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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"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 over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

A Modification in the W.D. Subsidy Specification No. 30.

We have been asked by the Director of Supplies and Transport to point out that a slight amendment has been made in the War Department's Specification No. 30 relating to the subsidy type, medium, rigid-frame six-wheeler. This amendment deals with engine perform-since, page three, section one, and reads as follows :--Delete sub-paragraph (i) from " (i) " in first line to " 40 " in ninth line, and substitute :—(i) Professor Dalby's engine acceptance test, Appendix D, -will be carried out on one or more engines of each batch. All other engines will be subjected to a continuous two hours' test under full load and at a piston speed of 1,000 ft. per minute. Immediately after this test engines will be run at full power for 10 minutes at each of the following r.p.m. and the maximum b.h.p. will be recorded : 600, 800, 1,000, 1,200, 1,400, etc., until the peak of the curve is definitely passed. Between the limits of 600/1,400 revolutions pe minute the b.h.p. must be not less than that calculated by dividing the revolutions by 40. All engine tests must be carried out in the presence of the C.I.M.T. or his representative.

The R.A.F. Display.

There is a promise that 200 aeroplanes will take part in the Royal Air Force display to be 'held at Hendon on Saturday, July 2nd. Already the booking of boxes and other accommodation has commenced, and as there is every prospect of even a larger attendance than last year, when 75,000 people witnessed the air pageant from within the aerodrome, the wise Course has been adopted

of improving the seating-arrangements, a grand-stand to seat 3,000 people beying been added to the 10s. enclosure.

One of the principal new events will be an air battle in which the Home Defence Air Force will carry out the operations. Hostile bombing squadrons will endeavour to attack Louden from the North, fighter squadrons from the London Defence Station ascending to intercept the raiders. We are promised that several machines shall be brought down!

An Official Inquiry at Grimsby.

The Ministry of Transport held an inquiry_at Grimsby a few days ago in connection with the appeal of the Provincial Tramways Co., Ltd., against the refusal of the Grimsby Corporation and the Cleethorpes Urban District Council to grant licences for the company to run a service of buses between the two places over a route at present not served by the tramcars. Halley Reconstruction Scheme Approved.

We are advised that the scheme. of reconstruction of Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., as affecting the creditors of the company has been duly approved by the Court of Session. The shareholders having also approved the scheme, Halley Motors, Ltd., was registered as a public company in Edinburgh on May 23rd with a nominal capital of £236,667 in 500,001 ordinary shares of 6s. Sd. each and 70,000 six per cent. cumulative preference shares of £1 each ; the object is to acquire the undertaking of Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd.

The registered office of the new company is at 50, Hawick Street, Yoker, Glasgow. Allotment letters for the new company's shares will be issued shortly.

Origin of Rubber Tyres.

The Board of Trade has referred to the Standing Committee (General Merchandise) applications for Orders in Council to be made requiring indications of origin in the case of imported rubber tyres and tubes for motorcars, motorcycles and cycles and also for solid and semi-solid tyres. Representatives of interests substantially affected by any of these applications who desire to be heard in opposition are requested to communicate with the secretary to the committee, Mr. E. W. Reardon, at the New Public Offices, Great George Street, .London, S.W.1, not later than June 24th.

The education authorities of Glasgow are' inviting tendersfor the supply of four motorbuses for the conveyance of invalid children to and from school.

Mr. J. H. Bean Joins Guy Motors.

It will interest many of our readers to learn that Mr. J. H. Bean, C.B.E., has joined the board of directors. of Guy Motors, Ltd., of Wolverhampton. Mr. Bean has been associated with the motor industry for many years and has travelled widely overseas. In his new capacity he will be actively engaged at the works of the company during the next 12 months, and, later, anticipates making a trip overseas, his first destination being South America, where Guy Motors, Ltd., has already done substantial business. As a matter of fact, the company recently received a repeat order for 85 six-cylindered, single-deck, four-wheeled buses, as well as for 14 six-wheeled double-dockers for shipment overseas. Other vehicles which are being built by the company have as their ultimate destinations India, Nyasaland, Uganda, Australasia and South Africa.

An International Fire Exhibition.

In connection with a congress of Polish fire-brigade authorities, which is to be held in Posen from June 22nd to 29th next, arrangements are in hand for the holding of an International Fire Exhibition in that city, in which a section will be provided for motor fire-engines and other mechanical fire-brigade equipment. Any British firm interested in the exhibition can obtain particulars from the Stadtisches Messeamt, Abtlg. Feuerwehr Ausstelltmg, Gloganer Strasse 42, Posen, Poland.

A Devon Bus Fusion..

It was recently announced by the Devon Motor Transport Co., Ltd., that an amicable arrangement had been come to with Goad Bros., Ltd., for the taking over by the former concern of the latter's Ensign service of motorbuses plying between Plymouth and Plympton. By the fusion the Ensign, fleet of buses, staff and garage at Plympton come under the control of the DALT., as it is popularly known.

A Road-safety Campaign.

In pursuance of its campaign to secure greater safety on the roads and to bring about a reduction in the num)er of accidents, the National "Safety First" Association has embarked upon a scheme. for displaying "Safety First" films and posters throughout the oountry. The success of the efforts of this voluntary organization in other directions is already known, and it is hoped that the new scheme will be equally fortunate; the appeal for the necessary funds has been launched by the patron of the Association, H.R.H. The Duke of York.

Useful Air Compressors.

Messrs. Williams and James, 2hequers Bridge, Gloucester, have just issued a booklet which deals with David air compressors and Nev-a-tire mechanical pumps. The company's air compressors are in use by a number of prominent commercial-vehicle users, including many municipalities running motorbuses. They are efficient little machines which are suitable for tyro inflation and general garage and workshop use. The outfit comprises a 1 h.p. motor, direct-coupled to a twin-cylinder air compressor. The Nev-a-tire pump is made for use on light commercial vehicles and comprises a double-acting, single-stage air compressor designed to run at 1,200-1,400 r.p.m.

Pneurnatic-tyred Buses Preferred.

At a meeting of the tramways committee of the Hull Corporation the general manager submitted an offer from the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., to substitute the solid tyres on the Bristol buses by pneumatic tyres at a cost of £151 14s. per bus. Consideration of the matter was deferred, and the general manager is to make inquiries from the company as to the terms on which it would be prepared to take the solid-tyred buses in part exchange for new buses.

A New West Hartlepool Bus Company.

Eastern Express Motors, Ltd., a new faotor omnibus company, has just been formed with central offices at West Hartlepool, in order to open up services in that district. The directors are Mr. A. A. Speak, of the Express Motors, Ltd., which operates, in the Darlington and Richmond neighbourhoods, Mr. H. Brooks, of Stockton, and Mr. J. Hodges, of Galashiels. The capital is £15,000. A Municipality's Views on Vehicle Lights.

The parliamentary committee of the Glasgow Corporation reports in favour of the Road Transport Lighting Bill which provides that during the hours of darkness all vehicles shall carry (a) two lamps, each showing a white light to the front, and (b) a lamp showing a red light to the rear. It urges, however, that steps be taken to have the _following amendments made thereon :— (1) That the provisions granting power to the Minister of Transport to exempt, from. the provisions of the Bill, vehicles drawn by horses or other animals, or any class or description thereof, be amended to provide that application for such exemption be made by the local authority concerned ; and (2) that the provisions empowering the Minister of Transport to exempt front the provisions of the Bill vehicles constructed before the passing thereof, be deleted.

The Danish Market for Tractors.

The Danish market for agricultural tractors is somewhat limited, as the average farm is. too small to permit tractors to oe used on a profitable basis. Their use is generally restricted to the comparatively few large estates, and, consequently, tractor ■sales in Denmark can never be expected to be large. The demand for tractors for industrial purposes is also limited.

Danish tractor imports in recent years have shown a downward trend ; 1,554 machines were purchased abroad in 1924, 975 in 1925, and only 633 in 1926. All but two tractors in 1924, and the same . number in 1925, were of American make, but in 1926 out of the total of 633 machines imported 583 came from the United States.

Newcastle to Leeds by Bus.

After having delayed it decision for over three months, the Darlington Corporation has now decided to' grant licences to the Newcastle-Leeds Motor Omnibus Co., which proposes to commence a direst regular service between Newcastle and Leeds. The licences are granted subject to the service being inaugurated in a reasonable period, as well as being conditional upon the promoters submitting time-tables and signing the corporation's undertaking.

Glasgow's Bus Regulations.

The Glasgow Magistrates' Committee recently held a meeting to consider the licensing of buses, and in connection therewith it has formulated certain new conditions in relation to the regulation of bus traffic. It is laid down that no hackney carriage shalt remain at any of the stances for a longer period than 15 minutes and that stops shall only be made at the specified places. No hackney carriage is to be permittedto travel at a higher speed than 12 m.p.h. in any'part of the city, or to pass another hackney vehicle proceeding in the same direction, unless the leading vehicle has stepped to pick up or set down passengers or is delayed by unforeseen circumstances.

Certain discussion took place on the conditions, in which the views of the local bus owners were expressed. The magistrates adjourned to consider the objections, and it was later intimated that they saw no reason why they should depart from the conditions laid down, although applicants objecting to them have the right of appeal to the Ministry of Labour.

New Bodies for the Overland Chassis.

Willys Overland Crossley, Ltd., Heaton Chapel, Stockport, advises us that five new types have been added to the range of standard bodies available for mounting on the 25-cwt. Britishbuilt Overland . commercial chassis. The complete list of vehicles is now as follows, the new models having an asterisk against them: *flat lorry with tailboard, £230; lorry with drop sides, £235; *lorry with rail sides, £235; lorry with tilt, £245 *dairy wagon, £245; box van, £250-' tipper, £250; *agricultnral wagon, £255 ; *generalpurpose van, £260.

The New Glasgow-Edinburgh Road.

The new Glasgow-Edinburgh road, now nearly completed and already partly opened, is likely to prove of great convenience and benefit to road users. It is much. more direct and, therefore, shorter than any of the highways at present running from east to west, and the number of tOwns and villages that It taps in its course is larger than that

American Exports.

Increasing activity is being maintained in the American commercial motor export trade. The latest returns to hand are thoSe for March last, during which month no fewer than 7,646 vehicles of an approximate value of £972,129 were exported from the United States, as compared with 5,674 (£814,755) in the corresponding month of 1926. During the first three months of the present year the returns show that no fewer than 25,479 American vehicles (£3,275,376) were exported, these figures contrasting with 16,692 and £2,383,814 respectively in the first quarter of 1926. Australia still tops the list as being the principal market for American vehicles, the Commonstealth being credited with 8,0g4 vehicles, or about 30 per cent, of the total. The other leading markets in the order oftheir importance are Brazil, Denmark, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Bus Efficiency at Redcar.

At its last meeting Redear Town Council discussed fully the necessity for ensuring adequate mechanical efficiency of motorbuses plying for hire in the town, and in the light of a recent grettable bus fatality in the vicinity, resolved to engage the services of a motor engineer to help the hackney-carriage inspector. In answer to a proposal that -all vehicles employed on services to Cleveland districts, where bad hills are encountered, should be equipped -with four-wheel brakes, the mayor said that the corporation's powers applied only within the borough boundaries.

Accessory Makers Amalgamate..

We are advised that, as from the beginning of this month, the business of Messrs. Joseph Bradbury and Sons, of Braintree, and that of Messrs. Garage Equipment Co., of Backing, have been amalgamated, and a private limited liability company under the title of Joseph Bradbury and Sons, Ltd., is now in course of formation. The owners of -both firms are being retained as directors, and the policy of the new company will remain unaltered. It will include the manufacture of garage and repair equipment, accessories and tools for the motor and allied trades. The new company's address is New Street, Works, Braintree. Bus Results at Sheffield.

The accounts of the trataways and motors department of the Sheffield Corporation. for the year ended March 31st last have just been issued, and they show that during this period the total income on the buses was £198.844, and the total working expenses £171,656. Thus it -will be seen that a gross profit of £27,188 was made, and this is to be appropriated as follows:—Interest and sinking fund, £4,604; renewals fund, £18,731; income tax, £1,389 ;special reserve fund, 12,464.

Analysing the debit side of the accounts, we find that traffic expenses absorbed £74,111; general expenses, £15,309; the purchase of motor spirit, £35,437 ; cost of repairs, £46,761. The traffic revenue amounted to £198,317. At the end of March last the Sheffield municipal authorities had 109 buses in service.

Ruston and Hornsby's Report.

The report of Ruston and Hornsby, Ltd., of Lincoln, for the year ended March last shows a credit balance of £99,196, less depreciation £42,443 and interest on debentures and debenture stock £25,750, leaving £21,003, to which is added the balance brought in, 128,307, making £49,310. The directors propose to deal with the balance by paying a dividend on the 5 per cent. and the 6 per cent, preference shares, leaving a sum of £25,810 to be carried forward. For the previous year the credit balance was £152,552, the dividend on the ordinary shares being 2i per cent.

Birmingham's New Double-deckers.

On the first of this month the tramways department of the Birmingham Corporation put into service a fleet of new buses which has been specially purchased for use on the Inner Circle route. The standard type of top-covered bus cannot be used on this route for the reason that a low bridge is encountered. The type of vehicle which has been adopted has its seats on the upper deck arranged down the centre and set at an / angle to the body sides. The bus seats 46 people, 20 of whom are accommodated on the upper deck, and it is fitted with pneumatic tyres. By following this layout it is possible to reduce the overall height of a covered-top bus to an extent which is sufficient to enable it to pass under the bridge to which we have referred.

For Cellulose-finished Bodywork.

The County Chemical Co., Ltd., Chemico Works, Bradford Street, Birmingham, has sent us samples of its new cleanser and wax polish for the treatment of cellulose paint. These new products of the eStnpany have only been on the market a short while, but we are told that they have already achieved much success amongst vehicle manufacturers and coachbuilders.

Passenger Services at Stoke-on Trent.

At a meeting of the Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee, Mr. E. B. Sharpley, the town clerk, submitted a letter from the Ministry of Transport stating that the Ministry did not propose to make an order in respect of the appeal by the Potteries Electric Traction Co. against the conditions attached to its licences by

the corporation and calling attention to certain prevailing conditions in regard to passenger transport services within and adjacent to the city. The matter was referred to the hackney carriage licences sub-committee for consideration and report, and the members of the joint committee dealing 'withy omnibus and tramway services were invited to collaborate with it.

Hotel Buses in France.

The French Motor and Cycle Federation has agreed to permit a section for hotel buses and cars to be included in the National Hotel and Touring Exhibition which is to be held in Nancy from, July 9th to 25th newt.

Overcoming Traffic Congestion.

The restrictions regarding the discharging of loads in certain streets in London have their counterpart in Cairo and Alexandria. Regulations in these two Egyptian 'cities prohibit certain deliveries ' being made, excepting during three hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. As these regulations restricted the delivery of_products by the Vacuum Oil Co., this firm has added to its equipment by purchasing a further 10 lorries in order to serve customers during the hours permitted.

Buses in Brazil.

According to a report lately to hand from Rio de Janeiro there are five companies now running motorbuses in that city, whilst the number of vehicles actually in operation is 150.. The majority of the vehicles is of Italian manufacture (Lancias), but considerable headway has been made recently by American manufacturers.

Presenting a Tractor.

The Rhondda Valley. Brewery Co., Ltd., has informed the Pontypridd Urban District Council that it will present the council with a motor tractor to haul the heavy, roller on the local cricket ground in the public park. Fire-fighters in Conference.

Technical problems of fire-fighting came under review at the annual conference of the Institution of Fire Engineers, which opened for a two-days' season at Liverpool on Wednesday, June 1st. Particular attention was given to the use of the foam 'extinguisher for dealing with oil fires, and to the increased risks attendant upon industrial growth and development of the internal-combustion engine.

Having in mind the efficiency of the : mechanically propelled fire-engine, Aid. Maxwell, chairman. of the Liverpool' Watch Committee, referred to the great., advances which had been made in firefighting methods. The stage had now been reached when throughout the country there must be greater amalgamation of fire' departments, particularly in places where the line of demarcation between a large borough and outside districts is a very fine one.. He believed that eventually there would be a scheme whereby any bri

gade would be prepared to go to the assistance of any other when required.

Chief Superintendent Oakes (Liverpool Fire Brigade), in his presidential address, said there had been a revolution in many fire-brigade organizations to meet modern conditions, and apparatus had grown in complexity. The losses through fire in this , country amounted to approximately £12;000,000. The technical problems which arose daily called for continual research, for the growth in industry brought in ite train new risks, just as the internalcombustion engine had increased fire risks in the storage of crude oils, petrol and kindred volatile spirits. Liverpool had a foam installation as far back as 1913, and at one oil-tanker fire alone they used 3,200 gallons of the foam. Foam had been found most useful.

Mr. W. B. Zappert, formerly chief officer of tae Alexandria Fire Brigade (Egypt), read a paper on the latest types of foam extinguisher for oil fires.

Farm Tractor Encouragement.

The German Ministry of Food and -Agriculture, in conjunction with the German Agricultural Society, is giving great encouragement to the use of agricultural tractors. A month's course of training for tractor drivers has just been held in Berlin, at the end a which a students' examination took place, for which 41. eat. A second month's course is now being held, svhilst from June, 7th to 25th the ' Agricultural Society is organizing a three weeks' information course in the use of farm tractors for the benefit of landowners and farmers.

Buses for Tramways at Gravesend.

In connection with the proposal of the tramways company to abandon the tramways in Gravesend and Northfleet and to run buses instead, Mr. H. H. Brown, town clerk of Gravesend, has had interviews with representatives of the tramways company with regard to the reinstatement of the tram track, etc. The highways tomniittee of the corporation recommends that the tramways company be informed that the local authorities are not prepared to consider any offer involving preferential treatment for running of buses, and adhere to their refusal to accept the company's offer of £2,500. If this is the final word of the company they say they will have no alternative but to lodge a petition against the confirmation of the Provisional Order.

Bus Control in Staffordshire.

At a meeting of the North Staffordshire Omnibus Joint Committee, Mr. E. B. Sharpley, the town clerk of Stokeon-Trent, reported that the various constituent authorities (Stoke, Wolstanton, 'Newcastle, Congleton, Kidsgrove and Biddulph) had agreed upon June 30th as the date for the termination and issue of omnibus licences. He also reported upon arrangements made with regard to the annual inspection of vehicles and the issue of licences in the city, and it was agreed that the other authorities should take similar steps.

The chief constable of Newcastle reported that his district had already made arrangements similar to those in force within the city.

The committee considered the question of insurance against accidents to omnibuses, passengers and third parties. and the town clerk reported upon the steps taken to deal with this matter by the watch committee. It was recommended that all licensees be required to take out policies of insurance with approved companies giving satisfactory cover on these points, such policies to expire concurrently with the licences, and that licensees be instructed to arrange with the insurance companies for licences in force to be amended so as to commence as from June 30th.

The committee considered the question of the standardization of omnibuses and thought it desirable that the omnibuses running in North Staffordshire should be standardized at the earliest possible date, and that, in the meantime, details of the regulations in '.orce in Stoke-on-Trent be sent to each of the auth orities.

The joint committee considered the question of the adoption of through routes, with a view to relieving traffic congestion in busy centres, and decided to ask the Potteries Electric Traction Co. and the associated North Staffordshire Omnibus Proprietors to consider this matter and make suggestions thereon.

Dennis Agents for Yorkshire.

Prank H. Dutson (Leeds), Ltd., Trojan House, 78, Vicar Lane, Leeds, has been appointed by Dennis Bros., Ltd., as its sole official distributor for the whole of Yorkshire for Dennis goods and passenger-carrying vehicles. The company tells us that by reason of the large contract which it has placed with the makers it is in a good position to give quick deliveries.

U.A.S. Bus and Coach Programmes.

United Automobile Services, Ltd., Kilburn House, Pulford Bond, York, has just issued two interesting guides dealing with its passenger-vehicle services. One of them deals with the company's bus operations in East Anglia and gives a good indication of the in teresting range of runs which can be made from Lowestoft, Yarmouth, Norwich and King's Lynn, as well as giving details of the coastal route between Mundesley and Blakeney. The other book deals with the coach tours from Lowestoft which form part of the company's summer programme for 1927. There are several day tours available, as well as morning, afternoon and evening runs.

At the Barcelona Show.

The fifth annual motor exhibition, held in Barcelona from April 27th to May 8th last, comprised an important commercial-vehicle section, in which France and the United States were represented by six makers, Spain and Germany by two each and Italy and Switzerland by one each. Apparently no British vehicles were displayed in this section, although four makes of car from this country were on view.

The Metropolitan Asylums Board recommends acceptance of the tender of Messrs. Kempster and Williams, Watford, for the construction of a motor garage at Leavesden Mental Hospital at a cost of 11,073. Nottingham's Trolley-buses.

Such success has attended the running of trolley-buses in Nottingham, with which operations were recently begun, that a general demand has arisen in the city for the extension of the 'sinless system. The undertaking has been so far limited to a route extending from the centre of the city to important residential western areas, but when the Bill was before Parliament the corporation also acquired powers to run similar vehicles in two other districts. It is being suggested that these areas should now be similarly served, for which purpose the responsible committee has the matter under consideration.

Guy's Poster Competition.

Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, has, for the fifth year in succession, organized a ballot in connection with its " Feathers in our Cap" poster competition. Under this scheme numbered copies of these posters are sent to motor agents and they have to exhibit the pester in a prominent position in their showroom or garage from March to December. Each competing agent sends the number of his poster to the company, which is placed in the ballot box, the winner, who receives a new Guy chassis valued at £295, being the first out. This year the winner was Messrs. Agnew Bros., of Portglenone, Northern Ireland. Mr. Agnew was presented with the prize at the Guy works on May 31st.

The company has inaugurated a further competition of a similar kind for 1927, and any member of the -Motor Agents' Association can obtain a copy of the poster from the company.

Aberdeen's New Buses.

The tramways committee of Aber deen Town Council recently received a report from a sub-committee dealingwith the purchase of 10 new buses of a similar type to certain vehicles at present in use. The basis of these vehicles is the Albion chassis and the bodies are being built by the Northern Counties Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd. It is expected that the vehicles will be commissioned for service by the end of June, in time for the increased summer traffic.