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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.

A South-eastern Coach Combine Formed.

It is learnt on good authority that the proprietors of Cambrian Coaches are effecting a big expansion by the purchase of a number of well-known concerns, including the following:— Grey Cars, Ltd., Torquay ; Russell Motors, Folkestone; Orange Coaches, Chathrim; Kingston and Modern Travels, Ltd.; Southampton; Modern Travels, Plymouth ; Bucks Motor Services, Ltd., Maidstone; Whitstable and District Motor Services, Ltd, Whitstable and Herne Bay; S. and J. Killick, Chatham; and Ubique Motor Services, Gillingham. These undertakings operate, between them, 187 buses and long-distance coaches.

A modern coaching station is to be built on the site of the old City and South London tube station and adjoining property at Euston, and will have entrances in Seymour Street, Drummond Street and Lancing Street. Standardization of the fleet by the purchase of new A.E.C. Reliance six-cylinder buses and coaches is now being negotiated. A new company, -which will be known as the London and Southern Counties Motor Services, Ltd., and will have an authorized capital of £350,000, in 700,000 ordinarV shares of 10s. each, is in process of formation and an early announcement can be expected.

An Exhibition of Coachbuilders' Drawings.

We have been requested by the Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers, 10a, Soho Square, London, W.1, to draw attention to an ex,hibition of drawings entered for prizes . in competition , for various classes of bodywork, both commercial and private, which will be thrown. open to the public, without charge, from May 20th to 24th inclusive, at the Fyvie Hall, Polytechnic, Regent Street, London, W.1.

The Maythorn Prize Essay Competition for 1929 is in accordance with the terms of the Maythorn Bequest, a prize of £40 being offered in open coinpetitiOn for the best essay demonstrating "technical and business knowledge in motor bodybuilding." Entries must be received not later than July 31st. Full particulars as to conditions can be obtained from the address given above.

National Omnibus Report.

The report of the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd., for the year ended December 31st last shows a profit of £130,492, the sum being increased to £133,742 by the amount brought in from the previous year. A sum of 170,000 is to be placed to reserve for depreciation of buildings and rolling stock, whilst the income-tax reserve receives an allotment of £5,000. From the balance of £58,742, interim and final dividends (less tax) on the preference shares for the year have ab

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sorbed £20,533, whilst two interim dividends of 6d. and is. per share (less tax) on 400,000 ordinary shares have accounted for £24,000. It is now proposed to pay a final dividend of 9d. per share (less tax) on the ordinary shares, making 111per cent. for the year, and this will account for £12,000, so that the amount to be carried forward is £2,208.

Reference is made in the report to the negotiations concluded with the Great Western Railway Co. and with the Southern Railway Co., whereby bus interests have been co-ordinated in certain counties in which the concerns operate.

Positions Available.

'We have beer asked by a wellknown London distributor of commercial vehicles to state that it has vacancies for one or two salesmen with a thorough knowledge of the business. Inaugurating the Ford Works at Dagenham.

We were privileged last Wednesday to witness Mr. Edsel B. Ford cutting the first sod of the new Ford works at Dagenham, Essex. It is anticipated that the work of construction will take at least two and a half years, during which period between 2,000 and 3,000 workmen will be employed. Some 300 acres of undeveloped land have been obtained, and it is estimated that 200,000 vehicles per annum will be sent from the new factory to all parts of Europe and Asia. Minor.

A Demonstration of Dennis Fire Appliances.

An interesting display of Dennis firefighting appliances was given last Wednesday at Wisley Hat, to a large number of the members of the Professional Fire Brigades' Association and representatives of watch committees from all over the country.

The machines shown included two small fire pumps, four motor pumps, a special chassis for a tender and an ambulance. Two types not previously seen were a low-load-line pump of 300-400 gallons capacity and a new type of tender destined for Sydney.

British-made Lockheed Braking Systems.

The three partners in the Automotive Products Co., 3, Berners Street, London, W.1, who hold the rights for the Lockheed hydraulic braking system for the whole of Europe, have ndw acquired the whole of the interest in .Zephyr Carburettors, Ltd., of Leamington Spa, with the object of concentrating on the production of the British-made Lockheed braking system. Extensive alterations and additions are to be made to the factory, which, it is hoped, will in the near future enable_ the' company to produce thebraking systems at the rate of 1,000 sets per week.

The company has also granted manufacturing rights in France and Germany, and is In negotiation with ' concerns in other countries.

Morris-Commercial Developments.

As from the 8th of this month Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., Soho, Birmingham, has reduced the prices of its 12-cwt. and 1-ton models, the former now selling at £175 for the popular edition and £198 for the de luxe model, and the latter at £198 as a lorry and £220 as a standard van.

New features of the 1-tonner include an improved, totally enclosed driver's cab, having an automatic wiper for the windscreen and providing greater comfort and roominess. The driver is provided with a well-upholstered spring seat and back-rest. The new design of body has ash sides, which can be removed and which enable the vehicle to be 'tied as a flat, platform lorry:

Rustproof panelling is a feature of the 12-cwt. van models and automatic screen wipers are standard.

One day last week we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. T. It. Waterbury, the managing director of the Texas Oil Co., Ltd. This company is the English subsidiary of a huge American concern with assets of £100,000,000 and worldwide interests. It was founded in a small shed at Spindletop, Texas, in 1902. The English company has already }milt ocean-route terminals at London and Manchester, and has built up a sales and distribution organization throughout this country. The first step will be the introduction of Golden Texaco motor oil and greases, but for the time being chief attention is being paid to the supply of these products to the private-car side of the industry ; later on, however, it will be developed to meet the demands of the commercial-vehicle trade.

Mr. Waterbury has very decided views upon the service which should be given by the petrol stations and garages, and he is hoping to inspire enthusiasm in the fuel and oil-supplying agents in this country. He claims that Texas lubricant is of particular value in that it is a straight-run oil with a naphthalene basis without the addition of any cylinder stock, and that it is the last named which causes much of the carbon deposit ; also, this oil can stand unusually low temperatures without becoming sticky and for this reason it permits easy starting in cold weather.

Mr. Waterbury has a persuasive and

It falls to the lot of few men to have so wide au experience in transport matters of all kinds as has Captain William P. Durtnall, M.I.Loco.E., who, as was announced in our issue dated May 14th, is busily engaged upon the development of the Paragon steamgeneration system, which has many ins teresting possibilities. He commenced his career with the Herne Bay Electric Light and Power Co. afterwards joining Messrs. Maxim-Weston. Later he was connected with the Walsall Electrical Co., Ltd. and, in conjunction with Mr. E. W. Hart, produced the famous Hart-Durtnall petrol-electric bus in 1906.

• Captain Durtnall then opened a consulting practice in London, dealing particularly with the Paragon system of electric transmission. A development of this was ultimately used in -many American battleships and, this year, the "Viceroy of India" has been commissioned as a luxury passenger vessel working on a modification of this principle. He has been the recipient of gold medals from the Institution of Marine Engineers and the Society of Engineers.

Prior to the war be did a 'considerable amount of research work in internal-combustion engines as applied to railway traction. During the war he was gazetted to H.M.S. "Vernon." Portsmouth, in the Technical Research Department, and in 1918 began work in the department of the Chief Electrical and Mechanical Engineer of the Royal Air Force. In 1920 he re-opened his consulting practice at 23, Bessborough Street, Westminster, London, S.W.I.

Mr. L. V. Kenwarcl, general sales director for the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., anul its associated concerns, whose portrait appears on this page, has been elected chairman of the India Rubber Manufacturers' Association for the forthcoming year. During his 22 years' association with the Dunlop organization Mr. Kenward has, in turn, been confidential assistant to the general manager, chief accountant, works secretary, operating superintendent and general sales manager. He was with the company years ago when it was engaged in the general rubber-goods business, so he can certainly claim to have a good all-round knowledge of the rubber industry.

A Bus-fittings and Equipment Inquiry.

Mr. J. A. Bromley, who will be remembered by many as the late general manager of the York Corporation Tramways, and who is now the general manager and engineer of the tramways department of the Durban Corporation, has written to say that he would like to receive from British concerns catalogues (if possible in duplicate) which give details of supplies and materials suitable for motorbuses.

A Travelling Exhibition.

A completely equipped demonstration motorvan is the latest addition to the "selling staff" of Veritys, Ltd., of Aston, Birmingham. The body of the van has been specially designed with a well-ventilated roof and fitted with glass side panels, enabling a complete inspection to be made of a wide range of the company's electrical products. These are mounted on adjustable angle-iron frames which are easily changed as occasion demands. The exterior is finished in a rich chocolate colour with cream panelling. The van will operate from the various branch offices, and demonstrations by a trained staff will be given throughout the country to users of electrical apparatus.

R.A.S.E. Tractor Trials in 1930.

At a recent executive meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England the regulations and details were drafted with regard to the proposed agricultural tractor trials in 1930. The rules have been approved and instructions were given for their publication at an early date.

A Question of Overall Length.

At a recent meeting the general purposes committee of the Lowestoft CorPoration considered a letter received from the United Automobile Services, Ltd., stating that all the company's vehicles are now being built to comply with the requirement of the council, i.e., they should have an overall length of not more than 26 ft., but that it is still operating a number of vehicles previously constructed which are of greater length. The company suggested that the council should license a proportion of such vehicles, which should be not more than 30 per cent of the entire number operating in the Lowestoft area. The committee has informed the company that it is prepared to follow this procedure for the current year only.

Railless Vehicles for Rotherham.

The transport committee of the Rotherham Corporation, after considering the transport manager's report, has decided to recommend that the Broom section be operated by railless vehicles.

Newcastle-Manchester Service Developments.

On Wednesday of last week a twohourly limited-stop service between Newcastle and Manchester was put into operation. This service is being operated jointly by the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., of Chester-lc-Street; the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., of Harrogate ; the Yorkshire (Woollen District) Electric Tramways, Ltd., of Liversedge; and the North-Western Road Car Co., Ltd.. of Stockport.

Buses are operating every two hours, from early morning to late in the eveninn., both from Newcastle and Manchester, and bookings can be made to and from Darlington, Ripon, Harrogate, Huddersfield and many other places en

route. Passengers have the privilege of breaking their journeys at two points, a facility which will undoubtedly be appreciated by many business men.

Cheap fares, both single and return, have been arranged.

As licences have been granted by the authorities in the different areas through which the serviceoperates, passengers need not book in advance and tickets can, accordingly, be. obtained from conductors in the same way as on ordinary local services.

South Shields Tramways Suffering.

The tramways committee and the watch Committee Of South Shields Corporation are collaborating, with a view to restricting the conditions relating to the issue of licences for motorbus services operating within the borough, in order to lessen the burden of competi-' tion which the tramways undertaking is at present bearing. It has even been suggested that bus companies should pay to the corporation one penny in re

spect of every passenger carried. r

Some New Hull Licences.

The watch committee of the Hull Corporation has granted licences to the following applicants in respect of longdistance coach services, subject to a minimum single fare of Ss. being charged :—Mr. W. Scotter, Queen Line Coastal Coaches, East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., London and North Eastern Railway Co., H. ' C. Motor n22 Works, Ltd. An application from Workfinders, Ltd., in respect of a proposed service between Hull and Sutton is being held in abeyance pending receipt of a communication from the Ministry of Transport.

Tariffs Reduced in Italian North Africa.

Lorry chassis may now be imported into Tripoli and Cyrenaica at a duty of 1 per cent. when coming from Italy and 20 per cent, when from foreign countries. Formerly the rates were 5 per cent. and 45 per cent. respectively. There is a condition that chassis must be converted into complete lorries within 12 months.

A Question of Right to Prosecute.

An interesting; case was recently considered by the Cardiff stipendiary magistrate when a local bus proprietor appeared at the police court to answer a summons in connection with plying for hire in the Cardiff area, although not in possession of a licence granted by the Cardiff City Council for the purpose. It was submitted for the proprietor in question that prosecution in a case of this kind must be made by the local authority, with the assent of the Attorney-General, or by some party (other than the police) aggrieved by the alleged act. The magistrate stated that the legal submission must be considered and, in view of this, the case was adjourned.

Burton Considers Tramways • Abandonment.

It is stated that the Burton Town Council is considering the question of abandoning its tramways and extending the bas services. Last year. there was a deficit on the trams of £4,275, whilst the buses provideda net surplus of £549. The Ifinancial results of the past year's working of the municipality's buses are dealt with elsewhere

in this issue. .

Long-distance Service on a Large Scale.

The watch committee of the Leamington Corporation has granted an application made by the Royal Blue Automobile Services of Bournemouth for licences for 26 saloon coaches for the purpose of a through service from Bournemouth to Birmingham. •

-Local Regulations Regarding Emergency Doors.

It is reported from Porthcawl that the urban district council has been recommended by the police of the district to insist that all buses shall have emergency doors fitted on the near side and not in the rear panel. When the suggestion was discussed by the council, much disparity of opinion was expressed, many members contending that, in the event of an accident, there' was greater danger of a bus overturning . than of the rear end being badly damaged. It was generally agreed that the subject was one that should be dealt with centrally and not left to the decision of individual authorities. The matter of the police recommendation has, for the time being, been deferred.

Busy Sentinel Works.

From alisf which we have recently perused showing the number of orders received lately, by the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., of Shrewsbury, it is obvious that the company's works are most actively engaged. The concern's D.G.6 rigid-frame six-wheeler appears to be very popular, for not only are the names of new users included in the list, but there are many other concerns that have placed repeat orders; some of the vehicles are being fitted with fixed bodies and others with tippers. The company's D.G.4 fiatplatform and tipping models are also in good demand, and machines which are now in the course of construction are destined for service in different parts of the country.

, Shefflex Orders.

Sheillex Motors, Ltd.; Tinsley, Sheffield, has received an order from Lieut.-Col. H. F. Stephens, M.Inst.C.E., for a further two Sheffieg petrol railcars, similar to those in use by the West Sussex Railway.

A Useful Boad.travel Guide.

The first spring edition (recently issued) of the enlarged "Highways Guide" has just been published, and it gives concise information concerning long-distance motor-coach travel

and booking, fares, times, etc. The publication will appear monthly during the summer and is distributed by the Central London (Road Transport) Stationand. by many of the leading booking agents.

A New Window Regulator.

A simple form of mechanical window control has recently been placed on the market by the Equipment and Engineering Co., Ltd., Norfolk Street, London, W.C.2. Known as the E. and E. 1929 Window Regulator, it is selfbalancing and raising, it gives an instantaneous lock in any position and will not shake down. The rubber face on the capping rail bears against the whole length of the glass, automatically pushing it against the rubber on the outside, with the result that the latter forms a positive lock, thereby preventing rattle and avoiding the entry of water. By lifting the capping rail (hinged on the waist-rail) to a small extent, the pressure on the glass is released.

To raise or lower the window it is only necessary to lift the capping. rail, but when lowering slight pressure on the lip at the top of the window is necessary. There are few moving parts in the regulator, which is -marketed as being suitable for all types of passengercarrying vehicle.

Advertising Devices on Public Highways.

The Ministry of Transport is sending a letter to local authorities referring to the fact that applications are frequently made to such bodies in the Metropolitan area for permission to erect signs and apparatus on the public way, the main object of the signs being one of commercial advertising. The letter points out that the occupation, by such signs. or by petrol pumps, of any portion of land dedicated to the public highway is unwarranted, and expresses the hope that highway authorities will :sot grant applications of this kind.

About the Daimler C.F16 Chassis.

The catalogue which the Daimler Co., Ltd., has just published dealing with the company's C.F.0. coach and bus chassis is a highly artistic work, which serves to indicate the outstandills features in the design of a chassis which is achieving much success in passenger-transport circles. The company has set itself out in clear and simple language to bring to the notice of operators many important points in the chassis which make for economical end reliable service. The illustrations of component parts are particularly

clear and serve to emphasize the sturdiness and accessibility of the various details.

A number of coloured plates is included in the catalogue, indicating the smart and well-balanced appearance of buses and coaches in which this chassis is employed. Certain space is devoted in the volume to a descrip

lion of typical be-dies which are slatable for mounting on the chassis, and attention is drawn to the fact that several eoachbuilders are regularly building bodies ler Ais model, so that complete vehicles an be supplied at short notice.

New Branches of the Industrial Trans-. port Association.

That transport management should rank as a profession was the view expressed by Mr. 3. A. Dunnage, hon. secretary of the Inchistrial Transport Association, on his recent tour in the north-east coastal area, during which branches .of the organization were formed for Tyneside and Tees-side. The Association, he said, existed for the improvement of efficiency in industrial transport, to encourage research and generally to advance the cause of the transport profession. A delegation is being sent to America to study transport problems and methods there.

Improved Ferry Sanctioned.

The application of the Pembroke County Council for a Provisional Order to improve the ferry service operating across Milford Haven between Neyland and Hobb's Point has been granted by Parliament, the Bill having passed its third reading without opposition. Up to the present the ferry has only catered for pedestrians and Cyclists, because of the inadequacy of the landing-stage facilities, but, by the passing of the Bill, the Pembroke County Council is authorized to expend a large sum of money' in Order to provide suitable landing stages and approaches.

As -the ferry, which is one mile long, avoids a detour of 30 miles, it is expected that users of commercial motors will greatly benefit by the new arrangementa.

New West Country Services.

The watch committee of the Cheltenham Corporation has considered the reference back by the council of applications of the 13ristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., and the Birmingham and Midland Omnibus Co., Ltd., for licences to run through services between Cheltenham and Great Malvern, Cheltenham and Stratford-on-Avon and Cheltenham and Worcester, and has now granted the applications.

Transport in the Fish Trade.

In Midland centres, such as Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, considerable dissatisfaction is reported following the action of the London and ,North Eastern Railway Co. in prohibiting the transport of fish by motor vehicles from the Grimsby Docks. It has been suggested that, as owners of the docks, the company is undoubtedly acting within its legal rights, but, having regard to the circumstances of the case, its action is unpopular amongst those concerned in the fish trade centring around this port.

Merchants who have regularly employed commercial motors for the work state that delivery by the railway to many places in the neighbourhood is not sufficiently speedy to allow of the consignments of fish being dealt with on the day on which they are landed and that in the past the railway company's charges for the conveyance of small consignments of fish have been heavy, as compared with the cost of transporting them by road.

Millhoards for Panelling.

G. D. Peters and Co., Ltd., has just issued a revised edition of its catalogue dealing with millboards and lincrusta. So far as the former are concerned, our readers will be familiar with Sundeala, which is largely used as a panelling material for bodies, not only those i.sed for high-class vans, but also for certain types of passenger vehicle. Sundeala is a waterproofed board, composed of

selected cellulosic fibre — mainly

mechanical wood pulp. It is homogeneous in composition and has features of great rigidity and strength, combined with lightness. The material and its uses are fully outlined in the catalogue to which we have referred.

A Fluid to Assist Decarbonizing.

We learn that Cutbill, King rnd CO., Ltd., 32, St. Mary Axe, London, E.C.3, has been appointed the sole London and export distributor for Carbex decarbonizing fluid. This preparation is sold in a standard rackage which is sufficient for treating two cylinders. It is priced at 2s. eul.

A.E.C. Distributors in Sussex.

A paragraph in our issue dated April 30th intimated that Mr. C. A. Price had been appointed a direct representative in the south-eastern area for the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., but we are asked to make it clear that this in no way affects Messrs. Sussex Motors, Eaton Grove, The Drive, Hove, who remain, as heretofore, the official distributors for A.E.C. products in the county of Sussex.

Bus Licensing at Swansea, The watch committee of the Swansea COrporation has decided only to consider applications for bus licences at the meetings to be held in June and December of each year. The next licensing meeting is to be called in December of this year.

Protecting Coach Owners.

The Wigan and District Motor Coach Owners' Association, Ltd„ was registered on May 6th, without share capital, and with not more than 100 members, each liable, in the event of winding up, for not more than a for each coach or motorbus owned and entered with the association. The objects of the organization are to support, protect and further the interests of passengermotor-vehicle vsners in Wigan and district and elsewhere. The registered office of the association is at 31a, King Street, Wigan.

Coming Events . . .?

The London and North Eastern Railway Co. has presented to the museum committee of the Hull Corporation a complete set of stone sleepers, railway lines, points, etc., laid in 1797, and one of the iron wagons used to convey stone to the Peak Forest Canal.

The Eighth Edition of a Popular Manual.

"Motor Cycling Manual" is now in its eighth edition. This practical handbook has been thoroughly revised and reillustrated by the staff of Motor Cycling and the new edition just issued by Temple Press Ltd. should be in the hands of all motorcyclists who desire

to be up to date on the subject. It covers every phase of motorcycling ranging from an explanation of the simple principles of the motorcycle engine up to the latest transmission ;ear and equipment.