The Wheels of Industry.
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"The wheel 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 rnas."—John Beattie Crozier.
New Prospects Overseas.
Construction of new roads must precede many new openings for commercial motors overseas. We are pleased to observe that the military and other authorities concerned are preparing to allow an extension of civilian motor traffic on the Cairo-Port Said and CairoAlexandria roads, and are also formulating a scheme generally to improve the existing roads or tracks in the Delta of the Nile.
The latest developments in Ceylon concern the operations of a syndicate styled the Nirwara Eliya Motor Transport and Touring Co. This company will serve the routes in the vicinity of Nuwara Eliya (where its offices are situated), Garapola, Bandarawella, Badulla and Talawakelle.
North and East "Lancs. C.M.U.A.
The annual general meeting of the North and East Lanes_ 0.11.U.A. was held on Saturday afternoon last, at the Bull and Royal Hotel, Preston. Mr. J. Crorribleholme (Matthew Brown and Co., Ltd.), chairman of the association, presided.
The report of the committee dealt largely with the successful defence of members who have • been subjected to prosecutions during 1916. No fewer than 30 cases out of 51 resulted in dismissals by the magistrates. Particular attention was directed to one " win " in which an owner of a Foden wagon had been charged with a breach of the law by emission of smoke. The funds of the North and East Lancs. C.M.U.A. had, provided 222 towards the cost of securing this eminently satisfactory result. Messrs.
E„ Mallalieu (Jackson Bros., Blackpool) and A. E. Merigold (Preston) were added to the committee.
There was a committee dinner, and afterwards a general smoking concert, at the same hotel, later in the evening. The members were addressed in the course of the proceedings by Mr. Shrapnell-Smith, who spoke both as Editor of THE COMMERCIAL MoTon and hon. treasurer of the Incorporated C.M.U.A. He touched upon numerous matters of current and prospective importance. The members present included the following :—Messrs. J. Crombleholme (Matthew Brown and Co., Ltd., Preston), 0. Le M. Geeselin (Viney and Co., Ltd., Preston), J. OrrelI (Darwen Motor Carriers, Ltd.), 0. H. Richards (Darwen), E. Houghton (G. and R. Dewhurst, Ltd., Preston), J. Kinder (Kinder Bros., Blackburn), F. Wearing (F. Wearing and Co., Darwen), A. E.
Me,rigeld, J. E. Mallaleui (secretary and representative of the Blackpool Char-a-bancs Proprietors' Association), W. H. King (Jackson Bros., Blackpool), Jas. Holden (Higher Walton); R. H. Hodson (Preston), J. Wild (J., Wild and Co., Wigan), A. Meadows (Walmsley and Co., Ltd., Preston), E. Bradshaw (Preston), T. Smith (Derby Motor Carriers, Ltd., Bolton), 3. Duckworth (Darwen), J. Stansfield (Shackleton and Sons, Blackburn), and J. T. Ward (secretary). Apologies included a telegram from Mr. Bristow. The entertainment portion of the smoking concert was admirably discharged by, Messrs. Roper Ward, Cransfield and Robinson. • The Institution of Automobile Engineers.
The seventh meeting of the session of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held on Wednesday next, the 11th inst., at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi,W.O., at 8 p.m.. when Lieut.-Col. R. K. Bagnall-Wild will read a paper entitled "The Use and Abuse of Steel in Aircraft Construction."' A card "of invitation may be obtained by forwarding .4 stamped, addressed envelope to the Secretary, Institution of Automobile Engineers, 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W. 1.
Agrimotorculture in Lancashire.
We were pleased to have the opportunity, on the occasion of a recent visit to the north, to have a chat with Mr. Edward Bohane, the secretary of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Mr. Bohane mentioned that 15 agrimotors are now at work in the County Palatine of these 15 tractors, 32 are privately owned. The scheme of sunervision, to ensure mechanical efficiency, is not yet found, in Mr. Bohane's experience, to be working as smoothly as is desired. The tractors which are kept working continuously average 12 acres ploughed per tractor per day, after taking into consideration travelling froira one farm to another, Mr. Bohane believes that, for the loamy land south of the River Ribble, a 16 h.p. tractor of light weight is the best. -It Will be our pleasure next week to refer to some further matters concerning the activities, of the R.L.A.S. to aid food production.
M.T., A.S.C. Commissions.
We are officially informed by the War Office that the A.S.C. staff officers for personnel, Q.M.0.5, have had sufficient names submitted to them to satisfy their requirements for the time being.
German 42 cm. Howitzer Personnel..
The personnel of a 42 czn. Howitzer .battery in the German Army consists of 280 men under the command of a captain. The motor-lorry drivers and mechanics, who are largely drawn from the Krupp works and the works of motorwagon manufacturers in Germany, account for 80 out of the 280.
Recent Registrations.
Arthur Barker and Son, Ltd. (212,000), to take over the business in the same name now carried on at Fleet Hall, 87, Anlaby Thad, J. Kasner and Co., Ltd. (28900), with its registered office at Promenade House, Uxbridge, W., to carry on a cartage, • haulage, coal and coke business.
Pearl Motor Co., Ltd. (21000), with its registered office at 15, Leadenhall Street, E.C., to carry on the business of dealing in motorcars, motorcycles, etc.
Universal Machinery Co. (Leeds), Ltd. (21000), with its registered office at 62, Hunslet New Road, Leeds, to carry on a mechanical engineering, motor and electrical business.
Burchett and Given, Ltd. (21000), with its registered office at 4-8, Wilton Crescent Mews, W., to take over a motor and general engineering business now carried on by E. Burchett and B. Given at the above address.
Edward Nelson and Co., Ltd. (21000), by Slaughter and May, 18, Austin Friars, E.C., to take over the motor-engineering business now carried on as Edward Nelson and Co., at 109-111, Astbury Road, Peckham, S.E.
John W., Barnes, Ltd. (216,000), by W. Drysdale 1, Water Street, Liverpool, to take over the business now carried on by J. W. Barnes at Railway Works, Rock, Ferry, Cheshire, concerned with the manufacture of machine tools, motors, etc.
National Furniture Depositories, Ltd. (210.000), by L. Meaden, 13, Prince Albert Street, Brighton: to take over a removal, warehousing, haulage and general contracting and carrier's business now carried on as the National Furniture Depositories at 544-546, King's Road, Chelsea.
County of Glasgow Motor Volunteer Corps.
Mr. H. Prosser, of 98, Hope Street, Glasgow, is now making en-. listments for the formation of the 2nd Light Squadron and a 2nd Heavy Squadron of motor vehicles, in connection with the County of Glasgow Motor Volunteer Corps.
Rotax Co.'s Manchester Branch.
The Rotax Motor ACcessories, Co., Ltd. has been compelled, owing to shortage of staff, temporarily to close its Manchester depot at 291-253, Deansgate. This depot will be re-opened immediately after the peace, and all customers of the company in Manchester and district will find prompt attention given to correspondence or Order, if they are addressed to Rotax• Works, Willesden Junction, London, N.W.
Fewer London Motorbuses.
The shortage of petrol had last week resulted in the temporary laying up of about one-fifth of the total number of motorbuses in London. r This proportion was even exceeded in the case of one Wellknown proprietor. The position is serious, for nobody can deny that the free use of motorbuses in Lon
don is essential to the proper prosecution of —the war. Business people Must get about, and at the reasonable charges which are made by the L.G.O.C. and other 'companies. .
The companies are making every effort to subStantiate their ease before the.Petrol Control Committee, to the end that they shall be given preferential treatment. New regulations and restrictions concerning supplies of petrol -substitutes, inclusive of paraffin, have brought matters to a state which approximates a orisis.
B44 Holiday Effects.
The Easter vacation will have the effect of delaying slightly our press arrangements, so that our next issue, for the 12th inst., will.not be available to the public until Thurs-. day afternoon instead of the usual Thursday morning.
Y.NI.C.A. Drivers.
The Y.M.C.A_. is in need of firstclass mechanic drivers for. war work in Salon ica and FranCe. The men must be over military • age, and should apply to Mr. Alec Slater, Hon. Secretary, Motor Department, Ir.M.C.A., Tottenham Court Road, W. 1.
Taxicab Fares in the Provinces.
There is continued agitation in various provincial cities, to the end that increases of taxicab . fare scales shall be sanctioned. Proprietors of motorcabs. in Liverpool are having another try. They object very strongly to the initial hiring rate of 6d. for the first half-mile or last " Off rank." We do not wonder at this objection, under present conditions, whatever may have been the merits of this exceptional hiring charge under peace conditions. The matter is still before the Hackney Carriage Sub-committee of the Liverpool City Council.
Austin's " Culti-tractors" '
Readers Who were interested in our last week's description of Austin " Culti-Tractors," and most of
all those of our readers who May be contemplating taking up agrir motor agencies, will no doubt be attracted by the new trade markWhich the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., has exclusively adopted for its
Culti-Tractors." We reproduce this herewith.
Karrier Works and Wounded Soldiers.
The Karrier Motor Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade at Iinddersfield, recently entertamed 171 wounded soldiers at the Karrier Wo-rks. The wounded men were conveyed from the military hospitals at Bradley; Meltharn, Crosland Moor and Royds HalL Karrier Works staff took part in the entertainment which was also organized to cheer the men, the whole proceedings lasting from a little before 6 p.m. until after 10. p.m., .under the chairmanship of Mr: R. F. Clayton. All the officers of the Karrier M:otor Division were present.
More Petrol for Councillors and Officials.
Representations to the Petrol Control Committee were recently made by the County Councils Association for an, adequate allowance of petrol for members and offieials of local authorities. Now the Committee replies that it has already undertaken to grant an adequate allowance to members of Appeal Tribunals and War Agricultural Committees where necessary. The petrol situation depended almost entirely on the extent of the requirements of the war and the amount of tank tonnage available for importation, and the Committee has been compelled to adopt drastic measures for limiting civil consumption. It was hoped, however, that it would be possible to allow a small quantity of petrol for necessary work, after existing licences expired.
New Omnitractors,
The Omnitractor Syndicate, Ltd., of 18 and 19, Great St. Helens, London, E.C. 3, of which company Mr. A. Keen-Smith is general engineer and director, gave ,a demonstration recently at Lincoln. One place of manufacture of these tractors is the works of Messrs. Penny and Son, at Lincoln. The recent demonstration included ploughing, which was accomplished at the rate of one acre an hour, and hauling on the road. A 38 h.p. engine is fitted to the tractor, and there are two forward speeds, and 4i m.p.h. The demonstration and tests were witnessed by Mr. R. M. Wright (District Organizer under the ploughing scheme of the Board of Agriculture), Mr. IT Tong (of the Agricultural Department of the Lindsey County Council), and Mr: H. W. Palmer (local secretary of the National Farmers Union). The plough Cut four furrows each time.
Vehicles with Two Licences.
At the Guildhall on Tuesday, the 27th ult., before Mr. Alderman C. A. Hanson, M.P. Win. Eames, in the employ of M.essrs. Stonson, Haslemere, Surrey, was summoned for driving a locomotive in Queen Victoria St., in restricted hours.
Defendant was seen driving thQ tractor with two trucks attached, and on being stopped said he was quite ignorant of the fact that they were infringing the regulations. On behalf of the firm, it was stated that inquiries had been made at the police station, and they were informed that so long as the car had been registered as a light locomotive they would be all right. They had two licences for it—as a motor, and as a locomotive.
The Alderman : In this case, ignorance was not bliss. I must impose a fine of 20s. and 2s. costs. [Had the tractor been hauling one
trailer only, its use would have been in order.—En.] , Recent Registrations.
Acme Motors Ltd. (21000), with its registered office at Crown Chambers, 9, Regent Street, S.W., to carry on a motorcar-manufacturing and repairing business.
Davis, Turnbull and Ltd.
(L2000), with its registered Co.Ace at 20, St. James's Street, Sheffield, to manufacture and deal in engineers' tools, motorcars, accessories, etc.
Alfred Bishop and Son,, Ltd. (115,000), with its registered office at 7, Southampton Street, Fitzroy Square W., to take over a horse and motor cartage haulage and removal business, etc.
Motor Volunteers.
The Motor Transport Volunteers,. who for many months past have done valuable service in conveying soldiers on leave between London railway termini, will in future be known as a squadron of the City of London Volunteer Corps, with its headquarters at 31, Walbrook, RC. 4. The squadron will be under the command of Lieut. C. R. Freer.a,ntle. The work of these Volunt^ors was originally financed by Sir John Lister Kaye, Bart., in order to cover:the cost of hiring motorbuses more particularly. Upwards of 160,000 men have been conveyed across London at night, through its operations, the success of which must be a pleasing reward to those who have worked so enthusiastically in support of it.
Other squadrons of the City of London Motor Volunteers Corps, for service in other connections than the conveyance of troops on leave, are being formed by the Pommercial Motor Users Association, as a conversion of . the old Mechanical Transport Column of *Ole City of London National Guard.
tB48 Labour Deprived of Motorbuses.
. Mr. W. Thorne last week asked the President of the Board of Trade : If he is aware. that . the motor companies have taken off some of their motor omnibuses from theroad, which will inflict hardship upon the wage-earning travelling public ; if be can state if it is because there is a shortage of petrol ; if he is aware that there are thousands of gallons of petrolj used by owners of private cars and taxicabs attendinghorse-race meetings from, time to time ; and if he will take steps to have horse-racing stopped.
M. Roberts : As regards the first part of this question, I am aware that, owing to shortagQ of motor
fuels, certain omnibus services have been reduced ; but I hope that in making this reduction the less important routes have been selected. As regards the latter part. I would refer my hon. friend to the answers which I gave to questions asked by him and by the hon. member for North-east Lanarkshire.
Mr. Thorne : Is the hon. gentleman aware that the Director of National Service suggested to a large number of members of this House that they should go about and ask men to join the National Service, and so long as foolish games of this sort are going on does he think that members would be justified in doing so ?
Mr. France asked the President of the Board of Trade : If he is aware of the fact that motor omnibuses have been taken off important and busy routes in consequence of the shortage of motor fuel ; and if he will take steps to prevent this popular form of public conveyance being curtailed while private carg are being used solely for pleasurable and luxurious purposes ?
Mr. Roberts : I am aware that in consequence of shortage of petrol motor omnibus companies are reducing their services, but this reduction will primarily affect the less important routes. No licences are now being granted or renewed for the supply of petrol for use in private cars, which are not used for purposes of national importance.
Mr. France:' Can the hon. gentleman tell me where owners of motorcars get petrol from Mr. Roberts : I can only say there are no more licences issued.
Mr. Pringle : Will the licences as they expire not be renewed?
Mr. Roberts : That is so, except for work of national importance l Proceedings of Local Authorities.
Essex C.C. has purchased a second-hand steam wagon for £440.
The Stanhope U.D.C. is obtaining prices for a motor ambulance.
The Road Board has approved the estimate of the Woolwich. Borough Surveyor for making up Church Man orway for motorbus traffic at a cost of .21036.
Plans have been lodged with the local authorities by the Britiali.Enaign Motors, Ltd., for an extenSion of factory premises in 'Hawthorn Road and Litchfield Gardens, Willesden.
The Board of Trade are asking all local authorities in London to co-operate with •gas companies in the distribntion of coke, and-whether the councils can undertake the entire handling of coke.
The Willesden U.D.G. has accepted the tender of Messrs. W. M. Forbes and Co. fora combined insurance policy in respect of the seven motor vehicles used by the Health Department at an annual preinium of £66 10s.
The Ilford electricity manager has informed the Council that he could do With another two-ton electric wagon for coal haulage; • but fears it would be impossible to get one at crice. He also suggests the purehase of a second-hand steam wagon at a reasonable price, and the Committee is making inquiries.
Further to the announcement in our issue dated the 15th March, the Marylebone B.C. are fitting two of the six Austin chassis recently bought with interchangeable watercart bodies. The Works Committee is also considering the advisability of buying an electric motor dust cart with an interchangeable body, and also of building five or six dust vans of •improved design. The Lancaster T.C. has obtained the sanction of the Local Government Board to the borrowing of 22000 in order to purchase two additional motorbuses.
At a recent meeting of the Kesterven C.C. it was asked if it were possible to procure a motor plough for the small holdings in-the district. The agricultural organizer said that several were available, but the tractors were not suitable for small holdings on account of their size. In reply to a further question, he said that the cost of ploughing per acre by motor tractor was from 15s. to 20s.
In consequence of further complaints against the furious driving of motor vehicles, the Bath Corporation has again ordered the chief constable to secure the due observance of the Motor Car Act. The Corporation is considering two tenders for the supply of a motor fire-engine. Satisfactory 'tests have been recently made by the Tynemouth Corporation of its new motor fireengine, built for . the corporation. by Messrs. John Morris and Sons, Manchester.
The Ripon R.D.G. is making a further appeal to the Local Govern-, ment Board for the sanction of ni loan to be borne in conjunction with the Ripon City Council, for the purpose of buying a motor fire-, engine to replace the one damaged irretrievably by the military authorities.
The West Ham Corporation is recommended to license the storage of petroleum in Silvertewn as follows: The Anglo-American Co., 950,000 gallons ; London and Thames Haven . Oil q Wharves, 640,000 gallons ; the Asiatic Petroleum-Co., 1,000,000 gallons. Representatives of these concerns have assured the Corporation that the storing of such huge quantities is safe, and that no danger to the district is likelyto arise.