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NEWS of the WEEK

SIDE LIGHTS ON TRAILERS— THE LEGAL POSITION ACERTAIN amount of doubt has arisen as to the new lighting regulations applicable to trailers. The latter must now display the same lights as an ordinary vehicle which is not -a trailer. This applies to what are usually termed the side lights. So far as the rear lights are concerned, if there be two trailers, only the end one .need carry a tail lamp. In the case of drawn vehicles superimposed, the semi-trailer

, is considered as part of the complete vehicle, and does not require side lamps. It should be noted, however, that these requirements do not come into force until mid-day on March 1.

On inquiry at the Ministry of Home Security, we learn that the requirements will apparently apply to all forms of trailer, including those used for carrying gas producers. The view is expressed that the need is the same on every type, and is a result of complaints that other road users and pedestrians have failed to notice the presence of a trailer and have endeavoured to pass between vehicle and trailer.

Demolition Contractors With Wrong Licences

IN the annual report of the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners Association the president, Mr. W. J. Harper, refers to the appropriate class, of licence upon which vehicles used by demolition contractors should be authorized. This was a matter of importance to members of the Tipping and Building Trades Section as the competition of firms operating under the wrong class of licence had to be faced. Although the position had not yet been satisfactorily

cleared up, the section proposed to re-open the matter when normal trading conditions returned.

Bulk buying by the Government of certain imported commodities had necessitated the institution of local "cartage pools." These were being operated with smoothness and efficiency to the mutual advantage of the Government departments concerned and the vehicle owners.

Impressed Vehicles—Delayed Settlement

FROM Rear Admiral Beamish came a request in Parliament for a statement by the Home Secretary on delays by local authorities in making payments for premises and vehicles impressed by them.

Sir John Anderson stated' that all necessary instructions, in this matter, were in the hands of local authorities some time ago and the need for prompt settlement had been emphasized. He could not give particulars of the extent to which payments had been made, but if the Member would inform him of any particular case, where there appeared to have been unreasonable delay, he would make inquiries.

Rear Admiral Beamish asked the Minister if he were aware that an important letter, dated November 27, 1939, from a motor trade executive, had not yet been replied to, and that in many quarters the inaction of his Department was giving the impression of being deliberate.

Mr. Wilmot also referred to the very great hardship that was being occasioned by persons having to pay rent for premises, the use of which was now debarred to them. DECEMBER'S REGISTRATIONS DOWN IN THE DUMPS IN December last the total of motor vehicles registered for the first time in Great Britain was 9,595, compared with 35,181 in December, 1938. Of the total, goods vehicles accounted for 2,844, contrasted with 5,504 a year earlier, whilst hackney vehicles numbered 194, compared with 577 in December, 1938.

In the case of goods vehicles, 2,058 came in the categories covered by the unladen-weight limits of 12 cwt. and 2i tons. In the section for agricultural engines (5s. class), 652 registrations took place, as against 175 in 1938.

Bedford Price Revisions

(AWING to higher costs of material V and manufacture, increased prices for Bedford dommercial vehicles are operative as from February 7. The new prices are as follow : 5-6-cwt. van, £145; 10-12-cwt. chassis, 2142; 10-12cwt, van, 2170; 14-2-ton chassis, £202; 11--2-ton chassis with cab, £228; 2-3ton short chassis, P234; 2-3-ton short chassis with cab, £260; 2-3-ton long chassis, 2246; 2-3-ton long chassis with cab, 2272.

Report on Emergency Conversion To Producer Gas

THE main features of the Report of the Committee on the Emergency Conversion of Motor Vehicles to Producer Gas and the conclusions arrived at are dealt with in a leading article.

The Report, which has just been published, is the result of over two years' work. It contains full details of the Government-sponsored emergency producer, both as a general unit and as a trailer, and much other Matter of general interest. Those particularly concerned with the problems arising should certainly obtain a copy, as there is much which considerations of space do not permit us to include in this issue, but a commentary on the Report will be published next week.

British Exports Make Good Showing In 1939

DURING last year, 11,500 commercial vehicles were exported, according to figures circulated by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. In the same period, 70,000 cars were produced for export. The results are highly gratifying, especially when one remembers that export activity during September last was reduced almost to a standstill.

The principal •markets for British motor vehicles in 1939 were:—Australia (27,000), New Zealand (12,000), India and Burma (6,000), South Africa (5,900), Eire (5,200), Denmark (4,700), British Malaya (3,400), and Sweden (2,100).

During the past two years, the proportion of vehicles shipped to foreign countries rose from 15 to 20 per cent. ROYAL ASSENT TO GAS BILL

AFTER the recent discussion in committee of the House of Cornmons, the Gas and Steam Vehicles (Excise Duties) Bill was passed rapidly through all the succeeding stages in both Houses and received the Royal Assent. Captain Wallace informed Mr. E. Smith that he had circulated draft regulations to representative organizations on January 15 and asked for their early observations. He hoped to receive the outstanding replies in the course of the next few days, and would consider them before finally making the regulations.

Ruston and Hornsby's Acquisition WE are advised by Ruston and VV Hornsby, Ltd., Lincoln, that it has acquired the whole of the share capital of Davey Paxman and Co. (Colchester), Ltd., the well-known concern of oil-engine builders and boiler manufacturers. The business will be continued under the managing directorship of Mr. E. P. Paxman, The products of the two companies are complementary and the object is to enlarge the joint range of manufactures to the mutual advantage of both businesses in meeting post-war conditions, and in consolidating their position in world markets.

Protection Against Transport Breakdowns yy/lIAT steps, asked Mr. Ellis Smith, VI' in the House of Commons this week, had the Minister of Transport taken to mobilise a national transport system, in the event of a sudden strain or breakdown in any form of transport?

Captain Wallace replied that he thought the present system provided a combination of elasticity and control which made the best use of the different means for transport available. The Regional Transport Commissioners' organizations were largely designed to secure the provision of adequate alternative means in case of breakdown.

The whole system was kept under constant scrutiny and he would not hesitate to introduce any changes which would make for still better co-ordination.

Too Many Vehicles Only Partially Loaded

T'THAT those concerned should endeavour to effect an improvement in avoiding delays in either loading or unloading of vehicles was stressed by Mr. G. Cook, sub-district manager of the Road Transport Goods Committee (Burnley area) at last week's meeting of the Burnley and District Chamber of Commerce, A census of vehicles for the week ended January 20 showed tbat 165 vehicles entering the town in the late afternoon and evening were partially loaded or empty.

Considerable delays occurred in loading goods for the outward journey, he mid, and local manufacturers using hired transport should see to it that the vehicles were got away in time to enable them to deliver goods and secure full return loads. A further census would be taken at an early date. • KEEPING SCOTTISH CONTRACTORS TOGETHER .

I N previous winters the Scottish Carriers and Haulage Contractors Association undertook the organization' of meetings throughout Scotland, but the black-out, travelling difficulties and the need for econoray have made it difficult to convene such meetings. However, the Association is issuing a monthly bulletin, which is available to all associated with tranSport, and it is hoped that it will make up for the loss of the meetings and keep members in touch with events that affect their interests.

A Device to Improve Traffic Signals

M A PARTICULARLY neat device to

improve traffic signal lights has been designed and patented by Supt. Caceres, of the Nottingham Fire Brigade. It is known as the Popkess cover, and is to be submitted to the Home Office for approval. Meanwhile, experiments are being conducted with it at Nottingham.

The arrangement consists of a mask divided into two sections. In the upper is the standard cross-slit for black-out use, but the lower can be raised on hinges to permit threequarters of the lens to be free for use in daylight or fog. Each lens, of course, requires its own set, but the covers are operated in multiple by a simple lever device.

A Solder-feeding Soldering Iron

Nif ANY contributions to the field of IV/labour-saving tools have come from Messrs. Rurtbaken Electrical Products, 13-15, Liverpool Road, Deansgate, Manchester, 3, and the latest is the magazine electric soldering iron. This does what everyone who has used a soldering iron must have many times wished were possible. It enables iron and solder to be manipulated with one hand, leaving the, other free to hold the job or do dnything else required.

Behind the handle is a spool of solder strip, one end of which is led through a guide to a point near the

tip of the iron. A trigger device is mounted within convenient reach of the forefinger and by means of this the solder can be advanced as it melts and runs from the iron to the job.

Dirt-proof Screen for Head-lamp Masks

THERE appears to be no ending to J. the improvements that can be made to the official head-lamp mask. The latest is a weather front from Trice,Folberth, Ltd., Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex. This consists of a narrow-flanged duplicate of the front exterior of the ordinary mask, which carries a plain-glass screen to prevent the entry of mud or water. This screen is automatically washed by rain or can be wiped clean. The prices are: black, 2s. 6d.; chromium, 3s. 6d.

Incidentally, this company also makes an interesting type of near-side mask which is being supplied to London Transport for, use on trolley a20 buses, in addition to the standard off-side mask. There is 'an additional front slot at the bottom, which throws the light down nearer to the vehicle, the spread starting at about 4 ft. from the lamp, thus illuminating the black spot immediately to the near-side front of the driver. The top rear slot is also enlarged to follow the curve of the pressing.

"The Motor Ship Reference Book for 1940" THE 1940 edition of " The Motor Ship Reference Book " has just been published. It has been brought up to date by the usual extensive amount of revision and is augmented by the inclusion of statistics relating to the past year's motor shipbuilding. The volume is fully illustrated, every type of propelling and auxiliary Diesel engine in service throughout the mercantile marine being described. This applies to ships of 2,000 tons gross and over, of which there are. full lists with details. The book is published by Temple Press Ltd., at the price of Ss.

COAL-TRAFFIC CHANGE -OVE R

•• SUSPENDED THE Yorkshire scheme providing for, the transfer of coal traffic from road to rail, by banning most road haulage of house coal and inducing the transport of more industrial coal by rail, is virtually suspended-for the present.

It is gathered that, before the coaltraffic hold-up on the railways reached its most acute stage, there had been some relaxation of the restrictions on coal haulage by road. There were some exceptions, for example, to the prohibition of the transport of house coal by road for more than two miles from Yorkshire pits which have railway sidings. It is reported that some colliery officials themselves took the responsibility of ignoring the restrictions and told road hauliers to "get on with the job" of moving coal from the pithead. The deterioration of the position on the railways culminated in the instruction from the Ministry of Mines that extra petrol rations should be issued for the transport of coal by road.

. PERSONAL PARS

MR. CAML CASPER is, we understand, no longer a member of the board of directors of the Notek Electric Co., Ltd.

MR. JAMES. WOOD, formerly ternporary firernaster at Elgin, has been appointed, by the town council, in a permanent capacity.

MR. THOMAS CADDY has been re-elected chairman, and Ma. HORACE DAVIES, vice-chairman, of the North Staffordshire branch of A.R.O.

MR. H. C. HUTCHISON, of Ardmillan Motor Works, Edinburgh, has been appointed distributor for Vulcan vehicles for the eastern counties of Scotland_ MR. G. T. DAVIDSON, of North Shields, has been appointed chairman of the North-Eastern Division of the Motor Agents' Association for the third successive year.

Ma. J. 0. TILLOTSON has resigned from the board of directors of Oswald Tillotson, Ltd, the well-known concern of distributors and road-transport engineers of Burnley.

MR. T. J. KENDREW, engineer and manager of the Southport passengertransport undertaking, is to retire in April next. He was appointed to his present position in June, 1900.

MR. 0. C. POWER has been re-elected chairman of the Birmingham Horse and Motor Vehicle Owners Association. He was also elected president in succession to the late Mr. Lawrence C. Tipper.

Mn. B. G. WILLIAMS has been appointed to the board of Morris Motors, Ltd. He retains, however, his position as secretary of the company, which he became in 1936, after many years with Wolseley Motors, Ltd.

MR. P. R. BLAKE, general manager of the South Wales Transport Co., Swansea. was congratulated on his appointment as managing director of the company, at the recent annual dinner of the transport engineering department_ Many officials representative of several other Welsh transport organizations were present.

Ma. P. G. TUCKER, who was, until the war, on the editorial staff of this journal, has joined the experimental department of Trojan, Ltd., Purley Way, Croydon. This appointment is of some interest, in that he was the first member of the technical Press to test out the original Trojan with its, then, almost revolutionary system of twostroke engine, unique suspension, solid tyres and many other somewhat unconventional features. [Although he did not actually carry out the official test, the Editor of The Commercial Motor rode in the first Trojan in 1912, accompanied by its designer, Mr. L. H. Hounsfield. ,E33.] It is of interest to note. that many of the original machines are still in active service and the spares for them are readily obtainable.

B.R.F. Talks Before Rotary Clubs

NAANY talks on road transport in Olwar-time have been arranged by the British Road Federation, and those at present planned will take place before the following Rotary Clubs:—Leatherhead (February 15); Tooting (February 19); Chelsea (February 20); Hampstead (February 20); Barnet (February 23); Dagenham (February 27); Kensington (February 29); Hammersmith (March 1); Esher (March 12); Woking (April 1); Watford (April 1I); Harrow (April 19); Clapham (April 29).

TN the advertisement of David Callan'der, Ltd., the Forfar concern of motor engineers and haulage contractors, which appeared in the Foden section in our issue dated January 20, the name of the company was incorrectly spelt. It should be as appears in this paragraph. THOMAS _TILLING RESULTS

IN the year ended -December 31 last, the profit of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., after providing for debenture stock and other interest, was £531,019. A final dividend of 1s. per share (less tax) is' to be paid on the ordinary shares, making 2s. per share or 10 per cent. for the year, and this will take £206,000. After allocating £100,000 to general reserve, there is a balance of £180,615 to carry forward, compared with £1713,096 brought in.

Gas-producer Enginseer Required

AWELL-KNOWN company, which is making much . progress in the gas-producer field, requires a man to take charge of the fitting of such plant to distributors' and dealers' vehicles, as well as being responsible for collating information relative to the fitting of gas producers and other details, with a view to its dissemination to the company's distributor organizations. The salary which is offered will depend upon the qualifications of. the applicant. Letters, addressed " Gas Producer," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.

GUILDFORD INSPECTS ITS NEW FIRE-ENGINE

A SHORT time ago, the members 1-1 of Guildford Fire Committee, together with officers of the brigade, visited the works of Dennis Brothers, Ltd., at Guildford, to examine the new motor pump, with double-transverse seating, which has just been completed to their requirements. While the party was studying the details there was an unexpected but not inappropriate diversion; a fire call was received by telephone and all the officers had to withdraw with more speed than ceremony !_

Mr. William Fish and Mr. R. Downing, joint managing directors, Mr. C. T. Skipper. director, and Mr. G. Hindsoq of the Dennis staff (who is also third officer of the brigade) entertained the guests.

The machine is powered by the Dennis " Big Four " petrol engine, and has an output of 630-800 g.p.m. from the turbine-type pump, which is located at the rear. The supplementary equipment includes 150 ft. of first-aid hose, fed by a special pump from a AO-gallon tank. Soda-acid and foam extinguishers are carried, together with two sets of compressed-air breathing apparatus and an 11-in. floodlight.

Suction hose is carried in a side box, and the principal locker has accommodation for 1,500 ft. of standard delivery hose, whilst subsidiary lockers carry life-lines and a jumping sheet.

Rear trunnions and a gantry amidships support a 50-ft. telescopic escape of the sliding-carriage type.

New Scammell Literature UST to hand are thee attractive new booklets from Scammell Lorries, Ltd., Watford. They deal with Scammell fire-fighters, Scammell mechanical-horse outfits and Bedford-Scammell articulated vehicles.

In the fire-fighting range are the popular trailer primp. the three-wheeled self-contained unit and the articulated five-wheeled 1,500-gallon combined fire-fighter and street washer. Particulars of the various applications of the 3-ton and 6-ton MIT models, and descriptions of these in their basic form are contained in the second-named booklet.

A22 Versatility is the keynote of the Bedford-Scammell combination, particularly when a mechar-ical horse is used alternatively with the Bedford tractive unit, and this feature is emphasized in the publication on this Scammell line.

All three are. excellently prepared, well illustrated and fully informative, practically every important fact relating to operation, cost, and construction being presented.

Grouping Changes on the Way? I NDICATIONS of changes concerning the grouping of hauliers' vehicles, under the defence emergency scheme for road transport, were given, last week, at a Bradford meeting of operators. One operator asked if the authorities concerned were proceeding with a proposed re-arrangement whereby there would be groups exclusively for road hauliers.

Mr. Fred Pickering, hon. secretary of the Bradford and District Commercial

Vehicle Owner s' l'ederation, said he understood such a. change was being talked of in efficial quarters, but, as yet, nothing had been done.

Discussion on a proposed roadhauliers' organization for dealing with local wool traffic in the West Riding, on behalf of the Wool Control, is reported.elsewhere in this issue.

New Device to Ensure Fuel Economy SUBSTANTIAL improvement in petrol consumption on vehicles of all types is claimed for the Tonson economiser, which is stated to have given an important percentage mileage increase on actual transport tests. Fitted between carburetter and induction manifold, the device is arranged so as to give improved turbulence. The cost of the senior model is 35s. Leaflets giving full details are obtainable from Northern Petrol Supplies (Wholesale), Ltd., Cheadle, Cheshire.

Benevolent Fund Annual Meeting

(IN Wednesday, February 28, the %-lannual general meeting of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund will be held in the Council Chamber of the Motor Agents Association, 201, Great Portland Street, London, W.I. It will be followed by a meeting of the Council of the Fund.

RETAILERS HAVING A 'LEAN TIME

A" SQUARE DEAL" for the motor industry was demanded at the annual supper of the Cumberland and Westmorland Division of the Motor Agents' Association, held at Carlisle last week. The view was expressed that about 80 per cent, of the business of the average motor trader throughout the country had disappeared.

Mr. I. H. Dickinson, local chairman, who presided, said that the motor trade had been dealt a severe blow by the _ Government. It was tragic to think what might happen to tholisands of garage owners if the present position were allowed to continue. They could do nothing individually, but together they could achieve a lot. They were prepared to do all they could to help win the war, but they strongly resented the policy of favouring the railways to the detriment of road transport. The motor industry required a " square

deal" and demanded it. It was the country's third most important industry, comprising 16,000 concerns employing 200,000 people. The weekly wage bill before the war was £1,000,000 and the capital employed was £150,000,000.

Mr. T. W. Moore said that it must be realized that unless something was done for the retailer, the manufacturer would sink and with him the industry itself.

Weather Screen for Head-lamp Masks A SIMPLE form of protecting device to prevent dirt and moisture entering head-lamp masks has been produced by Remax, Ltd., Remax House, Alfred Place, London, W.C.T. It consists of a clear celluloid cover, which can be slipped over the front of the standard mask; the retail price is ls. 9d. By preventing dirt from entering the mask the need for cleaning the .diffuser is obviated.

For public-service vehicles, the same form of screen is available in alltransparent material. This can be fitted to the special mask designed for these vehicles. The screens are made slightly over-size, and will contract with the heat of the lamp. A universal replacement diffuser screen of approved type is also available at is. FORD HEADWAY IN THE ARGENTINE MARKET

E.NCOURAGING figures relating to

export trade are forthcoming from the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., which states that, despite the difficulties resulting from the war during the last quarter of the year, exports from its works at Dagenham, to the Argentine, during 1939 were 260 per cent, higher than in 1938.

Transport Golfing Society's Reunion Luncheon

THE second reunion luncheon of the Transport Golfing Society (London Area) will take place at the Connaught Rooms, London, on Friday, February 23. The first reunion luncheon of this society, which was held in December last, attracted an attendance of about 150, and it was felt that such functions were useful as. a means for enabling transport men to continue and cement pre-war friendships and business contacts. Arrangements have been made for several distinguished speakers to support the toast list. The honorary secretary of the Society is Mr. H. J. Ferguson, Stratton, Biggleswade.

L.C.C. Trailer-pump Competition

THE London County Council an

nounces that the final of the London auxiliary fire-service trailerpump competition will be held at firebrigade headquarters on Wednesday, March 13, commencing at 11.30 a.m. SHORT-TERM LICENCES FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

APPLICATIONS for short-term licences, so that the applicants could' complete Government contracts, were dealt with recently at a sifting of the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, at Kirkcaldy.

In one case, it was stated that, in order to carry through a Government contract, a haulier was forced to hire a vehicle from Perth for use in Fife, and Mr. Henry Riches, 0.B.E., said that the need for economy of petrol made it imperative that no dead mileage should he run. He granted the application in this instance, preferring to give a B licence for 12 months in preference to the temporary licence sought.