• Home
• Used vehicles
• Product news
• Dealer news
• Compliance
• Buying advice
• Archive

WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

."The wheels of wealth will be sloweci bp all difficulties of trains pore at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

Assistance for Night Road Users.

With commendable initiative, the Automobile Association has started a new development of its road patrol sotvice. A fleet of road-service outfits similar to those hitherto employed for work during the day, but specially designed in certain respects to meet night requirements, is to he used to patrol a number of roads radiating from large cities and towns or other highways which carry a considerable volume of night traffic. The new outfits carry an illuminated lamp sign showing to both front and rear the words " A.A. Road Service," so that motor users needing their services will be able to identify them quickly. During the summer these vehicles will 'remain on the road until 1 a.m., and during the winter season from 4.30 p.m. to midnight. Each outfit is driven by a man who is qualified to deal with minor causes of breakdown and running adjustments, and, in addition to a range of tools, a portable electric lamp, a spare head and tail lamp and tins of petrol and grease are carried.

The roadside fuel-filling stations of the Association will remain open so long as the night patrols are on duty.

When Buying Ford One-ton Trucks.

Our attention has been called to the circumstance that purchasers of Ford 1-ton trucks -semetimes find the engine number has been partially obliterated or the last few figures removed. This is not done with the cognizaece of the Ford Motor Co., and isaufficient to prevent the purchaser obtaining a rebate on the duty which is paid on the beck axle, this being practically the only part of the Ford 1-ton truck now brought, over from America.. The engine number will be found on the cylinder block. Purchasers should lift the bonnet and see that the number is intact when taking delivery.

B.P. Spirit in the Irish Free State.

We are informed that the entire business of the British Petroleum Co., Ltd., in the Irish Free State has been purchased by the Irish-British Petroleum Co., Ltd., a newly formed organization for the distribution of B.F. petrel in

parts of Ireland. The whole. of the buildings, lant, offices, vehicles and other assets 'have been acquired by the new company, and the entire personnel has been taken over. The Irish company have storage installations and depots throughout. the South of Ireland

Colliery Development and RoadTrane..

. bort Facilities. • .

• Bus services are being deVeloped in the coldfields of South Wales coincident. *sith the breaking of new ground for mining by the colliery companies. An instance of the,importance of read transport to colliery development is to be found in the announcement. made by 'Alessrs. Baldwin's, that, providing a sufficient number of men from the Bridg end district can be guaranteed to mak. ass of the vehicles, they will provide a bus service to convey the workmen to and from Kenfig Hitt and district, where new shafts are being "sunk. It was recently stated at a meeting of the islantrisant and Llantwit Vardre Urban District Council that colliery de

velopments iu the ()Mach Goch area were seriously hampered by the lack of housing facilities near the scene of operations, and that but for buses it would be impossible to get the necessary men. to tackle the wee*.

Saurer Agents Required.

The Saucer Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., 21, Augustus Street, London, N.W.1, ask us to state that they still have a few agencies open in the districts of Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol and parts of the west country.

A Fleet of Municipai Vehicles Wanted.

The Municipality of Buenos Aires is seeking tenders for a fleet of motor vehicles designed for sweeping and watering the streets of the city, and also for the conveyance of refuse to the destructors. Specifications and conditions for • presenting tenders in Buenos Aires can be seen in London on application, in the first. instance, to the Argentine Legation, 1, Park Mansions, London, S.W.1.

Tenders have to be delivered. in Buenos Aires on or before July 25th.

Our Next tssue..

The intervention of the Easter Holi days will not affect the date of publi,•

cation of the .next 'issue of The Cots merciat Motor dated April 22nd, which will he on sale all over the country on Tuesday, as usual. In .connection with this issue advertisers should send their instructions to the advertisement manager not later than the first. post on Wednesday, April 16th. • Bournemouth's Successful Runabouts.

The, estimated profit of £1,534 is subfor the year ended March 31st last on the special motor runaboutfs in the service of the Bournemouth Corporatiou are given as follow :— Income : Passenger fares, etc... £2,446 Exioenditure : Wages, fuel, stores, licences, insurance, etc.

The estimated profit of £1,534 is subject to provision for depreciation, and certain other charges will have to be met before the net profit is disclosed, although the financial results from the use of the vehicles is considered most satisfactory. If the final figures prove to be in accordance with the estimated result, it is stated that the fares on the runabouts will be substantially reduced.

We have made several references in the past to the type of runabout in use at Bournemouth, and it may be remembered that it consists of a special Guy chassis and an unusual type of body made locally by Messrs. Steane.

Tax Exemption for Salvage Corps Motors.

At 1. meeting of the Glasgow magistrates' committee the town clerk reported that correspondenee had taken place between the local taxation officer and the Ministry of Transport with regard to the question raised by the Glasgow Salvage Corps asto the exemption from payinent of the\ duty 'exigible under the Finance Act, 1920, of the vehicles belonging to the corps which are equipped with firefighting apparatus, and are used for assisting, if need be, the fire brigade in extinguishing fires in the city, The -Ministry had, in view of the information submitted, and having regard to the terms of Section 13 (4) of the Finance Act, 1920, expressed the opinion that the vehicles are exempt from licence duty. The committee, as licensing authority, concurred in the opinion of the Ministry.

The Lorries Switzerland Requires.

Because its roads are steep' and tortuous, aud because, also' wintry conditions prevail over several months of the yeaf., lorries intended for use in Switzerland require to be siseeially constructed. Such vehicles shOuld be of sturdy build, have gears with adequate tooth area, large-capacity cooling !systems, low-geared transmissions, engines capable of developing high speeds at low filet consumption and very efficient brakes.

Moat of the 6,000 lorries now in operation in the country are of more than 30-etvt, capacity, and about half of this ,total is made up of imported vehicles.. :There are only about 200 , American lorries in Switzerland, United States manufacturers finding it difficult to compete with European makes owing to the high cost -of. transportatioa and heavy tariff duties.

Buses for Glasgow.

Glasgow Corporation Tramways Corn. mittee recommends the purchase of 14 30-seater double-entrance buses as f ollow Two 40 h.p. ThornyeroftO, £770 each. Two 40 h.p. Honeys, £775 each. Two 40 h.p. Bristols, £805 each. Two 40 lop. Leylands, £820 each. Two 40 h.p. Cornmercars, £885 each. Two 35 h.p. A.E.C.s, £995 each. Two 40 h.p. Tilling-Stevens, £1,054 each.

The bodies for the Tilling-Stevens and the A.E.C. chassis are to be built by the makers. The other bodies will be supplied by Messrs. Cowies4an (four), c415 each; Messrs. R. Mitchell (two), £420 eaeh; Norfolk Coach Works (two), £425 each; and Messrs. Law (two), £460 10e. each.

Albion, Passenger Vehicles. Certain errors occurred in the comments which we made upon Albion productions in our Special Passenger

Vehicle Number. We referred to a 20 h.p. model for small c,oaelies, but this is no longer offered by the makers. We also wish to remove any possible impression that the 24 h.p. models are built for use on pneuinatic tyres only. They are designed to run either on solid or pneumatic tyres, as desired, but their high-speed capabilities render them particularly suitable .for use with pneumatic tyre equipment. With regard to the Mark II Model, this is fitted with chain final drive.

An illustration was published of the 19-seater 1924 Albion 'Viking coach, but elsewhere in the issue we referred to a smaller 1923 model, as the Viking, whereas this appellation has been given by the makers to the 1924 types only, in which many refinements are incorporated, including a new and very handsome radiator.

A Step Towards Co-ordination.

One of the features of the International Motor Transport Congress to be held at Detroit this summer will be an attempt to educate the officials of railWay corepanies in the verious parts of the world to the great saving that might be effected by the incereaed use of motor lorries for short haul work. The line to be taken will lay stress on the extent to which the motor lorry is now being ueed by American railways in this respect, an many demonstrations will be given to visiting delegates with the object of showing how the more general use of lorries will effect economies.

Road Risks Illustrated."

This is the title a a well-produced pamphlet which has iitet been received from the Royal Insurance Co., Ltd., 1,

North john Street, Liverpool. This new illustrated prospectus, which is issued in connection, with the company's motor department, contains informative statistics slorwing the proportion of motor accidents occurring in certain specific circumstances. They are claimed to be the first of their kind, based on actual experience, to be published, and should be perused with interest by all road users and be helpful

to those concerned -with " safety-first " Precepts. Most of the pictures. in the booklet illustrate phases of motoring. from a legal point of liew, :which are not :always appreciated to the full, as well as road accidents, some of which are of

• unusual naturet The company will forward a copy of their prospectus to any of' our readers, and this 'should particularly interest drivers who have to make cross-country journeys, as the booklet cOntains a tabulation giving the.approximate.road mileages between most of the prominent centres in Great Britain.

Llanelly Bus Developments.

The Llanelly Transport Committee has assented to, and the LIanelly Express Motor Bus Seivices have instituted, new through bus services en the route from Llanelly to Printardillais arid Ammanford. The com,pany-intenclqo inaugurate services 'embracing 'Llanon, Tumble and Cross Hands as tributory services to that just instituted.

Personal Pars.

We learn with considerable pleasure and interest that Mr. Owen W. J. Watson, the experimental and research engineer to the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., located at the Chiswick overhaul factory, is On the point of being married. He is the recipient of many ,hearty congratulations, not only from his present-daycolleagues, but from many who have been associated with him in the post. His engineering career has been very interesting, for lie was With Cammell, Laird and Co., Ltd., of Birkenhead, for five years; with the Aster Engineering Co., Ltd., at Wembley, for three and a half years; and with W. H. Dorman and Co., Ltd., of Stafford, for seven and a half years, being responsible at the factory of the last-named for the design of many of the successful Dorman engines, generating sets, etc. Re joined the staff of the L.G.O.C. in 1921, and has well maintained the high position which, had been attained by the research department of the company under Mr. G. G. Shave, the chief engineer (and now the operating manager as -well).

The Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., inform us that they have recently received a, number of orders from Czecho-Slovakia for Vulcan commercial vehicles, and that, as there are certain indications that this promises to be a remunerative market, the company have appointed Mr. Josef Herold, Brandlora 4, Vinohrady, Prague, as their ,agent in that country. We publish a portrait of Mr. Herold, who has evinced .keen enthusiasm for the Vulcan vehicle, and is finding that the merits of this make of machine are readily appreciated in the area -which he represents. It is not without interest, in passing, to mention that the Vulcan Co. are exhibiting two commercial vehicles—a. 2025-cwt. and a 2-tonner—at the Prague Motor Exhibition, which is being held from April 10th to 27th. Enterprise of this ekind does much to maintain the states of the British motor industry.

Parking at Harry.

Certain provisions have recently been made by the Barry (Glam.) Urban District Council to meet the requirements of the many motor coaches and. other vehicles which it is anticipated will visit the resort over which it exercises control during the forthcoming season. Representations to the council concerning the inadequacy of parking space was made by the .Automobile Association some time ago. The council has now allotted Ford Road for the parking of chars-&-bancs and private ears, bnses having already been provided for. A long-felt want is thus met..

Electro-Magnetic Furnaces.

The latest catalogue which we have just received from Automatic and Electric Furnaces, Ltd., Elecfurn Works, 173-175, Farringdon Road, London, E.C.1, dealing with Wild-Barfield automatic electric hardening furnaces, shows that improvements in both mechanical and electrical design have enabled the -efficiency of these furnaces to be much increased. Whereas with electricity at id. per unit the cost per ton of work. hardened has previously been 34s., this -figure has now been reduced to 26s, per ton.

The catalogue explains in a very lucid manner the electro-magnetic method of hardening steel, and this is followed by a general description of the Wild-Barfield furnace which is used for this work.

• The company inform us that the demand for automatic hardening furnaces electrically heated continues steadily to increase, The Sate Angle of Tilt for a Double-deck Bus.

What is the angle to which a double. deck omnibus can be tilted Wan the ground without overturning? Certain tests have been conducted in the past in order to arrive at an answer to this question, although we venture to sug

gest that few road travellers would credit the extent 'of the angle to which such a vehicle van be tipped with absolute safety.

With a view to ascertaining 'the stability of the double-deck motorbuses which they employ, the Aldershot and District Traction -Co., Ltd., recently carried out a striking test at their Halimote Road garage in Aldershot. For the purpose of -the experiment the top of a bus was weighted to represent a full load of passengers, 140 lb. of shot being placed on each of the nine seats. The near-side wheels were then jacked up and wooden piles placed beneath them. When the vehicle was actually on the balance it was at the almost in. credible angle of 42 degrees, and the edges of the outside tyres on the near wheels were as much as 4 ft. from the ground. The bus is shown tipped at this angle in the picture which appears on this page.

The tests were conducted to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Transport, and the deductions made therefrom offer reliable proof of the stability of the modern rnotorb-us, Incidentally, the tests at Aldershot serve to give convincing evidence of the strong construction of the chassis, as, naturally enough, atremendous strain was thrown on it, and particularly yn the wheels.

We should add thaE the vehicle chosen for purpose of the test was a Dennis, of which make of motorbus the Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd., have no fewer than 95 in regular service.

A Novel Publicity Van.

A very interesting type of publicity vehicle has recently been put into service by -Electrolux, Ltd. 2, Argyll -Street, Londriu, W.1. This company market a special vacuum. cleaning outfit, which includes a cylindrically shaped member with coned ends and pistol .grip containingthe motor N.+Fhich produces the suction effect, .a dust bag and special_ filter by-which the air passing :through the machine is disinfected and perfumed.

The van is built to represent this apparatus; and the body, which was built in Sweden, is mounted on a Citroen chassis.

A Durham Road-Scheme.

At a recent meeting of the Willington (Co. Durham) Urban District Council the scheme for the reconstruction of,,the main road through Willington was approved. The road is at present in a very unsatisfactory state, and the county surveyor has suggested that before the county council takes over the control of the road it should be reconstrucfed. The cost of the scheme is estimated at about E33,000, towards which suns it is expected the Ministry of Transport will contribute 50 per cent.

American Exporters Break January Record.

The United_ States beat all records for the month of January of any year by exporting 2,845 lorries during the first month of this year. Countries importing these vehicles were led by Japan, with 1,254 lorries ; followed by Australia, 317; Uruguay, 229; Cuba, 102; the United Kingdom, 93; and Canada, 56. Canada exported 1,775 vehicles during the same month, Australia taking 921; the United Kingdom, 231; and -' Japan, 120.

. Westinghouse Chains.---.. .., In two catalogues which have just been issued by the Westinghouse Morse . Chain Co., Ltd., of Letchworth, fferts., a full description of the different types of the company's silentrocker-joint chains is given, together with details of the various spheres of use in which they can be satisfactorily employed. The • company's chains are suitable for all kinds of high-speed power transmission, and are claimed to be quiet and efficient in operation and to possess the merits of durability and law cost of upkeep. ,

Successful Ambulance Service.

The successful results -attending the operation of its motor ambulances were reported at the annual meeting of the Chester-le-Street Meter Ambulance Committee. During the year the two vehicles in the service of the committee conveyed 755 patients, giving an aver age of 14 per week. The running costs per patient worked out at 8s. 11d. The total income was 2601 and the expenditure 452. ,The committee has a balance in hand of 2149.

Improving the Glenshee Road.

The Blairgo‘vrie District Committee has once again discussed the question of the improvement of the Glenshee Road, the main thoroughfare from the South of Scotland to Upper Deeside. The road surveyor has suggested a scheme ofimprovement, approved by the Ministry of Transport, and upon the reeonunenElation of a sub-committee it has been adopted by the district committee. It is estimated that the work will cost about 228,000, of which sum 220,000 will be provided by way of Government grants.

During the course of the discussion it was pointed out that at least 70 per • cent, of the traffic using the road was traffic originating outside the district.

How Does Oil Lubricate ?

Much information on lubrication winch has hitherto been unpublished is contained in a little booklet which has just been issued by the Henry Wells Oil Co., of 11, Haymarket, London, S.W.1, entitled "Surface Tension." The main purpose of the booklet is, of course, to draw attention to the company's " Germ Process" motels, but included amongst. its contents is an interesting article entitled, "Row Does Oil Lubricate? " In this it is sought to explain that the ability of oil to lubricate efficiently depends largely on the tension between the oil, and the surfaces with which it comes into contact.

An Appeal to the Ministry. Messrs. IL B. Ashcroft and G. H.

• Marks, of Paignton having appealed to the Ministry of Transport against the decision of the Torquay Corporation in refusing them licences for a service of motor omnibuses which they proposed running between Paignton and Torquay, the Ministry has directed an inquiry into the question to be held at Torquay to-day (Tuesday). At, the Ministry's suggestion, the licence already held the applicants has been renewed until May 8th,by which date the Ministry's decision, is expected..

Accessortes, Tools and Equipment in Prof aglow,

Messrs. IL Ca,disch and Sons, 171, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, have just issued their 1924 catalogue, which is a most comprehensive edition, dealing with accessories for all types of motom vehicle, garage and repair shop equipment, body fittings, machine tools, etc. It comprises 450 fully illustrated pages, and the company have adopted throughout the catalogue the dual-price system popularized by A. J. Dew and Co., and which is now in general use. The catalogue is divided into four sections, as follow :—(1) Motorcar acees

series and garage equipment ; (2) motorcycle accessories; (3) Ford accessorfes, repair devices, tools, etc. • (4) tools and repair shop equipment. Each. section is arranged alphabetically, and a general index with some 3,000 entries enables ready reference to be 'made to any of the goods dealt with in the various sections. Mach care has been taken in the compilation of the catalogue, and this has ensured the insertion of all details relating to up-to-date lines. The distribution of the catalogue is confined to motor traders, and a copy will be sent to any legitimate agent upon application to the company.

Improved Ambulance Body Design.

The ambulance committee of the Metropolitan Asylums Board reports that on the last of the new ambulance chassis now approaching completion at the Mead Works it proposes to fit an improved type of ambulance body embodying various feature& which the construction of the last series of bodies and the development of ambulance practice

have indicated as desirable. The esti-, mated cost of this body, complete with internal -fittings and fixtures and induct.. ing fixing to the vehicle ready for sera vice,is 2300.

Guatemala Reduces Tariff on Lorries. With a view to encouraging commercial motor transport in the country, the Government of Guatemala has reduced the import tariff on lorries from 0.20 pesos to 0.05 pesos per gross kilo., as from April 1st.

. A New Non-detonating Fuel. A new motor spirit, known as Ramage process fuel, is now being experimented with in the United States. It is manufactured from semi-waste oil products, which, it, is claimed, yield 70 per cent. of the new motor spirit. Said to possess unusual non-detonating qualities, it is declared that no knock can be detected in the engine of a bus with 125 lb. per sq. in. compression when Ramage fuel is used. Moreover, it is claimed that greater power is developed; and that an engine picks up far better i than when petrol s used. Plans are being made for the extensive marketing of the new fuel in various parts of America.

Lancashire Traffic Growth.

The volume of road traffic to .and from Blackpool lies increased to an enormous extent in the -past few years, and at the height of -the season there is an endless procession of vehicles to and from the popular Lancashire coastal resort. The authorities of Blackpool have been able to cope with the problem to some extent, but the situation has resulted in other authorities exercising control over adjacent areas being faced with certain difficulties.

In this respect Preston is notably to the fore. Road users, however, will be interested to learn that steps have now been taken to cope with the situation, and that the new Preston arterial road which is being constructed will enable special traffic to the Lake District and to Blackpool to be diverted from the centre of the city to the northern suburbs.

AS a well-illustrated article in the, April issue of "Shepherd's which is publialed by W. Shepherd and Son, Ltd., Milkstone, Rochdale, serves to show, the new road is being constructed throughout on modern principles, and is an interesting example of the highway built to withstand the weight and speed of the modern motor vehicle. The above journal is published in the interests of better roads, and it contains much useful information which falls under this heading.

Wages of Boy Bus Conductors.

A dispute as to wages of boy conductors proposed_ to be employed on. the Bolton Corporation 30-seater singledeck buses is being referred to the Joint Industrial Council. The Transport Workers' Union protests against the employment of. yonths in view of the numbers of -unemployed men. The Wages proposed by the Corporation were :—Youths aged 18, 22 1s. a week; aged 19, 22 4s. ; and aged 20, 22 6s.

A Favoured Sparking Plug.

• The AM.-Sphinx Sparking Plug Co., Ltd.,Bradford, Street, Birmingham, give us to understand that there are now upwards of 90 British motor manufacturers fitting A.C. sparking plugs as standard equipment, and that the sale of their plugs now exceeds all previous sales' figures since 1918.

Local Proceedings.

. . Bromley Town Council has decided to buy • a new motor ambulance at a cost

not exceeding £700. .

Leighton Buzzard Urban District Council is inviting tenders for the supply of a trailer fire purnp.

Eastbourne Watch Committee has decided on the purchase of a Dennis motor fire-engine, at a cost of £1,622.

South Shields Corporation has asked its tramways committee to consider the extension of the bus service to Bahlon.

The Tredegar Urban District Council is considering the expenditure of £1,500 an the purchase of a motor fire-engine.

Oldham Corporation Gas CoMmittee recommends the purchase of a 2-ton motor lorry from the Paragon Motor Co.

Felixstowe Urban District Council has decided to purchase for refuse collection a Garrett electric vehicle at a cost of £1,060.

York }leen Committee has instracted the acting medical officer of health to

• obtaiti tenders for the supply of a motor ambulance.

Hunstenton Urban ,District Council has authorized the fire brigade committee to purch-ase a new engine at a cost of about £600.

The estimates of the ?.'.7erthyr Tydvil Council for the current year include an item of £550 for the purchase of a motor ambulance.

Glasgow Corporation has authorized the medical officer of health to purchase a motor ambulance chassis at an estimated cost of £675.

Bradford Corporation Sewage Committee bas authorized the engineer to sell an old light motor vehicle and to purchase a Ford 1-ton lorry.

Worcester Watch Committee recommends the purchase of a motor fireengine at an estimated ,east of £1,250, and also a Ford ton chassis.

Wimbledon Corporation . has asked a soh-committee to report as to the method employed for transporting house refuse to the destructor workss Before purchasing a number of motorbuses, the Perth Town Council has asked -the tramways committee to experiment with two types-of bus.

United Automobile Services, Ltd.. of Lowestoft, inform us that they have received an order from the Yarmouth Corporation for seven 32-seater saloon bus bodies:

Watford borough surveyor has .).1.ceived details of various types of sweeping machine in use in London, and has been authorized to inspect them and to regortato the council.

Oxford City Council is being asked by the loeal labour party to take a referendum of the ratepayers to determine whether municipalization of the bus service is wanted.

Stratford Urban District Council has granted an application by the MidCheshire Motor Bus Co., Ltd., for a licence for an additional omnibus which the company desire to place on the Stretford to Urmston service, consequent upon the establishment of a new route from Urmston to Flixton.

BS Oldham Corporation is inviting tenders for the supply of two motor chassis for the cleansing department..

. Barnsley Corporation surveyor reports that a motor. street-sweeping machine Would be a desirable acquisition.

. The City of London •Corporation ,proroses to make a contract with Laftly (England) Co. for maintaining a motor sweeping machine for a period of six years, at an average cost of £108 per annum.

The Leicester City Council has placed an order with the Brush Electrical Engineering Co. for six motorbuses for trial purposes. The bodies are single-deckers to seat 32 passengers, and are to be mounted on Tilling-Stevens petrol-elec tric chassis. •

Corporation to Make Buses?.

Glasgow Corporation Tramways Committee reports in favour of obtaining powers to enable the corporation to construct motorbuses that are needed for various services in and around the city.

York Licences a Sidecar Taxi.

York Watch Committee has agreed to grant a licence for a motorcycle taxi to plY for hire for a period of six months, after which the question of licensing such a vehicle with again be considered. The scale of fares to be charged is 10d. for the first mile and 2d. for each succeeding qUarier of a mile.

Food Transport in Bradford.

At a meeting of the Bradford Education Committee it was reported that Mr. Theephilus Lee, of Five Lane Ends Garage, bad agreed to accept the suggestion of a sub-committee to carry out the work in connection with the transport of food for a trial period of one immth, at the rate of £2 per day.

' Petrol Pump Privileges.

Oldham Watch Committee recommends the corporation to grant, without prejudice to the rights of the public, the applications of the General Motor Co. (Oldham), Ltd.,-and Mr. H. Street for permission to erect, swing arms—over the footpaths for use in connection with petrol -pumps, subject to the payment of an annual acknowledgment of Si. in each case for the privilege.

Saloon Bus Entrances. .

• The local labour party has asked the Oxford Watch Committee toTcliseontinua licensing saloon buses with the passen

gers' entrance by the driver, the interest of public. safety, and to withdraw -those buses of this type which are already in service. The committee, however, has decided that these buses are in no way dangerous. The difficulty can, of course, snore readily be met by incorporating an emergency exit at the iii n the design of tho vehicle, and in many areas this is made a condition of the issue of a licence for a vehicle of the ane-man-controlled,type.

Bus Service -to -Wembley.

In connection with the British Empire Exhibition which opens at Wembley towards the end of this month, the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., have made very comprehensive arrangements in the matter of bus services, and 11 bus routes have been so planned -that visitors will be able readily to reach the site of the Exhibition from most parts of London.

Services have been arranged which commence at the -following points :— Hackney Wick, Old Ford, 1,011 don Bridge (2),Grove Park, Crystal Palace, Walthamstow, Nawooci Junction, „ Golders Green, Putney and Kingston, and in each case the tourney's end is at Wembley, where the company have built a special motorbus station with covered platforms in order to ensure comfort for-.waiting passengers.

Goodyear Products:

The Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., 162, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.C.2, have just issued a "Product Bulletin," which takes the form of an illustrated review of the company's various products. The descriptive matter is necessarily brief, hilt ample reference is made to those produets which are in more general demand. A perusal of this pamphlet shows how complete is the range of Goodyear tyres for all classes of motor vehicle, and special attention is given to all-weather--pneumatic, solid and cushion tyres—which are suitable for use on pods vehicles. Tyre-savers, accessories and fan belts are also referred to, as well as those and Vansmission belting,, suitable for use in both garage end factory.

A Paraffin-driven Bus.

The Danish firm of Thornycroft Scandinavia, Ltd., recently completed a motorbus fitted with a paraffin-burning engine. This unit generates 30 h.p., and gives the vehicle a maximum speed of 45 k.p.h. During a trial trip of the vehicle over a distance of 270 idioms. the engine only burned 65 litres of paraffin, resulting in a saving, as compared with petrol, of 9.90 kronen per 100 kiloms.

Protection for Traffic Police.

The chief constable of Eastbourne hag asked the watch committee to provide traffic constables with white waterproof coats, stating that there is no doubt that ,some measures are necessary to render the police engaged on this duty snore conspicuous, both from the, point of view of securing more efficient regulation of traffic and also in regard. to the men's own personal safety.

Folkestone Bus Licences.

At a meeting of the Folkestone Watch Committee a letter was read from the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., with reference to the granting of licences in respect of new omnibuses belonging to the company, on condition, that they were in substitution for vehicles already licensed. The company pointed out that they have not objected to the proposal, as they understand it has been decided not to increase the number of licences at present granted, bat they peint out that if this is not the case, and additional licences me being issued to any ether proprietor, they reserve the right to appeal to the Ministry of Transport against the decision of the council. The committee has decided that no licences be granted for additional buses pending the result of the conferenco now taking place with the focal authorities of Ilythe, Sandgate and Cheriton.

Missing. Magnetos.

In our small advertisements will he found an announcement to the effect that a prominent firm of manufacturers in the commercial-vehicle industry will 'pay a sum of L20 to any person who gives information which will lead to the recovery of a number of magnetos which is believed to have laeen stolen from the company's works.

lky A typographical error in our description, appearing in our issue for April 8th {page 245), of a new American petrol-electric vehicle, the stroke of the Buda engine employed in the chassis was given as 14i ins. It should, of course, have been 5L. ins.

Passenger Vehicle Insurance.

We have always been strong advocates of comprehensive insurance for all coinmereial vehicles, and particularly for those carrying passengers, and we were interested in the prospectus recently sent to us by the Universal Automobile Insurance Co.' Ltd., 11 and ,13, Elizabeth Street, London, S.W.1.

This gives the 'premium rates for the insurance of coaches used both for excursion trips and private hire purposes. To our mind the rates seem quite reasonable and the cover ample. For vehicles not exceeding 20 hp, and 41,000 value,

the premium is ; not exceeding 40 h.p. and £1,250 value. 20; not exceeding 60 h.p. and .1,500 value £22. For these the benefits are, third party, but excluding 'passengers, £10,000 in any One accident, the number of which may be unlimited•in the year; full value for accidental damage, fire, theft or stealing the vehicle be burglary.

The rates to cover passenger risks are 4s. 3d., 6s., 7s. and 8s. per seat on the total capacity for E1,000, £2,000, L5,000 and .L10,000 indemnity, respectively, Cheaper policies can be obtained giving third-party cover only, as above, at £10 and £11 for vehicles of the powers and values specified, with small extras for fire and theft.