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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

Canadian Tariffs on British Vehicles.

We have been asked to amplify the information on Canadian tariffs which was contained in our issue for last week. The figures there given applied only to goods vehicles, but we will repeat these for the sake of clarity.

British goods vehicles enter free, but there is a 20 per cent. ad valorem as a general tariff applying to the principal competing countries. The figures previously were 12-i per cent. British and 20 per cent. foreign.

The present tariff for buses, carrying not less than ten people and including the chassis, is, British, 15 per cent, ad valorem ; general, 40 per cent. This shows no reduction from previous rates.

In addition, there is a sales tax of 6 per cent, on the dutiable value and duty, -if any ; this is paid by the operator if' he imports direct, or is paid on sale if imported for later disposal. Then there is an excise tax of 3 per cent, on the dutiable value, and a dumping duty on British vehicles of 62 Canadian cents per sterling on the value shown on the invoice, but there is a possibility of this being revised.

"East Yorkshire" Results.

During the year ended September 30, 1932, the total revenue of the East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., amounted to £205,840, as against £194,992 in the previous year. After deducting all expenses and providing for depreciation, there is a balance of £18,541, to which has to be added a sum of £10,404 brought into the accounts. The directors propose placing £5,000 to reserve, whilst a dividend at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum absorbs £12,800, thus leaving 111,205 to carry forward.

M.R.S. Oil-crigined Seammells.

Some criticisms have reached us concerning the table of comparative performances obtained with petrol-engined and oil-engined Scammell vehicles owned by M.R.S., Ltd., which we published on November 25, because, through an oversight, the gross ton-mileages for the petrol vehicles were calculated on the legal loads, whereas those for the oil-engined vehicles were given on the actual pay loads carried, which were rather higher. We have asked M.R.S., Ltd., to check the figures, and will then republish the table.

"Devon General" Capital Increase.

The Devon General Omnibus and Touring Co., Ltd. has increased its capital to £300,000 by the creation of 50,000 7 per cent. cumulative preference shares, 50,000 ordinary shares and 30,000 unclassified shares of £1 each.

R.H.A. Stops Rate-cutting.

A case of arbitration was successfully conducted recently, in Northamptonshire, by the Road Haulage Association. A number of hauliers had for some time been cutting rates until an impracticably low figure for haulage work had been reached. Through the efforts of the Association, the hauliers in question have now agreed to a definite rate, at a figure nearly double the lowest that had previously been charged.

The East Midland Area of the R.H.A., incidentally, stands first in the country for membership and number of vehicles registered, and last Friday, at a meeting of the Derby and Derbyshire branch, to discuss rate-cutting, the first complete schedule of charges was drawn up and approved.

En.tlish Electric High-speed Oil Engines

Following the production for over 30 years of Diesel engines, including the Fullager opposed-piston engine, which has been constructed in sizes up to 2,500 h.p., the English Electric Co., Ltd., has now developed engines of this type to run at much higher speeds, with outputs suitable for general, traction and industrial applications.

The engines are produced at the company's works at Rugby, and amongst the latest to be turned out is a six-cylindered power unit developing 200 h.p. when running at 1,500 r.p.m. It is of the airless-injection type working on the usual four-stroke cycle, and has Bosch fuel pumps and injectors. The fuel consumption is stated to be unusually low, namely, 0.38 lb. and 0.40 lb. per b.h.p.-hour at full load and three-quarter load respectively.

Fabricated steel construction has been employed for the lower half of the crankcase, which forms the bed-plate, whilst the upper half is of cast steel.

The development is of interest in that the new unit approaches, in crankshaft speed and in size, figures that are common in the road-transport field.

Danger of Dropped Sugar Beet.

Those hauliers who, at this time of the year, undertake the transport of sugar beet, should make sure of the security of their loads and be certain that there is no risk of beet falling from the body, otherwise they run the risk of coming up against the law. Three drivers were recently prosecuted for this offence ; each was fined ft and costs. The chairman of the Woodbridge Bench, before whom they were brought, stated that the cases had been brought owing to the extreme danger caused to other road traffic, and it was hoped that drivers would take the prosecutions as a warning. '

The charges against the drivers, who were in the service of a firm of hauliers, were that the packing and adjustment of the load were not such that no danger was likely to be caused thereby. Cowlsel representing the defendant condern said that the drivers were given a net and instructed that it should be used. R.H.A., Area Committee for Sheffield.

Mr. Grocock presided at a meeting of hauliers recently held in Sheffield, ender the auspices of the Road Haulage Association, when Messrs. E. B. Hutchinson, W. Donaldson-Wright, Galbraish, L. J. Rix and G. A. Hotter, the secretary, were the principal speakers.

Mr. Hutchinson dealt with the history and activities of the Association, Mr. Donaldson-Wright with the work done on behalf of hauliers, and Messrs. Galbraish and Rix detailed what 'had• already been achieved in the Midland area. Mr. Hotter gave some interesting details of the work in hand and in prospect.

A small committee was formed, with Mr. Grocock as chairman, to start an area committee in Sheffield and district.

Barton Transport Trading.

During the year ended September 30, 1932, Barton Transport, Ltd., made a net profit of £10,943. A dividend of 10 per cent, is recommended for payment on the deferred shares, 11,680 is to be transferred to the sinking fond for arrears of preference dividend, £1,248 written off goodwill and £1,165 carried forward, subject to directors? additional remuneration.

Cummins Engine Factory Extended.'

As a result of the growing demand for oil engines in the United States, the Cummins Engine Co., of Detroit, has recently found it necessary to extend its works. Hitherto the output has been about three engines per week, but the plant has now a weekly capacity of 25 units, Papers Before the IA.E.

At a meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers to be held at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, London, W.C.2, on Tuesday, January 3, 1933, at 7.45 p.m., Mr. E. A. Watson will read a paper entitled "Electrical Equipment for Automobiles." Mr. Watson has been known as a specialist in this subject for many years and his Paper will be of much interest as recording the latest progress in this important aspect of automobile engineering.

Mr. Watson will also read his paper at the following provincial eentres of the Institution ;—Birmingham, January 4, at the Queen's Hotel, at 7.30 p.m.; Coventry, January 10, at the King's Head Hotel, at 7.30 p.m.; Glasgow, January 16, at the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders, 39, Elmbank Crescent, at 7.30 p.m.; Leeds, January 18, at the Metropole Hotel, King Street, at 7.15 p.m.

A paper of topical interest will be read by Dr. A. B. Everest, of the Mond Nickel Co., Ltd., before the Wolverhampton centre of the Institution, at the Victoria Hotel, Wolverhampton, at 7.30 p.m„ on January 17, on the subject of "Alloy Cast Irons in Automobile Construction." Dr. Everest will also read his paper before the western centre of the Institution at the Merchant Venturers Technical College, Bristol, on February 2, at 7 p.m.

High Speed with a New 011-engined Railcar.

The Midi of France Railway Co. has recently put in service a new 61-seater railcar constructed by the Societe des

Entreprises Industrielle Charentaise, of Paris. The vehicle is driven by a Junkers 75 h.p. two-stroke-cycle oil engine, the power beingtransmitted to one of the two axles through a threespeed gearbox. The car, which is 39 ft. long, is of all-metal construction and is stated to weigh only 6e tons, and can, it is said, travel at neatly 60 m.p.h. The Procedure for Licence Renewals.

It is estimated that approximately 21 million motor-vehicle licences will expire on December 31, of which the majority will be renewed for the quarter or year commencing January 1, 1933.

The renewal of licences may be effected right away. To avoid delay, the instructions for renewal, as set out in the registration book and on the renewal form R.F.1A, should be carefully followed. Evidence must be produced when application is made for a motorvehicle licence that the provisions of Part II of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, have been complied with. This evidence will usually take the form of a certificate of insurance or a certificate of security. Where renewals are effected at post offices, personal attendance is necessary, but applications for licences to county councils or county borough councils may be made either personally or through the post.

Neate Trailer Brake Development.

The Trailer Appliance Co., Ltd., 44, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1, which markets the Neate adjustable controls for trailer brakes, advises us that its ne* premises will be completed by the end of the year and, after January 2, 1933, its business will be conducted from Abbey House, Baker Street, London, N.W.1.

Nathan Fine Forms Limited Company.

About 50 guests were present at the invitation of Mr. Nathan Pine, of Nathan Fine, Ltd., at the Exchange Hotel, Manchester, last week, to 9elebrate the inauguration of the limitedliability company. The guests comprised transport managers.

Italy Interested in Railcars.

Following the trials of a Micheline railcar in Italy, early this year, Italian motor manufacturers and railway authorities are devoting coneideralele attention to vehicles of this type. Some trials have recently been made between Florence and Leghorn of a 50-seater Fiat railcar, whilst the O.M. Co. has adapted an oil lorry to run on rails.

A Training College Function.

The Automobile Engineering Training College, Sydney Street, King's Road, Chelsea, London, S.W.3, held its annual dinner and dance on December 16 at the Park Lane Hotel, and the principal, Mr. C. H. Roberts, AISLE., F.I.M.T., is to be congratulated upon the success of the function.

The first speaker after the loyal toast was the Countess of Drogheda, C.B.E., who proposed the toast of "Mrs. Amy Mollison." Then the principal gave the toast of "The Guests," and took the opportunity for referring to some of the college successes. On the automobile side, he said, 36 students have won the College Diploma, three of them gaining Grade A. and honours, these being R. C. Mouat, R. G. Sutherland and J. Lorentz. Nineteen students have passed the examination of the Institution of Automobile Engineers and 47 that of the Institute of the Motor Trade, the silver medal of the latter being awarded to J. G. Offord, who obtained second place.

There are now under instruction in the Automobile College and the Aeronautical College approximately 230 students, and the premises of the automobile section will double their present capacity early in the New Year.

Mr. Roberts welcomed the addition to the staff this year of Mr. J. R. Williams, who has taken charge of the careers department of the Automobile College, and kin Fozard, who will supervise the aeronautical section.

In reply, Lieut.-Colonel J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon, M.O., M.P., remarked that if the success of the college could be gauged by the distinction of the guests it must be very uc co s s f ul indeed. Re was followed by Colonel The Master of Sempill, A.F.C., and Mr. J. A. Mallisoia.

New Taxation for Motorcycles.

'Mose traders who employ motorcycles, with or without sidecars, are reminded that, by reason of the coming Into force on January 1 of section 13 of the Finance Act, 1932, the majority of motorcycles will require to be reclassified for taxation purposes, which will be according to engine capacity instead of by weight.

Whilst there is no increase in the taxation payable in respect of any machine already licensed, it is necessary that they should all be redeclared on declaration form R.F.1/2 and not on renewal application form R.F.1A. No licences will be issued by post offices. All applications for motorcycle licences will have to be made at the local taxation office.

The normal procedure for renewal will be resumed at the end of the first quarter of 1933.

Railway Traffic Still Declining.

The Ministry of Transport has recently issued statistics dealing with railway traffic for the calendar month of September and the four weeks ended October 8, 1932. The total number of passenger journeys (excluding those Made by season-ticket holders) taken on all standard-gauge railways in Great Britain in September was 92,215,720, a decrease of 3,635,118 compared with September, 1931. The journeys taken by passengers at reduced fares decreased by 606,016, and those at standard or ordinary fares by 3,029,102.

For the four weeks ended October 8, 1316 the coaching train miles showed an increase of 281,689 compared with the four weeks ended October 10, 1931, but the total tonnage of freight conveyed (excluding free-hauled traffic) at 18,817,799 was 1,991,908 tons less than in 1981. The freight-train receipts amounted to 16,143.558, a decrease of 14 per cent., whilst the freight-train miles run were 900,813 fewer than in the corresponding period of 1931.

R.H.A. Activity in Portsmouth and District.

A well-attended meeting of hauliers was held at Portsmouth a few days ago, when Mr. D. Richardson, of Chatham, the chairman of the South-Eastern Area of the Road Haulage Association, presided. Mr. George A. Hotter, the secretary of the Association, addressed the meeting at some length, outlining the activities of the Association, whilst Mr. H. It. Whichello, the secretary of the area, also spoke.

A committee was formed to arrange for a definite linking up of the district with the Association and a number of those present for membership.

Personal Pars.

Mr. C. G. Vokes, A.M.I.Ae.E., is just forming a Lagonda club, and as, no doubt, several members of our industry own Lagonda cars it is thought that some might care to cornmunica‘e with him at 95-97, Lower Richmond Road, London, S.W.15. Mr. Voices is well known as the managing di. eotor of C. G. Vokes, Ltd., the acces■ sory concern specializing in filters of all kinds. He has devoted a long time to the production of filters for liquids and gases, and is doing a good business in the motor and other industries.

We are glad to welcome to London Mr. Arnold H. A. Brauer, member of the Leipzig Fair Board, who will take over the supervision of the London 'office and direct the activities of the Leipzig Fair in Great Britain, the Dominions and Colonies from January 1. Mr. E. H. P. Meyer, who held this position previously, has proceeded to carry out similar work in Yugo Slavia, where he will be pleased to assist his English friends. His address is Geschaeftsstelle des Leipziger ■Messamts, Belgrade, Knez Mihajlova 33, Yugo Slavia.

A very pleasant carnival dance was held by Chrysler Motors Social and Athletic Club on Saturday last, this taking place in the company's showrooms. The opportunity was then taken to introduce to the representatives of the general and technioalPress the new chairman of directors of Chrysler Motors, Ltd., and Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd., who proved to be an old friend in the person of Mr. F. Conway Jenkins, C.B.E., whose portrait we reproduce. Mr. Conway Jenkins is an Englishman, born in London, and his connection with the motor industry dates back to 1905. Besides taking part in the early motor races at Brooklands and elsewhere, including the early Tourist Trophy Car Races in the Isle of Man, he is one of the fear remaining pioneer pilots, his ticket being No. 74, obtained early in 1911.

During the war he rose to be one of our youngest Brigadier-Generals. Li addition to the C.B.E. (Military Division), he was awarded the Second Order of St. Stan-flatus of Russia and made a Commander of the Order of the Redeemer of Greece.

For the past 11 years, eight of which have been spent in London, Mr. Conway Jenkins has been associated with the Royal Dutch Shell Group. He is thoroughly British in his ideas of business management. His appointment is a further step in the companies' constant efforts to increase the percentage of British capital, labour and material in their products, and it will not be long before an all-British 2-tonner is placed on a production basis—probably in two lengths of wheelbase and as a forward-control model. A British-built chassis has already been tried out and approved in America.

More G.V.s. for Dairy Service.

The General Vehicle Co., Ltd., Pakenham Street, London, W.C.1, has received a further repeat order from the Express Dairy Co., Ltd., this being the fourth received since April last. The company will now have a total of six G.V. 1Q-cwt. electric vehicles.

Hopes for Refrigerator Vans in Argentina.

"During the next few years, road transport will he opened up in the Argentine, to a great extent," said Mr. Joseph Raymond, secretary of the British Association of Refrigeration, in an address to members of the northwestern section, at Liverpool. • " Ilere is a direction in which refrigerated road traction can be catered for by British firms," he suggested. "One point to be noted in commercial representation in Argentina is that if custom be sought in outlying districts inland, it is far preferable to work for this through the medium of well-established local agents, knowing the territory, rather than to leave it for distant operation from Buenos Aires."

Morris Sound-film Display.

A display of the Morris sound film will bo given at the showrooms of Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., Morris House, The Vale, Acton, London, W.3, at 7.30 p.m. on the evenings of January 2-5, 1933. As seating accommodation is limited, readers who are interested are requested to apply for tickets fit the earliest, Rending letters to the film depertment at the address given..

The Advertising Exhibition and Conference.

The Advertising Exhibition and Conference will he held at Olympia next year from July 17 to 22. The financial problem comprises the selling of space to the value of about £36,000, and 10 days after the first announcement the applications had accounted for £15,000.

Major the Hon. J. J. Astor, president of the Advertising Association, recently made the following statement: "If you advertise when trade is on the upward trend you stand to garner a good harvest; if on the down grade, you will at any rate parachute and not plunge."