Answers to Queries.
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Makers of the Pilgrim.
[20E4 "BenueEwr" writes :—" Will you kindly send us the. name and address of the makers of the new style delivery wagon called the Pilgrim front driver?"
ANSWER.—The address of the makers of the Pilgrim front driver is Pilgrims' Way Motor Co., Farnham, Surrey.
The Aveling Windscreen.
[2013] "EGG Importma" writes :—" Will you be good enough to send me the address of the Aveling windscreen, which • you mention in connection with w ..--.. your recent report of the Doncaster Show 7" ANSWER.—Mr. T. C. Aveling, 91, New Canal Street, Birmingham, is the inventor of the screen in question.
A Draper's Conversion.
[2014] " DRAPER writes : --" I should like to have a comparison for the substitution of horse-drawn vans by motorvans. My business is a retail one, but my customers do not all reside in the suburb where my principal shops are. I have 14 horses altogether, and have been told that I could replace them by
three or four vans." •
ANSWER.—If you properly charge up to your stable account everything that should be charged in respect of the horses, drivers and stablemen, interest and depreciation, maintenance, veterinary attendance, insurances, etc., we doubt if the class of horse which you have to employ will enable you to keep the account down to a, less figure than .223 a, week. Three motorvans should comfortably deal with the same rounds, if a scheme of re-arrangement were considered in advance, and we are satisfied that your economy, for the same Mileage, should exceed £9 weekly. The principal saving would be in respect of wages.
Why Special Terms for Scouts?
[2015] " SCOUTMISTRESS " writes :—" As you will doubtless know of those companies who would be glad of the opportunity, may I venture to ask your kind assistance in the following matter We are prepared to give £6, or even up to £7, but this is quite the limit, for the conveyance of about 25 boy scouts and their equipment by a good and reliable motor brake
or van 'between and Selsey
"I believe there would be an excellent chance of making a very paying thing out of it, in addition to the above-named sum and the splendid advertisement it would be to a firm, by excursions in the districts arranged conjointly with the proprietor of one of the principal hotels during the interval. This year all the ears of Commercial Car Hirers are booked up. 1-)o you know of a firm which is willing to undertake this ? I would only add that it would be an opportunity for a seaside holiday, which no doubt any driver would appreciate. He would doubtless be willing to sleep in the van, and we could secure a site in a field."
ANSWER.—We are sorry that we cannot help you in this matter. The terms which are offered are no temptation to the owner of a motorvan, as it would mean taking the vehicle off its regular work. The suggestion of advertisement no longer holds good, as motorvans have now come into general use. We doubt if you will get anybody to undertake the service for you for a less charge than 1s. per milerun, the mileage to be reckoned upon the whole distance covered. We believe the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., of 9, Grosvenor Road, S.W., would be prepared to hire a motor brake to you on those terms, but they would certainly not be prepared to allow it to stay down at Selsey Bill without some charge for the waiting time. Although the driver of a motorvan or a motor brake might enjoy the holiday, owners
cannot afford to let their vehicles out for such purposes. We greatly regret our inability to assist in this matter, and we seriously doubt if you will have better luck elsewhere.
Inquiry for Parcelcars.
[2016] " SMALL CARRIER " writes :—" I am anxious to get the opinions of users of small business cars or parcelcars for a tradesman's use, to carry loads under 10 cwt. I have written various makers and users, but the former have always the best vehicle, and the latter have only experience of one make ELS a general rule. Have any of your readers had the experience of various makes?
ANSWER.—You should apply to Girling Motors, Ltd., of Grosvenor Works, Bedford, Messrs. R. S. Currie and Co., of 76, Salusbury Road, West Kilburn, and Phanomobiles, Ltd., of 328, Upper Street, N. If you want a 10-cwt. van, you should get a 12-14 h.p. Belsize, a 15 h.p. Napier, or a 14 h.p. Lacre. Another good van for a 10-cwt load is the small. Straker-Squire.
Carriers Licences.
[2017] " CARRIER writes :—" I have just bought a second-hand van for my work as a country carrier. The machine in question is a four-cylinder, 12 h.p.
. I should like to know what it would cost me to take out a passenger licence for it. I am sure I could earn a lot of money on Wednesday afternoons, and so on, either taking passengers out for short trips, or to football matches, etc., but I cannot do this if the licence is very expensive. Does a licence hold good for a full year from the time that it is taken out, or is it necessary to renew it at the beginning of the year ? "
ANSWER.—You will not have to secure a licence to ply for hire from the local Watch Committee or its equivalent, if you only hire out by arrangement
In regard to this question of licensing, we refer you to a number of "Answers to Queries" which have appeared from time to time in recent issues of this journal—e.g., p. 445 of 20th June.
The licence you will require under such circumstances will be that as a hackney carriage, 15s., together with the motor tax of two or three guineas, according to weight ; these taxes are annual. We should like to draw your attention to the fact that the issue which was published on 1st August contained an article of special interest to carriers, and we should recommend you to read it.