Answers to Queries.
Page 15
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Petrol-electric Omnibuses for India.
[1,577J "S." writes :—"When I was ie India, from Ivhich country I have just returned, I read a paragraph on page 138 of your issue of 21st October last, in which mention was made of a petrol-electric omnibus being run, at Elackpool, by a Mr. W. A, Stevens. As I am interested in the introduction of the petrol-electric bus into India, 1. should be glad if you could kindlyput me into communication with Mr. Stevens, if his address is known to you."
A NSWER.—Tho address which you require i8 St. Peter Street, Maidstone.
Wooden Treads.
j1 ,57S7 ATIIE8STONE " writes: -" We should esteem it a favour if you would give us some information as to device adopted by Messrs. Lobjoit, of Heston, on their trucks, and which did such good work recently on the frozen and snow-covered roads."
A NSWER.—Messrs. Lobjoit are using white poplar blocks, on the wheel g of two tractors, secured by iron rims and cross-bolts passing through slots in the blocks. They are quite preventive of slipping in frost er snow, but come out very expensive for constant wear, and they are casting about for some less-costly device.
The Speed of Tractors.
[1,579] " Itsszcsissrsn " writes:—' Can a tractor, when it is hauling a trailer, legally travel above 5 m.p.h. if it has wooden or other resilient treads?"
ANSWER.—Clauses A, B and C, in the first part of Article 7 of the Heavy Motorcar Order, are fairly overridden by the portion of that article which follows. We ere supported in this view by Mr. Joynson-Hielts, and it is also clearly intended by the terms of the Local Govern meut Board circular, which covered the Heavy Motorcar Order when it was 'issued, that the. exemption in favour of heavy rsoters with soft or elastic three should apply to all tractors. London users of tractors habitually run them up to high speeds when they have resilient, or so-called resilient, tires. We should say that 12 m.p.h. is permis.sible if no axle-weight exceeds six tons, and 8 m.p.h. when that axle-weight is exceeded.
Some London Motorbus Queries.
" Sr. JouN's Woon " writes:—" As a regular reader of your valuable journal, I hope you will not consider my questions too troublesome to answer.
(1) If it is true that negotiations are proceeding between the London (Ieneral, the Great Eastern, and the Metropolitan Companies, with a view of arranging a working agreement? I have heard such is the case.
(2) Have the " Electrobuses " and " Amalgamated " buses been withdrawn from service?
(3) Could you tell me the average number of buses run by each company ? Your chart gives totals only.
(4) Will Tilling's new service (which I understand is to be run between Forest Hill and Greenwich), have a service riiimber attached ?
(5) Can you suggest any source from which T could obtain up-to-date information in regard to routes, alterations, etc., as I find it very hard to find out all the latest additions and alterations?
Asswea.--(1) Such negotiations as those you suggest have been undertaken in the past. We are in a position to state that no recent pourparlers have taken place.
(2) The Electrobuses have been withdrawn for the time being. (3) These figures are, of course, in our possession; our monthly chart is based upon them. We are not at liberty, however, to give them in detail.
(4) No. The new service, however, is between Oxford Circus and Bromley. (5) We suggest you consult. the Editors of " To and Fro," the monthly guide to London traffic.
Tractor Manufacturers.
0,581] " iNDKNT writes :—" Please let me know the British makers of tractors."
ANSWER. -We beg to advise you of the following ten. manufacturers: Aveling and Porter, Ltd., Rochester.
Brown and May, Ltd., Devizes.
Charles Burrell and Sons, Thetford, Norfolk. John Fowler and Co., Ltd., Leeds.
Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Co., Ltd., Pepper Road Works, Hunslet, Leeds. Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd., Gainsborough. Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., Ipswich. William Foster and Co., Ltd., Lincoln. W. Tasker and Sons, Ltd., Andover, Hants. Wallis and Steevens, Ltd., Basingstoke.
We shall be happy to afford any further information on this subject that you may desire.
Drivers for Taxicabs.
[1,382] " PROVINCIAL " writes :—" I should be greatly obliged if you could give MR the following information :— " (1) Are taxi-drivers difficult to obtain in London and where should they be sought?
" (2) Is the system of deducting sixpence per day for accident deposit still in vogue with the large cab oompanies '(3) Can you give me any indication as to premiums charged by insurance companies for the taxicab risk ?
" (4) -What are the approximate gross receipts per cab per day ?"
ANSWER.--(1) Some difficulty is experienced in obtaining a sufficient supply of suitable men who are familiar with the geography of Lunden ; (2) in some cases, this system is still maintained—a method which causes less trouble, however, is to insure against all accidents, and only to recover from the driver when culpable negligence can be proved ;
(3) we are referring this question to Mr. Sam Wood, the, Manchester branch manager of the Car and General Insurance Corporation. at 1, Princes; Street, Albert Square, who will forward all the necessary information to you;
(4) probably not more than 28s. per day.
Motorcab Accidents.
jj1,583] " OWNER OF SIX. writes.—" A¼ the proprietors of six motorcabs, we should be very much obliged if you would advise us on the following points :—What is the general practice where accidents are due to negligence of drivers? Are the drivers fined or charged in any way?
" We refer, more partieularly, to minor accidents, such as broken windows, dropped or broken lamps, etc. For instance, a driver may break his window in the garage, or a passenger may accidentally damage the upholstery or some fitting, and the driver neglect to obtain his name and address. We should much appreciate your advice."
ANSWER.—In some eases, it is the ride to require the drivers to pay fid, per working day towards an accident fund, from which sums are available for the cost of repairs necessitated by small accidents of the nature you describe. Such subscriptions are only required until a fixed total sum stands to the driver's crediS. Upon leaving his employment, the available balance is returned to him. Some employers charge the whole of the cost of such repairs its this way to the driver. Another and fairer method, which is in force, is to apportion such expenditure between driver and employer, according to an agreed ratio. In certain well-organized companies it has been found preferable to rely upon insurance against all such accidental' damage. Cases of culpable negligenee can, of course,. still be brought home to the individual driver.