WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheel 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 Crosier,
Home Production of Oil.
The annual report on the drilling operations for oil in the -United Kingdom in 1920 has just been issued by the Director of the Petroleum Department, and it includes the interesting statement that the Hardstoft well in the Derbyshire area, from which oil has been produced in commercial quantity for some time, had provided,from its first outflow to December 31st 590. tons or 4,576 barrels of oil, the production for the year being 2,909 barrels or 375 tons. Five hundred tons of the oil in storage, stated to be of exceptionally high grade, was purchased during the year by the Anglo. American Oil Co. at .£22 10s. per ton. Other prospecting wells ane being bored in Derbyshire, North Staffordshire, and Scotland, and six wells have reached a depth of 3,000 ft. or over, the Ironville No. 2 in Derbyshire being over 4,000 ft. deep. A good showing of oil was obtained from Renville No. 1 at a 'depth of 2,031 ft., and other oil shows were obtained at lower depths. The expenditure on this prospecting during the year amounted to £126,065.
Dunlop Finances.
The report of the directors of the Dunlop Rubber CO., which is just to hand, for the year ended August 31st, 1920, shows a net profit for the year, after providing for interest on income stock, commissions, managerial expenses, and depreciation, of £2163,896, to which must bo added an amount of £402,593, Making a total of £2,566,489. Quarterly dividends on A, B, and C preference shares have been paid, amounting to .£278,125, whilst the interim dividend on ordinary shares has absorbed £252,540, the deduction of these two items, which total £530,665, leaving a balance of £2,035,824. The reserve account has been brought up to £7,500,000 by the transference of £335,500 of this amount, leaving a balance, subject to Excess Profit Duty for 1919 and 1920 and Corporation Tax for 1920, of 21,700,324, which the directors propose be carried forward.
With the report the directors have issued an explanatory letter, which deals with the changes in the constitution•rof the board. and says that further alterstionn are contemplated and'. that the names, of the gentlemen willing to join -will be announced at the general meeting which will be held on Friday next at the Hotel Cecil, London.
The financial difficulties which arose in November, owing to the unprecedentedly heavy fall in raw materials, to the forward contracts entered into by the company in these materials and to the failure of the anticipated further development of trade, are all explained in the.latter, as also is the manner in which the financing of the American company, over its period of crisis, was carried out.
In order to secure an agreement of the preference shareholders to an increase in the company's borrowing powers, the relation between the .preference share • holders and the ordinary shareholders of the company is to be modified, and proc4 posals to this effect will be put forward at the meeting.
Mr. A. L. Ormrod, the chairman of the company, having resigned from the board last December through finding himself in disagreement With the Management, a temporary chairman has been appointed in .Mr. F. A. Szarvasy, the managing director of the British,
Foreign, and Colonial Corporation. He has made an exhaustive and independent
investigation into the affairs of company for the purpose of advising as to the best course to be pursued in present circumstances, and from the chair at the meeting on Friday next he will have occasion to deal 1ul4 with this subject.
Use and Abuse of Chains.
We have received a valuable little publication from Hans. Renold, Ltd., of Didsbury, Manchester, entitled " Chains, Their TJseiand Abuse," The book, quite apart from the interesting treatise on chain-driven commercial vehicles, wherein the advantages of chain drive are enumerated, contains some very instructive information, which will be found to be of use to pireseut users of chain-driven vehicles. A compilation towards 'the end of the volume shows the modern.types of commercial vehicles which are fitted With standard Reneid chains, as well as early types of motor vehicles and the type of Reuold chains which were used for tran sant ssim L. Lubrication . and maintenance ofthe chain drive are dealt with. The book should be in the hands of all actual andlprospectie buyers of chain
driven vehicles.
In our reference to the-late Mr. G. H. Halley we said that the Halley vehicle in the 1907 Trials gained the highest awards. This phrase was not accurate bemuse the one highest award, which was the special Jliploms, given by the Royal Automobile Club, was gained by the Hallford vehicle. In view of the importance ("he Trials, it is only just that this correction should be made.
C.M.U.A. Activities.
At a meeting of the National Council of the C.M.U.A. held last week, several matters. which May prove of interest to theze.• of our readers who are members of the Association, as well as to others, were discussed.
The censtitution of the Association has been altered and now provides that the chairman of the National Council shall also be the president of the Association; also thatsst presidents of the Association shall be honorary life membera.of it and ex-officio men:Mere of the National Council. The result of this ainendment is that Mr. E. S. Shrapnell-Smith beco•rxies second president of the Association, and Colonel Crompton first past president. Representatives were elected to serve on the FL AC. Relations Sub-committee, the R.I.A. Council, the Electric Vehicle Committee, and the Standing Joint Committee of Mechanical Road Transport Associations. The annual luncheon of the Association will take place at the Savoy Hotel on April 6th at 1 p.m. This will be followed by the annual meeting at the same place at 3.30. The Association recently wrote to the R.A.C. asking them to conduot trials with giant pneumatic tyres. They replied to the effect that it is not the intention of the Club to hold competitive trials of such tyres, as it is thought that the standing arrangements for certified trials meet the case. They stated, however, that there is ovary prospect of one manufacturer of such tyres entering for a trial at, an early date.
As regards the recent application of the railways to act practically as motor haulage centimeters, a. memorandum is being -drawn lip by the Association and will be issued to the whole of the membership this week.
The Council received a reconurrendation from the Devon" and Cornwall Division (Char4-bancs Section), that every influence should be brought to bear by the Council to alter the present system of taxation to provide for limited or seasonal users, and the Council agreed to do everything to further this matter.
The questions on taxation brought up in connection with the London. motorcab trade are being -deferred, as in the near fixture there will probably be a meeting of the Taxation Committee of the 'Ministry of Transport in order to go fully into all the points raised.
Prices Falling.
.We understand that Ferodo, Ltd., of Chapel-en-le-Frith, have reduced_ by 15 per cent, the price of' Ferodo fibre and bonded asbestos brake and clutch The Avon India Rubber Co., Ltd., of Newman Street, Oxford Street, London, W., have issued a new price list, vvhich showa that the price of Avon Pneumatic tyres, with one or two exceptions, has been reduced.
Fluted (square tread) covers are • down by 15 per cent.; Sunstone (grooved) covers by 20 per cent. ; steelstudded covers by 10 per cent., whilst 10 per cent,. is announced off inner tubes.
Motors v. Light Railways.
The Holland County Council, which exercises administrative control over widely scattered parts of Lincolnshire, i of which Boston s the centre, has propounded a scheme, towards, the cost of which the Government is to be asked to contribute one-half, for the construction of a light railway from Boston to Wainfleet, at an estimated expense of £120,000.
It has been suggested, however, that, whilst the railway would be of value from the facilities it would afford for the conveyance of agricultural and other produce, the difficulty might be to a large extent met, and considerable expense saved by the development of motor traffic. Upon the basis of the saving which it is estimated will be effected in regard to the maintenance of highways, the light railway proposition is regarded as presenting possibilities of remunerative return, and it has been decided to press on with the scheme.
Even with the advent of light railways, of which eight are projected for different areas, there must, however, still remain enormous scope for the development of motor vehicles in Lincolnshire's many isolated districts.
There is, in fact, plentiful evidence of the readiness of agriculturists to avail themselves of the ever-growing advantages of motor traffic.
Incidentally, the first of the new railways is designed to afford much relief to congestion of vehicular traffic in Boston's tortuous streets..
Profit on Road Transport.
The report of the auditor on the accounts of the Lancashire County Council states that the coat of two tractors, two steam wagons, and ten trailers, purchased during 1920, amounting to £6,619, was charged on the main roads account. The cost of running these, however, was charged to a separate "mechanical haulage" account, this account being cres dited from the main roads 'account according to user. The result of these transactions was a profit during the year of £1,376.
Accessories at the Scottish Show.
Owing to pressure on our space, we were unable to deal last week with the accessory stands at the Scottish ExhibiCod of commercial motor vehicles, held at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, but it may now be of interest to give a brief list of the best.-known accessory dealers represented. Amongst the companies exhibiting earnplea of, or tins for, motor spirits and lubricants were the Gas Lighting Improvement Co., Ltd., who showed their well Glico lubricants and empty . receptacles foe Carbons and Glico motor spirit; Sterns, Ltd., who had Steamel motor oils end Arabroleum gearbox lubricant on view ; Shell-Mex, Ltd., who • showed tins of their well-known brands of motor spirit, Shell and Mex; Price's Co., Ltd., who showed lubricating oils, solidified oils for gearboxes and bearings, and a special lubricant for springs and hubs; the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., whose stand contained Gilbert and Parker measuring pumps and tins for Pratt's Perfection and Taxibus spirit ; and C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., who had Castrol motor oils on view. An interesting selection of selfaneaeuring petrol pumps was shown by S. S. Bowser, Ltd. A most comprehensive series of exhibits was shown-on the stand occupied by S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., whilst one of the largest and best-equipped stands was that occupied by Thompson and Brown Bros., Ltd.
Garage for Long-distance Motors.
Bolton Corporation has had an application from the Automobile Association for the use of the wholesale market as a centre for the storage during the eight of motor transport vehicles taking long journeys. The Corporation has acceded to the application deciding that tile rent to be charged she:11 be 2s. 6d. for petrol and steam wagons and 2s. for trailers.
The Henley Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., 20-22, Christopher Street, Finsbury Square, London, E.C., advise us that theyhave been able to effect a substantial reduction in the list prices of Henley pneumatic tyres.
In our last week's issue, on page 813, we published a group of illustrations of types of vehicles at, the Scottish Show. No. 3 of this group, which was refereed to as a Daimler vehicle, was in actuality an A.E.C. tipping wagon. We regret the error.
Personal Pars.
One of the most important users of motor vehicles in Glasgow is A. Ritchie, Ltd., general haulage contractors, car. riers, storekeepers, and forwarding agents. The business was founded in 1886 by Mr. Alexander Ritchie, whose portrait we reproduce on this page, and it was incorporated as a private limited company in 1912He is assisted in the business by his two sons, Mr. A: Ritchie, Junr., and .Mr. Archibald Ritchie, who are both directors of the company. The company originally started with seven hors, and they now own 150, as well as a number of heavy and light motor vehicles. They have five branches throughout the city of Glasgow.
Mr. Ritchie was president last year of
the Horse and Motor Contractors' Association, and at present he is vice-president of the Scottish Federation: He is also the proprietor of the South-Wastem Coach Works, at 333, Scotland Street, which is managed by his other three sons, and who are agents for the Fiat vehicle in the Glasgow district.
. In our last week's issue we reproduced
a portrait of Mr. Percy S. Hargreaves, who is chairman and general manager of the Peric Motor Co., Ltd., and this week we reproduce a portrait of Captain C. F. Latimer, who assists him in connection with the business.
Captain Latimer and Mr. Hargreaves first met on the formation of No. 6 Wing, Royal Naval Air Service, and subsequently proceeded to Malta and saw service in Italy and Malta for upwards of two years. At a later date they were both transferred to the staff of the Air Division, Admiralty, and the friendship formed on Sea-vice culminated in their deciding to go into business together. They were demobilized in July, 1919, and at the end of that month the Peric Motor Co., Ltd., was registered. The primary object of the company is: that of soledistributing agents in Edinburgh for the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., of Waltharnstow, and they are neither interested in, or sellers of, private cars. They have had many difficulties to face, but, seeing that they have secured one or two very good orders, included amongst which was that, for 30 A.E.C. single-deck buses and two tipping wagons for the Edinburgh Corporation Tramways, they are perfectly satisfied with the result. Captain Latimer is a fully-qualified engineer, and he is in charge of the mechanical and service side of the business, whilst Mr. Hargreaves is responsible for the administrative and sales department.
W. D. Talbert and Co., the well
known manufacturers of fittings and trimmings for motor vehicles, have removed their offices, warehouses, and works from Sun Street, Finsbury Square, to Kingston, Surrey. The service which the company will render in the future will be equal to that given in the past. The full postal address is Coombe Road, Kingston, Surrey.
The company supply radiator and bonnet covers, lorry tilt covers, delvers' canopies, drivers' aprons, hoop sticks.
The report is confirmed from New York that the Ford Motor Co. are negotiating with the New York banks for a loan of a minimum of 50,000.000 dollars. It is stated that about, 25,000,000 dollars are needed to meet manuring obligations.
Motor Fuel Research.
The following promises of fatale:lad support were reported at Mae last meekof the Empire Motor Fuels Committee (50, Pall Mall, S.W. 1), the TBsp6ctive contributions having been promised annually for two years in each caee
C. MAT. A £500 R. A.C. £500 Car and General Insurance Corporation £100 The chairman of the Research Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers, Me. H. C. B. Underdown, wrote as under :—
With regard ,to the question of co-operation on the subject of Motor Fuel Research, our aesooiation have discussed this matter hilly during the last week or so, and we have decided that the subject is so wide, affecting as it does not only the meter industry but other indeetries, that we do not feel jintified at present in taking the matter up. The subject is .so vast that to be clone properly would entail an texpendieure far beyond the total income of our association, hich income has now been 'located to three or four definite subjects of teebnieal interest to the industry. It is one of those cases where one has to pick and ehotioe, putting aside many things one would like to do.
ThIS attitude was noted with regret, having regard to the importance of fuel research to. the motor industry, and it was decided to take steps to approach
the Society of Motoe Manufatteirers and
Traders for Support.
Users' Interests in Parliament.
The Automobile Association is energetically developing a scheme to ensure that the interests of motor vehicle users :tall be more effectively and more strongly represented in Parliament than in the peat. Arrangements are being made for the formation of area committees to cover every Parliamentary constituency. In this way, the whole country will be linked up by a eetwOrk of properly organized and representative committees, which will not only keep in touch with the members of Parlianieni representing the various constituencies, but can be called together at any time to deal with legislative matters of national or local importance to the motor user. Hitherto the task of opposing restrictive or oppressive legislation has fallen on the shoulders of a few M.P.s, who have done their best to secure reasonable treatment for motorists.
The Mudguard Competition.
Mr. A. Dryland, county surveyor of Middlesex, has been chosen to represent the County Councils Association at the forthcoming mudguard demonstration and competition being organised by the Camberwell Beinugh Council, which was fully dealt with in our last issue.
Saving by Steamer.
In the course of a speech on the cleansing work in Leicester, Mr. T. W. Walker, a member of the Corporation' stated that a five ton steam wagon wae doing splendid work and would save the ratepayers a good: sum tri. a Abort time. It Wes saving five guineas a week after its expenses had been paid.
A Speed Limit Inquiry. .
The Departmental, Ceminittee on the Taxation and 'Regulation ef Read Vehicles has asked the County Councils Association to appoint representatives to give evidence upon the question of speed and speed limits for all mechanically-propelled vehicles using highways. As the police arc ale° interested in the subject of speed, the Departmental Committee is also asking the Home Office to nominate certain chief constables to give, evidence.
The New Road Signs.
Regarding the suggestions of the Ministry of Transport in the way of road direction posts, danger signals, and village name signs, the County Councils Association has decided to urge that in the interests of uniformity there should be definite statutory provision eonetitutMg the county councils the sole authorities in these matters and also making the erection of colourable imitations thereof by any body or individual a punishable offence.
Road Beats Rail Transport.
Presiding over a Meeting of the directors of the Notte. and Lancashire Traders' Association held one day last week, Mr. A. B. Gibson referred to the subject of motor haulage and its possibilities.
For some time past, he said, . he had had goods delivered by motor vehicle in preference to the railway, from Manchester, Liverpool, London, etc., and his experience was that this form of transport was not only cheaper but more expeditious; moreover, there was less liability to damage and pilfering, and the cost from.Liverpool was 45s. per ton compared with about 60e. (including the carting expenses) on the rail.
Tenders for Indian 'Transport.
The authorities Qf Kashmir are prepared to -grant a monopoly, covering
period of seven years, for a motor service for the conveyance of passengers and goods between Yoliala and Srinagar. The service meet commence on May 1st, 1921. The company must. maintain 80 to 100 motorcars, 25 lorries, and 20 motor omnibuses. The maximum charge for paseengers is-fixed at 18 armee per mile, inchiding luggage.
Tenders must be submitted to the Chief Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir State-s, Kashmir Camp, Delhi, by February 16th.
A Taxafion Dispute.
Willesden Urban District Council seems to be the first authority to raise a query as to the new licence duties. Its Electricity Committee reports that it has considered the registration of its 17 electric and 3 petrol vehicles with regard to the new scale. The local taxation branch of the Middlesex County -COuncil states that the vehicles are liable to be rated as ordinary commercial vehicles, and as such are charged with duties totalling £487. The committee does not agree with this interpretation, but is of opinion that the vehicles should he charged on the reduced scale applicable to those used in the public service. The committee has decided to tender £158 only, this being the total under the lower, scale of duties.
Traffic in Essex.
in View of the probable heavy char-A, banes and motorbus traffic on the made during the coming season, Essex County Highways Committee intend, with the help of the rural authorities, to prepareea_ schedule of road.% which these heavY vehicles will be prohibited from using.
At a meeting of Ongar Council a few days ago it was said the question was whether there should be a differentiation between commercial and pleasure traffic.
The chairman said many of the court
roads were too narrow for -large motor vehicles, and it was therefore lineal& for other people to use them at the same time. The council, he said, must protect ordinary users of the road.
Kelvin Medal, 1920.
At a meeting of the award committee, 'consisting of the.presidente of the. principal representative British engineering institutions, held in London, a few days age, the first triennial award of the Kelvin Gold Medal was made to Dr, W. C. Unwin, F.R.S., he being, in the opinion of the committee after their considera tiori of representations received from leading engineering bodies in all parts of the world, the most worthy to receive this recognition of pre-eminence in the branches of engineering with which Lord Kelvin's scientific work and researches were closely identified.
The arrangements for the presentation of the medal will be announced shortly. •
The Kelvin Gold Medal was established in 1914 as part of a memorial to the late Lord Kelvin and in association with the window placed in Weetminster Abbey in Ids memory by l3ritish a-nd American engineers.
Orimibus-Tramway Through Tickets. • The L.C.C. HighWays. Committee are recommending the Council to make an agreementwith the London General Omnibus Co. for the provision of omnibus services from the London tramways termini, and for through bookings between cimnilutist% and tramways. A trial, it is proposed, .should be given to a limited eyetern for 12 months. The committee do not favour the issue of through tickets in connection either with workmen's fares or the cheap 2cl.: mid-day fares.
It is proposed to adopt the scheme in the first instance at Victoria, where it is hoped to begin through bookings on February 16th, and the committee will report later as to ether arrangements it may be found possible to make.
Lincoln Motorbuses.
Although unanticipated difficulties have militated against. such rapid progress as was art one time hoped for in carrying out a comprehensive scheme for the provision of motorbuses at Lineoln, there has been no want of confidence regarding the ultimate outcome of the project, which has been planned upon lines admirably designed to meet the growing needs of the city's sulmeloan dietriets.
The encouraging intimation was forthcoming • at the last assembly a the oorporation that sines the previous meeting two more of the new motorbueee had been delivered and that a start was tci be immediately made with a. new branch of the service.
Ald. White afforded the information that it was proposed to run the buses
for the moos a fare of is. each way, and in this and other directions the peasibilitiee present factors of greet encouragement. Unfortnnately the corporation's new undertaking does not synchronize with a period of local commercial prosperity; but granted a return to normal conditions the prospects of bus traction at Lincoln, as elsewhere, are undeniably hopeful.
'Motorbuses for Hull.
Hull Corporation proposes to organize Motor omnibus services for linking up the tramway system, and the Minastry of Health has held an inquiry into the application for power to borrow £12,500 for the purchave of five motorbuses. It was pointed out for the Corporation that some of the suggested. routes are new without transit facilities. .It is not anticipated that the proposed services tiIl be profitable at Brat, but they are necessary for the public convenience.
A Schedule of Fit Roads.
Having had a letter from the Essex • county surveyor, inviting the Domicil to supply him with a list of the roads in the district which would be fit for heavy. motor traffic, the Walthamstow Urban District Council has directed its surveyor to supply a list of the main, roads and of those roads which have been surfaced with asphalt macadam.
Allen-Liversidge Dividends. Allen-Liverstidge, Ltd.' are paying for the year ended October 31st last a final dividend of 7 per cent. (less tax), making with the interim dividend paid 124. per cent, for the year on shares Noe, 1 , to 100,000 (against 11 per eentt for the previous year), and a half year's :dividend to October 31st at the rate at IA per cent, per annum (lees tax) on shares Nos. 100,001 to 193,720 issued during 1920. .
German Daimler Capital.
The Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft proposed to double their capital by raising it from 100,000;000 to 200,000,000 marks. About' a. year ago the capital stood at 32,000,000 marks, and it has been raised to its present figure by three successive iesnes of 32, 4 and 32 minions respectively during the year so that if the present proposal is accepted the company will have increased their capital six-fold duringthe twelve months.
Local Proceedings. .
Manchester Corporation Paving Committee reports the purchase of a Daimler motor lorry.
Dudley Watch Committee reports that it has now placed an order for a Leyland motor fire-engine.
Cannock Urban District Council has obtained sanction to borrow £1,700 for the purchase. of a motor fire-engine.
The County Councils Association is asking that it shall be consulted before the Ministry of Transport makes regulations under the new Roads Act preecribing the maximum weight of road locomotives.
A motor -fire-engine to cost £2,100 is required by Dorking U.D.C.
Chester T.C. requires tenders for in stituting a motorbus service.
Bermondsey Borough Council is borreeeing £3,832 for the purchase tf five raider vehicles required for street cleansing purposes. .
Mesare.: Arthur Ellis• and Partners', Cardiff, have been asked by Barry U-D.O. to draw up a scheme for a motorbus service for the district.
Laet week the Ministry of Health held an inquiry into the application of the Esher and Dittoes U.D.C. for aanction to borrow 23,700 tO cover the cost of electric deist vans.
Glamorgan County Council has decided to grant applications for new omnibus services in various country districts, on condition that the buses run to scheduled. times.
Dundee Corporation proposes to accept the offer Of W. L. Lindsay to supply two complete bus bodies at £680 each, two ohar-Aeleanc,s bodies at £580 each, and four Thornycroft chassis at £1,1A4.
Sotthend Town Council has requeetel the borough engineer to report as to additional vthicles required. for haulage purposes, in order that provision for the cost thereof may be made in the next estimates.
Manchester Waterworks Committee proposes the purchase of two 30 cwt. motor lorries from the British Motor Trading 'Corporation, Ltd., Manchester, and one 2 ton end-tipping wagon from Leyland Motors, Ltd.
TRAFFIC REGULATION.
Local Authorities Seek Powers to Restrict Road Traffic.
SEVERAL unusual traffic regulation proposals are included in Corpora
tion BilLs which Parliament will be asked to sanction next session. Liverpool. and Preston want to compel all drivers of vehicles desirous of passing on the left or near side of a tramcar standing at a re cognized stopping place, to pull up until the roadway is clear of passengers. A penalty not exceeding 40s. could be imposed for failure to comply with this regulation.
More ambitious powers .are sought by Manchester and Grimsby, which ask for authority to close streets to certain kinds of traffic at any time.
The Motor Legislation Committee, on behalf of the motoring community, object to these proposals on the ground that, if passed into law, they would create in different areas a diversity of practice which, in the king ma, would be detrimental to the public interests and preja. dicial to the development of road transport.
In regard to the Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston proposals, it is urged that public bodies owning tramways are unlikely to take an impartial view respecting the regulation of other forms of vehicular traffic which possibly compete with their own undertakings. Seeing that the free flow of traffic of all kinds has became, since the development of the internal-combustion engine, a mat ter of national rather than local concern, no local authority should be able to im pose restrictive regulations which might conceivably react upon traffic movements over an area far wider than that within its own special boundaries.
The Hoylake and West Kirby Urban District Council proposed to limit to five miles per hour the speeds of all vehicles passing places of worship during the hours of Divine service . on Sundays,
Christmas Day, and Good_ Friday. "At,, the poll of the ratepayers, however, the resolution to promote this Bill was defeated, and it will accordingly be withdrawn.
SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC.
The Home Office Not in Favour of a Suggested By-law.
A S long ago as August, 1914, the Mid dleoex County Council submitted to the Home Office for approval a by-law as to slow -running traffic, providing
" Every person driving or being in charge of any vehicle which is moving at a slow pace in any street, shall, as far as practicable, keep the vehicle to the left or near side of the street and close to the kerb, or, where tramway lines are laid upon the left or near side of the street, as close to such lines as possible, but so
as not to obstruct any tramway carriage using such lines. Every person who shall offend against this by-law ,shali be liable for every such offence to a penalty not exceeding forty &billings."
Now the County Council has received from the Home Office a letter intimating that the Secretary of State has been in communication with the Minister of Transport and the Commissioner of Police on the question and inquiry has also been made as to the working of the by-Jaw which has been in force in the county of London for some years. The Commissioner of Police reports that experience of the working of this ea by-law has shown that it adds little, if anything, in practice to the powers contained in the Highways Act, 1835, and does not materially assist the police in dealing with obstruction caused by slow moving traffic. In oases where it has been necessary to take proceedings for such obstruction, it has been found that they could he taken under the Highway Act, 1835, with less difficulty than under the by-law. Further, the by-law is open to abjection on the ground (among others) that slaw-moving traffic as a relative term; the by-law, therefore, is of vague and uncertain application, and not only is it difficult to enforce, but in some cases (for example, where there is little traffic about), it may even be unreasonable. The Minister of Transport has also informed the Home Office that he is unable to regard the by-law as of any real practical utility, and in all the circumstances the Home Office has came to tho conclusion that the proposed by-law of the Middlesex County Council cannot be sanctioned..
BUSES AND ROAD UPKEEP,
Herefordshire Roads to be Made Suitable for Bus Traffic.
WHILST recognizing the convenience rendered to residents of Hereford city and county by the running of motorbuses, something in the nature of alarm was expressed by members of the Herefordshire County Council recently at the considerably increased coat of road maintenance which their running will entail. Mr. G. H. Jack (county surveyor), in his report to the Roads and Bridges Committee, had stated that the mileage run in the county by the vehicles of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co. during the six menthe, June to November inclusive, was 89,387. He added that he had submitted to the Ministry of Transport a plan of the routes used by the busee; together with a etatement of the mileage run thereon. It would be remembered that the decision as to the amount per mile the bus owners should pay for the use of "
closed'' roads was left to the Ministry to decide. A " chased" road was one upon which there were no carriers' carts prior to 1914. Mr. Jack further stated that the damage to waterbound roads by bus traffic was. now apparent to all. The Thinghill road had suffered severely. He estimated that roads repairedunder the waterbound method would not last more than 12 months under the present traffic, whereas previously they had a life of from three to six years.
. The chairman said that, the council. will get half the cost of repairing arstclass roads and a quarter of the cost of second-class roads from the new taxation scheme, but "we shall have plenty to pay ourselves."
Mr. H. J. Southall spoke of the efficiency of the tarred roads compared with the waterbound made, the evidence of which, he said, could be seen in the Leominster district. Members of local authorities dared not vote against motorbuses using the roadsi owing fo their convenience to the general public, and their only salvation was to tar the surfaces.
The council will, now have the pleasant experience of reconstructing roads that ought to have been put in hand years ago, when labour and materials were both cheaper.
. MIDLAND OIL BORING.
A Private Company Formed to Exploit a 50 square-mile Area.
SUPPLEMENTING the works which are in progress in Midland areas at Heade-haft, near Chesterfield, and more recently at Kelham, in the neighbourhood of Newark, further operations for oil exploitation purposes are now in contemplation at Weston-on-Trent. A licence has been granted by the Minister in charge of petroleum affairs to Mr. Reginald Gilbey, of 65, Lealaon Boulevard, Nottingham. to search and horn for petroleum in the neighbourhood, and, with faith in the venture, it is understood that operations will be almast immediately commenced, it being a condition of the Government grant, which was recently issued, and will continue in force for two years from October 9th, .1920, that boring must be begun within six months of the date of the permit.
Payment by way of royalties], commission, profit or otherwise for the petroleum obtained is specifically forbidden. The licence also provides that if any Act oi Parliament relating to petroleerri within the United Kingdom be passecl, the Minister shall have power to amend or vary the terms of the licence. Interviewed at Nottingham, Mr. Gilbey, who is by prfession a petroleum geologist, explained that he had been engaged in research work connected with the oil resources of the country for nearly ten years. Big developments, he antimpaees, may be expected. A private company, in which several leading Nottingham gentlemen are interested, has been floated, and a considerable area of land has already been acquired. He believes the area of the projected oilfield. at Weston will be found to covet nearly 50 square miles, and that if all progresses upon the lines anticipated, the scheme will develop into one of a large. and important character.
Whilst not being able to-indicate the names of the gentlemen interested or the amount of capital subscribed, he indicated that at least £100,000 will be necessary to carry out the scheme upon even a restricted scale, compared with the Hawdstoft and Kelhara enterprises.