From Our Australian Correspondent.
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Now that the general adoption of the commercial motor in Australia is imminent, and that people are daily realizing the possibilities opened up by it, one is enabled to form some idea of the way in which that development will take place. Having myself been closely associated with the troubles of the movement in its early days iu England, I am naturally watching the development here with keen interest, and it is surprising how closely it is following in the steps of the English " lead " of a few years ago. One might have hoped that the experience of other countries would have been of use, but it seems that it is not to be; except in so far as we have infinitely better machines to work than we had six years ago in England.
As I write, I have before me the prospectus of a company which intends to provide Sydney with an unimpeneliable parcel-delivery service—a thing which; it may well be admitted, is badly needed. The prospectus conkeine ninny names, but all reference to the type of ear that is to be used, the size, weight, etc., the way in which the concern is to be run and endorsement of proposals by an engineer of standing, are all conspicuous by their absence. The only other point that strikes one at all in the whole prospectus is the fact that it is proposed to purchase ten cars and to keep them mutt mg continuously, delivering parcels, at which work they are to earn £2 10s. per car per day. Each car is to cost LS per week to run, and the whole estimate is lumped together under one heading which includes wages of drivers and boys, petrol, repairs, tire replacements, and depreciation. Of course, suitable cars may be
bought or they may not, and even suitable cars may be ruined through ineompetence, but it is very much to be hoped that. these people will realize their difficulties before they have done irreparable harm to the industry by bringing about a ghastly failure,
While on this subject, I might mention a very-interesting account, of a new motor lorry, which I heard one day last week. A local firm, which purchased an excellent motor delivery' van, of which mention has several tin's* been made in these columns, found it so successful that it wanted more, but it did not like the agent's price for another machine of the same clase. While the matter was under consideration, a fire occurred in one of the garages whereby two old cars were more or ies completely incinerated. The insurance company sold the remains to this firm, which managed to collect one whole 21 11.p. engine out of the wreck, and it at once decided to turn it into a delivery van. To do this effectively, a few extras, such as gearbox, frame, axles, wheels, etc., etc., were required, to. say nothing of the body, and the former were collected or made, and the body was ordered from a local eoachhuilder. The result has not yet been published, but the owners allege that it is to be a one-ton motorvan running on pneumatic tires in the front n rid solid tires nt the back. If possible. I 11 ill obtain a photograph ; this should be of interest, but it will need to he remembered that it is not intended for a toy made by a small boy in his nursery, but is put forward by a so-enlled hardheaded man of business, who is expected to earn a dividend for shareholders. The question of a 10,000-mike. guarantee for tires has arisen, and, so, far as can be seen at present, the argument is likely to prove warm artd engrossing. The specious arguments in,. favour of the institution with which,. " Hornoc " has so effectively dealt area all present, and people here are TION3r being invited to specify such-and-suck a tire because it is guaranteed fore 10,000 miles under certain conditions.. A carefully-made reservation is that the tires must not be used on unmade,roads or bush tracks, as otherwise theguarantee does not apply! As busk, tracks and unmade roads are almost more numerous than the others, an as I cannot think of one single instance of vehicles which do not traverse such at one time or another im the course of the year, the scheme appears to be an excellent one for somebody, and, if any extra charge is made-for this guarantee, I shall certainly' see if I cannot make some money aut. of buying and selling tires with it 20,006-mile guarantee on the -eame, plan.
Notwithstanding all the troubles-, which are coming to light, I am.. pleased to notice that business is progressing very steadily, and on all sides. I hear reports of increasing interest, first-class performances and good business. My one fear, at present,
whether it will last. South Australia.. I am told, is going ahead in eplendici style, whilst New South Wales an Queensland are also in the van of themovement; Victoria, on the otherhand, seems to be lagging, and it has; already a lot of ground to make up.. It is difficult, if not impossible, to expect agents to preach caution, and toe suggest to people to walk before they' run. but it is very necessary that something of that sort should he donee
News has just been brought to mee of an order for ten five-ton Leen:* lorries for the Flemington Brick CD h lS is the first substantial move ire the direction of heavy transport, and,, as it is intended to run them on, Polack tires, and to cart bricks between Flemington and Sydney (a distance of about 13 miles), we shall have, an excellent opportunity of judgingg3. the possibilities of heavy haulage by' petrol lorries in Australia. Messrs._ Morfoot Bros. have been instrumental: in obtaining the order, and it is the third order of the kind they have obtained; one recently came their nalfrom Messrs. Anthony Ffordern ancE Sons, the biggest general store in Australia, and another one—for five twoton vans—followed very shortly afterwards. As they have only held the. agency for about three months. the!Acre people have cause to congratulate themselves on the securing of suck: orders so rapidly.