Answers to Queries.
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Our readers will be informed by the Editt»on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query cosi answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks.
The Beat Taxicab Practice.
[1,469] "Nam" writes :—" I shall be extremely obliged if you will kindly let me know what you consider to be the most satisfactory methods under which the taxicabs in the Provinces are worked."
ANSWER.—See our " Motorcab Special" of the 30th April, 1908. Its contents are the best answer to a general question of the kind, although other answers will gladly be sent to any specific questions. The issue in question is now priced at 3s. per copy, as it is practically out of print.
The Olympia November Show.
[1,470] " GREAT ECCLESTON " writes :—" Will you please inform me whether the Business Show held at Olympia is for commercial motors or not, and, if not, when is the next commercial-motor show ? I understand there will not be any exhibited at the pleasure-car show in November."
AsiswEn.—No motors will be at the "Business Exhibition." There will probably be no exhibition of commercial motors at Olympia until March, 1911: a good exhibition will take place at Manchester about February of next year. There will be no commercial motors at the November Show of the S.M.M.T.
The Recent Canadian Trials.
[1,471] " WHEEL-MAKER " writes :—" I was very much interested in your accounts of the Winnipeg and Brandon agricultural-motor trials. I shall be much obliged if you can give me the names and addresses of the manufacturers of the machines exhibited in your columns."
ANSWER.—The following is the list of competitors :— The International Harvester Co., Chicago, U.S.A. The Avery Co., 686, Iowa Street, Peoria, I., U.S.A. Russell and Co., Masillon, Ohio, U.S.A.
The Kiianard-Haines Co., Bryant and 44th Avenue, North Minneaoplis, Minn., U.S.A.
The Gas Traction Co., Winnipeg, Man., Canada. J. I. Case and Co., Racine, Wis., U.S.A. M. Rumely and Co., La Porte, Ind., U.S.A.
Marshall, Sons, and Co., Gainsborough, England. Gaar-Scott and Co., Richmond, Indiana, C.S.A.—this maker at Brandon competition only.
Post-office Contracts.
[1,472] " INTENDING TENDERERS write :—" We have been requested to tender for a proposed motor-mail service. Knowing that you have considerable knowledge of the usual rates and conditions prevailing for such a service, we take the liberty of asking your advice and assistance in the matter. The general terms apply, with maximum loads of 25 cwt. ; two vans, and one in reserve. We should esteem it a favour if you could let us know what you consider a fair mileage rate to charge for such a contract ; also, in your experience, or in that of your friends, are the Poet-Office people difficult to work with, and do they exact the full penalty for all variations from schedule time, apart from the small allowance provided for in the contract ?"
ANSWER.—YOU should tender at a minimum of 11d, per mile, and we would suggest that you tender at Md. per mile. The fact that you have to keep an extra car in reserve practically adds id. per mile to the cost of working. We can confidently assure you that the Post-Office people are most reasonable in their treatment of contractors, and by no means severe in the matter of penalties. In fact, they generally excuse all such penalties, provided the contractor does his best, and treats them reasonably and on a businesslike basis. Also, you obtain your payments punctually each month.
The only point upon which it is possibly necessary to warn you is the risk of overloading when mails are specially heavy, and you may think it expedient to protect yourselves to some extent against that contingency, either by putting in chassis which are suitable for heavier loads, or by some supplementary contingency clause.
Sleeping-van or Trailer ?
[1,473] "A.G." writes :—"I understand from the makers of my tractor that I can only draw one vehicle at a time, unless I get a licence for a traction engine, but I was told, the other day, that T could draw one wagon and a sleeping-van without the traction-engine licence. Would you please let me know which is the right view, as I do not wish to go against the law. At the same time, it would be a great advantage tome to be able to take a sleeping-van."
A NSWER.A. tractor may not have a second trailer of any kind, under the Heavy Motor Car Order. A sleepingvan is, therefore, not permissible. Should it be thought expedient to register as a traction engine, it will cost £10 for the first county or county borough per annum, and £5 per annum for each additional county or county borough, with the option to pay 2s. 6d. a day per county or county borough in place of the £5 per annum named.
Another Taxicab Query. •
[1.474] " DERHVSHIRE " writes :—" I shall be much obliged if you can give me the information asked for below.. If you cannot give me exact replies, then the nearest possible will oblige.
" (1) What are the average takings daily of a motorcab in London ?
"(2) What is the' average cost of upkeep of a London motorcab. that is for ordinary wear and tear, lubricatingoil and petrol, etc. ?
"(3) Is it understood that the earnings of the motorcabs are falling to any great extent ?"
ANSWER . —(1) Takings vary with the different companies, and the newest and smartest cabs are taking the most29.s.-30s. (gross) a day at the present time; (2) the approximate cost per mile for a single cab owned by the driver is about 4d., but this varies, of course, with any of many circumstances; (3) the earnings are falling, and will probably fall eventually to, say, 26s. per day, in London, although poor cabs. or poor men, are below that already.
Plying for Hire : Motor Burials.
[1,475] " YORKSHIRE writs:—" Would you kindly ten me the following, viz., could we let a landaulet out for hire without a taximeter, and do so without paying the public-service licence? I have seen landaulets without taximeters, but each had a board with For Hire' painted on it, and this could be taken off and put on at will. Would same need to pass Scotland Yard's authorities? Do you think that an 8 h.p. de Dion single-cylinder chassis would do for a cab body to seat four, to run in Sheffield, or would you prefer an 8-10 h.p. two-cylinder ? We want the same chassis for a motor hearse, if this be possible."
ANSWER .—You cannot ply for hire in the streets of any town without a hackney-carriage licence. You can only book orders from your house or depot, which practically amounts to private hire. The suggestion that you should use a board would not exempt you from the legal requirements of a licence. If running in London, to private order, there would be no need to pass the Scotland-Yard test, and the same would apply in any town. We should recommend you to have at least a two-cylinder cab for the Sheffield district. One difficulty in regard to funeral catering is that you will not find the ordinary cab chassis long enough for the purpose.
We shall be pleased to advise you as to the selection of a suitable vehicle.