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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"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 rans,",tiohn Beattie Crozier.

Petrol and Benzole Prices.

On Tuesday of last week the oil companies announced a reduction of twopence per gallon on the wholesale prices of motor spirit, the altered price coming into operation that day. The current retail prices per gallon, delivered in cans, are now as set out below.: We are only able to give the figures relating to ShellMax and National Benzoic Co. productions, as, for some, obscure reason, the other oil compatries do not commemicate their price revisions to us.

Shell aviation spirit ... Is. 100.

Shell spirit... ... 1.o. 61d.

Mex spirit... ... ls.

National Benzole... is. 11d.

National Benzoic mixture is. 61d.

In respect of Shell-Mex prices, a penny a gallon has to be added for delivery in Scotland and twopence a gallon for delivery in Ireland.

Direction Signs for Traffic Regulations.

At a recent meeting of the chief constables of the south-west district comprising the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wilts., Dorset and Gloucester and the cities and boroughs therein, a resolution was passed concerning directhan signs as an aid to traffic regulation. It was agreed that in the average town there is far too few direction signs to meet the requirements of present-day traffic, and that such signs placed prominently at all road junctions and important outlets would help very materi• ally to reduce needless halts on the part of vehicles and, consequently, congestion at busy points. Constables on point duty are often asked for directions by drivers of motor vehicles, and the flow of traffic is thus often impeded. .

It was agreed to recommend the Automobile Association and local authorities

to give the question their earnest consideration with a view to co-operation in devising suitable direction signs. It was ferther recommended that at selected points such signs should be capable of illumination for the guidance of these travelling by night.

A Motoring journalist Wanted.

We have an opening on. the editorial staff of our journals for an assistant editor. Gentlemen of about 30 years of age with the necessary journalistic and motoring knowledge are asked to COMaiunicate in writing to Box No. 3002, care of The, Commercial Motor, giving full particulars of their qualifications.

French Tractor Trials.

The International Motor Agriculture Week was opened on Monday of last week at Corbeil, some 30 kilometres from Paris, by M. Kolrut (Keeper of the Seals).

An enormous area of ground had been reserved for these interesting trials, located about a mile and a half from the station of Corbeil.

Some 50 machinet are entered for the trials, and out of these at least 30 were present on the ground on the opening morning. These included tractors of every description—English, French and American—as well as motor ploughs and cable-drawn ploughs.

Great interest is being taken in the machines using wood spirit, and a section of the ground has been reserved for trials of these machines only.

The A.F. Chassis.

With reference to the photograph which appeared in the last issue of The Commercial Motor of a saloon coach used by Mr. J. D. Muschamp, of Leeds, for conveying the Leeds Rugby team to matches away from the home ground,, we are informed that this vehicle should have been described as a saloon coach on an A.F. chassis. It should no have been described as an Austro-Fiat, because there is now no such vehicle of that name. We are also infornAd that there is no connection whatever, m any shape or form, between the Fiat Co. ana any company in Austria making motor vehicles.

It is only right to say that the concessionnaires for the productions of the Austrian Automobile Works, viz., British Austro-Daimler, Ltd. are particularly desirous that the vehicle which they market shall always be referred to as the A.F.

A New Rail Motor Coach. ,

In a recent communication from Paris. it is stated that trials have just taken place on the line from Milly to Formerie with a new type of motor coach drivee by an 18 h.p. petrol engine. The vehicle, it is stated, possesses a similar appearance to an ordinary tramcar, and provides seating accommodation for 30 passengers, whilst a platform affords accommodation for about 20 passengers standing and luggage. In the trials, which it passed most satisfactorily, the coach covered 32 kilometres in 1 hour 4 minutes, making two stops. This will be the first railway motor coach to find regular employment in France.

One-way Roads in Birmingham.

In art endeavour to solve the traffic problem, many local authorities areeonsidering the possibility of using certain roads in their areas for one-way traffic only. The Birmingham authorities have decided that sill Street and John Bright Street, where congestion• so often occurs, shall in future be restricted to use by outward traffic, and that thoroughfares which ran parallel to these roads shall be used for vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.

Stockport Cleansing Costs.

Stockport Corporation appears to be extremely satisfied with the efficiency , of the Lacre vehicles which it, uses for cleansing work. Figures which have recently been issued by the cleansing superintendent show that the six vehicles have replaced 15 horse-hauled carts, and enable the work to be carried out at a cost of 7s. 5d. per ton as against Si. 9N. by the horsed vehicles, whilst the respective costs per mile are is. 9,4d. and 2s. 1icl. The vehicles are all fitted -with tipping bodies, and arrangements are made for some of them to carry interchangeable 600-gallon water tanks.

Safety of Public Vehicles, Local authorities are now paying increasing attention to tho examination of motor vehicles intended for public use, and in many cases examination is made by an expert automobile engineer when applications for licences are made.

At the last meeting of the Carlisle City Council, this subject was raised by Councillor N. H. Grant, when the refer erce to licensing of motor vehicles in the watch committee's report came up for confirmation. He expressed the hope that the type of chassis had been well considered. Some vehicles carried as many as 32 passengers, and be hoped that nothing in the form of a cheap or light chassis would be allowed to pass. Alderman F. P. Dixon said each conveyance was examined by the committee and the chief constable,. every care being taken to obtain suitable and safe vehicles.

The mayor {Councillor Dalton) said the committee was also assisted by an expert, so that they were perfectly safe.

A New Edition of the Original "Book of the Ford."

In introducing the new and eighth edition of "The Book of the Ford" the publishers, Temple Press Ltd., call attention to various important improvements embodied in this popular handbook. It has been rewritten and rearranged by the author, Mr. R. T. Nicholson, so as to bring it fully up to date. It deals with the right-hand drive Ford which is now the standard model used in this country, but at the same time users of earlier Fords with left-hand drive, and the equipment of those types, will find the book very usefull, as a special supplementary chapter is given over to • these models. The general information throughout the hook also, more or less, applies to all Ford vehicles.

The characteristic features which have hitherto contributed to the success of the handbook are fully maintained in this new edition. It is of a thoroughly practical nature, interestingly written in non-technical language, and starts right at the beginning of the subject without assuming that the reader has any knowledge of motors and motoring, and the information is essentially what the actual or prospective Ford owner wants to know.

For example, its contents deal with how to buy a Ford; the differences and uses of the several models; how to take out the licences; learning to drive and keep the car in running order; detailed .consideration of all such parts of the car as is necessary to keep it in order ; how to understand the electrical equipment; how to locate faults quickly; cleaning; storage; care of tyres, etc.— it would be impossible to convey here inure than a bare °aline of the wealth of practical information included ml ts 280 or so pages. Special attention. has always been given to the matter of illustrations in "TheBook of the Ford." In this new edition there are 120 very clear and instructive illustrations ; in fact, whereever the text could be usefully illustrated this has been done, and a large number of the drawings are new and cannot fail to enhance the practical value of the book to novice and expert alike.

To ensure that the handbook should adequately refer to all applications of the Ford, a new chapter is included dealing with the commercial uses of the Ford—i.e., vans, buses and chars-abanes.

In the rearrangement and rewriting of the text, the author has further sun plified it as compared with former edi Hens to the advantage of the reader, who win find the exhaustive index invaluable in enabling him quickly to locate the particular information he seeks. "The Book of the Ford " is produced in the well-known excellent style of the Temple Press handbooks. It is priced at 2s, fid. net, and is obtainable direct from Temple Press Ltd., 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, 'EC., and also leading booksellers.

Personal Pars.

Mr. A. Campbell McMinn • has recently resigned from the St. James's Advertising and Publishing Co., Ltd., to take up au appointment with the British Petroleum Co., Ltd., in connection with publicity. Mr. McMinn, who has had considerable experienle with the manufacture and selling of commercial motor vehicles, is a very qualified writer and has specialized for some time on publicityain motor matters. Mr. Oscar E, Seyd has succeeded to Mr. MeMinn's position with the St. James's company.

Mr. S. F. Bowser; the originator of the Bowser petrol and oil pumps, will arrive in England during this week, accompanied by the president of the company, Mr. S. B. Betchtel, for the purpose of visiting the various offices of the company established throughout Europe.

It is worth while pointing out that the first petrol pump was designed by Mr. Bowser in 1885, and it is of interest to note that in June of this year the company manufacturedtheir onemillionth pump. Statistics which have been prepared by the company show that over a period of 38 years•they have averaged an output of one pump for every six minutes. The English branch of the company was opened in the latter part of 1912, and, it is stated that there are over 7,750 Bowser plants „in daily use throughout the United Kingdom.

New North Wales Road.

One clay lest week Sir Henry Mahury opened one of the new roads which are being constructed in North Wales. The road, which runs along the coast, Connects up Gronant, Prestatyn and Rhyl. The -Flintshire County Council has been responsible for the work of constructing the road, which is 4 miles in length. For three miles reinforced concrete has been used for surfacing, the _remaining part of the road being of macadam. The road has a 20-ft. carriageway, and Is practically straight throughout its length, the only gradient of note having but a 1 in 20 rise. The scheme has taken just over a year to complete and has cost about .26,000.

More Guy Orders.

Guy Motors, Ltd., inform us that they have recently obtained orders for 2-ton vehicles from James Dudley, of Birmingham, for' 20-seater motor coaches from Messrs. Sluggett, of Launceston, and for a 30-ewt, lorry frern Messrs-. Hooper and Ashby, of Winchester.

• Protests Against Obstruction.

In view of protests against the obstruction caused by motor vehicles being allowed to stand in Albion Square, the Chepstow Urban District Council has decided to divert all motors, with the exception of the Newport and Monmouth bases, to a less congested part of the town.

Buses Instead of Trams.

,Negotiations are taking place between local authorities and the Yorkshire (West Riding)Electric Tramway Co., Ltd., with reference to the proposal of the company to abandon• powers for the

• construction of tramways -in the Wakefield district, • as the company have instituted motorbus services instead. B19

Rubber Roads.

The subject of rubber roads was recently discussed in a paper read by Mr. Evan J. dwards, under the auspices of the Institution of the Rubber ludustry, at the Engineers' Club.

Mr. Edwards outlined the history of rubber roadways, and dealt with the types that have been laid in various parts of the country.

The greatest point in favour of rubber roadways, it was said, would be proved to be the ultimate economy, because it was the only road material that absorbed and distributed the shock of traffic. Other non-resilient materials transmitted the load to the road foundations, which were broken up by the constant pounding of modern city traffic.

-Princess Street, Edinburgh, it was mentioned, had a rubber pavemept that had been down for over 20 years and walked upon by millions of people, and had only lost a fraction of an inch in thickness.

Increasing Ford Engine Power.

Bake Patents, Ltd., 115, Fulham Road, London,S.W.3, inform us that upon receiving a recent order from the New Zealand Government for a Baico 30-cwt fire-engine with a capacity of 200 gallons per minute, conditions were imposed whieh. seemed to be so severe as to be impossible of attainment, since they demanded an output some -40 per cent. greater than had previously been obtained from the Ford engine. As the company make a speciality of securing the utmost efficiency from the Ford, they accepted the order and were able to adapt the Ford engine to give greater speed and power to such an 'extent that in an official test no difficulty was found in increasing its output to more than 40 per cent, above the standard rating.

Lacre Spare Parts. .

There are marry hundreds of the Model 0 *ten Lacre chaSsis in service throughout Great Britain and overseas, and the results obtained by the use oi this machine are such that the company find a. sustained demand for IL As a result of this steady flow of business for this model the company have decided that it would be to the advantage of all users if a price list of spare parts. solely devoted to this particular type of chassis were compiled. This has been carried into effect and a

copy of the list has cone to hand. It is of handy size and sets out very clearly the various part numbers, -together with the price of each part.

The company have also issued a similar list for the benefit of users of the 14,ype sweeping machine.

In the case of both lists the company have only included parts which must, in the natural order of things, require replacement as a result of wear and teas.

Any owner of Lacre vehicles who has not received copies can obtain them on application to the company at 78, York Road, King's Cross, London, N.1.

Buses for Pleasure-seekers.

The tramways committee of the Southport Corporation is considering a suggestion to run motorbuses. from the main town station to the new pleasure ground at the Southern end of the beach, and also to the Haigh Avenue Foot:bait Ground, where, when the third division team is playing at. twine, the attendance ranges between 8,000 and 12,000 people.

New Services in Burnley.

At a recent meeting of the watch committee of the Burnley Corporation, it was decided to grani, licences to the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and to the Premier Motor Co. and the Pendia Bus Co. to ply for hire within the borough. The Ribble Co. proposes to run vehicles from Blackburn to Burnley and also direct between Burnley and Accrington. Glamorgan Census.

The census taken from August 1211 to August 18th on the Class II roads': under the control of the Glamorg-aii County Council shows, as was expected a great increase in the volume of mechanically propelled vehicles using the roads as compared with the figures revealed by a similar census taken from July 1st to July 7th in 1914. Both sets

of figures were secured over a period of 16 houra per day.

The number of traffic units in the 1923 census was 43,917, as against 28,153 in 1314, an increase of 56 per cent.; whilst the total weight of traffic was 76,061 -tons as against 22,493 tons in 1914, an increase of 238.1 per cent. Of the vehicles, traversing the roads, 29,144 were mechanically propelled in 1923, as compared with 6,487 in 1914, an increase of 319.2 per 'cent-. The weight of mechanical vehicles was 12,338 tons in 1914., but the last census has revealed that this has increased by 469 per cat. to 70,156 tons.

Horse traffic shows a decrease of 47.5 per cent, since 1914, the number of animal-drnwn vehicles being only 3,414 as against 6,490. The tonnage of horsed vehicles also decreased 12.2 per cent., being 4,539 tons this year as against 5,095 tons in-1914.

Agents for Hyatt Bearings.

..Hyatt, Ltd. 56, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1:, advise us that they have appointed G. S. Oscroft and Co., Ltd., whose temporary address is at Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, as agents for the . counties of Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham and Rutland, for Hyatt roller bearings and N.D. ball bearings. The permanent address of the agents will eventually be Dominion House, Castle Boulevard, Nottingham, where an adequate stock of bearings for replacement purposes will be held.

Agents for Electri at Equipment.

The British Lighting and Ignition Co., Ltd., inform us that they have been appointed official service agents for the electrical automobile equipments of the Westinghouse Electrical International Co., of America. The company will hold fall stocks of spare parts for American Westinghouse equipments at their works at Cheston Road, Aston, Birmingham, and at. their London depot, Greyezat Street, Westminster, 8.W.1, at both of which repairs and adjustmeats can can be effected.

Salford Bus Results.

The report of the Salford Corporation Tramways Committee for the year ended March 31st gives information as to the motorbus services. During the year the vehicles covered 248,540 miles and carried 2,205,044 passengers. The following details ore extracted from the report : Average number of buses in use per day, 7; percentage of working expenses to traffic receipts, 87; average traffic . revenue per .bus-mi le, 16.092d. ; average bus-miles per day per bus, 103; average spee. d per hour, 6.50; average bus hours per day, 16; avemge working expenses per bus-mile, 14.053d.; average fare paid per passenger, 1.813d.; average number of passengers per bus-mile, 9; number of buses in stock, 9.

The revenue totalled £16,659, and the expenditure £14,552, equivalent to 14.053d. per bus-mile.

New Bus Services Police Consult Local Authorities.

The Camberwell Borough Council reports. receipt of the following letter from the secretary to the Commissioner of Police :— " I am directed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to acquaint you that he has received an application from Messrs. Allery and Bernard, Alber Garage, Thornsett Road, Earlsfield, for permission to operate an omnibus route between Richmond and Peckham High Street; for the purpose of turning the vehicles at the Peckham terminus the applicants propose to traverse Hill Street, Goldsmith Read, Bellsgarden Road, Frankton Road, back to Hill Street.

"I am accordingly to ask that you will he good enough to say whether the council has any objection to offer with regard to the use of Goldsmith Road, Bellsgarden Road and Frankton Road, and at the same time to inform the Commissioner whether this portion of the route is in all respects suitable for operation by omnibuses."

The highways committee of the council points out that, owing to the tortuous nature of the back turnings proposed to be used by the new omnibus service, all buses traversing Goldsmith Road, Bellsgarden Road and Frankton Road should be restricted to a speed of four miles per hour, but, with this amendment, the council sees no objection to the proposals.

At the same time the committee calls the council's attention to the fact that, owing to the opposition made" by the council to the -route through Dulwich recently, .suggested, the CommisSioner of Police 'hasadopted the course of consniting the borough council upon new local traffic proposals.

Traffic on Menai Suspension Bridge. • In view of the amount of traffic which makes use of the Menai Suspension Bridge, it is worth while again to draw attention to the fact that at the present time the ,weight which can be carried by the 'bridge is restricted. Early last year the Roads Department . of the Ministry of Transport decided that the bridge was unsafe for motor vehicles weighing more than 44. tons loaded, and it was arranged to strengthen the bridge.

For the purpose of checking the weights of vehicles about to use the bridge, the Ministry of Transport purchased from Wm. Hodgson and Sons (Weighing Machinists), Ltd., 139, Cannon Street, London, E.C.4„ two special weighbridges. These were delivered in May of last year and installed at each end of the bridge. Each vehicle as it approaches the bridge is weighed, and if its gross weight is .found to exceed the limit the driver is compelled partially to unload his cargo and transport the load across the bridge by instalments.

It is expected that the reconstruction of the bridge will occupy a period of about two years.

Scottish Agents.

Frank Hopper and Sons, Ltd., 36, Smith Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow, advise us that they have opened an extensive new showroom in Inverness. The company, it will be remembered, are the sole conceasionnaires for the whole of Scotland for W. and G. Du Cros, Ltd., and for Clement Talbot, Ltd. (M.T. Department), whilst they are also the sole distributors for Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd., in the north of Scotlan,d.

The company are prepared to entertain sole selling rights for other manu. facturers either for the whole of Scotland or for northern or southern territories only. The company havea service station iv Glasaow, where repairs 'to both petrol and steam wagons can be undertaken.

Charging Electrics at Hackney.

Hackney Borough Council proposes revising its prices for the charging of electric vehicles.

For energy supplied to private consumers from a circuit which is used solely for .charging the batteries of electric vehicle by means of apparatus approved by the borough electrical engineer, and from which the council reserves the right to cut off the supply between the hours. of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in themonths October, November, December, January and February, or at any other time for a period not. exceeding two hours when a demand for this purpose 'might be unduly costly to the council', a charge of id. per unit is suggested.

For charging batteries of electrical vehicles at'the council's charging station at 90 to 110 volts (minimum 2s. per vehicle charged) 2d. per unit is the proposed figure.

Result of Stoke Bus Rationing.

As is now generally well known, Stoke-on-Trent Town Council recently introduced a scheme of rationing the number of buses that can ply for hire

on the various routes in the town, and, according to reports submitted to the Wet,ch Committee a few days ago, the experiment has proved successful. The chairman of the committee Alderman S. Sproston' said they had .been,accused of acting arbitrarily, but he was convinced that it needed only a supplementary bus here and there to make the service work almost perfectly. The town clerk said he was satisfied the scheme of the Watch Committee could not be improved upon materially, except possibly by a through service on the Hanley, Burslem, and Tunstall route, and another on the Hanley, Stoke, and Longton route, 24 buses being allocated to each route. The chief constable gave a report of observation made . by the police on over 30 routes, which showed that the service generally was operating satisfactorily, except during the " rush " hours between 5 p.m. and the closing of the theatres, and on the occasions of certain football matches. He suggested that the service should be strengthened on these occasions by the allocation of extra buses to the routes affected, for which purpose the committee directed the town clerk and the thief constable to prepare a joint scheme.

Local Proceedings.

Chester Corporation proposes to ptirchase a Ford lorry ,for the electricity department. • Lewisham Borough Council has asked the surveyor to make inquiries as to motor dust vans.

The surveyor to the Aberayron Rural Council has advised the council to purchase a motor lorry.

Cambridge Town Council proposes te obtain a motorcar for the 'use; of the highways department

Exeter City Council proposes to seek sanction to borrow £1,883 for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.

Grantham Town and Rural District Councils are negotiating regarding the -provision of a motor fire-engine.

Ipswich Watch Committee has been authorized to spend up to £1,500 on the provision of a motor fire-engine.

Mansfield-Corporation bas decided to purchase a, motor lawn mower, for use at Carr Bank, at an estimated cost of £90.

Camberwell Borough Council has asked a sub-committee to report on the subject— of the provision of cars for officials.

• Willesden medical officer of health reports that the cost of running the motor ambulances has now fallen from is. 6d. Lu is. 3d. per mile.

Camberwell Board of Guardians recently decided that purchases of motor tyres he made from time to time as required, rather than under contract. jPreston Corporation Watch and Tramnays Committees are considering the desirability of framing a regulation that no tramcars should stop opposite each other Willesden Council's Health Committee recommends acceptance of the tender of Crossley Motors, Ltd., for the supply of a_ motor ambulance at a cost of £892 10s.

The Yorkshire (East Riding) Electritt Tramway Co., Ltd., propose, during the next six or 12 months, to expend £50,000 on the development and extension of motorbus services.

Preston Corporation Tramways Cernmitte recommends acceptance of the tenders of Messrs. Merigold. Bros. for five Leyland motorbus chassis for £4,325, and the English Electric Co., Ltd., for five motorbus bodies for £2,350. Oundle Urban District Connell has decided to purchase a motor fire pump.

Bideford Urban District, Council is considering the advisability of purchasing a motor fire-engine.

Doncaster Corporation has been asked by the Edlington Parish Council to extend its motorbus service to the new colliery village extensions erected in Edlin gton The assistant -borough engineer of Camberwell reports that his Ford Iandartlet has covered a distance of 14,440 miles in two years, at a cost of is. id. per mile, with a consumption of fuel equivalent to 14.85 miles per gallon.

As old Ford vehicles were reported by the cleansing superintendent to be doing useful work, the Tynernouth Corporation Cleansing Committee has decided to purchase two new Ford motor lorries instead of repairing an electric vehicle.

Lewisham Council's Highways Committee reports that the proposal of the L.G.O. Co, to run omnibuses through "Massy Road is exceedingly undesirable, in view of the many dangers which may arise through the London County Council schools in that road, and to _the exceedingly.narrow width of the road leading into Sangley Road.

Special Refuse Vehicles for Deptford.

In our issue for June 5th we published details of an interesting type of vehicle which had been specially designed by Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., of LeAchwarth, for certain classes of work where a low loading line is of vital importance. The vehicle possesses many unconventional constructional features and is altogether unlike any type of motor vehicle which has hitherto been produced.

The company inform us that they have recently made delivery of the first of the two dust-carts which they have on order for the Deptford Borough Council. and we reproduce illustrations of one of these machines on this page, which depict the vehicle with a tipping body which provides a high angle of tip and enables the load to he discharged at any given point. The pictures also give a good idea of the general design of the SD. freighter, as the vehicle is called.

Southampton's Haulage .Costs.

The fieet of motor vehicles which is owned by the Southampton County .Council includes 13 Foderi and Sentinel steam wagons and a Hallford and Thornycroft petrol lorry.

'These vehicles are used for the haulage of materials, and statistics which have:. recently been issued with regard to their operation during the 12 months ended March 31st last show that the steam vehicles have executed their work at an average cost of 9.737d. per tonmile and the petrol vehicles at 9.270d. ner ten-mile.

Reconstructing Pontypool Bridges.

On account of their danger to motor traffic, the Pun typool Rural District Council is to reconstruct two bridges. The Llanfrechfa lower bridge is to be widened 5 ft. and protected by concrete posts, the present fencing. offering no protection to motor traffic in case of mishap. This work will be shared with the Magor Rural District Council.

The surveyor is to report on what can be done to strengthen the Lower Pontnewydd Bridge, which is in a dangerous state.

A Ford Factory for Poland ?

It is reported that Mr. Henry Ford, having failed to establish plants in Germany and Ceecho-Slovakia, is considering the opportunities which Poland may offer in this connection. It is said that, it is his intention to manufacture the Ford chassis in this country for the Eastern European, Russian and Near Eastern markets at a cost which will be lower than that at which they are pro

duced in the United States, they being made possible by the comparative cheapness of labour and raw materials sn Poland.

A New Midland Road.

A new road is to be constructed from Birmingham to Wolverhampton, and the authorities are inviting fenders for the work. The original estimate of the cost of the scheme was £450,000, but as the proposed width has been ,.reduced a saving will result. About 60 per cent. of the tot-al cost will be in respect of labour charges.

Midland Traffic Problems.

The Nottingham Corporation has obtained powers, under its latest Act, to impose regulations directing that, in certain streets, if deemed necessary, vehicular traffic (ahall lie required to move in one direction only. The arrangements yet remain to be elaborated, and as the council has obtained the authority to make rules, without interference from any Government department, much is being hoped for in the way of alleviation from present troubles. In Leicester, at certain central points, pedestals have now been introduced for the use of policemen directing traffic, and already much good has resulted from this innovation. Leicester claims to have taken the lead in this matter ; whilst the idea underlying the arrangement cannot be regarded as entirely new, the authorities may take credit for having introduced an eminently sensible plan.

Better Bus Facilities.

Heston and Isleworth Urban District Council has now been informed by the London General Omnibus Co. that in consequence of the representations of the council, instructions have been given for additional through facilities to be provided from Hounslow, Felthain and Staines, with a, view to giving better accommodation for passengers desiring to travel west of Hounslow Heath.

Restricting a Service.

The Llanelly Council Transport Comruittee has granted a licence to Mr. D. H. Davies, Halfway Garage, foe a bus service from Dafen to Llanell3r, but has declined to allow the services to be continued to New Dock, on the ground that the present service on that route is sufficient to meet the public demand.

Bus Drivers Ask for More.

Preston Corporation Tramway a Comnaittee has again considered application from. the Preston Branch of the Transport and General Workers' Union on behalf of the motorbus drivers for an increase of wages. The manager submitted information from other towns on the subject, and the committee decided that it could not accede to the application.

Highway Lighthouses.

The Bureau of Municipal Informatior has filed, for the benefit of American authorities, details of what is described as a lighthouse system for the .roads, which, briefly, is a series of illuminated signalling devices which can be maintained without cost to the councils by using portions of the lighthouses for advertising.

The latest device is very appropriately called the " Highway Lighthouse," for it really is to the driver on land what the lighthouse is to the pilot on the water, end it works on the same principle.

The winking light is like the one in the river buoys; and is constantly flashing a warning. The nature of the danger ahead is plainly shown on an illuminated dial 19 ins, in diameter, and is visible day and night. The colours of the lights vary, and convey different messages : Green means moving traffic at cross-roads; yellow, caution at curves and grades; and red, railroad crossings and bridges, indicating the need for cau tion. In addition, on the side of the head nearest the road information relating to road routes is shown, which is also illuminated at night.