WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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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,' —Joha Beattie Crosier.
The L.G.O.C. and American Bus Chassis.
The announcement made in the United States by the Yellow Coach Manufacturing Co. of Chicago that the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., had placed an order for two of the Yellow Coach Co.'s bus chassis will not, we feel sure, be misunderstood in this country, despite the fact that, in the official organ of the Yellow Coach Co. there is expressed the hope that the new chassis will fit in so well with the transportation requirements of London that the initial order will lead to the purchase of additional equipment. The order was placed by Lord Ashfieid when he was recently in the States for several weeks investigating (amongst other things) the motorbus situation in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and elsewhere. It must be remembered that Mr. G. A.
Green is a Britisher who was, for some time, in the employ of the L.G.O.C. He
went to America to take charge of-the
Fifth Avenue Coach Co., and there was responsible for the design and construc tion of the buses running in New York. He kept closely in touch with all that was done by his old employers, and. British design has unquestionably in
fluenced the -design end method of construction -adopted by him. Some time
ago Mr. Green resigned his post with the Fifth Avenue Coach Co. to join the Yellow Coach Manufacturing Co., where he has charge of the bus production side of the business. .
The original feature in the designof the Yellow Coach bus chassis is thedis position of the shaft line (and, therefore, the engine, gearbox and differential) on one side of the chassis, instead of cen trally as is conventional. The advantage claimed is that the flooring may be lowered an inch or two as any protrusion of gearbox or differential is brought under the line of seats.
, Just whether there is anything in this, or not is the point which the chief engineer's departmeert of the L.G.O.C. will determine when the chassis arrive, but that the chassis will be suitable for use in this country is entirely out of the, question for the simple reason that the shaft line is placed on the left-hand side and therefore on the side which would be at the lower part of the camber. In the States where the traffic keeps to the right side of the road, the excess of weight on such a chassis is correctly carried on the crown of the road and coun terbalances the additional weight thrown on the springs on the right side of the vehicle owing to the road surface sloping downwards towards the right-hand gutter.
If the shaft line is to be placed to one side for any vehicle running in this country, that side must be the right or off side, and it would be at once obvious that the advantage now gained by placing the driver forward beside the engine would be lost, because it is very doubtful whether placing his seat on the lefthand side of the engine would be acceptable either to the L.G.O.C. or to the police authorities. This consideration of the circum• stances, at any rate, shows that the B20 L.G.O.C., in buying American bus chassis, is only seeking knowledge and information, and that there is no intention to do otherwise than to' conduct its designing and construction entirely in the country whence it draws its revenue.
M. of T. Advisory Committee. The representatives of users on the Advisory Committee appointed to deal with London's traffic under the Landon Traffic Act, 1924, are Sir Herbert
Walker (railway transport), Mr. A. Dutfield (haulage and cartage), Mr. Frank Pick (L.G.O.C.) and Mr. F. W. Prowse (independent bus owners).
A Census of Road Traffic.
Two censuses of traffic upon the principal roads of the country have been taken by the Ministry of Transport, one covering the seven-day traffic over Class I roads in one of the weeks of August, 1922, and the other a similar census in August; 1923, on the chief Class .II roads.. The classification does not relate to the character of a road or the amount of traffic, but rather to its geographical importance. Of the total length of 1713,000 miles of roads maintained, by the highway authorities in Great Britain, 24,000 miles has beer, classified as Class I . and 14,600 as Class II.
The particulars contained in the return on the 1922 census were published a few months ago, and those concern-ng the 1923 census have just beep "ssued. The two documents can be obtained througt His Majesty's Stationery Office for Is. 9d.
It would be impossible to present the figures in a form which, whilst her. g condensed for our columns, was still sufficiently complete as to be useful, but we may indicate the heads of the return so that readers may determine for themSelves whether the full information can usefully be employed by them. Table I gives the numbet of the census points in each county in relation to the recorded traffic intensity and the percentages of motor traffic to horse-drawn vehicles. Rarely in the table does the percentage fall below SO.
The total number of census points was 3,393, and each census was taken for a period of 16 hours per day for seven days. Table II gives the maxim= daily tonnage, the minimum daily tonnage, the percentages of motor traffic, and the average daily tonnage at each point on each of the scheduled roads. The average weight of traffic per day ranged from 11,423 tons on the Canterbury Road, Willesden, to 9 tons on an Argyllshire road.
Table III gives the details of the census on two selected routes, showing the thoroughness with which they were considered. The appendices include a number of charts and maps. One of the charts shows a set of comparisons be. tween post-war and pre-war traffic.
Seeking Extension of. Power. Alcohol Subsidy. The British Power Alcohol Association (affiliated to' the British Empire Producers' Organization) has presented a case to the Government,' by means of a deputation to the Minister of Agriculture, asking for the proposed subsidy of 19s. 6d. per cwt. on sugacproduced from beet to be extended to the sugar content of beets used for making power alcohol.
Among those taking part in the deputation were :—Sir Edward Manville (representing the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), who introduced`the deputation, Col. 0. C. Armstrong, Mr. F. Or. Bristow (Commercial Motor Users Association), Mr. Stenson ' Cooke (Automobile Association), Mr. J. W. Dennis, Mr. B. H. Gladstone (Association of British Motor Manufacturers), Mr. C. P. Goode, Mr. Percy Hurd, M.P. Mr. Ben H. Morgan (chairman, M.P., Empire Producers' Organization and British Power Alcohol Association), Mr. Mervyn O'Gorman (Royal Automobile Club), Mr. J G. Shave (London General Omnibus Co ), Mn: W. A. Stevens and Mr. Harold T. Pooley (hon. secretary, British Power Alcohol Association).
The chief points made by the deputation were the agricultural importance of tie beet crop and the very sezions•need of an alternative motor fuel to petrol, It is interesting to note 'that a new sugar beet factory, will be 1. operation at Ipswich next autumn.
Licence Renewals for 1925.
The Ministry of Transport estimates that over one million licences for mechanicai road vahicles will expue on December 31s most of which will be renewed for the quarter, or year, COM • mencing January 1st, 1925.
Renewals can he effected at the principal post offices, except where there has been a change of ownership since the last licence was taken out, where the old licence expired more than 14 days previously, or where it is desired to change the classification of a vehiclee.g., from commercial goods to hackney carriage. .
The Ministry also draws attention to the follewing alterations which will take effect next year :—
(1) Reduced rates of duty for licences for periods of less than one year. (2) After January 1st an unexpired licence may be surrendered to the council with which the vehicle concerned is registered, and a refund of duty will be made in respect of each complete month of the period of currency for the licence which is unexpired at the date of surrender.
(3) A new procedure in regard to the registration book is introduced by the new regulations -which come into force on January 1st of the New Year. In future, when a vehicle is transferred from one owner to another, the registra tion hook has to be transferred direct with the vehicle, the onus of sending the registration book to the appropriate council being on the new owner.
Transport Men's Wages.
For some time negotiations have been proceeding between the various Liver. pool and district transport associations, including the Cart and Motor Owners' Association, the Birkenhead Road Transport Association, the Motor Transport Employers' Federation, the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners' Association, etc., on the one hand, and the Liverpool Carter's and Motormen's Union on the other, with regard to the wages and working conditions of motor -drivers. These have resulted in an arrangement being arrived at with regard to the wages of drivers of motor vehicles of 20-cwt. capacity and under. It has been agreed that the remuneration of these men shall be 59s. per week, with overtime rates accordingly, which will be the same as those at present in operation for trailer men. This arrangement will not apply to drivers at present employed, but only to those engaged as from December 1st, The present rates of wages and conditions of working remain in operation until May 31st next.
10,000 Miles on a Morris Bus.
In a letter, which Morris Motors, Ltd . have recently received from Messrs. J. Bullock and Sons, of Pontefract, Yorks, who run an extensive bus service, some interesting information regarding the behaviour of a Morris 1-ton commercial chassis is given. • The first Morris chassis of this capacity bought by Messrs. Bullock had a 13-seater bus body mounted on it, and the vehicle has now covered over 10,000 miles on a daily service. During the period that this mileage has been accomplished, the only repairs undertaken have been to one front spring and two, exhaust valves, and the users state that the vehicle is giving most satisfactory results and very dependable service. This is particularly noteworthy la view of the character of some of the roads which are traversed.
Rochdale's Modern Fire Brigade.
The Rochdale Watch Committee has decided to recommend the purchase of a new motor fire-engine, and is seeking the sanction of the Ministry of Health for the necessary borrowing powers. The Rochdale Brigade will then have three motor engines available, the latest acquisition being necessary in view of the arrangements which the town has made with neighbouring urban districts for protection in case of fire.
The committee also decided to dispose of an old horse-drawn engine which has been in the possession of the corporation for half a century.
Hints on Garage Maintenance.
A series of excellent pamphlets, entitled "Hints on Garage Management," by Mr. Walter Boyle, are being issued by Ferodo, Ltd., to the garage proprietors whose names are included in the postal lists of that company, whilst we feel certain that, on request, they would be sent to those3 whose names have hitherto not been so included. The issue of number one of the series will be made in the second week of January and of number two in the last week of the
month. The first, of the series deals with the site and layout of a garage, the question of the entrance and exit and the provision of a waiting room, lavatory accommodation and other facili
ties for customers. The second of the series deals with stores, the control thereof and the way to ensure that they shall earn a profit. We understand that the third of the series will deal with "first essentials."
Society of Engineers Awards.
At the annual meeting of the Society of Engineers, held a few days ago, announcements were made concerning the awards of premiums for papers read during 1924.
The president's gold medal has been awarded to Mr. James Jackson for his paper on "Development of Methods for the Collection and Disposal of House (Domestic) Refuse." The Bessemer premium has been awarded to Mr. H. A, Rickwood for his paper on "Recent Developments in Ferro-Concrete Cooling Towers," and the Niamey premium has been awarded to Capt. W. J. Liberty for his paper on "Underground London." The president of the Society for the .forthcoming year is Mr. A. Stewart Buckle, the vice-presidents being Messrs. G. 0. Case, D. 0. Fidler and E. F. Spurrell.
The address of the Society is 17, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S.W.1..
Popular Co-operative Coaches.
The Plymouth Co-operative Society carried 53,068 passengers in its motor coaches during the summer of this year, an increase of 4,268 over the figures for the previous season. The takings were £12,386, representing an increase of 3 per cent, over those for the season of 1923.
Merthyr Bus Licences.
Merthyr Watch Committee has decided to consider applications for the renewal of motorbus licences at a special meeting, and has, meanwhile, asked the chief constable and the omnibus superintendent to consider the question of drawing up a time-table for the whole of the buses, plying for hire within the borough.
London's Bridge Problems.
Major H. Barnes recently delivered an instructive lecture on "The Bridges of London" before the London Society, and dealt chiefly with the bridge schemes relating to Charing Cross, Waterloo, the Temple and St, Paul's. He described Waterloo Bridge as the present cockpit of engineers at variance. The Charing Cross scheme, he maintained, was the greatest architectural project of the past 30 years. On the question of the four sites, he expressed himself in favour of that at Charing Cross, which, before anything else, fulfilled the purpose for which a bridge crossing the Thames should be built.
He thought that there was no necessity, for further bridges of the present type, unless it was Sir Howell
Williams's suggested bridge at the Temple. Such a structure, he said, would furnish the only reason for maintaining Waterloo Bridge at its present width, as it would give a.n opportunity for distributing traffic on the southern side and relieving congestion at certain busy, points. He expressed the view that if the scheme be carried into effect there would not be a bridge east of Putney, with the possible exception of Tower Bridge, the traffic capacity of which would not be sufficient for at least another century.
Buses for the Calder Valley.
The Luddenden Foot Council has again considered the question of the motorbus service which runs through the Calder Valley in competition with certain of the tramway services run by the Halifax Corporation. This course was adopted following the renewal of an application by EL Halifax company for the necessary licences to operate buses in the district. The council has decided to invoke the aid of the West Riding County Council and to seek its observations on the question, as.it is responsible for the upkeep of the roads which are to he used. The Halifax Corporation is also being questioned as to the possibility of improving the tramway services and reducing fares.
Exports from Canada.
According to statistics which have recently been published, 1,033 commercial motor vehicles of a capacity of one ton or less were exported from Canada during the month of October. Of this number, 452 vehicles were shipped to Australia, 237 to New Zealand and 158 to British India, the remaining vehicles being divided between eight different countries. In this period, no vehicles were exported to the United Kingdom. The number of vehicles exported for the 12 months to the end of October totalled 13,493, this figure comparing with 9,984 for the preceding 12 months.
Motorbus Company Changes Hands.
Further to a paragraph which appeared in our last issue, we learn that the business of the Mid-Cheshire Motor Bus Co. has been acquired by the North Western Road Car Co., TAIL, of Stockport. Speaking at a special meeting of the Mid-Cheshire Motor Bus Co. Mr. W. J. Yarwood, the chairman of the
company, intimated to the shareholders that, having 'regard to the present and contemplated competition and other circumstances, the directors had decided that, in the best interests of the shareholders, it was advisable to arrange terms for the disposal of the business, and they had accordingly entered into an agreement for the sale of the company for the sum of £21,500, subject to their approval. If the agreement was confirmed, it was intended to wind up the company so soon as the sale had been completed, and it was expected that the purchase-money would enable the liquidator to pay a dividend of at least 15s. per share.
For some time the Mid-Cheshire Motor Bus Co. have had to meet keen competition, and, although they felt quite capable of justifyiiig themselves in the face of any local competitors, it was obvious frotri the knowledge in the possession of the directors that the competition in the near future would be of a more forcible and comprehensive character. Throughout the country, districts are being linked up with motorbuses, and Northwich conld not for ever remain isolated, as evidenced by the fact that for some time three separate companies had sought to negotiate for the purchase of the com.pany's assets, one being the North Western Road Car Co.
After haying considered all the circumstances of the case, the directors regarded it as a stroke of wisdom to enter into a provisional agreement with 3322 the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd. The Mid-Cheshire Motor Bus Co. were farmed in 1914, and paid a dividend each year until 1922. The subscribed capital of the company was £26,000.
A Licence Proviso.
Gosport Corporation has been in communication with the Ministry of Transport with reference to omnibuses plying for hire in the borough, on which the only means of entrance and exit are adjoining the driver's seat, and the town clerk has now been instructed to inform the owners of those vehicles that, unless another exit be Provided at the rear of the vehicle before the annual licence day in June next, the council will refuse to renew the licences for the vehicies.
At Work in a Graphite Mine.
The illustration which we publish on this page depicts a Holt, chain-track tractor hauling a string of trailers of a special typo from the graphite mines at Santa Ana, Sonora, to a railhead of the Southern Pacific Railways of Mexico. Much of the material which these trailers carry is used commercially, and the distance which the load has to be hauled from the mines to the railway is about 25 miles. From the station to Santa Ana most of the graphite is despatched to Detroit by rail, where the finer grades are used in the making of pencils and the lower-grade ore finds its way into machine lubricants.
Macintosh Tyre Prices.
Chas, Macintosh and Co., Ltd., Cambridge Street, Manchester, state that horn the 6th of this month they have been offering Macintosh solid tyres en better terms. Full details of the new prices will be sent free on application.
Dodge Brothers Traveller's Saloon.
Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd., Stevenage Wharf, Fulham, London, S.W.6; inform us that their traveller's saloon, which is a five-passenger car with lour doors 'and a full range of equipment and a detachable rear seat, has been reduced in price from £395 to £355.
Shelters for Waiting Passengers.
The Tredegar Urban District Council has expressed the opinion that Motorbus proprietors running services in the area should endeavour to provide facilities for the protection of passengers waiting for buses. The council is to consider the possibility of the bus owners erecting suitable shelters.
A New Industrial Truck.
In addition to their 2-ton industrial electric truck, known as the Greenbat, which is designed for use in factories and at railway sidings, etc., W. Goodyear and Sons, Ltd., have just produced a new machine known as the Greenbat Junior for loads up to 10 cwt. Built on similar lines to the 2-tonner, this vehicle has a loading spalee of 4i ft. by ft., which renders it extremely useful in comparatively small works where goods frequently have to he handled. The dimensions are such that the truck can be manoeuvred in confined spaces, whilst it can also be accommodated in the ordinary type of works lift.
*Connecting an Island with the Mainland.
The Rochford Rural District Council has recently been petitioned by reei, dents in Canvey Island to endeavour to obtain powers from the Ministry of Health for the purpose of improving the bus service which is at present maintained between the island and Benfleet.
It is also suggested that a joint committee should be set up to report upon casts of breaches of regulations, and that the district council should seek the necessary authority to regulate the times of buses and the fares which are charged upon them. The powers of the hackney carriage committee in this' direction are, for the moment., somewhat limited.
* Distributing Englebert Tyres.
Englebert Tyres, Ltd., inform us that arrangements have just been concluded for improving the distributien of their tyres in the south-western counties. By a mutual arrangement, the sales agency at Brighton, hitherto held by Mr: C. R. Wilson, has been closed; and the company have opened their OWil branch at 17, Strand, Southampton, under the' management of Mr. F. G. Bignall,who has had a long and varied experience in the tyre trade.
A Rangeof Useful Accessories.
The Imperial Motor Industries, Ltd., 11, Denmark Street, London, W.C.2, have just issued a new 'booklet dealing with a large range of motor accessories, many of which are suitable for use on commercial motor vehicles. Some of the lines which are listed are not standard equipment, bet the prices which are charged for these and other accessories are most moderate. A copy of the cats• logue will 'he forwarded to any reader on applicationto the address given above.
Municipal Costs in Essex.
The annual report of the county surveyor of Essex shows that the cost of maintaining the first-class, second-class and unclassified roads in the county during the past year was £579.12 per mile. The main-road mileage in the county totals 795.45.
The motor vehicles owned by the council consist of 15 Foden steam wagons, 8 Aveling and Porter steam tractors, 4 Clayton and Shuttleworth steam wagons, 3 Straker-Squire petrol lorries and 8 Ford lorries.
The cost per day for operating the various types of vehicle is shown to be 62s. 2d. for steam wagons, 50s. 7d. for steam tractors, 35s. 9d. for petrol lorries, and 30s. 3d. for Ford tonners. So far as the rollers are concerned, the costs per day average 37s. 4d. for those which are steam-driven and 33s. 8d. for those • which are petrol-propelled.
Parliament and London Cabs.
Commenting on the state of some of the taxicabs at present in service on the London streets, Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy raised the question in the House of Commons recently as to the possibility of introducing first-class and secondclass vehicles, as was carried out in Paris. The Home Secretary, however, did not consider that it was desirable to introduce the system at present in vogue in the French capital.
It is a moot point whether the use of first and second-class vehicles would have beneficial results, but in this connection we would draw attention to the suggestion which has been made in our columns from time to time concerning the possibility of the use of one or twoseater cabs, at a reduced fare, in place of many of the ordinary four-seaters, which, admittedly, are not often loaded to their full ca.nacity.
A Trailer with a Rear Seat.
Fodens, Ltd. have recently constructed a specisa heavy type of trailer for the British Barnsley Co-operative Society, which possesses one or two distinctive features, the most important of which is the seat attached to the end of the frame for the use f a trailer-man. This seat, as our illustration shows, is • of neat design, being of box shape and comfortably upholstered. The trailer brake mechanism has been so devised
that it is capable of operation by the occupant of this seat.
The use of the seat in this position has certain advantages, particularly in that it enables the load to be safeguarded, for the trailer is used for the transport of foodstuffs. Moreover, it also provides the trailer-man with a comfortable seat, and relieves the driver of anxiety, particularly at night, so far as the illumination of the rear lamp is concerned. The seat is so fixed that, should it be necessary, it can be readily removed.
A Safely First Pamphlet.
The National. "Safety First" Association, 119, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, has just issued a useful.pamphlet in connection with its "Accident Prevention" scheme, which deals with precautions which should be taken against fire, and also gives instructive notes on the questions of fire precaution and firefighting.
Prospects in Morocco. According to a recent return, there are now 1,362 commercial motor vehicles in use in Morocco. In view of the large amount of road construction at present in hand in the country, Morocco is considered to offer good prospects for further sales of similar machines.
A Bristol Company's Progress.
The business of Harris and Hasell, Ltd., of Bristol, has increased to such a remarkable extent during the past 10 years that the company recently found it necessary to seek more commodious premises, and have removed to St. Creorge's Road, Bristol, where greater
showroom space is available, and the garage is of larger proportions.
The change of address was announced to the trade in general by the distribution of an attractive folder, and the principals of the company were caricatured thereon.
As is perhaps generally known, Harris and Flasell, Ltd., are distributors in the United Kingdom for the Rao Speed wagon, whilst they also handle Citroen products in the West"of England. In the past year the company have increased their business activities by opening offices and .showrooms at 130, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, under the directorship of Mr. G. Martin Gamble, A.M.I.A.E.
Road Transport in Northern Ireland.
A meeting of the roads advisory committee for Northern Ireland recently considered a number of questions relating to road traffic and allied matters. Some of the subjects under consideration concerned those relating to by-laws for the regulation and control of passenger vehicles, kerbside petrol pumps, speed of motor coaches and similar vehicles, improvement of roads and damage caused to highways by heavy vehicles.
Inst of T. Meeting in Yorkshire.
A meeting a the Yorkshire local section of the Institute of Transport will be held in the Town Hall, Leeds, on Friday, January 12th, 1025, at 5.30-p.m., when Mr. J. B. Hamilton, C.B.E., the chairman of the section will deliver his inaugural address. Applications for visitor's tickets should be made to the honorary secretary of the section, Mr. R. Pegter, district locomotive superintendent, L.M. and S. Railway, Leeds.
A Bus Company's Acquisition.
The Hants and District Motor Services, Ltd., have purchased the omnibus business of Mr. H. W. Smith, and the licences held by the original owner have been transferred to the new company.
A Koren Motor Road.
H.M. Acting-Consul at Dairen has recently reported that the new motor road running from Dairen to Port Arthur, the construction of whioh was begun in October, 1921, under the Governorship of Prince Yamagata, was formally opened to traffic a few weeks ago, the work having taken just over three years to complete.
The 'route follows the line of the southern coast of the peninsula, whereas the railway cuts across to the northern coast and then again south. Two tunnels and several Bridges have had to be constructed to take the new road, but, on the wheel, the route has not offered any seriou,s engineering problems. The road is approximately 35 miles long, its maximum width being 36 ft., and its minimum width of 30 ft. The estimated cost of constructing the new road is Yen 1,135,000. The distance by rail between the two places is 37 miles.
A Japanese company at Dairen have started an omnibus service over the new road, and are at present running six
Ford buses. These vehicles will undoubtedly be very largely used, since the train service connecting Dairen and Port Arthur Is somewhat irregular.
Dudley-Wolverhampton Trolley-buses.
The traitways committee of the Iltaelley Corporation has had several interviews with representatives of Wolverhampton Corporation regarding the acquisition of powers and the running by the Wolverhampton Corporation of a system of trolley-buses between the pwo centres, and it has .submitted details of the terms upon which an agreement will
he effected. • Reconstruction of certain of the roads is to be undertaken and the neoe,ssary equipment erected. The Wolverhampton Corporation is to bear all the expense in connection with the acquisition of the Snecessary rights and power to give effecl to their proposed undertaking . . Reconstruction of the length of route withinthe Borough of Dudley is estimated to cost £24,317, of which sum £11,625 will be met by a grant from the Ministry of Transport, and against the remainder of the cost to be borne by the Dudley Corporation may be set a contribution of £3,250 637 the Wo1verhartip 224 ton Corporation in respect of certain road works, leaving a net sum of £9,442 to be found by the Dudley Corporation.
The German Show.
The German Motor Show, which closed in Berlin one day last week, was of a most comprehensive nature, and included exhibits of all types of motor vehicle. In the commercial motor section no fewer than 35 exhibitors displayed a range of their products, all of which were of German manufacture.
Road Improvements in Lewis.
The island of Lewis is well provided with good roads, constructed by a former owner—Sir James Matheson, Bart. ----more than half a century ago. They were designed and built, however, on the old macadam system' and are proving somewhat unsuitable for present-day traffic. It is pleasing to note that a scheme has just been formulated, and will shortly be carried into effect, for
bringing the highways in the island into line with modern requirements. At a meeting of the Lewis District Committee held a few days ago, the chairman reported that Sir Henry Maybury had now authorized it to proceed with the project for treating certain specified sections of its classified highways with bituminous compounds and other up-todate materials. The cost of the work is estimated at £10,000, and of this sum 75 per cent. will be provided by the Government and the remaining 25 per cent, is to be defrayed out of the local rates. The Ministry of Transport is, at its own expense to appoint an engineer to supervise the work.
Fire Tender or Ambulance.
Thornaby Corporation Fire Brigade Committee has appointed a sub-committee to inquire into the question of purchasing a motor fire tender, so that additional firemen can be conveyed to the scene of an outbreak after the de-i parture of the motor engine. A suggestion has been advanced that this could be accomplished by purchasing a motor ambulance, which would also be on hand for use in case of accidents, etc. This suggestion is to receive consideration.
Local Proceedings.
Glasgow Corporation has purchased a chassis for an ambulance from Claud Hamilton, Ltd., for £.675.
The Monmouth Town Council is endeavouring to raise funds for the provision of a motor fire-engine Rochdale Corporation has decided to establish a special parking ground for motor vehicles, but has not yet decided on the site which is to be used for the purpose.
Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee is numbering the local bus routes and is arranging that vehicles used for rush traffic purposes shall be denoted by a red star.
The Middlesbrough Corporation Hackney Carriage Committee has sanctioned the institution of a new motorbus service between Middlesbrough and Searner, by way of slickham Village, 'Blue Bell, Stainton, Maltby and Hilton.
Ford Prices Down In an advice which has recently been received from Detroit, it is announced that the Ford Motor Co. have reduced the prices of certain of their models in America-, amongst those of interest to our readers being the chassis and the 1-4on track, which have each been reduced by five dollars.
• 'The Bridging of the Thames.
Mr. Shim:men-Smith, the president of the Comnierolal Motor Users Association, occupied the Chair at a meeting of inembera of the Association on Tuesday of last week in order'-to, Consider the natitrei Of -the3vieris'Which a-re to be laid before the London County Council upon the question of the adequacy, condition, approaches, etc., of the existing bridges over the Tilikmes and the necessity for additional Meal% oftransit acress the river within the Administrative County of London.
P.W.D. Vehicles in _Quebec.
F.W.D, Montreal Motor :Truck. Co. have sent us a dopy •of a recent. amendment to the Vehicle Law in the Province of Quebec. This refers to a report. of . the chief engineer of the roads jepartanent, in which it is stated that the use of four-wheel-driven vehicles protects the road. In consequence, the amendment permits an increase in the maximum axle weights permitted by the law for vehicles provided with two driving axles. The new limits for such vehicles are: 9,000 lb. per axle with pneumatic tyres and 8,000 lb. per aide with solid tyres.
Buses for Thornaby.
Having watched with keen interest the establishment and growth of motorbus services in adjacent districts, the Thoreaby Corporation is now considering the advisability of followng the example tset by neighbouring municipal authorities, and is reviewing the possibility of instituting similar facilities in its area. The first object is to provide adequate passenger-carrying facilities to and from Thornaby Village, and at the next meeting of the town council the question of whether the powers should be sought to run buses will be fully considered and decided upon.