WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheel's of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage Is hy the roughneas of the roads over which it runs,"—John Beattie Crozier.
The Number of Commercial Vehicles in Operation.
A return has been issued by the Ministry of Transport giving particu, lars of the number of mechanically propelled vehicles for which. licences were current at any time during the quarter ended September 30th, 1928. The total number of vehicles of all types, including private cars and motorcycles, was 2,052,433, compared with 1,899,650 during the corresponding period of 1927.
With regard to goods vehicles, the figures were 305,744 and 282,905 respectively, and motor hackney vehicles 95,412 for 1928 and 95,526 for 1927. It will be noted that, whereas there is a big increase in the goods vehicles, there was a slight drop in the number of hackneys.
Analysing thefigures' there was a remarkable increase of 963 in the number of goods vehicles not exceeding 12 cwt., the total now being 2,481. The largest rise was 'in vehicles between 1 ton and 2 tons unladen, this being
• 11,093. , Steam-driven vehicles showed a drop of 416, the total novr being 8,677. We were rather surprised to note an increase in the number of batteryelectric vehicles, this being 114, making the total 1,47/.. The reduction in the hackney vehicles was 3,954 in vehicles mating not more than eight persons, and 736 in those seating more than eight but not exceeding 14. All the other classes showed an increase.
To • the above total of commercial vehicles must be added those vehicles, such as certain hire cars, taxed on the horse-power basis, tractors to the number of 3,234, and motorcycles and sidecars for delivery purposes, as well as exempt vehicles, such as ambulances, fire-engines, road-rollers, etc., to the number of 19,783.
The London to Cardiff Service.
"By Road to Wales" is the title of a little booklet which has just been issued by Great Western Express Co., Ltd., whict, as many of our readers may be aware, maintains a soven-daysa-week service between London and Cardiff, the vehicles which are used on the route being of a high-grade order. The chassis are of the Tilling-Stevens Express pattern and the coachwork is by Christopher Dodson, Ltd.,
The type of body employed incorporates ideas which make for the utmost comfort and convenience for the passengers, each of whom is provided with an armchair-type seat. Lavatory and cloakroom accommodation is provided on each coach, the wash-basin being of the approved ship's-cabin type. For the lighting of the interior four sunkeb roof lights are employed, as well as rosecoloured side lights. A noteworthy
• feature is that a small library of books by well-known authors, as well as the latest periodicals, are carried.
The route which is followed by the company's vehicles takes in Maidenhead, Henley, Oxford, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Ross, Monmouth and Newport, and the through fare is iSs. 6d. single or 21s. return, the latter ticket being available for three months. The main
booking office in London for the service is at the premises of Road Travel Bookings, Ltd., Bush House, Aldwych, W.C2, whilst at Cardiff the booking arrangements are made by Hinton and Britton, Ltd., Castle Garage, Castle Street. There are, hi addition, booking offices in all the principal places passed on the journey.
All these facts and others of an inter
esting nature are contained in. the booklet to which we hale referred and it is noteworthy of mention that a brief description of the more important places passed is given, whilst places of interest to the visitor in both London and Car-, 'diff are set out.
A Steam-wagon Merger.
We are informed by Atkinson Walker Wagons, Ltd., Frenchwood Works; Preston, that it has acquired, as from February 1st, the stocks, goodwill, etc., of the business formerly carried on by Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Co., Ltd., which is, as many of our readers will know, an old-established concern having a good connection in this country.
Information as to the German Market.
We are informed by Mr. W. Potter, Schaperstrasse 13, Berlin, W.60, that he can offer to-any English motor manufacturer who is considering entering the German market a preliminary analysis. We have met Mr. Potter and know that he has a very considerable experience of business in the German capital.
A Daimler Exhibition at Newcastle.
We are informed by the Daimler Co., Ltd., Daimler Works, Coventry, that a special exhibition of the bleat CF6-type coach chassis is being held during this week at the company's branch works at Wallsend, Newcastle. The exhibition opened yesterday (February 4th). Coach and bus operators and municipal authorities in the north-east and Cumberland area should be particularly interested in this news. The chassis is a very remarkable one with a 100 b.h.p. sleeve-valved engine.
The Star Balance Sheet and Directors' Report.
The scheme for the reorganization and reduction of the capital of the Star Motor Co., Ltd., was sanctioned by the Court on December 19th, 1928, and the issue of new share certificates will be made in February.
It has been decided by the board that July 31st will be the most convenient date for the close of the company's financial year, and a balance-sheet for July 31st last is now published. The trading for the seven months to this date shows a profit of i4,1334 which it is proposed to carry forward.
It is mentioned in the directors' report that the works at Buslibnry are"' being extended so as to concentrate the whole of the company's manufacturing activities on one site, as well as to obtain increased manufacturing facilities with the object of effecting substantial reductions' in the costs 'of Manufacture and supervision. • It is mentioned that the company's six-cylinder, lowloading passenger chassis is in good demand. •
The selling organization of the Star Motor Co., Ltd., has recently been combined with that of Guy Motors, Ltd., and it is anticipated that this will result in increased sales.
Reduced Bus Fares for Unemployed ?
Certain bus companies are receiving requests from municipalities, that special facilities by way of reduced fares should ke given to unemployed persons when" they are travelling for the purpose Of seeking employment.
It has been suggested that the pro
duction of unemployment card by such a person would satisfy the company that the claim was bona fide, but we are inclined to. believe that such a card would rapidly become a type of season ticket.
We do not know of any precedent for such a practice and would like to !earn of other cases where such requests bare been -made and agreed to..
Joint Operation of a Long-distance Service.
A particularly interesting long-distance service development is the reported intention of four of the biggest passenger-carrying concerns in the North of England jointly to work services at two-hourly intervals between Manchester and Newcastle, the route being via Oldham, Huddersfield, Leeds, Harrogate, Ripon, Darlington and Chester-le-Street. The four companies interested in the project are the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., the Yorkshire (Woollen District) Co. and the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., of Stockport.
The four companies are making joint applications for licences at the various larger centres of population along the route, and it is hoped at the outset to work a combined fleet of about 20 to 24 machines on the service.
A special feature of the arrangement is that care will be taken adequately to protect the companies' local services. Official Orders for December.
Amongst the contracts for motor vehicles given out by Government Departments during December last the War Office divided one for bodies for six-wheeled vehicles between the Weybridge Motor Engineering Co., Ltd., and Vickers (Crayford), Ltd. The Admiralty gave an order for tractors to Greenwood and Batley, Ltd., and one for six-wheeled vehicles to Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.
The Crown Agents for the Colonies placed a contract for motor road rollers with Barford and Perkins, Ltd., another for lorries with the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., and one for chassis with Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd. The Metropolitan Police authorities placed an order for the bodywork for two light motor prison vans with A. Stoning.
Railway Motor Repair Shops.
It is announced that the directors of the London and North Eastern Railway Co. have authorized a scheme for the establishment of motor-vehicle repair shopFJ at Holloway, London, N., for heavy repairs, and the extension of garage accommodation with facilities for carrying out light repairs at King's Cross, London, N.
Checking the Declared Weights of Vehicles.
Surrey County Council reports that, in conformity with a circular issued by the Mibistry of Transport, instructions were given for the periodical checking of the declared weights of, motor vehicles to be continued with the object of ensuring that the vehicles are properly assessed for the purpose of the Payment of license duty. Since the last
report to the council in November, 1927, 356 vehicles have been tested, and in 116 cases the ascertained weight of the vehicles has been found to be in excess of the declared weight to an extent sufficient to necessitate the payment of further duty, amounting in the aggregate to £1,034.
The Dublin to Cork Sleeper Service.
The sleeper bus operating between Dublin and Cork made its first journey a few days ago, leaving Dublin at 11 p.m. and arriving at Cork at 7.40 a.m. The journey was made by way of Limerick, which was• reached at 5 a.m. It has been decided that the bus will run from Dublin every Monday,
Thursday and Saturday night at 11 o'clock. From Cork the bus will traVel on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays, leaving at 9.30 p.m. and arriving in Dublin at 6.30 a.m. The Irish sleeper bus service is controlled by Mr. T. J. Furey.
A Sunderland Bus Company's Profits. The report of the Sunderland District Omnibus Co., Ltd., for the year ended October 31st last shows a profit of £19,858. A final dividend of 10 per cent. is to be paid which, with an interim dividend already paid, brings the total distribution for the year to 12i per cent., less tax. A sum of 410,000 is placed to the reserve account and £2,085 is to be carried forward.
Lambeth Bridge—Tender Accepted.
The Minister of Transport states that he is informed by the London County Council that it has accepted a tender of Messrs. Dorman, Long and Co„ at £555,029, for the new Lambeth Bridge ; work begins in a few weeks.
Personal Pars.
By a recent Australian mail we learn that Mr. A. G. Hebblewhite has been appointed to the position of general manager of Thornycroft (Australia), Ltd. Mr. Hebblewhite was educated at the Sydney Grammar School, and has been connected with the motor trade all his life. In 1926 he was appointed sales manager for the company and later manager, and now he will bring to the board of directors of this well-known British concern the benefit of his vast experience of Australia's transport problems.
The innumerable friends of Mr. Cecil H. Broadhurst will be interested to know that he has joined Sternal, Ltd., in the capacity of publicity adviser. Mr. Broadhurst has a long and intimate connection with the motor industry, and his association with such an old-established concern will, we are quite sure, do much further to popularize Sternal products.
Owing to an increasing expansion of business, the Harrow Industrial Co., Ltd., maker of the well-known 11.1.0.
trailers, has appointed Mr. F. H. Withers to represent its interests in the Midland area.
Mr. Withers has a wide experience in transport matters, which will be at the disposal of present and potential users of H.I.C. trailers in Birmingham and the Midlands. Inquiries should be sent to him at 35, Southern Road, Hall Green, Birmingham.
Mr. H. Bottomley, -who has been in charge of the Yorkshire district for a well-known passenger transport concern for some time past, has been appointed assistant general manager to the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., of Preston.
A " Trent " Acquisition.
We understand that the Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., has recently purchased the bases run by Mr. George Phipps. The company has taken over the 14 vehicles which have been used on routes from Derby to All reton, /leaner and Ilkeston. Bus-travel Facilities for Commercial Travellers.
Prominent bus undertakings are taking steps to attract commercial travellers to use buses, and in the north the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., has recently introduced a daily commercial traveller's contract ticket which, at a rate of 3s. per day, enables the holder to travel over any part of the big network of routes worked by the company in Durham county and along Tyneside. The Northern Federation of the United Commercial Travellers' Association is negotiating with other leading road transport concerns with a view to a more general introduction of facilities of this nature.
• Transport Vehicles at the Leipzig Fair.
The Leipzig Spring Fair is being held this year from March 3rd-13th and, as was the eaSe at the Fair held in 1928, a' section will be giVen aver to the display: of transport vehicles. Definite halls are
set aside for heavy commercial vehicles, whilst, under. the heading of personal transport, such machines as delivery vans, motorcycles and cycles will be
shown. •• •
A Leeds Bus .Station.
The West Yorkshire Bead Car. Co., Ltd., has recently purchased land in Wellington Street, Leeds, opposite the Central Railway 'Station, for the • purpose of erecting a large motorbus. station. It is said that the new station will be the largest of its kind in the West Riding and it will be provided with waiting rooms and other facilities.
Guildford and Six-wheelers.
At a meeting of the Guildford Watch Committee the chief constable submitted a letter from the Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd., stating that it had under consideration the question of the acquisition of six-wheeled chassis, but before placing the orders for them it inquired whether the council would be
prepared to grant licences for V ell I cl e s with an overall length approaching 30 ft. In view of the narrow streets in Guildford the watch committee does not consider it is desirable that buses of this type should be used.
Lincohashire Toll-bridge Receipts.
The receipts from the working of the Gainsborough (Lincolnshire) toll bridge for the first full year since it was taken over by the joint authorities—the Lindsey (Lincolnshire) and Notts County Councils and the Gainslhorough Urban District CounciI—show a remarkable increase as a result of the reduced toll charges.
From October 31st 1927, when the bridge changed hands, tio October 31st, 1928, the takings totalled £10,101, whilst the expenditure was £925, leaving net
receipts of £9,176. • When it is remembered that neither cyclists nor, pedestrians have to pay to cross the bridge and that tolls generally were reduced, the figures are striking,
because the best year in the matter of revenue the previous proprietors had was • the last of their ownership T1926-27), the income then being £11,800. Thus it-would appear that the reduced tolls have attracted a Much larger volume -of traffic. •
At the present rate of progress the remainder of the purchase mice :of the. bridge' should be paid off Well within the Prescribed period of eight 'years, after which the bridge becomes free.
In our issue dated December 18th we published an article dealing with the scale of motor-vehicle taxation and, in error, we included paragraph 4 (3) Road Locomotives Used Solely, in Agriculture or Agricultural Engines '(other than, etc.), giving the licence line for these. This paragraph was, however, deleted by the Finance Act, 3927. The necessary correction has been made in the reprints which we are Issuing.
A Demonstration of Direction Indicators.
The big increase in the use of passenger vellides having saloon bodies has led to an increase in the use of indicators, by which the drivers can inform other road users and constables on traffic duty of their, intention to turn or to stop. The lack of uniformity in the signals given has been the subject of attention by the Minister of Transport, who has requested the Royal Automobile Club to arrange an official demonstration of' all such devices now in existence. It will probably be held towards the end of February or early in March, in conjunction with a demonstration of anti-dazzle devices, and the R.A.C. is prepared to receive applications from firms and individuals interested in the matter ofdirection indicators and anti-dazzle devices for permission to demonstrate their apparatus.
Leeds.Newcastle Bus-service Developments.
The registered office of the LeedsNewcastle Omnibus Co., Ltd., which, since the formation of the company to work the north country's first limited stop service over two years ago, has been at Gateshead, has now been moved to Northallerton, a central and convenient point along the route. The board of directors has been reconstructed and the secretary is Mr. Thomas Henderson, of Littletown, Durham. We are
given to understand that the company has recently plaeed a repeat order for six Gilford chassis of the type having 113-ft. 0-in. wheelbase.
Dennis Service in the Free State.
, A new service station for . Dennis commercial vehicles , has lately been opened at 1, Hanover Street East, Dublin, by Mr. L. B. McNally, of 80, Pearse Street, Dublin, who was recently appointed the Dennis service agent in the Irish' Free State.
Agitating for the Severn Road Bridge.
Stimulated by the probability of some important road works being undertaken by the Government to relieve the distress of thousands of South Wales miners, local authorities and chambers of commerce in Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire are taking steps to urge the Government to proceed with a traffic bridge over the River Severn, so as to shorten the South WalesBristol road route by 50 miles.
Manchester as a Centre of a Big New Bus Scheme.
It is understood that the NorthWestern Road Car Co., Ltd., a wellknown passenger-transport concern of Stockport, is planning a big scheme of bus services by which Manchester will be linked with a number of the chief towns in the North and Midlands. Provided that the necessary sanction can be obtained, it is said that the first of these services will be between Manchester and Bristol, via Newcastleunder-Lyme. Other centres to which it is said services will be run include Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Chester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In connection with the developments, the question of using sleeper coaches on certain routes is, we believe, under consideration.
Death of Brown Bros.' Chairman.
We regret to learn of the death of Mr. William Diekison, .LP., who had been chairman of Brown Bros., Ltd., since 1923. Mr. Dickison was a well-known stockbroker, being a partner in the firm of Macgregor, Walker and. Co.,of Edinburgh. He was at one time chairman of the 'Edinburgh Stock Exchange, and had -been chairman of the council of Associated Stock Exchanges, which dealt with matters affecting large provincial exchanges, including those at Glasgow, Birmingham, and Manchester.
The M. of T. and irirst-aid Equipment for Buses and Coaches.
The reply of the Ministry of Transport to the long representations of the Priory of Wales (Order of St. John) indicates forthcoming new Ministry regulations in connection' with coaches used on long-distance services. The Priory has for long urged the Ministry to make it compulsory for all vehicles plying for hire to carry first-aid equipment for the treatment of passengers or pedestrians injured in road acei dents, and furthermore to insist that drivers and conductors shall have had first-aid training.
According to a report of the meeting of the Priory executive committee held on January 28th (the Right Hon. Thomas Richards, P.C., presiding), the Ministry has now replied to the satis faction of the Priory in so far as longdistance buses and coaches are concerned. For these vehicles it is understood that the Ministry contemplates issuing orders on the lines of the Priory's representation, but it will not make such rules for vehicles plying for hire in the ordinary way.
Alleged Breaches of Glasgow's Bus t By-laws.
The Corporation of Glasgow was recently informed that 13,100 complaints against bus owners who have violated the city by-laws had been formulated by the tramways department for submission to the magistrates. The matter arose when the subject of the opposition.offered by privately owned bus services to the System controlled by the trainwas,s department was being considered. It was stated that the services of the tramways department were being developed Along lines that would enable effective measures to be taken if the infringement of the bus-licensing.regulations continued.
Refuse Collection at Beckenham.
The works committee of the 'Beckenham Urban District Council has recommended the purchase of four SD.Freighters at a total cost of 12,500. It is expected that by using a hew system of house-refuse collection, about £1,000 per annum will be saved.
An Overcrowding Point: Interesting Cases.
The Barg,oed magistrates have TOserved their decision on a legal point of much interest to bus and coach proprietors that was raised at the hearing of summonses against bus
drivers and conductors for alleged overcrowding of their vehicles beyond the licensed capacity.
The advocate for the defence urged that the summonses could not skicceed, because at the times of the alleged offences the buses were not being used as ply-for-hire vehicles. They were employed to convey, workmen to and from work on a system of weekly contract and the restriction as to the number of passengers carried did not apply
in these cases. .
It may be of interest to note that a similar plea was successfully put. forward for a taxicab driver who was summoned at Cardiff a few weeks ago for carrying four passengers, whereas his vehicle was only licensed to carry three persons. It was pleaded that the eab was not at the time of the alleged offence plying for hire and that it was carrying out a regular fortnightly contract to carry four persons to and from a football ground and that the charge was at pre-fixed price and not by meter registration. The Cardiff stipendiary dismissed the summons and upheld the plea for the defence.
. Buses Wanted In Sweden. .
We are informed that Stockholms Ccntrala Omnibusaktiebolag invites tenders, closing on February 20th, for SO motorbuses.
Useful Light-capacity Trailers.
In addition to its well-known range of trailers for use with the heavier types of motor vehicle, R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., some time ago designed and produced a range of light trailers for operating behind ordinary private cars, and the company tells us that, these units have achieved much success, as can be gained from the fact that its output of theta is . about half-a-dozen per week.
A trailer of this type, which is shown in an accompanying illustration, is built for carrying 5-cwt. loads and is used in conjunction with a two-seater MorrisCowley car, by Mark Williams and Sons, Ltd., of Wigan. It is chiefly used for transporting pork pies.
R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., has just issued. a folder which deals with its high-speed auto-trailers for carrying 5 cwt., 7-ewt., 10-cwt. and 20-cwt. loads. Details of the price of each and other relative particulars are set out in the folder, which can be had from the company, at 76-80, Grafton Street, Liverpool.
The Scottish C.M.U.A.
The annual general meeting of the Scottish Commercial Motor Users Association will be held at the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, on February 6th, at 2.45 p.m. On the agenda we notice that Mr. Thoinas Somers, M.Inst.C.E., Master of Works and City Engineer of the Corporation of Glasgow, is to address the members.
Coach Parking at Ramsgate.
The Ministry of Transport is inviting tenders for the hire of a site in the Pier Yard at Ramsgate Harbour, for the purpose of parking motor coaches, as well as for a site for an office to be used in connection with the business. A plan showing the sites can be inspected at the Harbour Office, Ramsgate, and particulars as to the conditions attached to the letting of the sites can be obtained from the Harbour Master. Tenders have to be submitted not later than February 23rd.
Chorley Grants Licences.
(Thorley Watch Committee has granted the following bus licences for a period of three months :---Bolton Corporation, 26; Mr. M. Corless, 3; Messrs. Ellison and Sons, 5; Messrs. .1. Fishwick and Sons, 16; Mr. F. Green, 11; Mr. J. B. dump, 2; Mr. Parkinson, 2; Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., 441 ; Messrs. J. and R. Singleton, 8; Dallas Services, Ltd., 17; the Yarrow Motor Co., Ltd., 5.
A New Company of General Carriers.
Overseas Motor Transport is the title of a company registered on January 22nd as a private concern, with a " nominal capital of £60,000 in a shares, to carry on in Great Britain or elsewhere the business of general carriers, etc. The directors of the company are Messrs. F. T. Hare, a director of the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd., G. J. D. Smith. H. VinsonThomas, D. G. Hall and G. C. Maud.
The Benevolent Fund in Scotland.
During the past year a Scottish centre has been formed of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund, and on February 6th the fourth annual dinner of the Fund will be held at the Central Station Hotel, Glasgow, the occasion being of special interest in that it is the first dinner held under the auspices of the new Scottish centre of which Mr. Georee H. Cutbush is chairman.