MOTOR NOTES. By "Accumulator."

Progress, Volume II, Issue 8, 1 June 1907, Page 287

MOTOR NOTES. By " Accumulator."

Taximetre Development. In Marseilles, France, forty taximetre motor cabs will soon be placed in service by a stock company, and another company expects to begin business with fifty cabs in May or June next.

The Motor in London. According to the statistics of the London County Council, there are at present in use in that city 4,024 cars and 1,747 motor cycles. 1,157 cars and 717 motorcycles changed hands during 1906 ; 16,759 drivers' licenses were issued. ; and £8,339 was received in fees.

Petrol Supply. An inquiry which was recently held in England by the Motor Union as to the supply of petrol, and the possibility of the supply being exhausted, seems rather purposeless, in view of the figures shown in connection with the returns of the imports of the spirit. During 1906 no less than 26,792,687 gallons were imported, as compared with 18,658 391 gallons in the previous year.

A Sensible Plan. At the last meeting of the contest committee of the Automobile Club of France, it was decided that the commercial vehicle contest, announced for May next, shall be held over a star shaped itinerary in the vicinity of Paris and through the northern and eastern portion of France, with daily stages of 95 to 125 miles, and that the awards shall be based on the useful ton-miles.

Anti-Skid. In the British motor bus anti-skid competition, after all devices considered impracticable 'by the committee had been eliminated, there remained twelve inventions which were submitted to preliminary tests at a London garage on February 5. Of these, five were of the type embodying metal rings located between twin rubber tyres ; six consisted of special tread forms ; and one consisted of a six-wheel vehicle with steering wheels in front and rear.

Chauffeur, Chassis & Company. Everything in the industry has long been known by some French name, and every time this reminds the world of the superiority of the French in the matter of motor enterprise, and construction. The British makers are making a serious attempt to wrest this reputation from the hands of their neighbours across the Channel. They are striking at the root of the evil. The Kaiser is striking at the nomenclature, which is a more direct but less radical method than bettering the practice. The Kaiser has turned his attention to motoring terminology. He objects to the word " chauffeui," and henceforth those in his employment will be styled " wagen-fueh-rer," that is to say, car or waggon drivers.

He also objects to the " chassis," " tonneau," " limousine," " garage," and sundry other French descriptive words, for which he has ordered plain German terms to be substituted.

A New Valve. A Swedish inventor has produced a valve to be applied to automobile engines, which, it is said will result in much smoother running than ordinarily obtained. It is merely a small plug placed in the exhaust valve, and is kept open by a spring, except on the explosion stroke, when the action of the explosion forces it shut. The effect may be described as taking the edge off the explosion. At high speed the arrangement is inoperative. Exhaustive tests, it is claimed, have shown the device to result in very smooth running at slow speeds on several types of motors.

Christcharch. Mr. Henry J. Ranger, the well-known motor specialist, has lately taken posession of his new garage, which is situated at 174 Gloucester-street, and close to Colombostreet, Christchurch. The garage is a single-span brick building, with a concrete floor, space for cars being 80 x 45ft. It is well lighted, and is fitted with a large car turntable, which is a very great convenience and greatly appreciated; inspection lamps, pit, Ranger's self-setting car stand, a very handy appliance ; a I^ake & Elliot vulcanizer, which will vulcanize two covers and two tubes at the same time ; and the very latest charging plant, consisting of an electric motor and generator, which ensures against accumulators being charged at a too rapid rate. Lockers are provided, also a suitable wash down. Mr. Ranger, in providing cloak rooms and lavatories, and an expert who lives on the premises, is undoubtedly catering for the wants of motorists most fully At the time of our visit the garage was in full swing, and judging from appearances, Mr. Ranger has every reason to feel satisfied with his fine establishment.