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News and Comment.

• This journal fosters, represents, and chronicles commercial motoring in all its branches; it has the largest and best circulation throughout the United Kingdom, the Colonies, India, and foreign countries generally. No part of our exclusive and valuable circulation is due to the forcing of sales in useless quarters.

Edmonton Board of Guardians, at its meeting on Wednesday, decided to ask for the price of an ambulance after the design used by the Metropolitan Asylums Board.

The long-expected first report of the traffic branch of the Board of Trade, for which Colonel Sir Herbert Jekyll, K.C.M.G., is responsible, was published on Monday afternoon last. We begin our .review on page 212.

Peebles Town Council has resolved to install a fully-equipped petrol (pumping) fire-engine, to carry 900 feet of hose, at a cost of £485. We understand it to be a 2oh,p. Thornycroft chassis. A fortnight ago, the Council agreed to purchase a Thornycroft threeton petrol refuse wagon, to displace three horse carts.

A Drivers Organisation.

Owners who want good drivers, particularly of steam lorries or tractors, and men who desire to associate themselves with a well-conducted body that has been arranged for their own advanoement on lines which commend themselves to everybody, should apply to the Secretary of the _Amalgamated Society of Motor Drivers, a small announcement from whom will be found in our advertisement pages (supplement, VI).

Bond or no Bond?

Mr. Henry Sturmey (page 221) adheres to the opinion that the pleasurecar bond cannot he applied to the case of commercial-motor manufacturers, upon which theme we have written at length on several occasions, and particularly at the close of last year's show at Olympia. In effect, if a. sufficiently-large majority of manufacturers do not sign the bond in relation to the business show, the bondsigners will not gain anything in respect of that show : everybody cannot be crowded into the annexe, or against the side walls.

L.C.C. Fire Brigade.

The engineer-in-charge of the workshops at the chief station of the London Fire Brigade has devised an arrangement for the carrying of the ladders on motor (escape) vans in a manner similar to that in which they are carried on the horsed escape vans, and this arrangement will be used in the motor (escape) vans now on order for the brigade, and in vans to be obtained in future. To secure to the L.C.C. the unrestricted use of the device, and prevent any person taking out a patent for it, steps are to be taken effectually to publish the invention.

Engaged or Disengaged ?

The Lancashire Taxicab Company, Limited, of 7, Berry Street, Liverpool, whose managing director is Mr. Edmund Gormly, has a very simple contrivance in use for the indication, at night-time, of a cab's freedom for hire or the reverse. When the cab is `.`For Hire," a blue light is shown immediately above the flag of the motor, up the stein of which the wiring is run; when the vehicle is engaged, no light is visible. We are advised that this innovation has helped, in no small degree, to make the cabs popular, and to obtain the maximum number of fares for them, apart from the excellence of the vehicles as a whole. By a majority, Ayr Town Council has agreed to adopt a 1511.p. petrol fire-tender, at a cost of i.;320. It will carry 600 feet of hose, two 5-gallon chemical exting-uishers,. and firemen. The Tramways Committee has ordered a Ish.p. Dennis tower wagon, for inspection and repair work to the overhead equipment of the Corporation tramways. This will displace the existing horse vehicle.

N.B.R.

The North British Railway Company is placing a 15h.p. " Commer Car " chassis, equipped as a luggage van, on its town-delivery system, in Edinburgh and Leith; the vehicle is capable of taking a load of 16-20 cwt. at 15m.p.h. Complaints are constant as to the delay in delivery, and the self-propelled van has been provided to remedy this. Also, upon the arrival of another 2o-cwt. van next month, it is proposed to convey passengers' luggage direct from the Edinburgh terminus (Waverley) to Portobello, Musselburgh, and -Other districts within a to-mile radius, instead of as at present, forwarding them by the local trains, with a consequent serious loss of time, amounting frequently to many hours.

An Iva Motor at Work in MidLothian.

The following details of the work performed by an lvd agricultural motor, in comparison with horses,. are given by Mr. E. Grie.g, farmer, of Hillend Farm, Pentland,. Mid-Lothian, who has four acres of land under cultivation. He states that his machine is an lye!, of tih.p., with three-furrow plough, capable of performing the operations of sowing, surfacing, rolling (roller being attached), gleaning, etc., and of driving the threshing machine and others, It can plough a field 1,320 hy 1,200 feet in 20 hours, whereas the time occupied by a two-horse single-furrow plough is six days of about 12 hours each. Formerly two ploughs were employed ; therefore, he considers that the motor does the work of four horses, not including those employed for other purposes. He adds that he has been visited by numerous farmers who are desirous of learning his experience, which has set ninny a man thinking how he might improve his methods, and better save time and money. At least two farmers in the county are following his example. While mentioning the lvel, we may add that the company, Ivel Agricultural .Motors, Limited, of 45, Great Marlborough Street, W., has decided to hire out a number of its latest-pattern agricultural motors, in the belief that a number of agriculturists have not farms which. are sufficiently large to warrant outright purchase. The motor would be sent out complete with a plough, and with one of the company's mechanics in charge,

C.M.U.A.

The usual monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commerci:d Motor Users' Association was held at 1, Albemarle Street, W., last week, when the Chairman, Colonel R. E. Crompton, presided over a good attend

ance. The principal business of the meeting was the consideration of certain attempted restrictions upon the use of railway bridges, into which matter the Association's solicitors are looking very closely at Lhe moment. Four new members were elected.

Polack Tires.

Polack tires were very successful in the recent Austrian Trials : vehicles to which they were fitted took the prize of the Ministry of Works, the Great Silver Medal, and the prize of the Ministry of Commerce. These awards, following so closely upon the Polack success at Piacenza, on the occasion of the Italian War Office Trials, must be particularly gratifying to the manufacturers, whose tires also came through the R.A.C. Trials of September last most creditably. It will be recollected that, as we announced in our issue of the 5th instant, the Polack Company is about to arrange for manufacture iii a factory near London.

New Offices for Pratt's Spirit.

The Anglo-American Oil Company, Limited, has decided to move the whole of its City offices, from 22, Billiter Street, E.C., to a new site at Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster. The company's growing trade in Pratt's motor spirit and other petroleum products necessitate this change, Which provides access to much larger accommodation than is now afforded. We are able to reproduce on this page an illustration of the frontages, as the new building will appear. This is from the designs

:11essrs. Ernest Runtz and Ford, the well-known architects. The proximity of the new premises to St. " James' Park insures plenty of light and air for the staff—a matter of no small moment if efficiency is to be maintained.

'Phis company's new " Taxibus spirit (o.76o specific gravity) is, it informs us, chiefly of Eastern or Roumanian origin, but all of it is " re-run " on arrival in this country, so as to ensure uniformity. Each tin has a special " silver " seal, and on these, or on similar seals from tins of " Pratt's." consumers will be paid s S. per TOO until the 28th February next. This departure forebodes an active selling campaign, and it is pretty certain that the bonus in question will appeal to mans' van and cab drivers. The adoption of the word " Taxibus," as a descriptive name for the company's well-known 0.760 spirt, is also of interest, as it gives needed scope for the establishment of a trade-mark appellation of a peculiar significance qua the trade to be done.

The Darracq Report.

The directors of A. Darracq and Company (1905), Limited, have a satisfactory report to present to the third annual ordinary general meeting of shareholders this year. The meeting will be held to-morrow (Friday), at mm o'clock in the forenoon, at Salisbury 'louse, E.C. The accounts show a trading profit of L:186,;326, and a net profit ol -1:163,3os, which, with the balance brought in from the last account, gives a total to the credit of P. and L. A. of L192,938. It is recommended that -z:so,000 be placed to reserve, bringing that fund to ,4;iso,(xx), and that the distribution on the ordinary shares, free of income tax, be brought up to a total of 20 per cent, for the year, having ,,,C,35,438 to be carried forward to the next account. The directors express regret at the death of

their valued colleague, the late Sir W. B. Avery, Baronet, which occurred on the 28th ultimo, and announce that Mr. Joseph Malesset has resigned from the Board. lt appears that only one of these vacancies is so far filled, and to that Mr. Charles Mascart, of Paris, has been elected.

Prospects of Heavy Petrol Wagons in Edinburgh.

At their board meeting, on Thursday of last week, the directors of Redpath Brown and Company, Limited, ironfounders, of Edinburgh, considered the question of motor transport in place of the horse lorries now employed. The company's engineer had prepared a report showing the working cost of the present horse vehicles, and an estimate of initial cost and upkeep of motor wagons. The following is an extract :— "The company's present rolling-stock, consisting of nine lorries (six one-horse, and three two-horse) and 19 horses, stands in the company's books at a value of „{:,i,111. The average weekly upkeep, in which is included fodder, furrier's charges, and incidental expenses connected with both animals and vehicles, amounts to L:r8 t is. This does not include depreciation, which should be taken at not less than is per cent. Each lorry runs an average of twelve miles a day, and carries a load

of three tons. The present rollingstock is not adequate to deal with the company's growing trade, and Iwo further two-horse wagons will require to be added. With regard to the adoption of motors, I consider that economy would result, in addition to a more satisfactory execution of delivery work. Three six-ton motor wagons would suffice effectually to displace the present nine lorries, provided that the speed be not less than 8m.p.h. The cost of these vehicles may be put at ;.t,ficio, from which may be deducted the sum of ,4,:s6o from sale of present stock, etc. From data obtained, the cost of running the three motors, would approximate the inclusive charge

of per week of yoo miles. . . . A material saving would therefore be effected. The outstanding question is whether the power employed is to be petrol or steam, and, on various firliTtsv,inlg , am in favour

point,

of giving petrol the preference.

. ." After other particulars had been examined, the directors decided to purchase a Live-ton petrol lorry, and a six-ten steam wagon, •each to be capable of travelling not less than Sin.p.h., with a proposal to install two further vehicles after six months' working. It. should be noted that the estimated difference in cost is not in respect of equal mileages, as the motors will be given journeys which are beyond the range of the horsed carts. The sharing of the work, so far, between petrol and steam, adds another case to the number in which brewers have decided to give the newer type a chance. The Arral-Jolmston Agency, Limit, d. of Mitchell Street, Glasgow, is to be wound up voluntarily. This company must nut be confused with the New Arrol-Johnston Company, Limited, of Paisley, which manufactures both private cars and commercial vehicles.

We have been asked be the Stcretary of the Fiat Motor Cab. Company, Limited, Mr. F. II. Fowler, to state that the registered office of this company is now situate at to, Pancras Road, King's Cross. This is the old Vanguard depOt.

The Soath-Eastern and Chatham ,Railway announces special bookings and accelerated services to Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Mentone, and the Riviera generally. Extra facilities for travel to and from Switzerland will also be in force (Engadine Express) from the 13th proximo.

Albion Am)ulances.

The Albion Company's latest order for a motor ambulance has been received, per Mr. James H. Scott, of Melrose, for the Newstead Hospital. Apropos the sa me company''. vehicle which was purchased by the St. Andrew's Ambulance Association, of Glasgow, some twenty months ago, we learn that this machine has covered more than to,000 miles, and has proved very useful, especially for the long-distance removal of invalids. Sir George T. Beatson, the President of the Association, re. cently was coedited with the public statement that " both expense and rapidity of being on the scene made it imperative that they should keep to their present arrangement of horstdrawn vehicles.' This report, we learn, is misleading. The real situation is this : the St. Andrew's Ambulance 'It sso_ dation has five horse-drawn vehicles, and only one motor ambulance, in consequence of which there is always a horsed vehicle available, whereas the one motor vehicle may be out. The best remedy, we think, is for the Association to purchase several motor vehicles, when expense will be reduced and the lack of an available motor ob. %lam] at one and the sonic time. Dennis Mail Vans.

We illustrate one of the four threeton Dennis vans which have just been completed to the order of McNamara, I.imited, for the London-Portsmouth and London-Southampton service. The machines are fitted with Dennis 3555h.p., four-cylinder engines, with dual huge-diameter clutches, and a special form of free-wheel coupling between the clutch and the gearbox, whereby the vehicle does not drive the engine when " coasting." The fourspeed gearbox has a gaie control, with direct drive on third speed, and a geared-up fourth speed, the object being to reduce petrol consumption. De Nevers five-inch tires are fitted to all the road wheels, with the usual twin arrangement on the driving wheels. The gilled-type radiator is swung between the two main frame members, and the lubrication system is bv a ,ear pump Iron t the sump of the base chanther.

Thornyeroft's Catalogue.

One of the noteworthy features in the latest commercial-vehicle catalogue which has been issued by John I. Thornycroft and Company, Limited, of Chiswick and Basingstoke, is a doublepage table in which all the lending particulars of that maker's models are set out in a handy and readable form. The table gives the type number, loads, overall dimensions of the chassis, sizes of the lorry platforms or the cubical capacities of the box vans, tire specifications, weights, prices and shipping dimensions. We note that the catalogue includes particulars of two new models for 50-cwt. loads : the chassis for these two models are practically identical, the difference lying in the engine. One of them is fitted with a two-cylinder engine, whilst the other has a four-cylinder 3oh.p. engine and is, obviously, intended for highspeed work. Amongst the orders which are now going through the works are a couple of four-cylinder firetenders ; one Is for the Christchurch, and the other for the Auckland fire brigade. The machines will shortly be shipped to New Zealand. A six-cylinder 45h.p. fire-tender, for demonstration purposes, is also under construe don at the company's works at Basing stoke, for early shipment. The London showrooms of thi maker are at 2, Albemarle Street Piccadilly, W.

A Small Van's Work: Toffee by Road Motor.

An interesting account is given b: Messrs. Turner and Wainwright, toffel manufacturers, of Brighouse, Yorks about their little • Vulcan " deliver van, which has been touring througi the East of Scotland, establishing tho sale of the firm's products, since Jul: last. In the four months under review the car covered 7,16o miles, with daily average of So miles. It is a two cylinder, ro-12h.p., shaft-driven ye hide, geared up to 25m.p.h. in thret steps, and has a total weight of 16 cwt with a carrying capacity of J2 Mt. It maximum load, however, has beer 15 cwt. The car completed 28,001 miles of running last month, when upon examination, it was found to 1)4 practically in as good running condi tion as when new. Needless to say the owners are more than satisfied, an( they have, in consequence, issued tw( repeat orders for the same class of van

The back pair of Michelin pneumatic; has run upwards of ir,000 miles, an these are yet good for about a fourth o that distance, while the others, whicl are Dunlops, have traversed 3,404 miles, with no visible marks of wear Messrs. Turner and Wainwright con sider this an extraordinarily-good re

suit, It may also be of interest ti mention that only one puncture has or curred in the course of the last 4,001 miles, and that the van has only beet stopped on the road three times through engine troubles, for a fem minutes' periods, during the last II weeks. Working expenses are state( by the traffic superintendent to be 14s. per week : this allows for petrol lubricants, and wear of tires. Messrs Turner and Wainwright have an exten sive trade in various parts of Englam and Scotland, the building up of whicl they owe entirely to the services per formed by their motorvans, in the wa: of shop-to-shop canvassing. For in stance, a few months ago, their pro ducts were scarcely known in Edin burgh, or anywhere in Mid-Lothian but now every available shop in tle above places stocks them. This is be cause, instead of the traveller's endea you ring to book orders in advance, h■ has at his command a commercia supply from which he can immediate!: stock the newly-won customers, on dr/ principle of " striking while the iron i; hot." As the firm's manager point: out, this is an advantage that canno be overestimated, and is one on whici they score over their less-enterprisirq rivals. To accomplish the same re suits as have been attained, in the sami space of time, and with the same de gree of satisfaction, would be impos slide with the laborious horse vehicle or where the traveller relied upon him self. In addition, Messrs. Turner an Wainwright are employing a dozer other motorvans, the largest being 16h.p. vehicle, and all tour in variou; parts of the country. Their exampl should quickly be followed by othe manufacturers and traders.