CO885-(20-21) — Page 683

23

The tables attached to the circular have been distributed for the information of those most interested in the question of land transport; but in view of the easy conveyance of produce by sea and the mountainous character of the principal islands, is improbable that any system of mechanical land transport is likely to be established, beyond the possibility of a postal service for passengers and parcels by motor power between Victoria and Anse Royale.

In the event of any definite proposals for the establishment of a postal service of this nature being under my consideration, I shall address your Lordship in terms of the 4th paragraph of the circular under reply.

Lubricating oil-consumption per mile-pints...pint

Annual cost lubricating oil

Wages, annual driver (akilled)

11

70

steersman

brakesman or assistant...

Annual cost of small stores including lamp oil, ¦ £25

cotton waste, firewood, &c.

Capital outlay

...

Depreciation, interest on capital outlay, repairs,, £:00

housing, &c.

Total annual cost...

Allow 10 per cent. for contingencies

Grand total annual cost

Maximum cost per nett ton mile

Smith Bros. and Co.'s 2-Ton Lorry.

Wilsons', Ltd., 16 H.P. Albion Motor Van.

Stephens', Ltd. 2-Ton Van.

...

1 pint every 20 |

miles.

£16 6s. 3d.

£2

425.

£87 10s.

£55

£86.

...

£65

None

None

...

None

None. None.

£625

たに

£600

£220.

£45.

£510.

£493 10s. 3., £161

£450,-

without petrol.

23491

£50

416 28.

£15.

£655 10s. 3d,

£177 28.

£195.

with petrol.

18. Old.

tid.

18.

Lorry. Length over all...

18 feet

18 feet

16 feet.

Width over all

>

6 feet 8 inches

6 feet

6 feet.

Engine. Steam (S.) or Internal Combustion

2 cylinder

engine (L.C.).

Brake horse power

16 H.P.

15 H.P.

16 to 18 H.P.

Radius of action on tank and bunker capacity 60 miles Consumption of water

Cost of naphtha o petrol

110 miles.

(No. 403.) MY LORD,

gallon daily

i

A few pints a

day.

*

lubricating oil

28. 6d. per gallon | 28. 6d. per gallon | 18.9ɗ. per gallon. 38. Ad. per gallon | 38. 9d. per gallon

-

20989

No. 23.

I have, &c.,

W. E. DAVIDSON,

Governor.

No. 25.

NORTHERN NIGERIA.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 30 July, 1910.)

Government House, Zungeru, 29 June, 1910.

I REGRET to find that your Lordship's Circular despatch of 28th May, 1909,* relative to mechanical transport, has not yet been dealt with.

2. This Administration possesses a motor car and a motor luggage van. They cannot properly be described as " lorries," and it would be difficult to give adequate or correct information on the form which accompanied your Lordship's circular. I therefore transmit, for the information of the Mechanical Transport Committee,

a special report by Mr. Ridsdale on the working of our two motor cars, which I hope may be of some use.

3. I would add, however, to Mr. Ridsdale's report the statement that the cars, though running very well on rough roads during the dry season, are useless during None of our roads are macadamized, and the vehicles find much difficulty in making progress through heavy mud.

the rains.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

Circular

28 May. 1903 Miscel laneous

29 April, 1910.

SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 9 July, 1910.)

(No. 384.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Lagos, Southern Nigeria,

17 June, 1910.

WITH reference to your Lordship's circular despatch of the 28th May, 1909,* relating to mechanical transport, I have the honour to enclose herewith two copies of a tablet which has been drawn up to show such details of the running and upkeep of motor transport vehicles in this Colony as can be gathered from local experience, and to express my regret that the return has been so long delayed.

23196

(No. 101.) MY LORD,

I have, &c.,

J. J. THORBURN,

Acting Governor.

No. 24.

SEYCHELLES.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received July 28, 1910.)

WITH reference to the despatchest noted in the margin, I have the honour

Government House, Seychelles, 24th June, 1910.

to report that no system of mechanical transport has actually been introduced in this Colony.

No. 44 in [Ca. 4589],

No. 44 in [Cd., 4589], and Reminder: not printed.

† Not printed.

I have, &c.,

H. HESKETH BELL,

Governor.

Enclosure in No. 25.

MOTOR TRANSPORT.

The two motors ordered during 1907-1908 reached Zungeru during July, 1908, and were used, during the rainy season, for the conveyance of invalids and officials to and from Tegina (mile 21, Zaria Road). From October until the end of March they have been almost exclusively employed on the construction of the Link Rail- way, the touring car for inspection purposes, and the luggage car for transport of tools and materials, chiefly cement. With the aid of a road scraper (or, more pro- perly, a bush clearer) constructed locally and fitted to a four-wheeled bullock cart, a rough clearing was made through the bush for over 20 miles in the direction of Minna (junction of Lagos Government Railway Northern Extension with Baro- Kano Railway), and on this clearing both cars were used for the conveyance of His Excellency and staff when proceeding to or from Minna.

The use of motors in tropical countries not being yet common, the following details may be of interest:-Both cars were obtained from the Wolseley Siddeley Company; date of make, late 1907 (ordered February, 1908); h.p. 18; chain drive; road clearance, 13 inches; wheels, wood; frame and springs specially strengthened and fitted with shock absorbers; wheel base, 96 long; width of tread, 45; E.I.C. coil with van Raden spun glass accumulators and Simms-Bosch magneto ignitions (former being used for starting up only, and were re-charged twice). Tyres, 875 by 105 Elastes on touring and Continental solids on luggage cars were first fitted,

• No. 44 in [Cd. 4589].

21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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