Page
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ROAD FUND
All-Round Increase Reported
Although figures are not avail- able for the whole period, since the increase in taxation on the heavier classes of vehicles came into force, it would appear from the Report on the Administration, of the Road Fund" for the year. 1933-1934, just issued by the Min- istry of Transport. that the new duties have not appreciably af- fected the number of vehicles on the roads.
It is stated in the report that in the period ending March 31, 1933, licences were issued in re- spect of 2,232,041 mechanically- Propelled vehicles. the corres- ponding figure for the previous year being 2.219,320. The increase for the year '13 · thus 62,794, a gure closely comparable with those for the last few preceding years, in which no alteration in taxation took place, It would also appear that the alteration has had little effect on the gross re- ceipts
which from taxation. amounted to £29,201,133 for the year under review, as against £28,431,766 for the year ending March 31, 1932.
"The increase in revenue is thus practically in the same ratid as that of the number of vehicles. "Under normal circumstances, the effects of the alteration in taxa- tion rates would be brought out by the next returns, but as an- Other alteration is due to take place at the commencement of the New Year, two years must elapse before any critical analysis 15 ppssible.
An Interesting feature of the report under consideration is that the number of heavy-ofl engined vehicles licensed is given for the first time, the number in the first
IN NEWBURY
A Link With Past
In 1513 A.D, when Henry VII was King, there was a redoub- table character in the little Berk- shire town of Newbury, through. whose pleasart streets so many of us pass when going west. He was John Wynchcombe, a mas- ter weaver, and would appear, from all available records, to have been a model citizen. In 1518 the King paid film a visit and offered. him a knighthood, which he de- clined. "Let me remain plain Jack o'Newbury," he pleaded, and so it
was.
Passing of a Landmark
His name has gone down to posterity on the sign of Newbury's ancient inn,, the "Jack O'New- bury." Now, alas that is no more; it was closed at the end of "last month writes s
corres- pondent. Not that it had declin- ed in popularity, but because a by-pass scheme will isolate New- bury from passing tourists, and because the ravages of beetles had Lendered much expense necessary to restore the old timbers. So the proprietors decided to move and they are how in possession of an equally old and quite as historic inn, the Bear at Hunger- ford. some nine miles farther
quarter of 1934 belrig 3,064, as against 389,967 commercial vehi- cles running on petrol, and 2,775 running on solid fuel or coal gas,
Reducing Road Accidents
In view of the keen interest which is being taken at the pre- sent time in the possibility of re- ducing road accidents, the par- tion of the report dealing with public safety will be read with particular interest. It must be borne in mind, however, that as the report only covers the period up to March 31, recent measures, such as the provision of pėdes- trian crossings, are not included.
It is clearly shown, however, that the Ministry has been fully alive to the necessity of facilitat- ing traffic flow as a means of re- ducing the number of accidents. in which two vehicles, rather than a vehicle and a pedestrian," are primarily involved. In the year under review, for example, over 2,000 corners have been. improv- ed in the north of England alone, well over 1,000 "Major Road Ahead" signs have been erected, and super-elevation has been in- troduced on a very large number of curves. Other active measures, for the safety of the public have. been the extended provision of footways, the commencement of ribbon development control, and the elimination of level crossings.
Grents towards the cost of light signals for traffic control reached £164,441, as against £88;343 in the previous year. The total num- ber of installations made was 422, of which 88 were of the fixed cycle type, 324, were vehicle act- uated, six were manually operat- ed, and four operated by pedes- trians-
COLOUR HEAD LIGHTS
Do Not
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1935.
MOTOR JOTTINGS
PEDESTRIAN
CROSSINGS
The new regulations for pedes- trian crossing places in London have come into effect, and the following are the sections relating to road users' behaviour. The London
Traffic (Pedestrian Crossing Places) Provisional Re- gulations, 1934, are revoked:-
"The driver of every vehicle ap- proaching a crossing shall, unless he can see that there is no foot passenger thereon, proceed Et such a speed as to be able, if ne- cessary, to stop before reaching such crossing.
4
Le
"The driver of every vehicle.st or approaching a crossing where traffic is not for the time being controlled by a police constable cr by light signals shall allow free and uninterrupted passage to, any foot passenger who is on the carriageway at such crossing. and every such foot passenger sball have precedence over all- vehicular trafic at such crossing.
"The driver of every vehicle at on approaching a crossing at a... road 'Intersection where trafic is for the time being controlled by a police constable or by light signals shall allow free and uninterrupted passage to every foot passenger who has started to go over the crossing before the driver receives a signal that he may proceed over the crossing.
"No driver of any vehicle shall cause such vehicle or any part thereof to stop upon any crossing unless either—–
(a) He is prevented from pro- ceeding by circumstances beyond his control; or (b) It is necessary for him
to stop in order to avold ̈ accident...
re-
"No foot passenger shall main upon. any crossing longer than is necessary for the purpose of passing from one side of the road to the other with reasonable
despatch
"Every person who commits a' breach of these Regulations shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a
fine
Affect Fog not exceeding 405.". Penetration
The impression held by many motorists that a coloured head- light beam will enable them to see farther in a fog than when using a white headlight has been shown to-be erroneous;
14
TRAFFIC LIGHTS FOR GLASGOW ?
London Expert's Suggestion
Two suggestions for ensuring a smooth flow of traffic in the cen tre of Glasgow were offered re- cently by a· London expert-the installation
synchronised of signals and the removal of statio- nary motor
to parking places.
cars
the
are
The expert, Mr. Leonard M. Turnham, general manger of the London Coastal Coaches, Ltd, was giving evidence in Glasgow at the resumed sitting of Traffic Commissioners, who considering an application by the Westren S.MT Company to run their 'buses to and from their new 'bus station in Killermont Street, Glasgow, by way of Buchanan Street.
The application is being oppos- ed by the Corporation, who wish to keep the buses off Buchanan Street and make the terminal point Clyde Street.
..
HEATERS FOR SALOONS
Effective Radiators For The Winter
Not so long ago "motorists' in: England were surprised and pleas- ed when they found wireless sets installed in the cars of their American friends, but it was some time before
manufacturers
сат
in England adopted radio as a standard fitting. In just the same way it is still a novelty to And an interlar heater in a saloon, although such devices have been standardised extra equipment on the more expensive" models of some important American makes. Although no British manufacturer yet offers an interior/heater as standard, these heaters can be purchased for Atting to almost any make of car,
از
the
The first car-heater of American radiator type to be im- ported into England was the L.C. Fan. The principle on which it operates is that water is diverted from the inlet and outlet pipes of the ecoling system through Police Supervision Unnecessary
rubber hose to a second miniature radiator situated under the dash Mr. Turnham thought there cr in the back compartment of would be no necessity for any the saloon. A small electric fan particular method of police super-blows air through this radiator, vision in Buchanan Street be- tween Argyle Street and St. Vin- cent.Place if the roadway were not obstructed by stationary. vehicles. Apparently a number of cars were always in possession of the near side of the road in both directions,
“
which is constantly heated whilst the engine is running, and sets up a circulation of warm air throughout the car's body. The amount of heat can be varied by altering the speed of the fan. Waste heat is thus being utilised, and current consumption is under one ampere with the tan motor full on. It can be said with con- fidence that these heaters give out a splendid heat and warm the car in a short time. The models sold by LC. Fan, Ltd.. 4. Grosve- nor Gardens Mews North, Ebury Street. London, S.WI, cost £5,
"Traffic, though slow, is always on the move," he said." and in my opinion if traffic lights were installed throughout the area bounded by Clyde Street, Buchanan Street, Sauchiehall Street, Hope Street and Oswald Street, and the lights were synchronised east, _west-north, and south-there-66 65 and 87-75, according to would be no trouble about traffic finish and size, when fitted under flow."
the dash. or £6 16s. as a foot- rest model for the rear.
THE REWARDS OF these
ENTERPRISE
It was a very satisfactory record that the shareholders of Dennis Bros. Ltd.. the well-known com- Three years ago the Interna-mercial vehicle manufacturers of tional Commission on Illumina-
Guildford, "heard from the chair- tion passed a provisional resolu- tion stating that there was no
man in his speech at the recent advantage to be gained by using
annual general meeting of the company. The net profit for the coloured headlight teams in fog.
year was £104,958, while 133) per Subsequently that resolution was
cent was distributed in dividends, withdrawn, partly because the evidence in favour of the state-
as compared with 100 per cent in the previous year, ment was indirect and of too va gue a character. In view of the interest
and importance of the subject, the National Physical La- boratory at Teddington carried out a methodical series of tests the results of which have become available.
The distance at which an ob- server could just detect a test-ob- ject through the fog was deter- mined, both with the unscreened headlights and employing glass- Alters of various colours-orange, red, and blue-green. Of course,
west. I wish them all good-luck-altering the colour of a-headlight
in their new, and, at the same
time venerable abode,
ن العمر
Where the Famous Lodged The Bear at Hungerford has been an inn continuously since, at least, 1500 A.D. In 1843 Charles I had his headquarters there for a brief period. Queen Elizabeta" and William of Orange were other royal patrons. To tourists of to- day Hungerford is chiefly famous for its Bocktide celebrations ut Easter time, with the Tutti men and their pleasant always, 1 Hope task. Let me also record that on June 10th, 1868, the cele- brated Mr. Pepys dined at.. the Bear and recorded the fact in his Diary, "so came to Hungerford, where are very good, troutes, eels. and crayfish.”
Then and Now
beam by placing a coloured glass plate over the headlight also di- minishes the intensity of the light. The results of the expert- ments point to the conclusion that the only effect on range of Visibility in fog due to inserting the coloured glasses arises from this diminution of intensity, which is accompanied by a re- duction in the penetration of the beam through the fog. The dis tance at which the test object could be discerned was the same with coloured glasses as with clear, colourless glasses, provided the intensity of the light, after Dasssing, through the glasses, was the same in each case.
cluded in their number, 80, # You want to lunch at Hungerford you may do so in historic aur His stay cost him twelve shill-roundings. But you will find ings, but whether that was for amenities denied to Tudor kings dinner only. I know not. Az twelve and Stuart gossipers, there is shillings was a tidy plece of central heating and running hot money in those days I suspect he and cold water all over the place. may have given generous tips to But I cannot vouch that the the staff, especially if any "mon-troutes, eels and crayfish still strous pretty wenches were in-
Inhabit the Kennet,
དྷྭ་
Bir Raymond Dennis referred. to the success of the 45-cwt mo- del which was introduced at the 1933 Commercial Motor Exhibition at Olympia. Although production of this model only started early in 1934, nearly 2,000 were deliver- ed to customers, including iuffway companies and the principal users of transport throughout the coun-" try, during the period covered by the year's accounts."
Among various developments was the production of a low pres sure heavy oll engine, which does not follow the accepted practice advantages, among them being at present in use: It has many
the fact that it obtains the same: power output at a much lower pressure, with the consequent re-
the noise, known generally as sult of greater quietness; in fact
purposes eliminated, while the "Diesel knock," is for all practical
lower pressure ensures longer life to the cylinders, bearings and other parts, Anothers feature. and an important one, is that the objectionable exhaust fumes that have been associated with engines are entirely eliminated. ". Home idea of the character of the reception on the market of the new medium-weight goods chassis to carry 70 cwt. can be measured by the fact that an order has been placed since the closing of the accounts for this year for no less than 60 chassis
'i
World Not Affect Trafic
Mr. Turnham said, in reply to a question, "that he thought Glas- gow Corporation should regulate its traffic by the introduction of signals rather than eliminate traffic from Buchanan Street. He could not see that the elimination-of-the-Western S.M.T. would affect the traffic one lota.
J
...
Mr. A. I Stewart, for the Cor- did not think it desirable that poration, asked the witness if he
they should try to avoid the con- gestion that existed in parts of Lordon, Mr. "Turnham replied called upon. that Glasgow would never be to face London's traffic problems as there was not enough traffic in the Glasgow area to cause serious congestion.
The Commissioners will con sider also applications from the Central 8.M.T. and the Lanark- shire Traction Company for per- mission to run their 'buses to the bus station in Waterloo Street. Both are being opposed by the Glasgow Corporation.
Broken Beacons
It is reported that 650. Bellaha Beacons have been broken in Lon- don The biggest "battue" has taken place in Hammersmith. where 84 have been broken. Shoreditch follows with 81, and Holborn with 60. The majority of the breakages have been inten tional, and many of the amiber globes have disappeared for ever into the collections of souvenir hunters, Magistrates are indict Ing heavier penalties on offen- ders
The 34-litre Bentley owned by HRH The Duke of Kent is fitted with Philco car radio All that is visible or the set, when altting In the car, is the control dial on the instrument panel. This is the third Transitone set that the Duke of Kent has possessed.
the Englehart exhaust gas analy- An improved portable model, pf
for one arm alone. Another newser, at the considerably reduced model recently put into produc tion is a 7/7-ton chassis weigh- ing only 8 tons.
A recent order for 18 fire en- gires, from the London County Council brings the total number of Dennis fre-Eghting Appliances supplied to the London Fire Brigade to 230.
price of £45, is now available. The device la an apparatus where- by carburetter tuning can be test- ed by a continuous reading on a scale of the percentage of carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas. Englehart analyser is handled by the Eben Products Co., 57, Moor-
feld
PUBLIC
HEALTH AND THE MOTOR
The Pubile Health Exhibition which has recently been held in London contained much that was of interest to the student of mo- tor matters. During the past few years motor manufacturers have shown considerable courage and enterprise in their endeavours to meet the highly specialised re- quirements of public cleansing "authorities. and with wider ap- preciation of the economies and added efficiency to be gained by mechanisation, they are reaplog their reward
Refuse Collecting Methods
In the course of the last four years the moving four vehicle. has made great strides and re-
." presents a very marked advance in. the field. There was an extremely interesting example at the recent show. con- sisting of 窳 Scammell "me- chanical horse" coupled to a moving floor refuse collector. The .container had an unusually large capacity, 18 cu. yde, and the re- fuse can be moved towards the front of the body as it is loaded and consolidated. When unload- ing, the floor winds 'the load to- wards the rear discharge
doar.
The advantage of end, as against Alde, loading is that dust and re- fuse cannot be blown about the street..
of this
For municipal work nature the "mechanical horse" as a prime mover is an ideal multi- purpose machine, for it is obvious that
each "horse" can be used for a variety of carriers, refuse collector, street washer gully emptier, and suchülke.
Thornycrofts were showing one of the refuse collectors of the "Handy" type: this is particular- ly suitable for heavily trafficked districts, where rapid conveyance between the points of collection and the dump is essential, or in hilly
areas, where continual stopping and starting on heavy gradients make a large reserve of engine power necessary. The en- gine of the "Handy" chassis de- velops up to 50 BHP.
A Sale Principle
The Fowler "Minor" gully emp- tier, mounted on an Albion
chassis, has a number of distinbg tive features. The vacuum, for in- stance, is raised in the sludge tank itself, and not in a separate chamber. By a patented method, liquid is separated from the solid refuse and periodically drained off. thus enabling a greater num ber of gullies to be emptied be- fore it is necessary charge at the tip..
to
dis-
For discharging the tank is tipped to an angle of 40 degrees by hand-hydraulic gear. which requires the minimum of physical effort and is also simple and silent. The principle on which all Fowler gully emptiers work is that the whole of the refuse is withdrawn by vacuum from the gullies and no solid matter, is forced into the sewers, which are frequently stopped up. if this method is adopted,
Humber's Good Year
Improved trading conditions are evident in the directors report to the twenty-sixth ordinary.ge- neral meeting of Humber, Ltd. The' net profit for the year ended July 31st last was £224594, and the carry forward from the pre- vious year was 249,095 After de- ducting two, half-yearly dividends on the 7 per cent, cumulative pre- available is £250,483. The direc- ference shares the balance now
tors propose to transfer £85,000 to general reserve; to pay dividend of 15 per cent. on the 15 per cent. non-cumulative pre- ferred ordinary shares, absorbing E50,080; to pay a dividend of 10 per cent, on the deferred ordin- ary shares, accounting for £10,- 000, and to carry forward £105,- 422.
Toll Bridges
а
Toll bridges are a source of con- siderable annoyance to motorists, and the Minister of Transport has announced that he will not be satisfied
until the remaining thirty-seven toll bridges on classi -fed-roads are free: This move- ment, all will agree is long over- due.
TRUST A THORNYCROFT WITH YOUR TRANSPORT
DEAL DIRECT
THORNYCROFT
SIX-CYLINDERED
COACHES OMNIBUSES
MOTOR
DIESEL
@
VEHICLES
OR PETROL
Pioneer Manufacturers of Commerolal Medor Vekladan
Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong and Shanghak
4 or 6 Wheels
4 or 6 Cylinders
80 Cwt. to 10 Ton Loads
20 to 70 Passengers
JOHN L THORNTEROIT & CO.,
LIMITED
Pioneer Building, Nathan Road, Kowloon,
TEL. 6675S.
TRUST A THORNYCROFT WITH YOUR TRANSPORT