WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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" The wheels of wealth will be slowed by an difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it rans."—Iohn Beattie Crozier.
Tractor Thais in March.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has now decided that the first of this year's demonstrations of agricultural tractors and implements is to be held at Stoke Canon near Exeter, on Wednesday and Thursday, March let and 2114.
The rules governing the demonstrations have been agreed and are in the bands of the printers. Applications for entry will be entertained at once, the closing date for such applications, which are open to manufacturers and concessionnaires of tractors and tractor implements, is February 14th. Full particulars and entry forms can be , obtained on application to the Society's offices at 83, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1.
Steamers Wanted for Canada.
We are given to understand that a Canadian firm are anxious to obtain full information with regard to the different makes and types of steam wagons manufactured in the United Kingdom. The concern in question are in a large way of business, with branches in Quebec, Toronto and Winnipeg, and they have a fleet of petrol motor lorries which they employ in these cities. It is believed, however, that for the country roads the steam wagon would be found much more serviceable, and it is this reason that prompts the inquiry. As they are expecting considerable activity in roadmaking during the present year, they are anticipating the extension of their transport. The name and address of the concern can be obtained by British manufacturers of steam wagons on application to the Department of Overseas Trade (Development and Intelligence), 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1.
Are Licences Required for Workshop Trucks when on the Highway ?
Should drivers of electric trucks intended for service on enclosed premises have a driver's licence on taking the vehicles on to a public highway! The question is raised 'bye prosecution which was initiated last week by the Southport police, the offending driver being in charge of a railway platform truck which was being driven along a public thoroughfare.
The chief constable said that the defence contended that there was no necessity for the driver to be licensed, but the police held that, as the truck was used on the highway, a licence was required. In consideration of the fact that a defence was being prepared, the case was adjourned.
Trolley-buses in Australia.
According to information received from Australia, a measure styled the " Melbourue and Metropolitan Tramways Bill" has been agreed to by the Victorian House of Assembly. It authorizes the Tramway Board to provide and operate rail-less omnibuses in suburban districts where the population does not justify the laying down of rails. The scheme is described as a temporary expedient, and has evoked considerable opposition in some quarters. In many circles in Melbourne it is contended that it would be more advantageous to install a service of motor omnibuses in preference to the rail-less vehicles. It is claimed for the petroldriven vehicle that its initial cost' is lower than that of the trolley omnibus, and that it can readily be diverted in any emergency. It may be mentioned that some years ago, prior to the war, motor omnibuses w introduced ntroduced in delbourne, and ran for some time, but eventually the come • pa-flies concerned went out of business and their vehicles disappeared from the • streets.
Producer Gas Plants Petition.
To-day (Tuesday) the High Court will hear a petition, presented by a creditor, for the winding up of Producer Gas Plants, Ltd. This company was formed in 1917, and in July last offered to the public 50,000 ten per cent, participating preference shares.
The 1922 Motor Show.
For the past year or two it has been found necessary, in connection with the November Motor Show, to hold the Exhibition simultaneously in two buildings --Olympia and the White City—as a result of the continually increasing number of exhibitors. It is more than probable, however, that this year's exhibition will be accommodated under one roof.
An Inst:A.E. Paper.
The next ordinary general meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held on February 8th at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, St. James's Park, London, S.W.1, at 8 p.m., when Mr. E. L. Bass will read his paper, entitled "Engine Lubrication." This paper is by a gradu. ate, and was awarded the Daimler pre mium which , one of the conditions of whi provides that the euceessful paper shall be read. Cards of invitation for the use of visitors may be obtained on application to the secretary of the Institution, 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.
Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., have declared a final dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum (less income tax) for the six months ended October 31st last, making, with the interim dividend paid, 10 per cent. for the year. The transfer books will be closed horn February 7th-21st, both days inclusive.
It is interesting to note that Pickford's, Ltd., the established London carriers, have placed a contract for Continental tyres with Leo Swain and Co., Ltd., of Manchester, to the extent of 50 per cent. of their total requirements in solid tyres. This company are the sole conceasionnaires for these tyres in Wales and the North of England.
We record with much regret that an accident has befallen the well-known Yorkshire representative of Thornycroft lorries, Mr. E. Soanes, who has broken his thigh. He lies at St. George's Hospital, Hyde Park Corner, and is going on well, but it will be three months before he is about again. '
Birmingham Trolley-buses.
The Parliamentary. Bill promoted by the Birmingham Corporation recently included a clause authorizing the running of rail-less vehicles on the Nechells tramway route. This route has become so bad that the cost of its reconstruction is estimated at £90,000The cost of marking good the tramway route for ordinary vehicular traffic will be about £15,000 only, and it is primarily on the score of economy that the trolley,buses are to be used. It is estimated that, with the existing route repaired and the tram service continued, an annual loss of £3,340 would be made, whilst with the rail-less vehicles there should be an annual profit of £3,122. The route will be the first in this country on which trolley-buses are being substituted for trams. So far they have been used mostly to supplement the tram service, or to extend it. into suburban districts. Nechells is an industrial route, starting from Corporation Street, in the centre of Birmingham, and sunning a distance of about three miles. The majority of trolley-buses at present in use are single-deckers, with seating capacity for from 26 to 30 passengers. The new vehicles are to take 51 passengers, and will have a covered-in top deck. Twelve vehicles have been ordered, and it is probable that the new service will begin in April or May.
Football Parties in Motor Lorries.
A law case which should be of interest to all motor vehicle owners was recently heard in the High Court, when . the Widnes Carrying Co. appealed against & magistrate's .conviction under the Roads Act, 1920, for using a. motor lorry as a hackney carriage without having paid the appropriate licence duty. The question at issue was whether a motor lorry used occasionally to convey parties to football matelies should be licensed as a hackney carriage. The appellants argued that, having taken out a licence for one specific purpose, they could use the vehicle for all purposes: but for the Crown it was pointed out that if that were so the Revenue would lose £17 a year, beeause the hackney carriage licence was that sum higher than the appellants' licence.
The Lord Chief Justice said that the Revenue authorities would be right in demanding the higher licence if the licence which the appellants had was for the use of the vehicle for a specific purpose, but this licence was taken out for a vehicle not to be used solely for a. certain purpose, and the appeal therefore succeeded. The decision had no weight in the matter of vehicles used wholly as hackney carriages.
We propose to deal with the legal aspect of this case in our next issue.
Mr. D. T. Brock, one of the partners • of the Automotive Products Co., 3, Betuses Street, London, W.1, has crossed to America, particularly with a view to arranging delivery schedules with the Timken Detroit Axle Co., to meet the demand for Timken axles by British• manufacturers.
New DunlopDisc Wheels.
Since March, 1921, the Dunlop Rubber Do., Ltd., have been experimenting with detachable single-disc wheels. It has now been decided to produce these, in answer to the popular demand for tins type of wheel at a competitive price. It is claimed that the Dunlop disc wheel is lighter than similar types, and the sizes that are being standardized for :iommercial vehicles are of the following dimensions: 895 mm. by 135 mm. and 355 mm. by 155 mm., both sizes being, af course, fitted with beaded-edge rims. The equipment recommended consists )f seven wheels, the rear wheels consist. mg of two pairs of single-disc wheels bolted together with their flat faces adjoining.
The construction of the wheel follows itandard practice in that a standard Dunlop roiled-steel rim is riveted to a pressed-steel disc. Taper studs anchored to the hubs pass through stud holes in the bosses of the disc, which is tightened op on the taper by means of dome-topped nuts operating on a left or right hand thread, according to whether they are fitted on the off or near side.
Another Dunlop innovation is the production of a metal wheel equipped with' the detachable flange rim to fit the Ford roe-tenner. It is claimed that this wheel is lighter and much stronger than a wooden wheel of the same size, a comparison of the two tyres being available from the following figures :—Wooden wheel with Kelsey rim, 41i lb.; Dunlop metal wheel, 38 lb.
Of Interest to Lancia Users.
Lancia and Co., 45, .AJbemarle Street, London, W.1, inform us that, as from Etbruary 1st, they have appointed the Durtis Automobile Co. Ltd., of 18, Berkeley Street, London, W.1, and 16, Avonmore Road, Kensington, London, W.14, with whom they have been issociated for many years, to be their sole concessionnaires for Lancia lorries Ind cars in Great Britain, Ireland, and he Channel Islands. Business in these smntries will only be transacted through he Curtis Co., with whom Mr. W. L. 3tewart, the director-general of the Lancia Co., is associating himself as joint managing director.
A New Tyre Press.
In addition to the standard tyre nresses of 150 tons and 200 tons pressure vhich are produced by Hollings and
• luest, Ltd., Thimble Mill Lane, Birninghath, to meet the requirements of arge users of commercial vehicles and arge repairers, the company have sacently introduced a new model press of i0 tons capacity which has been expressly lesigned to meet ,the needs of those isers and repairers who require & lighter ind cheaper press than the standard leavy models for use in small garages, vhere the number of tyres does not ustify the installation of a costly large mess.
The new press is of the four-column )attern, with a rolled-steel girder-type rame. It embodies all the features to wit found in the company's larger iresses, notable amongst which are the dose-fitting guideson the four columns o prevent tipping of the table, and the livided head, which enables heavy vheels to 'be carried right into the press. rho tyre table is of 3 ft. 6 ins, diameter ind has a hole in its centre to admit the sheet boss.
This press, apart from its obvious uses to owners and repairers of heavy vehicles in this country, is also snitable for sending abroad to places where only a few tyres have to be dealt with, as, if a stubborn tyre has to be removed, it can always be cut off, and it is usually found that the new tyre can be fittedwith much less pressure than is required to remove an old rust-on tyre.
A Northern Road Transport Project.
At the annual meeting of the Berwick Merchants' Association a proposal was put forward for the inauguration of -a system of road transport which will link up the lower part of Berwickshire, Tweed-side and North Northumberland with Berwickshire in regard to the delivery of goods and the collection of agri
cultural produce. If the scheme proves successful—and it has beeu referred to a committee for consideration—a regular system of shipping between Berwickshire and other ports will also be instituted.
Col. the Right Hon. Lord Athlumney has joined the board of directors of Sterns, Ltd., the proprietors of the wellknown Sternol and Ambroleurn motor oils.
Mr. Alfred J. Kerry, manager of the Bristol branch of the East London Rubber Co., was suddenly taken ill one day last week, but we are pleased to hear that after a successful operation he is now well on the road towards recovery.
The Preston Corporation Markets Committee has under consideration the question cif making a charge for the "parking" of motor vehicles in the cattle market, and information is being sought as to what is done in other towns.
A Ploughing Contest.
At the Haigh, Aspull and Blackrod Society's annual tractor and horseploughing competition at Aspull, near Wigan, the 'honour of winning in a keen contest went to Messrs. Baxendale and Co., Manchester, whose Austin tractor and Ruston and Hornsby two-furrow plough were guided by J. Jenkinson. Messrs. Burgess Bros., St. Helens, were second with an Austin tractor and Roberts two-furrow plough driven by James Howarth. The third was Mrs. Pimblett, wife of Mr. L. Pimblett, a• local farmer, who used a Fordson tractor and Oliver plough. Mr. W. Cowell, ploughman and owner, Ashton-in-Maker • field, who used a similar outfit, was fourth. Two other competitors were unplaced.
Mr. T. Smith, of Bold, who judged the contests along with Mr. J. Pimblett, of Ashton-in-Makerfield, publicly stated, when replying to a vote of thanks, that the tractors had done splendid work, and except that the ridge made by the woman driver was a little faulty in setting, there was not much to choose between the first three prize-winners.
The champion ploughman of the horse classes and winner of the cup given by the president, the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, was Robert Metcalf, aged 20, Cheetham's Farm, Blackrod.
New Buses. for Preston.
On Monday of last week the Preston Corporation put three new Leyland buses into service to open up a new route. The buses are of the single-deck saloon type, with entrance at the rear and emergency exit at the front. Two of the buses are to maintain a 15 minutes' service, to be accelerated by the third bus between certain hours. Workmen's return tickets are to be issued as on the tramcars.
Liverpool Road Schemes.
The members of the Liverpool Health Committee made a tour of the various main roads leading out of the city a few days ago in order to put, theniservee au fait in regard to the schemes, either in progress or under contemplation, for providing the pity with those arteries of traffic which electric tram and motor vehicles are stated to have rendered necessary.
Liverpool, said Mr. Brodie, the city engineer, has some 14 arterial roads leading out into the country. Seine towns, including Birmingham. were wideniug all their main roads 120. ft., but Liverpool could not afford to do that, and is confining it; efforts to the, widening of only five roads, ell of which, more or less, converge in the neighbourhood of Lime Street. The roads he mentioned were: (1) Mount Pleasant, Catharine Street, Princes Road, Aighurth Road, Spoke Road to the city boundary,
with a new road from Menlove Avenue through the Allerton housing area (2) Prescot Road; (3) West Derby Road; (4) a new road through partly derelict property from Byrom Street; (5) a road along the line of Great Homer Street to Walton and Bootle, seining up a new road through the Bootle housing area and giving an outlet to Southport and Preston.
Armour-plated Roads.
• Armour plating in suggested by the county surveyor, of Durham to enable roads to withstand abnormal traffic. Next year £270,000 is being allocated for main road maintenanceno deal with the enormous emouut of deterioratagn caused by heavy motor and motorbus traffic, and the urgent necessity for undertaking works of reconstruction to carry economically present day traffic. Extensive works of adaptation to modernize roads has been accomplished, and exedlent results have been obtained by finishing off roads with tar macadam. The wearing life of tar macadam, however, is limited, and under heavy and concentrated traffic conditions it is desirable, in order to protect and conserve the lull capital value or expencli' C6
tore sunk in permanent foundations and strengthening crusts, to provide and lay a final carpet of an asphaltic nature, which will offer the greatest resistance to wear and tear; in other words, to protect the improvement which has been effected by what he may call "armour plating" by means of a thin carpet of asphalt.
Beating the Snow.
We illustrate on this page a 25-30 h.p. Crossley saloon bus which Messrs. John Lee and Son, of ROW:Jury, run on their recently instituted passenger service between that village and the Tyneside capital, Newcastle, which proved its reliability to a marked degree in the recent snowstorms in Northumberland. Indeed, Messrs. Lee think the vehicle was the only bus running in the North of England on January 17th, when the fall was at its worst. At any rate, the service was maintained right, up to
echedule throughout the storm, in spite of the fact thata•level 15 iris. of snow had to be met throughout the journey, which is some 35 miles each way, and that, driftsof from 2 ft. to 4 ft. were frequently encountered. The body is of their awn build, and the vehicle is fitted with Michelin cable tyres, the present set having done in excess of 7,000 miles over the particularly hilly country, which .abounds in the neighbonehood. .During the snow period Parsons nonskid chains were fitted. The bus has been in the service of the firm for over a year.
Chatham Wants Tenders.
The Town Council of Chatham invites tenders for the supply of two Ford I ton chassis with Bairn attachments, each to he fitted with a tipping body suitable for the collection of house refuse. Full particulars can be obtained upon application to the Borough Surveyor's Office, Ton Hall, Chatham. Tenders have to he delivered not later than February 2nd.
British heavy vehicle rnanufaceorers were well represented at the Calcutta Exhibition, Which has recently closed.:
Cambridge Highways..
The Cambridge Town Council held ; special meeting a few days ago to con sider the new situation which lisa arise, in reference to their omnibus Bill in Par 'lament, particularly with regard to th construction of new bridges across th River Cam at, Chesterton. At, an, earlie meeting much opposition was offered t; the proposed vehicular bridge at Abbe; Road owing mainly to the cost involve' for the acquisition of land and the property. Meanwhile efforts have bee, made to present land for the construe tion of the necessary approaches to ; bridge at Cutter Ferry, and in these. en cu.mstances it was resolved to withdral; the original Clauses. relating to the Car riage bridge at Abbey Road and the foot bridge at De Freville Avenue.
Whitby 'Road Scheme Approved. Sarrre little time ago the Ministry .o Transport refused financial assistance t the Whitby Urban District Council ii conneetion with a unposed new road a faandeend, near Whitby, but at a reeen meeting of the council it was stated tha subsequent to a-n interview with th Ministry by Alderman Sir John Harrow ing, the Ministry has now agreed that i the authorities concerned (The Noel Riding County Council and the Whitb; Urban and Rural District Councils) wee prepared forthwith to proceed with th, construction of the road the Minister would he prepared to consider applica tions for -a grant of 50 per cent, of tin estimated cost, which is stated to be be tween £30,000 and £33,000.
Hackney Carriage Licences.
ILL regard to the licensing of hackne ' carriages, the Association of Municipa Corporations has asked the Ministry e Transportto initiate legislation on tin lines of the following clauses ;—
The provisions of the Town Polic Clauses Act, 1847, and of Section 5 o the Town Police Clauses Act, 1889, ate the by-laws of the corporation for th time being in force with respect t hackney carriages, shall apply to ever. motor vehicle standing or plying or La for hire within the borough, notwith standing that such motor vdhiele stand or plies for hire on private premises only including railway station and yards, pro vided that :
(1) This section shall not apply t any motor vehicle which is kept are used solely for the purpose of being le on hire by the hour or the day, or to any longer periods of time, or fo journeys under special contract at pre viously agreed prices.
-(2) This section shall not apply to an, vehicle belonging to or used by any rail way company for the 'purpose of carry big passengers and their luggage to o from any other railway stations or t, the drivers orconductors of sunl vehicles.
(3) Nothing in this section shall ern power the corporation to fix the site o stand or the starting place of an; hackney carriage or other vehicle in an; station or yard of any railway compan; without the consent of that company.
Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., inforn us that they have appointed Bristol-Sim plex, Ltd., the well-known engineers o Rroadmead, Bristol, as their agents fa Gloucestershire and a portion of tin county of Somerset.
Penrith Rural Roads.
Vie que-ztion of claiming the cost of restoring to their former condition roads • which have been damaged by timber and other heavy traffic was considered at a recent meeting of the Penrith Mural Dis trict Council. It has cost the council close on £200 to repair three roads, and they are communicating with the hauliers whose vehicles are said to have been responsible for the damage, with a request for the payment. of a satisfactory contribution towards the cost of the repair.
Road Transport in Agriculture.
At a meeting of the Birmingham Chamber of Agriculture, the president (Mr. L. C. Tipper) introduced the legislative. programme, 'based on resolutions adopted by the Central and Associated Chambers. Mr. C. Andrews said he saw no reference in. the programme to road transport by the railway companies. The question was a serious one, if farmers only realized what the railway companies were -seeking—to prevent road vehicle owners forcing them to bring down their rates. Farmers should do all they could to defeat this object. resolution was agreed to,objecting to the railway companies taking up the position of competitors for road traffic.
A One-man Operated Vehicle.
The " pay-as-you-enter " motorbus is of long standing, but. the application of this principle to. tramcars is, we believe, new so far as this country is concerned. This type of passenger vehicle undoubtedly possesses many advantages when the traffir.to be handled is not,too heavy or when it is at a low ebb, in so far as it dispenses with the need for -the employment. Of a conductor and thus cuts
the wages bill in half. It, of course, multiplies the work of the driver, although, providing" the tickets are mechanically issued, his task does not become an onerous one.
The London United Tramways, Ltd., are experimenting with a new one-man car of their own constroction, which is modelled on the lines of the "safety car" which is so widely used in America. The vehicle has been approved by the Ministry of Transport and has been licensed by the Commissioner of Police, and if the experiment. proves successful a number of vehicles of this type will be put into service_
The vehicle is a single-decker and is completely :enclosed. The motorman
sits in front of the car in a, vestibule, and he operates the car by means of a controller with his left hand, and with his right hand operates the brake, which is of a, patent, hydraulic type. The brake is a novelty in that it works on the rail instead of the wheel, and it is held off by hydraulic pressure, so that in the event Of any failure it operates
automatically. Further, if the driver lets go of his brake handle through sudden illness or any other cause, the power is cut off and the brakes applied. Passengers board and alight from the car at the front end, the door and step working in unison and being operated by the motorman by a lever in the cab. He also takes passengers' fares and controls the issue of tickets from an automatic machine.
The experimental car is being tried in the Kingston district, and we wonder, if it proves successful, whether the idea will be extended to motorbuses operating in the metropolitan area.
Tractors for Bush Fire Outbreaks.
Attention is being drawn in Australia to the distinct advantages, which light farm .tractors possess for making fire breaks during the summer weather. It is contended that when settlers and others are obliged by the approach of bush fires to cut a path. of bare earth across the line of the conflagration's advance, this precautionary work can be clone more ritikkly and effectively by mechanical power than by the hitherto customary horse-power.
An interesting announcement is made by Henry Garner, LW., to the effect that the Garner tractor hats been reduced in price from 365 to £285.
Local Proceedings.
Duoitwich Town Council is La have an op-to-date fire-brigade.
Westminster City Council reports that it is now obtaining petrol on " advantageous terms."
Nrorthallerton Rural District Council has decided to inquire into prices for the provision of a new motor fire-engine. 'Blyth Urban District Council is making application to the Ministry of Transport for the sum of £30,000 for main roads.
The Longtown Rural District Council has appointed a committee, empowered to purchase a second-hand motor ambulance for the conveyance of infectious cases to hospital between Brampton and Longtown. •
Paisley Corporation has been asked to testa new apparatus which can be fitted to any make of motor wagon for sweeping streets and collecting the .refuse at the same time. The apparatus, which has been patented, will cost from £150 to £200.
Glasgow Corporation Health Committee is considering the possibility of a by-law for the prevention of smoke or Visible vapour from motor wagons in the parks. There are, it seems, regulations on the subject applying to Hyds Park in London.
The sanitary inspector to the Middlesbrough Corporation has recommended, in the report to the Sanitary Committee, that the horse vans now used for the collection of refuse should be substituted, on the grofinds of general efficiency, expedition, and economy, by motor vane. On the motion of Councillor Spence, it was agreed to purchase two motor vans for the purpose.
Heavy Vehicle Licences.
In calling attention to road damagf by heavy motor vehicles and motorbuses, the Durham county surveyor refers to the inadequacy of the contribution of these vehicles towards roads maintenance under the present licensing•regulations. This, he says, particularly applies to the heavy commercial vehicle. Based on the approximate average journeys and carrying capacity of these vehicles, the present taxation may be taken as about 14.1, per car-mile for the motorbus, and ;Id. yer vehicle mile or -1-d. per "useful load ton-mile" for the commercial vehicle.
H134 suggests that the county council should consider the advisability of making strong representation to the Goverment that these licence duties are inadequate, and suggesting very material increases, especially as regards the heavy commercial vehicles.
A Durham Traffic Census.
Durham, county surveyor has made his annual census of traffic on the Great North Road, which shows that, despite, the trade slump, the total tonnage is practically the same as last year: Nevertheless, he says that the " slump" has undoubtedly affected the number of heavy motors using the road, this being revealed by the fact that the tonnage of heavy motors is slightly down from last year. Self-propelled traffic has now increased to '96.2 per cent. of the whole, and all the other traffic, which includes horse traffic, is now only 3.8 per cent.
The following tabulation is a summary contrasting ..notorbus traffic, heavy motor ;raffle, motorcar and motorcycle traffic, and the total of all other traffic, in weight per yard, width of road, and as a percentage of the whole :
Number Plates De Luxe.
Barimar, Ltd.' 10, Poland Street, London, W.1, with their usual enterprise, have just introducea a new cask aluminium number plate de luxe, The outstanding feature of this plate is the weather-resisting, dead-black stippled background, which the company claim to be an exclusive feature. The plates are made in various designs, and are certainly of a handsome finish. The hackney carriage plates are priced at 10s. each, and passenger vehicle owners will be interested to ,know that this plate can be supplied at four hours' notice.
We would draw the attention of readers, and particularly those who use the small advertisement columns, to the fact that we' have adopted the deposit system in connection with goods advertised in this classified section.
Closing Coastal Roads.
At a recent meeting of the Spilsby Rural Council it was decided to ask the Lindsey County Council to apply to the Ministry of Transport for permission to close to motor coaches and heavy motor vehicles the Roman Bank highway in the parish of Ingoldmells, to the point where it joins the main road to ChapelSaint-Loonards, and also the Roman Bank in the parish of Sutton-on-Sea, nuttoft, Anderby and Chapel, from Sandilands to Chapel.
Leeds Licences.
The motor licences issued in Leeds for the year 1922 number over 4,000, the quarterly licences issued being 650.
As an indication of the growth and popularity of the motor coach, it is significant to note that this type of passenger vehicle now outstrips the number of taxicabs in use in Leeds. There are 110 coaches with a total.carrying capacity of close upon 3,500, whereas there are only 75 taxicabs licensed for public hire in the city. Taxicabs are not very popular in Leeds, this probably being due in part to the fact that the vehicles do not display a taximeter, and that passengers, as a, consequence, believe they are sometimes overcharged. The fares in Leeds are high, lg. 6d. being charged for the first mile, and 5d. for every additional quarter mile or part thereof during the day. Double charges are made between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. Taxis engaged on a time basis can be hired for Ns. per hour. It 39 interesting to note that the total number of vehicles licensed in Leeds during 1921 was 6,039, £74,083 being paid by these owners in li,cence fees.
Power Alcohol Experiments.
The C.M.I.T.A. is contributing £250 per annum towards the cost of experi-• ments which are now being conducted with power alcohol. Over 50 vehicles are at present operating with a mixture of alcohol and petrol.