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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

," The wheels 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 Crozier.

THE "C.M." ROAD MAP TO COMMERCIAL LONDON.

With each copy of this issue we include a special road map ;.',.!drawn by our own cartographers, which should prove of great value not only to those engaged in transport in London, but, perhaps, even more so to visiting drivers, who can quickly trace out their main routes without being bothered by a Mass of minor thoroughfares.

This map will also he included in the new booklet on London Wharves and Docks, which will be published next week, and in which it acts as a useful ancillary to the 10 detail maps of the river area. This booklet contains most Valuable information and should be in the hands of every goods-transport operator and driver who, at any time, may have reason to locate particular wharves. It also includes the names and addresses of over 300 wharfingers, warehousemen, etc., together with details of the wharves, etc., which they own.

The price will be 64., or by post 71d.

Inspection of Goods Vehicles in May.

The system of inspection of goods vehicles authorized under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1923, will be put into operation by the Minister of Transport on May 1. It must be remembered by operators that the certifying officers and examiners may inspect any goods vehicle, and if it appears unfit for service prohibit its use on the road until the defects have been remedied ; they must not, however, stop a vehicle in motion.

Many Operators Believed to have Lost Claimed-tonnage Rights.

Although the campaign of the Northeastern Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association to impress operators with the need for applying for licences under the Road and Rail Traffic Act has had good results, it is feared that many hauliers in Yorkshire have lost their claimed-tonnage rights, because they did not apply for their A or B licences before April 1.

In an interview with our correspondent, the divisional •organizer, Mr. Harry Clark, stated: "A month ago it was patent that a:good deal of misapprehension existed, so, with a view to calling attention to the necessity of immediate action in connection with claimed tonnage, we sent out a circular to 6,000 commercial-motor users. In addition, we held well-attended meetings at Leeds, Hull, Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield.

"Altogether, several hundred operators have taken advantage of the spacial scheme which we have organized for handling applications for licences.

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" it is feared, however, that many operators have lost their claimedtonnage rights and must now apply for licences for discretionary tonnage. It is anticipated that, in many cases where application for licences has not yet been made, applicants will have to appear before the Commissioners."

A.E.C.-Italian Manufacturing Agreement.

We are advised that an agreement has been concluded between the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., and the Societa Italiana Ernesta Breda, which covers future co-operation between the two companies in the manufacture of A.E.C. products in Italy and Italian colonies.

Next Year's I. of T. Dinner.

The Institute of Transport announces that its next annual dinner' will take place at the Connaught Rooms, Great Qiieen Street, London, W.C.2, Friday, February 15, 1935.

INST. OF T. CONGRESS PLANS ANNOUNCED.

At the annual meeting of the Leads and District Section of the Institute of Transport laSt Friday, Mr.. D. Gracie (honorary secretary) outlined proposals with regard to the programme for the Institute of Transport Congress, to be field at Leeds from June 6-9.

The plans include civic receptions in Bradford and Leeds; the president's reception at the Queen's Hotel, Leeds, and visits to the London and NorthEastern Railway works at Doncaster, the Karrier works at Huddersfield, and the waterway and Goole Docks of the Aire and Calder Navigation.

The following were elected officers of the I.eeds and District Section for the ensuing year : —Messrs. C. R. Tattam (chairman), E. B. Hutchinson and W. Vane Morland (vice-chairmen), D. Gracie (secretary), and C. E. Douthwaite (treasurer).

Exhibition Bond and Travelling Shops.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders advises us that in connection with its exhibition bond relating to agricultural shows, travelling shops having an unladen weight not exceeding 21 tons are now included in the types of commercial vehicle that are eligible for display, subject to the conditions as to prior notice set Out in the memorandum.

New Leyland Data Sheets: Improved Badger 5-tonners.

Leyland Motors, Ltd., Leyland, Lanes, has issued a new data sheet (No. 33), current from April 1, which gives particulars of all the heavier Leyland models, with the exception of fireengines and trolleybuses. Some 12 goods and passenger models are featured, all of which are available with petrol or oil engines. Two new Badger models are introduced, these being the TA6, a normal-control model with a pay-load of ri tons, and the TSA3, which is a forward-contrdi model of the same capacity. Although incorporating several improvements, these machines are offered at the same prices as hitherto. In the engine, gearbox, steering gear and frame the principal modificatiOns are found.

Engine-design changes follow those recently introduced in the six-cylindered unit, namely, improved manifolding and head, valve-timing, etc. The gearbox is of the silent-third type with single-helical constant-mesh and third

speed wheels. The steering now resembles the drag-link arrangement on the Beaver and Hippo models. The frame thickness is increased by / in. The new models have radiators which resernblo those on the Beaver and Hippo.

S.A.R. REQUIRES OILERS.

We are advised that the South African Railways and Harbours are calling for tenders, which have to be presented in South Africa by June 4, 1934, for the supply of (a) one or more 5-ton four-cylindered or six-cylindered oil-engined six-wheeled „vehicles and (b) one or more 10-ton sixecylindered oil-engined six-wheelers, Those concerns in a position to offer vehicles of United Kingdom manufacture may obtain further details from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference GY 13664 being quoted.

Plea for Petrol-tax Reduction.

Representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging that in the forthcoming Budget the petrol tax should be reduced by at least 2d. per gallon have been made by the Commercial Motor Users Association.

We wish the Association every Success in its endeavours in this direction, for the petrol tax hits the average commercial vehicle much harder than the private car, because of the enormous difference in the mileage.

"Devon General" Profit.

During 1933, the Devon General Omnibus and Touring Co., Ltd., made a net profit of £25,546, as compared with £27,549 a year earlier. A sum of £5,000 is allocated to general reserve and a 10 per cent. dividend (less tax) is recommended for payment on the ordinary shares. The amount to be carried forward is £5,872, as against £4,826 brought into the accounts. During the past year a scheme was adopted for the acquisition of the goodwill of the Torquay Tramways Co.

New London Parking Regulations.

The Ministry of Transport is snaking new regulations for the purpose of consolidating the London Traffic (Parking Places) Regulations, 1929, and all regulations amending those regulations. At the same time it is to revise the conditions of use at certain parking places, involving the method ot parking and/or the hours during which any vehicle may wait at such parks.

I.A.E. Progress.

The annual report of the Institution of Automobile Engineers has recently been issued, and it shows that the membership has now reached a total of 2,804. The number of manufacturers affiliated to the research and standardization committee of the Institution has increased in less than three years from 24 to 122, and, in addition, 16 fleet operators have become affiliated. Reports have been issued under the auspices of the committee dealing with researches on a nurnber of important questions, including cylinder wear.

During 1933 a total of 121 meetings was held. The Institution journal has met with wide ,approval and the council has decided to continue its publication.

During 1933 the income of the Institution amounted to £7,018, whilst expenditure, including £500 marked for the special-purposes reserve, totalled £6,853, the surplus for the year thus being £165.

A Brochure on Gas Motor Fuel.

An interesting brochure has just been published in Paris, the author being A. Pignot, doctor of physical -science, and chief research engineer to the Paris Gas Co. It deals with the employment of compressed town gas as a fuel for motor engines, and costs five francs.

Dr. Pignot deals briefly, and clearly with all phases of the subject. Chapter III is particularly informative in the matter of suitable pressures to be

employed, also in the choice of lubricants for use in gas compressors.

Gas cylinders and mixing valves are dealt with fully and a comprehensive bibliography of gas fuel is included. This brochure is entitled "Le Gaz de Ville, Carhurant National," and is published by L'Office Technique de Chauflage, 58, Rue Latfitte, Paris. • PERSONAL 'PARS.

. Mr. A. Avison, A.M.I.Mech.E., has been appointed sales manager of David Brown and Sons (Huddersfield), Ltd. He has lately held the position of London manager of the company, prior to which he was chief estimator at its head office.

It is announced that Captain R. P. Minchin, late of the Royal Tank Corps, has been appointed a chief inspector in the organization department at Scotland Yard. He will serve under Brigadier Whitehead, and his duties will, in the main, be concerned with the transport section dealing with mobile police and cars attached to the flying squad.

Additions have recently been made to the board of directors of Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., the new members being Mr. G. F. sake, works manager; Mr. P. C. P. Stanley, general sales manager ; and Mr. G. A. Royston, sales-promotion manager. They have all had a long association with the company in their respective managerial appointments, and are well known in the trade.

Further to the paragraph appearing in our issue for last week, we now learn that Mr. E. R. L. Fitzpayne, B.Sc., A.M.I.E.E., A.M.I.A.E, has been appointed general manager of the passenger-transport undertaking of South Shields Corporation. For the past 4i years he has field the position of chief technical assistant in the transport department of Edinburgh Corporation. During this period he has acted as the general manager's representative to the Motor , Omnibus Development Committee of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association.

Mr. A. F. C. List, B.Sc., after being . with the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., for just over a year, has rejoined Cr9ssley Motors, Ltd., and will take charge of goods-vehicle (petrol and oil-engined) sales in the North.

Mr. List served his apprenticeship with D. Napier and Son, Ltd., afterwards joining the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., under the late Mr. George Shave. After considerable experience with transport in this country and in the East, he successfully handled Dennis products in London and the Home Counties, and then joined Crossley Motors, Ltd.

"The Daily Express" Road Book. • We have received from The Daily Express a specimen of its new Road Book of Great Britain. It is an interesting and valuable production, which should prove very helpful to road-transport operators, particularly those who often have to traverse strange country, as the 16 maps, which are included, are linked up with a gazetteer of 10.000 names of places. It costs 4s. 6d. (including postage). but applications must be accompanied by a token from the back page of The Daily Express.

A NEW TYPE OF TOWER WAGON.

The transport department of Nottingham Corporation which, in addition to operating an extensive fleet of buses, runs a number of trolleybuses and tramway services, has recently put into service an interesting vehicle for maintenance work on overhead lines.

The chassis forming its basis was originally a standard A.E.C. Regent type, having been taken front one of the municipal double-deckers. Although the long wheelbase of this model was desirable, it was thought that, with the driver beside the engine, the tower wagon in its finished form would appear out of proportion. The chassis was, therefore, converted to a semiA.E.C. Ranger of the bonneted type.

The tower superstructure, bodywork, etc., were constructed by the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., Warwick. The tower which consists of a fixed cage with two telescopic sections gives a total height of 25 ft. when fully elevated. This is higher than usual for the reason that it provides greater safety for the men when erecting guard wires, which are approximately 2 ft. to 5 ft. above ordinary trolley wires.

Army Mechanization Development. .

It is announced that the word " Warfare " has been dropped from the titles of the Mechanical Warfare Board at Woolwich, and the Mechanical Warfare Experimental Establishment at Earnborough.The former will be concerned with all problems relating to the design of motor vehicles of the track, half-track and wheeled types, whilst the latter will carry out trials of these vehicles.

The Times announces that, later in the year, the Mechanical Board will be A28 under the direction of a new MaterGeneral ofof the Ordnance, as Lieut.General Sir Ronald Charles is retiring to take tip a civil appointment.

Short Bros. Director Dead.

We regret to announce the death, on -Monday last, at a London nursing home, of Mr. Leonard 011ivier Short, a director of Short Bros. (Rochester and Bedford), Ltd. He was 33 years of age.

Touring the Country with a Fleet of Showroom Vans.

A picture which we publish on this page is of one of a fleet of special showroom vans recently supplied by Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., The Vale, Acton, London, W.3, to Harris and Co. (Confectioners), Ltd., London, S.E.5. The vehicles comprise Morris-Commercial 30-cwt. six-cylinder forward-confrol chassis, carrying an interesting type of NAV; which is fitted out for the display of the user's products.

These vans will be permanently on tour throughout the country, carrying a complete range of over 100 lines, and are to call on wholesale and retail grocers, bakers and confectioners. The interior showcases are all illuminated by concealed lamps, and are panelled in french-polished mahogany.

The company also runs a fleet of 15 Morris-Commercial vehicles of the 1-ton and 30-cwt. types for transporting cakes from its works to the London railway termini.

Morris-Commercial's Record Month.

For some months past Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., has experienced a big demand for its different types of lorry and van, and the company announces that the deliveries executed in the month of March proved to be a record in the history of the company. ANOTHER CO-ORDINATION MOVE

Transport associations of Manchester, Ashton, Stalybridge, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Burnley, Stockport, Liverpool, Blackpool, Morecambe and St. Helens were invited to send representatives to a meeting that was recently held at Manchester to discuss a proposal for the co-ordination of activities on matters of common interest, especially in view of the arrangements made between certain roadtransport organizations and the railway companies in the Metropolitan Traffic Area.

The initiative in calling the meeting was taken by Mr. H. Howard Robinson, of the Motor Transport Owners Association. The business discussed at the conference included the licensing of goods vehicles, the Metropolitan Area arrangements, and wages and conditions of road-transport workers.

The plan of co-ordination having been outlined, those who attended the meeting were expected to report to their respective associations. The next step will be the appointment of persons representing the various interests to comprise the proposed co-ordination committee.

Amended Contract-carriage Law.

During the debate On the Road Traffic Bill, last Tuesday, the Minister of Transport stated that he intended to introduce a clause to amend the contract-carriage provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. The suggestions of the M.H.C.S.A. on the subject appear on page 306.

Equipment Demonstration at Cardiff.

Brown Bros., Ltd., informs us that it is holding a demonstration of garage equipment at its Cardiff premises, in Adam Street, from April 17-20 inclusive. Apart from a comprehensive display of tools and equipment, working demonstrations will be held.

Thorttycroft Bulldog Now a 3-tonner. John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., anannounces that its Bulldog model, hitherto marketed as a 2i-tonner, is now produced to carry pay-loads of 3 tons. Among the modifications that have been made to the chassis is the stiffening-up of the suspension system. The price remains unaltered at £405.

SHOULD EASTBOURNE COACH STATION GARAGE LORRIES?

Caffyn's, Ltd., has protested to Eastbourne Corporation against the use of the central coach station for the garaging of goods vehicles at night. The company states that it has ample accommodation in its garage ill Marine Parade for the housing of all types of vehicle during the winter months. The chief constable reports that the only reason why he recommended the watch committee to allow garaging of goods vehicles in the coach station at night was because he had received complaints with regard to heavy vehicles which stand on the highway, due to the fact that they are too large to be accommodated in any local garage. The committee is informing the company that it is quite prepared to leave the garaging of such vehicles to Ca ffyn's, Ltd., provided that the garage is open to lorries all the year round.

Traffic Dislocation Caused by Level Crossings.

Enfield Urban District Council's attention has again been drawn by the Enfield District Manufacturers Association to the serious delays caused to road traffic at the level-crossings on the Cambridge main line. The council has been asked to consider the provision of light bridges. pending the construction of the proposed through roads, over the railway line, and the lighting committee has decided to ask the Ministry of Transport to receive a deputation on the subject of level crossings.