Progress of the W.D. Convoy in the Sudan.
Page 40
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The latest news regarding the War Office convoy is that it has arrived at Molokai, having left Juba in the Southern Sudan on March 11th on the commencement of its homeward journey to Cairo. The 435 miles were covered by March 14th. Heavy rains were experienced throughout the whole of this stage, but the vehicles maintained a good average speed and all is well.
From Cairo to Khartoum the distance traversed was 1,521 miles. Originally, the vehicles were somewhat overloaded, each of the 30-cwt. machines carrying 39 cwt., and the 12-cwt. vans 20 cwt. At Wadi Haifa, the loads were reduced to a total overload of about 15 cwt., distributed throughout the convoy. The fact that the vehicles performed so well under these conditions reflects great credit upon the British makers.
The convoy carries two types of portable roadway for use in sand and soft mud, one consisting of two ladders of wire-netting, the other of rope ladders.
The latter were found to be perfectly satisfactory in crossing wide wadi beds of soft sand. The wire-netting also proved quite effective and will probably prove superior in swampy ground. From Khartoum to El Obeid, the temperature Was much higher, but no defects developed. The absence of engine -overheating was remarkable, the highest radiator temperature being 188 degrees F., after a long trek in low gear through sand.
National Omnibus and Transport Profits.
The report of the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd., for the year ended December 31st, 1931, shows a profit of 142,374, to which has to be added a sum of £38,663 brought forward from the previous year. In addition, it is proposed to write back provisions to meet certain estimated liabilities which are not now required, these amounting to £14,307, and giving a total of £95,345 available for distribution.
The dividend for the year on the preference shares absorbed £17,500. and it is now recommended that a dividend at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum be paid on the ordinary shares, which will account for a further £16,223. The general reserve fund receives an allocation of £16,360, raising it to £275,000. After these sums have been disbursed there remains a balance of £45,262 to be carried forward.
Netherlands East Indies Imports.
During 1931, 202 commercial-vehicle chassis were imported into the outer islands of the Netherlands East Indies, as compared with 449 in 1930. The total imports included 64 chassis from America and 60 from Canada. In the same year, seven complete commercial vehicles were imported.
Second Men on Hired Vehicles for Municipal Work.
An unsuccessful attempt has been made to secure the employment of second men on motor vehicles of over 3 tons capacity, hired at day rates, by Liverpool Corporation. This is a trade
union condition that is observed by many private concerns carrying on business in Liverpool and the adjoining districts.
One of the sub-committees of Liverpool Corporation's health committee agreed to the proposition put before it, but when the matter came before the full committee it was defeated.
The Responsibility for Traffic Signals.
The general purposes committee of Islington Borough Council disagrees with the suggestion of the Metropolitan Boroughs Joint Standing Committee that councils should provide traffic signals, and expresses the opinion that their installation should be in the hands of the Ministry of Transport.
Earrier-Blackstone Conversion.
G. W. Outhwaite, the well-known haulage contractor of Horbury, near Wakefield, has asked us to point out that it was one of his Karrier chassis which was recently equipped with a Blackstone oil engine, as described in our, issue dated March 15th.
Municipal Purchases and Proposals.
The gas committee of BEXHILL Corporation has decided to purchase a lorry at a cost of £240.
OswEsruv Corporation has placed an order for a Morris-Commercial 250-400gallon low load-line fire-engine.
ST. HELENS Fire Brigade has ordered a Morris-Commercial 30-cwt. van to carry equipment and a portable trailer pump.
The electricity committee of Sr. PANCRAS Borough Council recommends the purchase of a Morris-Commercial 10-cwt. van at a cost of £160.
The LONDON County Council is recommended to buy three 6-ton and two 3-ton lorries and six trailers at an estimated cost of £6,000.
The stores committee of TOTTENHAM Urban District Council recommends acceptance of the tender of Tankard and Smith, Ltd., for the supply of Dunlop tyres for 12 months.
The tender, at £340, of Messrs. .T. Plaistow and Sons, for the supply of a Morris -Commercial ambulance, is favoured by the health committee of GRIMSBY Corporation.
HanntbramoN Town Council is buying a special Morris-Commercial 250-400gallon fire-engine, having first-aid equipment, a pump mounted amidships and interior seating for the firemen.
Manufacturers of refuse-collection vehicles are invited by the works committee of MARTLESONE Borough Council to submit designs, specifications and prices of their products. A;contract to be placed is valued at about £7,000.
The transport committee of EXETER Corporation has accepted the tenders of Shell-Mex and B.P., Ltd., Anglo American Oil Co., Ltd., and Redline-Glico, Ltd., each for the supply of 100,000 gallons of petrol at 110. per gallon.
The transport committee of Imps Corporation is obtaining tenders, to be delivered by April 8th, for the supply of 27 double-deck and Asia single-deck buses, with six-cylindered engines.*Tenders for chassis and bodies .separately will also be considered.
Croydon's Fire-fighting and Ambulance Services.
Mr. J. D. Dane, M.I.FireE., the chief officer of the Croydon Fire Brigade, which is responsible for the fire-fighting and ambulance services of the County Borough of Croydon, has recently issued his report for the year 1931. The fire brigade has eight motor appliances, one motor pump being held in reserve; 38 men are permanently employed at the three fire stations. The area protected is 12,617 acres in. extent, and the estimated population is 233,115.
During the past year 341 fire calls were received ; fires occurred in as various classes of risk and from 62 different causes. An estimated loss of £12,457, with £955,182 at risk, was caused by 179 fires in the borough, and a loss of 120,198 with £23,650 at risk, by six fires outside the borough.
Three ambulances come under the control of the fire brigade and, during the past year, 2,811 calls were received. The total mileage travelled by the vehicles was 12,018, the average mileage for each case being 4.27.