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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 rwas."—John Beattie Crozier An Important I.A.E. Announcement.

On the occasion of the 11th annual dinner of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, the chairman, Sir Herbert Austin, K.B.E., made an important announcement in his brief speech, which Ivas the only one of the evening. As from January 1st, 1931, the Institution will co-ordinate the work of education, research, and standardization in the automobile industry in these matters it will work with the S.M.M. and T.

and the Research Association. The negotiations regarding these changes have involved much work, but there is no doubt that the new arrangements will do much further to enhance the 'value IA the Institution and to guide the industry in many directions, inci

dentally, eliminating waste.

The dinner, which was of an unconventional but extremely enjoyable 'nature, was well attended, and there was a large number Of distinguished guests. At midnight Sir Herbert Austin was the centre of an amusing " stunt " in which a pseudo Austin Seven caused a great deal of. merriment.

M.T.T.A. Members Visit A.E.C. Works.

Members of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association recently made a visit to the Southall works of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., principally with the object of in-. specting the company's new high-speed oil engine. 'We understand that this was the first occasion on which the Association has responded, as a body, to the invitation of a manufacturer.

The members had an opportunity for comparing the riding qualities of doublesaloon buses equipped with both petroldriven and oil-driven power units, and Mr. C. W. Reeve, the managing director of the company, gave a brief talk on the development and capabilities of

the high-speed oil engine. Technical members of the Southall staff explained the new oil engine and its oompouent parts.

The Death of Mr. Emile Gareke.

It is with great regret and a sense of loss that we have to record the death, at the age of 73, of Mr. Emile Garcke, the chairman and managing director of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., of Loughborough. He was one of the most able and successful organizers of the development, in the latter part of last century, of the electrical industry in this country, and his loss will be deeply felt by everybody who was concerned in the early and active years of the electrical development.

Born in 1856, Mr. Gareke first became directly concerned in an electrical undertaking in 1883, when he was appointed secretary of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd. In a few years he became chairman and managing director. In 1892 he accepted the post of managing director of the Electric Construetion Co., Wolverhampton, and under him this company was completely reorganized. It was at this time that electric traction engaged his attention, and in 1895 he formed the British Electric Traction Pioneer Co., which later became . the British Electric Traction Co., Ltd. His retirement from executive work in this company took place only last year.

Mr. Gareke devoted much Of his activities to 'electricity supply and passenger transport in the Midlands and, directly or indirectly, was concerned with more than 80 companies in this field. Apart from his position on the Advisory. Joint Electrical Committee, he was chairman of the North Metropolitan Electric Supply Co., and chairman, down to the day of his death, of the Shropshire, Worcestershire and

Staffordshire Electric Power Co. It was in 1896 that ha fOunded his "Manual of Electrical Undertakings," which has now grown to a volume of 2,000 pages.

Mr. Emile Cantle leaves a worthy successor in his one son, Mr. Sydney E. Garelte, who is chairrnan of Tilling and British Autoinobile Traction, Ltd., and of many associated companies.

Tube Stacks for Railway-lorry

Radiators.

Messrs. Davies Brothers, 18, Alexandra Road, Bedford, advise us that they have received an order from Dennis Brothers, Ltd., for 108 G-type Conquest tube stacks for the radiators of the 2-ton vehicles which it is supplying to . the Great Western . Railway Co. The Southern Railway Co. has also specified Conquest stacks for the 3J-type Thornycrofts which are being built.

More Crossleys for East Africa.

Many of our readers will recall that Crossley Motors, Ltd., Gorton, Manchester, supplied, in the early part of this year, ajbatch of four 20-60 h.p. six-wheeled vehicles for service in East Africa; the purchase of the vehicles marking the beginning of the mechanization of the King's African Rifles, stationed at Kenya. Later, an order was received for six more machines, and so satisfactory have these vehicles proved that now another two orders have been given for sixteensimilar vehicles.

Thornycroft Progress : Oil engine Experiments.

The 29th annual general meeting of John I. Thornycnoft and Co., Ltd., was held a few days ago, when Sir John E. Thornyeroft, K.B.E., managing director, after reviewing the accounts (which were 'briefly referred to in our issue for last week) proceeded to deal with the activities of the company.

So far as motor-vehicle production was concerned, he said that there had been an increase in the sales at home, although export orders had fallen off, but judging from the published returns of imports into the company's best foreign markets, it had more than held its own.

Sir John made reference to the substitution of petrol by heavy oil, and said that the . company had, for some time, been running experimental vehicles equipped with engines using such fuel, and that it would be in a position to supply such machined as soon as any general demand arose.

A Simple Brake Booster.

In our issue dated November 18th, in the course of a description of the latest Peerless Trader six-cylinder eighttonner, we referred to a simple variableleverage mechanism employed on this chassis to give extra braking power with full application of the pedal.

We are asked by the Transport Equipment Co., 4, Clement's Inn, London, W.C.2, to announce that this company has the British rights for this device, which is known as the Cleco brake unit. It is being fitted on all Peerless Trader chassis.: The unit consists of three important parts, namely, the haae, which is bracketed to the frame of the vehicle, the lever and the cam. The lever when pulled by the rod from the brake . pedal turns -about its fulcrum, carrying with it a pin rigidly secured about halfway along the lever. The carn is carried bodily with the pin, but movement of the cam is controlled by the sides of a slot, which engages with a stud forming part of the base plate. In the initial stage of application a movement of half an inch at the end of the lever gives a movement Of .84 in. at the end of the cam. The lever end has a total travel Of Of ins., and the leverage increases from 0.6 to 1 Up to 3.3 to'1.

Brazil to Use Alcohol as Fuel?

According to a report just to hand from Rio de Janeiro, a Bill is at present under discussion in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies by which the substitution of alcohol for petrol as a motor fuel is proposed. To this end, bounties would be paid to the producers • of motor alcohol, and machinery for the manufacture of it would be exempt from import duty and its clearance through the Customs facilitated,: High'compression engines engines for commercial and other motor vehicles, which. are capable of employing only aleoholjis fuel, would be also exempt from import duty. A New London-Bournemouth Service. 6n Wednesday last, November 19th, G yhound Motor, Ltd., the wellkn ven coach-service operating concern, w 'ch has its head office at 5, St. Angustine's Place, Bristol, inaugurated, in conjunction with the Southern Rail

1 w1 y Co., a new coach service between London and Bournemouth. At the L ndon end the service is operating from th London Terminal Coach Station, 80 Clapham Road, S.W.9, from which pl ce the departure times are 8.35 a.m. 10 35 a.m., 12.35 p.m., 1.25 p.m., 3. p.m., and 5.35 p.m. Coaches call at th London office of Greyhound Motors, Lt2d, 229, Hammersmith Road, W.6, w ich is acting as the head terminal ag /icy for the Metropolis. At the B urnemouth end operation is from the stntion of Richmond Garages, Ltd., which is adjacent to The Square, and aches leave for London at 7.45 a.m., 114L5 a.m., 10.15 a.m., 1.15 p.m., 2.[5 p.m. and 4.45 p.m, The winter fares a e 10s. single, 12s. 6d. day return and 15s. period return. Bristol coaches of mbdern type with saloon bodywork and aeeommodation for 26 passengers are being employed.

Steel Furniture for Workshop and Garage.

In commercial-vehicle garages and in ntenance shops there is a need for d, rable furniture which, by reason of it easy accessibility, can reduce the mist of work done on the premises. In the past there have been many instances o concerns making up their own racks, bins and so forth, often at considerable crst. To-day there is no need for this procedure, because specialised products of the kind are available. Constructors, L:d., Nickel Works, Tyburn Road, E0ington, Birmingham, offers a eomplete range of equipment of this kind,

including tyre racks, spring racks, unit bins, trestles and benches. Those having need for such items will be well advised to obtain detailed particulars of the ex' tremely useful equipment available.

Prosecutions for Excessive Speed.

In the three months ended October 31st bat 1,450 prosecutions were instituted in the Metropolitan police district against drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles for the offence of exceeding the speed limit.

"United Counties" Report.

• During the year ended September last the United Counties Omnibus and Road Transport Co., Ltd., made a profit of £37,617, the total available for distribution being £37,773. The sum of £27,386 has been placed to general reserve, the balance of £10,387 being absorbed by dividend payments to the holders of the cumulative participating preference shares, cumulative preference shares and ordinary shares, except for £699, which is being carried forward.

A Bodywork Salesman Wanted.

A well-known concern of high-class commercial bodybuilders requires the services of a sales manager who has had first-class experience in this branch of the industry. A good opportunity exists for the right man. Further particulars can be obtained from the small advertisement columns of this issue.

Twenty More Licences for Green Line.

The licensing committee of Northfleet Urban District Council has granted permission to Green Line Coaches, Ltd., to operate 20 vehicles. This municipality has declined to grant Lewis Safety Coaches and Fleet Transport Services, Ltd., licences to operate through the district to and from London. The ground for refusal is the present adequacy of services. A British Six-wheeler for Denmark.

Denmark is the latest Continental country to offer the opportunity for demonstrating the capabilities of modern types of British bus for municipal service, and to the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., has fallen the honour of despatching for service with the Copenhagen Tramways what is said to be the first English six-wheeled single-decker to appear on Danish roads, This is one of the company's Renown models, and it is a standard chassis with the exception that the frame has been slightly extended to take a longer body and the engine horse power has been increased from 95 to 110. The body is being built to the specification of the operating company.

The work of the vehicle will be in and around Copenhagen, and we under.

stand that its performance will be compared with that of several foreign makes. An engineer from the A.E.C. factory, specially trained in foreign operating conditions, will make the join.ney to Denmark to ensure that the trial chassis is driven and maintained in a manner likely to be productive of the best results.

Removal of Trade Refuse Not Obligatory.

A complaint made by a tradesman at a meeting of the Pembroke municipality calls to mind an interesting point that

may not be generally understood. It was stated that one of the refusecollection contractors to the council bad declined to remove waste material from the shopkeeper's premises.

The town clerk said that the contractor had acted within his rights and that the Public Health Acts empowered local authorities to arrange for the collection and disposal only of house refuse. The right to refuse to remove trade material has, it was stated, been established in several court cases.

Packings for Popular Steam Wagons.

A range of packing,=s for steam wagons is produced at reasonable prices by British Belting and Asbestos, Ltd.These paekings are specially arranged to meet the requirements of popular models of Sentinel and Garrett vehicle, and include paekings for piston rods, water pumps: oil glands, boiler doors, cylinder heads and other parts.

The same concern is now marketing a fire blanket for use in garages, which is sold with a neat container in which it can be kept. Such blankets are effective for smothering localized fires, such as sometimes occur in the carburetter. The address of the concern is 59, Southwark Street, London, S.E.1.

A Subtle Legal Point.

Whether a motorbus for which a general trade licence had been taken out could be used to convey members of a company's welfare club for a sports outing was a legal point which the Shrewsbury magistrates have had to decide. This -arose out of • a charge

against Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, for using a bus under a general trade licence for a Purpose other than that for which the vehicle was authorized to be used.

The ease was outlined by the defending solicitor, who pointed out that the bus could have been licensed as a hackney carriage for £25 or under the limited trade licence for £5; the latter licence would enable the company to test its vehicles, etc., on the road. As it was, Guy Motors, Ltd., had taken out a general trade licence costing £25, and actually Staffs County Council was gaining money on it. There was no hire or gain, and a section governing the issuing of the licence stated that the vehicle could be used for any purpose connected with the manufacturer, so long as there was no profit or reward. All the passengers on the bus were members of the Guy Motors Welfare Club travelling to Shrewsbury on a sports outing.

The magistrates decided that the vehicle was being used by the company for a purpose connected with and in the course of its business and, accordingly, the charge was dismissed4

The Merits of Trolley-buses.,

Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, has recently issued a catalogue which, apart from dealing very fully with tile four-wheeled and sixWheeled trolley-buses made by the company, surveys the whole field of trolleybus development and indicates the advantages of thiS type of paSsengercarrying unit. The system of regenerative control which is used in Guy trolleybuses is dealt with ; the company claims that it effects a saving of over 20 per cent, in current consumption.

The catalogue is well produced and contains a number of excellent illustra tions. To trolley-bus enthusiasts the article by Mr. H. If. Dudgeon, A.M.I.E.E., of the .tramway and bus department of Birmingham Corporation, which deals with overhead equipment, will be found most interesting.

Facilities Offered by the D.O.T.

• A guide to the services of the Department of Overseas Trade is contained in a booklet which has recently been issued. It has been drawn up to give British traders an idea of the facilities which are available, and it tells the way in which the department is able to assist in the conduct and extension of export trade.

A copy of the guide should be in the hands of all those commercial-vehicle makers who are exploiting, or contemplate paying attention to, markets abroad. The booklet also contains a list of His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in different countries. A copy of the guide can be obtained from the department at 35, Old Queen Street, London, A £26,000 Transport Deal Impending.

Prior to concluding an agreement with the Llanelly Traction Co. to acquire its tramways services and rights, with a view to discarding the trams and found jug a trolley-bus and motorbus service, Lranelly Corporation has decided to take counsel's opinion on the meaning of the monopoly clauses in the recently passed Act of the Llanelly Traction Co.

According to the advice tendered to the company, Parliament, so far from curtailing the protection from opposition and the bus-running powers sought, has granted absolute monopoly of • trading on routes now covered by the trams and the extended services to be run by the buses. If this view be confirmed by independent legal opinion, Llanelly Council will conclude the deal and pay the price asked by the company-namely, £26,000.

The matter is of interest to private bus companies in the area, in that it is contended that their operating rights will be much curtailed if the monopolyclause view be proved correct and that the present area in which they may ply for hire within the borough would be greatly circumscribed.

Freeing a Toll Bridge.

Kesteven (Lincoln) County Council has adopted a recommendation of the highways committee that, provided Lindsey County Council agrees to pay 60 per cent, of the £6,500 required by the London and North Eastern Railway Co. for the purchase of Kirkstead Toll Bridge, the bridge should be purchased.

Ransome and Marks Profits.

The trading profit of the Ransome and Manes Bearing Co., Ltd„ for the year ended June 30th last was £54,746. From this sum £21,837 has been deducted for depreciation and a reserve of £6,750 has been set aside for income tax, so that the net profit for the year amounted to £26,159, the sum available for distribution, after adding the balance brought forward from last year, being £53,370.

It is proposed to pay a dividend of 6 per cent. (less tax), which will account for £23,250, and to carry £2,810 to the reserve to replace an amount used in writing down investments, and after meeting these commitments the sum of £27,310 remains to be carried forward.

The "London Coastal" Winter Programme.

The winter programme of coach services to and from London operating from the well-known coach station at 1a, Lupus Street, °Victoria, S.W.1, has just been published by London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., which has offices at that address as well as at 7b, Lower Belgrave Street, S.W.1, and 433, Brixton Road, S.W.9. It is remarkable to notice that the booklet of winter services, which runs to 108 pages, is very nearly as thick as the company's summer programme for 1930, few services having been seriously curtailed or withdrawn for the winter months.

The sound practice of listing in alphabetical order every town service, with full details of coach lines, fares and times of departure in each case, has been followed, and, so as to facilitate the joining of coaches at definite stopping places on the way out of London, the 27 different routes out of the Metropolis, which are employed by the numerous services, are separately detailed and numbePed, the numbers being used in the main body of the time-tables.

Parking Lorries at the Roadside.

The proposal to provide parking space for lorries at the sides of the more important main roads in Warwickshire is under serious consideration by the highways committee of the county council. Details of the proposed formation of such parking places are being forwarded to the Ministry of Transport, with a view to obtaining a grant.

Dealing with the New Act.

We are informed by Wyman and Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, London, E.C.4, that it has on sale copies of the booklet on the new Act, which has been prepared by Mr. F. G. Bristow, F.C.I.S., M.Inst.T, for commercial-motor owners and drivers. The price is 4d., or post free 5d. The company also sells copies of the new Road Traffic Act, price 2s., or 2s. 2d. post free.

New Products on Exhibition.

Two exhibits at the recent Public Health Exhibition of marked interest to estate managers, public authorities and officials of sports clubs were the new 25-cwt. three-roll petrol-eoginecl roller by Moxons, Ltd., High Road, Whetstone, London, N.20, and the latest form of the Pennsylvania tractor, embodying many Chevrolet parts, and made by Lloyds and Co. (Letchworth), Ltd., Pennsylvania Works, Letchworth. The former has a J.A.P. engine with fan cooling, driving through a cone clutch to a two-speed-and-reverse gearbox. The rear rolls can be ballasted if desired.

The Pennsylvania machine costs £187, has four-wheel brakes, a handoperated tipping gear of the type which can be worked by the driver without dismounting, and a 1 cubic yd. all' steel body. It is well suited to hauling mowers on aerodromes, etc.

Westinghouse Servo Braking.

The subject of vacuum-servo braking is dealt with in a catalogue recently issued by the Westinghouse Brake and Saxby Signal Co., Ltd., 82, York Road, London, N.1. It contains a clear exposition of the Westinghouse system and, by the use of many illustrations, indicates the different types which are available, and shows the working and application of the company's device to motor vehicles and trailers.

Hauling 05-ton Engines Over the Pennines.

Hauling 65-ton locomotives by road for a journey of 80 miles, from Leeds to Liverpool, for shipment—including a crossing over the Pennine Range—is the latest task to be undertaken by M.R.S., Ltd., the well-known Liverpool roadtransport concern which specializes in heavy haulage. The locomotives are being built by a Leeds engineering company and, according to the terms of the contract, they must be despatched complete. The difficulty has been overcome by M.R.S., Ltd., which is using one of its multi-wheeled machines. At one point of the Pennine climb the huge vehicle is able to maintain a speed of only m.p.h., and takes five hours to top the gradient.

A 6,250-mile Reliability Trial.

During the course of next year the Automobile Club of Germany proposes to organize a 6,250-mile reliability trial of private cars. At a recent meeting in Paris of the International Union of Commercial Motor Users' Associations —a body in which Great Britain, as well as seven of the continental countries, are represented—it was decided to ask the Automobile Club of Germany to include a section for commercial vehicles, it being considered that the appearance and behaviour of the machines in such a competition would result in a large extension of their use in continental countries.

A Portable Work Bench.

One of the latest items of time-saving equipment marketed by Brown Brothers, Ltd., Great Eastern Street, London, E.C.2. is a work bench which can move bodily to any desired position in the workshop. Its portability enables a

bench of tools to be taken to a job in cases where bulkiness and weight prevent the part to be dealt with-being taken to the bench. It is known as the Wateoben portable bench, and it has an overall length of 5 ft, its width being 2 ft. and its height 2 ft. 10 ins. The heavy timber top and shelf are bolted to one-piece steel bench legs. Two Models are available.

More Wireless Cars for the War Office.

Crossley Motors, Ltd., Gorton, Manchester, has received a repeat order from the War Department for six wireless vehicles, similar to a batch which was supplied to the Department and to the Canadian Government for the use of the 11,...k.S.C. in April last. The basis of this type of vehicle is the Crossley 20-60 h.p. semi-forward-control sixwheeled chassis, which has a four-cylindered engine of Ea ram. bore and 149 mm. stroke. The body is a Crosslay product and is designed to carry an officer, a driver and four soldiers, in addition to a comprehensive wireless equipment. The usefulness of this type of vehicle is developing.

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