Answers to Queries.
Page 18
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The Saurer Field Kitchen.
{2219] (Blackpool).—The Saurer works are at Arbonne, in Switzerland. The English company which took up the Saurer design sonic years ago is 3. and L. Hall, Ltd., of Dartford, Kent, but we cannot tell psi.' whether it also supplies a field kitchen outfit.
Wants Battery Buses.
[2220] (Glasgow).—We cannot give you the names of any makers of battery motorbuses, but perhaps the Edison Accumulators, Ltd., of 49, Old Bond Street, W., may be able to assist you. The petrol-electric machines which are manufactured by W. A. Stevens, Ltd., of Maidstone, are meeting with remarkable success in urban passenger service at the present time. Perhaps this make is the one which you have in mind ?
Costs of Working.
{2221] (Edgbaston).—Whilst we are prepared to answer particular and special questions with regard to costs, and to do so in detail, on this page, we feel that many new leaders will not wish to incur for us the risk of our being charged with unnecessary repetition by older readers. For that reason, amongst others, we suggest that you peruse our issue of the 12th. June last,Thr that of the 20th May last. In both of these issues, and particularly in the first-mentioned One, we entered at length into cost and performance figures under all-the necessary headings. The tables have been reprinted in sheet form.
We consider that you should be able to deal with 10-ton loads, by careful ,stowage on the platform -of the lorry, and working with a single trailer, when the road conditions are good, at 15 per cent. higher cost than those for eight tons on a wagon and trailer.
Concerning Night Shelter.
{2222] (South).—We observe that your driver "pulled up " in a certain yard, and the trouble that has ensued, We regard this claim as very much in the nature of what one may call "a try on," if the facts are as you state. We see no course open to you but to give notice of defence, which should certainly state that permission was specifically asked and accorded, that the gates were not forced (if they were
not), that a representative of Mr. ' who had promised to be about to receive payment, was nct there when you left, and that the claim is unreasonable for the service accorded. Furthermore, you should deny damage. We regard it as regrettable that sonic payment was not tendered shortly after the incdent, and we would now suggest that, When giving notice of defence, you should send a postal order for
to the Registrar of the County Court, telling him that that is the sum you pay into court in connection with the case. If a verdict for less than 6s. is given, the whole of the costs after such payment will be payable by the other side. The demand for £1 is preposterous.
Concerning Fire Risks with Petrol Vehicles.
[2223] (Doubtful).—We consider that the risk of fire from a petrol-driven van is a very small one indeed, and this you will find is also borne -out by the insurance experts in this country. The risk of loads catching fire on such machines is even more remote. Any of the exceptional fires which have come to our notice have almost invariably been confined to the bonnet. A very good instance of the immunity of this class of vehicle from fire is that of the London motorbuses, on which such an occurrence is very rare indeed. With regard to another part of your query, obviously a fire on a vehicle is fraught with considerable danger to anything in the vicinity, but, in view of our previously-expressed opinion, such incidental risk is almost negligible. With regard to special precautions which are commonly taken, in. order to avoid any c 6
such danger, or to deal with it if it occur, we cannot do better than advise that the petrol pipe-line be made of substantial material, and in many instances -this is constructed of steel tube with brazed joints. Every precaution should also be taken to ensure that none of the petrol joints be likely to shake loose, or to break off owing to vibration. A loop in the petrol pipe is useful, if flexible. In order to avoid the accumulation of petrol which may, under exceptional circumstances, overflow from the carburetter, a small tray may be placed under this accessory, the same being fitted with a drain pipe, which is slung beneath the machine. Care should be taken that there shall be no accidental accumulation of petrol in any such tray, but that its proper and rapid drainage ea to the ground may be automatically. effected. It must be remembered that petrol vapour sinks in the ordinary atmesphere.
Alleged Obstruction of a Motorcar.
[2224] (Summonses Received).—It is, of course, very annoying for the driver of a motorcar when he canner make a steam-wagon driver hear. His threat of a summons may have been only due to the anger of the moment. We are of opinion that the 1863 Act does not apply, provided the vehicles concerned ace heavy motor wagons or steam tractors. This, of course, is a legal defence, and they might try to get you under the Highways Act, for wilful obstruction, but you can then show that it was not wilful, because your man did not hear. We do not know whether you intend to have a solicitor, but the proper statement of the defence, on the legal point, is probably as follows : that your man was driving a heavy motorcar, constructed and registered under the Motor Car Acts of 1896 and 1903, and the Heavy Motor Car 0) der M 1904; that, by Section 20 of the 1903 Act, such vehicles are brought within the unrepealcd or unamended previsions of the 1896 Act, and that the schedule to the 1896 Act enacts that the 1865 Act is not to aopl,y ti light locomotives. We think that your man would probably get off with a caution if he expressed regret., but, if the prosecutor shows any vindictiveness, yen undoubtedly have a complete defence. If they want to amend the summons, I think your man should not agree, but should let them go to the trouble of issuing fresh ones, which would probably be under the Highways Act. They cannot convict him unless they can show that his obstruction was wilful or negligent, so far as we read the -various Acts, and not at all under he summonses which you have sent for our perusal.