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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

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

Our Passenger-vehicle Number.

The Passenger-vehicle Number of The Commercial Motor will be published this year on February 8th— practically the same date as in 1926. We shall deal in this special issue -with various phases of public passenger transport, the articles being in every ease written by experts in the various subjects, including important contributions from men who have had considerable experience in the operation of services.

The developments of the past year have been extremely interesting and it will be possible in a special issue such as the one announced to deal authoritatively with the developments and to diseues the future expansion of passenger road traffic.

To place an order well in advance with a newsagent is always a wise proceeding in the case of a special issue of The Commercial Motor.

American Production in 1926.

The National Automobile Chamber of Commerce of America reports that 4,480,000 motor vehicles were produced in the United States in 1926, of which 530,000 were trucks and 3,950,000 passenger cars. The wholesale value of trucks and cars totalled 3,056,950,000 dollars. There are 22,330,000 motor vehicles registered in the United States, ,ef which 2,810,000 are trucks.

Exports of motor vehicles from the United States and Canada for the year ended December 31st totalled 550.000.

TillingStevens Overseas Representation.

An interesting function, held at the Savoy Hotel last Wednesday, was a dinner given by Tilling-Stevens Motors, Ltd., to mark the departure overseas in a few days of Mr. Bertram T. Rumble.

Mr. Ramble was managing director of the company until the end of December, but such great importance is now being attached to the question of stimubiting overseas trade that his whole time will now be given to this matter and he will be oplaced in this country by Mr. W. It. Shepherd, who has been with the company for many years.

The chairman at the dinner was Mr. H. E. Carter, chairman of the board, and amongst the guests were the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Harrowby, Sir Edward Manville, Messrs. Randall liolme, E. R. Rayner and Major T. H. Vitty. Mr. U. E. Carter gave the toast" The Guest of the Evening," to which Mr. Rumble replied, and Sir Edward Manville proposed the toast of "The Operating Companies," coupling this with. the name of Lt.-Col. H. I. Robinson, chairman of the Maidstone and District Motor Services Ltd., who replied.

The L.G.O.Co.'s Taxation Commitments.

During the course of this month the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., and Its associated concerns will have paid more than £475,000 to the authorities In connection with licensed-vehicle duties for the year 1927. The increase in the amount paid as compared with

the previous year is approximately £100,000 and is the result of the in'Tease in taxation. The company. says that 4 per cent. of the fare now paid by the Passenger must be handed over to the Road Fund.

In connection with this matter it is as well to consider certain other facts, and these should not be overlooked by those who voice the merits of the tramcar and are ever ready to disregard the taxation which is imposed on companies

operating motorbuses. The buses of the L.G.O.Co. run over about 850 miles of roadway. The total expenditure for London on the maintenance, repair and improvement of the roads works out at an average cost of £980 per mile. The London General Omnibus Co., Ltd.' and its associated concerns contribute £550 per mile for every mile used by their vehicles, or over 56 per cent. of the total expenditure involved. These figures, in themselves, are sufficient to indicate that the buses are contributing a big slice of the sum involved in carrying out this work.

Booking Orders for Coaches.

The forthcoming motor-coaching season promises to be a successful one so far as the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow, is concerned. This company tells us that lready it has received quite a number of orders for the 1927 Albion Viking model, and these orders, many of which are repeats, have for the most part to be delivered before Easter.

Minimum Fares on Tram Routes.

At a meeting of the Hull Watch Cola-tnittee the town clerk referred to the recent decision of the Minister of Transport with regard to the condition as to minimum fares to he charged on tram routes and stated that the H.C. Motor Work, Ltd., had obtained in the High Court a rule nisi for a certiorari to quash the decision and a rule nisi for a mandamus calling upon the Minister to hear and determine the appeal according to law. He informed the committee that the corporation would probably he cited as parties and be served with notice of the rules. It was decided that the corporation be represented at the hearing of the motion, and that the matter be left to the chairman of the committee and the town clerk to take any action thought necessary. Bristol Sales Arrangement.

The Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., announces that it has arranged with the Curtis Automobile Co., Ltd., of Park Royal, Loudon, N.W.10, whereby the latter company becomes sole agent for the sale of Bristol chassis of all types for the area comprising London and the south-eastern counties, Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State, and for motor-coach chassis only for the whole of the United Kingdom and the Irish Free State, with the exception of Bristol and the surrounding • territory.

A New Coachbuilding Concern.

A name well known in the coachbuilding industry will be further perpetuated by the opening of a new concern, the Middleton Carriage Works. Mr. J. E. Middleton, son of Mr. G. Middleton, in conjunction with Mr. R. G. Joyce, has secured premises at Crown Place, Kentish Town Road, London, N.W.5, and intends to specialize in bus, coach and commercial bodywork generally. For the past two years, Mr. J. E. Middleton has been coachwork manager of James Bartle and Co., Ltd.

"United Counties "New Managing Director.

We understand that Mr. Z. J. Johnson has been appointed managing director of the United Counties Omnibus and Road Transport Co., Ltd., in succession to the late Mr. W. B. Richardson, whose recent death is reported elsewhere in this issue. When this company was formed, Mr. Johnson was appointed secretary and director, and apart from acting in the capacity of managing director he will continue to fulfil. the role of secretary to the company. He has many interests in the district in which the services are operated.

Buses Preferred to Trams.

Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee has further considered the proposals of the Potteries Electric Traction Co. in regard to the Hanley and Longton (via Victoria Road) route, and the town clerk reported that it was the intention of the company to relinquish the trams on this route in the event of a satisfactory number of omnibus licences being obtained. It was recommended that the council should grant four additional omnibus licences to the company on this route, subject to the tramway system being relinquished, the tramway track removed and the road restored to the satisfaction of the highways end plans committee.

More Llandudno Coaches.

Fourteen additional licences for motor coaches have been granted by the Llendudno Urban Council. These are as follow :—To Brierley Bros., 4; Llandudno Coaching Co., Ltd., 2; Llandudno Motor and Garage Co., 3; North Wales Silver Motor Co., 3; Carney and Watson, 2. Others were not granted on account of the council's inability to provide further stands for the vehicles.

We regret to learn of the sudden death of Mr. A. Degory, joint managing director of Tecelerait, Ltd.

Devon Bus Fusion.

It is announced that the Devon General Omnibus and Touring Co., Ltd., which maintains an extensive network of bus services in the county of Devon, has recently taken over the interests of the Torquay and Chelston Car Co., which has operated passenger vehicles in the Chelston district of Torquay for some time past. It is stated that the company is also negotiating for the acquisition of other bus interests in the district. It runs a large fleet of buses composed in the main of those of A.E.C. and Daimler makes.

A Clayton Wagons Appointment.

Clayton Wagons, Ltd., has just appointed Mr. Edwin H. judd, of Abbey House, Westminster, London, S.W.1, as its representative in the London area for Clayton steam and electric road vehicles of all types. He also represents Clayton and Shuttleworth, Ltd., for its oil engines and other products. Mr. .Judd will be remembered as at one time being the home sales manager for Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., of Shrewsbury.

Charges for Coach Booking Offices.

Portsmouth Corporation has allocated motor coach booking offices at South Parade Beach, for a period of one year, as follows :—Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., booking office No. 1, at 1105 ; White Heather Motor Service, booking office No. 2, at £65; Silver King Motor Services, Ltd., beoking office No. 3, sit £45; North End Motor Coaches, Ltd., booking office No. 4, at 140; Royal Blue Coaches, booking office No. 5, at £35; Don Motor Coaches, booking office No. 6, at £35.

For Industrial Vehicle Drivers.

A special course on motorcar engineering for drivers of industrial vehicles will commence at the London County Council School of Engineering and Navigation, High Street, Poplar, 11.14, on January 24th. The course will consist of 12 lessons, each of two hours'

duration, and will be given on consecutive Monday evenings. Those who attend will receive instruction relating to the general working principles of a motor vehicle, so that they may be better qualified to diagnose troubles that may occur and make necessary running repain. The fees for the course are quite nominal.

Traffic Growth in Cardiff.

The increase of mechanical, road transport in Cardiff during the past few years is c.ensidered to be in greater ratio than in any other provincial town. The annual increase of motor traffic in the county of Glamorgan was recently reported to a county council committee to be far in. excess of the average for counties. The following figures, supplied by the Cardiff city treasurer, hullcate the annual amounts collected in the city in respect of Road Fund licences for the past six years. The 1926 figures are to November 36th last. 1921, 151,575; 1922, 154,313; 1923, £71,968; 1924, £84,474; 1925, £94,866; 1926, 1101,049.

Pneumatics to Overcome Vibration.

With regard to the complaints of vibration alleged to be caused by the buses of the North-Western Road Car Co., Ltd., the Oldham Watch Committee has ordered the chief constable again to communicate with the company, and to intimate that, in the opinion of the committee, the only remedy is the use of pneumatic tyres in place of solid tyres. The company is being asked to effect the change-over so soon as convenient.

C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., 80-32, Cheapside, London, B.C.2, informs us that it has received the Royal Warrant as purveyors of motor oils to His Majesty the Bing. Leylands "Down Under."

We publish on this page a group of illustrations, the originals of which have recently been received from the New Zealand and Australian branches of Leyland Motors, Ltd. The first vehicle is a 1,201I-gallon tank wagon used by A. S. Paterson and Co., and it is interesting to learn that 42 Leyland vehicles of this type are now in use in New Zealand, these Poing either in the service of the company we have mentioned or the British Imperial Oil Co. Both fleets, we are told, have been purchased within the last 12 months.

The second picture is of a Leyland pantechnicon, in which the makers' A13 chassis on pneumatic tyres is used. This vehicle has only recently been delivered. The company also has in use a model 0 Leyland, which has done

good service since it was put into commission in 1920. The vehicles are used for removals and similar work all over the South Island and journeys of 200300 miles are sometimes carried out.

A model 0 chassis on solid tyres, with wooden dump body fitted with drop and detachable sides and tailboard, is the subject of the third picture. The tipping gear was made by Denton and Co., of Auckland. This vehicle carries builders' supplies and has recently joined a 4-ton Leyland which the user has tad in service for over four years.

Plymouth's Way with Licence • Offenders.

The finance committee of the Plymouth Corporation has decided that all persons committing offences under Section 13 (1) of the Roads Act, 1920, and Section 14 (2) of the Finance Act, 1922, be given the option of payment of a mitigated penalty of 11 and the taking out of the correct licence, as an alternative to legal proceedings. Sales Prospects in Swansea.

Figures relating to the issue of licences for motor vehicles for Swansea are now available. Last year 1,000 commercial vehicles were licensed in the area, the number of hackney vehicles (taxis, buses and coaches) being 375. The total revenue in respect of the issue of licences was £66,300, as compared with £39,800 in 1924. The number of drivers' licences isstted increased from 3,678 in 1922 to 6,274 in 1926.

To obtain an idea of the significance of the figures, a number of Swansea traders was interviewed, and their general opinion is summed up as follows :—Whereas Car sales were almost stationary or below the level of those

in 1925, commercial-vehicle sales were "up," despite the strike, and were the best feature of motor-vehicle sales in the year. A large development in the use of motorcycle outfits for tradesmen has taken place. Commercial-vehicle sale prospects for 1927 are stated to be "very good."

New index figures for Swansea will be needed in the course of a week or so, as the CY series is now within a score or so of the maximum number, 9,999.

Compulsory Third-party Insurance.

At a meeting of the Cheltenham Watch Committee letters were received from the Cheltenham Drapers', hosiers' and Furnishers' Association and the Cheltenham Trade Protection Society enclosing resolutions passed at their respective meetings urging upon the Government the necessity for Qompulsory insurance of all motor vehicles tthird-party risks), and asking the corporation to support the resolutions. The committee decided strongly to urge upon the Government the necessity for compulsory insurance of this kind, in order that persons injured can secure

just compensation. It also requested that the fitness of drivers and their qualifications to operate such vehicle‘, ' should be ascertained.

British Platform Lorries.

We publish on this page illustrations of platform lorries in which the chassis of two prominent British makers are used One of these is a Model 27, 3ton Albion, which has been supplied' to .a building contractor in Glasgow. It is shod with solid tyres, and an electric lighting set forms part of the equipment.

The other vehicle is a 6-ton A.D.C. of the forward-control type, owned by Messrs. Venn and McPherson, haulage contractors of Newport, Mon. The 022 body and cab of this vehicle were constructed by Lovell's Motor Co., of Adelaide Street, Newport. This machine is particularly hard-worked, as in the first part of each week it does a journey from Newport to West Wales and back, and in the second part of the

week carries goods to Birmingham and returns with another load. The owners are impressed with the all-round efficiency of the vehicle.

Licences—on Condition.

Eastbourne Watch Committee has now granted the Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., licences for five additional motor chars-à-banes, but on the condition that these particular vehicles shall not at any time be placed upon any of the hackney carriage stands.

Subsidizing Buses in Belgium.

Front Antwerp we learn that the Societe des Autobus Anversois has notified the municipal authorities of that city that it cannot continue to run the motorbus service under the existing regulations, unless the council can see its way to grant a larger subsidy. The matter is to be discussed at an early meeting of the council.

Tractors for Territorial Units.

The committee of the Pembrokeshire Territorial Association has deferred the purchase of mechanical tractors to replace horses with artillery units--in keeping with a War Office recommendation to all Territorial Associations—be cause the War Department, notwithstanding voluminous correspondence, appears to be unable to suggest to the association the type of tractor that is desirable for the work.

At a recent meeting of the association it was resolved to continue with horsed transport until such time as some definite guidance could be received from the War Department. This decision means the use of horses at this year's camp.

A Spanish Exhibition.

Arrangements are in hand for the holding of the Fifth Spanish International Motor Show in Barcelona from April 27th to May 8th next. Sections will be provided for industrial motor vehicles, buses and accessories.

A Bridge Restriction.

An order has been made by the Ministry of Transport prohibiting the driving of locomotives, heavy motor vehicles and motorcars with a seating capacity exceeding 14 persons, exclusive of the driver, on the highway over Geddington Old County Bridge. Saurer Progress.

At the recent meeting of the shareholders of the Ad. Saurer Gesellschaft, at Arbon, Switzerland. it was stated that the construction of commercial motor vehicles continues to form the main activity of the works. The number of orders booked and the output of vehicles during the five months ended with November last were considerably in advance of the figures for the corresponding period of 1925. The improvement was largely due to an increase in orders from users in Switzerland, but the directors mention that they are not neglecting the export trade, which is full of promise.

Result of a Welsh Bus Appeal.

The Ministry of Transport has now announced its decision in the matter of the appeal made by Messrs. C. Davies and Sons, Dowlais, against the refusals of the Brynmawr, Tredegar and Rhymney Urban District Councils to grant the company licences to ply for hire in their respective areas in connection with a proposed bus service from Merthyr to Abergavenny. A public inquiry was held recently, and a report of this appeared in our columns. The Ministry informs the councils_ that it does not propose to suggest any variation of the decision they have reached.

In our issue dated January 4th we announced that the Ministry upheld the

Merib}r Council in its refusal to sanction a similar project of Western Services, Ltd. That decision, however, was accompanied by a recommendation to sanction a compromise service from Dowlais.

The Tredegar Urban District Council has accorded a vote of thanks to its clerk for the way in which the council's case was presented at the inquiry_ Never Mind the Weather 1

In Cheshire a by-law is being enforced which makes it necessary for motor vehicle drivers in the habit of using waterproof sheets as a protection against wind and rain to exercise caution. At a prosecution at Chester a few days ago a driver of a motor lorry summoned for not having a full and uninterrupted view of traffic was defended by Mr. A. Cl. Ohorley, of Manchester, who pleaded that defendant had a clear view of the traffic in front of him as required by the Motor Car Act. He was surprised to learn that the Cheshire by-laws required a clear view

at each side of the lorry as well as in front. Neither the defendant nor his employers, the Co-operative Wholesale Society, was aware of the by-law. The chairman said it was the duty of drivers and owners to be fully acquainted with the county by-laws. The case was the first of its kind brought before the court ; it was a very proper one to bring, but, in all the circumstances, it would be dismissed on payment of costs.

A.D.C.s for the West Riding.

An idea of the popularity which the A.D.C. chassis is achieving in the West Riding of Yorkshire can be obtained from the list of orders which the Pelican Engineering Co. (Sales), Ltd., Apson Chambers, 68, Albion Street, Leeds (a distributor for the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd.); has on its books. Both goods and passenger vehicles figure in this list, in which the names of 12 different users are to be found.

Six-wheelers for Liverpool.

Liverpool Corporation has decided to acquire four six-wheeled Guy motor omnibus chassis for double-deck buses, each of which will carry 70 passengers.

Plymouth's Traffic Problem.

Plymouth Watch Committee reports that it has further considered the traffic problem in the borough, and various suggestions for securing safety and relieving the congestion in certain districts were dealt with. As to the general alterations necessary to ensure reasonable safety for pedestrians, it is the intention where possible to introduce the one-way traffic system.

We are notified that the British Road Tar Association has changed its address to 17, Grosvenor Gardens, London, &WA.

Eastbourne's New Bus Depot,

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London visited Eastbourne a few days ago to open the new bus depot and workshops which have been erected by the corporation of that resort. These cover half an acre of ground and have cost over £13,000.

After the opening ceremony had been performed, the chairman of the motorbus committee gave a few interesting facts relating to the local bus services. He recalled that the Eastbourne Corporation was the first municipality to obtain Parliamentary powers to run motorbuses, these having been obtained in 1902 and the services commenced in 1904. At the start only four vehicles were in use, whereas to-day 49 vehicles are employed. The number of passengers carried in the first year of the corporation's bus operations was 430,000, whereas last year 10,000,000 people were carried. The total takings since the service was inaugurated have been over £500,000, and the net profit, roughly. L-67,000; of the latter sum £20,000 has been used in relief of local rates. The corporation is a big user of Leyland vehicles.

• Institute of Metal Progress.

At the annual general meeting of the Institute of Metals, to be held in London on March 9th and 10th, it is expected that 17 papers will be submitted. On March Dtir the annual dinner of the institute will take place at the Trocadero Restaurant. The annual autumn meeting of the institute will be held at Derby in September, and arrangements are being made under the direction of Sir Henry Fowler, K.B.E., LL D.

The past year witnessed a steady growth in the membership of the institute, which on December 31st last stood at 1,801 as compared with 1,692 a year earlier.

Don Friction Fabrics.

Small and Parkes, Ltd., Hendham Vale Works, Manchester, which markets the well-known friction fabrics sold under the trade name of Don, has just opened new depots, one being at Hope Street Lane, Cardiff. and the other at 153, Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Death of a Bus Pioneer.

The death of Mr: W. B. Richardson, managing director of the United Counties Omnibus and Road Transport Co., Ltd., recently occurred in Kettering. Mr. Richardson had been associated with bus work for many years and was responsible for the organization of the Suburban Omnibus Co., which operated horsed vehicles in parts of Surrey before the days of petrol and electrid vehicles. He later became associated with the London Central Omnibus Co., and in 1913 turned his attention to the provinces, becoming managing director of the Wellingborough Omnibus Co. The company with which he was latterly connected was formed in 1921 to acquire certain assets of this concern, and it now operates a number of services over a route mileage of nearly 100.

A Colchester Company's Progress.

We have just perused a souvenir programme of an evening's entertainment which was provided by Harold J. Willett, Ltd., the well-known Ford dealers, 'If High Street, Colchester, for the benefit of its customers and friends. It was mentioned during the evening that the company's trading during last year WAS successful, and that in the past three months there had been a remarkable increase in business, largely due, it was stated, to the proved value of the Ford 1-ton lorry and to the favourable position which this vehicle occupies under the new scale of taxation.

A Comprehensive Bus Time-table.

The monthly bus time-table issued by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., is now assuming the proportions of a miniature A.B.C. It is really surprising the thoroughness with which this publication is compiled, and we have no doubt that the time-tables and lists of fares for the large number of services run by the company are highly appreciated by ell those who have occasion to travel between many of the important industrial centres which are served.

Motors in Kenya and Uganda.

_According to the official report on the colony for 1925 just issued, no fewer than 1,600 motor lorries and tractors, valued at £263,950, were imported into Kenya and Uganda in 1925, where only 66 such machines were imported in 1923 and 450 in 1924. Eighty-five per cent. of the machines originated from America, Great Britain being credited with only 8 per cent.

New Edition of "Motor Cycling Manual."

A new edition, the seventh, of "Motor Cycling Manual," compiled by the staff of Motor eliding, has been introduced. It is written in the clearest manner possible, is thoroughly illustrated, interesting and non-technical in style and covers the subject completely. "Motor Cycling Manual" does not assume any previous knowledge of the subject on the part of the reader. He starts right at the beginning and progresses step by step through a complete study of the subject.

Pie book is a complete guide for the prospective motorcyclist and an indispensable handbook of reference to every rider of a solo or combination machine. This new edition has been largely re C24 written, re-illustrated and revised right up to date. " Motor Cycling Manual," seventh edition, is issued by Temple Press Ltd., 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.1, at 2s. 6d. net or post free 2s. 10d., and is now on sale.

Passing on the Increased Taxes.

Hampton Urban District Council has been notified by a contractor for the supply of gravel that there will be an increase of 3d. per yard above contract price to cover the cost of additional taxation of its motor vehicles.

A Non-stop 15-mile Bus Service.

The United Automobile Services, Ltd., has just-made a new departure, so far as motorbus practice in the north country is concerned, by the inauguration of a non-stop service between Blyth and Newcastle, a distance of about 15 miles. The service should prove popular, for in the past the journey by branch railway has been slow and has placed travellers between the two places at a considerable disadvantage. Three journeys each way are made daily.

Commercial Motors in India.

Official returns just to hand show that no fewer than 439 commercial motor vehicles were imported into India during October last, as compared with only 383 in October 1925.

Objecting to Oldham's Proposals.

The North-Western Road Car Co., Ltd., has lodged objections to the proposals of the Oldham Corporation to run bus services in the urban districts of Crompton, Springisead and Lees, and a local inquiry will be held by the Ministry of Transport.

Six-wheelers for Buenos Aires.

We learn that the Buenos Aires Great Southern Railway has recently accepted a tender for the supply of a number of Morris-Commercial six-wheeled vehicles. A satisfactory feature of the order is that it was secured in the face of competition from certain. American makers.

Liverpool's Bus Traffic.

According to the returns submitted to the January meeting of the Liverpool City Council, referring to the operation of the corporation's motorbus fleet, the number of passengers carried during the three weeks ended December 25th was 424,572, as compared with 334,511 in the corresponding period of last year. The mileages in this period were 39,146 in 1926 as against 28,564 in 1925, and the receipts £2,689 and £2,184 respectively. It will be seen that the average fare per passenger is about 1id., arul the receipts per bus mile is. 4id. for the three weeks in 1926 and Is. 61d. for the corresponding period of 1925.

A Bus Station for Durham?

At Durham, where there are at the present time over 200 motorbuses engaged in maintaining services to and from the surrounding district, the question of standage accommodation has become so acute that the city council is negotiating with private undertakings and individual owners with a view to the joint erection of a large central bus station. The proposal is that the station should be built in John Street and that all operators should pay a small rental towards its cost and maintenance.

British Vehicles in the Argentine.

A recently compiled list shows that no fewer than 27 different makes of commercial vehicle are now handled in the Argentine Republic. The total is made up of fourteen American vehicles, five German, three British (Dennis, Karrier and Thornyereft), two French, two Italian and one Swiss.

Torquay Coach Stands.

Torquay Cornoration has asked the town clerk to inform the Motor Coach Owners' Association that the committee has not in contemplation any alteration in the arrangement made towards the end of last season in regard to motor coach stands.

Local Proceedings.

The Corporations of 1)onctister, Rotherham and Sheffield are arranging for a through motorbus service between the towns.

The finance and general purposes committee of Wallasey has been recommended to buy five new buses, as well as a special vehicle for service along Harrison Drive.

The tramways committee of the East Ham Corporation recommends acceptance of the tender of Eiectricars, Ltd., at 1500, for the supply of a tower wagon with accessories.

When the Stockton Corporation recently applied, at a meeting of the West Hartlepool Corporation, for licenees for 13 motorbuses for /I new service from Stockton to Seaton Carew and West Hartlepool they were refused.

Lichfield Rural District Council invites tenders for the supply of a 10ton compound steam roller with scarifier, and these have to be delivered to the eltrk to the council, Rural Council House. Lichfield, not later than February 3rd.

The tramways committee of the Cardiff City Council is inviting tenders for the supply of 10 single-deck bus bodies, particulars of which can be obtained from the tramways general manager, The Hayes, Cardiff. Tenders have to be delivered not later than January 20th.

The licensing committee of the Bradford Corporation his reappointed Mr. Melhuish, A.M.I.A.E., for the ensuing year, to make expert examination of motor vehicles in respect of Which application is made for licences to ply for hire within the city, and to report thereon, on the same terms and conditions as during the past year. It last Lothian County Council is to purchase a steam tractor and two tipping trailers.

Plymouth Corporation has decided to purchase a 1-ton motor lorry for the health committee.

Plymouth Watch Committee is to purchase a chemical fire-engine at a cost of about £1,500.

Oxford City Council is to purchase a 30-cwt. motor lorry for the highways department at a cost of about £400.

Stalybridge Corporation Las decided to purchase a searchlight apparatus for the fire-engine from Leyland Motors, Ltd.

Wallsend Corporation has appointed a committee to consider the advisability of applying for powers to operate motorbuses.

Barnsley Corporation has asked the borough engineer to report on a central site and to prepare a scheme for the provision of a station for all publicservice vehicles operating in the town.

The tramways committee of the Chesterfield Corporation has accepted the tender of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., at £5,960, for the supply of eight bus chassis, and the tender of Messrs. Reeve and Kenning, at £8,729, for the supply of a like number of bus bodies.

Portsmouth Corporation received the following tenders for the supply of a motor ambulance :—Messrs. BonaBack and Sons (London), £402; Messrs. Wilson and Stockall (Bury), £575; Messrs. C. Corry (Gosport), £325; Messrs. Wadham Bros. (Portsmouth), £295; Messrs. the London Improved Motor Coach Builders (Westminster), £225. The tender of Messrs. Wadham Bros., at 1295, has been accepted. Truro Watch Committee recommends the purchase of a Dennis motor fireengine at a cost of £975.

The tramways committee of the Bradford Corporation recommends that lid. fares on bus routes be increased to 2d.

Oldham Corporation is to obtain tenders for the supply of a 2-ton motor tipping lorry for the cleansing department.

The electricity committee of the Oldham Corporation is considering the desirability of installing bulk petrol storage plant.

The Potteries Electric Traction Co. is asking the Stoke-on-Trent Corporation for wider powers in regard to the running of omnibuses.

Instead of reconstructing the Lees Road tramway track, the tramways committee of the Oldham Corporation has decided to operate motor omnibuses on this route.

The cleansing committee of the Oldham Corporation is to arrange for a demonstration of a new type of mechanically propelled street sweeper and collector.

The tramways committee of the Bradford Corporation has extended for twelve months a contract with the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., for the supply of motorbus tyres.

The Metropolitan Asylums Board has decided to purchase a motor mower for the Northern Hospital Estate at a cost of 185.

The Tyne Improvement Commissioners are prei.ared to receive tenders for the construction of a new motor road between the New Quay at Albert Edward Dock River Wall and Howdon Road, North Shields.