News and Comment.
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The comment and views of this journal are respected and carry weight, because members of its Editorial staff have practical experience and knowledge of the construction and use of commercial motors. Our circulation is genuine, and includes the heads of many wealthy commercial houses.
Manchester Watch Committee is about to buy a prison motorvan,
The subject of contracting and hiring, whether for the conveyance of goods or passengers, by motor manufacturers, 13 a matter upon which we have something to say on the second page of this issue, and we invite discussion in our correspondence columns.
With Manchester looming ahead, the commercial-vehicle exhibits at the Edinburgh Show suffer somewhat in 4,omparison, but those of our readers who reside North of the Tweed should, as we recommended them to do la.st week, not fail to pay a visit to the Waver ley Market on or before '!-Mturday next, This issue contains a brief report, together with illustrations.
Michelin's English Factory.
The Building Committee of the London County Council has passed plans for the Michelin Tyre Co., Ltd., for the erection—upon a site abutting on Pulham Road, Lucan Place, Leader Street, .and Sloane Avenue, Chelsea —of a building to exceed in extent 250,000 square feet.
Route-boards for Motorvans.
We learn that a useful feature is likely to be extended by owners of motorvana, and particularly by the large stores which serve customers within an ever-increasing .circle from their head-quarters. The Civil Service Cooperative Society's motorvans all carry route-boards, with white lettering on a black ground, much upon the .accepted lines of a London motorbus. .0n certain days, for example, one van, on each side of the roof, presents the information to all and sundry, that it is on a journey for the purpose of serving " Bromley, Hayes, Farnborough, Seal, and Sevenoaks."
Banking on Wheels.
Travelling banks are not uncommon in America, and Messrs. Farrow now have a motor vehicle equipped for the purpose of touring villages in Sussex by way of initiation of a larger
scheme. The success of the venture will be watched with interest.
Pneumatic Filling for Tires, Cushions, Bus-seats, etc.
The early issue of the prospectus of Pneumatic (1910), Ltd., to which we made reference four weeks ago, is expected, and it will interest readers of this journal to find that the board of directors includes Colonel R. E. Compton, C.B., Mr. Henry Edmunds, Mr. H. S. Foster, M.P., and other gentlemen who are well known in motoring circles.
New Registration.
John Roper, Ltd., with an authorized capital of 1:8,000 in £1 shares, and with its office at Cousins Street, Wolverhampton, to enter into an agreement with T. Cureton, and to carry on the business of manufacturers, cutters, merchants and vendors of gears, gear whee!s, and other parts of motors, motorcars, etc.
Traffic Rules.
The Commercial Motor Csers' Association, a f ter lengthy consideration, and after submitting the earlier drafts to the criticism of the police in various parts of the country, have been able to produce a highly-satisfactory set of traffic rules and recommendations. These are reproduced herewith, full size, in the centre of the page, and we are gratified to be able to state that they are considered suitable by Sir Edward Henry, the Chief Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. It is worthy of note that the new terms "close control " and 1' town control " have been adopted to the exclusion of " speed."
Ariel and General Repairs, Ltd., with an authorized capital of £5.000 in £1 shares, and with its office at 322a, Camberwell New Road, S.E., to carry on the business of making and repairing and dealing in motors of every description.
Lion Peugeot (England), Ltd., with an authorized capital of £5,000 in £1 shares, by Messrs. Kenneth Brown, Baker, Baker and Co., of Lennox House, Norfolk Street, Strand, W.C., to carry on the business of manufacturers of, dealers and repairers, etc., of automobiles, motorcars, motors, etc.
Alleged Nuisances.
Mr. S. J. G. Hoare, M.P., writing to the Chelsea Borough Council in regard to a comniunication from that body complaining of annoyance from heavy motor traffic, states that he intends to ballot for a Traffic Regulation Bill. The Hammersmith, Kensington, Wandsworth and Fulham Borough Councils have appointed delegates to attend a conference to be held on the 10th inst., at Fulham.
New Albion Catalogue.
As we go to press, an early copy of the Albion Company's new catalogue of commercial motors has reached us. It is an admirably-compiled booklet, of 36 pages, and is neither too long nor too short for the purposes in view. The essential constructional features are illustrated in pleasing style, and the useful particulars of 12 types are given in concise form, together with prices, leading dimensions, and measurements when packed for shipment. In particular, we like the arrangement of the export and shipping information, which does not omit detailed reference to the important question of tire supplies and renewals ; the page which is devoted to the " Faranaure " solid tire with detachable flange, and the inset prices in regard to this important requirement for any vehicle which is sent abroad, will appeal to many recipients overseas.
From Australia.
In the latter part of November, a .one-ton Albion chassis, which had been fitted up with a char-a-bancs body, was put to work on a service between Muswellbrook and Merriwa, a distance of 48 miles. During the past month, the car, which carries ten passengers and a small quantity of luggage, has done the journey regularly without a hitch of any kind, although the road is by no means a good one even for Australia. The car leaves Muswellbrook first thing in the morning, takes four hours to do the journey, and returns in the afternoon, and, with a three-mile run to and from the garage, accomplishes 102 miles each day. On the road in question, there is a small stretch of the renowned black soil ; this, owing to heavy rain in the district, has frequently been soft, yet the car has only once experienced any difficulty.
Messrs. G. H. Smith and W. H. Dorey, of 14a, Great Marlborough Street, W.C., are now acting as the West End agents of the Simms Magneto Co., Ltd.
The Governor of Ceylon is considering the making of additional grants for road-improvement purposes, with a view to the better development of the island by means of extended motor transport.
Rudge-Whitworth, Ltd., is now guaranteeing its detachable wire wheels for three years, and this guarantee has been made retrospective in respect of all wheels dispatched from the Rudge-Whitworth factory on and after the 1st November last.
Found, a Dennis Hub-cap.
The owner of a Dennis huh-cap, which cap was found at the foot of Bromley Hill, Kent. at 12 noon on the 26th ult., can have it by sending particulars (with stamps to cover postage) to Mr. H. W. Bartleet, 104, Broadfield Road, Catford, S.E.
London Traffic Board.
A correspondent of "The Times," writing in that journal for the 18th ult., suggests that the London Traffic Board should be enlarged to a total of no fewer than 38 members in all, and proposes the following distribution of representatives: Engineers, three; Home Office, one; Local Government Board, one ; London County Council, three ; Police, two ; City of London, two; Local Authorities, 12; Railways, three; Tramways, three; Mechanical Free-wheeled Traffic, three ; Horse Traffic, three; and a Chairman and Vice-chairman elected from the outside. We feel that some happy mean between the recommendation of the Royal Commissioners, that there should be a small Advisory Board of three members only, and the new one put forward in " The Times " will have to he found, and it must not be forgotten that the imminent appointment of a Road Board, under the provisions of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act of last Session, may have a direct influence upon the constitution and scope of action of any Traffic Tionrd for London. Entertainment at Leyland.
A social gathering, in connection with Leyland Motors, Ltd., was held on Friday, the 21st ult., when close upon 300 persons were present. The entertainment took the form of a teaparty, concert and dance, and was supported by the presence of the whole of the directorate of the company. The relaxation was much appreciated, owing to the pressure under %%hid' everybody connected with this undertaking has been working recently.
Satisfactory Report of an Agricultural Motor's Work.
Writing in last week's issue of "The Field," a contributor, " Home Counties," relates the experiences, with an agricultural motor, of Mr. H. C. Nash, a gentleman who farms some 350 acres at Little Canfield, near Dunmow. Mr. Nash evidently belongs to the modern school of farmers, for we are informed that he both owns and drives a petrol private-car; it is not surprising, therefore, that he has given careful consideration to the claims of the internal-combustion engine for farm work. The agricultural motor which he operates on his farm is a 20 h.p. Ivel machine; its performances evidently have satisfied him. Speaking to" Home Counties" about last year's clover crop, Mr. Nash stated " that although clover was very hard to get, he mowed 11 acre in an hour, but, when cutting grass, he did rather better." So far as concerned the work done by this machine, when hauling a reaper and binder, its owner stated that it would require six horses and two extra men to do an equal amount. He also added that" whereas a. cart-horse may cost from 1.0s. 6d. tolls, a week for attendance and food, whether it be working or not, the motor involves its owner in no expense whatever while standing still."
Mr. Nash considers that such a motor could profitably be employed on any average farm of 300 acres in extent, and, he commented, money is invested in things which are used less, and do not save as much in a year as the motor does during harvest time. Such a motor has many uses, both on the land and the highway.