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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."--John Beattie Crozier.

NEW DATE FOR CLASS A AND B LICENCES.

The Minister of Transport has made 1.111 Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933 (Date of Commencement) Order (No. 1), 1934, the effect of which is to bring the goods-vehicle-licensing system into operation on the following dates: (a) as regards vehicles to be authorized under Class C licences, on July 1, 1934 (as previously provisionally arranged); (b) as regards vehicles to be authorized under Class A and B licences, on October 1, 1934 (a postponement of three months as compared with the provisional date).

No regulation has yet been made as regards the form in which records are to be kept.

Scottish Road Passenger Transport Association Conference.

The 12th Annual Conference of the Scottish Road Passenger Transport Association is to be held at the Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry, from May 24-26 inclusive.

Thursday, May 24, 8 p.m., informal reception by the chairman of the Association, Mr. H. C. Babb (general manager, IVIusselburgh and District Electric Light and Traction Co., Ltd. and Coast Line Buses) and Mrs. Babb; 8.30 p.m., musical programme.

Friday. May 25, 10 a.m., general meeting and conference; paper, " Recent Legislation affecting Road Passenger Transport," by Mr. F. G. Bristow, C.B.E., secretary of the British Road Federation; 11.30 a.m., paper, "Economics in a Changing (Road Passenger Transport) World," by Mr. R. B. Herbert, A.M.Inst.T., general manager, Greenock Motor Services Co.; 7 p.m., annual dinner. Saturday, May 26, 10 a.m.. annual general meeting.

17,000 Licence Applications in North West.

With 17,000 applications already received, and an expected total of 19,000 applications for licences, Mr. W. Chamberlain, Licensing Authority for the North-Western Area, will have a heavy task. His first public inquiry will be on May 14, at Manchester Town Hall. It is estimated that 12,00C applications will be for C licences.

Lancashire Agent's Expanding Activities.

Kenyon and Co., Ltd., Preston and Liverpool, has taken over further territory for the distribution of the Leyland Cub, and the area under its control now comprises the whole of Lancashire Westmorland and Cumberland and part of North Wales and Derbyshire.

By reason of this expansion, the Company has opened an office at 5, B20

Cross Street, Manchester, it is increasing its service facilities and is engaged in the extension of its headquarters premises at Preston, and when the work is completed a floor area of 6,000 sq. yds. will be available.

R.H.A. Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting and luncheon of the Road Haulage Association will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, on Thursday, May 31, when the Minister of Transport will be the principal guest. WAR DEPARTMENT TRIALS FROM MAY 7-11.

Arrangements are being made by the War Department to carry out five different trials with standard 4-6-ton four-wheeled pneumatic-tyred vehicles carrying 3-ton loads. All the vehicles will have petrol engines, and the following makes will participate: Albion, Leyland, Maudslay, Morris-Commercial and Thornycroft. In addition, there will be present at the trials the W.D. Crossley and Karrier six-wheelers, and a special W.D. Morris-Commercial 3tonner on low-pressure tyres. Tests will be conducted at Llangollen, and vehicles will be required to climb the Old Horse Shoo Pass.

It is hoped that in the autumn similar trials will be arranged for oilengined vehicles.

An Opportunity for Makers of Spares and Accessories.

A concern known as Interautag (International Automotive Agencies), 131, Avenue Wilson, ' Malines, Belgium, wishes to be put into touch with leading British makers of spare parts and accessories.

The concern is at present working as Continental European sales representative for many factories, particularly American, but it is considered that, with the recovery of British industry, customers could be recommended to place orders with Britieh manufacturers. Articles of special interest include air cleaners, axle shafts, friction material, crankshafts, garage equipment, bearings, accumulators, etc. DUNLOP PROFITS HIGHER.

It is announced by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., that the net profit for 1933, before providing for taxation, shows a total improvement of £052,789, compared with 1932, when the net profit was £800,077. A dividend of 8 per cent. (less tax) is recommended for payment on the ordinary stock, contrasting with 4 per cent. in 1932.

Official Orders in March.

In March last, the War Department ordered Morris-Commercial six-wheeled chassis, whilst the G.P.O. authorities placed orders for Singer and Morris vans and Scammell and Nephew bodies. The Crown Agents for the Colonies also ordered a Dennis fire-engine.

Progress of Liverpool C.M.U.A.

Since the beginning of this year, the Liverpool Area Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Association has enrolled 57 new members and is pursuing its campaign in some of the largest centres of North Wales, where it is hoped eventually to set up local committees.

First Inquiry_ in Northern Area.

An appeal to all drivers to help to make the roads safer, was made by Sir John Maxwell, chairman of the Northern Traffic Commissioners, at the first public inquiry held in the area, under the Road and Rail Traffic Act.

He condemned rate-cutting amongst hauliers and remarked that there were many vehicles operating to-day which were not fit to be on the roads.

1st Cavalry Division Supply Column Reunion.

Over 70 officers and men of the 1st Cavalry Division Supply Column attended the 9th Annual Reunion Dinner held at the Old Red House, Bishopsgate. London, E.C., on Saturday, April 28, when Lieut.-Colonel Organ took the chair.

Old comrades of this Column who wish to participate in future functions or get into touch with friends should send their names and addresses to Mr. S. Roberts, 67, Peak Hill, Sydenham, London, S.E.26.

An International Container Exhibition.

In connection with the annual general meeting of the Bureau International des Containers, which was held in Rome on April 23, the Italian section of the Bureau, in conjunction with the Italian State Railway authorities, has organized an exhibition of different types of container. A series of trials of such appliances is also to be held.

Road Accident Returns.

The Ministry of Transport returns of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended April 21, 1934, show that, in England, 95 persons were 'Jailed and 3,694 injured, whilst 21 were reported as having died through previous accidents. In Scotland 10 persons were killed and 249 injured, and in Wales 4 were killed and 138 injured. PERSONAL PARS.

Mr. Thomas J. Pritchard, of Central Garage, Llandrindod Wells, has won a seat at a by-election on Radnor County Council.

Mr. Percy Lewis, of Messrs. Lewis Bros., Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells, has been elected chairman of Builth Wells Urban District Council. He has been a member of the council for six years.

Mr. F. A. Boyce, who was for some years with T. S. Motors, Ltd., has recently joined the Brush Electrical Engineering Cc., Ltd., of Loughborough, as its rolling-stock sales representative in the North Midlands and Northern counties area.

Mr. E. E. Verrell has joined the staff of the United ' Service Transport Co.. Ltd., Clapham Road, London, S.W.9, in the capacity of a private-hire and seat-booking representative. Mr. Verrell has for a number of years been associated with the coaching trade.

The transport committee of Aberdeen Town Council is to recommend the appointment of Mr. Alfred Smith as manager of the municipal transport department. Mr. Smith has been acting manager since the appointment of Mr. J. L. Gunn to Nottingham. There were 56 applicants for the post.

Mr. W. H. Keys, whose portrait is reproduced on this page, has joined. the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., as municipal sales representative. He has been engaged for over 25 years in the sale of petrol and oil-engined vehicles and trolleyhuses, his most recent appointments being with the Vulcan and Crossley. concerns.

On May 10, at Exchange Station Hotel, Liverpool, a complimentary luncheon is to be given to Mr. F. G. Birch, who for 50 years was in charge of Tate and Lyle's transport at Liverpool, and who, since 1921, was hon. treasurer of the Liverpool Area Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Association. The luncheon is being organized by the Liverpool C.M.U.A.

Commer Fleet for Corona New London Factory.

Thomas and Evans, Ltd., of Porth, South Wales, claims to be the biggest producer of fruit drinks not only in Great Britain but in Europe. Already possessing 25 factories, it has just opened another in Brent Crescent, Park Royal, London, where it has es-. tablished a fleet of 30 2-ton Commers, which will be added to shortly.

We were present at the opening of the works by Mr. Isaac Foot, M.P., on Thursday, April 28. The works are particularly Well arranged as, under one roof, they comprise the factory, . loading-platform and garage, in which 75 vehicles can be accommodated. A NEW LIGHTWEIGHT SHUTTER FOR VANS.

A new van shutter that is considerably lighter in weight than the normal type, and can be made for vehicles of any size, is now being manufactured by G. Brady and Co., Pott Street, Manchester. It is stated to weigh 1i lb. per sq. ft., as compared with 21 lb. per sq. ft. for the standard Brady shutter.

As in the latter type, roller-less construction is used, and this effects a redaction of 2-4 ins, in the coiling diameter of the shutter. The reduction of weight also lessens the stress on the rear pillars, and decreases the tendency to body-whip. The lighter shutter is identical in price with the standard design.

In the constrtction of these shutters, laths with strongly 'designed shoulders are employed, and, in addition to making for durability, it is claimed that this feature ensures the shutter being proof against water, wind and light.

Additional premises have been taken over and when the rebuilding is complete, the concern's manufacturing accommodation will be extended by 75 per cent.

Scammell 4-5-ton Conversions.

We are asked by G. Scammell and Nephew, Ltd., Fashion Street, London, . E.1, to explain that the Scarnmell sixwheeler conversion system, described and illustrated in last week's issue, is not the only design this concern employs. For 4-5-ton conversions a method which permits of independent• movement of the rear wheels is used.

In this case the rear ends of the semi-elliptic springs, to which the driving axle is bolted, are shackled to balance bars carrying at their hinder ends stub-axles on which the trailing wheels run, these axles being connected by a transverse inverted semi-elliptic spring.

A feature of the arrangement is that a greater downward pressure is exerted upon the driving wheels than upon the trailing wheels, whilst the freedom of movement of the latter minimizes the stresses to which the frame is subjected. There are few moving parts and the balance-arms oscillate on substantial ball bearings.

A Hose Clip for 1-leavy Duty.

The first attempt to stop a leak from a flexible water connection is commonly to tighten" the clip—often with undue force. A feature of the Jubilee type is that it is constructed to withstand this form of abuse. Incorporating neither bolt and nut nor bent ends, it relies for the tensioning of the band upon a worm, meshing with a series of slots, the sides of which correspond in function with the teeth of a wormwheel.

Thus, except when the clip is extended to its maximum diameter, the shearing stress, set up in the threads when the worm is turned, is shared between the threads along its entire length and the risk of stripping is minimized. The pull is applied to the band itself, n22 The clip is so designed that contraction exerts pressure on the whole circumference of the hose; only five sizes are required for diameters from Fin. to 31 ins., and prices range from 10d. to Is. 6d. A free sample can be obtained on application to the maker, L. Robinson and Co.,. London Chambers, Gillingham, Kent.

New Welsh Haulage Officers.

The new organization of haulage contractors in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire, the formation of which was announced in last week's issue, is served temporarily by the follthi big officers:— Chairman, County Councillor T. J. Parry-Jones, J.P., Tycroes; hon. secretary, Mr. D. L. Evans, 108, Lammas Street, Carmarthen; executive committee, Messrs. H. R. Yendle (West Wales Petroleum Co., Ltd.), Carmarthen; T. Ebsworth, Carmarthen; J.

Thomas, Llanstepha,n; H. D. Jenkins, Mydrim; A. E. Maddock; W. A. Bland, Carmarthen; and Messrs. Davies and Evans, Bronwydd Arms.

A general meeting is to be held at an early date.

Extensions by Edwards Bros. (Tippers), Ltd.

Donbled floor space will be available as a result of extensions undertaken by Edwards Bros. (Tippers), Ltd„ Bradford Street, Bolton, and extra garage facilities will be provided. The new building, which is connected with the main premises, will be devoted to bodybuilding; new woodworking machinery is being-installed. In addition to undertaking all classes of commercial bodywork, the company also manufactures the well-known Edbro range of tipping gears.

Leyland Oil-engine De-sign.

In last week's issue it was stated that a steel connecting rod is now employed with a separate aluminium-alloy -bigend bearing in the Leyland 8-litre oil engine. We are advised by Leyland Motors, Ltd., that, owing to a transposition in correspondence. this is not

correct. The 8-litre engine employs the aluminium-alloy connecting rod which runs directly upon the crankshaft, whilst the four-cylindered, 5.4litre engine employs a steel rod with a separate aluminium-alloy bearing. SUNDAY SAL& OF PETROL TO BE STOPPED IN WALES?

Applicatioh for summonses against Green's Motors, Ltd., Haverfordwest the well-known West Wales bus company, and Holloway's Motors, Haverfordwest, for selling petrol on Sundays, was made to the Haverfordwest magistrates by a confectioner who was penalized under a 1665 Act for Sunday trading.

The magistrates advised the applicant to ask the chief constable to proceed against the undertakings in the same way as he had been prosecuted.

Many threats have been made by tradesmen to take steps to ensure that the Act, if operated at all, shall be brought to bear against all, and not against some, trades. The law against Sunday trading has for many years been operated in Wales.

It is suggested that the case might possibly be assisted by an appeal to the Ministry of Transport for an order defining the Sunday supply of petrol as a public necessity: Railway Policy Outlined at First Yorkshire Sitting.

The policy of the railway companies with regard to road-transport operators' applications for discretionary-tonnage licences covering the first currency period, Was repeated at the first public sitting of the Licensing Authority for the Yorkshire Traffic Area.

On behalf of the Yorkshire Area of the Road Haulage Association, Mr. A. H. Butterwick (chairman of the Leeds sub-area committee) said the R.H.A. was quite willing to co-operate with the railway companies. Mr. Joseph Earndale, chairman of the Commissioners, said that the procedure would he on passenger-transport lines.

A welcome to the Licensing Authority was voiced by Mr. G. E. Gilhey, chairman of the North-eastern Division of the C.M.U.A.

Among the applications heard was one by J. Hanson and Son, Ltd., Milnesbridge, near Huddersfield, which, in claiming licences for 15 vehicles and eight trailers, said that it had 226 customers, 80 per cent. of whom were in Huddersfield. A witness for the company stated that it could collect goois up to 8.30 p.m and deliver them next morning in London and other centres. SIR HENRY PIGGOTT'S FIRST . HAULAGE INQUIRY.

Sir Henry H. Piggott, C.B., C.B.E., chairman of the South-Eastern Traffic Commissioners, held his first sitting as a licensing authority, under the Road • and Rail Traffic Act, at Bournemouth a, few days ago. He outlined the procedure which he proposed to follow, and • said he was not in a position formally to give a decision on any of the applications, but he would indicate, so far as possible, what his decision was likely to be. He proposed to issue short-term licences instead of those for the full period, so as to spread over the work, hot said that this would not involve the applicants in any additional expense or the risk of forfeiting their right to claim any tonnage in respect of the full-period licence.

Road and Rail in Northern Ireland: Sir Felix Pole in Ulster.

Sir Felix Pole, who is to advise the Northern Ireland Government on road and rail transport conditions, arrived in Belfast on Monday last. On the same day Sir Felix, accompanied by members of Government departments, commenced the private sitting to receive deputations from the various transport concerns, the railway companies, local authorities, Chambers of Commerce and trade union officials. Deputations representing the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. (Northern Counties Committee) and the Belfast Omnibus Co., Ltd., were received on Monday, and evidence on behalf of the Ulster Farmers' Union and the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union was received on Tuesday. On Thursday, the hearing having been completed, Sir Felix was due to make a tour of the Province in order to observe various aspects of commercial transport in Ulster.

It is expected that Sir Felix Pole's report will be ready at an early date, and that his proposals will form the basis of a new Bill.

A.E.C. Fluid Flywheel Chassis.

The AsSociated Equipment Co., Ltd., points out that as it has been granted a licence by the Daimler Co., Ltd., for the manufacture of Daimler Fluid Flywheel transmissions, and by Improved Gears, Ltd., for the manufacture of preselective gearboxes, all vehicles built at the Southall factory and fitted with these components are now domplete A.E.C. products.

Carmo's Excellent Year.• The fifth annual dinner and dance of Canno (1929), Ltd., held on April 28, with Mr. D. C. H. Wells, managing director, in the chair, was one of the most successful and entertaining events of the season.

Mr, Wells announced that last year's figures were well in advance of those ot the previous year and that Mr. G. Yelland, the repairs manager, had been appointed a director of the company.

Amendments to Buyers' Guide.

Under the heading "For pay-loads over 12 tons " in our Buyers' Guide to Goods Chassis, published last week, an Armstrong-Sanrer Python 15--tonner was listed, This entry should be deleted, the only Python model being that made by the Multiwheeler company, as shown inthe same column under the appropriate heading.

In the section for chassis of 3-4-ton capacity, the Halley DF2 model was shown as having a gross load of 4-5 tons; this should be 4.5-tons, whilst the price of this model is £550. WEIGHING TEST CAUSES LOSS OF DELIVERY.

Under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, a commercial vehicle may not be stopped on the road by examiners, and the wisdom of this provision was proved at Llanelly Police Court on Monday last.

The defendant said that when he was pulled up he protested to the weights _and Measures officials that he was hastening with a consignment of tinplates to catch a ship due to leave Swansea docks. He was, he said, held up for the examination of the vehicle and in consequence the ship left without this freight, and the tin-plate company was heaarily penalized by indemnities for failure to deliver the goods at the specified time.

Defendant was accused of using a heavy lorry in such a way that the weight transmitted to the road surface by two wheels in line transversely exceeded nine tons. His employer was summoned for permitting the offence.

The prosecution stated that the weight was 11 tons 1 cwt., bat the vehicle owner declared that, according to the corporation weighbridge, the weight transmitted to the road by the back axle was 3 tons 15 cwt., and the whole load .of tin-plates was little over 5 tons.

Each defendant was fined 22.

Davies Classic Tyres.

In the advertisement of the Davies Tyre Co., Ltd., The Hyde, Hendon, London, N.W.9, appearing in Our recently issued publication, "London Wharves and Docks," this well-known company was referred to as being the manufacturer of the Davies Classic giant tyres, whereas the name should be Classic. LONDON'S BUSY AMBULANCES.

The London County Council has recently issued particulars dealing with the work of its ambulance services during 1933. The total number of calls received during the year was 42,384, involving 44,250 cases—an increase of 1,746 on the calls for the previous year. It may be mentioned that the highest recorded total of calls was the 44,178 in the year ended March 31, 190.

Of the total number of cases in the past year, street accidents numbered 17,799 (40.2 per cent. of the total). The total mileage covered by the ambulances was 190,965, and the average time occupied in reaching a case was 6.3 minutes, the average time between the receipt of the call and the arrival at hospital being 14.4 minutes.

Garage Refuse Not " Dotnestic."

Glasgow Corporation Parliamentary Bills Committee has considered petitions lodged against the clause in the measure relating to the disposal of refuse. It ha; agreed not to entertain a proposal by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd., that the definition of " domestic refuse " should include the refuse froth garages.

£825 Haulage Contract.

Salford Corporation recommends the acceptance of the tender of Mrs. E. Friesner, of Salford, for the hire Of motor vehicles and drivers for 12 months, at the following daily rates:— 3-4-ton motor and driver, 55s.; 2tonner, 90s.; SO-cwt. vehicle, 27s. 6d.: and 1-tonner, 27s. 6d. The value of the contract is estimated at £825.