Motor 'Buses.

Progress, Volume III, Issue I, 1 November 1907, Page 30

Motor 'Buses.

[By J.T.L]

In taking the duty off motor- hus chassis the Government, evidently through the influence of the Premier's visit to Fngland, <=au that the public of New Zealand w< uld not be long in *oIU wing m the steps of the Motherland, and that this means of transit would be eminently suitable for the coantry an^ suburban districts trnoughou A the Dominion , tcr, in spite d the fact that at the beginning of the year the I ondcn County Council brought m by-laws prohibiting any motor 'buses running \\hich caused a smell from the exhaust or gave forth too much noi°e, the number running in London in August last sxceed those in operation at the same peiiod last year, ty 230. In reviewing the list of makers it is pleasing to note that an Fnghsh firm, Sj-dne}- Straker and Squire, Limited, now tcp the list with no fewer than 312 vehicles, with an increase during the year of 155 machines, or nearly dc able the number , whereas their Continental rival's (Ahlnes Daimler, Limitec ) increase was o.uy OS. No less than eight different makers have dropped completely cut" of the running; whilst several others have bu' v fev\ vehicles rema.mmg in use. There is n^ doubt that the Bntish makers are nowable te hold their own in this class of vehicle *t the half-yearly meeting of the London Ro?d Car Company the chairman pointed out that the Stroker-Sqmre (170} and Mcudslay (0) vehicles ha>l shown good working profits since the fiist date of their put to woik on the streets. But outride the Metropolis there is a greatei demand than ever for the motor-b us and it is non by no means a novelty for the inhabitants cf villages and iso^ted country districts to hold public meetings ot which resolutions are passed in favour of motor-bus services. The next step usually is to send a memorial or a deputation to the management of the nearest railway company and thert, are many head-shaking grumblers, if a negatVe replj has to be returned. A large number of people who had hitherto been content to exist vithont travelling facilities, other f han those furnished by the halting '-md " mixed" conveyance of the local carrier, are giving signs, in innumerable parts of rural Britain of their restlessness under the knowledge that the peculation m other or neighbouring aregs is better served than is that in their own districts. I.ocil pride, if not jealousy, dicrates the opinion that it is unbearable to continue without at least equal opportunity of access to the railway, market-town, or other point of attraction and the genesis of another request quickly assumes concrete form in consequence. The latest examples to come under our notice are provided by the action of a committee of residents in the villages of Turnff Cuminestown, New Bvth, Strichen, and Bruckky. However, in this country, particularly, great discrimination m the selection of the most suitable vehicle required is called for on the part of those who are entrusted v.ith it, and those who make first cost rather than substantial construction h< th in chassis and body, the deciding point, vull make an error for which they, or their financial supporters, will subsequently have te pay very hea\ ily. The motor-bus, m as iar as New ZeaHrd is concerned, is practically untried , and in initiating 'bus services, care should be t^ken to profit by the experience of the companies in JTngland, and thus save financial loss and disappointment