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WHEELS of INDUSTRY The wheels of wealth will be slowed

by all difThafties of transport at whatever points arieing, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

Standardizing London Coach Fares.

The Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner has circularized a few of the larger operators of public-service vehicles in his area, also the railway companies, London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., Motor Hirers and Coach Services Assoelation, etc., suggesting that operators should endeavour to standardize fares amongst themselves and submit their recommendations to him. Accordingly the M.H.C.S.A. has arranged to hold a meeting on Monday, June 22nd, at 7 p.m., at the Cannon Street Hotel, Loudon, R.C.3, when the matter will be gone

into. All operators of public-service vehicles from termini within the Metro,. politan Traffic. Area„are welcome, and it is proposed to deal first with fares to race meetings and to resorts on the south, south-east and east coasts.

Revised Equipment and Use Regulations.

Incur issue dated June 9th we drew attention to the fact that the Public' Sersice Vehicles (Equipnient and Use) Regulations, 1931, made by the Minister of Transport and dated May 16th, were subsequently revoked, new regulations being issued, although at the time of writing copies were not available. • The statement from the Ministry is to the effect that the fresh regulations will merely postpone to August let the operation of Regulation number 14, which deals with the carrying of conductors on public-service vehicles used as stage carriages. It would appear, therefore, that the remainder of the requirements are as heretofore and as published by us.

The A.E.C. Oil Engine.

Last November the AssoCiated Equipment Co., Ltd., put into service the first of its production-type Acro-licence oil engines ; users were frankly invited to take into their fleets one of these engines and to give the benefit of their operating experience to the maker in order to help in the improvement of what was admitted to be a highly developed example of the light compression-ignition engine. The first production programme has been dealt with in this way ; the manufacturer would like to remind users of A.E.C. vehicles that some time must elapse before further deliveries of the compression-ignition engine can be given. In the interim research work and special tests are proceeding, the results of which will be embodied in the future products.

Harrier's Progress.

At the annual meeting of Karrier Motors. Ltd., recently held at Rudders: field, Mr. H. F. Clayton„ chairman of the company, presided. He said that, during the past year, the company's heavy-duty chassis and road-cleansing appliances found a fairly ready market, whilst the trolley-bus made further progress. The Karrier road-rail bus was completed and thoroughly tested, and the vehicle which was demonstrated to the L.M.S. RailwayCo. will shortly be placed in regular service.

L'10 He referred to the recent introduction of "the mechanical horse," which it is -expected will replace many of the large number of horses still in use by the railway oompanies. The four big English railway groups have each placed orders for the Cob and Colt threewheelers, one of them havingalready placed two repeat orders.

Mr. R. F..-Clayton, vice-chairman of the company, spoke on the dilliculty„of designing vehicles which, whilst meeting customers' recruirementsr would also come within the innumerable conditions laid.down by the Road Traffic Act and the regulations which the Minister of Transport is'empowered to make under the Act. Ile added that the regulations governing the running of goods and passenger vehicles were also causing the greatest concern to operators, who often find themselves incapable of understanding and complying with the maze of restrictions which has been built up.

New London Coastal Station.

It is now announced that the new station, which is beinsb constructed in Buckingham Palace Road, London, S.W.1 for London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., is to be completed by the end of the year, and will be in operation from early in January. 1922, probably from January 1st. The arrangement to use the station in its half-completed form from about August this year has been dropped, and the station at la, Lupus Street, will be in service until the end of 1931.

New Vehicle Registrations.

The Ministry of Transport has issued a return giving particulars of the number of motor vehicles registered for the first time under the Roads Act, 1920, during the month of April, 1931, the figure being 25,882, as compared with 34,324 in April, 1930. This year's total includes 831 hackney vehicles, al against 1.364 in April, 1930, and 3,974 goods vehicles, compared with 3,928 last year.

A Trial in France for Commercial Motors.

The industrial-vehicle trials, which are run in conneetion with the annual Routes Paveee meeting at Lille; this year bid fair to be much more interesting than usuaL On former occasions the Concours des Vehicules Industriels has been more in the nature of a publicity demonstration than a serious test, but this year the regulations have been altered. Amongst other points, fuel consumption per tonkilom. will be taken into account, vehicles being divided for this' purpose into three classes : (a) Those running on petrol ; (b) on heavy oil ; (c) on solid fuels with the aid of gas producers.

Cups are being offered in each class, and the number of cups and trophies obtainable in connection with the event is now nine.

The trials, which take 'place from September 14th to 18th, comprise a number of long (leak out-and-home _ runs from Lille. -The important • publicity value 'ofthe Concours has not been forgotten, for ,exhibitions .of vehicles will be held at Boulogne, Arras, Cambrai, Valenciennes, Roubaix, and, of course, Lille.

Full particulars may be obtained from the chief organizer, M. Leon Manaud, 3, Cite Berere, Paris.

Bus Results at Lincoln.

The report of the general manager of the passenger-transport undertaking of Lincoln Corporation shows that, in the year ended March 31st last, the revenue amounted to 148,728, as against 148,269 a year earlier, the'total working expenses being 128,085, thus showing a gross profit of 110,643. After meeting certain charges, and including the balance brought in from the previous year, this amount is reduced in the net revenue account to 14,859.

During the year the buses covered a mileage of 807,709 and carried 6,322,918 passengers. The corporation fleet consists of 32 vehicles, mostly of Leyland manufacture, and during the year the average number of vehicles in use was 22. The average total revenue per busmile was 14.48d., the average working expenses on the same basil being 11.32d. The total length of routes served by the buses is 22f,miles.

Prince George Visits Leyland Motors.

Arrangements were recently carried through for a visit of H.R.H. Prince George to the works of Leyland Motors, Ltd., Leyland, this inspection being fixed for Friday of last week. It is believed that this is the first commerdal-motor works that has been seen by him, and it is an honour worthy of the very high positioii in the industry which is occupied by this well-known maker. The visit follows the Prince's trip to the British Empire Trades Exhibition at. Buenos Aires, where he saw the fine Leyland exhibits.

Vans Aid a Big Stores.

Messrs. Lewis's, the emporium proprietors, use in connection with transport services of the stores at Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, an average of 150 vehicles per day. They travel approximately 2,000,000 miles per year, and in the year ended February 1st last delivered 3,319205 packages.

In 1894 the total number of parcels delivered was only 50,000. The staff employed in Messrs. Lewis's dispatch anu transport department is 404, not including those employed by contractors. Twenty years ago the delivery fleet consisted of five motors and two horsedrawn vehicles.

Wolverhampton's Profitable Buses.

During the year ended March 31st last Wolverhampton Corporation made a gross profit of £69,090 on its trolleybuses and £21,249 on its motorbuses, the former having carried 25,143,810 passengers, and the latter 13,923,749 passengers.

After providing for interest on capital and other charges, the net profit on the working of the transport department was £8,176, £5,539 of this sum being used for the acceleration of the repayment of the tramway debt, the remainder being carried to the reserve fund.

The operation of tramcars in Wolverhampton was abandoned two years ago and the trolley-buses and motorbuses are achieving considerable success under the guidance of Mr. C. Owen Silvers, A.M.I.E.E., A.M.Inst.T., who is general manager and engineer of the department.

Birmingham Favours One-way Traffic.

Following an examination of the various advantages of the one-way traffic system, Birmingham City Council one day last week approved a proposal that £13,000 should be spent •on altering tramway track so that the system may be introduced in several thoroughfares.

he traffic committee states that this method of operation has for some time been in force in a number of Manchester's principal streets, with the result that a great deal of congestion has

been relieved. The system has also been adopted with beneficial effect by Bournemouth Corporation.

It is further mentioned that Paris took up the system in 1908, and there are now about 230 one-way streets in the city, inclading some of the most important thoroughfares. One-way traffic was first instituted in Sydney, Australia, in 1916, and the area covered by the system has since been considerably extended.

Handling the F.M. Refuse Vehicle.

We are informed by Mr. A. S. Fitch, M.I.A.E., that a new, company, P.M. Motors, Ltd. Manor 'Gardens, Chelsea, London, S.W..3 (Telephone, Flaxman 8181), has been formed for the purpose of handling the F.M refuse vehicle and the commercial side of the business of Fitch, McGillivray and Co., Ltd. This move has been rendered necessary ow

ing to the increasing amount of business in connection with the F.M. outfit, which was described in detail in our issue dated October 7th of last year. The leading feature of the device consists of a treadle-operated folding cover of simple and effective design.

The chairman of the new company is Mr. Eustace Watkins, Mr. Fitch is managing director, and the other directors are Messrs. J. A. McGillivray, M.I.A.E., and A. F. Kemp, n:M.I.A.E.

Last Omnibus Society Paper of the Season.

At the Omnibus Society's last evening meeting of the season, which was recently held at the Institute of Marine Engineers, Minories, London, E.C.3, a paper was read by Mr. A. Regnauld, B.Sc., on motive power for road passenger vehicles'. Mr. Regnauld dealt mainly with the history of the steam, electric, petrol-engined and oil-engined vehicles and discussed some of the features of each. He emphasized the good points about the heavy oil engine for passenger vehicles and particularly the fact that it may be possible in the future to use fuel from British coal. Personal Pars.

Mr. Frederick G. Bristow, F.C.I.S., M.Inst.T., general' secretary of the Commercial Motor Users Association, has been elected chairman of the Public Safety Committee and chairman of the Road Safety Committee of the National Safety First Association.

Mr. E. R. Park, who has for many years been connected with the overseas staff of the Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd., has now joined It. and J. Park, Ltd., and its subsidiary company, Park, Backeridge and Co., at Dominion House, Thames Road, Chiswick, London, W. R. and J. Park, Ltd., is well known in the motor trade by reason of its activities in connection with the packing and shipping of motor vehicles overseas.

In the annual prize-drawing competition organized by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers of London and the Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers, one of the draughtsmen of Strachans (Acton), Ltd., Mr. R. G. Stanford, secured the first prize in the saloon showroom van class.

A Wigan Bus-service Development.

Formerly served by tramcars, the Martland Mill route of Wigan Corporation, on which for the past six years trolley-buses have been operating, is to witness another change in transport. In order to save expenditure on the overhead equipment, the tramways committee has decided to replace' the trolleybuses by petrol buses.

The Wigan tramways manager (Mr. J. Brierley) has prepared a scheme for developing the bus undertaking. He estimates that the increased coat of operating motorbuses would amount to approximately £900, assuming a cost of 1224d. per mile for buses and a cost of 11.06d. per mile for trolley vehicles. If, however, the trolley-buses be retained for the balance of their estimated life, namely, four years, it will be necessary to incur additional expenditure On repairs of approximately £1.000. The estimated net saving is £412 per annum.

Profit on Plymouth Buses.

A net surplus of 15,651 is announced on last year's working of Plymouth Corporation's buses, whilst the gross profit to be carried to the net-revenue account is £43,112 (3.608d. per busmile). The revenue from the buses was £138,717, or 11.607d. per bus-mile.

Traffic expenses totalled £37,821 '(3.164d. per bus-mile), power costs £25,577 (2.141d. per bus-mile), and repairs and maintenance £22,130 (1.8514.

per bus-mile). General expenses amounted to £5,806 (0.485d, per busmile), whilst the cost of licences was £4,272, or, on a bus-mile basis, 0.358d.

The total mileage covered by the buses was 2,868,162. A.E.C., Leyland, Guy and Burford vehicles were in use in March last, when our annual analysis of municipal bus services was pub lished, the fleet numbering 84. • Cultivating Trade with the Argentine.

As already announced, Rootes, Ltd., the world exporting concern for Commer commercial vehicles and Humber and Hillman ears, regards the possibilities of the South American market of such importance that it has established a new company under the title of Rootes (Argentina), Ltd. Imposing premises for showrooms and offices have been taken at Callao 1111, Buenos Aires, and these were formally opened on June 3rd. About 400 guests took part in the inaugural ceremony, amongst them being a number of prominent personalities in the Argentine. The sales director pf the new company is Mr. R. W. H. Cook.

Road Schemes Approved.

During the month of May schemes for widening, reconstruction and other improvements of classified roads and bridges; and for the construction of new roads and bridges of classification value, involving a total estimated expenditure of £1,750,000, were formally 'approved for Road Fund grants. The total value of schemes for the improvement of classified roads and bridges definitely approved for commencement by the present Government is now nearly £40,000,000. Amongst the schemes approved in May was one for the construction of 21 miles of new road to by-pass Penrith, at a cost of £96,000.

Financial assistance has also been 1322 indicated towards works on unclassified roads and bridges in various counties, including Northampton (£48,000), Cambridge (122,000), and Nottingham (£19,000), the total estimated expenditure being 1301,000.

A Wide Range of Battery Chargers.

We have recently received a copy of publication T 659 of the Edison Swan Electric Co., Ltd., 123-5, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C,4. This

deals with the wide range a Tungar battery-charging sets marketed by the concern. There are models for charging an individual battery, while on the vehicle, or the largest public charging station can be equipped with a Tungar set, capable of dealing with tram or train-lighting batteries. For the batteries of electric industrial trucks

these appliances are of great value. Not only is the principle of these devices of use for supplying new energy to batteries, but it can be made to perform many other functions by supplying a direct current from an alternating source.

Ransothes' Report.

The report of Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., for the year ended March 31st, 1931, shows loss of 128,348, after making provision for depreciation and deducting interest on debenture stock and deposits. The balance available at the end of the previous year was £59,577, so that, after deducting the year's loss, a sum of £31,229 remains. A dividend to June 30th, 1930, ou the preference shares absorbed £5,500, leaving a balance of £25,729. No dividend is to be paid on the ordinary shares for the year or on the preference shares for the half-year ended December 31st, 1930.

The directors state that the losses have been brought about by the abnormally low prices of agricultural products throughout the world, which represent; in almost every ease, appreciably less than the cost of production, reducing the farmer's purchasing power.

Scintilla's to Make Fuel-injection Pumps.

The Scintilla Co. of Solothurn, RwitzerIand, which hitherto has concentrated its. activities on ignition, lighting and engine-starting equipment, has decided to set apart a porton of its works for the manufacture of fuelinjection pumps for oil engines, under licence from Gebruder Sulzer. '

Commer-Longevity.

J. A. Hunter and Co., of Liverpool, has in use two Commer lorries, one a 3-4-tonner, which was purchased in 1916, and the other a 5-tonner delivered in 1920. The former has covered well over 100,000 miles, whilst the latter has about 70,000 miles to its credit The 5-tonner Was used constantly for a period of three years for journeys between the Liverpool and London factories, occasionally doing the round trip twice a week. This lorry was totally dismantled about a year ago, but the only components of any importance that showed signs of wear were one or two of the gearbox pinions. The lorry is now being converted to pneumatic tyres to bring it into line with the times. Municipal, Bus Progress in Glasgow.

During the year ended May 31st last the revenue of the transport department of Ghtsgow Corporation showed an increase of 169,143 over that for the previous year, although the revenue per vehicle-mile actually fell from 15.518d. last year to 14.428d. this year. Both the subway and tramway sections showed a decreased revenue, but on the buses the revenue increased by £179,948.

Factories and Sites Available.

We learn that an extensive freehold industrial estate has become available for sale, in one or more lots, adjacent to Southall Station, on the Great Western Railway main line. The estate covers an area of about 74 acres, of which 10 acres are occupied by substantially constructed factory buildings, containing about 450,000 sq. ft. of floor area. The estate is served by sidings from the railway, also by the Grand Junction Canal, on which there are docks capable of accommodating 12 barges. Installations include electric generating plant of about 1,800 kilowatts output,' cold storage and refriger ating plants, company's water, artesianwell water; electric power, gas, etc. Messrs. Leopold Farmer and Sous, 40, Gresham Street, London, E.C.2, have the estate in hand for disposal.

Descriptive of the Fordson Tractor. .• . The new Fordson agricultural tractor is well described and illustrated in a booklet recently issued by the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., 88, Regent . Street,London, W.1. It explains how production costs may be 'reduced to a minimum = and how farming operations can be speeded up by mechanical methods. The many different applications of the Fordson tractor are referred to, both descriptively and pictorially.

A Useful Coach Fitting.

Some months ago we agrees to try out an example of the Delaielle electric lighter for cigarettes, marketed by Delarelle, Ltd., 30, Newgate Street, London, E.C.1.

It is a remarkably neat -little instrument costing only 5s. retail, and with a current consumption of 3 amps. To light a cigarette it is merely necessary to drop it into an orifice and press a button for several seconds. Fitting

can be carried out rapidly and new elements, including fitting, can be obtained for 2s. We have found it simple, efficient and effective. Such a moderately priced device as this should be much in favour for use on de luxe coaches.

Municipal Bus Working at Blackburn.

In the year ended March 31st, 1931, the revenue resulting from the operation of the buses of Blackburn Corporation amounted to 119,795, whilst working expenses totalled £16,240, the balance of fi,..,555 being carried to the net revenue account ; the amount carried to the appropriation • account, after meeting interest charges, was £2,513. The total deficiency on the operation of the system during the past year was £548, as compared with 11,855 a year 'earlier.

During the year the buses covered 367,032 miles and carried 2,316,573 passengers, -the • average number per busmile being 6.31.

Bus services were inaugurated in Blackburn in November, 1929, and, at the end of March last the corporation was operating 23 Leyland vehicles. The gross capital expenditure in conneetion with the bus system has been 161,944.

Lubricating Oil for Buses.

Silvertown Lubricants, Ltd., Minoco Wharf, West Silvertown, London, E.16, advises us that it has been appointed one of the two official suppliers of lubricating oils to the Midlands Area Omnibus and Coach Owners' Association, which has headquarters at Leicester. This association comprises several hundred members whose services 'cover the -counties of Leicester, Worcester, Bedford, -Lincoln. Northampton, Stafford, Oxford . and Warwick.

A torkshire Acquisition.

7'he Commercial Motor understands that the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., of Harrogate, has taken over the services and fleet of Messrs. H. Dodsworth, Boroughbridge, who have for some years operated buses between Knaresborough and Ouseburn Village, and between Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, on the latter route in opposition to the West Yorkshire concern.

The former two services between Harrogate and Boroughbridge are to be reorganized to give an hourly headway on week-days, with additional buses on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Municipal Purchases and Proposals.

REXHAM Town Council is to purchase a fire-engine..

REDCAR Town Council proposes to purchase a fire-engine for "11,385.

PLYMOUTH Corporation is temporarily to hire a Leyland bus and a Daimler bus.

The cemetery committee of PLYMOUTH Corporation has authorized the purchase of a lorry.

CaNTEteetrav City Council has ordered a Morris-Commercial 250-400gallon fire-engine.

The fire-brigade committee of ILFORD Corporation has authorized the purchase of a motor tender.

The works • committee of PLYMOUTH Corporation is to obtain tenders for the supply of three lorries.

The watch committeeof ROTHERHAM Corporation is considering the purchase of a utility van for the police.

. F. G. Smith (Motors), Ltd., is to supply two Dennis motor mowers to ILvoan Corporation ; the cost is £169.

OXFORD Corporation is seeking sanction for a loan of 11,000 for the purchase of' a Dennis 550-gallon gully. emptier.

The highways committee of DOUGLAS (I.O.M.) Corporation has authorized the purchase of a Ford tipping lorry at a Cost of /290.

The education committee of GLASGOW Corporation has referred to a sub-conimittee tenders for be supply of four buses and a lorry.

The public-assistance committee of MIDDLESEX County Council recommends the purchase of two Crossley ambulances at a cost of £1,469.

The electricity committee of Prymount Corporation is to obtain tenders fop the supply of a specially equipped vehicle for the transport of meters.

The parks committee of Imeonn Corporation recommends acceptance of the tender, at 1247, of Mr. W. J. Reynolds, East Ham, for a Ford 30-cwt. lorry.

The transport committee of ROTHERHAM Corporation is to purchase a 5-ton tipping lorry, a 30-cwt. tipping lorry,. and a low-loading motor for the highways department.

DUNGANNON Union is asking for tenders for the supply of a motor ambulance and these have to be delivered to the clerk, Workhouse Boardroom, Dungannon, by June 24th.

The highways committee of PRESTWICH Urban District Council is to obtain tenders, to be delivered by June 23rd, for the supply of a low-loading vehicle for refuge collection.

GUILDFORD Corporation has placed a repeat order with the Morris Depot, Woodbridge Road,... Guildford, for two Morris-Commercial vehicles equipped with -all-steel bodies, three-way tipping gear and gritting attachments.

ROWLEY Rao's Urban District Council requires three petrol-driven vehicles for house-refuse collection. The machines are to be of the 7 cubic yd. dustlessloading type and suitable for use in hilly districts. Tenders have to be delivered to the clerk, Council House, Old Hill, Staffordshire, by June 20th.