Answers to Queries.
Page 19
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request fur privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks.
The Spirit Duty.
[1,476] " Do ii BM" i. ' asks :—" Is it correct that some fresh regulations were issued, a few weeks ago, on the subject of rebates, by the Board of Customs and Excise "
ANSWER,---Our querist has probably heard reports which have arisen through a belated notice in a London daily on the 3rd September. No fresh regulations have appeared since those which we published us extenso on 15th July last.
ASheap Engine Wanted.
[1,477] " GROWER " writes :—" I want to purchase a petrol engine, from 8 h.p. to 20 h.p. Would you kindly say where I could get suited in this. An old motorcar past road use would do, if the engine were pretty good, but it must come cheap."
ANSWER.—We think you could not do better than advertise in this journal. You ought to make clear' whether TOR want to use the engine separately from the vehicle, and you ought to state the horse-power a little more closely than you do.
Qualifications of " Steamer" Drivers.
[1,478] " KEIGIILEY " writes :—" Do you think the Engines and Boilers (Persons in Charge) Bill is likely to he passed, and would it apply to motor-wagons and tractors ?"
ANSWER.—We do not expect to see any progress made with this Bill; it is a private-member's measure. Its contents have been discussed by the Executive Committee of the Commercial Motor Users' Association, and the interests of owners are being watched.
A Motor Roller Wanted—also, a Stationary Engine.
[1,479] " A.G.E." writes -" We have enquiries for a petrol or paraffin motor-driven lawn roller suitable for golf links, and also for a 5 h.p. (petrol or paraffin) stationary engine for driving a pump. We should esteem it a favour if you could advise us the best firms to go to."
Aisswsit.—For motor-driven lawn rollers, you should apply to Messrs. Barford and Perkins, Queen Street Works, Peterborough, and Thomas Green and Sons, Ltd., Smithfield Works, Leeds ; for stationary petrol or paraffin engines, you could not do better than ask quotations from Messrs. Norris and Henty, 87, Queen Victoria Street, E.G., Messrs. Charles Price and Sons, Engineers, Broadheath, Cheshire, and H. P. Saunderson and Co., Ltd., Elstow, Bedford,
Road Threats Cause Alarm.
[1,480] " SURREY " writes :—"I have had a steam wagon on hire for some weeks, and being well pleased with the excellent way it got through its work I placed an order with the manufacturers for a similar machine. The road at my works is very bad, and has evidently no foundation as a consequence, the wagon cuts up the road considerably. I have reeeived notice from the road authorities that they will hold me responsible for any damage done to the road. I have, of course, had to cancel my order for a new wagon, and now I want to know if the authorities con hold me responsible as they threaten. I should mention that the road is very little used by other heavy motors. Would the owner of the hired wagon or myself he responsible for damage already done ? "
ANSWER . —T11 e. 11Pc isi011S on the points you raise are somewhat contradictory, and we fancy that local councils generally take action against whichever party is the more substantial. The wording of the 1878 Act reads that action can lie against the person " by or in consequence of whose order " the haulage has taken place. Of course, yon may possibly have a clause in your contract with the haulage people from whom you hired, under which this liability is specifically placed upon the contractor; that will settle the matter, but we suppose such is not the case? It looks as though you are liable to be held responsible, and we think you ought to ask the Secretary of the C.M.U.A. for one of that Association's extraordinarytraffic forms.
Forms for a Motorbus Service: [1,481] " MAKERS ' write :—" We have an enquiry from a company in South America, which has purchased a number of motor chars-a-banes from us for public-service purposes, asking if we could supply them with a suitable form for keeping a record of running costs, mileage, etc., of each car. If, therefore, you are in a position to refer tie to any particular number of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR where such information can be obtained, we should esteem it a special favour."
ANSWER.—You cannot do better than reemumend your friends to follow the forms advocated by Mr. W. E. hardy, and set out in his paper of December, 1907. These appeared in our issue of the 12th December, 1907, and it is, unfortunately, out of print. Perhaps you can have . copies made from your bound volume?
A Typical Reference for Our Settlement.
[1,482] " NOtrIEL-3111E1ILAND " writes:—' We contemplate purchasing a motor lorry, and as readers of your valuable paper beg to seek your guidance. We have two in view; a three-ton and a 40 h.p. " 1. Is one vehicle better than the other, and which?
"2. Would the more powerful one be as economical with the same load as the other, and what would probably he the cost per mile to run each of these vehicles unloaded ? Also per ton-mile loaded? 3. is the engine flexible, and are it and the whole transmission and chassis thoroughly sound ?
" 4. We believe the was constructed for Loudon traffic: would it be suitable for industrial work on country roads, and what maximum load would it probably carry under such circumstances?
n 5. It has synchronized ignition or magneto : which is preferable? It would have frequent stops.
" 0. Are there any other chassis you would more readily recommend?
7. The cost of an is £350. What ought an — new, with Shrewsbury-Challiner tires, Hans Renold chains, two speeds, etc., to be obtained for "
ANtIWRR.—We recommend the vehicle; it should be more economical, and should cost altogether, inclusive of maintenance and depreciation, not more than 9d. per mile run, provided you can give it as much as 250 miles per week (at a smaller mileage, the incidence of driver's wages, interest, etc., would be higher); the difference in cost between light and loaded running is almost negligible; you can obtain your own cost per ton-mile from the cost per vehicle-mile; the — -engine is not as flexible as we should like, and there has not been sufficient experience in the use of the chassis to state that it is thoroughly practical and sound ; magneto ignition is the more simple, though it sometimes does not start as easily as a battery and coil ignition, but we should give our preference to high-tension magneto, provided you have it of a well
known make; in view of your being nearer to the works, you will probably do best to deal with them, in spite of the fact that there are several makes of petrol chassis which are fully as good ; we believe the chassis were picked up at something like .R70 each without tires, when the makers went into liquidation something like 18 months ago,