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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

The wheel of wealth will N slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever posnts arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

Short Period Licences.

As a result of negotiations which have taken place between the Motor Legislation Committee and the Ministry of Transport, Sir William Joynson-Ilicks, in the House one day last week, moved a new clause for insertion in the Finance Bill relating to short period licences, so that, inter cilia, the duty for short periods should be proportionate to the full annual duty. Mr. Neal, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, said that the Minister could not accept the clause in its present form, but that he would endeavour to submit a clause, before the report stage of the Finance Bill, which would meet the case.

Taxation of Imported Spares and Accessories.

Replying to a question by Captain Viscount Curzon iii the House of Commons as to whether taximeters, speedometers, spare parts, etc., for cabs and other commercial vehicles are subject to import duty, Mr. Young said that whether imported " accessories ' or " component parts " of motorcars are charged with duty depends upon the nature of the vehicles in connection with which they are used. As taxicabs are liable to tax, their accessories, etc., are also chargeable, but the accessories, etc., Of certain exempt classes of trade vehicles are themselves exempt.

Chapman's New Formation.

In view of the position held by Messrs. Chapman and Sons, of Eastbourne, it is noteworthy to record that the present concern has been formed into a limited liability company, which. was registered on June 17th with a capital

of £100,000 in shares, 60,000 of which are 10 per cent, preference shares. The first directors of the new company are the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, Aid. Sir J. Roll, F. M. Smith, W. A. Jacob, W. Chapman, and G.

Chapman. The registered office is as heretofore at 1, Victoria Place, Eastbourne.

A Birmingham Parade.

The second annual parade of the West Midlands Division of the C.M.17.A."will be held on July iJth at Queen's Drive, Cannon Hill" Park, Birmingham. As is the case with similar parades held under the "auspices of the.C.M.D.A. its main object is to encourage the drivers of commercial _vehicles to. keep their Machines in good and clean condition. Cash prices to the value of over £150 are offered by the Association, in addition to a number of manufacturers' prizes

All-night Buses in Paris.

The lack of .cheap means of communication in Paris during the nig& hours' is now occupying the attention of the authorities. • During the war, and soon after the Armistice, there" .was little activity in the capital between midnight and 5 a.m., but now that cafes may remain open until 2 a.m., and theatres may close much" later,. there are many 'persons, such as waiters, scene-shifters, etc.,

020

who are either obliged to walk home or to pay the double night fare for a taxicab. It is pointed out that from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. the omnibuses are practically empty, a-nd it is proposed to reduce the number in the streets during these hours very considerably in order to enable a _ restricted all-night service to he run. Naturally fares would be much higher fur this specialservice, a fiat rate of fr. 1.50 being proposed. If the necessary authorization for such a service can be obtained, it is thought possible that it may be organized within a. month or two. Omnibuses would not follow the routes used during the day.

Soft Fruits by Road.

It was intimated by the railway corn= panies to the National Federation of Fruit a-nd Potato Trades Association recently that it would be impossible to supply properly appointed railway trucks to carry strawberries from Southampton to London. As a result a number of regular road services were inaugurated, and strawberries and other soft. fruits are being carried by rbad from the fruit. growing districts in the Home Counties to London. Not. only is the delay in transport lessened by five or six hours, although leaving the fields later thah alp rail consignments, but, what is far more significant. the fruit arrives in much better condition.

A New Filling Station.

The Central Maryiebone Garage and Motor Co., LW., opened a few days ago a fuel station at 195, Maryiebone. Road, London, N.W. The present equipment of the Auto Chalet Filling Station, as it is called, comprises four Bowser self measuring pumps together with a hulk storage system of 4,000 gallons capacity for petrol and benzoic. Two Of these pumps discharge at a stroke five gallons, or any intermediate quantities down, to one gallon. During the puinpl lug operation the spirit is accurately measured, metered, filtered -and discharged at the rate of 20 gallons per minute. The other two pumps are of the latest Bowser two-gallon type. A Bowser lubricating oil system. is also installed.

The Fellows Magneto Co., Ltd., of Park Royal, Willesden, London, NW., have appointed Mr. A. E. Bennett as chief of their sales and publicity organization. Mr. Bennett, as most of our readers will know, is a trained electrical engineer, and WAS formerly manager of the Bosch Co. in this country from its earliest days.

We. believe that Mr. Fellows has been Working on a new magneto for some time paste and that he hopes his company will in the near future be able to market this component at about half the presentday cost, and so completely to eliminate German competition.

Ospers .(London), Ltd., have remeved their offices to 25, Ebury Street., S.W., as they have found it necessary to acquire more convenient and centrally situated premises to cope with the great increase in their business.

The Tyre Makers' Position.

A memorandum has been prepared andpublished by the British Rubber Tyre Marmfacturers' Association, Ltd.' in which the difficulties 'under which the British tyre trade is now suffering are clearly set out. The imports of foreign . tyres are abnormal, due to an excess of supply over . demand in the "United States and to the depreciated currencies of European countries. The war period assisted foreign producers but not British producers ; because all tyres manufactured in this country were taken for military purposes, foreign tyres were admitted duty free, so that they should not get. into enemy hands, whilst markets in the Dominions and ainong nonbelligerent nations were thrown open to American makers. The suggested remedies are (1) the limitation of future imports (treating existing foreign stocks on hand in this country as future imports), (2) the levy of an import duty, and (3) the influencing of British Dominions to an investigation as to whether British manufacturer& really have it Tariff preference over foreign manufacturers. We. are in full accord with the arguments contained in the pamphlet, but there is no apparent intention on the part of Parliament to protect British industries by means of a Tariff, and the Only available course, so it seems to us, is to make the British tyre the best in the world. Not enough is dchto by the trade, as a whole, to this end. On this matter we hope to say something more in our next issue.

Municipal Vehicle Makers

We have been notified by Leyland Motors, Ltd., that they would like to have their name added to our list of municipal vehicles and their makers. In addition to the headings under which` they were previously included, they are makers of ambulances, gully enaptiers, police patrol wagons, prison vans, road refuse collectors, and tower wagons. The Bristol Wagon and Carriage Works Co., Ltd., we understand, are still makers of municipal vehicies of all kinds which rectifies the erroneous reference in our last issue.

A .Municipal Bus Profit.

At the last meeting of the Chesterfield Town Council it was stated. by Councillor P. M. Robinson that the corPoration's Motorbus undertaking was in a thoroughly sound condition, the gross profit for the past year being £5,000, to at against which was £3,300 for interest and sinking fund charges.

In contrast to this gain the annual accounts of the Walsall bus undertaking show a loss of nearly £50,000.

The Minister of Transport. has circu. larized the local authorities"to the effect that funds at his dispoaal will permit of assistance to a limited degree being given in the widening of roads and improvement of corners, curves and gradients, and other work, the cost of which otherwise would not have fallen on the Road Fund.

Levy on Heavy Traffic

At a recent meeting of the Holme Cultram Urban District Council, reference was made to the damage to the reads by heavy traffic. There was no doubt it, was punishing the roads, one member said, and although the motorbus service was a great acquisition to Silloth, buses were playing havoc with the roads. He wondered if it were possible to get something from a scheme, which was inaugurated during the war, to make a collection from the owners of heavy motor traffic using the roads of a certain amount per ton per mile. It was a question whether they were entitled to collect the money, and he certainly thought it was a matter worth inquiring into. • It was decided that, the clerk write to the county council for information as to whether any regulations existed in regard to a levy on regular service motor traffic on the roads. •

National Road Transport Clearing Houses.

There has justbeen opened at 62, Dale Street, Liverpool, a branch of the National Road Transport Clearing House, Ltd., an organization whose headquarters are in London, with branches at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Newcastle-onTyne and Oldham.

During the last few months many endeavours have been made to overcome the difficulties of procuring return loads fiir motor wagons, but only one so far as we are aware where the motor haulage contractors themselves set up a clearing house, owned and managed by theiuselves, and for themselves.

The National Road Transport Clearing Houses, however, must not be confused with the clearing houses which come under the regis of the Asseciation of Road Mransport Clearing Houses, and although the operations of both organizations might have much in common, the line of distinction is that whilst the A.R.T.C.H. is composed of entities which function with a local automony, except in those instances where several are under the one control, the National R.T.C.H. is under the control of a head office in London, which functions through local branches.

In an interview with our Liverpool representative, Major M. Percy Gorst said that, as the 'need for new branches was being made manifest, the National R.T.C.H. was opening new premises in the chief transport centres.

The directors of the organization are all ex-service men. The chairman is Mr: Robert Carey, who is well known as a traffic organizer ; Lieut.-Col. W. F. Kemp, D.S.O., who for many years was associated with the traffic department of one of the leading railwaycompanies ; and Capt. Alfred M. Davis, 0.B.E., the head of the Road Transport Dept. of the Ministry of Food.

Restricting Speed of Heavy Traffic.

, The Hotwells Municipal Association have sent a memorial to the Bristol City Council that, the speed of heavy motor traffic may be controlled, and it has been referred to the watch committee. If any-thing can be done. in the way suggested, all wards in the city that suffer similarly will ask that any restrictions may be made general.

Railway and Road Transport.

At the annual meeting of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, which was held a few days ago, Leicester and Swansea branches proposed that railway companies should leave .road transport to recognized clearing houses, as otherwise private enterpilisa would be killed and a monopoly encouraged.

A Swansea representative said that it would be a very small matter to the railway companies to flood the roads with all -forms of transport and thus drive out of existence all these engaged in road haulage. Mr. 0. B. Stanion (Leicester) said that, for the carriage of light goods road transport was infinitely superior to rail transport. Delivery was much quieker. There was lessdamage to cases and pilferage was infinitesimal.

An amendment that the railway companies should have a right to carry goods by road, provided adequate safeguards were established for the protection of other road hauliers and of traders was passed.

Champion Drivers.

In our last week's issue we published the names of the winning drivers in the oral, written and practical examination for drivers of petrol and steam vehicles, which was instituted by the C.M.U.A. This week we are able to publish the portraits of the winner in each section. R. .J. Spurrier, in the employ of Edward Nelson and Co., Ltd., is the national champion petrol driver, and he has been awarded the first prize of £10, diploma and medal, • In the steam section, F. Upchurch, employed by the Sun Flour Mills Co., Ltd., was the winner of a similar prize. Messrs. Spurrier and Upchurch have both been winners of the coveted honour in previous years, the former having won the award in 1918 and the latter in the. years 1916 and 1917— that in 1916 having been a written technical examination only.

The Silloth Committee has decided that the charges for the parking of motor coaches, etc., on the council's land near to the school shall be as follow :—For 12seaters or larger vehicles 2s. per day, and for smaller vehicles Is. per day.

Stances •for Coaches.

Drastic changes are proposed in the regulation of the motor char-ii-banca traffic in Glasgow. The problem has been before a sub-committee of the magistrates for some time, and_ii few days ago it was agreed to make a series of recommendations for the parent body. These include the clearing out of the buses from George Square, and the allocation of...stances alongside the river, Those plying on the north side would be Stationed in Great Clyde Street, between the Stockwell Bridge and Dixon Street, • while those going south are to be offered sites at Carlton Place. A report on the whole matter is to be prepared by the chief constable, after which the magistrates will consider the situation before reporting to the town council.

Linking Up Townships' by Motor Coach.

The various important townships in Cumberland are kept in close touch with Carlisle by means of frequent motor coach services provided by the Cumberland Motor Services, Ltd., of Whitehaven, and recent, improvements have linked up Carlisle, Whitehaven, Maryport, Aspatria, Wigton, Workington, arid the west. The numerous routes which radiate -from 'Whitehaven link up amongst other towns and villages, Keekle, Cleator Moor, Wath Brow, and Frizington, and Hensingha,m, Scalesgill Road, Bigrigg, and Egremont. In addition, the enterprise of the company has accomplished a great deal in the development of Silloth. the now popular seaslcie resort, by their services to that place from both Carlisle and Maeyport, via Allenhy. Lake District visitors are also catered for from the Cockermouth bus terminus on Thursdays and Sundays, regular services of chars-k-banes run to Bassenthwaite Lake in connection with the Whitehaven, Workington, Coekermouth and Maryport route.

The United Automobile Services, Ltd., of Bishop Auckland, etc., continue to develop their progressive scheme for opening out the county of Durham by motor coach, and the latest step in this direction is a new service to be instituted between Bishop Auckland and Qtook.

Transport in Jamaica.

The Liansport policy of Jamaica is just now in the melting pot. In a fertile island only 194 miles long and 50 miles broad, possessing good roads and sixteen good harbours, the mania seems to be for railways. A scheme to electrify these has just been abandoned bemuse it would cost 2.2,000,000, but, nevertheless, lines are to be relaid and extensions made. In such a country, where no area of production is more than 25 miles frdm ports where ocean-going steamers call at least once a week, mechanical transport

should reign supreme Yet at the moment this Jamaican Government. is considering the advisability of`introducing legislation to increase taxes on motor lorries.

Worcestershire Bus Services.

Several new bus services have been opened up in Worcestershire recently. The services belong principally to the market-day class. The Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co. have started a service between Crowle and Worcester, end also another between Redditch and Worcester. The latest ad. dition to the company's services is that which is now working betwen Bromgrove and Feckenham via Banbury, thus linking up a stretch of country that previously had no form of public carrying convenience besides the carrier's cart. The services will only be run on Tuesdays, which is market day at. Bromsgrove.

A new daily service by Pettifer's, of Leominster, has been started between Bromyard and Worcester.

Mersey Ferries Again.

Onceagain the congestion of the ilersey ferries has loomed in the public sye, and Mr_ C. F. Rymer, of Messrs. 1 F. Rymer and Co., motor coach proprietors and motor haulage contractors, of Liverpool and Wallasey, has written to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board a letter, in the course of which he says: " The conditions relating to crossing the river have been worse than ever during the last two or three %seeks," lie then gives the following experiences:— On June 7th he put his car in the queua for crossing from Liverpool to Seacombe at 9.30 a.m. 11 was 12.20 p.m. before the car reached the other side.

On Tuesday, June 14th, two vehicles were sent from the Liverpool garage to Seacombe. It, took them from 9.15 a.m. until 1 p.m. to make the journey.

" I am a member of the Cross-river Traffic Committee " says Mr. Rymer, " but I must confess that I am ashamed that the committee has been able to do so little to remedy conditions. These conditions must be eliminated, as they form a serious obstacle to the trade of Liverpool and district. It ought not to be possible for any individual body to block the way to progress; and if the fault is at Wallasey, Birkenhead, Liver. pool or in the Dock Beard, then that particular body must sink its identity for the good of the community. The Wallasey ferries manager assures us that the delay is not owing to excess traffic, but to the lack of arrangements. for getting vehicles down the (floating) bridge."

Road Beats Rail.

Interesting experiments have been carried out by Charles Sharpe and Co., Ltd., seed merchants, in order to test the difference in the cost of transport by motor and by rail. Fifteeen tons of turnip seed were carried a .few days ago from Boston to Slea,furcl, a distance of about 18 miles by road and 161 miles by rail. The railway quotation from station to to station was 14s. per ton, or 210 10s. in all. It was conveyed from warehouse to warehouse by the company's motor lorry at a total cost of 25 9s. 3d. Similar instances of road transport beating its railbound competitor are the order of the day, and reflect to a striking degree the amount of tonnage which has been diverted from the railway to the road during the past months of hampered rail services.

Stockton Bus Services.

Stockton Corporation Omnibus Committee have decided to purchase two omnibuses at a cost of 21,920 and two lighter buses at 2444 each. For a period oi three months, as an experimental measure, a flat rate of 2d. for any portion of a journey on the two services in the borough is to be charged. The Corporation have decided to discontinue the Sunday morning service between Stockton and Middlesbrough, as it could only be given at a loss. Discussion took place on the advisability of taking vehicles off the town routes, owing to the great. demand at present being experienced on the Seaton Caressservices, and it was intimated that the smaller buses which were to be purchased would be used in the borough, and thus relieve larger coaches for the seaside route..

Coach Traffic and Road Upkeep.

At the last meeting of the Macclesfield Rural District. Council several expressions of protest were made against the use of third-class roads for heavy motor and char-A.-banes traffic, it being contended that as their roads were not eligible for Government grant, it was unfair to ask the ratepayers in the particular district to pay for the upkeep of the roads.

One member objected that the protests savoured of class legislation, and expressed his opinion that if these roads were closed to chars-it-banes they should be closed to motorcars as well. The rich had no more right to enjoy the beauties of the countryside than had the working people who Journeyed by means of the motor coach. No decision was arrived at, but it was hinted that evidence would be collected with a view to calling for a Government inquiry. The district of Cheshire covered by the council is one very popular amongst coach trippers, hundreds of parties visiting it from Manchester and the Lancashire cotton towns week by week.

Water for Steamers.

The provision of means whereby -adequate supplies of water may be. obtainedfor steam wagons is a responsibility which has yet to• be brought home to many of the local authorities, . and although facilities for obtaining supplies in towns and cities are fairly reasonable, in rural districts there is much room for improvement. The 'Commercial Motor UsergAssociation, however,, is endeavouring to get things put right, but it is difficult in many cases to get local authorities to appreciate the urgency with which the subject is viewed by those who are conducting road transport services. Inquiries which have been made elicit the information in some of the Cheshire districts that the absence of hydrants is a source of great inconvenience, so mita so that, whatever the legal aspect of drivers taking water from ponds, etc., may be, they have either to acquire their supplies in this manner or anticipate their requirements whenever the opportunity presents itself for obtaieing a more wholesome supply.

It seems an absurd pOsition that local councils, through their failure to recognize the importance of road transport to the community, should, by their in different negligence, be allowed to cause so much embarrassment to those who are carrying on these services. Traffic delays and loading and unloading time, as it is, are very costly to steam-wagon users, and difficulties owing to water supplies become an added Source of irritation. • The problem, to be satisfactorily solved, requires to he dealt with as other than a purely local one. It affects big areas, and in some cases lung stretches of road, and if Joint action could be taken by the various councils in some of the areas round the bigger transport centres, in conjunction with the users' organization, probably it would be possible to set up more public hydrants where they are Most required., as a first step, then to deal systematically with main, arterial, and other roads.

In rural districts, the setting up of an additional hydrant is often viewed as a matter of high politics, but nevertheless the continuous indication of demand for adequate Water Supplies at a fair charge from public hydrants must in time bear fruit.. But steam-wagon users want these fahilities now, . _ • •

F.W.D. Reconstructed Lorries.

The Four' Wheel Lorry Drive CO., Ltd., 44-0; Kingsway; London, 'MC.; purchased, some littlo time ago, the complete stock of F.W.D. lorries formerly owned by the War Office, which were shipped during the wait from the Canadian, and American plants. Over 3,000 of these vehicles *ere delivered by the company to the British Government, and more than 16,000 in all: to

the Allied Governments, As. these vehicles are almost identical with those which the company are building to-day, there is little difficulty in adapting them

for commercial-use. • At the company's plant at Slough they are completely •rehnilding these machines and;delivering them With the -saine guar, antee as is given with new vehicles. Equipped with solid tyres and W.D. body, these vehicles are retailed at £385, or equipped with Goodyear cord pneti

' matte tyres, as shown in the photograph Which we reproduce; the vehicles are sold at £625.

The company believe that there is a tremendous future for the pneumatictyred vehicle; in fact., nearly 60 per cent. of the output from the Canadian and American F.W.D. plants are equipped with pneumatic tyres.

A groat many of the lorries. have seen very little service, and when properly rebuilt will give the buyer as much satisfaction as a new machine.

Some Useful Accessories.

One of the best-known companies acting as manufacturers of, and factors and wholesale merchants for, motor accessories, tyres, csigineers tools, etc., is

A. J. Deiv and Co., 21-25, Endell Street., London, W.C.2. rhey were practically the first, to bring out licence card holders in accordance with the new regulations, and now, baying had time to go carefully into the matter of producing one of these to be almost standard, their latest licence card holder is constructed on the watch bezel principle, in which the thread is deeply -cut, and the -front can be screwed down to such an extent as to prevent any vibration shaking it loose. The retail price of this holder is Si. 6d. in brass, or in nickel or black and nickel, 6s.

• Two of the latest specialities are the Weaver Auto-Jacks and Auto-Ambulance. The jaelss are very useful for garage and workshop use,-. and with them: it is possible -tohandle complete or: dismantled' ears with the greatest convenience, and . saving of labour. With one of these jacks under the rear axle a car can be pushed directly ,sideways, towed completely mend .withio its own length; 'ormanipulated in any manner desired. The Auto-Ambulance is a . device 'whereby a bar.. which has loroken down. can be towed home without further injuryIt offers considerable advantage over the ordinary tow rope, The 1921 catalogue, the issue of which is confined to motor traders and owners of large fleets of vehicles,' hi one of the Most comprehensive Motor accessory lists issued up to the present ; it comprises 456 pages, is Well illustrated, and is divided into five complete sections, each of which is arranged alphabetically. A complete index covers the whole of the sections.

Local Proceedings.

The Finsbury Borough Council has purchased is Laffiy sweeper for £1.020.

Fresh tenders are to be invited by Huythn U.D.C. for the supply of a motor lorry.

Buxton Town Council is borrowing £1,900 for the purchase of a motor fire. engine...

Wyoun (Cheshire) Urban District Council are inviting tenders for a 2-3 ton Commer Car tipping lorry.

The Metropolitan Asylums Board are inviting tenders for the supply of 15 chassis for ambulance purposes.

The Isle of Thanet Joint Hospital Board is raising a loan of £900 for the purchase of a motor ambulance.

Swadlineete U.D.C. is endeavouring to get local firms to assist in the purchase of a motor -fire-engine for the district.

Bournemouth Town Council have resolved to purchase three Ford vehicles for the collection of refuse at about £1,050 Wilts. County Council has decided to purchase three S ton Hallford motor lorries at £1,175 each and 12 1 ton Ford lorries at £312 each.

The Ministry of Health has '-held an inquiry into the as .licatirm of Ripley T.C. to borrow;£1,1111 for the purchase of a motor lorry with tipping wagon.

Knutsford Urban District. Council have

accepted the tender of the Knutsford Motors, Ltd., to supply .:.one ton motor lorry-for use in connection with the fire

brigade. • .

A sub-committee of the . Aberdeen Education. Authority is considering a proposal to purchase a motor vehicle for the conveyance of children to the special schools.

to view of a possible fall in prices ;n the -near future, Tottenham Fire Brigade Committee has deferred. eons sideration of tenders which have been received for the supply of a motor pump.

The Bollington 'tCheehire} Urban District Council has appointed a subcommittee to consider the advisability of purchasing a motor snowing machine for use on the council's recreation ground.

B.A.T. Enterprise.

On the occasion of the local Barnaby holidays, the British Automobile Traction Co., Ltd., are running a series of excursions from Macclesfield to such seaside resorts as Blackpool, Llangollen and Rhyl, in addition to several daily trips to the Royal Agricultural Show at Derby. They also last week made three eaten sions to their normal routes, linking up the towns of Buxton and Leek, Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith, and Buxton and Matlock. The latter route will doubtless be a very popular one, admitting of through connections, by the company's buses with Stockport, Crewe and Macclesfield, as well as with Cheadle and Altrincham and other towns on the fringe of Manchester.

Postal Services in High Alps.

The Swiss Postal Administration has introduced considerable improvements in the postal services in the High Alps by employing powerful motor vehicles on the principal passes of the Swiss Ales. In the future the Simplon, Furka, Grimsel, Spluegen Films, Oberalp, Saint Bernardino Lenses' Heide, Oberhalbstein and Reichenan districts will, all be served by these postal motor vans, and this will mean a saving in time of 50 per cent, as compared with the old horse-drawn diligences.

Newcastle Coach Activity.

A unique opportunity of witnessing the many beauties of the Scottish Highlands is afforded to Newcastle residents, by the Ouseburn Transport Co., who operate from the Quayside, Newcastle. The first of a number of lengthy tours was scheduled to commence on Monday, June 27th, by way of Edinburgh, the fare being 11 guineas, which covers conveyance in one of the company's comfortable Leyland coaches, and first-class hotel accommodation, including dinner, bed and breakfast. Each traveller was allowed to take 20 lb. of luggage. The, tour will occupy five days. The same company, during the Race Week (June 20th to 25th), one of the premier Newcastle holidays, ran daily tours through various Northumbrian districts from Newcastle, including Hexham, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Allendale, Berwick, Belford, Rambergh, etc. at fares ranging from 8s. 6d. to 15s. 6d., in addition to running frequent services between the city and the racecourse at Gosforth.

A Mixed Fleet.

The fleet of steam and petrol lorries owned by the Gloucester County Council for highway purposes, writes Colonel E. S. Sinnott, the County Surveyor, is as follows :-10 Halley, 5 teii and 1 Thornycroft 3 ton petrol lorries and 26 Foclen 5 ton, 3 Garrett 5 ton anti 3 Clayton 5 ton steam lorries. The process of converting the whole of the 5 ton lorries from non-tippers to tippers, Colonel Sinnott states, will shortly be completed.