WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by ad difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage IS by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
L.G.O. Wheel Experiments.
The research departinent of the London-General Omnilnis Co. has been experimenting with an aluminium alloy road wheel, which, although only half the weight of the standard steel wheel, has given exceptionally satisfactory results, A number cf these wheels have now performed over 30,000 miles on service, and tests are continuing on upwards of 20 routes. The "economical advantage which the aluminium wheel possesses is that the scrap value is about two-thirds of its original casting value. A further great advantageis the big reduction in unsprung weight and the minimizing of road destruction.
An Albion Demonstration Run.
Last week we were taken for a short run on the new Albion Viking "coach through some heavy traffic and tortuous by-roads near the Hammersmith Road. This coach is mounted on pneumatic tyres, and these, coupled with the excellent springing, make for very great riding comfort. The flexibility of the engine is really remarkable, it being possible to crawl along at 4 m.p.h. an top gear and then accelerate smoothly without slipping the clutch. The steering is commendably light, and owing to the fact that there is very littleoverhang at the back the coach can be manoeuvred through traffic and round sharp corners without fears as to what the tail-end is doing. The indirect gears produce very little noise, owing to the • teeth-grinding process recently adopted.
Traffic and Roads in Essex.
According to Mr. W. H: Morgan, the Essex county surveyor, the traffic census shows that road traffic has appreciably increased. The increase of motor omnibus .and char4-bance traffic is the most marked, and the presence of a larger number of vehicles of these types clearly indicates the necessity for extensive widenings_ Where the margins allow, small improvements in this direction have been-carried out, and in addition numerous corners have been improved in order to provide better visibility for road users. It is gratifying to note that in the •majority of casesthe landowners have readily given the necessary . land for such work and have rendered every facility during its execution.
Good progress has been made in replacing ivaterbound macadam with impervious materials, including several miles of bituminous work. Excellent results have been obtained with the better material, and, given suitable foundations, it is undoubtedly the most economical form of pavement for the majority of the main roads. Although a large amount of work has beet' done with regard to the strengthening.' Of foundations and resurfacing, the mileage completed forms but a small proportion of what is required in the county.
A sound foundation is vital to the life of the road surface, and in this respect B20
Essex isthmus under a great disadvantage in that the sub-soil is so manifestly unsuitable. It is not surprising, therefore, that in certain areas where the clay is of a particularly treacherous nature with the volume of traffic constantly increasing the destruction of the road surf ace is more rapid than the work of reconstruction.
This excessive deterioration can only be arrested and the ultimate maintenauce costs decreased, says the county surveyor, by the substitution of concrete foundations. Until such construction becomes the ordinary procedure on certain sections of the main roads no permanent improvement can possibly result.
To be Ready for the 1924 Season.
The Royal 'Blue Motors Co., Llandudno, are having a new motorbus garage erected at Llandudno Junction. The new building, necessitated by the great expansion in the:company's omnibus services, is expected to be completed early in the New Year. It will provide accommodation for 40 buses and chars-it-banes, with extensive workshops, showrooms, sales department, five lock-up shops, as well as , living accommodation for foremen and caretakers. The scheme is an ambitious one, and owing to its size and situation the building will command attention.
Drawbacks to Business with Belgium.
The Belgian market is at present mainly limited to light vehicles, for 75 per cent, of the heavy lorries sold during the past four years have been composed of liquidated army stocks. The only noteworthy competitor to the Ford is the 10 hp. Citroen :delivery chassis. Renault, Auto-Traction and Saurer vehicles at presentadominate the market for heavy transport units, whilst the 2-ton Pipe, which is produced in the country, is also popular.
Belgium is traditional for its draft. horses, and, accordingly, the general introduction of mechanical road transport has not been sorapid as might be expected from such a progressive nation. Another retarding factor is that the streets of many of the large cities are narrow and winding, and many improvements will have to be effected in the medimval quarters of many of the towns before heavy lorries can be handled efficiently.
Thornycroft's Smart Work.
The publicity staff of John L Thorayeroft and Co., Ltd., greatly distinguished itself by its smart and successful efforts to _acquaint visitors to Olympia with the news of the company s success under the open competition rules of the Royal Automobile Club. The trial of the Thornycroft lorry did not conclude until late on the Monday in the week that the Show opened, and some days elapsed before the certificated results were known, but within a few hours of the Exhibition opening an enlargement of the certificate was posted up, and hundreds of copies of it were on the stand for distribution.
By Saturday morning men were patrolling outside the Exhibition with "Olympia News" placards announcing the result, whilst these were also displayed around the standand supplemented by a most attractively arranged showcard and an illuminated sign .in striking colouns, showing photographs
of the .vehicle on the trial and other features which attracted close attention from visittars.
Types of Tractors in Australia.
According to the Australian Department of Trade and Customs track-laying tractors are preferred in the Commonwealth._ During the 11 months ended May last the value of tractor imports was £355,242. The proportion of tracklaying tractors was valued at £196,677; of cable-type tractors, £31,256; other types of oil-driven tractors, £109,415; and steam tractors, £17,802. Seventy per cent, of these imports came from the United States, 25 per cent. from Great Britain, and the remainder from Italy, France, Canada, and Switzerland. The steam and cable types were mostly imported from Great Britain, while 80 per cent, of the track-laying tractors came from the United States.
Transport Cost Comparisons.
The animal report of the Essex County Highways Department quotes the following costs per day for transport :—Steant wagons, 56s. 2d.; steam tractors, 53s. 5d.; petrol lorries, 38s. 3d. ; Fora ton trucks, 30s. 8d.; steam rollers. 37s. id. ; petrol rollers, 25s. 4d. The mechanical road vehicles run by .the council comprise 14 Foden steam wagons, 9 Aveling and Porter steam tractors,
4 Clayton and Shuttleworth steam wagons, 1 Garrett steam wagon, 3 Straker-Squire petrol lorries and_
5 Ford ton trucks.
A New London General Garage.
A contract amounting to £28,000 has just been placed with Messrs. Parkinson and Sons for the construction of a new London General garage. The garage, which will be erected at Foot's Cray, Sidcup, will have a capacity for 85 buses. It is hoped to have the building completed early next spring. A petrol storage tank to hold 10,500 gallons will be installed. This will bring the total number qf garages owned by the General group up to 40.
Scottish Road Conference.
Under the auspices of the Convention ref Royal Burghs, the. Association of County Councils, the Association of Distriat Committees, the Institation of Municipal and County Engineers (Scottish district), the Royal Scottish Automobile Club and the Association of Road Surveyors of Scotland, it. hoe been arranged to hold a conference of representatives of road 'authorities in Septland, in the Pity Chambers, Edinburgh, on January 15th and 16th.
The subjects which are to be considered at the conference are concerned with the management and maintenance of highways, and data. and views will be given relating to road formation and, maintenance, organization and utilization of plant, control Of traffic, directtion posts and danger signals, etc.
VuIcans for Overseas.
The l'ulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906), Ltd., are paying increasing attention to the question of overseas trade, and it is interesting to note that during the month of October the company shipped as many as 45 vehicles to Australia, 16 vehicles being despatched to Brisbane, 15 to Melbourne and 14 to Sydney.
Motor Entrants at Wembley Exhibition.
Amongst the list of entrants in the automobile section of the British Empire Exhibition to be held at Wembley next year we note the names of some of the most prominent, manufacturers of commercial vehicles, these including: The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd.; Austin Motor Co., Ltd.; • Wm, Beardmore and Co., Ltd. ; Bristol Tramway and Carriage Co., Ltd. ; H. G. Burford and Co., Ltd.; Dennis Bros., Ltd. ; Fodens, Ltd. • R. Garrett and Sons, Ltd. ; Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd: ; harrier Motors, Ltd. ; Leyland Motors, Ltd. ; Seammelt Lorries' Ltd.; Sentinel Waggon Works (1920), Ltd.; J. 1. Thornyoroft and Co., Ltd. ; Tilling-Slevens 4Motor, Ltd. ;
Vulcan .Motor and. ..Engineering Co. (J906), Ltd., and Walker Vehicles, Ltd:
Forfar Roads.
Following on the road-closing inquiry held in Forfar sonic little time ago, the Ministry of Transport has issued an Order. Whilst certain roads are closed to the heaviest classes of motor traffic, no order has been made in respect of the Glenesk Road, the closing of which was apposed by the municipal;antliorities hi Montrose and others in this area.
Six-year Bus Loan.
The -Ministry of Transport has sanctioned a loan by the Preston CorporaMon of £6,675 for the purchase of motorbuses, the loan to be repaid within six
years. The Ministry has also sanctioned a loan of £3,816 for a has garage, this loan to he for a period of 30 years.
Buses—A Valuable Asset:
In its annual report the Bangor Traders Association states that the Bangor Blue Motors, Ltd., are to be congratulated upon their splendid service of buses, which is a valuable asset. to the town and deserves the support of all tradesmen.
A.E.C. Engines.
To correct an erroneous impression that prevails in some quarters we are asked by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., to point out that all chassis; now produced by this company are fitted
with engines of their own design. It may be mentioned that during the war the compariy fitted -proprietary engines to Government specification, and also for a short period after the war. The range of A.E.C. engines now produced is as follow :-28 h.p. (Type 2.) fitted in the new 2-ton chassis ; 55 h.p. (Type 4); 35 h.p. (Type N.S.); 45 h.p. (Type 5); 65 lip. (Type 7) fitted in the new tractor-lorry chassis.
Popular Landon General Tours.
The popularity of the motor-coach tours organized by the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., continues to grow year by yea“ and during the past summer the company ran 626 tours, this figure representing an increase of 152 over the corresponding number for the 1922 season. The number of passengers carried by the company's coaches shows an increase of 25 per cent., and approximately 30,000 miles have been covered without an accident of any description; in fact, since the tours were first, run in 1920 there has not been any mishap on the road to a General motor coach.
An increase ha 3 also to be recorded in the private hiring of motorbuses and, for the nine months ended September 30th, the trips performed showed an incTease of 25 per cent., ne-arl,y a quarter of a million miles being run.
New Leyland Depot.
Mr. C. P. Evinson, the distributing agent for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire for Leyland Motors, Ltd., has Opened a depot at 38, Talbot Street, Nottingham, where business in connection with Leyland vehicles will be 'transacted, including the supply of spare parts.
Kentish Road Schemes.
The London County Council has , already agreed to contribute sinus of money not exceeding a total of £537,000 towards the cost of the construction of new roads in Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Essex and Kent. The council is now recommended to contribute 25 per cent. of the cost of the Ministry .of Transport's schemes for the widening and strengthening of the road leading from Croydon to Sevenoaks, the total estimated coat of this reconstruction being £850,000.
A Limit to Warning Signals.
The Motorcar Committee of the Hampshire County Council reports that the Ilainfesilaire Automobile Club (Southern Division) has asked for the provision of further warning notices at the Cadriaen cross-roads. The dangerous nature of these cross roads is admitted, and. the matter :has, on several oecae isions; been under reensideratiore Four
warning e as well as a direction post have been erected, and the committee does not consider that there is any further action which it cannsefully take at this point..
Efficiency Meetings.
On November 21st the second meeting of the ninth series of Underground and L.G.O.C. efficiency meetings was held at the company's training school, Chelsea, Mr. IL E. Blain, C.B.E., occupying the chair. The usual programme, Consisting of the reading of papers dealing with various aspects of the company's trathe concerns, was departed from, two exceedingly interesting lectures being given instead by Mr. J. Thornton (superintendent of the line) and Mr. R. Smith, of the superintendent's department, upon their experiences and impressions of their visits to many of the principal cities in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and France. This was followed by a discussion, Continental • transport methods compared with the traffic syetems of London being the main theme.
Merthyr Considering Buses.
The Merthyr Town Council is to consider the institution of a municipal bus service. At the November meeting of the council certain members pressed for this service in the hope that some return would result from the large sums spent by the council on road improvements. In addition, it was contended to be the council's duty to provide interlinking read services from all parts of the borough, which is eeterisive and covers a scattered area. A report on the profits likely te accrue from such a service is to be made.
Road Services to a New Park.
There is every likelihood of the Middlisebrough Corporation acquiring the Marton Hell Estate for use as a. public park, and the tramways committee has already commenced upon the task of deciding what 'means of transport will prove; most economical, aucl useful between the town and the-park, which; it. is estimated, will, at holiday times and on summer -evenings, attract as many as 20.000 visitors daily. Trolley-buses are providing efficient transport facilities on Tees-side, and in preparing estimates and comparative costs of various forms of transport B22 which might be utilized to link up the town with Linthorpe, Grove Hill and Marton Hall, the corporation officials are not losing eight of that Latest form of passenger locomotion, whilst the claims of ordinary trams and buses will also be considered.
Mr. Jackson, the tramways manager, suggests the employment of doubledecker omnibuses, bet the whole question will be fully discussed at a later date, when the comparative merits of the various vehicles have been considered, Steamers versus Motor Ships.
, Providing striking proof of the outstanding economy of motor ships, an interesting comparison • of operating costs between steam-propelled and internalcombustion-engined vessels is published in the December number of The. Motor Ship, which is now on sale.
The oil-engined vessel continues to grow in popularity amongst shipowners in these times of shipping depression, and recent figures, covering a period of twelve menthe, show an increase of over 100 per cent. in gross tonnage under construction.
Particulars are given in this issue of The Motor Ship of a 20,000-ton motor liner with 20,000 hp machinery; also details of the Neptune-engined tanker " Armis," and many other informative and well-illustrated articles.
Bus Station for Tynemouth ?
Tynemouth Corporation ha s appointed e sub-committee to deal with the question of the provision of a central stand for motor omnibuses.
Citroen Cars, Ltd., ask us to point out that all business in connection with Citroen vans and other vehicles of this make is being handled by the company at their London headquarters, at Citroen Buildings, Brook Green, Hammersmith, W.6. The Citron-Kegresse is handled by Citroen Kegresse, Ltd., at the same address. December s, R)23. Hampshire's Application.
The Ministry of Transport lies held ''-an inquiry at Brockenherst into the application of the Hampshire County Council for an order restricting the use of heavy motorcars and locomotives on. certain roads in the Lymington rural district. There was very little opposition to the application. The deeiSion of the Ministry in the matter has not yet heels intimated.
The Ministry and Speed Limit Applications.
The Llanelly Borough Council has received intimation from the Minister of Transport that the Ministry is not prepared to make a speed. limit order of 10 m.p.h. for the area5. as requested by the council..
The Ministry's communication gives certain details of what will be the general policy in respect of such appliCations. It refers to the second interim report of the Departmental Committee, which has in consideration road vehicle problems, and states that consequent upon that report (Sections 129-130) the Ministry will not in future be disposed to make any speed limit order for an area, ureter the empowering clauses of the Motor Car Act, 1903, except in such cases where new and exceptional circumstances have arisen locally to cause danger from vehicles to the public. As a general policy the Ministry will not make speed limit orders..
Roadside Advertisements.
Hampehire County Council reports that there are several respects in which it appears desirable that the powers of the local authority with regard to the regulation of advertisements should be strengthened. A Bill has been prepared for amending the Act of 1907 and giving additional powers to local authorities, and the county council has made a representation to the Prime Minister urging the importance of proceeding with the Bill and passing it into law at an early date.
Thornycroft Dividenes.
The accounts of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., for the year ending Joiy 3tst have been made up, and the directors propose to recommend the payment of the following dividends, viz., 3 per cent, on the preference shares, making 6 per cent, for the year, and 5 per cent. on the participating preferred ordinary shares, the sum of £45,132 being carried forward.
Oily Magnetos. •
The mounting of a magneto directly on the crankcase with a spigoted joint makes a very neat job, and unless holes
are provided for the escape of oily vapour this is liable to pass through the bearing from the crankcase to . the interior of the magneto. Here it condenses on the windings and is bound to cause trouble.
Follow the Railway's Lead.
As the result of an investigation by a special bus committee into the services run by the Bedwas and Machen Urban District Council, the canncil has resolved to increase its through MaehenTrethomas service. Members recommend the council to follow the lead of the G.W.R. Co. with its train services in issuing cheap market-day tickets to Caerphilly.
Traffic Growth in the North.
Figures submitted at a recent meeting of the Durham County Council show that, whereas in 1912 the proportion of traffic other than motor vehicles over the Great North Road amounted to 54.9 per cent, of the total weight of. traffic, during the current year it has decreased to less than 3 per cent, of the whole. In a most interesting comparative statement provided by the county surveyor another pointed fact is revealed that between August, 1922, and the same month of the present year there had been an increase of 25 per cent, in the total weight of traffic over that road between Durham and Gateshead, as proved by a recent census.
In the following statement it is proved conclusively that Increasing use is being made of motors for both business and pleasure purposes, to the exclusion of horse-drawn vehicles, the figures giving a good idea of the changes which have taken place during the past 11 years :—
A scheme recommended by the works committee for the reconstruction of
county bridges, at an estimated cost of St2ai/,000, subject to the Ministry of 'Iransport granting 65 per cent, towards the work, was approved at the meeting of the council.
Coventry Chain Works Visited.
Seine days ago members of the Leamington and Warwick Engineering Society paid a visit to the works of the Coventry Chain Co., Ltd., where they spent an enjoyable afternoon in making a tour of the works. The parties were conducted through the various departments by Mr. H. Sinnott, the works manager, and members of the staff, and in order to render the visit of the greatest interest the management of the company had arranged for certain machinery to be running in each section and for the foreman of each department to explain the method of construction. Demonstrations of the complete manufacture of chains, from the smallest type magneto chain .to the largest noiseless chain drive, were given in the company's works.
Death of Mr. Harold Morley.
We regret to announce the death of Mr. Harold Morley, a director of the Self-Controlled Air Cushion Co., of Clifton Street, Miles Platting, Man
chester. Mr. Morley had been ailing for some time. He was the inventor of the unique system of pneumatic cushions suitable for use on all kinds of motor vehicles, and it may probably be remembered that this type of cushion was adopted to ensure the safety of the racehorse, Papyrus, on his journey to and from the United States.
Mansfield Services.
Mansfield licensing committee reports that six companies have been asked to ply for hire from the Stockwell Gate stand instead of the Bridge Street stand. The following are willing to comply :—Burrows and Machin, Ltd., Mrs. Naylor, Horace E. Toomer, Tansey and Severn Ltd. Replies have not been received from Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., and Mr. G. Edwards.
Underwood, Ltd., have issued instructions that ears running on the Tibshelf service will leave West Gate via St. Jcdm Street and Rosemary Street into Stockwell Gate, thus avoiding the Mar
ket Place; they ask further time to consider the proposal in regard to the Clipstone route.
The Tramway Co.'s omnibuses ply for hire from the Leeming Street stand and from the Bridge Street stand, and, in order to take up their positions on these stands, are willing to proceed from their depot by routes suggested to them to avoid the Market Place.
A Bodybuilder's Catalogue.
The type of goods and passenger. vehicle bodies which are produced by Messrs. Hazeldine and Norton are well depictedin an interesting catalogue which has just been issued by the company from 55, Lent Stre.et, Southwark, London,, SE. This company undertake the construction of bodies of the light and heavytype, and many high-class productions have been turned out from their works, examples of these being well illustrated in the catalogue just issued, a copy of which can be obtained from the above address.
Local Proceedings.
Tiverton Town Council has decided to purchase a motor fire-engine.
Salford Corporation is inviting tenders for the supply of motor omnibuses.
Caerphilly Urban District Council has decided to purchase a motor ambulance.
Wembley Urban District Council has decided to purchase a Ford motor lorry.
Leicester City Council is proposing to invite tenders for the supply of motorbuses.
St. Albans City Council has decided to purchase a meter chassis for the firebrigade.
Teignmouth Urban District Council is urging for the freeing of the Shaldou Harrogate Town Council proposes to seek power to enable it to establish. motorbus services.
Wigan Corporation is inviting tenders for the supply of a 20-seater one-mancontrolled omnibus.
Cannock Rural District Council has authorized the purchase of a motor road roller at a cost of 2886.
Caerphilly Urban District Courieil has asked the surveyor to get tenders for the supply of a motor lorry.
Oxford Watch Committee recommends that all petrol pumps must he erected en private property,
;Croydon Corporation is seeking Pariiamentary powers to enable it to run motorbus and raillesa services.
Johannesburg Municipal Council has purchased four 4-totr side-tipping trailers at a coat of 2255 each. • Arundel Urban District Council has Secured sanction to raise a loan for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
. Petersfield Urban District Council has obtained permission to raise a loan for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.
Bolton Corporation has appointed a sub-committee to consider the transport requirements of the electricity department.
Gwyrfai Rural District Council is inviting quotations for the supply of motor lorries, from I ton to 2i tons capacity.
St. Pancras Borough Council is recommended by the borough engineer to purchase two vacuum gully emptiers, preferably steam vehicles Preston Corporation refuses to entertain a proposal that all tram and bus employees should he compelled to acquire knowledge of first-aid.
The Highways Committee of the L.C.C. recommends the purchase of an electrically driven tower wagon, at an estimated cost of 21,750, foe the tramways. department.
Ferrvhill Parish Council has appointed a stab-committee to consider the advisability of erecting a new fire station, and the provision of up-to-date engines and equipment, .and .have. avail ;nspezt fire-fighting • forces in the district prior to arriving at a decision. Watford Borough Council has ordered an S.D. freighter rInst-cart.
Waterloo Muniaipal Council, New South Wales, has purchased a. 4-ton Thornycroft lorry with interchangeable street-watering equipment.
Norwich City Council has asked its watch committee in, subsequent estimates to make provision for thepurchase of a new motor pump.
Sydney (N.S.W.) Municipal Council is recommended to invite tenders for the supply of a 6-ion steam wagon and a similar vehicle of 4 tons capacity.
The municipality of Quilindi,New South Wales, hats Ordered a Garrett 6ton steam wagon of a type similar to that in use•Iiv other morucipaL bodies in. New South" Wales.
Subject to an agreement with the Prison Commissioners, . the Durham County Council has decided to purchase a motor prison van for conveying prisoners from the station to the gaol, at a cost of 2800, and it is proposed to ask the Prison Commissioners to pay an annual sum of 2600 for the conveyance of such prisoners.
In our epitome for purchasers published in our issue for November 20th we gave the price for the 3-31-ton Saucer dust-cart as 21,490. We are informed that this should have been 21,350. In the same issue the price of the Maxwell 30-cwt. chassis with solid tyres was given as 2230. The price of this model, however, is 2250.
We are asked to point out that the bodywork on the 25-ewt. Guy van in the servio6 of Messrs. Owbridge, illustrated in our issue for November 6th on page 345, was designed and constructed by Messrs. B. Barnaby and Sons, of 6 and 7, Neptune Street, Hull. The chassis, it should be mentioned, was supplied by Morrell and Co., Ltd., of Hull, the local agents for Guy vehicles.
The 1924 Caledon Programme.
The Caledon Motor Co., Ltd., 93, Duke Street, Glasgow, have sent us particulars of the various models which they are now marketing, and the ,prioes for these are as follow :— • For the 3-ton chassis, model L.A., 2650. For the 4-ton chassis, model L.A., 2700. For the 5-ton chassis, model, C.D., 2750. For the 6-ton chassis, model C.D., 2800.
Any of the above chassis can be converted to, forward-dash types at an extra: cost of 250.
A Cross-Country Fire-engine.
A new development in connection with the F.W.D. chassis in this country is its conversion to a fire-engine. For this purpose it is equipped with a Dennis No. 2 turbine pump mounted at the rear
and driven from the booster gearbox. The body is built entirely of teak, including the slatted hinged seats which are placed longitudinally above the main body, whilst a spare tyre is carried in a box on the rear running board.
The speed of this engine is between 28 and SO m.p.h., and it has the advantage that it can be driven over soft ground or even ploughed fields. The equipment includes a 35-gallon copper petrol tank and electric dynamo light: tug, including a special searchlight. This engine is the first of two ordered by the Egyptian Army from the Four Wheel-Drive Lorry Co., Ltd., and, incidentally, is the third for F.W.D. vehicles received frem this quarter.
Demand for A.E.C. Two-tanner.
It is interesting 'to learn that the whole of the first batch of I00 of the new 2-ton A.E.C. chassis was disposed of by the middle of the period of the recent Commercial Motor Show at Olympia. The Associated Equipment Co. inform us that the 21-seater saloon bus, convertible to a motor coach, which is mounted on this type of chassis and was exhibited on their stand, has proved a .popular vehicle, for which many orders have been placed.
Fares in South Wales. .
In expressing thanks for the council's recent letter. of appreciation of their Clydach services, the directors of the :South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., Swansea, have notified the Clydach Council that they have under consideration the issue of special market-day tickets at reduced fares, season tickets and special concession fares for workmen.
Passenger Vehicles in Norway.
Railway communications in Norway are frequently supplemented by light bus services, both communal and private, Indeed, it is estimated that there are to-day no fewer than 300 of these lines existing in the country. In order to get a definite idea of the conditions for the exploitation of services of this description, as well as to, discover to what degree they ca-n be utilized to sub. stitute the construction of new railways, the Norwegian Government is creating three bus services over a total distance of 222 kilometres.
It is expected that these experiments will cost 800,000 kronen for the purchase
of vehicles and 580,000 kronen for the improvement of the roads over which the services will run. The type of vehicle to be employed has not yet been definitely • decided upon, but the tendency is to regard with favour the sinaller types of N chicle that have been operating satisfactoeily over many of the existing routes.
Melbourne Agricultural Exhibition.
His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Melbourne reports that the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria held their 52nd annual exhibition at Flemington from September 20th to 29th. A Press estimate of the value of exhibits—which is considered to be fairly accurate—is set down at approximately £1,000,000.
The show this year was open for nine instead of six days as in previeus•years. The total attendance was 300,075 persons, as against 230,255 last year.
The Motor section was not fully representative of the vehicles at present cii the roads in Victoria, but was, nevertheless, a very striking feature of the exhibition.
Extending a Speed Limit.
Basingstoke Town Council has urged the county council to take steps to have the speed limit in London Road extended for 500 yards to the east of its present limit. The precise limits for this 10-mile speed limit were fixed after careful investigation by the county council, which is of opinion that it would be useless to apply for an extension of the area to which the order now in force applies. It is considered, how ' ever that it may be possible to attain the desired object by some rearrangement of the notices, and instructions aecordingly have been given to alter these on the lines suggested by the county council authorities.
In the double-page advertisement of Hurlock, Jima, in our issue for November 20th, a mistake occurred in respect Of the size of 5,000 solid tyres which the company are offering. The size of these tyres, which was stated to be 1,010 mm. by 180 nom. for 850 mm. fitting, should have read-1,010 ram. by 120 mm.