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NEWS of the WEEK

FOOD PRODUCTION IN WAR TIME.

UNDER the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act the Minister of Agriculture can exercise far-reaching powers to increase home food production. Certain powers would, in war time, be delegated to County War Agricultural Executive Committees, and the chairmen-designate of these have been asked to stand by for further instructions,

Sub-committees would be set up to deal with such matters as the ploughing up of grassland, labour questions and the' supply and use of agricultural machinery, etc., also the provision of special requisites for farmers. It is not expected that farmers will have any difficulty in obtaining supplies of paraffin for tractors, and if a petrol rationing scheme be put into operation, special permits will be available to farmers who need petrol for agricultural operations. Mr. W. Gavin has been appointed agricultural adviser-designate, and he is taking up his duties at once in an honorary capacity.

Wage Grades for Scottish Workers.

I AST week, a meeting of the commer

cial-vehicles section of the Transport and General Workers Union was held at Motherwell, when the Scottish cornmercial organizer, Mr. Alex. Paterson, submitted a report on the progress made with the constitution of the Wages Boards.

He said that the Boards had reached an advqneed stage. There will be three wage grades in Scotland and how they will be graded is occupying the attention of the Boards. The Central Board will shortly meet in London, and proposals will be put before it regarding the wage rates for the Scottish areas.

Encouraging Our Export Trade.

ACOMPLETE set of neat, gummed diary reminders of seven separate series of meetings dealing with the process and technique of export trade has been sent to us by the Institute of Export, 11, Aldwych House, London, W.C.2. It shows good organization by the council and an excellent programme for its members in London, Liverpool, the Midlands and Manchester.

" The Oil Engine Manual."

IT has rightly been contended that the oil engine is playing an important part in industrial and transport developMent, as did the steam engine

a hundred years ago. Burning an economical and safe fuel, the modern oil engine holds a leading position both for stationary and transport services. It also constitutes a most valuable selfcontained power unit for use in local or national emergency.

At this time an authoritative and upto-date new work on oil-engine practice should prove invaluable, and the need

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has been met by the publication of " The Oil Engine Manual," written by the technical staff of The Oil Engine. Comprising more than 350 pages, with some 350 illustrations, the manual is arranged in three parts, the first covering oil-engine design and development, the principles of injection, ignition and combustion, pressure-charging, lubrication, etc. The second deals with all types of industrial oil engine, and the third section covers transport oil engines for rail, road and aircraft use.

A useful appendix includes a wealth of reference data and statistics, road vehicle operating costs and appropriate standards.

" The Oil Engine Manual" (5s. 6d. post included) is published for Temple Press Ltd. by The English Universities Press, Ltd., of Warwick Square, London, Obtaining the L.A. Reports.

THE Licensing Authorities' Fourth Annual Reports, which are summarized and analysed in this issue of The Commercial Motor, may be obtained in book form, price 4s. 6d„ from His Majesty's Stationery Office at the following addresses:—

York House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2; York Street, Manchester ; St. Andrew's Crescent Cardiff ; 120, George Street, Edinburgh ; or through any bookseller. DEATH OF MR. JOHN DENNIS.

VVE much regret to announce the W sudden death, on Sunday last, ol Mr. John C. Dennis, JP., director 01 Dennis Bros., Ltd., and brother of the late Sir Raymond Dennis, who died a few months ago. Thus the compan, has lost both its co-founders, who foi nearly 40 years were its managint directors.

Born at Huntshaw. Devon, or February 20, 1871, Mr. John Denni: came to Guildford in his early twentie: and added to an active comrnercia instinct his early practical training with Brown Bros., Ltd., of London.

In 1895 he :established himself ii business with his younger brother ii a sports shop, known as the Universa Athletic Stores, in Guildford Higl Street, where the bicycle gave the firs impetus to their fortunes. Experiment with motor tricycles were made in 1898 followed by motor quads. The firs real car took shape in 1902 and had sin gle-cylindered De Dion engine. Th initial application of the famous worndriven rear axle was in 1903, and th first Dennis commercial vehicle wa constructed-in 1904. During the We of 1914-1918 the company produce 7,000 motor vehicles for Governmer service.

A remarkable growth of the concur took place under the joint control the two brothers, and when it becarr a private limited company in 1901 tt capital was about £30,000; in 1913. public flotation brought it up I £300,000, which was doubled six yea later by a bonus issue. Subsequei prosperity justified the remarkab move of returning to shareholders 17 per £1 share, the remaining 3s. beii divided into three shares, which is ti denomination maintained to-day.

He is survived by his wife and a sot Mr. R. E. Dennis.

I.T.A. Winter Programme.

AN interesting winter programme Is been arranged for the Lond( Branch Educational Society of t Industrial Transport Association. T following lectures will be delivered the Institute of Journalists, 2, Ted Street, London, E.C.4, at 7 p.m.: October 16, "The History a Development of Transport," Mr. Watts; November 20, "The Histc and Development of the Internal-co bustion Engine," Mr. Noel J. Brook January 15, "Motor Vehicle Maint( ance," Mr. L. T. Fritche; February : " Shipping," Mr. J. A. Dunna; March 18, " Staff Training, Its Meth( and Objects," Mr. T. W. Read; Af 15, " Distribution," Mr. C. Courts Cramp.

A charge of 2s. 6d. is made attendance, on application to • honorary secretary of the Society 20-22, Blackfriars Station Chamb( Queen Victoria Street, London, E.0 BAILIE REDUCES FINES.

AT Glasgow last week, Bailie T. A. Kerr agreed to reduce fines he had .mposed on a lorry driver and his employer. The driver, William Gourlay, ldmitted that he had failed to keep a current record in his log book and had 'ailed to deliver .records to his employer. The employer, Allan Kirkwood, Ltd.,

itshill, Glasgow, admitted that it failed cause the current record to be kept June 21.

It was explained on behalf of the cornmy that although the sheets had not :en handed in as they should have :en, the company had an individual cord handed in by the time clerk, owing the movements of all its :bides each day.

Bailie Kerr intimated to accused that the maximum fine were imposed, it )uld amount to about £300. He then ,ed Gouilay £10 and his employer 'A. Later, representations having en made by an agent, Bailie Kerr sited the amount of the fines inssed to £5 in each case, remarking. You have your ageat to thank for Gloucestershire Tractor Ploughing Match.

N all-tractor ploughing match will be held at a point near Dursley, mcestershire (some 700 ft, up on the

.swold Hills) on October 5. Indiual prizes run up to £50 and, in all, )0 is offered in prizes. Contests are as to all counties in Great Britain I to Eire, and Lister-Cockshutt aghs are being used exclusively. The tch is being promoted by R. A. ter and Co., Ltd., Dursley.

Designed for Roof Ldhcling.

HE seventh A.E.C. vehicle to be taken into the fleet of Allied Indust Services, Ltd., of Bradford, the 'arch oiler, illustrated on this page, irporates, so far as the body is coned, certain improvements dictated the experience gained, over many years, in operating similar-type vehicles.

Most important is the separation of the cab and Luton front from the van body, the former being connected to the latter by only a leather concertina coupling. It has been found that this method of construction eliminates stresses from the cab and makes the removal of the van body a comparatively simple matter.

The top of the van—normally protected by a tarpaulin sheet—is left permanently open. This facilitates loading from upper floors by means of cranes

and saves damage to the bodywork, which frequently occurs when loading is undertaken from the rear.

Like other vehicles in the fleet, the new Monarch is employed in the collection of soiled garments and cloths from A.I.S. depots and industrial undertakings up and down the country, and delivering clean replacements.

RECORDS BUT NO C LICENCE.

A DEFENDANT who admitted hav

ing used a goods-carrying motorcycle and sidecar without a C licence was stated at Otley (Yorkshire) Police Court, last week, to have kept driver's records in respect of the vehicle. Mr. E. Wurzal, prosecuting for the Yorkshire Licensing Authority, said that apparently the defendant kept the records so that the police would think the vehicle was authorized.

It was explained that defendant acquired the vehicle from another man who held a C licence for it. This man told the Court that he forgot to take the licence identity certificate off before he parted with the sidecar.

The defendant, George W. Collins, Greenhill Street, Bradford, admitted he knew he should have had a carrier's licence, and stated that he had kept the identity certificate on the sidecar to save trouble if he was stopped by the police.

He was fined £3 for using an identity certificate with intent to deceive, £1 for using a goods vehicle without a licence, and 10s. for using a motorcycle without a Road Fund Licence, The previous owner of the sidecar pleaded guilty to failing to return a licence for cancellation, and was fined £1.

I.A.E. Annual Banquet.

THE annual banquet and dance of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, W.1, on Friday, October 13. The price of

tickets (excluding wines) will be one guinea, and special tables will be reserved for parties of not fewer than eight. A full refund will be made for bookings cancelled before October 3, otherwise a booking fee of 5s. per ticket will be retained. Application should be made to the Secretary at 12, Hobart Place, London, S.W.I. INSTRUCTION COURSES 'FOR ELECTRICIANS.

INCLUDED in its 1939-40 session, which opens on September 25, the Borough Polytechnic, Borough Road, London, S.E.1, has arranged a motorvehicle electrician's course, which is intended for those engaged in the manufacture, maintenance and repair of the electrical equipment used on road motors. The lectures will be illustrated by practical demonstrations and tests on electrical components.

The course also includes lectures and laboratory work in electrical engineering and practical work for the I.A.E. repair certificate. The classes also cover the syllabus for the examination in the appropriate course held by the City or Guilds Institute.

By quoting reference No. 391, fuller details may be obtained from Mr. Douglas H. Ingall, principal of the, Polytechnic.

The Case for the Oil Engine.

AN interesting treatise, which sets out the case for Perkins oil engines applied to 30 m.p.h. vehicles, with and without the company's perpetuity plan, has recently been issued by F. Perkins,

Ltd., Peterborough. The treatise represents, in effect, a complete hypothetical sale, planned to answer all kinds of anti-oil-engine question, whether mechanical or economical.

The various points raised are set out in comment and answer form, and offer elucidation of a number of tricky problems likely to arise in the minds of those who are considering the question of the oil engine for vehicles below 24 tons unladen weight.

Austria Cultivates the Producer-gas Vehicle.

AS in many other countries, considerable attention is now being paid, in Austria, to the question of using producer gas as a substitute for imported petrol and other liquid fuel. According to the Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift there were between 160 and 170 buses and lorries in the country operating on producer gas at the middle of March last. Such equipment is now being produced by four concerns in Austria, thetwo principal ones being the Krornag Co., of Hirtenberg, and the Imbert Co., of Vienna, both types of equipment using charcoal.

The Dennis Pocket Salesman,

THE Dennis Pocket Salesman is a brochure issued by Dennis Contracts, Ltd., 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W.I, for the use of distributors and others. It contains a large amount of useful. information and covers upto-date tyre weights, including lowpressure types, notes on the Construction and Use Regulations, prices, abridged specifications, etc.

A.22 LITTLE CHANGE IN ULSTER REGISTRATIONS.

THE total number of commercial vehicles registered for the first time Northern Ireland amounted to 142, sat June, a decrease of 3 on the figure sr June, 1938. Agricultural engines nd exempt vehicles increased from 12 D 27 and from 0 to 6 respectively.

■ oods vehicles, however, fell from 112 3 103, and hackney vehicles from 21 3 6. The most popular makes were [orris and Fordson, with 26 registraons each during June last; Bedford ime next with a total of 17, followed I, Commer with 15.

The total number of commercial shicles registered in Northern Ireland uringthe first six months of the prelit year was 787. As compared with ie same period last year, the number of hackney vehicles registered increased by 9 and the number of exempt vehicles and agricultural engines increased by 5 and 36 respectively. The number of goods vehicles fell off by 39, and the number of tractors by 2.

Income Tax Simplified.

NEARLY everyone is interested in income tax, and many concerns also with the new National Defence Contribution, and they would find much useful information in the neat and comprehensive book, " Income Tax Simplified," published at ls. 6d., by A. Fieldhouse, Trinity Street, Huddersfield, Yorks. The edition published recently is the 16th. It is a practical guide to the preparation of returns for assessment, and contains instructions for obtaining repayment of tax where justified.

PLEA FOR COMPLETION OF GROUPS.

REGIONAL Commissioners in several Traffic Areas make the complaint that emergency grouping is not yet complete and that the time has come when completion is vital. Those not grouped may suffer serious lack of petrol supplies in war-time.

Expansion by Trader in Manchester.

THE Manchester establishment of the Warwick Motor Engineering Co., Ltd., has now been transferred from the White City to more commodious premises at 101, North Western Street, Ardwick, r

Peterborough Distributorships.

I T is learnt that Messrs. Adam's Garage, who operate from modern premises in .Lincoln Road, Millfiekl, Peterborough, have been appointed sole local distributors for both Guy and Chevrolet transport vehicles.

Latest Nazi Bus Types.

THE German journal Verkehrstecknik reports that the first two of a new type of double-deck six-wheeled bus has recently been -placed in service in the German capital by the Berliner Verkehrs Gesellschaft. The vehicles have oil engines stated to be capable of developing 175 h.p. at 1,600 r.p.m. The buses have accommodation for 68 sitting and seven standing passengers.

Mr. Norman Letts's New Address.

Mr. H. Norman Letts, well known as a member of the firm of Mawby, Barrie and Letts, solicitors to A.R.O., is moving his clients' papers and records to his private residence, Forres, West Common, Lindfiekl, Sussex (telephone number, Hay wards Heath 306), from which, in the event of war, his practice would, so far as possible, be conducted,

Useful Ball and Roller-bearing Catalogue.

EIROM Edmunds, Walker and Co., Ltd., The Broadway, West Hendon, London, N.W.9, we have just received a copy of this company's new catalogue (reference BD) of proprietary ball and roller bearings. In it are listed all Hoffmann, R. and M., S.K.F. and Timken bearings with symbols, main dimensions and prices. These are grouped in types—magneto, self-aligning, thrust, tapered-roller, etc.—so that the location of the particulars relating to any specific bearing is facilitated.

Rather more than half the catalogue is devoted to lists of the ball or roller bearings used in automobiles, each make and model being allocated a separate section.

By these means, if it be desired to know what • hearing is used for any specific purpose in a certain chassis, the symbol can be discovered from the vehicle group. Alternatively, to ascertain the symbol from the type and dimensions, or vice versa, one turns to the main part of the book—that is, the type groups. The catalogue should be of value to all maintenance engineers.

ADVISER FOR CHINA'S ROADS.

LAST December the Export-Import La Bank of the U.S.A. granted China a credit of 25,000,000 dollars, and part of thi3 will be used to buy 6,000 motor vehicles in the U.S.A. Mr. J. L. Keeshin and other officials of the Keeshin Freight Lines, a large haulage organization in Chicago, have been selected to supervise and direct the improvement of China's inadequate roadtransport system.

Mr. M. E. Sheahan, vice-president of the Keeshin concern, was scheduled to leave for Hong-Kong on August 16. The others will follow later. New highways have been established from Rangoon (India), and Haiphong (French Indo China), leading to territory still under Chinese control.

AC-Sphinx Introduces Profit-sharing.

A PROFIT-SHARING scheme whereft by a percentage of the profits each year will be divided, in proportion to their wages, amongst all employees of not less than a year's service, has been instituted by the AC-Sphinx Sparking Plug Co., Ltd., Dunstable, Beds. It is retrospective to January, and the first

payment will be made early in 1940, with special advantages to those with five or more years' service. Thus the employees will be made to feel that their individual efforts are helping to maintain the prosperity of the company.

Shipping Guide for Hauliers.

THE following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from September 1 to 7 inclusive :—DocKs: King George V. 5; Royal Albert, 6; Royal Victoria, 6; Surrey Commercial, 8; East India, 1; West India, 3; SouthWest India, 2; Tilbury, 5; Tilbury Stage, 3; Milhn-all, 6; Royal, 2; London, 2. WHARVES: flay's, 6. 'Regent's Canal, 1.

Battery-electrics Wanted in Johannesburg.

OHANNESBURG City Council is calling for tenders for the supply of three 5-8-cwt. battery-electric delivery vans. Fuller details of this call may be obtained from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen 8treet, London, S.W.1, reference T.26293/39 being quoted. OFFICIAL ORDERS IN JULY. ICILY last proved a relatively quiet month, as iegards the orders tor vehicles and allied materials given out by Government Departments, The Admiralty placed one for ambulances and lorries with Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., and one for lorries with Vauxhall Motors, Ltd. The War Office ordered trailers from John Brockhouse and Co., Ltd., Reliance Trucks, Ltd., A. G. Wild and Co., Ltd., the Projectile and Engineering Co., Ltd., Dennis Bros. Ltd. and the Bramble Sheet Metal and Engineering Co., Ltd.

The Air Ministry placed orders for bodies with Park Royal Coachworks, Ltd., one for chassis with Rootes, Ltd.. one for trailer trucks with Superbilt Woducts, Ltd., and one for oil-engined road rollers with Thomas Green and Son, Ltd.

The G.P.O. authorities gave out orders for chassis to Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., and Morris Motors, Ltd. The Crown Agents gave an order for buses to Albion Motors, Ltd., one for vehicles to Morris Industries Exports, Ltd., and one for refuse-collecting lorries to Vauxhall Motors, Ltd.