WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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" 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 ouer which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.'
Taxation of Petrol Electrics.
We have referred on several occasions to the efforts which have been made by Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., to establish the fact that its petrol-electric vehicles, when used other than as hackney carriages, fall within the schedule for taxation purposes of electrically propelled vehicles.
It will be remembered that in an action brought by the company against the Kent County Council, Mr. Justice Clausen cle-nded that these vehicles were, in fact, electrically propelled. This judgment was reversed when the Kent County Council and the Ministry of Transport took the case to the Court of Ap -,eal, but the company pluckily decided to pursue the matter farther, and the case was taken to the House of Lords, where, on February 14th, a unanimous decision was given in favour of the company. '
The effect is that in the case of a 4ton petrol-electric vehicle equipped with pneumatic tyres, the tax payable will be £21 12s. as against £43 4s, for a similar vehicle with an orthodox gearbox. In the case of ,a petrol-electric 4-ton vehicle shod with solid tyres, the corresponding" figure would be £27 as against £54. Such a saving as is represented by these differences is bound greatly to increase the popularity of this type of vehicle.
An Honour for Mr. W. R. Morris.
We learn with considerable pleasure that the name of Mr. William Richard Morris, the governing director of Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., and chairman and managing director of Morris Motors (1926), Ltd., is included in the New Year's Honours List as the recipient of
a baronetcy. • A " Motor " Coloured Supplement.
In the attempt to beat the world's speed record now standing at 207 m.p.h., Captain Malcolm Campbell in South .Africa and Major H. 0. D. Segrave in America are competing for the honour. Campbell's' ear, "Blue Bird," a giant racer, capable of a speed of 250 m.p.h., is depicted in a coloured plate which will be presented to-day with-each copy of The Motor.
-Municipal and County Engineers' Visit to the A.E.C. Works.
Last Thursday a party of nearly 200 members of the Institute of Municipal and County Engineers visited the large' and im-to-date A.E.C. factory at Southall, Middlesex, where the extensive plant and tie:: latest production means employed were inspected.
The visitors included many wellknown municipal personalities, amongst those Present being the president of the institute, Mr. A. Dryland, M.Inst.C.E., County Surveyor of Middlesex ; the vice-president, Colonel E. B. Martin, M.Inst.C.E., City Engineer of Salford, and the following past presidents :— Messrs. N. Scorgie, M.Inst.C.E., late Borough Engineer of Hackney ; T. W. A. Haywood, M.Inst.C.E., Borough Surveyor of Battersea, and E. Willis, M.Inst.C.E., Engineer to the c20 Co., Ltd., and the directors and other principal officers of the company. A special type of vehicle with Eagle attachments for refuse collection was demonstrated. Much interest was displayed in the new Reliance 05 h.p. single-saloon bus.
Leyland's Annual Meeting.
The 10th annual general meeting of the shareholders of Leyland Motors, Ltd., was held at the company's headquarters a few days ago, when Mr. J. H. Toulmin, J.P., the chairman of the company, presided. After referring to the successful financial trading of the past year, he reviewed the present position and prospects of the company, saying that the latest models have become well established, particularly the Titan and Lion chassis.
Mr: Toulmin stated that the present financial year opened with many more orders on the company's books than at the commencement of the previous year. He referred to the visit of Mr. C. B. Nixon, the deputy managing director, to Argentina and certain of the adjacent South American States, to survey the prospects of those markets, and to the fact that since his visit the company's trading in Argentina has improved. The board is taking steps to develop the company's business in the South American market.
A Tyre Expert's Paper.
An informative paper, entitled "The Tyre as an Article of Manufacture and Usage," was recently read before members of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, by Mr. W. H. Paull, E.I.R.A., technical director of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd. Mr. Paull stressed the fact that the maker does not supply the cemplete pneumatic tyre ; he supplies a cover and a tube,
and it the user who supplies the vital column of compressed air which carries the load and provides the yield and recovery to cushion the vehicle.
As regards the power consumption of tyres, Mr. Paull stated that each portion of a tyre on a vehicle -travelling along the road at 30 m.p.h. is com pressed and re-leased about six times per second. He gave a number of interesting figures and said that a 5-in. highpressure tyre fitted to a large car running at 54) m.p.h. consumes 7.2 h.p., whilst a 6.75-in. low-pressure tyre on the same ear consumes 11.9 h.p. at the same speed. Under normal conditions, Mr. Paull mentioned that the power losses in the tyres represent about 31) per cent. of the total energy losses in ,the whole
vehicle.
Personal Pars.
Sir Kenneth and Lady Crossley are, sailing in the Blue Star liner "Almeda " for Madeira on March 7th.
Prof. Junker, the designer of the heavy-oil engine which bears his name, has just been elected a Fellow of the Technical High School of Karlsruhe as an appreciation of his scientific work. He has just reached the age of 70 years.
We are glad to be able to congratulate Mr. H. Bell Thompson, of Sternol, Ltd., on his election as representative of the whole of the national lubricating oil trade (including distillers, refiners and blenders of petroleum products) in the United Kingdom on the Grand Council of the Federation of British Industries.
The appointment of Mr. Albert Hopkins to the vacant post of general manager of the Sunderland tramways undertaking is recommended by the tramways committee of the Sunderland Corporation, which is shortly to put on the road a fleet of motorbuses. Mr. Hopkins has been for some time .past general manager, of the tramways department at Wigan.
Major R. G. H. Clements, M.I.C.E., has been appointed first Profeesor to the Maybury Chair of Highway Engineering at the London -University. Major Clements received his technical education at the HerriottWatt College, Edinburgh, obtaining the diploma in civil engineering. He has lectured widely on highway and roadtransport subjects and has a practice ELS a consulting engineer in Westminster.
Mr. F. E. Ellis, who has been connected for the past nine years with the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., has just relinquished the position of manager of that company's branch at Leeds in order to take over the management of the Goodyear business in Ireland, with offices at 10, Henry Place, Dublin, Mr. S. Kershaw, whom Mr. Ellis is succeeding in Ireland, is taking up other important duties with the Goodyear Company in England.
Result of an Overcrowding Case.
A case of importance to any coach Proprietors who carry coalmdners regulady to and from their work on a precontract basis has just been decided by the Bargoed magistrates. A proprietor was summoned for carrying 41 persons in a stage coach licensed to carry 20 passengers. The defence, namely, that the vehicle was not plying for hire but carrying by pre-arranged contract, has failed, and the proprietor has been lined. The case was briefly referred to in our issue dated February 5th.
A Brighton Licence Delay.
The watch committee of the Brighton Corporation has recently received a letter from the Ministry of Transport stating that the Minister understands that there has been some delay, since the High Court. reached its decision in the case of Griffin v. Grey Coaches, Ltd.. in dealing with the application of Grey Coaches, Ltd., for licences to ply for hire at Brighton, and expressing the Minister's view that it is very desirable that applications for bus licences should normally be dealt with so soon as possible by licensing authorities, in order that the applicants' right of appeal to the Minister, under Section 14 (3) of the Roads Act, 1920, should not be prejudiced.
Transporting a Famous Racing Car.
Captain Malcolm Campbell's famous car "Blue Bird " is now en route from Cape Town to Verneuk an on a Thornycroft six-wheeled vehicle, which has been equipped with a apecially 'long body to accommodate the car, accompanied by a Thornycroft 30-ewt. lorry conveying the necessary equipment. Both machines have been placed at Captain Campbell's disposal by the South African agent for John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.
These vehicles will have a strenuous journey to make, for over two-thirds of the 450-mile route is across desert.
In a picture on this page " Blue Bird" is shown being hauled through the docks to be garaged in Cape Town.
Westminster Report on Road Vibration.
The highways committee of the Westminster City Council has reported comprehensively on the matter of damage to mains, buildings, etc., caused by road traffic, and recommends that the Minister of Transport be asked to consider the advisability of making regulations requiring that all mechanically propelled vehicles shall be equipped with pneumatic tyres.
Seeking Tramways Abandonment Powers..
The Portsmouth Street Tramways Co. is seeking powers to abandon its tramways in Gosport and Farcham, and to run buses instead; also, with the consent of the Ministry of Transport and of the local road authority, to Operate along a road in Hampshire within a distance of twenty miles from the south end of High Street, Fareham.
Tilling-Stevens' Report.
The report-of Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., which has just been issued for the 'year ended December 31st last, shows a profit of 181,105, to which has to be added the sum of £8,169 brought forward from the previous year. From the total it is proposed to transfer £10,000 to the depreciation reserve, £7,500 to the reserve for contingencies and £9,500 as a reserve against taxation. A dividend on the preference shares at the rate of 74 per cent. per annum, less tax, for the half-year to June 30th, 1926, has been paid and took £8,706, whilst a similar sum will be accounted for by a dividend at the same rate on those shares for the latter half of that year. After these commit
meats have been met a sum of £44,862 remains to be carried forward, The directors consider th,at the position of the company justifies them in dealing with the arrears of dividend on the preference shares from January 1st, 1927, to January 1st, 1929, and the distributionof a dividend to the ordinary shareholders. Proposals will be submitted to the shareholders in sufficient time for resolutions to be placed before the shareholders immediately following the annual general meeting of the company_ The business of the company has shown considerable expansion during the year covered by the report and output has been increased. The output during the present year and the orders now in hand are stated to be greater than those of last year.
Another London 11y-pass.
In regard to the level-crossing at Kingston Road, Merton, which causes much inconvenience to traffic, a con, ference of local authorities has come to the conclusion that the Most satisfactory way of meeting the problem will be to construct a by-pass in the neighbourhood.
Coach Parking at Brighton.
The geneial purposes committee of the Brighton Corporation has considered the plans for a proposed parking Place in the centre of Whitchawk Road, to .accommodate 200 coaches, at a cost of £6,860, or 309 coaches at /10,284, which were prepared by the borough surveyor ; also the .borough surveyor's estimate of the cost of providing the ordinary roadway and footpaths (28 ft.) each side of the suggested parking place, amounting to am additional sum of 15,526 or 115,810 in all, and the plan for providing a parking place for the accommodation of 286 motor conches at the rear of the Howard Home. at an estimated cost of /11,750. If the somewhat steep gradients be reduced to 1 in 20, however, the cost would be increased by 12,090.
The committee decided that a parking ground be provided for 150 coaches on the east side of Whitehavrk Road, and asked the borough surveyor to submit a plan and an estimate of the cost of carrying out the necessary work.
It was also decided that a charge of 2s. CK1 . be made for each motor coach using the parking ground and that wheal it has been constructed no motor coaches be permitted to park on the Madeira Drive.
An Established Bus Company's Report.
The report of the City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd., for the year ended December 31st last, shows a profit of 137,804 after writing off depreciation. After deducting debenture interest, the amount transferred to the sinking fund for the redemption of debentures, making provision for income tax and other items, there remains a balance of 125,376, to which a sum of 12,811 brought forward has to be added. The general reserve receives a contribution of 19,000, whilst 12,584 is written off the purchase price of the Oxford and district tramways undertaking, the appropriations being increased to /12,478 by an amount written off for fees and expenses of incorporation.
The directors have paid an interim dividend of 4 per cent. and recommend the payment of a final dividend of 6 per cent., amounting in all to 114,175, so that the balance to be carried forward will be £1,534.
• The first road-motor services of this company were started in December, 1913, and at the present time it is running a large and up-to date fleet of buses and coaches. Not only are regular services maintained, but in the summer season certain coaching excursions are ruu.
Licence Rights of a Purchasing Company.
A public inquiry as to whether the acquisition of a bus undertaking entitles the purchasing company to run the buses on the existing licences was recently held by a Ministry of Transport official at Brynmenin, Glamorganshire. South Wales Commercial Motors, Ltd., Cardiff, had appealed against the refusal of the Ogmore and
Garw Urban District Council to permit it to operate the vehicles of the Garw Transport Co., Ltd., which concern it had acquired by purchase, the council insisting upon the routes in question being operated by an 'equal number of buses divided between the purchasing company and a competitive concern. For the council it was stated that to allow the appellants the full benefit of the purchase would afford an undesirable advantage in regard to cheap return tickets, as the public would prefer to take tickets with the company operating the larger number of vehicles. The Ministry decision will be announced in due course.
A Change of Address.
London Motor Accessories Co., well known in connection with flexible steering wheels, blue glass visors, air cleaners, etc., informs us that owing to the demolition of its present premises, it is removing its offices to Gloucester House, 19, Charing Cross Road,
London, W.C.2. '
A Fleet on Tyre Tests.
A mileage of 929,000 was covered in 12 months by a fleet of heavy vthieles, cars and motorcycles, which is continually being run from Fort Dunlop to try out tyres on every class of road.
The heavy-vehicle section of the fleet was composed of several important makes of passenger chassis fitted with van bodies, and it included six-wheelers. These vehicles were kept running night and day by drivers working in double shifts and they registered a mileage of 126,040 in the year.
A Company-formation in Durham.
Blumer's Motors, Ltd., a private company, has just been registered with a capital of 120,000, in £1 shares. It will acquire the business of Blumer's Motor Services, of Greatham, Co. Durham, and will operate both motorbuses and motor coaches. The subscribers, who will appoint the first directors, are Messrs. H. Coulson, of Darlington, and L. Lambert, of Croft, near Darliugton. The registered offices of the new company will be at Greatham Garages, Greatham.
Splendid Sentinel Saks.
' The Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., of Siarewsbury, is receiving a steady flow of orders for its D.G.6 rigid-frame six-wheeler, and not only have many prominent users in this country indented for machines of this type, but certain users in overseas countries are mindful of the merits of this design for operating under arduous conditions. Some of these vehicles are being supplied with fixed bodies and others with tipping bodies. In a list which the company has sent us, the names of close upon 30 concerns are given.
During the same period the company received many srders for its D.G.4 chassis fitted with platform and tipping bodies, these machines being intended for service in a variety of spheres.
G.W.R. Activities in Wales.
It is announced by the companies concerned that the negotiations between the G.W.R. Co. and the South Wales Commercial Motors, Ltd., Cardiff, for the acquisition by the former company of a half-interest in the latter, have not yet been. completed, although both companies are hopeful that the amalgamation will ensue as result of the prolonged negotiations. The buses of the South, Wales Commercial Motors, Ltd., ply for hire in the eastern half of South Wales, and the company has a capital of £150,000. More Bus and Railway Co -operation.
Au agreement has been reached between the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. and the Redwing Omnibus Services, of Redcar, by means of which interchangeable tickets will be issued and services co-ordinated over a wide district between Middlesbrough and Redcar, and other local seaside and
industrial townships. The Redwing Company, which was started in a modest way two and a half years ago, began working the MiddlesbroughRedcar route with one 14-seater bus. It now owns a fleet of 33 vehicles, including a number of double-deckers, rind controls a useful network of ser
Chelmsford Issues Licences.
Chelmsford Corporation has granted licences to pick up . passengers when passing through Chelmsford to Birch Brim., Ltd., of London ,(London to Clacton) and the Classic Coaches, of Leyton (Stratford to Clacton and Stratford to Yarmouth). The special purposes committee of the corporation has also recommended that the application of the Lion Motor Service, of London, to run a daily bus service between Chelmsford and Epping Town be granted.
Dublin Bus and Tram Figures.
At the annual general meeting of the Dublin United Tramways Co. it was stated that the Concern now-owns 75 buses and 215 trams. During 1928 the revenue from trams was 1558,000, a decline of £45,000 on the previous year, whilst the bus receipts were £119,000. It is calculated that 90,00Q,000 tramway passengers and •11,212,1)00 motorbus passengers were carried. • The independent buses operating in Dublin total
about 175. .
Renewal of Licences in London. . .
The London County Council reports that, during the recent "rush" period
in connectionwith: the annual and
quarterly issue of • •` motor-vehicle licences, which •lasted from December'
17th, 1928, to .January 19th, 1929, 41,013 licences were • issued over the
counter at the Comity 'Hall and 83,368 were sent by post, as compared with 34,931 and 78,245. respectively, issued daring the same, period in 1927-28. The number of licences sent by post includes those issued to owners of fleets, who,
in order to facilitate the work, are
invited to forward their applications early in December. The licences are then prepared in advance and issued at the appropriate time upon payment of the requisite duty.
Licences which involve no alteration o■ registered particulars can be renewed at the principal . post offices, and the number issued this year in this .manner was 17,681,. as compared with. 21,291 last year.
The duty obtained in respect of licences issued by the council amounted to £2,402,821, as against £2,291,178 during the corresponding period of the previous year. Of the total amount received, £101,163 was taken in actual cash at the counter.
Illany persons . again submitted Irregular or incomplete applications, and duty amounting to £326,288 had to he placed temporarily to a suspense recount. The duty obtained in respect
of the renewal of licences at post offices was £157,265, making the total revenue collected in London £2,560,086.
A New Garage for Piccadilly.
On Wednesday last, the Minister of Transport officially opened the motor garage in Denman Street, Piccadilly Circus, London, W.11, of Piccadilly Cir. ens Garage, Ltd. The premises have actually been used for business since the beginning of the year, but the building was not quite complete, and that is why the official opening was postponed.
G.W.R. Places Further Large Orders. The directors of the Great Western Railway Co. have recently approved the purchase of a large number of addi
tional motorbuses and lorries. Thus, the Mandslay Motor Co., Ltd., Coventry, has received an order for 35 four-s cylinder 32-seated low-loading bus
chassis. From John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., twelve bus 'chassis and fifty-two 30-cwt. lorry chassis, with Henley cushion tyres, have been ordered ; from Guy Motors, Ltd., twelve standard 20-seated bus chassis • from Fodens, Ltd., Sandbach, a number of 12-ton six-wheeled steam wagons ; from Chenard-Walcker Tractors, Ltd., three light two-wheel trailers, and from the International Harvester Co. of Great Britain, Ltd., an International 15-30-ton heavy-duty tractor.
A Book on Petrol Prices.
A useful little book entitled "The Price of Petrol," by E.H.Davenport, has been published by the London General Press, 8, Bouverie Street, London, E.C.4, at the price of is. It contains some valuable statistical information regarding production, consumption of petrol, etc.
New Bridges in South Lincolnshire.
At a recent meeting of the Holland (Lincolnshire) County Council, held at Boston, a report was presented showing that it was proposed to reconstruct six bridges in the south of the county at a cost of £23,000, and this had been estimated for in the budget now presented,
The Scope for the Mr-cooled Engine.
At a luncheon given recently by Air-cooled Motors (Parent Company), Ltd., Sir Alfred Mays-Smith (in the chair) called attention to the scope for air-cooled engines in countries where extremes of climate make watercooled engines troublesome. Be mentioned their importance for military transport (especially in vehieles such as tanks and artillery tractors that are subjeet to shell and rifle flue), and for general utility purposes where the weight and complication of watercooling imposes handicaps.
, Be remarked that the development of a thoroughly reliable air-cooled engine was a matter of some importance and that Great Britain has obtained a commanding lead in this rich field. Be was referring to the fact that a British syndicate has secured the world's rights for the manufacture and sale of S.A.R.A. air-cooled engines. These have acquitted themselves. with distinction in the Le Mans 24-hour Race for six successive years. It is understood that the flotation of a new company to exploit the S.A,R.A. engine is impending and that models suitable for coach and lorry purposes are already in existence.
A Useful Diary.
A handy little diary full of useful feformatien, including a. glossary of terms in French and German and with space for the entry of motoring costs, has been issued by Sternal, Ltd., Royal London House, Finsbury Square, London, E.C.4. It will be sent, post free, to any reader on application to the above address. , Coach Park Recommended for Morecambe.
Morecambe Corporation has asked its parliamentary committee to place the Calton Estate at the disposal of the watch committee for the purpose of providing accommodation for the parking of private vehicles at reasonable charges, and for use as a terminus for machines employed by concerns operating road-motor services, Bus Services Along the South Coast.
The watch committee of the Brighton Corporation has granted 24 licences to the Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., which is contemplating the inauguration of an express service . of motorbuses between Margate and Bournemouth, and the principal towns along the south coast, working in conjunction with the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., the Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., And the Hants and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd. • A Popular Unbreakable Tail Lamp.
We have already drawn attention in cur columns to the fact that a company named Flexible Lamps, Ltd., of 59, New Oxford Street, London, W.C. 1, is marketing a range of unbreakable tail
lamps for commercial vehicles. The• idea is a good one, and the progress
• which the company is making is indicated by the fact that these lamps are, we are told, being supplied to the War Office and Air Ministry, and are fitted by the makers of Albion, Daimler, Karrier, Star, Thornycroft and TillingStevens vehicles, as well as on Dixon. 'Bate, Thornton and Electromobile trailers. Certain municipal and provincial bus undertakings also fit these lamps.
It will be remembered that the Rubbolite lamp is made entirely as a rubber moulding, having a pane of red coloured celluloid at the rear and one of white at the side, throwing light upon the number plate, to which the lamp is bolted in a simple manner.
The lamp has two distinct advantages. It is unbreakable and it results in a considerable economy in electric bulbs. the filaments of which are protected from vibration by reason of the resilient holding which the lamp affords.
Caerphilly Municipal Buses Pay.
Despite the still impoverished state of local industries, the Caerphilly Urban I)istrict Council has achieved success with its bus service in the current financial year and a profit of £450 for the first nine months' working is assured, as against a loss in several previous years.
Overseas Orders for Thornyerofts.
John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., has recently received an eider from the New Zealand Railways, through its agency in the Dominion, for 10 bus chassis for carrying 32-seater bodies, whilst other overseas orders have come from Johannesburg and Durban, to which 5-ton six-wheelers and 6-ton goods-carrying chassis respectively will be shipped.
A Territorial Force Purchase.
'The Monmouthshire Territorial Army Association has decided to buy a sixwheeled motor tractor for its artillery units. Nine other tractors will he required later.
Buying-out a North Country Service.
.. Another absorption.just completed in the Tyneside 'neighbourhood is the purchase of the undertaking of Messrs. Hunter, of Hebburn, by the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., of Chesterle-Street, which operates nearly 300 miles of routes in the Tyneside and • Durham county areas. Messrs. Hunter, who own three buses, work a service from Newcastle to Jarrow. it is believed that the purchase price is about £8,000.
A Position Required..
We know of a man who has had considerable experience, both technical and commercial, with commercial vehicles. He has considerable knowledge of the representation of commercial vehicles in the London area, and is in touch with the leading transport managers in the Metropolis. Letters addressed to London Representative, care of thst 'Editor, will be forwarded to the proper quarter.
A Licensing Refusal Upheld.
At a meeting of the Tyneside Watch Committee the town clerk reported that the Ministry of Transport had upheld the refusal of the local licensing authority to grant licences to the United Automobile Services, Ltd., for the perPose of operating a bus service between .Whitley Bay and Newcastle, via Preston Village and the Coast Road,