News and Comment.
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The authority, circulation and influence of this journal rest upon facts.
Mr. Basil Joy has been offered the secretaryship of the Incorporated Institution of Automobile Engineers.
The second instalment of the article upon the motor services in the Federated Malay States will be found in this issue (pages 407 to 409).
Mr. Bernard G. Aylwin is now on a visit to this country, from Patagonia, in reference to motor tractors fitted with internal-combustion engines.
The exhibition motor wagon of the Canadian Government, which now and then re-appears on the scenes of its projected labours, visited Newton Abbot and other West-Country places a few weeks ago.
Government Contracts.:
Thomas Tilling, Ltd., has secured the mail contract to and from Bishop's Storeford and Dunmow ; George Booker, Ltd., of Peel Street, Barnsley, has secured the contract for the Sheffield motor-mail service; and the Stores Department of the India Office has recently placed a repeat order for a chassis with the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd.
Motor Rollers.
A water-ballast motor roller, from the works of Messrs. Barford and Perkins, of Peterborough, will be available, at Brussels, for demonstration and other purposes, during the week of the forthcoming second International Road Congress. We observe that the Southport Town Council is likely to purchase a motor roller at an early date.
Foden Successes.
We learn that a fourth Foden wagon is now on order for Barclay, Perkins and Co., Ltd.; this purchaser's first vehicle of the Foden make was delivered in the year 1904. Apropos the successful working of Foden wagons in various parts of the country, we have pleasure in reproducing a testimonial, given this month, by Mr. Frank White, of 23, Torquay Road, Newton Abbot.. It reads :— " Haviug had one of your steam wagons in almost constant work since 22nd May, 1907, it gives me great pleasure to add one more to your many unsolicited testimonials. I am pleased to say that, after three years work, she is still in splendid order, and has just done about a .500-mile furniture journey. loading and unloading three double loads, in 11.i. days, without a hitch. The wear and tear has been less than I anticipated, and, considering the rough roads and steep Dartmoor and other hills which she constantly travels, this is very satisfactory. I have not kept an exact account of the miles travelled, but, when I tell you that she is now wearing out her third set of strakes, you will readily see that she has been constantly on the roads.
"in February this year, I decided (owing to increased trade) to order a second from you, when I had an advantageous opportunity of buying a nearly-new Foden tip wagon, which I did, and this is also in constant work and giving me every satisfaction. " I can only conclude (after watchMg other makes) by saying that anyone with hauling to do cannot, in my opinion, do better than get a'Foden wagon, and, were j restarting tomorrow, should do as I have done."
Tire Orders.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board has accepted the tenders of the Continental Tyre Co.. Clerkenwell Road, E.C., the North British Rubber Co., East Road, City Road, E.C., and the Polack Tyre and Rubber Co., Basinghall Street, E.C., for the supply of tires required for uine new motor ambulances. Each of the three makers named is to supply tires for three vehicles. The total value of the contract, in each ease, amounts to between £1.50 and £160. These tenders were the lowest received, and, as the prices quoted were approximately the same in each case, the managers divided the contract, so that a comparison of the three makes might be obtained. Tenders were received from seven selected contractors.
The Road Board.
The Secretary of the Read Board, Mr. W. Rees Jellrevs, has furnished us with a copy of Ate circular letter which he has issued to the Clerks of County Councils and other Highway Authorities of the Fnited Kingdom. Attention is drawn, inter cilia, to the necessity for the strengthening or reconstruction. of weak bridges, which seriously limit the use for commercial transport of roads of first-class importance. The Board, we note, will be able to spend £920,000 by the end of 1911.
A Leyland Outing.
The foremen and staff of Leyland Motors, Ltd., enjoyed their annual outing on Saturday the 9th inst. The party very fittingly travelled by motor char-it-bancs, under the tutelage of an old employee of the company (G. D. Parsons), who is now an owner. Mr. J. Sumner, the works manager, presided on the occasion of an assembly in the evening, and a most enjoyable day was spent by the entire party. The heads of the Leyland Company, dating back to their initial " wins " in competitive trials in 1898, when two separate prizes of £.100 each were secured by the company'e machines, have always taken steps to give their foremen and staff a treat of the kind each year.
Lacre Progress.
The new orders, for new customers, to which we referred, last week, were placed, we now leaen, in the spring; it is the delivery which concerns this month (July). The Lacre Co. is remarkably active, both at borne and in the colonies: we already learn of good work by its new-model demonstration vehicles at points many thousands of miles from the Letchworth factory. A branch has been opened at Mare. chester, in order to cope effectively with local and district business; this is at 107, Palmerston Street, Aneoats, under the management of 111r. T. H.
Wagstaff, and the equipment for storage, maintenance and repairs is complete. Trials of the 1910-model Lacres may he arranged from this branch, which, for the time being at least, will also promptly handle enquiries from the Liverpool, Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield areas, After most-careful consideration, the Lacre Co. has felt justified in reducing its maintenance illarges for all new-type vehicles of its manufacture. This should be of real interest to owners and prospective hnyers, as the Lacre Co. has had unique experience in this connection, and knows exactly what rates are necessary. The Co. is able to state, too, that there will be no increases later on, so purchasers know exactly where they stand. Motors Not Wanted.
Okehamptim Rural District Council, hr eight votes to five, has decided to try to stop the haulage of stone through its area, to those of neighbouring authorities, by mechanical power.
Underground Money by Motorvan.
An interesting Lacre business vehicle, which at times might be" worth robbing," is shown herewith. This car is used by the Central London Railway during the fairly-early hours of the morning, in order to collect the takings from the different " tube " stations, which, being mainly in cash, constitute a good load by the time the last few stations are visited. The vehicle is nicely finished as a limousine, and is found very useful and safe for the duties which it fulfils.