News and Comment.
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The regular contemporary interest shown in the pages of this journal is the best testimony to the leading position which it occupies.
Formal notifications have now been sent to the Press in regard to the completion of an agreement between the R.A.C. and the C.M.U.A.
We acknowledge various intimations of approval for our Drivers Insurance Scheme: it has " taken on " with both the men and their employers. Details of the benefits are repeated on page 499.
Three weeks ago we exclusively published the winners in the Second International Competition for Agricultural Motors at Winnipeg, and last week we exclusively gave tabular details. To-day, on pages 484 and 486, will he found a portion of our representative's illustrated report.
The poster of "The Daily Telegraph " and the head-lines of "The Morning Post" do not alter the fact that the motor which ran down the Territorials near Devizes was a touring car, and not a van. The unfortunate mishap, of course, might have occurred with a high-speed van. The point is that it did not.
Brandon (Canada) Farm-motor Competition.
Not to be outdone by the Winnipeg Association, the Inter-Provincial Fair Board, at Brandon, put on a similar competition to that held at Winnipeg. It secured 17 entries, out of which 13 motors took part in the trials. The tests were similar to those carried out at Winnipeg, but, owing to scarcity of time, the promoters were compelled to drop the hauling test. Even then, the engineers and judges had their work cut out to finish the tests before the conclusion of the fair. There were three classes for internal-combustion engines, and two for steam engines. The following is a list of the classes, awards, and points:— CLASS A (gasoline).—lst (No. 1), Avery 12 h.p., 111; 2nd (No. 2), International Harvester 15 h.p., 99.78.
CLASS B (gasoline).—Ist (No. 3), International Harvester 20 h.p., 121.04; 2nd (No. 4), International
Harvester 20 113.03.
CLASS C (gasoline).—No. 15, Marshall 25 11.p., 111.32 (only competitor).
CLASS D (steam).—lst (No. 12), Avery 30 h.p., 139.58; 2nd (No. 7),
J. I. Case Co.'s 136; 3rd (No. 9), Gaar-Scott Co.'s 25 h.p., 132.07.
CLASS E (stem/11.-1st (No. 10), .1. I. Case Co.'s 20 h.p., 137; 2nd (No. 5), Avery 20 h.p., 135.54.
The Champion Prize went to the Avery Co.'s 30 h.p., it having gained the highest number of points, viz., 139.58 out of a possible 145.
Headlamp Trials.
Pages 494 and 495 contain the essential particulars from the judges' report on the R.A.C. headlamp tests of the 19th and 20th July.
London's Ambulances.
The Metropolitan Ambulance Bill, introduced by Sir William Collins, came before the Grand Committee of the House of Commons on Tuesday last. The only question at issue was whether the L.C.C, or the Metropolitan Asylums Board should have control of the service: by 28 votes to one it was decided that the L.C.C. should be the body. An amendment, moved by Sir William Collins, was carried, providing that the electrical power used for moving the ambulances "shall be entirely contained in and carried along with such vehicles."
Yorkshires in Spain.
The Spanish Government, after haustive trials in Spain, has ordered two Yorkshire steam wagons, and these are illustrated herewith. The tests were held over country which rendered them of an extremelyarduous character, and the Yorkshire vehicle alone got through on one or two of the chosen itineraries. Other vehicles, many of which were driven by internal-combustion engines, had to return by easier routes than those laid down in the conditions, upon which success we certainly congratulate the Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co., of Vulcan Works, Hunslet Leeds. "Comrner Car" Types.
Pages 482 and 483 of this issue tell something about the latest " Commer Car" model, and the two illustrations below will help to substantiate the claim of Commercial Cars, Ltd., that it can " fill the bill "for any buyer of a commercial motor. One of the first makers successfully to market petrol lorries for six-ton loads (e.g., for Pickford's), it has by no means neglected the requirements of those who want to deal with loads of from one ton to 30 cwt.
America copies London.
The first Olympia Show for commercial motors—that of March, 1907— witnessed the carrying-out of a suggestion, from Mr. Leo Harris, for a " meet." His idea, a pleasure run to Ripley on a Sunday, was carried out. Later that year, the original plan was varied, on the suggestion of the Editor of this journal, and the first localized " Parade" took place at Reading. Since that date, the scheme of a parade for demonstration aml advertisement purposes, rather than
the mere run into the country, has caught on. Glasgow thought it good enough, and now America does. We are indebted to Mr. Cedric R. Boult, Vice-President of the Valvoline Oil Co., for the views which we reproduce on this page. The photographs were taken at New York : the left-hand re
production is not, as might be thought, of a six-wheeler—the trailer is a twowheeler.
Shackleton's Motor Sleigh.
Many Press representatives availed themselves of the opportunity, on Wednesday of last week, to inspect the 1245 h.p. Arrol-Johnston motor sleigh which Lieut. Shackleton used during his expedition towards the South Pole. Mr, T. C. Pullinger acted as conductor, and all present were able to endorse his statement that the Arrol-Johnston parts had stood up to their hard usage in admirable fashion. It was found extremely difficult, during the dash, to keep the lubricating oil in a liquid condition. On smooth sea ice, with no wind, a speed of about eight miles was obtained, with a load of 1,500 lb. on two
sledges, together with three persons, but the rate of progression dropped to a mean of four miles an hour on snow. One distinct impression was left upon the minds of observers on this occasion: that the New Arrol-Johnston Car Co., Ltd., of Underwood Works, Paisley, possesses both the enterprise and the ability to carry out special orders of the most exacting character, to any of which the soundness of its design must contribute.
Sea versus Land.
The existence of cheap water communication in any country very often prevents the adoption of motor transport, as was pointed out by several governors in the course of their reports to the Colonial Office, which collection of reports was summarized by us on the lst ult. It also prevents the development of any other form of land transport, and we are interested to observe that the one public railway in Honduras, which runs 58 miles inland from Puerto Cortes on the Atlantic side, has got into so bad a state of disrepair that it has practically become useless as a means of communication.
Where Do You Carry?
H. Viney and Co., Ltd., of Strand Road, Preston, finds its trade in motor contracting has been not inconsiderably aided by the circulation of the small sketch plan which we reproduce herewith. The hint might well be taken by others who look to motor wagons or tractors for revenue, as new customers might thereby be attracted at small cost-say, by postcard.
McNamara and Co., Ltd.
Further to our last week's references to the excellent trading results obtained by McNamara and Co., Ltd., for the year ended the 30th June last, we note that a few sharelmaders appear to be somewhat restless about the existence of 00,000 of 8 per cent. second debentures. Sir John Pound, Bart., chairman of the company, when presiding at the 22nd annual general meeting on the 11th inst., defended the retention of the debentures in question, and the general body of shareholders, after throwing out an amendment to the report, marked their approval of the directors' attitude by voting, for division between them and the secretary and manager, Mr. A. V. Willmott, a bonus of £1,000.
Hoffmann Organization.
Mr. G. W. Barritt, a director of the Hoffmann Manufacturing Co., Ltd., of Chelmsford, Essex, informs us that Mr. Japh Mason, who has been the company's sole business representative in the United Kingdom for Hoffmann steel balls during the last six years, has tendered his resignation, which has been accepted with regret. Enquiries for these standard bearings, whether for road-vehicle or general engineering purposes, should now be addressed as under : Birmingham and Coventry district, Mr. A. J. Butlin, Central House, New Street, Birmingham; Manchester and Liverpool district, Mr. W. A. Ecob, Exchange Buildings, St. Mary's Gate, Manchester; Glasgow and district, Mr. J. Reid, 108, Hope Street, Glasgow.
Standardization of Parts.
We have received from Mr. Coker F. Clarkson, the assistant general manager of the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers of the United States, a copy of that body's bulletin No. 18, which deals with the Association's standard for hexagonheaded screws, castle nuts, plain nuts, and specifications for the materials of which these parts are to be made. The publication has been sent to us at the suggestion of Mr. Alden Sampson, one of the members of the Association, who has been for some years interested in the matter of fine-pitch, small-thread standards. We should like to see the Society of Motor Manufactivers and Traders, at home, issue its information to the members of the trade in the same bold and clear manner as that which characterizes "bulletin No. 18."