WHEELS of INDUSTRY " The wheels of wealth will be
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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.
R.H.A. TO CALL NATIONAL RATES CONFERENCE.
The Road Haulage Association is shortly to call a national conference of representatives of all organizations in terested in the stabilization of haulage rates. Invitations will be sent to trade associations and to the road-transport rates tribunals which have been set up by hauliers in Yorkshire and elsewhere.
The purpose of the conference will be to secure national co-ordination of efforts in the stabilization of rates.
Reference to this conference was made by Mr. A. H. Butterwick, chairman of the Yorkshire Regional Area Committee of the RI-LA. and of the Yorkshire. Area Joint Conciliation Board, when discussing the question of rates stabilization at Scarborough, on Monday. Operators should, he declared, immediately get together to pool their ideas and
formulate schedules of rates. Their efforts would be linked up with the work of other R.H.A. rates-committees throughout the country.
Mr. Butterwick said that operators must, on the whole, be prepared to In-crease wages and tp grant better working conditions to their employees. For this reason fair rates were essential.
First Meeting of the Committee on Road Safety.
The first meeting of the Committee on Road Safety was held at the Ministry of Transport on October 25. In welcoming its members, the Minister mentioned that they were all ex-. tremely busy men, but by responding to his invitation they had shown that they would not begrudge the time and thought necessary to advise and assist in the responsible work of dealing with the problem of road accidents. There had been conferences and local committees, but never before had there been brought together a body of this kind to survey the road problem in all its aspects and to make constructive recommendations.
For the year 1933, a special analysis was prepared showing in groups the figures and causes of all fatal accidents and the conditions under which they occurred. The Minister proposes to have a similar analysis made for 1935.
The Minister desires that the roads of -the future should be the most modem which engineering skill and traffic experience could devise.
The Highway Code is in urgent need of revision, as since it was last issued in 1931, traffic conditions have undergone material changes. The Minister hopes to present a new code to Parliament before Christmas.
There is the question of the condition of vehicles allowed to use the is20 roads. The committee will perhaps review the regulations setting up standards of construction, and consider the advisability of establishing brake tests.
Scottish Wages Agreement.
A provisional agreement regarding wages and conditions of service has been drafted by the Scottish Co-operative Wages Board and the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association, the Transport and General Workers Union and National Union of Distributive and Allied Worlsers. Delegates representing the co-operative members of the S.H.M.A. will meet in Glasgow, on November 18, to consider the terms, R.H.A. Sub-area Meeting Next Week.
A public meeting of the Southern Metropolitan Sub-area of the Road Haulage Association will be held at the Amersham Hotel, New Cross, London, S.E.14, on November 5, at 8 p.m., when Mr. A. E. Drain, chairman of the area, will preside. Mr. H. Norman Letts, legal adviser to the R.H.A. Metropolitan Area, will speak on current legislation and how it affects the haulier so far as records, drivers' hours and other matters are concerned. ARRANGEMENTS FOR C.M.U.A. NATIONAL CONFERENCE.
As announced in our issue dated October 26, the national conference being organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association is to occupy two days. The conference will be held on December 5-6 next, at the Hotel Majestic, Harrogate. The programme of the conference is in course of preparation and details will be announced later. In the meantime, we understand that considerable support is assured from local authorities, and a number of Members of Parliament.
Schemes for Improving Weak Bridges.
It is officially stated that since April 1, 1933, 102 schemes for the reconstruction, strengthening or enlargement of weak bridges owned by railway or canal companies or in other private ownership have been approved for grant from the Road Fund. These grants are usually at the rate of 75 per cent. A list of some 2,000 weak bridges has been drawn up, showing the order of priority in which the bridges should receive attention. The Minister of Transport has urged highway authorities to submit schemes without delay, in order to avail themselves of the provision which has been made in the present financial year for grants.
Big Change in National Conciliation
Board ?
It is understood that a vital change in the constitution of the National Joint Conciliation Board is to be proposed. At a further meeting, at Nottingham, on Saturday last, of representatives of employers' parels, it was decided to ask the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Labour and the employers' panel of the National Board to receive a deputation. It is gathered that this deputation will suggest that the employers' panel of the National Boa.rd should consist of two representatives from each of the employers' panels on the Area Boards. The adoption of this proposal would mean a great increase in the size of the employers' panel on the National Board, and presumably there would be a corresponding increase in the size of the employees' panel.
At last Saturday's conference, it is understood, the National Road Traffic Areas Employers Co-ordinating Committee approved certain proposals with regard to wages and confirmed the approval given at the previous meeting to proposals concerning conditions;
Two joint secretaries have been appointed by the employers' committee —Mr. Clifford Gale, general secretary of the R.H.A.,. and Mr. Harry Clarke, divisional organizer of the C.M.U.A.
ROAD-ACCIDENT RETURNS.
The Ministry of Transport returns of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended October 20, 1934, show that in England 102 persons were killed and 3,926 injured, whilst 35 died as a result of previous accidents. In the same week the number killed in the City of London and the Metropolitan Police area was 33, whilst 1,182 persons were injured. The figures for Scotland were seven killed and 381 injured, whilst in Wales lour were killed and 137 injured.
Northern Scotland Hauliers to Unite?
An attempt is to be made to form a Northern Scotland branch of the Scottish Carriers and Haulage Contractors Association. 'A meeting of those interested was held, last Saturday, at Inverness, and was addressed by Mr. Aitchison, chairman of the Association, and Mr. I. R. Grove, J.P., vicechairman.
Big Increase in American Exports.
Judging from the official trade returns recently issued, there has so far this year been a marked revival in the overseas demand for American commercial vehicles. During the six months ended June last 49,872 vans, lorries and chassis, valued at £4,636,510. were shipped from the United States, as compared with 16,225 and £1,452,118 respectively in the first half of 1933. The hulk of the vehicles (38,638) had a carrying capacity not exceeding 30 cwt., 4,891 were for loads under 1 ton, 5,151 between 30 'cwt: and 21 tons, and 1,024 for loads over 21 tons. The balance of 168 units consisted of second-hand vehicles.
The Travelling Cafe Abroad.
A vehicle that is claimed to be unique in Malaya has recently been supplied by Malayan Motors, Ltd., Singapore, to the Nestles and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co., Ltd. Its basis is a MorrisCommercial 3-ton forward-control long
wheelbase chassis equipped with a sixcylindered engine, and the special body which it carries is entirely cut away on the near side to reveal a representation of a Malayan coffee shop. The van is to make a tour of the whole country, during which the public will be invited inside the vehicle to partake of coffee
made with the proprietary milk which, is being advertised.
Broadcast talks in Malay and Chinese ate also to be given, for which purpose the vehicle is equipped with extra batteries and a loud-speaker.
Two C.M.U.A, Branches Merge.
A development of the Commercial Motor Users Association in Derbyshire is the formation of a strong branch by the merging of the sections at New .Mills and Chapel-en-le-Frith. The success of this move was manifest at the open meeting of members held at Whalley Bridge, on Tuesday. The chairman of the High Peak Branch is Mr. Fred Smith, and the secretary Mr. D. Lomas.
I.P.S. Railway Takes Over Pickford Branch.
It is understood that Pickford's, Ltd., has disposed of its removal and storage business in Dublin to the Great Southern Railways Co., Ireland. From the beginning of this month the G.S.R. will act as the Free State agent of the Pickford concern in Dublin city. PERSONAL PARS.
H.R.HT The Prince of Wales has arranged to visit, on November 14, the International Machine Tool and Engineering Exhibition, which is being held at Olympia from November 8-24.
Mr. Harvey M. Thompson, who was formerly with Guy Motors, Ltd., WoIAserhampton, has been appointed assistant distribution manager of the Associated Biscuit Manufacturers, Ltd.
Mr. A. W. Reed has joined the sales organization of C.A.V.-Bosch, Ltd. He is well known in the road-transport world by reason of his long association with the English Electric Co., Ltd.
Mn D. W. Beard, for many years on the staff of Foclens, Ltd., and, latterly,representing E. R. Foden and Son in the Midlands and North of England, recently left by 'air for South Africa, where he has received an appointment with a leading concern of commercialvehicle distributors.
A presentation was recently made to Mr. J. Albert Thomson, J.P., chairman and managing director of Brown Brothers, Ltd., on the occasion of his relinquishing the office of president of the Motor Factors Association. The presentation took the form of a 14-in. silver waiter and coffee set, bearing the badge of the M.F.A. and the facsimile signatures of members of the council.
Mr. Thomson Was primarily responsible for the formation of the Association in March, 1930, was its first president, and at each subsequent annual general meeting was unanimously re-elected.
Official Orders in September.
Among the orders for motor vehicles given out by Government Departments during September last were the following: —By the G.P.O. authorities, for Morris-Commercial vans, Albion chas
sis and Harrington and Duple bodies. By the War Department, for a Marshall motor road roller, Morris-Commercial six-wheeled chassis and Chas. Roberts 3-ton lorry bodies. By the Crown Agents for the Colonies, for Leyland lorries, Commer chassis from Rootes, Ltd., and an Albion lorry.
SPEEDING-UP LICENCE APPLICATION PROCEDURE.
At a recent sitting of the South Eastern Licensing Authority. Sir Henry Piggott announced that, in order to expedite the procedure in licence applications, he intended to adopt a different system from that previously in operation. In order to save a considerable amount of time, he suggested that solicitors and others representing applicants should have ready a draft statement giving preliminary details of the applications.
In order that persons not represented should not be at any disadvantage, he proposed that the clerk should ascertain the facts before the application was heard. A number of applicants then retired with the clerk to prepare preliminary statements.
I.F.S. Traders and New Import Orders.
A meeting between representatives of the Irish Free State motor traders and officials of the Trade and Industries Department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was held, last week, at the invitation of the Minister, to discuss the situation with regard to the forthcoming quotas for the importation of motor vehicles and bodies.
It was decided to request the Government to fix the first quota period for not fewer than six months, so that manufacturers in America and eastern European countries should have sufficient time to dispatch supplies before the period had expired.
Explaining Traffic Control by Light Signals.
The Automobile Association has prepared a leaflet in four colours with diagrams of traffic-control signals and explanatory notes describing in a simple manner the sequence of the lights and their significance. Copies can be obtained free from any A.A. office, or from Fanum House, New Coventry Street, London, W.1.
The number of traffic-light cases defended by the A.A. on behalf of its members showed an increase of over 100 per cent. in September last, as compared with the corresponding period last year.
G.W.R. Obtains Rule Nisi Against Licensing Authority.
A rule nisi directed to the West Midland Licensing Authority was granted by Lord Hewart and Justices Avory and Branson. in a King's Bench Divisional Court, on Monday. The mover was the Great Western Railway Co., for which Mr. W. T. Monckton, K.C., explained that recently Hill and Long, Ltd., West Bromwich, applied to the Authority for a licence to use two heavy motor vehicles for the carriage of furniture, etc.
Notice of that application was exhibited, and, seeing that the area indicated was for " Wolverhampton, Birmingham and district," the railway company did not object.
The Authority, however, granted the D22 licence for "any district." Had the railway company known that the licence would have been granted in that form, it might have objected, and counsel suggested that the company had been deprived of the protection of the Road and Rail Traffic Act by the inadequacy of the notice.
The Court granted a rule which called on the Licensing Authority to show cause why the licence should not be quashed.
Scottish Conciliation Negotiations.
A meeting of the committee appointed by the Joint Conciliation Board for Scotland was held in Glasgow on October 25. Various proposals regarding wages and conditions of service were discussed, but no decisions were reached. At the close of the meeting no official statement was made, except that consideration of, the proposals would be continued shortly. SOUTH-EASTERN CONCILIATION BOARD SET UP.
Representatives of the Road Haulage Association, the Motor Transport Employers Federation, and the Transport and General Workers Union recently met in London, when it was decided to set up a Joint Conciliation Board for the South-Eastern Traffic Area, the Area Board to consist of 14 representatives of both employers and workers. Mr. D. R. Richardson was elected chairman,' and Mr. R. Howard vicechairman, Mr. H. R. VVhichello and Mr. F. G. Witcher being appointed joint secretaries.
Bid for Better Wages in the Norea AVest.
A meeting of the North Western Area Conciliation Board was .held at Manchester, on Monday, when the scheme for the regulation of wages and conditions of labour was carefully examined. It is understood that the trade-union side of the Board is insisting upon Manchester transport workers being brought into Grade 1. Liverpool is not directly concerned, because it has always had an agreement with the Carters' and Motormen's Union.
The trade-union representatives are evidently bent on securing a levellingup in labour conditions, particularly with reference to wages, a 48-hour guaranteed week, seven days' annual holiday with pay, and the grading of employees.
Economies of the Overhead Conveyor in Chassis Assembly.
During recent months, the MorrisCommercial plant at Adderley Park, Birmingham, has been undergoing reorganization, in order to improve still further the high standard of economy production. The vehicles themselves have, for a long time, been built on the conveyor-track system, but greater economies in floor space have been achieved by an aerial conveyor method, by which all the units employed in the assembly of chassis converge on to the moving track.
Apart from avoiding congestion of floor space, this system eliminates the handling of units, which might result in accidental damage. The latest aerial conveyor system has been specially arranged to deal with engine, clutch and gearbox units.
Auto-Trucks to Assist Show-exhibits Installation.
To facilitate the conveyance of exhibits to the stands they are to occupy at the International Machine Tool and Engineering Exhibition, which opens at Olympia, on November 8, the organizers have contracted for the use of six of the latest type of Lister Auto-Truck. Such vehicles were used for a similar purpose at the British Industries Fair. Three of the Auto-Trucks to be used at Olympia will be equipped with cranes to assist in the actual installation of the exhibits and, at the end of the exhibition, they will be used for dismantling the stands. IMPORTANT LEGAL POINT RAISED ON APPEAL.
At Manchester, recently, the Appeal Tribunal dismissed an appeal by Mr. Thomas Lucas .(Blackburn) and others against a decision of the NI:nth-Western Licensing Authority. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. objected.
The appeal was not against the decision given on the general application, but against a ruling made during the hearing to reject certain objections to the application of the railway companies for licences for a number of vehicles in the Blackburn-area. The Licensing Authority acc,epted objections signed by the operators, but re. jected objections signed by the secretary of the local branch of the Commercial Motor Users Association on behalf of the objectors. The point on which a ruling was desired was whether objections signed by the • Association official were valid.
Mr. Rowand Harker, K.C., chairman, in dismissing the appeal, said that as the appellants were not aggrieved by the decision of the Licensing Authority the Tribunal had no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. The point raised was, however, of considerable importance and if it was raised on an appeal which they had power to hear, they would, of course, decide it.
On the appeal of Mr. Thomas Power (Manchester), Mr. Harker said that the Lensing .Authority was in no way justified in finding that the appellant had been guilty of rate-cutting. The appeal was, however, dismissed, because the appellant had not made out a prima facie case that his work could not be done by other existing operators.
A New Range of Bus Lamps.
A new pamphlet dealing with Osrarn lamps for passenger vehicles of different types has lately been issued by the General Electric Co., Ltd., Magnet House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2. It features a number of specialized applications of Osram lighting to various forms of passenger transport.
Incidentally it can be mentioned that the company has recently produced a range of bus lamps which has been developed specially for use on 24-volt lighting sets installed on oilengined vehicles. These are suitable for headlights, side lights and interior illumination, and are available in several standard wattages in ' clear, pearl and opal types.
Assisting Coaching Publicity.
We reproduce on this page a picture of a van which has been in operation for the past two or three weeks by London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., for the purpose of delivering handbills, posters and other advertising material to its agents in the Lonlion area.
This vehicle has been supplied to the company under contract with Pickfords, Ltd. It consists of a Bedford chassis to which a van body, specially equipped for accommodating a good supply of literature, has been fitted. The interior is designed so that 70 classes of advertising leaflet and poster can be kept neatly in separate corn partments, thus enabling agents' requirements to be quickly met when the vehicle halts at their premises. The van has a smart appearance.
12,000 Spent in Conforming with the Law.
At Leigh county police court, a representative of Jarvis Robinson Transport Co., Ltd., Liverpool, -which was summoned for permitting a vehicle to carry a weight in excess of that legally allowed, stated that the concern had spent about £2,000 in adapting it vehicles to make them conform with the regulations.
No Tax on Gas-producer Vehicles.
Under a new regulation issued by the Italian Government, all new Italian gas-producer vehicles will be exempted from the payment of the annual motor tax for five years, and be eligible for a Government subsidy varying between 4,000 lire and 9,000 lire (k70-£155) per vehicle. Owners of more than 10 vehicles must possess one or more gasproducer machines for each 10 units. The annual tax on all existing vehicles equipped with gas producers will also be reduced. REGULATIONS RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.
The London Traffic (Pedestrian Crossing Places) (No. 2) Provisional Regulations, 1934, have been issued and came into force on Tuesday last.
The effect is that at crossings controlled by police or signals, the pedestrian has right of way only when the traffic is definitely held up; where the traffic is not controlled by police or signals the pedestrian has right of way at all times and the traffic must give way, but pedestrians must not linger on any crossing. Vehicles must not stand on a crossing and they should not overtake other vehicles, whether moving or stationary, if the latter obstruct their view of the crossing.
Yorkshire Safety Movement Progresses.
As the outcome of a resolution proposed by Mr. Harry Clarke, organizer to the North-Eastern Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association, at a recent meeting of the Leeds Safety First Council, a conference of Yorkshire safety first organizations was held in Leeds last week, when it was decided to form a Federation of West Riding Safety First Councils.
New Works for Massa Plugs.
By reason of the expansion of the company's business, the Massa Sparking Plug Co., Ltd., has found it necessary to move to more commodious premises than those occupied at Teddington, and, accordingly, the company has purchased a large, modern factory at Wimbledon, to which its present plant will shortly be removed.
A Paper on Variable Transmission.
Mr. J. Bedford, M.I.A., of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., who, last month., read a paper on "The Problem of Variable Transmission" before the Scottish centre of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, is to read his paper before several provincial centres of the Institution, as follow :—Coventry, November 13; Luton, November 22; Leeds, November 28.
"Fined" 'for Bridge Crossing.
Commercial travellers, at a meeting at Colwyn Bay, passed a resolution calling for the free use of the Menai Bridge, a nationally owned highway. One speaker said that vehicle owners were highly taxed, and it was intolerable that they should be "fined" every time -they crossed the bridge.
• R.H.A. Yorkshire Secretary "Moves."
Mr. M. C. Vickers, Yorkshire Area secretary to the Road Haulage Association, will, on November 5, take up residence in Leeds. Communications for him should be sent to the Yorkshire office of the R.H.A., 12, East Parade, Leeds.
Strongly Contested Appeal Withdrawn.
The appeal of Advance Roadways, Ltd., scheduled for hearing by thd'Appeal Tribunal, next Tuesday, has been withdrawn. There were 15 objectors. SECOND APPLICATION SUCCEEDS: APPEAL PENDING.
There has been an unusual sequel to the Yorkshire Licensing Authority's refusal to grant a 13 licence for a horse box to Mr. P. Kelly. Mahon. He Yodged an appeal against this refusal, but before it was heard, he applied for an A licence. This application has now been granted.
It appears that one reason why Mr. Kelly applied for a B licence was that, on two occasions, he had himself sold horses and carried them in the vehicle.
Mersey Tunnel Toll Revisions.
At Monday's meeting of the Mersey Tunnel Joint Committee, it was decided to revise the scale of charges for commercial vehicles in order to bring these into line with those operating on the ferries. The revised charges are as follow :—Up to 20 cwt. (instead of 12 cwt.), is.; exceeding 20 cwt. and not exceeding 30 cwt., Is. 6d.; exceeding 30 cwt. and not exceeding 2 tons, 2s.; exceeding 2 tons and not exceeding 4 tons, 2s. 6d. A 50-per-cent. reduction was made in taxicab tolls, which will now be allowed to carry six passengers at a charge of Is. 6d.
Yorkshire Conciliation Progress.
The sub-committee of the Yorkshire Area Joint Conciliation Board met at Leeds, on Monday. It is understood that the employers' representatives suggested certain rates of wages, and that the employees' representatives made proposals with regard, to working conditions. The proceedings were adknurled until' to-morrow (Saturday), when the employers' and employees' ' representatives will meet separately before resuming the joint discussions. A report will afterwards be submitted to . the full Yorkshire Area Board, which will meet on November 7.
A Fine Range of Equipment. We have recently received a copy of a new catalogue issued by E. P. Barrus, Ltd., 35-37, Upper Thames Street, Lon don, E.C.4. It is an exceptionally comprehensive work and contains illustrations and detailed particulars of a wide range of products. Amongst those of outstanding interest are Stanley electric hand tools and grinders, Van Norman cylinder-reboring equipment, valve refacers and reseaters, Ammco engine-overhauling apparatus, Are lubricating appliances, Champion air compressors and air meters and Bean battery-charging and general-service equipment.
26th Branch of Yorkshire Association.
A Scarborough branch of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association was formed at a meeting, in Scarborough, on Monday. This is the 26th branch of the Association. In the first instance it has been formed by operators of. goods vehicles, but it is anticipated that a section for passenger-vehicle owners will be formed shortly.
Monday's meeting, which was well B24
attended, was presided over by Mr. Fountain (York), whilst addresses were given by Mr. 3. Keeling (Leeds), and Mr. F. G. Bibbings, general secretary (Leeds). Daring a discussion on the report of the National Joint Conciliation Board, some speakers-emphatically stated that the agricultural districts of East Yorkshire should be on a lower scale than the industrial districts of the West Riding.
More Thornycroft Tankers for AngloAmerican Oil Co.
Further to a paragraph ,appearing in our issue for last week. we now learn that the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., has placed an order with John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., for a further batch of tanker chassis, bringing up the order to 24 vehicles, all of which will be fitted with composite bodies.
Forth Road Bridge: Municipal Enterprise Needed.
Mr. J. Henderson Stewart, M.P., has received a letter from the Minister of Transport on the subject of the Forth Road Bridge. "I share your view," states the Minister, " that there would be much greater likelihood of progress if the local authorities would themselves take a more enterprising and active part in the study of the various proposals that have been mooted." PROHIBITION ORDERS IN THE EASTERN TRAFFIC AREA.
Mr. G. F. Robinson, a haulage contractor of Beetles, recently appeared before Sir Haviland Hiley, the Licensing Authority for the Eastern Area. to answer complaints regarding the alleged inefficiency of some of his vehicles. .
Mr. C. S. Goad stated that Mr. Robinson held a licence in respect of . some 30 vehicles, which he operated from Beccles, and that on the files were prohibition notices which showed that within a period of three months 10 vehicles were at one time or another under prohibition.
It Was alleged that, in some cases, the vehicles had been used after the expiration of the period erf grace.
Mr. W. O. Carter, who appeared for Mr. Robinson, asked for an adjournment for consultation with his client.
Sir Haviland Hiley, in granting the application. for an adjournment, said " that in any case of deliberate irregularities in operation the powers given him under the Act would be enforced.
Henley's Interim Dividend.
The directors of W. T. Henley's Telegraph Works Co., Ltd., have declared an interim dividend of is. 6d. per share (less income tax) on the ordinary shares of the company.
A NEW LONDON BRIDGE?
The Minister of Transport has been in communication with the .-London County Council as to the possible construction of a road bridge across the Thames at Charing Cross. The Minister points out that since the Charing Cross bridge scheme was proposed a few years ago, several new factors have arisen, including the decision to rebuild Waterloo Bridge and develop the south side of the river.
The Minister suggests that the L.C.C. should agree to refer the Charing Cross bridge proposal to the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Cornmittee, and this suggestion is to be followed.
£16,000 Garage for Morecambe.
The transport committee of Morecambe Corporation has approved a scheme for the erection of a departmental garage in Heysham Road, at an estimated cost of £16,230. 1106,900 ORDER FOR BUSES.
In addition -to 18 Leyland chassis, referred to last week, Johannesburg City Council . is buying 17 A.E.C. chassis, all having oil engines, and to be equipped with M.-C.-W. bodies. The last-named will be exported in sections and assembled in the council's workshops, and it is stated that the special M.-C.-W. type of body is 11 ton lighter than that at present in use. The total value of the orders is about £106,800.