Answers to Queries.
Page 19
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Non-skid Chains for Solid Tires.
1 7t" REFINERS " write:—" Will you kindly inform its it there are any makers of non-skid chains for solid twin tI ros. for petrol lorries up to 3 tons, like those used of the ' Pa 'suns ' pattern for cars. The renson we want to know is because we are situated in a very-hilly district, and the. roads are bad in wintry weather? "
ANsWER.—We think you might get what you want from the Never Skid Band Co., of Henniker Mews, Callow Street. Chelsea, London, S.W., or you might find the steel-studded tire made hy the Polack Tyre and Rubber Co., tif 31-34. Basinghall Street, London, E.C. to be s:atisfavtore ho' pair use. Illustrations of a foreign device of the kind :Orme %% hid, you are inquiring were included on page 423 of our issue for the 26th Jannary; we, however, have doubts is to the legality of this device for use in this is to the legality of this device for use in this toun try.
About Hotel Motorbuses.
_1.7G2j " WEST COUNTRY '' II ri I .s:—" 1 am considering the advisability of substitutille it motorbus fiean existrug hurse-drawn hotel bus for work to and fro between railway stations and the hotel. I should he much obliged if you could give me the following information: I I What firms (English preferred) make a speriality of hotel motorbuses?
••J What horse-power wonld he required for it motorbus to hold say six to eight pnssengers?
i31 What would he the probable cost of sec+ a =chine? An outside estimate would do.
" 14) What would he the cost if running per mile, allow. ing for depreciation, petrol, oil, repairs and tire relee% a is?
AN:wER. We eonsider that yeti should have a 24 hp.. foure-ylinder engine, as the speed on hills would otherwise lier,.) low the erect might reach £650. or more if you have all elaborate body; the running cost per mile. pro\ id■ert .vou travel from 300-350 miles a week, inclusive ef maintenance, depreciation and all other charges. should telt exceed 8(I., and under eertain eireurnstances it. might ic low-er. We recommend you to get into tarnmitinicatiou with advertisers in this journal, such as: Commercial Cars, Ltd., 01 Cambridge Cirous, London, W.C. : the Lam, Motor Car Co., Ltd., of 78, York Bond, Kiug's Cross, N. and Clayton and Co_ Ltd.. of Huddersfield.
Endorsements and Public-service Licences.
"!.76:31."I'Axi writes: " 1 shoeld he much obliged if .0.1 can give me any information with regard to the following eireumstanees. 1 ant thinking of trying for employment as a taxi-driver, but, as I have two convictions zionittst me tinder the Motor Car Acts, I tun afraid 1 slewld not be able to get through Scotland Yard. The first conviction for which my licence was endorsed was effected in 1906. Jr recorded a line of £1 including costs for driving n motor negligently on a public highway. The secmul conviction was for exceeding the speed limit. 111.1 T was fitted 1.:5 and costs; this took place. in 1907 and vv.-lilted in another endorsement. Do you think these two black marks would prevent me from getting a lieenee now. ns, I have now been clear for over three years and hare 1,eil driving in private service ever since? Call yoll ;11,0 inform me if the Knowledge of London Institute in tki.■ Clerkenwell Road is to be reeonimended? already have a good knowledge of London, het T ant afraid
it u' IL not be enough La pass tie Yard twit.'
AN,wER.--it is probable that a licenc..1 would not be erahted to you, in view of the endorsements, on your ordivary driving-licence, especially as you have not previously held a public-service licence.
The proprietors of the " Knowledge of London Institute in Clerkenwell road, conduct their classes on straightforward and commonsense lines, and they are able to point to a considerable record of successful tuition.
The Ueneral Motor Cab Co. (both at Brixton and Farm Lane) and the British Motor Cab Co. now have Knowledge of London schools of their own, where you niny secure free tuition if you are an approved candidate, and if you agree to enter the :service of one or other of these compitnies. The International Correspondence College also has a most-comprehensive system for " teaching London " to would-be cabdriver's. You might con:snit the manager of the drivers' school of one of the Mee.e eompanies as to the likelihood of your securing a licence. Their names are: Mr. .1. C. Walker (Farm Lane): NIL Bladen (Brixton); Mr. Overend (British Motor Cahl.
Obstruction on Tram-rails.
L1,714:1 `' DEPOSITORY writes :—" The Illustrated
London News ' in a recent issue publishes a picture of a furniture van stopping the traffic of the tramcars, owing to die tramlines being much too near the kerbstone. As this is interesting to the carrying; trade, 1 shall be obliged it' you can tell me the At of Parliament which prohibits the hiving of tramlines within a certain distance of the kerbstone, what that distance is. and if it is necessary
to notify the tramway owners th tt will take adValitage of that Act. in the event of yonr having to colleet deliver at a honse near where the lines are so laid?
ANS\YERi—Any general provision in the Tramways Act of 1870 may be over-ridden by the special Act under whieh a pa ctieular tramway undertaking is construeted. Hence, it is necessary to refer to the Act or Acts which concern the service which you have in mind. It is quite %% long to conclude that no tramwny company or nuinicipality is authorized to lay tramlines close to the kenb. for sueli authority has frequently been granted by Parliament. As a matter of fact, tramcars have no exclusive right to pim e.. along the highway, and that is where the eeakness of the proprietors lies, in respect of unavoidable obstruction, such as must occur in the ordinary course of a removal to or from a point of the kind whicht you mention. Of course, wilful obstruction may not be caused by a pantechnieon or other vehicle, when moving along the highway slowly, but there are numerous easels, of which Brentford (Middlesex) is the most outstanding, where the whole tranwnv service has apparently been disorganized, and without remedy for the eompany owning the tramcars, by d removal. In our opinion, no tram. car company can successfully sue for obstruction caused in the manner you describe, but it must work the ears to and front each side of your van. You are under an obligation to exhibit ordinary alacrity in the dispatch of the work, and nothing more. The Tramways Act provides thnt " if any person withotit lawful excuse (proof %%hereof :shall lie on him) wilfully obstructs any carriage using a tramway, he shall be liable, etc."