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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

2nd December 1932
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by ail difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it rans."—John Beattie Crozier.

Scilly Road-transport Service to Run its Own Boat ?

In order to meet the needs of the Isles of Scilly growers, another steamer service was foreshadowed at a meeting, at St. Mary's last Saturday, of growers, who were assembled to consider the problem of the continuance of the roadtransport service.

Mr. R. W. Sewill, who presided, called attention to a circular letter, signed by Major A. A. Dorrien Smith, in,which (the speaker said) the railway company repeated the statement presented to Cornish farmers that, unless everything went by rail, the special rate offered could not be continued. Mr. Sewill then explained why the road motors could not make the trip from Penzance to Lbndon unless the steamer " Scillonian " made a 6 a.m. sailing, and why smaller and faster lorries were left out of the calculation.

Since thesteamship company had turned down the suggestion of an early sailing, the only choice left was for the road-transport service to run its own boat. He emphasized that it was not intended to compete with the s.s. " Selllonian." This arrangement would give the growers a daily, instead of a thriceweekly, market.

Thornycroft's Trading.

The accounts of John I. Thornycroft and Co.. Ltd., for the year ended July 31, 1932, show a net loss of £177,600, as compared with a net profit of £4,850 for the previous year. This result is arrived at after crediting dividends received from subsidiaries, but losses of subsidiaries—so far as they concern the parent company—have been provided for out of reserves previously made.

The year's loss is covered by transferring £130,000 from the reserve account and by reducing the carry forward from £52,108 to £4,570.

Big Manufacturer to Establish Factory In Belfast?

Rumours have been current for some time in Belfast that there is every prospect of one of the largest British motor manufacturers establishing a branch there for the export trade. How far these rumours have a basis in fact, writes our Belfast correspondent, it is difficult to ascertain, for each, when traced to its source, proves to be founded on speculation, or on what might be considered an intelligent anticipation of the probable trend of events.

The foundation of the suggestion is in the machinery, valued at, perhaps, several million pounds sterling, now lying in the yards of Harland and Wolff, Ltd. Much, if not all, of this plant could be adapted for use in producing parts of motor vehicles, and any concern desiring to take up big-scale manufacture has here plant and space at its disposal. Thousands of skilled fitters, and semi-skilled and unskilled labour, are available.

1320 The Ulster Government has announced its intention of assisting the establishment of new industries.

Whilst no company is specifically mentioned, a survey of the field in which the enterprising manufacturer might be found reveals a surprisingly small choice.

Another International Oil Conference.

Yet another international oil conference met in Paris last Tuesday. Like that of July last, it was to be a dialogue between the Anglo-Dutch and American trusts, on the one hand, and Rumanian interests on the other, and the object was to bring Rumania into the ring. Once again the Russians were not to be present.

In July a tentative agreement, subject to confirmation by the Rumanians, was reached in Paris. Since then 70 per cent. of Rumanian producers have adhered to this, and Tuesday's conference hoped to persuade the minority to follow, suit.

The Transport of Heavy Transformers.

In connection with a news item entitled "A Remarkable Transport Feat," which appeared on page 459 of our issue of November 18, describing the transport of an exceptionally heavy transformer from the Hackbridge Electric Construction Co., Ltd., Walton, we learn that with the sole exception of the transformer mentioned in our previous reference, E. W. Rudd, Ltd., has conveyed from the worksat Walton to its destination every Hackbridge transformer manufactured weighing over 50 tons. E. W. Rudd, Ltd., continues to be the heavy transport contractor of the Walton company, having already been engaged upon the heavy work for this firm for the past eight years.

From records we inspected we observed details of the transport of ten transformers weighing from 60 tons upwards, and in no case did the work take longer than one night in the London area, whilst the unloading and placing in position was invariably completed next day. We also noted two interesting shipments; one of 28 transformers, all exceeding 30-tons weight, to a large Midland city ; the other in respect of 25 for Canada, all exceeding 30-tons weight each.

The New Regulations on Guard Rails.

We have already referred to the revocation of certain regulations requiring that goods vehicles should be fitted with guard rails. The official title of the new regulations is "The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No. 2) Provisional Regulations, 1932," which revokes regulations numbers 36, 43 and 65 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1931.

This is the result of the representation made by the Commercial Motor Users Association to the effect that the fitting of guard rails on new types of goods vehicle presented considerable difficulty and that such a requirement was not justified on grounds of public safety.

The Minister has informed the organization that, in his opinion, the fitting of guard rails or running boards on all types of goods vehicle is, in general, desirable, and that if the investigation into road accidents which will be carried out during 1933 should show the need for suclr fittings he will be obliged to make and enforce a regulation, possibly at short r.otice.

The amending regulations do not affect that which requires public-service vehicles to be fitted with guard rails.

Waterloo Bridge: L.C.C. Deputation.

The Lord President of the Council, the Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin, accompanied by the Minister of Transport. Mr. P. J. Pybus, C.B.E., recently received at the House of Commons a deputation from the L.C.C. on the subject of Waterloo Bridge. The deputation included the chairman, vice-chairman and deputy chairman of the council.

The deputation urged the importance of an early decision with regard to the bridge, in order to put an end to the inconvenience to traffic and the difficulty of navigation arising from the existence of the present temporary bridge and the obstruction to the arches of the old bridge. The Lord President intimated that the matter would receive the Government's early consideration.

Liverpool Transport Agreement in Sight.

Another stage has been reached in the protracted negotiations between the Liverpool and district transport employers and the local motormen's union, as to the basis upon which a new agreement governing conditions of labour and rates of pay should be drafted. Differences between the two parties have been considerably narrowed dawn, hut the transport employers felt they were entitled to consideration on three special points, one of which dealt with the rates of pay for the drivers of light vehicles.

The men declined to entertain the employers' proposals, which have now been further considered and modified. They will be re-submitted to a mass meeting of the men on December 4.

Lectures on Power Farming.

A new departure in agricultural education is a special . course of lectures on the use of machinery and laboursaving equipment, which the Harper Adams Agricultural College is arranging to hold from January 2-7, 1933.

The programme has been .framed to bring together leading exponents of the various modern systems of farming, and will cover different aspects of mechanized work, Mr. D. N. McHardy, who contributed an informative article on power farming in our issue dated November 4 will deal with the tractor.

The lectures will be supported by practical demonstrations of most of the leading makes of tractor.

Accommodation will be provided in the college during the course. Full particulars can be obtained from the Principal, Harper Adams, Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire.

David Brown and Sons Trading Profit.

During the year ended September 30, 1932, David Brown and Sons (Huddersfield), Ltd., made a profit, after charging depreciation, of £24,379, as compared with one of 127,361. in the previous yeas. A sum of 1117,999 brought forward brings the total available to /142,378, out of which £56,146 is deducted for special depreciation, and amounts written off engineering premises, plant, etc., and /14,975 for the preference dividend. It is proposed to pay a dividend of 2i per cent, on the ordinary shares, leaving a balance of 165,983 to be carried forward.

Death of Well-known Personality.

A popular figure of the French automobile world passed away in the sudden death of M. Louis Meurisse, founder of the well-known Press photographic agency which bears his name.

Meurisse pictures have appeared in these pages for nearly a quarter of a century. M. Meurisse had a leaning towards the automobile side of the agency's work, and he attended almost every big Continental event. Ho was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

New Works for Bromilow and Edwards.

Next Monday, Bromilow and Edwards, Ltd., is transferring its London.offices and spare-parts depot to Its new works at 110-111. Princes Road,

Lambeth, S.B.11. This depot will now combine, under one roof, offices, spare parts and the fitting shop for tipping gears, which will be more conducive to prompt and better service to customers.

M.R.S. Obtains Costs Against Police.

ALMS., Ltd., Liverpool, was last week awarded 3 guineas costs against the Coventry city police, at Coventry, in a case in which the cpmpany was summoned for having failed to give four

clear days' notice to the chief constable that it proposed to use a lorry carrying an abnormal load.

The company pleaded "not guilty." Police evidence was given that the vehicle in question carried a load 30 ft. by Si ft., but the officer admitted that he had not measured the lorry, where

upon the defending counsel argued that the police had not produced sufficient evidence to prove their case.

After the magistrates had announced their intention to dismiss the case, counsel for the defence asked for costs against the police, submitting that the evidence against M.R.S., Ltd., was "frivolous." He said: "Unless the police realize that they have to pay far mistakes, as we have to pay for ours, the result will be that, on any frivolous evidence, we can be dragged before the magistrates."

Personal Pars.

We learn that Mr. H. A. Bridge has resigned his position as a director of Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services, Ltd., which, from headquarters at •Southendon-Sea, operates a number of coach and bus services.

A Chevalier of the Order since 1922, hi. Louis F. Bacqueyrisse, the general director of the technical services of the S.T.C.R.P., which operates the motorbuses and tramways in Paris, has been appointed an Officer of the French Legion of Honour as a mark of appreciation of his work in connection with the organization of the public transport services to and from last year's colonial exhibition.

Swansea watch committee has appointed Mr. Martin Chadwick, A.I.F.E., chief officer of Kettering Fire Brigade, to be inspector in charge of the Swansea Fire Brigade. He succeeds Mr. F. Winteringham, who is now chief of the Bristol. brigade.

Mr. Chadwick, who is 32 years of age, was sub-station officer in the Newcastle Fire Brigade before going to Kettering in 1931.

Major T. C. Aveling, 0,B.E., M.Inst.C.B., M.I.A.E., for a long time with John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., has, we learn, now joined the Gilford Motor Co., Ltd., tor which he will act as municipal representative, especially dealing with the company's now type of one-step trolley-bus and municipal passenger models.

Major T. C. Aveling has bad a varied experience in the motor industry. He rode with the Hon. C. .5. Rolls in the 1,000-miles trial, and with Captain John Holder in the Paris-Madrid race. During the war he enlisted as a sapper in the 63rd (R.N.) Divisional Engineers, and at the same time was offered a captaincy in the R.A.S.C., M.T. He commanded a field company in Gallipoli and on the Salonika and Western fronts.

Co-operative Scheme for Selling Accessories.

Malys, Ltd., 385-7, Euston Road, London, N.W.1, has launched a scheme for the sale of accessories in co-operation with a number of leading manufacturers. The products are described in an attractive brochure aptly entitled "Necessories," and can be obtained from any of Ilenlys' depots.

\ The scheme was discussed at a meeting last Friday, when Mr. Dark, advertising manager...of Henlys, Ltd., wee in the chair. Willys Overland Crossley Reorganization.

A scheme of reorganization of Willys Overland Crossley, Ltd., was adopted with only one dissentient at a special meeting of the shareholders of the company, held in Manchester a few days ago, when Sir William M. Letts, K.B.E., the chairman, presided.

A sum of 2s. 6d. per share is to be returned to the preferred ordinary shareholders out of accumulated reserves, and the debit standing in the profitand-loss account wiped off. At the same time, the authorized capital was increased to 12,000,000, so as to provide an unissued capital for future contingencies, although there is no immediate intention of making any fresh issue.

Sir William Letts referred to the company's production of Manchester lorries and indicated that they were engaged on plans for still further improving the models for the forthcoming year.

Chassis Lubrication Charts.

Castrol lubrication charts, which can be obtained free from C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., Wakefield House, Cheapside, London, E.C.2, are now available for the following 11 commercial chassis :—Bedford light van, WF 30-cwt., 2-ton and coach models, Ford 30 cwt., Jewett 7-17 h.p., Leyland Tiger and Titan models, Lodemor track, Morris R-type, and Studebaker-PierceArrow 2 and 21-tonners. The charts, mounted on stout vellum paper, serve as a quick and handy guide to lubrication, and are intended to be hung on the garage wall. They have, we understand, all been approved by the makers concerned.

Railway Traffic Decline Continues.

According to statistics recently published by the Minister of Transport, for the calendar month of August and the four weeks ended September 10, 1932, the total number of passenger journeys (excluding those by seasonticket holders) taken on all standardgauge railways in Great Britain in the month of August, 1932, was 104,992,388, a decrease of 3,674,428, as compared with August, 1931. The journeys taken by passengers at reduced fares increased by 511,897, but those at standard or ordinary fares decreased by 4,186,325.

B22 The receipts from passengers (excluding seasoh-ticket holders) showed a decrease of 1644,736, equivalent to 9.6 Per cent.

For the four weeks ended September 10, 1932, the coaching-train miles run showed a decrease of 5,807 compared with 1931. The total tonnage of freight conveyed (excluding free-hauled traffic) was 17,151,360, a decrease of 13.2 per cent, on the comparable period of the previous year. The freight-train receipts at 15,729,857 were lower by £1,134,338 and the freight-train miles run 889,441 less than in 193L

Japanese Make Fuel 011 from Coal.

A new method of producing heavy oil is announced by the South Manchuria Railway says a message from Tokyo. After five years of experiments, an inexpensive process of low-temperature carbonization, by which a ton of oil can be extracted from two tons of coal, has, it is said, been perfected. The product is good fuel oil, the railway announces, which can be cracked into petrol.

The chief source of the new fuel is expected to he the great Fushun opencut coal deposits in Manchuria, where the coal available is estimated at 950,000,000 tons.

Big New R.O.P. Depot.

Russian Oil Products, Ltd., is building a new distributing depot at Penarth Harbour (Ely side), Cardiff. Petrol and oil will be pumped direct from the ships to the storage tanks and then be dispatched to all parts of South Wales.

Rover's Trading Results.

The Rover Co., Ltd., incurred a trading loss of 1.95,983 in the year ended July 31 last, as against a trading profit of £43,401 a year earlier. The total loss is £225,413, compared with one of £77,529 for the previous year. In addition, there has to be added a special reserve of £112,506 for loss on the vacation of the Meteor Works, which results in the credit balance of £58,895 carried forward from last year being converted into a debit balance of £279,024.

The Farmer's Guide to Agricultural Research.

Seven years ago the Research Committee of the Royal Agricultural Society decided to publish an annual summary of the results of scientific and economic research in agriculture. The main object was to produce a digest. which would bring to the notice of the farmer work of value and of interest which hitherto had been available only in a great number of publications, very few of which he was likely to see. Previously these annual volumes had been issued under tl* title of "Agricultural Research," but to indicate their purpose more clearly, the latest issue is styled "The Farmer's Guide to Agricultural Research in 1931." It is published at is. 3d., post free, by John Murray, Albemarle Street, London, W., but will be sent free to all members of the Society on application to the offices.

Most of the points concern subjects other than those dealt with by this journal, but one sectioia is devoted to tractors.

Guernsey's Taxation Statistics.

The Budget figures for the island of Guernsey reveal that £21,000 was collected in automobile taxes in 1932, an increase of £1,000 over the previous year's figure. A further £9,100 was received from the road tax, £100 from public vehicles, and £60 in fees from the driving test.

On imported oils a duty of £18,700 was paid (an increase of £7,000). The rise is due to the centralization of the Channel Islands' petrol storage in Guernsey and to the institution of a petrol tax of 4d. per gallon. In its recommendations for 1933, the finance committee proposes a reduction of this tax by id. per gallon.

Official Orders in October.

During October last the War Department ordered from W. Harold Perry, Ltd., London, N., bodies for a number of light six-wheelers, and from Karrier Motors, Ltd., Huddersfield, 4-ton vehicles. Some Points on Commercialvehicle Insurance.

The General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, Ltd., Perth, points out that its progressive no-claim bonus was adopted some years ago. It rises as high as 25 per cent. far the fourth and subsequent renewals. The basis of rating for goods-carrying vehicles is the maximum carrying capacity as published by the makers. The premiums for ancillary users carrying their own goods are reduced for what are known as districts A and 13, whilst special premiums are quoted for Ford, Morris-Commercial and Bedford vehicles ; Chevrolets are accepted at the premiums quoted for the lastnamed.

In the case of vehicles used for general haulage, it has been found necessary to increase the premiums, but it is not the intention of the company to raise those charged under existing policies, except where the claims experience has been. unfavourable.

The additional premium to cover an insured's legal liability to non-farepaying passengers is reduced from 25 per cent. to 20 per cent. of the thirdparty premium. Fleets comprising ten goods vehicles or five coaches may be submitted for special rating.

Avon Tyre Financial Position.

The report'of the Avon India Rubber Co., Ltd., for the year ended October 1, 3932, shows a trading profit (after providing for a special payment of over £23,500, which will be substantially reduced in the current and succeeding years) of £90,014, from which has to be deducted £25,981 for depreciation, £12,020 for interest on advances, directors' fees, etc., the net profit being £46,593, equivalent to over 23 per cent. on the paid-up ordinary capital.

The total sum available, after adding the carry-forward (£19,220), is £65,813, and from this total £1,746 has to be deducted in respect of the preference dividend to June 30 last. Of the remainder, a dividend of 6 per cent, for the year on the ordinary shares absorbs £11,814, whilst £40,000 is added to the reserve fund, leaving £12,253 to be carried forward.

In the past four years over £220,000 has been spent in enlarging and modernizing the company's works. According to the report, the output and sales have much outgrown the company's present capital, but it is hoped to take early steps to enlarge materially its financial resources.

Oil-engine Position in India.

It is reported from Calcutta that extensive experiments are being made in the use of oil engines in lorries, and that a local concern may change its fleet of 5-tonners from petrol to oil units.

Liverpool Association to Wind Up.

The Liverpool and District Motor Haulage Contractors Association, which came into being about 12 years ago, is in process of winding up, a meeting for that purpose being held at Liverpool on Tuesday last.

New Service Station for Plymouth.

W. Mumford, Ltd., is to erect on what is known as the Abbey site, at Plymouth, a service station of modern design. As the whole of the present buildings, including the Abbey garage, will be demolished, this necessitates the removal as from December 5, of the service and repair department to the concern's Salisbury Road garage.

We know of a sales representative of good experience in the industry who is travelling in Surrey, Sussex and Kent districts culling on the motor trade, including coachbuilders and transport concerns, who would be prepared to deal with additional non-competitive lines. Letters addressed "Sales," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.

Mr. Marston Addresses Area Meeting of the R.H.A.

At a meeting of the West Midland Regional Area of the Road Haulage Association, held in Birmingham a few days ago, Mr. E. C. Marston, chairman of the National Council, spoke upon a number of matters that were occupying attention of the Council. He outlined the negotiations which had taken place between the Council and the Committee of Clearing Houses, as a result of which it was hoped that a definite understanding would be reached for the conduct of business between members of the Association and approved clearing houses.

Mr. Marston referred to the meeting which takes place at the House of Commons on December 7, when the case of the haulier will be laid before the Transport Committee of the House, and members were u.rged to request their local Members of Parliament to attend the meeting.

He dealt with various ways in which road transport has been of assistance to the agricultural industry in improving and speeding-up the distribution of produce.

In referring to the Salter Report, Mr. Marston emphasized the necessity of continuing, with the utmost vigonr, the fight against its proposals.

In conclusion, he mentioned the remarkable development of the -Association during the past year, and pointed out that it now covered all the principal parts of the country and that arrangements were being proceeded with to link up the more scattered areas. The West Midland Area Committee is working out a scheme for holding meetings in the outlying districts.

Arrangements are well in hand for the annual dinner of the West Midland Area, which is expected to take place in January.

The next meeting of the Area Committee will take place on December 12, at the Queen's Head Hotel, Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.


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