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

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 World Motor Transport Congress.

The World Motor Transport Congress for 1927, which has been organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, opened yesterday at the Savoy Hotel, London, which will be the headquarters of the Congress.

Sir George Beharrell, president of the society, took the chair in the morning and welcomed the delegates, being accompanied by the Rt. Hon. Wilfrid Ashley, M. P., Minister of Transport. The subject for discussion during the morning was "Motor Transport as an Instrument of Development of World Resources."

Sir William Joynson-'Hicks received the delegates on behalf of the British Government, and addresed them after a luncheon. Sir Arthur Stanley presided in the afternoon session, when the subject for discussion was "Road Construction and Improvement in Relation to the Development, Efficiency and Economy of Road Transport."

The subject for the third session today (Tuesday) is "The Development of Motor Vehicles Suitable for Service on Bad Roads and for Cross-country Use,"

whilst in the afternoon session "The Improvement of Facilities for International Travel by Road" -will be discussed.

To-morrow (Wednesday), at the morning session, the Object will be "The Necessity for Co-operation Between Road and Rail Transport," and in the afternoon a review of the work of the previous sessions; consideration of resolutions arising therefrom, and proposals tending to increase the utility of this and any future Congress, will serve as a fitting conclusion.

The Karrier-Fowler Gully-emptier.

The Karrier-Fowler gully-emptier, of which an illustration appears on this page, will make its first appearance in London during the period of the Public Works, Roads and Transport Congress and Exhibition, and it will be available for inspection and demonstration in the vicinity of the Royal Agricultural Hall.

The vehicle consists of the Fowler patent gully emptying apparatus mounted upon a 6-ton Karrier K5 chassis. The main features of the chassis include a 60 h.p. engine, a four speed gearbox and final drive by bevel and spur gearing. The main features of the Fowler gully-emptying body which is fitted to the chassis are separate vacuum chamber 165 gallons capacity, sludge tank 705 gallons capacity, cleanwater tank 850 gallons capacity, wastewater tank 70 gallons capacity. Street-watering and washing apparatus is also fitted.

Maintenance of Northern Irish Roads.

It is being advocated that the Government of Northern Ireland should take over all the first-class roads in the province and maintain them. A number of county councils has expressed themselves in favour of the proposal.

Dennis Brothers Distribute 120 Per Cent.

Subject to audit, the directors of Dennis Bros., Ltd., of Guildford, propose to recommend to the shareholders at the general meeting to he held on the 30th inst. a final dividend of 4s. per share; making, with the interim divident of ls., 5s. per share, less tax, for the year. They also propose then to obtain the sanction of the shareholders to apply to the Court for authority to make a further repayment of capital of 7s. per share, thus retitle

nigeach share to 3s., fully paid. The shares thus reduced it is proposed to divide into three shares of ls, each, fully paid.

Magistrates Refuse Evidence of Speedometer.

A very unsatisfactory method of estimating the speed of motorbuses suspected of travelling at an excessive rate has been employed by the police of Northern Ireland for some months, and at last a bench of magistrates has condemned the procedure as unfair. It has been the custom for police to travel in a motorcar behind the bus and to judge the speed of the bus by the reading of the speedometer of the ear.

Recently in a case at Moneymore (Co. Londonderry) Petty Sessions• evidence was given that police in a Ford car followed a Belfast Omnibus Co. vehicle for 14 miles, for the greater part of which the speedometer registered from 28 to 30 m.p.h. Thid speed was denied by the driver, and after consultation with his colleagues the chairman, Mr. Rowley Elliott, a member of the Northern Parliament, dismissed the ease. The magistrates, he said, considered a speedometer not a fair instrument for estimating speed.

Plymouth's Bus Profits.

The accounts of the Plymouth Corporation, dealing with the operation of the municipal passenger services for the half year ended September 28th last, show a net profit of £5,506 on the buses and a net profit of £1,595 on the tramcars. So far as the buses are concerned, a total mileage of 765,388 was run and passenger receipts on the vehicles amounted to £36,820, equivalent to 11.546d. per bus-mile. So far as disbursements are concerned, main; tenance and repairs accounted for £7,991, traffic expenses for £11,802, and the cost of petrol 14,793.

A Special Display of Municipal Vehicles.

A special display of bodies designed for municipal work is being arranged by Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., at its showrooms, 371, Euston Road, London, N.W.1, and they will be open to inspection throughout the run of the Commercial Motor Exhibition at Olympia. The range shown will comprise a fire-engine, a refuse-collecting lorry, a tipping lorry, a special refuse tipping lorry, an ambulance, a general utility vehicle, a municipal light bus, a heavy-duty truck, and a 2-ton six-wheeled chassis.

Over 30 vans and lorries of various types to carry from 10-cwt. to 30-cwt. loads, all mounted en Morris-Commercial chassis, will also be on view.

Liverpbol's Hard-worked Municipal Motors.

In the annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for Liverpool, information is given of the work carried out by the corporation's fleet of motor vehicles engaged in the collection of domestic and trade refuse, street watering, street sweeping, etc. During the municipal year ended March 31et last, the quantity of household and street refuse collected was approximately 318,600 tons.

The whole of the 608 miles of streets with their passages, with the exception of a few on the outskirts of the city, are swept weekly. Three motor sweeping machines are regularly employed, and sweep approximately 30 miles of roadway nightly. On an average 49,000 tons of street sweepings are collected annually and disposed of as manure. In .therstreet watering operations, upwards of 15 million gallons of water are distributed during the season.

Allen-Liversidge Dividend.

Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., has declared -a dividend at the rate of 64 per cent, per annum (less tax) on the preference shares of the company for the six months ended October 31st last.

The Mersey Tunnel Entrance.

The Liverpool Area Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Association has for a long time been in correspondence with the Mersey Tunnel Joint Committee, pressing for an alteration in the location of the tunnel entrance— from Whitechapel to Old Haymarket— and it now has the gratification of an announcement which coincides with its wishes.

"The most remarkable feature about the tunnel scheme," states Mr. C. R. Whitnall, secretary of the area, " is that so far as we know, it was conceived and is being carried out without any regard to the views held by those who are most vitally affected —i.e., the users of road transport. On Merseyside we have a number of road tiansport and similar associations which presumably know something about the industry in which their members are engaged, yet they were never consulted at any time. I refer more particularly to the question of the Whiteehapel entrance. The committee of the C.M.U.A., together with representatives from all the local road trans-. port and other interested bodies, has considered this problem most fully and carefully for the past two years."

A New Concessionnaire.

A newcomer to the trade, as the sole concessionnaire for a well-known chassis, is Mr. Wilfred Buddell, who has secured the sole selling rights in this country for the vehicles manufactured by Messrs. Catlin and Desgouttes, of Lyon and Paris, a concern which has been building motor vehicles for a considerable number of years.

Cottin and Desgouttes vehicles, both commercial and pleasure models, will be marketed in this country by Cottin Commercial Cars, the headquarters of which are at 20, Queen Street, Hammersmith, London, W.6.

Several types of passenger-carrying vehicle are available for seating from 14 to 32 passengers, whilst there is a range of three goods models for loads up to 4 tons. Six-cylindered engines can be provided in certain models.

The London Traffic Pool.

After a two honns' debate, the London County Council recently decided in favour of proposals for the common management, with a common fund, of London traffic, without, however, committing itself to the details of the scheme prepared by the London and Home Counties Joint Advisory Committee. The Labour Party flavoured municipal control, but it was explained by Sir John Hume that the council lost its chance of becoming the traffic authority for the metropolis when it began to operate the tramways.

Result of a Blyth Bus Appeal.

The Minister of Transport has issued his finding in the case of the hearing, held on September 8 mill reported in The Commercial Motor at the time, of the appeal of Messrs. Thomas Allen and Sons, motorbus proprietors, of Blyth, against the refusal of the Newcastle Watch Committee to grant them licences for three omnibuses to ply for hire between Blyth and Newcastle, via Seaton Sluice, Seghill, and Backworth. The Minister states that he has decided not to make an Order on the city licensing authorities. The London Traffic Advisory Committee.

At a recent meeting of the London County Council, Mr. J. D. Gilbert inquired as to the number of members of the London and Home Countiea Traffic Advisory Committee, and on what basis they are elected or appointed and how many members are allotted to the council and other municipal authoritiea out of the total membership, as well as what other interests are represented.

Sir Oscar Warburg, chairman of the traffic committee of the council, replied that the Traffic Advisory Committee consists of 19 members-12 described as " ordinary " members and seven as "additional" members. Of the 12 members described as "ordinary," eight are elected as ' representatives of municipal authorities, two of these being appointed by the council. Of the remaining four, two represent the police and two represent the Govern meat departments concerned, viz., the Home Office and the Ministry of Transport. Of the seven "additional" members, three represent labour engaged in the transport industry and four represent persons providing taDfills of transport and users of road vehicles.

Business Transfer Follows Licensing Difficulty.

The motorbus business of Messrs. Webster, Darlington Street, Wigan, which has been carried on for about 18 months, has been sold to the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and the Lancashire United Transport and Power Co.,. Ltd., jointly. The private coach and the removal business which has been run by Messrs. Webster Thr about 25 years has been retained and will be carried on as usual.

Mr. Webster points out that although applications have been made to the Wigan Corporation for licences to enable him to ply for hire in Wigan, and he had applied to the Minister of Transport, the result was not successful. He had endeavoured to arrange a ticket system to keep within the law, E18 but the justices have held that he was still plying for hire and he had been fined a large number of times. Recognizing that he must comply with the law, although he considered that the council might reasonably have granted him the licences, Mr. Webster decided not to risk further police-court proceedings, but to take advantage of the opportunity for transferring his business to other similar _concerns.

Irish Bodybuilders Active.

Dublin bodybuilders are making a determined effort to secure the work of constructing bodies for bus chassis imported into the Irish Free State. They have applied to the Tariff Commission to have a special tax imposed on imported bus bodies.

The Newport to Gloucester Service Inaugurated.

The inception on November 7th of the new direct Newport to Gloucester bus service, inaugurated by the Gloucester Services, Ltd., was marked by the attendance on the first buses running between the towns of the representatives of all the local authorities through the areas of which the buses ply for hire. In addition, representatives of all the Chambers of Trade and Commerce of the district were present and were entertained both at Gloucester and Newport by the directors of the enterprise.

At the luncheon at Gloucester, Messrs. T. R. Jenkins, J.P. (director and secretary of the company), John H. Watts, A. T. Perkins, J. Price and T. J. Jones, directors, were present. It was stated that the company has obtained a controlling interest in South Moumouthshire Motors, Ltd.

Owner-drivers to Meet.

The Owner-drivers Protection Association, of 163, Hornsey Road, London, N.17, is holding a concert meeting at Marnington Hall, Canonbury Lane, London, N.I, on Tuesday next (22nd instant) at 7.45 p.m. The chair will be taken by Norman Sargent, Esq., and owner-drivers are invited to attend.

A Summons Concerning Trailer Brakes.

A case of some importance to concerns using heavy vehicles with trailers was recently heard at Stoke, before Mr. B. C. Brough, the Potteries Stipendiary Magistrate. The hearing particularly concerned the summoning of Robinson (Manchester), Ltd., Knolls House, Bury New Road, Salford, in respect of failing in three cases to have a competent person, besides the driver, to control the brake of a trailer drawn by one of the company's lorries. The defendant was fined £1 and ordered to pay £3 3s. special costs on one summons, and the other two cases were dismissed on payment of 4s. costs.

Mr. G. W. Huntbach, who defended the case on the instructions of the Automobile Association, stated that he would shortly be able to say what action concerning the matter the A.A. intended to take. He said that there was a possibility of the Association making a test case of it

New Vehicle Registrations.

Information as to the number of new motor vehicles of each description registered in Great Britain is made available for the months of March, April and May, 1927, in a return just issued entitled "Road Vehicles—Great Britain," copies of which (price 6d.) can be obtained from ELM. Stationery Office, Adastral House, London, W.C.2.

During these three months 121,303 motor vehicles • were registered for the first time, including 57,541 cars taxed on horse-power, 48,087 cycles, 11,148 goods vehicles and 3,050 motor hackneys. The return includes details of the numbers of each class of vehicle registered by each licensing and registration authority.

From Colliery to Householder.

The bulk delivery of coal to London householders direct by road from South Wales collieries has recently formed the subject of an interesting experiment. In conjunction with the Albion Steam Coal Co., Ltd., the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., made arrangements for the carriage of 12 tons 13 cwt. of large coal from the Albion colliery, at Cilfy-. nydd (near Pontypridd), to consignees at Plumstead.

One of the latest type Super-Sentinel six-wheeled wagons was used, and the journey of approximately 175 miles was made and the coal all stowed in cellars at Plinnstead in 26 hours.

The delivery of coal direct from colliery to cellars by road motor not only means cheaper supplies, but quicker de,livery, and no breakages.

Since the introduction of its trolley jacks, Harvey, Frost and Co. (1924), Ltd., 148-150, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, has found that there is a demand for an appliance for lifting a vehicle centrally, independent of carrying the weight on the differential case, which, in some instances, is not sufficiently strong to carry the full load of the vehicle. To meet this demand, the company has now introduced a double-crutch fitment which is adaptable to both the 11F trolley and the Hi-Lift jacks. The supporting crutches are adjustable both laterally and vertically. Ambulance Service Developments in Wales.

In the year ended September 30th last the a.mbulances of Ithe Priory of Wales (Order of St. John) Ambulance Services covered 73,045 miles and carried 3,628 patients. Both the mileage and the number of patients carried represent a very creditable increase on the figures for the previous year.

This winter the Priory is to make large-scale extensions of the North Wales ambulance stations and vehicle equipment, whilst in West Wales developments are taking place.

It is intended to standardize on a chassis to be selected to which the Priory's standard type of body will be fitted.

Self-Sealing Rubber Co.'s Report.

The thirty-second annual report of the Self-Sealing Rubber Co., Ltd., shows that the company made a profit in the year ended September 30th last of £8,565, after making full provision for depreciation, income tax and other charges. After adding the balance brought in, a sum of £9,386 is available. A 5 per cent. interim dividend absorbed £1,250, and it is now proposed to pay a final dividend of 15 per cent., free of tax, amounting to £3,750, and to carry forward the balance of £4,386.

New Long-distance Bus Services.

Several interesting limited-stop bus projects are under contemplation in the Teesside neighbourhood. At Middlesbrough, one of the undertakings operating local services on a comparatively large scale, the Blue Band Motor Services, is making preparations to open up a route between Middlesbrough and London to start on a thrice-weekly basis on December 5. The company is buying a number of new vehicles specially constructed for long-distance work, and it is hoped to make the service a daiiy one early next year.

At Darlington, interest is being., dis.

played in the proposal of the Great North of England Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., a new company now being formed, to commence a daily service from Darlington to Carlisle. The local corporation has sanctioned the service in respect of the Darlington district, and has granted licences for 12 omnibuses subject to the usual terms. The same company has under consideration a Tyneside to Nottingham service.

Leo Swain's New Address.

• Leo Swain and Co., Ltd., has removed its Manchester depot to 247251, Deansgath. This change was made at the beginning of the month and was necessitated by the increased business which is now being undertaken by this company.

Lincoln Abandons Trains.

General satisfa tion is being expressed at Lincolni regarding the city council's decision to discontinue the tramway service, hich has never been a financial success, and to run motorbuses instead. M ny new routes will be served, and ap lication for permission to borrow £25,000 for the purchase of 15 new buses is being made to the Ministry of Health.

Next Year's Machine Tool Exhibition.

We understand hat, as a result of the ballot for spac held amongst the members of the M chine Tool Trades Association, 90 poll'cent, of the space on the ground flooll and a considerable proportion of that in the gallery has already been allotted for the fourth Machine Tool and Engineering Exhibition, which takes plixe at Olympia from September 5th-22nd, 1928. Applies.ti ns for the remainin space will be co sidered from conceins which are not m mbers of the Assad tion after Decembe 1st. The Prince of Wales to Open New Bridge.

Arrangements have been comp.eted for the opening by the Prince of Wales on Thursday of this week of the new bridge which has been erected over the River Trent at Gunthorpe, midway between Nottingham and Newark. The work, including n miles of approach' roads, has entailed an outlay of £125,000. The advantage of the alteration is that it will greatly facilitate north-bound traffic, vehicles coming from the south via Leicester being able to utilise the Posseway and to cross the river at Gunthorpe, joining the Nottingham-Bawtry road and securing a direct route to Doncaster, avoiding the necessity of going through Loughborough, Nottingham, Mansfield, and Worksop.

The new bridge has three arch spans and its width between parapets is 40 ft., providing a carriage-way 24 ft. wide and two footpaths each 8 ft. wide. The bridge has been designed to carry a moving load of 60 tons, in accordance with the standard loading of the Ministry of Transport.

A Saurer Demonstration Trip.

With the object of bringing its latest products to the notice of local authorities and public-service organizations, the Saurer Co., of Arbon, Switzerland, has just despatched one of its modern pneumatic-tyred saloon buses on a tour of the South of Trance and Spain. The tour will extend as far as Madrid,. and will comprise a total distance of 'about 2,250 miles, which will be covered in 24 days.

The Leyland Tiger and Titan.

In connection with our recent article on the latest Leyland products, we are asked to point out that the bore of the cylinders is 4iins., and not 4 inn, and the capacity is 6,792 c.c. B.H.l3. pistons are employed, and the oil pump is driven from the front end of the crankshaft. Incidentally, very large brake drums are employed, these having a diameter of 17 ins.