News and Comment.
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This journal is the only recognized authority ; it is exclusively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses. It has by far the largest and best circulation.
We make further announcements in regard to our Coronation-time intentions on page 25.
Interesting particulars about the Garrett superheated-steam tractor will be found on pages 29-31.
Price's Patent Candle Co., Ltd., of Battersea (London) and Bromborough (Cheshire), has purchased two 16 h.p., 20-cwt. Albion vans.
Further efforts are being made to recruit tradesmen, mechanics and drivers for the Mechanical Transport Section of the Army Service Corps—see advertisement in this issue on page IV of supplement.
The Postmaster-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, in respect of the Victorian Department, invites tenders (supplement, page V) for the supply of two or three commercial-type, petrol-driven motorcars.
We desire to draw attention to certain corrections in respect of remarks which were attributed to Mr. Dugald Clerk, F.1T.S., in the course of the report in our last week's issue, upon the proceedings at the Institution of Automobile Engineers on the 15th February— see page 42.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has made a donation of 100 guineas to the annual commercial-vehicle parade of the Commercial Motor Users Association, in respect of the parade which is to take place in June next. It appears that, owing to side-show encroachments, the Palace grounds will not do for the parade. A better ground will be chosen. Argylls, Ltd., of Alexandria, N.B., desires it to be known that the company is making a 15-cwt. van, in addition to heavier commercial-motor productions.
The Medical Superintendent of the West Ham Hospital has submitted estimates, amounting to £1,420 exclusive of alterations to buildings, for the replacement of the horse-drawn am-bulance. and disinfecting vans, at the Plaistow Hospital, by motors, and the project has been approved.
The Only Way.
Is not the delivery of petrol or tires, other than by motor, unless in exceptional cases, in the nature of an insult to the motor industryl The possible consequences of that risk are being appreciated, and we are not surprised to find houses taking steps to do some at least of their dispatch-department work by motorvan. A case in point, that of the Polack Co., is now illustrated. The van is mounted on a " Commer-Car " chassis (MC. type), which can easily take 30-cwt. loads ; the colour scheme catches the eye at once, being bright yel
low with green lettering, whilst a replica of the Polack poster is painted on each side. It should save money on its rounds, in actual costs replaced, and should prove a good advertisement for Polacks.
R.A.S.E. Entries.
Mr. Thomas Mellow, Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, whose offices are at 16, Bedford Square, W. C., gives notice that intending exhibitors in the Implement Department, which includes commercial motors, must send in entries so that they reach him on or before Monday next the 20th inst. The 8.1VI.M.T. offers no objections.
Wellington Tractors.
Steady output of Wellington tractors, both for home and export trade, continues from the Wellington Foundry of William Foster and Co., Ltd., at Lincoln, whose sales have considerably benefited since the unique forms of outside-spring suspension was adopted. It will be recollected that this particular suspension was first publicly exhibited at the Gloucester Show of the R.A.S.E., in 1909. A recent delivery, for the Bullock's Hall Colliery, Chevington Station, Acklington, of which concern Mr. Robert Wood is the proprietor, is illustrated on page 41. This tractor has 15-milecapacity water tanks and the trailer is of the Foster six-ton, spring-mounted type, but of a somewhat-unusual pattern, in that it has " envelope " ends.
The Motor Transport Reserve.
At a meeting between Mr. T. E. Harrison, of Waring and Gillow, Ltd., and Lord Esher and the headquarters staff of the Territorial organization, on Monday last, the principle of a civil motor-transport reserve, as elaborated by Mr. Harrison in our issues of the 21st and the 28th of April and the 5th of May, of 1910, was, after considerable discussion, fully accepted. Waring and Gillow, Ltd., will form the first motor-transport reserve company, and the complete organization of this pioneer equipment will at once be taken in hand. No uniforms will be worn at present, but a smartly-designed armlet is to distinguish the drivers and other members of this company. As the result of this decision is likely to be a far-reaching one, we take the first opportunity to tender our congratulations to Mr. Harrison upon this successful issue to his energetic endeavours.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board received 11 tenders for a 10-passenger motor omnibus, and they accepted that of Messrs. Dennis Bros. at 2494 18s.
In the prospectus concerning the new issue of debentures by Harrods, Ltd., mention is made of the intention of this company to provide increased garage accommodation for its delivery-vans, and also largely to increase its fleet.
Arrol-Johnston.
We illustrate a two-ton ArrolJohnston vehicle, which is owned by the Ayrshire Hide and Skin Co., of Ayr, N.B., and is used as a collecting car. The chassis has a 13 h.p. two-cylinder vertical engine, with dual ignition, and the transmission provides four forward speeds and a reverse. The van has proved itself a valuable acquisition.
Old Daimlers.
A "fine old warrior," one of the original 9 h.p. two-cylinder Daimlers, has been running for some years for its present owners, Fox's Laundry, of Birkbeck Road, Beckenham, Kent. The mileage to date is unknown. The original chassis, engine and wheels, are in use, but it has been brought up to date in ignition details, etc. The owner has also fitted new gears. A second and identical one is used as a reserve, whilst a third machine is being fitted up with smart van body, and this will be put into service soon. The Fox concern was the first in this line to employ motorvans for delivery and collection, and to serve a large radius round Bromley, Norwood, etc. The first-named van was illustrated in our last week's issue.
A Standard of Efficiency for Drivers.
The Highways Committee of Westminster City Council. report having considered the question of a standard of efficiency for the Council's motor drivers. The Council's motors, save the three Thornycroft steamers, are maintained by the makers under contract, and the Committee has informed the maintenance contractors, Messrs. Thornycroft and Co., and Leyland Motors, Ltd., that in the Committee's opinion, it would be to the contractor's advantage in the case of a man proposed to be engaged by the Council as a motor driver if they were afforded an opportunity of satisfying themselves of the man's suitability for the position, and that the Committee is willing to afford an opportunity for the contractors so to satisfy themselves before making any appointment in future. The Committee has given instructions that a man shall not be appointed to the position of motor driver until he shall have satisfied the Council as to his experience, character, etc., and the contractors as to his suitability to drive the Council's motor wagons.
Yorkshires in South India.
A photograph of one of a fleet of Yorkshire three-ton steamers is reproduced on page 28. These machines are of the maker's usual three-ton size, but are built extra long, in order to take a passenger body. The chassis are mounted on specially-long flexible springs, in order to conduce to the comfort of travelling. A regular daily service is maintained, between two Indian towns which are 45 miles apart, and the vehicles are carrying out the duties allotted to them in a mostsatisfactory way.
Sheppee Steamer Highly Successful in Zululand.
The European residents in the districts of Gingin-Hlovu and Eshowe (the capital of Zululand), between which places the Natal Government's Sheppee steam vehicle is now working, have sent a telegram of thanks to Mr. W. A. Deane, the late Minister of Agriculture for Natal, for his having purchased so excellent a machine for service in that country.
Marshall Tractors.
A remarkable success has attended the exhibit of Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd., of Gainsborough, at the United Provinces Exhibition recently held at Allahabad, India. No fewer than four gold medals, one of the four Grands Prix, and the silver cup presented by "Indian Engineering" for the best exhibit tending
to promote native industries, have been awarded to the products of
this world-renowned factory. Another success, in South America, is the only Grand Prix for portable engines at Santiago.
Berkshire Roads.
The surveyor to the Berkshire County Council, Mr. J. Frederick Hawkins, gives notice that the following main roads are closed to heavy tralle for approximately eight weeks :—Faringdon-Oxford, between Fyfield and Tubney Wood (alternative route via Frill ord) ; Maidenhead-Windsor (alternative route Braywick, HolLport, Oakley Green and Dedworth ; Bath Road, Maidenhead-Knowl ill (alternative route via Hurley, Remeaham, Wargrave and Twyford); Newbury-Hungerford, between Denford Hill and Hungerford (alternative route from Newbury, turn to right at Avington cross roads, via Radley Bottom Cottages and Eddington).
The 14 h.p. Unic van, which we illustrated last week, is owned and maintained by the Metropolitan Garage Association, Ltd., of Palace Street, Victoria, S.W.
Not all commercial motors are as heavy as railcars, yet a few of the unloading difficulties which are related on page 28 may have their application, to other than railcar shipments, at their points of destination. Of course, once unloaded, the ordinary motor vehicle or tractor is able to cover any intervening few miles upon its own wheels, but not so in the ease of flanged wheels of small face.
"Solidified" Petrol.
We are at a loss to understand the claims which are being made for so-called " solidified " petrol. What about price ? Little is said on this subject. Again, we seriously question the alleged reduction in volume. We are open to conviction that " solidified" petrol will ever be of interest to owners of business motors, but we are frankly doubtful. Also, what about uniformity? For these reasons, we invite some information of an independent and quantitative nature about the points indicated. Until that is given, we remain sceptical.
1..G.&. Orders.
Dated the 7th inst., two new ,t Orders have been issued by the Local Government Board, in amendment of regulations under ' the Motor Car Acts of 1896 and 1903. One of these, in order to bring the matter of compulsory reversing mechanism into line with the recent International Convention, which allows a limit of 350 kilos. legalizes the increase of the unladen weight of motorcars which are not required to have reversing gear from 5 cwt. to 7 cwt. We intimated that this decision had been taken, so far back as our issue of the 13th October last. The other Order modifies Article XVII of the Heavy Motor Car Order, 1904, in respect of exemptions allowed to State-owned military vehicles and tractors, and is not therefore of general interest.
Lacre Vans.
The two illustrations below are of two 18 h.p., 15-cwt. Lacre vans which have recently been delivered to the Nugget Polish Co., Ltd. The design of the bodies is such as again to enforce the soundness of the view that commercial motors can bring huge advertisement to their owners. We desire to mention that -Messrs. Williamson and Cole's Lacre van, whichwe illustrated a week ago, is of the 12-15 h.p., 10cwt. type ; the correspondent who supplied the photograph reported that it was of the 30-cwt. type.
A Five-speed Gearbox.
Commercial Cars, Ltd., specifically to meet a demand for five-ton petrol lorries which can haul trailers at times, has perfected a five-speed gearbox. The range of speeds meets all conditions, from light running to drawing three tons on a trailer behind a fully-laden lorry. Machines so fitted are on order in considerable numbers. Amalgamated Motor Drivers.
The annual dinner of the Association of Amalgamated Motor Drivers, the address of whose secretary, Mr. W. Vincent, Is 24, Gayton Road, Hampstead, N.W., will take place at the Association's meeting room, 30, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, E.C., on the 22nd prox.
Lotis Advances.
The two illustrations on page 31 show the latest development of the Lotis hypocyclic gear and pedal control which is being embodied in this season's models. This gear, together with the pedal control, is all mounted on one aluminium casting, thus making a single unit of the gear and control —a point of great importance to users of fleets of vehicles ; should anything go wrong with any portion of the gear or control, or any renewal at any time be required, the entire unit can be removed from the chassis in a very-short time and replaced by another complete unit, the repairs thus being executed without withdrawing the vehicle from service beyond an hour or two, if at all, as such interchange can easily he made at night.
An Insurance Report.
The fourth annual report of the Motor Union Insurance Co., Ltd., for the twelve months ended the 24th December last, has now been issued. The premium income, for the period under notice (the figures in parentheses being for the preceding twelve months), is stated differently from previous periods, by reason of the inclusion with it of amounts which are charged on the other side of the accounts in respect of re-insurances, was £108,691 (X56,571 net); the total funds reached 2153,081, inclusive of fresh capital, issued during the year, amounted to 24,800 (289,889); the claims, commissions and re-insurances paid and outstanding upon the 21th December, 1910, amounted to £88,329 (252,417, without re-insurances). The directors have set aside 243,477 (219,357) for liabilities upon unexpired policies, and this sum includes 23,392 for fire risks (nil). The company is evidently doing a comparatively-large fire business, and much of its extra income apparently came in during the latter part of the year. The expenses of management are £10,375 (210,956), which diminution is not easily explained in relation to the large increase of premium income, but the report, so far as details are disclosed, must be regarded as distinctly satisfactory. A dividend of 10 per cent, has been paid, and 25,000 put to reserve, out of the profits for the year. A large accession of business through the A.A. is one contributing factor to the apparently-improved position.