M. of T. Licence RetUrns,
Page 49
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A Ministry of Transport return which has recently been issued shows that the total number of mechanically propelled vehicles in Great Britain, for which licences were current during the quarter ended September 30th last, was 2,196,714, this figure comparing with 2,052,539 for the corresponding period of 1928. Included in the total for 1929 were 329,794 goods vehicles and 97,997 hackney carriages.
A.E.C. Tankers for the AngloAmerican.
One of the latest additions to the motor fuel tankers in the service of the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., is illustrated on this page. It consists of an A.E,C. 95 hp. Regent chassis carrying a 1,500-gallon triple-compartment tank body built by Fry Brothers, Ltd., Greenwich. London, 8.E.10, and a feature which is at once noticeable is the exceedingly low load-line.
The A.E.C. Regent chassis has already achieved much popularity in passenger circles, but this is the first time that its capabilities have been tested in commercial service. There are one or two unorthodox features in the design of the vehicle. For example, the wheel-arches depart from previous practice and are embodied within the tank itself, whilst the valves are all controlled from a compartment, which has a door, at the rear. The tanker is painted in the familiar green and red colours of the fleet used for distributing Pratt's High Test spirit.
Free State Solid-tyre Imports.
During the nine months ended Septe,mber last, 3,067 solid tyres, valued at £15,092, were imported into the Irish Free State, as compared with 4,184 and £24,878 respectively in the corresponding period of 1928. Of the total, the United Kingdom is credited with 2,736 tyres (113,059) and foreign countries with only 331 tyres (12,033).
Birch Bros.' Celebration.
A dinner was recently held to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the resumption of London bus services by the old-established company of Birch Bros., Ltd., which has been concerned with the operation of public-service vehicles in the metropolis since 1832. The company is, of course, also well known as a .builder of all kinds of commercial-motor body.
At the dinner, Mr. H. Barber, the chairman, proposed the toast of the company, the response being in the capable hands of Mr. W. H. Birch, the managing director. Mr. Hardman, head of the coachbuilding department, proposed the toast of the Birch Social and Athletic Club. Mr. Raymond Birch is the popular president.
The City and United Companies are also associated with Birch Bros. Ltd., in the operation of the No. 536 bus route, and a large number of the employees of these companies was present.
Cardiff Out to Prevent Competition.
Cardiff Corporation is promoting a Bill to enable it to prohibit any company or local authority. from running buses along any route where the corporation has already provided a service of tramcars or buses, subject to the right Of any applicant for a licence to appeal to the Ministry of Transport against the decision of the corporation, under -Section 14 (3) of the Roads Act, 1920.
Trolley-bus ()Orations in Singapore.
The operations of the Singapore Traction Co. for the year ended September 30th last were conducted at a net profit of £51,098, this figure being an increase of £13,839 over the previbus year.
The total length of trolley-bus routes was increased to 22.31 miles by extensions oarried Out during the year: As compared with the previous year, the number of vehicle-miles run increased by 26.9 per cent., passengers carried by 19.4 per cent. and passenger receipts by 22.3 per cent At the end of September last the fleet of the company consisted of 108 trolley-buses and seven, motorbuses, and further vehicles of the latter type are being commissioned for service.
Important Contract for London Concern.
A contract to the value of £3,600 has been made by the stores committee of the London County Council with the United Service Transport Co., Ltd., for the hire for a year of petrol lorries. Thirty-seven undertakings were invited to submit quotations.
Owing to an error in connection with the block used, a misunderstanding may have arisen in regard to the illustration which appeared in the half-page advertisement of Willmotts Motors, Ltd,, in our issue dated January 21st. The vehicles offered by Willmotts Motors, Ltd., are replicas of the original coach purchased by Blue Belle Motors, Ltd., and shown on the stand of the Gilford Motor Co., Ltd., at the Commercial Motor Exhibition at Olympia.
Ambulance Calls in London.
The London County Council reports that, during the quarter ended December 31st last, there were 11,071 calls received by the ambulance service, as compared with 10,894 during the corre sponding period of 1928. The total number of calls received during 1929 was 43,567, which was an increase of 152 on those recorded during the previou8 year.
A New Bus-heating System.
A new motorbus heating system, which has been devised by Mr. G. Alan Orr, of 15, Knockbreda Road, Belfast, is attracting attention in motorbus circles in Northern Ireland, it having already been adopted on some of the motor coaches running between Belfast and Dublin, and Belfast and Portrush.
Owing to the fact that, whilst the provisional patent has been filed and accepted, the full patent has not yet been secured, it can be mentioned only that the system takes the form of low-pressure water heated from the radiator of the engine. The flow and return pipes make a circuit of the bus and four small-size radiators are installed horizontally underneath certain of the seats. If necessary, a temperature of 80 degrees may be obtained, this being adjustable by means of a valve controlled by the conductor. There are no fumes emanating from this 'system, which might enter the body.
A Year's Work from a Diesel Lorry.
We understand that, on January 1st last, the first Mercedes-Benz 6-ton four-wheeled Diesel lorry in this country completed its first year's work, during which it covered 33,500 miles, being on most occasions fully laden. It is stated that the total cost of operation per gross ton-mile was approximately 0.54d.
For Leaking Radiators.
A preparation is being marketed by the County Chemical Co., Ltd., Chemico Works, Bradford Street, Birmingham, to seal radiator leaks. It is known as Chernico Stop-it Leaking. It is claimed that it will seal leaks in from five to ten minutes, that it does not clog the cooling system and contains no pigments, abrasives, or other powders which might be harmful or corrosive to metal parts. The retail price is 3s. per tin.