WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all diOcieltits of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs.''—John Beattie Crozier.
Thornycroft Prospects.
At the annual general meeting of the shareholders of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., held last week, Sir John E.. Thornycroft, K.B.E., managing director, referring to the fact that the profit for the year had only been £29,631, enabling them to pay debenture interest and a dividend on the preference shares and to carry forward a little over £49,000 (that is to say, about £4,000 better than the amount brought into the account), said that it was a disappointment to the board that the results did not permit of their recommending the distribution pi further dividends, the shipbuilding industry having been adversely affected by the depressed conditions thereof and by certain labour disputes.
On the motor vehicle side, however, there has been an increase of 40 per cent, on sales, and the current year, so far, showed a further increase over last year's figures The 30-cwt vehicle of the WD subsidy type was producing gratifying results. Trade was Improving gradually, and, without committing hianself to any definite promises, he. might fairly say that the outlook for the company Was much more promising than at this time last year.
In reply to a question' the chairman said that they had considered it desir able to be in the omnibus business, not so much for the business itself, but for the position in which it placed them with competing countries abroad, and to show they were capable of the sort of work that London required.
London Omnibus Proprietors' Dinner. The first annual dinner of the Association of London Omnibus Proprietors, Ltd., held on December 18th at the Holborn Restaurant, London, proved a most enjoyable function, and served to indicate in no uncertain manner the spirit of enthusiasm which perva;les the camp of those private owners who are endeavouring to amplify the facilities provided for
road tra,vellers in London. Individually their efforts may be small, but one's presence at the dinner was all that was required to show that, collectively, they are a force with which to reckon when considering the development of passenger transport in the Metropolis. The Association, of which most of these bus owners are ardentsupporters, has done much to secure adequate recognition for its members in official and other quarters, and that its efforts have not been without a measure of reward is suggested by the appointment of Mr. F. W. Prowse as its representative on the London and Home Counties Traffic
Advisory Committee. • The expression of harmony and good fellowship which prevailed on the occasion of the dinner. when Mr. Prowse was in the chair, Offered abundant eV1-• dence of the growth of the private bus movement in London, and the tenor of the speeches, made by prominent members of the Association, suggested that many of the initial difficulties had been overcome and that the future is being faced with much optimism. Apart from bus owners, the trade was well represented, and there is little question that those who are associated with the companies who have supplied chassis, bodies and the other essentials to enable efficient services to be run took away a strong impression of the stability of the Association and of the proprietors who support it. • That the Association is not content to rest on its laurels, but is conducting active propaganda, is proved by the fact that its membership continues to rise, and, in this connection, a word of praise must be accorded to Mr. Vernon -Burton, its enthusiastic secretary.
The dinner was followed by a dance, which rounded off a very pleasant evening enjoyed by all who were fortu nate to be present. .
National Omnibus Service.
Sir John Jarvis, Bt., who has succeeded Mr. Kenneth Hawksley as chairman of the National Omnibus and Transport Co. presided at the annual meeting held last week. He -was able to announce a proposal to pay a dividend of 10 per cent, on the ordinary shares, and said that a higher dividend could' have been paid, but there were many reasons why this would not have been expedient, and larger reserves were necessary. It was the hope of the directors to be able to return to the shareholders the shares that, were taken away when the capital was written down.
He dealt with the general organization of the company and gave high praise to the managing director, Mr. Iden, and to the secretary and traffic manager, Mr. B. Smith, for their share in the success of the company's operations.
The chairman said that the outlook was very favourable, the omnibus being destined for a great share of pnblic support because of the facilities which it. provides. Most of us, he said, will live to see the day when great arterial roads will carry mostof the people and much of the commerce of our land.
Paris Street Accidents, 1924.
The police figures dealing with street accidents in Paris for this year have justbeen published. They show a total of 126,867 accidents, as against 109,425 for last year, and only 70,715 in 1922.
Although the number of accidents shows an increase, those of a fatal character are, fortunately, diminishing. The number of fatal accidents was 132 this year as compared with 150 in 1923. In 1913 there were 230 fatal accidents, but in those days there were more horsedrawn vehicles in use.
In this year's fatal accidents 11. were caused by tramcars.
An Appointment Vacant.
A vacancy has arisen in the publicity department of Dennis Bros., Ltd. The position calls for a knowledge of motor engineering, copy writing, advertisement layouts, catalogue work and photography. Applicants 'should forward pasticulars of their experience, qualifications, and salary required to the secretary of the company at Guildford.
The 18,500-ton Motor Liner " Aorangi."
The completion of the 18,500-ton motor passenger liner "Aorangi " marks a further big stride forward in the application of internal-combustion en6ine -power to ocean-going vessels.
This is the first large high-speed passenger liner that has yet been built, and represents an epoch-making event in the history of shipbuilding, comparable in importance with the completion of the "
Mauretania" and " Lusitania."
A very complete and fully illustrated account of this vessel will be published
• in the January number of The Motor Ship. This issue, which will be the Special New Year Number, will also contain a concise summary of motor shipbuilding in 1924 and an interesting article on marine oil-engine development.
Purchasing a Toll-gate.
Negotiations are to proceed between the Penarth Urban District Council and the Cardiff .City Council for the joint purchase of the toll-gate on the PenarthCardiff road. When this proposal was under consideration a year ago the negotiations with the private owner broke down, when well advanced, owing to disagreement between the potential purchasers.
The toll exacted from traffic passing between Cardiff, Pen arth and Barry amounts to £11,000 per annum. It is expected that the desire of the Cardiff Council to run buses into Penarth will have a favourable bearing in connection with the resumed negotiations.
Thornycrofts in Japan.
The three vehicles forming the subject of the illustration which we publish on this page constitute part of a shipment of Thornycroft chassis which the manufacturers recently despatched for service in Japan. They are of the company's B.T. 2-ton pattern, and are fitted with tipping bodies which were constructed after the arrival of the chassis. These machines are now in the service of the Tokio Municipal Roads Bureau, and are actively engaged in reconstruction work, which is now proceeding apace following the calamitous earthquake which occurred some months ago.
Result of Lowestoft Bus Appeal.
At a meeting of the Lowestoft Watch Committee, Mr. C. Ashton Stray, town clerk, read. a letter from the Ministry of Transport disallowing the appeal of United Automobile Services, Ltd., against the corporation's refusal to issue a licence in respect of a 74-seater doubledecked motor omnibus.
With regard to the 38-seater single. deck omnibuses, the Ministry expressed the opinion that they are unsuitable vehicles to be operated on omnibus services between Lowestoft and Souithwold and between Lowestoft and OultonBroad. As, however, the immediate withdrawal of the single-deck vehicles would probably involve the company in .substantial pecuniary lees, the Ministry suggested that the corporation might grant licences in respect of these eight vehicles subject to the company undertaking to take special precautions in their operation, including the compulsory stopping of the vehicles at the • junction of Victoria Road and Bridge Road on the Oulton Broad route, and at the junctions of Pakefield Road with Morton Road and of Pakefield Street with Church Road -on the Soutbwold route. It was also stipulated that the conductors should alight, and proceed to the junctions of the roads and warn all traffic before the vehicles turned the corners.
The watch committee decided to act on the suggestion put forward by the Ministry, and issued licences accordingly, subject to the company giving the undertaking outlined.
Trading ,Competition by Municipalities: Merthyr Decision.
When the Ministry of Transport recent/3r advised the Merthyr Tydfil Council that the council's running of louses outside ics own area was, in its opinion, illegal, the council decided to take counsel's opinion on the question of the legality of plying for hire outside its area and, more particularly, to ascertain whether the council had the right to run buses on private hire work outside the area providing they did not ply for hire.
Counsel has replied that the council has no power to ply outside its area and, moreover, that the hiring out of the buses by contract is also illegal, as the council has no power to run buses at all except as specifically provided for in its Act of 1920.
The watch committee has thus been led to confirm its agreement with the private hirers not to run buses outside the area or to contract for the conveyance of pri vate parties by them.
The committee has recommended the council to embody a clause in any future Merthyr Corporation Bill to be presented to Parliament seeking powers to run and. ply outside the borough area.
Irish Free State Imports.
The imports of commercial motor vehicles into the Irish Free State during October last number 12 machines valued at £2,356, bringing the total for the first 10 months of the year to ao 5 of a value of £100,285. Seven of the vehicles (£2,365) came from foreign countries, chiefly France, the remainder being credited, as ports of shipment, to Great Britain and Ireland.
Saurers in Australia.
On page 601 of this issue we publish a picture which shows a group of five Sewer vehicles which are doing good service in South Australia. The three vehicles on the right of the illustration have been fitted with coach bodies built in that country, and they are so designed that that they can readily be removed should it be desired to use the vehicles for goods delivery purposes.
The second vehicle from the left in the picture is a chain-driven model delivered by the Saurer Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., in 1911 to Mr. A. E. Pitt, of Adelaide, who appears in the centre of the illustration. Although this vehicle has been in servicefor 13 years, running under arduous conditions, it is still., giving entire satisfaction to its owner, who, as a result of his experience with this make and his enthusiasm for its efficiency and reliability, took up an agency for the company in Adelaide after the war.
The Salim Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., inform us they are doing a large and increasing business throughout Australia, where the constructional fea tures of their chassis render them particularly adapted to withstand Colonial conditions ,of working.
Depreciation of Co-operative Lorries. The rated f depreciation of commercial
lorries is an important matter for all users. Many co-operative societies allow a 20 per cent. depreciation, whilst others
have been content with 10 per cent.—a
rate which the committee of the Corn'
forth. and Coxhoe Co-operative Society, Ltd., have discovered to be much too low. Since January they have depreciated their vehicles 20 per cent., hut the mechanical breakdown of one of their machines has caused them to go into the matter again and they have decided upon a 25 per cent, depreciation in future. Hence the society is allowing 2.300—equal to 2d. in the £ on the dividend returned
, to members—as special motor lorry depredation, this guarantee to make up for the depredation deficiency of the past.
• This policy on the part of co-operative societies, which wipes out the value of their lorries in four years, should have a, good effect in giving them .a. • better opportunity of taking a-dv-aritage'of the newer types of vehicle as they are intro
duced. .
Another Welsh Municipality to Run Buses. • . • The Gellygaer Urban District Council has resolved to apply for powers to run buses in its own area. The council, in deciding upon this step, agreed that private-service bus. licences should be renewed for a period of six months. • B21
New Coast Road Opened.
The new road which was recently constructed under the regis of the Barrow Corporation and the Ulverston Rural Council between Barrow and Bardsea was formally opened a few days ago by Colonel C. IL Bressey, of the Ministry Of Transport. The road, which has bost a sum of £80,000, was primarily instituted to provide work for the unemployed.
The new road runs.along-the northern shores Of Morecambe Bay, and at certain places it has been found necessary. to.construct a sea wall to guard against the inroads of the ocean. It is expected that the construction of the new road will develop the Low Furness district to a considerable extent.
Suggestion for Two-way Motor Roads.
"The Inland Transport of-Commercial Vehicles " formed the subject of a paper recently read by Me. Walter Leigh before the Institute of Transport in Manchester. Mr. Leigh dealt with the mot efficient method of eliminating the existing difficulties of delay and expense in the transport of goods by road, and referred to a scheme for the Construction of special toll
roads in congested districts, . which should be solely used by commercial vehicles and public-service motors.
He offered certain. criticisms of the projects which had recently been put forward in America and Italy for the construction of special motor roads, and expressed the view that the construction of Inflexible " tracks" would certainly avoid congestion, but only at the expense of losing the value which the motor at present had over the railway. He did not think that an ordinary road, merely fenced off for the use of motor vehicles, would be sufficient to cope with the increase in the volume of traffic without becoming highly dangerous to its users. His idea was a two-way road for motor vehicles, with a fence down the centre and tracks, for unflanged wheels, laid down as a guide to the drivers.
The Activities of North Western Motors, Limited.
During a recent visit to Liverpool we paid a call on North Western Motors, Ltd., Norton Street, Liverpool, the concessionnaires for the Traffic chassis, and had a long and interesting chat with the managing director., Mr. E. Bennett.
It will be remembered that about a year ago this company purchased the then existing stocks in this country of many American chassis, including the Bethlehem, Clydesdale, Federal, Denby, Day-Elder, A.A. and Wolverine, together with a very large assortment of
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spares, and, although they now confine themselves to the commercial side of the Traffic range of models, they still do a very large wholesale trade in spare parts for the makes enumerated and many others.
It so happens that quite a number of the parts in the Traffic chassis are similar to those employed on other American' makes, and, apart from this, the company have made special arrangements whereby spares not readily obtainable are manufactured for them in quantities by large engineering concerns, and can thus be sold at reasonable 'prices.
It is the proud claim of Mr. Bennett that practically all orders are despatched the same day, and this was actually proved to us, as we were afforded facilities for inspecting the books. Letters are also constantly being received regarding the excellent service which is given. Each make of lorry has a special storeroom devoted to its needs, sb that there can be no confusion of parts. In practice the system employed has proved .almost ideal, and, providing the correCt part numbers are supplied by the firms giving orders, mistakes rarely or never occur.
It may be of interest to our readers to point out that the back axles of the Wolverine and Bethlehem embody the same parts as those in the Traffic, whilst the Day-Elder, Federal, Clydesdale and Denby all have Continental engines of the type used on the Traffic, and for which parts can be supplied immediately. It must be remembered, however, that cnly trade inquiries are solicited, and private clients requiring spares should order through their repairers.
A steady demand is being experienced for Traffic chassis, and a proof of the satisfaction which is being given by this make is that many of the orders are repeats.
Northfleet Licences.
The following applications for licences to ply for, hire during the ensuing 12 months were recently considered by the licensing committee oft, the Northfleet Urban District Council :--Seventyfive from the Maidstone and District Services, Ltd.; one from Mr. W. E. Griggs; one from Mr. II, D. Fletcher ; two from Mr. W. J. Moody ; one from Mr. F. N. Mungeam ; five from the Gravesend and District Bus Services, Ltd.
The committee recommended that licences to ply for hire during the whole of the ensuing year he granted except in the case of Mr. Griggs's vehicle, the licence for which should be limited until March 1st next, when a further exam ination the vehicle should be made.
More Buses for Huddersfield.
The watch committee of the Huddersfield Town Council has recently refused the applications of six companies running buses for licences to ply for hire in connection with road services between Huddersfield and Rochdale, Oldham Halifax, Bailiffe Bridge, Leeds, Linthwaite and Milnsbridge, on the ground that each of these places is at present adequately served by existing services.
The Huddersfield Tramways Department, it is interesting to note, intends. to purchase six new buses to carry 20 passengers each, and two vehicles with a larger seating capacity.
Arterial Roads in Middlesex.
In considering an estimate of 223,750, representing a quarter of the cost of constructing the Longford and Colnbrook by-pass road, the finance committee of the Middlesex County Council reported that it was of opinion that, having regard to the large amount already expending by the authority in connection with the construction of arterial roads in the county, the time had now come
when, in the event of further work of this class being carried out in the county, a larger portion of the expenditure should be borne by the Ministry of Transport.
It was pointed out that 100 per cent. grants were only allowed to counties which had a very low rateable value, and that this grant had been, as a matter of fact, confined to three counties in the country.
Bus Overcrowding at Stoke
Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee has asked Mr. Sharpley, the town clerk, to take steps to secure a revision of the omnibus by-laws so that the committee may be able to deal with the,question Of overcrowding in such a manner as will he most convenient for the travelling
Road Transport in Mexico:
Twenty of the leading transportation authorities in Mexico have been invited by the American National. Automobile Chamber of Commerce to form a commission to visit the New York Motor Show next month. While in the United States, it is being arranged that the members of the commission shall meet American highway authorities and bankers to discuss practical means of financing and developing new road construction south of the Rio Grande, in order to encourage an extension of public motor services in the country.
Leicester's Bus Plans.
The tramways committee of the Leicester City Council is to seek authority for the purchase of covered-indouble-deck omnibuses to serve districts not already provided for by the tramway system. The committee has made exhaustive inquiries into the value and utility of double-deck buses, and appointed a deputation which recently visited Birmingham for the purpose of observing the performances of such vehicles in actual service, and it formed the opinion that such machines could be used efficiently in Leicester. The tramways department is paying much attention to the development of omnibus services, and has recently resolved to invite tenders for the construction of a new garage to accommodate 36 buses. At the present time it has six single-deck buses at work in the city, and it deems it necessary to provide additional transport facilities.
Repairing Aluminium Castings.
The Aluminium Repairs Co., of Litchfield Gardens, London, N.W.10, inform us that they have just perfected a new process for repairing fractured aluminium castings of all descriptions. A special feature of the company's process is that it is not necessary to subject the casting to a high temperature while it is in course of repair, so that any possibility of distortion, or tendency to crack on cooling, is avoided. They claim that this enables them to guarantee a. satisfactory repair in all cases.
Leylands in Canada.
One of the illustrations which we reproduce on this page depicts a .2-ton tipping wagon which has recently been supplied through the Canadian branch of Leyland Motors, Ltd., to a company of building contractors in Toronto. Two points which will immediately catch the eye of the English user are the type of tipping gear and the completely enclosed cab for the driver. The tipping mechanfsm is a Wood hydraulic hoist of a light pattern, which is not only very popular in this country, but is also employed on many vehicles overseas.
The weather conditions in winter are very severe in many parts of Canada, so it has been deemed advisable to give the driver ample protection, and even the upper halves of the doors are provided with windows.
This is the fourth Leyland vehicle delivered to Messrs. John Russell and Co., and it is of a type for which a steadily increasing demand is being made.
Watford's Suecessful Transport Department.
The accounts of the motor transport department of the Watford Corporation for the year ended March 31st last, which have recently been issued, show a surplus on the year's woiking of £986 15s. 8cL in respect of the five motor lorries, which, with the previous year's surplus of £284 6s. 1c1., makes a total of £1,271 is. 9d.
Local Proceedings.
Watford Corporation has decided to purchase another motor lorry for refuse collection at a cost of £565.
Brighton Corporation has authorized the purchase of a truck-tractor for the tramways department at a cost of £463.
Ryde Town Council is to apply for Sanction to borrow £1,400 for the purchase of a motor fire-engine and appli ances. .
The London County Council has decided to provide new ambulance stations at Victoria and Old Kent Road at a total cost of £5,640.
The Newtownards Urban Council is to apply for a loan of £6,000 for the purchase of a motor fire-engine, the building of a .station, etc.
The Kingsbridge Rural Council and the Kingsbridge Urban Council have decided to purchase a motor fire-engine, and agreed to pay an equal share of its upkeep.
The borough surveyor of Brighton recommends the purchase of a motor sweeping machine at a cost of £400, and a mechanical gritting machine at a cost of £350.
Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee has postponed consideration of the purchase of a motor lire-engine for the Burslem district until the appointment of the new chief officer.
Tenders are invited by the guardians of the Manchester Union for a 2-ton motor lorry, with detachable sides and tailboard. These must be delivered not later than January 3rd.
The Ministry of Transport has disallowed the appeal of Mr. C. D. Waddington against the refusal of the Brigh.e ton Watch Committee to grant him licences to ply for hire in the town with motorbuses.
Swansea Corporation has considered tenders for the supply on hire of motor tipping lorries, and has authorized the borough engineer to accept tenders for 4-ton lorries, for a period of three months, at a rate not exceeding 45s. a day.
B.A.T. Traffic Receipts.
The traffic receipts on the passenger vehicles comprising the group of the British Automobile Traction Co., Ltd., for the four weeks ended December 5th amounted to £111,206, this figure representing an increase of £31,495 over the corresponding period of 1923. The traffic receipts..on vehicles for the 49 weeks of the year have amounted to £1,747,564, a figure which shows an increase of £390,471 over that for a similar period of the previous year.
Renfrew Street Inprovements.
The town council of Benfrove has received intimation from the Ministry of Transport to the effect that the Government department is prepared to make a grant of 50 per cent. towards the scheme for the widening of High Street and the lengthening of Croft Street. The estimated cost of these operations is £22,859, and Sir Henry Maybury
stipulates that they he proceeded with at once. It has been decided by the town council to accept the offer and to agree to tho conditions.
-Licensing Co operation.
Paignton Urban District Council and Torquay Corporation have agreed jointly to consider applications for licences to ply for hire with public-service vehicles in and between Paignton and Torquay..
New Company to Sell S.C. Fuel.
The Suter Campbell Oils, Ltd., advise us that their brisiness in motor spirit and the supply of petrol pumps has so outgrown the limits of the department responsible for this branch of the company's activities that a new company have been formed. In future all business relating to S.C. motor spirt and petrol pumps should be addressed to Pumps and Petrol, Ltd., 124, Minories, London, E.1.
Buses in Buenos Aires.
A noticeable feature of the transport in the city of Buenos Aires this year has been the sudden app6arance of numerous types of motorbus operated by small local companies. Most of these vehicles consist of light chassis carrying locally built coachwork, some of which is very heavy and cumbersome.
The buses work on various routes without any permanent concessic,ns from the municipal authority. It is apparent, from a report of the Department of Overseas Trade, that these heterogeneous fleets of vehicles will ultimately be superseded by a uniform type of bus of modern design and construction operated by responsible public companies.
In the meantime: the advent of the motorbus has had DO appreciable effect on the tramway traffic, • for the congestion in the city is so acute that there is a constant demand for increased travelling facilities.