Passing Comments
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T HERE are good prospects of satisfactory supers. chargers being developed for use with oil engines on commercial vehicles. Such a device would enable far more power to be obtained from a normal engine or a smaller power unit to be employed for the same output, thus permitting an appreciable reduction in weight: Provided that excessive noise be not produced, the possibilities would appear considerable.
A HEAVY-LORRY driver was seen recently in the act of solving a difficult problem in a simple manner. His vehicle had twin rear wheels, and an outer tyre punctured. The jack had been forgotten, but the driver simply placed some floorboards on the ground and drove the vehicle on to these so that the inner wheel lifted and enabled the outer wheel to be changed. THE new orders issued by the Assistant Commis
sioner of Police to officers operating in private cars, to the effect, amongst other points, that they must conform to the injunction of the Highway Code, which advises all drivers never to accelerate when they are being overtaken, will be welcomed by the harassed users of all classes of motor vehicle.
BRITISH manufacturers are making strong representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce the present income-tax provisions relating to the wear and tear of industrial plant and machinery, as these are considered inadequate for modern, highspeed production. They also claim that allowance should be made for plant which has to be scrapped to make way for new processes. At present, when written down at 71per cent. on diminishing values, the figures become nominal only after 40 years.
WE trust that the Minister of Transport will extend vv the number of thoroughfares to be delimited". There is, for example, the Watford Way, Wembley, which is of ample width, has a good surface, few houses, and is excellently lighted by G.E.C. Osira lamps, which obviate the need for headlights during the darkest periods. It appears to usalso a great mistake for the limit to be retained for the whole 24 hours ; during many of them, pedestrians, and particularly children, are few and far between, and a low speed then becomes even more ridiculous and uneconomic. AT the recent Leeds Assizes, during an action in the Civil Court, a. Bradford haulage contractor, who conducted his own defence, was congratulated by the judge, who asked him if he had been educated for the Bar. It is really not surprising that hauliers and other operators of road transport are becoming Well versed in Court procedure !
A "USEFUL service instituted by the Automobile Association is a fleet of cars with specially checked speedometers which will operate on various
unrestricted roads. Notices will invite drivers to check their speeds against the A.A. instruments. The Association is also arranging to indicate by signs a series of "measured miles " at a number of important points on main roads.
WE were interested to hear, in conversation with vv Mr. Dawson, of the Aluminium Plant and Vessel Co., Ltd., the other day, that his concern has booked more orders for aluminium tankers during the first three months of this year than in the whole of 1934. It is now possible to utilize, on certain chassis, tanks of 1,000-gallon capacity, the total unladen weight of the vehicle remainine. under 2-htons. The demand for this type of vehicle is increasing, said Mr. Dawson, and it is interesting to note that the operating companies set more value on the increased speed permissible, rather than on the reduced taxation on Vehicles in the 21-ton class.