News and Comment.
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This journal is the recognized Users Organ : it has a genuine circulation (Home, Colonial and Foreign), genuine advertisement support, and an Editorial Stall whose members have had experience in road transport.
Pressure on our space this week has necessitated the limitation of " Opinions from Others " to the puhlication only of two experiences from users.
Lever Brothers, Ltd., of Port Sunlight and London, is not to be the only soap-manufacturing concern with live-tou petrol wagons. Two "Comelier Car " five-tonners have now been ordered by John Knight, Ltd., of "Primrose" fame, and we understand that this order is the forerunner of others.
The Midland Railway Co., recognizing the great importance to it of an independent means of communication from Bath to Bradford-on-Avon and other local points, and being handicapped by the shortage of water in a certain canal, which difficulty became acute a few years ago, has agreed to pay the Wilts County Council CI:150 per annum, for three years, as commuted payment for damage to certain weak roads.
C.M.U.A. Annual Parade.
The 30tli prox. has been fixed for the third annual parade organized by the Commercial Motor Users' Association. A prize fund has been opened, with contributions of ten guineas from the Association and five guineas from the proprietors of THE COMMERCIAL iltiOTOR, and an appeal is now made for other donations towards the required sum of 1:35. We feel sure there will be the desired response, as the encouragement of good and careful drivers is of importance to both manufacturers and owners. The following have been appointed judges : Colonel R. E. Crompton, C.B.., Capt. R. K. Bagnall-Wild, 11.E., Superintendent Bassoni, Colonel Cairns. Major T. H. Cochrane, 11.E., M.V.0.„ Messrs. EC. A. Coventry, W. G. Lobjoit, H. Thomson Lyon, E. Shrapnell Smith, and Charles Wheeler (G.P.O.).
McNamara's Contracts.
McNamara and Co., Ltd., of Castle Street, Finsbury, is surely extending its contracting business with houses who prefer that conrse to the establishment of their own motor-vehicle departments. The latest example of the kind is provided by the case of Willows, Francis Butler and Thompson, Ltd., wholesale druggists, of Aldersgate Street, E.C., who have chosen an 18 h.p., 110-cwt. Dennis van. We are unfortunately obliged to bold over the illustration,
There are now 16 motor wagons in Alexandria, and five in Cairo.
The South African Motor Trade Association has been formed in Johannesburg, largely through the efforts of Mr. A. H. Atkey, of Nottingham, who has extensive interests there.
The annexe, at Olympia, is being made practically one with the Main Hall, and the change will be completed before the opening of the private-motorcar show on the 12th November.
New Motor Contractors.
Commercial Car Hirers, Ltd., of Cambridge Circus, W.C., has entered the hiring and contracting business with a good range of vehicles, and it effectively discharged numerous orders during the recent manoeuvres. In consequence of this, large new commands are now in hand for the ensuing manoeuvres. Practically all of its vehicles are of " Commer Car " build, and this largely accounts for the satisfactory running under severe conditions. This hiring undertaking has come to the front very smartly, and it deserves to simemed.
Manchester Exhibitions.
St. James's Hail, Manchester, has recently been pulled down, and Mr. Walter Cawood, whose name will be recognized in connection with the promotion of motor shows in Cottonopolis, has now identified himself and his interests with the intended annual exhibitions of the Manchester and District Motor Trades Association, whose several shows at Belle Vue were so successful. The new City Exhibition Hall, in Liverpool Road, quite close to Deansgate, and in a remarkably-central position, has now been leased, and the 1910 exhibition will be held from the 18th to the 26th February. A strong wooden flooring is being constructed, in order to insure the proper accommodation of commercial motors, as well as of pleasure ears and motorcycles. There will be 50,000 square feet of ground space, four large entrances with plenty of head-room, and other facilities in keeping with the practical knowledge and experience of the directors. A large gallery is being erected inside the building, and we confidently look forward to a unique success on the occasion of the first display M the new quarters of the Manchester Society which has sur
vived the attack of the powerful organization which has secured the suppression of all other provincial exhibitions in England. Space should be secured on good time.
and Mitehelmore, Ltd., with its office at 1, Avenue Close, Poplars Avenue, Willesden Green, N.W., and with an authorized capital of £3,000 in Ll shares, has been registered for the purpose, inter alia, of carrying on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in motorvans, motoreabs, motorbuses, etc.
Another "Mann" in Cornwall.
One of the latest five-ton Mann steam wagons has been supplied to Messrs. T. Rowse and Sons, of Geen Probus, Cornwall. It has all the approved Mann features, including locomotive-type boiler, horizontalcompound engine running in oil bath, an all-gear drive, special lubricators, and ample provision for ready access to all parts of the engine transmission and boiler.
Fishguard Extensions.
The development of Fishguard, the port of call and harbour towards the southernmost point of Cardigan Bay, for which the Great Western Railway Co. is responsible, has received a very considerable " fillip " by the decision of the Cunard Co. to land passengers there. This new traffic, coming so closely in the train of the undoubted success of the Fishguard-Rosslare route to Ireland, indicates a growth of transport which cannot but be of both local and general advantage.
A Send-off at Leyland.
The name of Sumner is nearly as closely in association with the Leyland Co. as that of Mr. Henry Spurrier, jun., who is the founder and life director. On Tuesday evening, the 31st ult., Mr. J. Sumner and his son (Mr. J. R. Sumner) were entertained to dinner at the Railway Hotel. Leyland. the occasion being the departure of Mr. J. R. Sumner for Tnaia, to complete a large contract which the Leyland Co. has with the Bombay Municipality. Everything passed off very successfully, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent by all. Mr. R.
Sumner—no relation to the others of that name—who presided at the afterdinner proceedings; pointed out the excellent feeling which had always existed between Mr. J. Sumner and his staff, and the pleasure it afforded the company present to take that opportunity of showing their regard for him and his family. He also pointed out that the company had a great amount of orders in hand at present,and hoped the business would continue to prosper, assuring Mr. Sumner that they would each do all that was possible to further the company's interests.
Songs were contributed by most of the company, and a happy evening was brought to a close by the singing of " Auld Lang Syne.•'
"Sentinels" on the East Coast.
Reports of the excellent work done by Sentinel wagons on Tyneside appears to have reached as far as Hull, for the Hull Corporation has recently taken delivery of a Sentinel six-tonner for general municipal purposes. It will be primarily employed for the cartage of material to outlying districts.
Distilled Water.
Users of large number of electric accumulators will do well to note that one of the cheapest sets of water-distilling apparatus is supplied by the Camden Manufacturing Co., of Caledonia Street, King's Cross, N. It is arranged to work continuously, with the minimum of attention, and the cost of distillation does not exceed 10. a gallon. The use of distilled water is of great importance if the life of secondary cells is to he put on the best basis, and it may interest some of our readers to know that a set capable of distilling two gallons an hour costs, inclusive of gas burner, approximately E.5.
News and Comment—con.
" Dreadnought" Tires.
We hear good reports of the results obtained from " Dreadnought " sectional tires, a set of which is dins trated herewith. Good-quality rubber is employed in their manufacture, and the Dreadnought Sectional Solid Tyre Co., Ltd., of 18, Smithfield Chambers. 4 and 5, West Smithfield, E.C., is maintaining the figures in its price list at a remarkably-low level, having regard to the state of the raw-rubber market. The replacement of any worn section is easily accomplished. a rid this, so long as irregularity in level of running tread be avoided, obviates the necessity for the " scrapping " of a complete tire when a had cut is sir:ta ined.
Finance-Bill Practice.
In the House of Conununs, on the 30th ult., Mr. Fell asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer : if the forms are now being issued for the return of the petrol ditty ; if he is aware that. on the forms being duly filled up and the amount of fietrol not liable to duty being agreed, the amount of the duty to be returned is admitted, but the officers state that the repayment cannot be made until the Finance Bill is Jaw; and will he explain why the money is retained by the Government, seeing that, whether the Finance Biil becomes law or not, the money is, in any event, repayable ?
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Charles liobbouse) replied : —Forms are being issued by the Board of Customs and Excise to all persons who desire to claim return of the duty on motor spirit. This is being done to meet the convenience of the public and of the Department, so that repayments can be speedily made when the Finance Bill becomes law. At present, the Department has no authority to make any repayment.
Mr. Fell :—The right hon. gentle man has given no explanation in regard to repayment. Mr. Hobhouse :—The resolution of the House of Commons which authorizes collection does not authorize repayment, and, therefore, it must wait until the Finance Bill becomes law.
Argylls in New Zealand,
Amongst Colonial fleets of Argyll vehicles, that used by Messrs. J. Bidlantyne and Co., Drapers, of Dunstable House, Christch u reit, N .Z., is one of the best. As far back as 1902, this firm realized that a, modern delivery department must embrace a motor service. Since that year, they have steadily increased the number of their vans, and they are now considering the starting of another batch at the branch establishment in Timaru. The late Mr. John Ballantyne, the founder of the firm, left the banks of the Yarrow some 60 years ago, and built up what is to-day the premier drapery establishment of New Zealand. It is now under the able management of his two sons.
In the ninth of the present series of articles on " One Day's Work," which appears on pages 4 and 5, the work performed (luring a double. shift on the City of Westminster's Thornyeroft petrol lorry is recorded. The Westminster Corporation was amongst the first municipal authorities profitabl2 to employ motors for street-cleansing purposes ; consequently, if it decides, after mature consideration, that the higher-speeded petrol vehicle is more suitable for municipal work than the steamer, its decision should carry conviction to the minds of similar bodies The Ilford Taxicab Co., I.td.„ has been registered with an anthorized capital of 4;2,000 in £1 shares_ The success of taxicabs in Sydney, N.S.W., is tending to arouse interest in commercial motoring generally.
There are no motorcabs in Alexandria, but 38 of these bandy vehicles, five of which a,re driven by accumulators, are in service at Cairo.
Argylls at Dundee.
Mr, James Brodie, coach hirer, of Dundee, " stole a march " on some of his neighbours by quickly getting a 1.6 h.p. Argyll motorcab into service. This vehicle appeared on the streets of Dundee at the beginning of last week, and we illustrate it in the act of leaving the " Old Steeple " rank of that town.
The Taximeter Vindicated.
A Manchester taxicab driver, on the 3rd inst., successfully sued a Southport resident who had disputed a recorded fare of £3 Os. 2d. The magistrates held that the charges were properly incurred and made an order for payment with costs, whilst they allowed one guinea for the solicitor who represented the claimant driver.
Speed Alarms.
Replying to Mr. Rawlinson, in the House of Commons, on the 3rd inst., Mr. Gladstone stated that a number of speed-alarm instruments was about to be tested, as regards reliability, accuracy and durability, by arrangement with the proprietors of various nintoreabs in London. We can only reiterate our original opinion—that, no matter what kind of speed alarm may be adopted, public opinion will, after a few months of experience, turn against it.
that have not yet broken away from the hide-bound belief that motor vehicles cannot be worked at a profit, except for long-distance work.
West Ham's Ambulance.
The Guardians of the Poor of the West Ham Union have now taken delivery of their Dennis motor ambulance. The body is mounted upon that make of standard frame for 2-cwt.
Eastbourne News.
The Provincial .:11otor Cab Co., Ltd., has submitted to the Watch
Committee of Eastbourne Town Council a cab which will turn in 25 ft.,
loads, and the car is capable of taking eight passengers, four passengers with a patient in a recumbent position, or two patients with a nurse. Our illustration, on page 9, shows the form of trestle on which a stretcher can he run, the trestle being so made that there is no need for the bearers to go into the car. After opening the door and lifting up the locking-pin, the use of this swivelling trestle allows the stretcher to be run, either in or out, clear of any obstruction. It will be observed that the steps are of the bath-chair type, but they are so made that no street arab can indulge in a free ride.
and which it is willing to run in Eastbourne instead of the present Siddeley cabs. The Committee, after inspecting the vehicle, resolved to inform the company that it preferred the type of car already licensed, and in use in the Borough.
General Motor Cab Co.
The current traffic returns of the General Motor Cab Co., Ltd., are Sent to us as follow:—
Week ending Saturday, 4th September, .e13,166.
Previous week, £12,356. Corresponding week, 1908, Increase on previous week, £810. Increase on corresponding week, 1908, £2,093.
Total receipts from 1st August, 1909, £66,015.
Increase on previous corresponding period, R.9;264. It should be noted that the above figures take no account of the average number of cabs in service.