Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1906. THE MOTOR BUS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12001, 19 October 1906, Page 4

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1906. THE MOTOR BUS.

The advocates for the installation of a motor 'bus service in Wanganui, in their endeavour to explain away the failures of such systems as have been tried in the colonies, have been at great pains to assert that the vehicles used were of an obsolete type. They argue that the 'buses at present being built in London are free from the drawbacks of the older patterns, and in spite of the fact that it is only within the two last years the expansion of the traffic has been noticeable they are unable to see that that is not sufficient time for the vehicles to prove themselves a permanent success. That the presentday 'bus possesses as many faults as its two-year-old predecessor in regard to its liability to break down, its objectionable smell, and also in respect to its wear and tear on bad roads is evident from an interview, particulars of which "we publish in another column, that our representative had with Mr Thomas Glover, who has just returned from a trip to the old Country. Though that gentleman does not claim to speak with any expert knowledge of motor 'buses, hin many years' experience as a driver of all kinds of vehicles *and his knowledge of roadways, give more weight to his words than would be attached to those of the average layman, if rot to the opinions of those who, while Tirofessing expert knowledge, have never seen a motor 'bus, certainly not one of the modern type. Indeed, Mr Glover's views supply every justification for the action the Borough has taken in refusing to make any further inquiries about these muchdiscussed vehicles. Our fellow townsman ii 3 very pronounced in his opinions about the unsuitability of motor 'buses for Wanganui, asserting most emphatically that it would be simple madness to in.stal them here. lie points out. that at Home tlK> city streets in which the motor 'buses run aro either asphalt or wood-blocked, also that the Wauganui streets are i.ot ho good as an Englinh country road, which statement is verified

liy those who have visited the Old Country. As the motor 'bus mu»t have a goo'l rond way to run on. it id evident, as Ml Glover states, that the Wauganui streets would simply shake it to pieces. It 1-. evident from Mr Glover's remarks that the immunity from breakdown which i-> claimed for the- modern 'bus. is an illusion ; and % thnt il comes to a sudden stop through failure ot the machinery just ns often as the older type, while faulty steering gear is responsible for many accidents. Corroboratiou of Mr Glover's statement is forthcoming in the quotations recently made by the Chronicle from the report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Motor 'Buses, t < the effect that 25 per cent, of these socalled efficient vehicles are laid up every day for repairs. Another point made in favour of the motor 'bus by its advocateis tho large patronage bestowed upon it, but Mr Glover makes it clear that it is simply a case of "Hobson's choice," people having to select between the motor and the horse 'bus naturally preferring tho faster vehicle, while the fac*. that no serious dislocation in traffic is caused by the frequent breakdowns is owing to the large number of buoes running, -which can pick up those passengers who suddenly find their further progress barred by a mishap.

Further evidence of the incapacity and unsuitability of the motor v 'bus for a street traction service such as is required in Wanganui comes from Karori (Wellington). That suburb a short time ago instructed, as Ihe Miyor suggested should be done here, its town clerk to make inquiries in every direction with a view of obtaining all possible information appertaining to the form of street traction. We have the authority of the Mayor of Karori for stating that the result of the inquiries demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt that motor 'buses were absolutely unreliable and unsuitable for colonial traffic, the cost of maintenance alone putting them out of the question. In previous issues we quoted Mess>r.s Thorneycroft and Co., one of the largest manufacturing firms in "the world, as putting the running cost of one of their vehicles at 10.14 d per car mile on the first-class English roads, and we pointed out that that figure would be greatly exceeded on our rough thoroughfares. It has been argued that Messrs Thorneycrofts' estimate was excessive, but it is more than borne out by the result of the Karori inquiries, which the Mayor informs us, gave a calculation of Is 4d. His advice to the people of Wanganui, strikingly confirmatory of Mr Glover's opinion, is not to touch the inoto/ 'bua at any cost.