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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 roughnen of the roads over which it vans."—John Beattie Crozier.

New Petrol Prices.

It was Announced last week that the prices for motor spirit distributed by the leading concerns (commonly known as the "combine") had been revised, and they are now as follow :—London and Home Counties :—Prom pump or

can, 1s. lid. a gallon. Rest of England and Wales :—Pump, is. 7d.; can, is. 7id. Scotland :—Pump, is. ,8d.; can, is. Sid. Northern Ireland :—Pump, is. 9d.; can, 1s. 91d. Commercial grades :-2c1. less. Benzole mixture :-1d. a gallon more.

We would refer readers to a recent editorial article in this journal in which we expressed the opinion that this reduction in prices (which was'then contemplated) was an attempt to "tie" the retailers to " combine " spirits, and was, therefore, a •definite attack on spirit suppliers outside of the "com

bine." •

One of the moves in the game is so to reduce the profit on canned spirit; by charging a higher wholesale price, that it will not be worth anybody's while to touch it the effectbeing to drive the trade to the pumps of the retailers.

Municipalities Acquiring Private Bus Enterprise.

An important acquisition of buses, powers of bus running and goodwill of business is to be made by two Monmouthshire urban district councils—the Abercarn and Risen Councils—subject to Parliamentary assent being obtained in the next session. For some time past the councils, which contemplate the institution of a joist bus service, have been in negotiation with the object of acquiring a large private enterprise as an alternative to the establishment of a new service to compete with the existing facilities. We now learn that terms have been agreed upon.

The agreement tentatively made is one whereby, for the sum of 147,500, the councils obtain possession of the 27 buses now run on service by Lewis and James, Ltd., under the title of the Western Valleys Bus Co. In addition, the councils would acquire the company's workshops and garages at Cross Keys and Newbridge.

A sub-committee of the two councils, together with technical advisers, have drafted an estimate of the likely revenue to be derived from the services. It is pointed out that such estimates are based on highly conservative figures of working and that the results obtained must be regarded as very much within the probable yield. Annual receipts from passengers are placed at 132,100, which, after reduction of all capital and loan charges, working costs, insurance, provision for depreciation, etc., is estimated to give a net profit available for the relief of rates of, approximately, £2,700. This sum is equivalent to a rate of 3d. in the 1 on the combined rates of the purchasing councils, which would, of course, share profitS and losses.

Garretts Acquire Caledon Motors. We understand that negotiations have been in progress for some time, and have now been completed, whereby Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd., have acquired the whole of the interests of the Caledon Motor Co., Ltd., of Glasgow. In future all the well-known types of the Caledon lorry will be manufactured at their works at Leiston.

" C.M." Regular Features.

Amongst the regular features of The Comitercial Motor which in this enlarged number are, for different reasons, being held over' (one being the desire to use the space for special articles) are a page covering the leading patent specifications of the week dealt with by an engineer ; a page which is contributed by chief engineers and garage managers covering the best means and methods of maintaining commercial motor vehicles; it page contributed by drivers of vehicles, explaining expedients employed by them in dealing with difficulties; Passenger Travel News, which is a survey of public-service development in this country ; opinions from readers; and a page in which the problems of the haulier and carrier are discussed by an expert, consideration being given each week to eases which are put up by readers who are conducting haulage concerns. These features will be resumed next week.

More -Municipalities Buying Silt-wheeled Buses:

• In our "Local Proceedings." column this week -we refer to the fact that the tramways department of Oldham has • just ordered a further seven Guy six

wheeled buses. The makers inform us that the tramways departMent of Leeds is • also commencing' the use of such vehicles, and has ordered a clouble,deck six-wheeler. Other -corporations which have Guy six-wheelers in use or on order are Birmingham, Morecambe, Salford, Norwich and Wolverhampton. • Of Interest to Technical Societies. Automatic and Electric Furnaces, Ltd., 173-175, Farringdon Road,. London, E.C.1, advise us that• they have available for the use of .engineering societies and technical associations a complete series of lantern slides illustrating electric furnaces , which are used for hardening, tempering, carburizing and annealing (ferrous and non-ferrous metals, east, etc.). Some of the slides also show component parts of such furnaces, automatic temperature controls and wiring diagrams connected to various types of circuit.

A Hard-working Leyland Fleet.

L. Cook and Co., Ltd.; the well-known manufacturers of table delicacies, use the Leyland vehicle shown in the accompanying illustration for transporting their products to various distributing centres. The company's works are at Kingston Orchards, Kingston-by-Sea, Sussex, and the fleet of lorries which they use delivers within a 100-mile radius of this centre. Each of the vehicles averages between 25,000 and 30,000 miles annually. The picture which we reproduce is of particular interest in so far as it shows one of the company's vehicles in front of the Royal Pavilion. Brighton—the buildingafter which the company's chutney is named. It will he seen that good use is made of the body for publicity purposes. Winter Bus Facilities.

The winter programme which applies to the extensive bus system of the United Automobile Services, Ltd., in Northumberland, embraces a number of interesting features. In several instances routes have been altered in order to provide direct through services between the larger centres of population, and, in addition, a special service of buses has been inaugurated between Newcastle and Whitley Bay for Tyneside business men who prefer to live at the seaside rather than in the neighbourhood of the city. A new booking system also calls for attention. It is now possible to take through tickets for two or more services at a reduced rate. The value of this system, in addition to its economy, is that the passenger is saved the trouble of taking two or more tickets in the course of a journey.

A Fiat for Several Uses.

The coachwork with which the Fiat vehicle illustrated on this page is equipped has been so arranged that it is possible for the vehicle to be used for transporting passengers, goods and live stock. When the vehicle is fitted up for carrying passengers, 14 people can be accommodated, and with the seats

folded back a useful space is available for the transport of live stock; this is clearly shown in one of the pictures. The inside of the body is lined to the waistline, thus making for the utmost cleanliness. The roof is slatted and is railed in so that boxes, baskets and other goods can be carried. The vehicle has been supplied through Messrs. Gibbs and Co., of York.

An Important Company's New Headquarters.

The removal of the headquarters of the United Automobile rvices, Ltd., from Lowestoft to York, which was announced in The Commercial Motor a few months ago, is to be effected in the course of the next few weeks, and should be completed before the end of

the year. The management has obtained suitable +promises and is now making prepitration for the change. The decision to transfer the centre for the control of this extensive system, which extends into various parts of the country, was taken with a yiew to providing a more suitable situation for the administration of the company's activities. From this 'standpoint few more

suitable places could have been selected than York, for it is within comparatively easy reach of all sections.

The company do not intend to, operate bus services in the York district, but it is gathered that overhaul and repair work will be concentrated on York, and for this purpose a large central depot will at a later stage be built:

Profit on Salford's Buses.

The annual accounts of the borough treasurer of Salford reveal the fact that the municipal tramways incurred a loss of £3,714 during the last financial year, whereas the motorbuses showed a profit of lige during this period.

More Crossleys for the W.D. We learn that Crossley Motors, Ltd., Gorton, Manchester, have just reeeived a further large order from the War De partment for their well-known Crossley-Kegresse cross-country machines. The order is for both 2-tonners and 1tonners, and it is understood that the larger machines are to be employed for the haulage of field-guns and the smaller machines for the conveyance of battery staff and for first-line transport duties.

Traffic Control at Marble Arch.

A new system of traffic control came into operatinn at Marble Arch, London, on November 1st, by which traffic is only permitted to circulate round the Marble Arch and the central islands in a clockwise direction. The method, which is somewhat loosely termed the roundabout system, is similar in principle to that adopted in Parliament Squaxe, Trafalgar Square and other important traffic centres.

• Buses for Workpeople.

Harry Vincent, Ltd., Lion Toffee Mills, Birmingham, will remove next year to a now factory and model village now being built at Hunnington, near Bromsgrove, and omnibuses are to be employed daily to carry Birmingham workers to the new factory.

A Popular Low Loader.

The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Seotstoun, Glasgow, have lately received a number of orders for their new overtype low load-line bus ehaesis. Two of these—that from the Inverness and District Motor Services, Ltd., and that from the Valley's Motor Bus Services, Ltd., Lydney, Gloucester—are repeat orders, which indicate the satisfaction these companies have experienced with Albion passenger models they already have in service.

The Villiers Lighting Generator.

A booklet which the Villiers Engineering Co.,. Ltd., •Marston Road, Wol• verhampton, have just issued deals with the company's improved lighting generator for usc on all types of commercial vehicles. We note that this set is sup

Plied complete with two headlamps at a low cost and that its specification now includes a separate switch with a dimming device, which may be controlled from the driver's cab. 'Armoured cable is now used as standard, and the spindle of the dynamo is now mounted on three large journal bearings in order to increase 'its strength beyond the limit of any stresses which the generator is likely to receive. A second booklet describes a tour -of the company's works and contains illustrations of the various departments.

Traffic Restriction on a Northampton Bridge.

Northants County Council reports that the Minister of Transport held a local inquiry at Kettering into the application by the council for an Order under Section 7 (4) of the Roads Act, 1920, prohibiting the driving of locomotives, heavy motorcars and motorcars with .a seating cepacity exceeding fourteen persons, exclusive of the driver, on Geddington Ow County Bridge. The Ministry of Transport has now intimated that the Minister is prepared to make an Order on the lines suggested.

Publicity by S.D. Freighters.

Some time ago we illustrated a vehicle which Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., Letchworth, had supplied for use as a demonstration car to Lyons and Co., Ltd., the well-known caterers. We now learn that the users have found this S.D. Freighter so successful from a publicity point of view that they have decided to put further vehicles into use. They have accordingly placed a repeat order with the makers for two further S.D. Freighter chassis.

We also hear that the Lep Transport Co., Ltd., the well-known shippers, have decided to use S.D. Freighters for handling some of their smaller goods in the docks. This company also intend to use such a vehicle as a publicity medium.

German Postal and Passenger Services.

As in Switzerland, the German post and telegraph authorities have for some years been running combined postal and passenger-carrying services. The present year has witnessed a further development of the system, and, according to a recent report, there were no fewer than 1,335 services in operation covering a distance of 15,900 miles at the end of August last, as compared with 1.200 services over 14,400 miles at the beginning a the year. Three years ago only about 800 vehicles were used by the German postal authorities, but this number has now been more than doubled.

To Budapest by British Bus.

We have just received details from Tilliag-Stevens Motors, Ltd., of Maidstone, of the successful completion, by a 30-seater single-deck bus of their manufacture, of a road journey from Hamburg to Budapest. The vehicle covered the tofitl distance of approximately 1,450 kilometre a in a running time of 461, hours, which is equivalent to an average speed of 30ikilometres per hour, or, in English reckoning, of

19 m.p.h. Furthermore, the bus returned the very creditable fuel record 4-10 miles run for every gallon of petrol consumed, a fact which must not be considered without regard to the state of the roads traversed, many of which were in a poor condition of repair.

Bournemouth's Bus Station.

At a recent meeting of the Bournemouth Borough Council a scheme for the establishment of a motor coach and omnibus station was approved. It is proposed to arrange for this station to occupy a central position in the town and to offer accommodation to over 30 passenger vehicles. It is hoped that the plan will dispense with the present arrangement whereby motor coachek occupy much space in the Square and in the adjacent busy parts of the town.

British Lorries in Victoria.

During the month of july, 53 British commercial motor vehicles, the products of 15 different makers, were registered

in Victoria. Morris led with 11; followed by Bean, 9; A.E.C., 5; Vulcan, 4; land Ranier and Trojan 3 each.

Last Autti§t the first Motor Show ever held at Ballarat took place, wherethe Bean, apparently, was the only

British lorry on view. These lorries have been selling in Australia at the rate of 35 per month this year.

Derbyshire's New Bridge. Road and bridge improvements continue to be effectively undertaken by the Derbyshire county authorities to the great advantage of all classes of road user. The latest addition has been the erection of a new bridge at Eggintou, on the Derby and Burton road, which was opened recently by Sir Henry Maybury, Director General of Roads. This has been erected at a cost of £42,000, and takes the place of the narrow and hump-backed Monk's Bridge, which was built over the River Dove in 1267, and is now to be preserved as an ancient monument. The new structure is 40 ft. wide between the parapets, and has a carriage way 28 ft. wide.

Personal Pars.

Mr. Claude Crosland Taylor, principal of the Crosville Motor Bus Co., Ltd., and Mayor-elect of Chester, was successful in the recent municipal elections at Chester and was returned as the representative for Trinity Ward by a majority of 700 odd votes.

The subject of our portrait, Mr. A. T. Bennett, M.I.M.B., is the managing director of A. T. Bennett and Co., Ltd., proprietors of the Admiral-line of buses, one of the first of the independents and now one of the largest.

Mr. Bennett served his apprenticeship with Richard Moreland and Son, Ltd. (now Moreland, Hayne and Co., Ltd.) He remained with them 11 years, and while there was concerned with heavy pump-engine work. He left in 1902 and started in general engineering at Willow Walk, London, N.15, whore his present works and garage are still situated. Here he was chiefly _ engaged in the manufacture of automatic fog signals for Trinity House. In 1909 he started in the taxicab business and is still running 26 of these vehicles.

His company now employ a staff of 300, many of them still engaged in general engineering work. Incidentally, during the war period the works was wholly devoted to the production of parts for aircraft engines.

High-temperature Electric Furnaces.

Automatic and Electric Furnaces, Ltd., Eleefurn Works, 173-175, Farringdon Road, London, E.C.1, have just issued a new catalogue describing and illustrating their Wild-Barfield resistertype furnaces, which are suitable for temperatures up to 1,400 Cent. Attention is directed to the patent spring contacts which are used in the company's industrial high-temperature furnaces, and which have proved most successful daring the past three i years.

The company tell us that furnaces embodying these contacts are being built in Germ-any, Switzerland, France Belgium and elsewhere under licences granted by them.

Wilcox's Lubricants.

Particulars of the various grades of lubricant marketed by W. H. Wilcox and Co., Ltd., 38, Southwark Street, London, S.D.1, for different types of motor vehicles are referred to in a booklet which has just been issued by the company.

York's Successful Buses.

Interesting transport changes are foreshadowed at York, where the tramways committee of the corporation is preparing plans for the expansion of both its motorbus and trolleybus systems. The committee is recommending the purchase of three single-deck Leyland saloon buses at a cost of £3,630, in. order to arrange for service developments, and it is also re commended that the corporation should procure sanction from the Ministry of Transport to extend its existing trackless route to cater for the requirements of residents on the new housing estate which is being developed at Tang Hill. Last year the three trolley-buses now owned by the municipality covered a mileage of 64,398 and carried 497,000 passengers, whilst the 12 buses covered 195,298 miles and transported 1,206,000 people.

Guy Vehicles for East Africa.

We learn that Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, have just received a further repeat order from the Crown Agents for the Colonies for a number of 1-ton vehicles for service in East Africa, The lorries will operate in Tanganyika territory.

Freeing a Toll Road.

The Penarth Urban District Council has signified its intention of joining issue with the Cardiff City Council in an endeavour to obtain joint possession of the private stretch of the CardiffPenarth read and tollgate (from Merry Harriers to Tollgate). The ultimate object is to do away with the toll charges.

A. Newcastle Bus Inquixy.

The question as to whether a local authority has the power, in granting licences, to define routes outside its area over which motorbus proprietors shall run, WAS the point raised at an important Ministry of Transport inquiry recently held by Mr. F. Langley at Newcastle. The inquiry had a close connection with the municipal versus private enterprise conflicts which have occupied much attention in the city.

Mr. Thomas Foster Dale, a private motorbus owner, appealed against the refusal of the corporation watch corn

mittee to grant him licences to ply for hire in the city nom Stamfordham and Eachwick by way Of fled don and Throckley. During the hearing it transpired that the corporation was willing to allow him to join up the extreme points by a different route, but not by the stretch of roadway mentioned.

Interesting statements as to the amount of motorbus traffic in Newcastle at the present time were made by the chief constable, Mr. F. J. Crawley, Who said that the total number of buses licensed was 343. In addition, 29 meter coaches were licensed. Continuing, he said the corporation was striving its utmost to unravel existing complexities on bus routes. Its principal object was to ensure that all interests were safeguarded, and that safety was assured for the travelling public. Mr. F. J. Lambert, representing the appellant, brought forward certain facts and Mr. Dale gave evidence. The finding of the 11/IinUtry will be .promulgated in duo course.

Seeking Bus-operating Powers.

At a recent meeting of theaMountain Ash District Council a resolution was adopted in favour of the council promoting a Bill in Parliament to enable it to run motorbuses within its own area. Local Proceedings.

Lancaster Corporation has 'decided to obtain quotations for the supply of a 26-seater motorbus.

Glossop Corporation is seeking sanction for a loan of 1920 for the purchase of a Foden steam wagon.

;Hornsey Corporation has authorized the purchase of a 1-ton motor lorry for the highways department.

West Riding County Council has authorized the purchase of five petrol lorries and two steam wagon's.

Couldson Urban District Council has decided to purchase, in the spring, a motor mower for the recreation grounds.

The Cardiff Watch Committee has obtained a motor ambulance for police services from Messrs. James Howell, Cardiff.

Lewisham Borough Council haa. accepted the tender of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., for the supply of a motor lorry at 1788.

Charley Corporation has accepted the tender of R. W. Butterfield, Ltd., for the supply of a 1-ton motor lorry, for the sanitary department.

Bombay Corporation ha a accepted the tender of Messrs. Balmer; Lawrie and Co., at Rs-4,670, for the supply of a Merryweather fire-escape.

Oldham Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs. P. R. Witham and Co. for the supply of a 30-cwt. Morris chassis for the gasworks department.

Liverpool City Council has recently accepted the offer of Karrier Motors Ltd:, to supply two Karrier six-wheeled motor omnibus chassis for £1,184 each.

Ilford Corporation has accepted the tender of F. G. Smith (Motors), Ltd., at *942, for the supply of a 3/-ton Vulcan motor lorry for the cleansing department.

The tramways committee of the Oldham Corporation has accepted the tender of Guy Motors, Ltd., for the supply of seven single-deck six-wheeled motor omnibuses.

The fire department of the Stoke-onTrent Corporation is inviting tenders for the supply of a 1-ton chassis with pneumatic tyres. Tenders have to be delivered by to-morrow (Wednesday).

The health committee of the Middlesex County Council recommends the acceptance of the tender of Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., at £438, for the supply of -a Morris motor ambulance for use at Harefield Sanatorium. Further Buses for Stockton.

The omnibus department of the Stockton Corporation, which, in the course of the past three years, has produced a net profit of nearly £5,000, is now faced with the necessity for purchasing additional buses in order to cope with increasing demands made upon the system. For this purpose 16,000 is to be spent upon the purchase of four saloon buses. The authority now owns a fleet of 24 machines and uses one-man controlled vehicles, a number of which is of Leyland make, on an extensive scale.

Freeing Gainsborough Bridget The acquisition of Gainsborough bridge, one of the most important means of crossing the Trent in the neighbourhood of that town, was advanced a further stage at a recent meeting of the Nottingham County Council, when it was decided to join with the Lindsey and Gainsborough authorities in the purchase, with a view to freeing the structure from tolls. The price to be paid is £130,000, upon the understanding that the Ministry of Transport contributes 50 per cent. towards the cost of the bridge, which carries the traffic .between Derbyshire, Notts and South Yorkshire into Lincolnshire and to the coast.

Producing Seamless Tubes.

We learn that the new factory of the Oriental Tube Co., Ltd., at West Bromwich, is now in full working swing, and buyers of steel tubes will be interested to learn that the works are equipped with up-to-date plant which enables larger quantities of seamless tubes for the motor and kindred trades to be produced.

Abolishing a Level Crossing.

Coventry City Council proposes to abolish the Loekhurst Lane level crossing by constructing a bridge over the line at a cost of £55.600. • I.M.T. Examination.

The Institute of the Motor Trade announces that its next membership examination will be held on November 26th in London and also at various provincial centres. All information regarding it may be obtained from the secretary at 157, Great Portland Street, London, Wi

A Change of Address.

The Westihghouse Morse Chain Co., Ltd., of Letchworth, advise us that they have now transferred their London office to Bush House, Aldwych, London, W.C.2.

Macintosh Interests in Scotland.

Charles Macintosh and Co., Ltd., Cambridge Street, Manchester, inform us that their tyre interests in Scotland are now in the hands of Mr. G. Bennett Roger. The company's Scottish depot is at 5, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow.