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"The wheels ei wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the 702igimess of the roads over which it runs."—JOhn Beattie Crozier,
Motor Taxation and the Budget.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, intioducing the Budget for the ensuing financial year in the House of Commons
• Tuesday last, said propose to Snake certain small modifications with re gard to motor ,vehicle licences. The Committee upon the taxation of mechanically propelled vehicles has not yet presented its final. report, but it has made two interim recommendations, and these I propose to adopt. The first is that the owner of a licence should be entitled to surrender it at any. .time and to obtain a refund for each complete calendar month unexpired on the payment of
a small surrender fee. The other recommendation is that the surcharge of quarterly licences, which is now 20 per Cent., should be reduced to 10 per cent. I propose to take power in the Finance Bill to give effect to both these recommendations from January 1st, or earlier,
it is found administratively possible. It is estimated that in,a full year these concessionS:will,inVolVe a 'net reduction of Road Fund receipts of approximately half a million.. • In the present year the cost will be vary-small. • • , . . .
Pneumatics Preferred for Paris Buses.
For some while past the Paris -Motor. Omnibus'iCe.•have been cendocting ceri tin experiments with .pnenmatie .tyres, and it is stated that this form -of equipMent has proved satisfactory in use. It has beenfound. that the use of these-tyres has given added camfort -to passengers, afid that economy in the upkeep of the chassis has Destined, quite apart from the feet that fuel consumption has been reduced. By way of further experiment, additional vehicles itre to be shod with pneumatic tyres., and this is considered to be a preliminary step to their adoption throughout the complete fleet Of buses.
1 • Coach Tours to Wembley.
A number of motor coach owners in South-Wet Lancashire have in mind the running of thins this year to the British Empire . Exhibition at WeinbleY, andprobably towards mid-summer, in view of the potency of this attraction,many owners will -endeavour to make. it. a
sight-seeing holiday. . .
• 1Frem •BlackPo61, where the local tradesmen's. holiday commenceson May Corleas is running 'a sikday tour to .London and the _Wembley • Exhibition. The fare only is :22 103. return; but. with hotel accommodation, "conveyance and admission to the Exhibition the .inclusive charge is 26 6s, Another excursion for Wembley. leaves Blackpool on May. 11th„ this being a five-day tour, which allows for one day Orthe Exhibition,' at an inclitsive fare ef 27. , • There are several big Liverpool picnicking Parties being organized to include 'Wembley as a -venue, and from the manner in which arrangements are being made it is evident that' London Coach oeiners will,deriVe some advantage by the hiring out of coachesto carry
B18 passengers ort sight-seeing tours of London. These picnics involve a rail journey to London.
The Forthcoming Transport Congress. More than 100 concerns interested in motorcar and lorry manufacture will be represented at the World Motor Transport Congress, to be held at Detroit from May 21st to 24th. Most of the American factories are sending delegates in
order to be informed of eenditiona abroad; whilst, on the other hand, foreign visitors are to make a special study of merchandising methods in the United States. American manufacturers believe that, as a result of this Congress, issreign sales will be tremendously increased. A few weeks ego it -waiveported-that 70 delegates froth 40 different countsies had accepted invitations.
Clopton Bridge Proposals.
The Minister of Transport, who was accompanied by Sir Lionel Earle, on behalf of the Office of Works, received a deputation a few days ago at which were represented the Town Council of Stratford-on-Asian, the County Council of Warwickshire and the Society for the Preservation,, of . Ancient Monnments, with regard to the proposal to widen Clopton ,Bridge, Stratford-on-Avon. After hearing the views of the various parties, Mr. Gosling suggested that the Ministry of Transport, the town caun-. cif and the county council should !consult with the Ancient -Monuments Ward regarding the -appointment.of an. architect to advise.. on the most suit
able course to be adopted. • , . Successful Carden Taxicabs.
In view of the number of Citroen taxicabs which are now in -regular service the streets of London, it is interesting to learn from Paristhat the General Taxi •Tt'anspOrt Co., Whe• run a-large .fleet of vehicles of this make in that _city,report satisfaction from these vehicles after a period of three years of -hard 'work. This performance is :particularly noteworthy when it is -borne in mind that each C,sitroori taxicab in service in Paris covers on an average something -like between 25,000 and 3500 miles per anhum. Citroen taxicabs which are in use in London are, of course, designed to conform to the requirements of Scotland Yard.
Sentinel's Three..year Report.
After somewhat extended negotiaticins with the authorities concerning the question of the company's liability in respect of excess profits duty, the directors of the Sentinel Waggon Works (1920), Ltd., State that negotiations have been so. far advanced as to satisfy them that the provision made to meet this liability is adequate. The report which has just been issued covers a period of three years to December 31st last year. The trading proft, after meeting all necessary charges, is shown to be 292,221, to which falls to be added a balance of £8,212 brought forward from 1920. Out of this stun provision has been made for depreciation on property, plant, 'machinery, etre., amounting to £33,236, and for income tax and corporation's profit tax of 28,200. After deducting these items a balance of £58,996 remains. Out of this sum three dividends on the preference shares at the rate of 7; per cent. per annum have, been paid, -each of these absorbinv 1:15,000, and the directors have 'applied 23,000.to writing -off preliminary expensesand £2,316 for certainpatent-1,7..111w items' amounting to 250,316,and leaving 28,680 to be
carried forward. ...
. In the report. it is stated, that during the past three•years; in additicin to the production of the Super-Sentinel steam' wagon,of which the sales are stated to be excellent, several -promising manufacturing lines in which the -company's standard units are being utilized bay& been developed, and, as a result, -the works are busily engaged at the present time.
Bus Traffic Control.
At a meeting of the Peterborough Corporation Mr. Slater brought forward the question of motorbus traffic within the boundary of the city, and the town clerk-was asked to make inquiries from the Ministry of Transport, and from the Leicester and Bournemouth Watch Committees, as to the regulations which are in force in those towns, or as • to conditions which can he enforced Under Section .12 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, in connection with such
traffic.. • • • The French.Gas-producer Trials. •
On another page we refer to the report -on the gas-propelled lorry trials held in Paris -last autumn: Tho report is a 40-page -document, and .contains a number-of tables,. illustrations, plans and elevations, and a great .deal of, information -LO summarize which at all adequately would ocaupy far toe much space in this journal. We recommend. those-interested to write to La Direction, I'Office National ...des Recherches et Inventions,l'Automobile Clubde France, 8, Place de la Concorde, Paris, asking for a copy of " Recherches et T11ventions," No. 13 Special, dealing with theEssais et Concours de Camions et tracteurs agricoles • it. Gazogenes: We give the description thus in French so that there may he no difficulty in explainingexactly what publication is 'required.
A Loss for Humbers.
We learn -with deep regret that Mr. James Taylor Allbutt, for many years secretary to Humber, Ltd. died at his home at Leamington a few ;lays ago. Mr. Allbutt was widely known in business and industrial circles throughout the Midlands, and his death occurred suddenly. Mr. Althat's association with Humber, Ltd., commenced from the inception of the company as a limited
concern in 1887. He was appointed secretary at that time and continued to act in that capacity up to the date of his death—a...period of 37 years. A great many of those agents who have been in the motor trade for many years, and who ' were originally interested in bicycles, knew Mr. Allbutt extremely well.
Municipal Fleet for Buenos Aires.
As was mentioned in a recent issue, the municipal authorities of Buenos Aires are making arrangements to acquire a number of motor vehicles so that the work of cleaning and watering the roads of the city can be carried out daily in the space of 4 hours. The scheme also includes the tnansporting of 2,500 metric tons of refuse daily. We now learn that. tenders for these vehicles will bi opened on July 25th, and a guarantee of 50,000 paper pesos must accompany a general bid, or 25,000 paper pesos for a partial hid. One vehicle of each type required must be available for practical testing purposes.
Clayton ard Shuttleworth's Trading.
It is doubtful whether, proportionate to its extent, any British iadustry has suffered more disastrous effects from the war's ravages than the Lincoln engineering trade. Those who may have been inclined to think that the gravity of the situation has been somewhat exaggerated have ample material for serious reflection in the recently issued report of Clayton and Shuttleworth, Ltd., which shows that the company's losses, caused through defaulting Continental agents being unable to meet their obligations, have totalled ne less than £520,000, of which only £78,000 has so far proved recoverable, leaving a loss to the company of £442,000, whicts is more than one-half of the paid-up capital. Through the war, revolutions in Europe and changed conditions in South America, it has been found quite impossible to restore the company's standard trade in Russia, Roumania and the Argentine Republic.
The accounts for the past year show a debit balance of £40,248, which, deducted from the amount of profit brought forward from the last account
of £42,445, leaves a balance of £2,196, which it is intended to carry forward. The gravity of the position has led the directors to accept the offer of Babcock and Wilcox, Ltd., for the purchase of the company's boiler works and boiler business and of the foundries and engine works for £250,000 cash. The purchasers will also take over, at a fair ascertained valuation, the appropriate finished and partly finished stocks appertaining to these departments together with stocks of raw materials:. It is indicated that the future policy of the company will include the taking of all possible steps to.. preserve the value of the investment in Clayton's Wagons, Ltd.
Co-operative Society's Coaching Results.
During the half-year from September 1st to March 1st the London Co-operative Society obtained reoeipts amounting to £467 from its motor chars-à-bancs. The expenses were 2838, so that there was a loss of £375. Despite this fact, however, the society has purchased four new vehicles, and is drawing attention to its motor coaching activities from its garage in Chobham Road, Stratford.
The loss shown on the vehicles must, of course be considered in relation to the period of year during which it was incurred.
Restricting Coach Licences.
Morecambe Corporation Licensing Committee has decided that no single owner be permitted ,to possess licences for more than three motor chars-S-bases to ply for hire on the hackney carriage stands in the town.
New Price for Traf tic Truck.
North Western Motors, Ltd., of Norton Street, Liverpool, advise us that, owing to the increase in the cost price of the Traffic 1924 model chassis at the company's factory in America., they are compelled to increase the price of the 2-ton chassis to £375.
Motors on the Esplanade.
At a meeting of the Paig»ton Urban District Councilthe clerk reported that he had interviewed an officer of the Ministry of Transport on the question of the powers of the Ministry to. make an order under Section 7 of the Roads Act, 1920, prohibiting the driving of mechanically propelled vehicles on highways under conditions similar to those existing on the Eastern Esplanade.
Ho is directed again to communicate with the county council on the matter, and to ask that Paignton's application should be considered by the county authority.
Albion's Yorkshire Branch.
To enable the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., of Scotstoun, Glasgow, to deal more effectively with increasing business in the West Riding of Yorkshire, they. have now opened a new branch office at 47, Park Square, Leeds, the telephone number being Leeds 23767. This branch will be under the management of Mr. A. P. Clarke, who has been associated with the company for a number of years, and is in possession of full knowledge relating to all types of Album vehicles.
Institute of Metals and Wembley.
Intended primarily for the use of visitors to the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, the Institute if Metals ha a prepared a special booklet which, when bearing a visitor's signature, serves as a card of introduction to the meetings of the Institute and to its library during the period of the Exhibition. This facility should be of real help and use to visitors from overseas, who can obtain copies of the pamphlet from etheir respective High Commissioners' offices in London, from the secretary of the Institute of Metals, 36, Victoria Street, London, 8.W.1, or at the Exhibition on Stand 237 in the Palace of Engineering.
The next election a members of the Institute of Metals is due to take place on May 14th.
The Price of the Reo.
We are advised by Harris and Hasell, Ltd., of 130, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, that it has been found necessary to raise the price of the Reo Speed Wagon chassis from £295 to £320. This is the first increase in the price of the chassis which has taken place since 1915, when Reo chassis were only available with left-hand steering and coil and accumulator ignition.
During the past year a number of important improvements have been effected, which have added to the cost of the chassis, these including the fit
ting of 33-in, by pneumatic cord tyres in place of those of 34-in. by 41-in. dimensions ; the fitting of an American Bosch magneto and a new special heavy4ype rear axle to carry 33 cwt. instead of 28 cwt.. Moreover, the rate of exchange has fallen considerably since the post-war price was fixed at that ruling before the war, and freights have increased. It should be mentioned that electric side lamps and a plated radiator cowl are now standard features of this chassis, and these fittings, in conjunction with the generous equipment, render the chess's an attractive proposition at the new figure
. Cardiff Bus Results.
. A statement has reoently been presen&dte the Cardiff Tramways Committee which shows that in the year ended March 31st the revenue from the niunici pal bus services Was 241,688, en iticrease m 'receipts over the previous year of 218,558 • Against this the -Wagesbill. on the buses Mee:eased from 27,148 4.0.£14,839;a.wia to the' greeter nurabei: of vehicles now in Commission. DesPita this factor, lieWevere it is expectedthat a pro:Bitable and •satisfacter,s/ year's trading will be reveled when the balance sheet ofthe undertaking ;is presented Le
the Committee at a later date. • . _ . .
improving a Dangerous North ,!...Vales - . For some time past engineers, loaned by -the Ministry. of Transport , to the Penmaenmawr, and Llanfairfechan Tieban Councils and the Carnareonshire Count3r4COuncils---the three. authorities concernedhave been engaged :upon, a scheme to obviate the growing danger • to vehicular, traffic between •Penmaenmawr and Llainfairfechan on the Chester-.
Holyhead Main road. I . Leaving Llanfairfeehan, the traffic has to proceed up the gtoep lull known as Penyclip, which has been the some of accidents from time to time, and the
descentthe other side to Penmaentinawr is also fraught With danger by reason Of the configuration of the-land.
It is understood that the engineers of the Ministry. of Transport, in .their report, recommend the constructiorelef a new road, nearly a mile in length, branching from the main road' at Lienfairfe.chan and skirting the sea 'aide of the existing road on to a spot near the bottom of the h41.1. descending into Pen maenmawr. . r .• Some 250 yds. of the new road will be carried "on a viaduct. -About a quarter of the roadway Will lie in the Llanfairfechan area, the rest being in the Penmaenmawr district. Commencing at the Peninaenmawr end, provision has to be made for the widening of the existing highway, both . on its net:themand southern sides, to a position in line with the eastern extremity of the railway avalanche' tunnel located below. • The schema afterwards provides for an en
tirely new road. The section to he carried on the viaduct will have a sufficiently large opening to. allow., of any debris or rock thatemight be dislodged
from the mountain-side to pass underneath to the sea. without danger to thebridge itself or to the highway. The width of the new Toad will be 30 ft.,with a. 5-ft. footway on each side.
Compulsory Insurance.
In renewing certain Motorbus licences, Merth-Yr Tydvil Watch Committee has Made a, 'Stipulatien that the proprietors iniest take_ out policies insuring passengers against accidenti.
A New Service from Middlesbroup. ,
The Middlesbrough Hackney Carriage C,oramittee _ has -given ..pei:mission Coa. private firm of Motor omnibus prOpriee tors to institute a. new_SerVice between Middlesbrou-gli and Loftus, -Which. ihould prove a. valuable .addition to the .road services radiating from the Tees-sida,
capital: . _ • . • ,
; Morocco Favours Motor Coaches.... Tintil Morocco can be provided with an adequate. railway system the ever-groWe • big motor coach services 'are likely to prove very .popular. ,Senie'idea Of the manner in which the railway Services are supplemented by the use of road nuirtois May be gatheradrfroni the feet that one
motor -coach company alone run regular services between Casablanca and Marrakeesh (250 kiroms;); Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fez • and Mae • (4* kiloms.); Casablanca, Masagan, Safi, Mogador •(400 kilorns.); Casablanca and Tadla (210 kneels.) and Merrakeesh and.Magador (190 kilorns.).
'Although the types of vehicle ployed are heavy, they maintain a good • alieiage sneer' and • tun strictly . to schedule, The -journey from Casablanca to Marrakeesh and hack is accomplished in one clay; on certain routes the coaches cover 400 idioms. without a halt; -meals being Served to the passengers on board.
Economy Results from Overhaul. . _
A report of the .Dover Corporation -mentions that the total mileage covered • by the authority's motor ambulance during -the nine weeks ended • March 29th was 136.8, with .an average of 8.5 miles per gallon (which figures .include the distance travelled during the testing • of the engine), but that for -the four weeks since an overhaul of the engine was carried out the average mileage to 4 the gallon of fuel consumed Thee been 13.
Thoughtful French Makers.
Many manufacturers in the neighbourhood of Lyons are purchasing fleets of. motorbuses for the purpose of carrying the . workers to and from their factories. A large plant for the manufacture of artificial silk is now being erected by a certain company six miles from the city, and they are expected toplace an order-for 18 bueea.with a view. to providing transport for. their workerS to -aild from their homes in Lyons._. eA. prominent firm of -motor Manufacturers whose plant is:7 kilems.. from-the eity have inaugilrated a sind_ lar service.for carrying their office 61aff to and from business. ,
Meagre Grants for ttiMberland..Roads
Local autheritits in Cumberland, where the amount . of heavy • meter traffic is increasing considerably, are incensed at hiving to provide firsit-elaSs. reads from Which they derive little benefit, and the highways committee of the Penrith Rural District, CoUncil has taken a preliininaii stop in the matter. Which' it is hoped will be productive of results. It is collecting information relative to the highway rates in the rural districts thimighout the county, together with details of the mileage. of district roads, and the assessable valuation of each district, with a view to convenieg. a conference of road iluelioritie,s to discuss the insufficiency of grants from the Ministry of Transport towards highway
expenditure.
A Scottish to-operative Traffic
. Department..• The St. Cuthbert's Co-operalive.Asse. elation of Edinburgh, which had a trade of 21,987;168 last half year; is, cellstantly adding to its fleet of road motors, and, has -recently. purchased five • more
commercial -vehicles. It dies its own transport department, which charges each of the branches for the work carried out by the vehicle.s. • • In the last sit months these expenses were allocated to the extent of 210,806 to the society's distributive departments and 211,968 to the productive branches_ Included. in the costs of the department are 211,329 for wages, 2960 for licences, .2378 for insurance and 22,095 for repairs.
Horses are still employed by the society for certain duties, as is shown by an item of 2648 fog shoeing.
• A Dental Van.
The task facing county education authorities covering wide and scattered areas in the way of attending to the dental examination and requirements of school children under their charge, is a by no means light one By the use of a properly equipped dental motorvan the work can now be efficiently and regularly performed, 'however great the area to be covered. The utility of a vehicle of this type has so impressed the Cumberland County Education Committee that some time ago it appointed a sub-committee to secure tenders, and the authority has now accepted that of the County Garage Co. for a properly equipped dental van at a cost of £498.
Presenting a Fire-engine to a Welsh Borough.
A short time ago the Haverfordwest Borough Council formulated a scheme for the purchase of a motor fire-engine for use in the borough and adjacent areas. The plan fell through when adjoining authorities refused to participate in the cost, the Haverfordwest Oouneil declining to be responsible for the whole outlay. The borough is, however, to have its motor fire-engine, and 21,000 to .£1,200 will be expended On a suitable vehicle. The Haverfordwest Chamber of Trade has decided to raise the money necessary for the purchase of the machine and afterwards to hand over the engine to the council for use by its fire-brigade. The Chamber has decided to make the purchase in the course of a month or two.
Transport Conditions in Australia.
There are probably manufacturers -who wish"to become more familiar with conditions relating to road transport in Australia. An excellent opportunity for them to become acquainted with these. conditions, or who would like to gain information on any points on which they are in doubt, is afforded by the fact that Mr. Michael Terry is now in this country. Mr. Terry has brought himself into notoriety by his trip across unknown Australia and by his lectures in this country before the Ttayal Geographical Society, the Overseas Club and other prorninent institutions. He knows Australia from end to end, and has had great experience in connection with transport, and, therefore, is a fund of information on the subject. Re has prepared an interesting article upon a transport undertaking between Grafton and Glen Lines, which will appear in these columns in a few weeks' time. Those who' wish to get into touch -with Mr. Terry can do so by addressing COMmunications to 3, St. Leonard's Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey.
Motor Coaches on Swedish Railways. Interest in the use af petrol-driven motor coaches on the railways of Sweden as a means of competing with omnibuses used for meeting local traffic needs is steadily increasing since the recent successful trials an the State railways, and several private railways are stated to he ordering motor coaches from Germany.
The Better Roads Movement.
It is satisfactory, to learn from the annual report of the Roads Improvement Association for the year 1923-1924that the better roads movement continues to progress, and that several of the larger schemes of road improvement costing several millions of pounds, which were commenced in the Tears 1922-1923, are nearing completion. Many of these' schemes, it is interesting to note, were initiated by the Association several years ago, and have been the subject-of vigorous propaganda work. The Association attaches great importance to the provision of ample facilities for road surveyors to acquaint themselves with modern methods of road construction and engineering, and in this connection the Association has, frOm time to time, issued various technical leaflets relating to road construction questions. Passing reference is made in the report to the slow progress being made in this country for the establishment of a chair of highway engineering. In the report it is mentioned that the Fifth National Road Congress will take, place at Milan, and that a programme of the questions to be discussed on this occasion can be obtained from the secretary of the Association. Mention is made of the fact that advances have been made during the past. year in the construction of arterial roads, and a brief report of the present position in relation to some of these highways is detailed. In dealing with roads in Scotland, the report states that the Association is investigating a proposal to relieve the existing hardships in Scotland resulting Irvin the present method of district and burgh rating, as distinct from the English system of county rating for main roads.
Bus Services for Guildford.
Guildford Watch Committee has granted licences to the Loudon General Omnibus Co., Ltd., for four motor omnibuses, to Mr. W. J. Powell for one bus, and to the Aldershot and District Traction. Co. for three buses.
Local Proceedings.
' A new fire-station is to be erected at Merthyr Tydfil to increase the efficiency of the brigade.
Peterborough Town Council has decided to purchase a motor road roller at a cost of £688.
Thetford Fire Brigade Committee has arranged for its fire-engine to be hauled by a motor lorry.'
The Tredegar (Mon.) Urban District Council is considering the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
Hull City engineer has . been enspowered to purchase another Sentinel 6t on tipping wagon.
Ripon City Council has deferred until. a later meeting the questioir of acquiring a new motor lorry.
.• Taf Feehan Water Board, PontstieJl, is Considering the desirability of "purchasing a 3-ton motor lorry.
Merton and Morclen Urban District Council is seeking sanction to a loan for the purchase of a steam wagon.
Paignton Corporation is considering the question of the purchase of a motor vehicle for the highways department. . Peterborough Corporation has derided to invite tenders for the hire of motor vehicles for the electricity department.
Wrexham Corporation has asked the surveyor to report as to lItcy best. and Most economical method of refuse cellec-. tiers.
Glasgow Corporation Cleansing Corn-. mittee recommends the purchase of an Albion sobsidy-type chassis at, a cost of £465.
Hull Watch Committee is to strengthen the fire. brigade establishment, plans having been passed for a new station to oast £16,000.
Ripon City Couccil, Ripon Rural Council and Wath District Council have at last agreed to the purchase of a motor fire-engine for joint use.
Grimsby Corporation Electricity Committee recommends the purchase of a 2-ton electric vehicle from R. Garrett
and Sons, Ltd., for £813. .
Tynemouth Watch Committee has abandoned a proposal for a inoterbirs Station at Cluirchway, and decided, for the present to .assign a part of Howard Street as a bus rendezvous. '
. Trowbridge Urban District Council has granted the town ambulance Competition clatimittee permission to use. Trowbridge _Park on Sunday, Jane 20th,, for the purpose of its annual demonstra
tion.
o The Cardiff Tramways Committee is to erect a new Motorbus depot at Llandoff North for vehicles plying to the northern outskirts of the:.city. A ten,. der of £860 for 'the steel work has already been accepted...
' The Cardiff Corporation will consider tenders received not later than May 8th' for the supply. of six double-decked motorbus bodies. Full particulars of the type of -body'required Can be obtained from the 'general Manager, TramWays' Department, The Hayes, Cardiff.
Ripon City C.onineil has, as an experia ment, agreed to paint -a central while line at a busy traffic point as a guide to motor . vehicles. Certain other authorities are finding that the provision of a, line dividing up and down streams of road traffic is a useful safety measure,
.B22
Paignton Council has granted' a licence to Mr. G. IL Marks to run a motorbus service between Torquay and
Paignton. •
A Closed Road.
Drivers should note that the main road to and from Abertillery (Mon.), commencing at Crumlin and terminating, to the north of the Royal Oak at Hafodrynys new road junction, will be closed to vehicular traffic for a, period of four months until August 31st, in order to permit read widening and bridge reconstruction works to be under taken. The alternative route during this period will 'be via HafodrynyS.
Tipping Gear Sales.
The Spenborough Engineering Co, of Valley Works, 'Ileckmondwike, inform US that they have appointed the .Hallings' Engineering Works, Ltd., of Point Pleasant, Putney Bridge Road, Wands
worth, S.W.I8, as their stockists in the London and south-eastern area, their works also serving as a fitting depot.
We learn with interest that the Spanborough Engineering Co. have sold more tipping gears in the first three months of this year than they did during the whole of last year, which, be it noted, so far as the company was .concerned, Was a reeord one for sales of this description.
Cab Rank Reform.
'• MaryIebone Borough Council reports that a communication has been addressed to the Commissioner of Police giving a number of specific instances where often the .foremost cab on a rank, through 'being ,drawn up to the point of intersection of streets, obstructs the view of both drivers and pedestrians. It has been suggested to the Commissioner that in such cases a space between the frontage line of the streets and the front Cala on the rank shall be left clear so as to leave an unobstrueted view for traffic approaching the junction of such roads. This action follows• on a seg._ gestion made by the borough council.
Norfolk Ambulance Service.
• Thetford Corporation has agreed to a proposal received from the -county director, Norfolk branch, British Red Cross Society, to make Thetford an ambulance station -for the county, under the home service ambulance scheme, subject to the terms and conditions of the Norfolk Joint Committee. -This committee will supply the borough council with a Ford ambulance for the area which, it is .proposed, should be served from the Thetford station.
Powerful Motor Ship Engines. •
The great progress that is being made in the design of power units for internal. Cogabtistion-etigine-diiven vessels is clearly indicated in authoritative articles conta,ined in the May" issue of The Motor Slip.A new three-cylinder 1,850 b.h.p. Marine all engine is fully dealt with, and particulars of the first Still-engined meter ship are also given...
Amongst other informative contributions in this issue are "The Deaign of Large Oil Engines," "Experimental WorkWith Diesel . Engines," "The World's Motor Ship Building," etc.
An Ambulance for Miners. Further developments are being made 'in the provision of Motor ambulances for the benefit of the mining community in some areas of the North Country, and the latest contemplated purchase is by the Welfare Cominittee.of the Craghead and Holmesido and the South Moor collieries whichis obtaining a 20 hp.. motor ambulance in ponneotioo with its scheme for erecting a new 'hospital.
Hackney Fares at Morecambe.
At a meeting of the Morecambe Licensing Committee a letter was read from the Morecambe Hackney Carriage Proprietors' Association requesting the committee to make an alteration in the fares to be charged and the conditions
in respect to the hire of hackney oar i riages. The committee,-however, s not prepared 'to comply with the reqiiest.