Ireland for the Parker rustproofing and bonderizing processes, and markets rustproofing powder under the trade designation of Parco.
Parkerizing is a process whereby the surfaces of iron or steel are converted by chemical means•into phosphates, and Its value as a rust preventive lies in the fact that these are insoluble in water and permanent in air.
There is nothing complicated in the operation. Articles to be treated must be freed from grease and all scale removed. Many, such as those manufactured from cold-rolled steel or machines] stock, can be treated after merely removing the grease, and are then ready to enter the Parkerizing, solution, the process being carded on in a heated bath.
A vigorous evolution of hydrogen immediately takes places, but abates after 15 mins., and the reaction is normally completed in one hour. The action is that minute particles of iron are dissolved from the surface of the article and immediately replaced by phosphates contained in the solution, until the whole surface is converted. Changes in the shape and dimensions are minimized, and manufacturing limits may be maintained with a negligible variation. Even fine springs do not have their elasticity impaired. The process makes possible the substitution, in many instances, of iron or steel for brass, copper and high-priced metals.
The right to use the Parkerizing process is a simple form of licence costing £2 annually, and a complete installation can be demonstrated at the Pyrene works.
Bonderizing is the name given to a chemical method of priming the surface of steel, which produces, by conversion, a non-metallic coating which remains an integral part of the metal, but is sufficiently absorbent to ensure permanent cohesion of paint, enamel, etc. The process takes about 10 nuns., and no time for drying is required.
• Brighton Helps Coach Operators.
The chief constable of Brighton states that he has had to deal, by way of a caution, with several coach drivers who have set down passengers at points other than a garage. Following representations by Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., for permission to stop at certain places, the watch committee of Brighton Corporation has decided to extend authority to all operators running express services into the borough.
The chief constable> has pointed out that it should be understood that the stopping of coaches at the points named is merely a trial, that vehicles should not stop except to pick up and set down passengers, and that persons who are picked up must previously have booked their seats.
Lifts for High-level Bridge.
Glasgow Corporation has received from Sir Basil Mott and Sir Henry Maybury a report with regard to the proposed bridge over the Clyde, at Finnieston. It is stated, with reference to the high-level-bridge proposal, that both the original and modified approaches suffer from the defect that all traffic would have considerable distances to traverse to and from the quays to the foot of the approaches.
This could be overcome by the provision of lifts (12 are suggested) operating from the quay level to the bridge level. They would be capable of taking lorries weighing up to 10 tons' and the time for a round trip would be about three minutes.
It is estimated that their annual running charges, on the basis of 240 round trips per lift per day of 12 hours, would amount to about £7,700 per annum. Sir Basil Mott and Sir Henry Maybury believe that if these lifts were installed the ferry and the tunnel services could be given up, thereby effecting a saving of £16,000 per annum, as the cost of keeping the ferry and tunnel in use amounts to £23,700 per annum.
Show Exhibitors : Several Changes.
The stand numbers of the following exhibitors in the commercial-vehicle and bodywork section of the forthcoming Commercial Motor Show have been altered, the new numbers being given in parentheses :—Arlington Motor Co. (21) ; Lawson Pigott Motors (72) ; W. P. Butterfield, Ltd. (119) ; Midland Light Bodies, Ltd. (79) ; W. Mumford, Ltd. (19) ; Normand Garage, Ltd. (49).
The following names have been added since the publication of the preliminary list, stand numbers being given in parentheses :—Baico Patents, Ltd. (147) ; James Cycle Co., Ltd. (158) ; J. H. Jennings and Son, Ltd. (110) ; D. and E. Petty (107) ; Raleigh Cycle Co., Ltd. (151) ; H. C. Slingsby (146) ; Truck and Tractor Appliance Co. (Manchester), Ltd. (145).
The names of the Elkington Carriage Co., Ltd., Hoyal Body Corporation (1928), Ltd., and Spicers Motors, Ltd., have been deleted from the list. The title of the holder of Stand 102 has been changed to Wilson Commercial Motor Body Builders (Kingston), Ltd.
Institute Members Visit Leyland Works.
Last Wednesday 70 members of the Manchester and Liverpool section of the Institute of Transport visited the works of Leyland Motors, Ltd., where they were--welcomed by Mr. H. Spurrier, the managing director. Leading members of the Leyland board and the management, including Mr. A. A. Liardet, were present. A tour was made of the works, and a close examination was made of the processes of manufacture.
Big Austin Dividends.
The directors of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., recommend the payment of a 20 per cent. dividend on the preferred ordinary shares of the company and of 100 per cent, on the ordinary shares for the year ended July 31st, 1931, each distribution being subject to income tax at 5s. in the pound. The payment of each dividend will absorb a gross amount of £150,000.
The company has had a record year, and it is stated that sales of vehicles in the home market exceeded those of the previous year by 26 per cent.
Avon's New London Manager.
Mr. Arthur Pemberton has succeeded Mr. A. Peake-Jones as London district manager for the Avon India Rubber Co., Ltd. Mr. Pemberton joined the company in February, 1911, and for the past five years has been manager of its interests in Manchester and district, prior to which he spent four years at the Newcastle branch of the company. Apart from his business activities, he has found time for valuable work in connection with the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund, whilst he was one of the manufacturers' group on the East Lancashire and Cheshire Division M.T.A. Committee, being also an officer of the Incorporated Salts Managers Association (Manchester branch).
Bridge Weights in North Wales.
The Ministry of Transport has replied to representations which have been made respecting the restrictions on the permissible weights of motorbuses using Menai Bridge, North Wales. It is pointed out that many of the buses which use the Menai Bridge are' even when fully laden, within the regulation limit of 41 ton*
'With regard to the rates of toll special concessions have been granted to the company at present operating on this route. The normal charge would be 3s. 6d. on each occasion of crossing, but under the sliding scale at present in operation the charge works out at rather less than Is.
IA.E. Presidential Address.
The opening meeting of the session of the Inetitntion of Automobile Engineers will take place on October 1st at 8 p.m., at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, London, W.C2, when Mr. W. A. Tookey, the president for the session 1931-1932, will be inducted into the chair and will then deliver his presidential address, entitled " The Internalcombustion Engine and Its Performances." Other speakers at the meeting will include Sir Herbert Austin, Mr. Laurence El. Pomeroy, Major C. G. .Nevatt and Mr. C. R. P. Englebach. Mr. Tookey will deliver his presidential address during October at a number of provincial centres of the Institution.
Refunding Money to Bus Companies.
Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., Thomas Tilling Ltd., and the Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd., have asked ',Brighton Corporation to refund to them the deposits paid on conductors' badges and hackney-carriage plates issued by the municipality prior to the establishment of the Traffic Commissioners. The sum left on account of the badges is to be repaid, but the corporation does not feel that it is under an obligation to refund the amount held in respect of the plates.
A New Dunlop Jack.
A new hydraulic jack, which is capable of lifting three tons, is being produced by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd. All the operating mechanism is within the jack itself and is easily worked. The closed height of the jack is 8 ins., and its total extended height 1 ft. 51 ins. Although its actual lift is 51 ins.' it meets the Ministry of Transport Order which compels vehicles to carry a jack capable of lifting a wheel fi ins, clear of the ground, for, if it be placed some distance from the wheel, say under a spring, a lift of at least 6 ins, can be obtained. The retail price of the jack is £2 14s.
Reighley's Municipal Bus Returns.
The tramways general manager and engineer of the municipal bus undertaking at Keighley has recently issued his annual report and it shows that in the year ended March 31st last the motorbuses were operated at a net proht of £2,297, and the trolley-buses at a net loss of £2,555.
The total revenue from the operation of the motorbuses was 144,620, whilst working expenses totalled £34,881.
So far as trolley-buses are concerned, the total revenue for the year was £17,754, whilst working expenses amounted to £15,947. At the end of March last the corporation was opetating a fleet of 43 buses, 29 of them being petrol-driven machines.
Canadian Exports Suffer.
During the six months ended June last Canada exported 3,536 vans, lorries, buses and chassis, valued at £280,268, as contrasted with 7,945 and £620,890 respectively in the corresponding half of 1930. An analysis of the returns shows that India is •at present the largest buyer of Canadian vehicles. Big Bus Station for Cardiff. .
Although Cardiff Corporation is seeking directions in which economies can be effected, it is statedthat the projected scheme for the construction of a large bus station in the centre of the town is not to be shelved. An agreement is being drawn up between the corporation and the Great Western Railway Co., by which the municipality undertakes to carry out the work if the railway company will improve the frontage of its central station.
Preliminary details of the proposed bus park have already been given by us. c21
Period Tickets Restricted.
In refusing to allow return tickets in respect of certain excursions and tours, the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner said last week that be only granted 5-uch permission in exceptional cases unless the operator was running regular services to the place in question. Otherwise, he stated, it involved running coaches down light, or even empty, to bring back persons who had been taken down and left at coast towns.
"Where an applicant does not run regular services and has not more than two coaches," Mr. Gleeson Robinson said, "I do not consider he is in a position to guarantee the fulfilment of -such obligation, and for the protection of the public, I cannot see my way to grant those licences."
History of Guildford's Fire Brigade.
Guildford Fire Brigade has recently taken delivery of a new Dennis 50 la.p. 300-400-gallon fire pump on pneumatic tyres and carrying a 30-ft. ladder, the machine being supplied by Dennis Bros., Ltd., of Guildford. This machine has been specially constructed for work in rural and urban areas. For the former, a high ground clearance is necessary for the successful negotiation of the roughest surfaces, whereas for town work a low centre of gravity is essential.
By employing novel methods in the new engine, the height of the body has been kept down to within 2 ins, of the level of the low-loading type, although a standard type of chassis, with a ground clearance of 10 ins., is employed.
Being responsible for the fire protection of numerous neighbouring parishes, as well as for safeguarding the borough itself, the Guildford Brigade is in a position to appreciate the particular advantages of this model.
When the machine was formally delivered on Wednesday of last week to the Mayor of the town a demonstration was given by inembe'rs of the brigade.
A short history of the brigade makes interesting reading. In 1905 the Guildford Town Council took over its management, together with the existing equip
ment, which consisted of a 16-man manual engine of 80 gallons per minute capacity, which was commissioned in 1863, a hosecart put into service in 1891, a steamer built in 1897, and a horsed
escape put into service in 1908. In 1913, a Dennis motor pump -with a 35-ft. ladder was purchased, and eight years later the brigade was fully motorized and a second pump was commissioned for use. In 1925 a pneumatic-tyred motor tender was bought, and earlier in the present year the machine which has now been delivered was ordered.
Bus Profits at Darlington.
During the year ended :March 31st last there was a profit of £6,988 on the working of Darlington t Corporation's trolley-bus system, as compared with a profit of £3,736 in the previous year. Working costs amounted to 8.7d. per mile as against 9.9d. a year earlier. More than 10,500,000 passengers were carded on the trolley-buses, the number carried per bus-mile being 10—a figure which shows a slight reduction by reason of the establishment of many new services. The increasing profit is a satisfactory sign.
Luton's Municipal Bus Plan.
Following the termination of negotiations between the ,Eastern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., and Luton Corporation, announced on page 128 of our issue dated September 15th, the electricity and tramways committee of Luton has introduced ,a scheme for operating a municipal service of motorbuses. In view of the country's economic condition, the 4,bolition of the tramways is not at present contem plated, the object being to make it unnecessary to borrow funds. It is proposed to purchase by tender four double-deck buses costing about /6,200, and five single-deckers costing about 05,875. The scheme is, of course, subject to road service licences being obtained. The trams on the Dunstableroad route will be supplemented, the bus service continuing to Leagrave, and two new routes arei• to be instituted. The new .services will be appreciated.
Friction Fabrics for all Makes.
A most comprehensive catalogue dealing with " Top-Dog " friction fabrics for motor-vehicle brakes and clutches has recently been issued by Hubert E. P. Trist and Co., Brislington, Bristol. The dimensions of material required for all makes and types of commercial vehicle and touring car on the British market are clearly set out in tabular form and the information given is particularly valuable, in that it covers not only existing models, but types which, in some cases, were built seven or eight years ago. In every case the price per liner is clearly given. The company's friction fabrics are widely used in the commercial-vehicle industry.
Profit of Mules Steering Co: During the year ended June 30th last the profit of the Merles Steering Co., Ltd., amounted to 13,802. A sum of £5,424 was brought into the accounts so that £9,226 is available. The payment of a dividend of 5 per cent, will absorb £1,860, and it is proposed to carry forward the balance of £7,366. With a view to meeting the demand for a cheaper type of steering gear, the directors have concluded an agreement with the patentee of a new gear which confers upon the company the sole manufacturing and selling rights in Great Britain, Durham Bus Merger.
The General County Omnibus Co., Ltd., Co. Durham, has taken over the A.I. Service buses which were under the managing directorship of Mr. G. Hetherington, of Coundon, Co. Durham.
Cooperation Urged by Commissioners
At the Chester meeting of the NorthWestern Traffic Commissioners, during the bearing of applications by Crossville Motor Services, Ltd., for stage carriage licences, Chester Corporation urged for protection in respect of routes covered by the old tramway services over which the municipal buses now operate. The Commissioners stated that they intended to protect the corporation, but the corporation and the Crossville Co. must co-operate. They would expect a scheme of co-ordination to be submitted to them as soon as possible.
Bus Working at Newport.
During the year ended March 31st last the receipts from the operation of motorbuses run by Newport Corporation amounted to £59,086, an increase of £18,860 over the previous year. Working expenses totalled £50,904, so that a gross profit of 18,182 was made. On a per-bus-mile basis receipts amounted to 12.249d. and working expenses to 10.552d. The buses covered an aggregate mileage of 1,157,736 and carried 7,654,939 passengers.
After meeting interest, sinking fund and other charges, there was a surplus on the year's working of 11,611. The bus department is debited with a contribution of 13,019 to the tramways account in respect of the supersession of the Malpas Road route, so that the deficiency for the, year was £1,408, which contrasts with a loss of £7,654 in the preceding year.
During the year 12 buses were added to the fleet, which now comprises 46 vehicles, 28 being LeyIands and the remainder of liarrier make. The vehicles are operated over a route-mileage of approximately 31. The gross expenditure in connection with the municipal bus undertaking at Newport amounted, at the end of March last, to £74,152.
Papers Before the Diesel Engine Users Association.
During the session 1931-1932 the following papers will be presented to the members of the Diesel Engine Users Association, 307, Abbey House, Westminster, London, S.W.1 :—October 7th (joint meeting with the Institute of Filet and other societies), "Coal : Smokeless Fuel and Oil. from the National Standpoint," by Dr. W. R. Ormandy, at the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.2, at 7 p.m. ; November 5th, "The Elimination of Vibration," by Mr. R. B. Grey; November 24th, "Diesel Engines for Overseas Work," by Mr. H. V. Stead ; December 10th, "Heavy Oil Engines for Water Pumping Plant," by Mr. C. W. Casse • March 1st, "Diesel Engines for RoadTransport," by Mr. C. B. Dicksee. The last-named will be a joint meeting with the I.A.E. and other societies. The venue of the last four meetings will be the Caxton Hall, Westminster, London, S.W.1.
Municipal Delegates Visit a Battery Works.
In connection with the recent conference of the managers' section of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association at Manchester, a party of delegates visited the works of the Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd., at Clifton Junction. The object was to enable the members to witness the various processes in the manufacture of storage batteries, and particular interest was shown in the making of the Exide-Ironclad batteries, which are now so widely used for bus lighting. The special machinery by which the active material in the positive plates is packed inside the slotted ebonite tubes proved a particular attraction.
Items of News.
Brake Linings, Ltd., which manufactures Duron facings, has opened an office at 502, Australia House, London, W.C.2.
Brooke, Bond and Co., Ltd., has placed a repeat order for 300 Trojan vans; the company is running a very big fleet of such machines.
We are advised that, as from October 1st,' the Marsham Tyre Co., Ltd., 48, Charlotte Street, London, W.1, will act as the sole concessionnaire in England for Fisk tyres.
On September 19th the works, office and travellers staff, of Barrett, Tagant and Gotts, Ltd., the concern making the Maxima lubricants, enjoyed a day's outing in the Isle of Wight, which was toured by motor coach.
The transport committee of Middlesbrough Corporation has decided to purchase five more motorbuses which are required in connection with the scheme for substituting trams by buses on the Stockton-Middlesbrough through route. This will bring the fleet for the route up to 15 machines.
A Disrilay of the New MorrisCommercials.
A representative company recently gathered at the Euston Road showrooms of Stewart and Ardern. Ltd., when in conjunction with Morris-Commercial Cars, Ltd., a display of the new 30-cwt. models was recently held, prior to the announcement to the general The new vehicles made a most favourable impression—a detailed description of the chassis was given in our issue 4lated September 22nd—and in order that commercial-vehicle users may have a first-hand opportunity for examining the new chassis, Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., has arranged a special display of lorries and vans to be held at 371-372,. Easton Road, and its regional depots.
In conversation with Mr. George H. Upjohn, deputy governing director of Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., we were told that its recent acquisition, the Cunard • Motor and Carriage Co., Ltd., Chase Road, Willesden, N.W.10, is now able to undertake all types of commercialvehicle bodywork.,
Sandbach Council Supports Bus . Service.
Sandbach Council recently decided to forward to the Traffic Commissioners a resolution asking for the reconsideration of an -application for a road service licence, and has asked whether the Commissioners will receive a representative of the -council.• The service in question, for which a licence was refused, is one operated by Messrs. Warbuiton.and Son (Sandbach Motorways), who are catering for Sandbach and the surrounding districts, and the decision has been made upon several strong representations of public opinion.