Motor Service for Wellington.

Progress, Volume III, Issue 10, 1 August 1908, Page 345

Motor Service for Wellington.

Some mouths ago it was reported that the Post and Telegraph Department were about to experiment with motor traction for the collecting and delivery of rmiik within the city, and an order was placed with Messrs Magnus, Sanderson and Co.. agents for the Canada Motor and Cycle Co.. for a "Russell" mail van automobile. The • -ar came to band last, month, and the secretary (Mr D Robertson) and assistant secretary (Mr W. K. Morris) were taken for a drive in the new vehicle by Mr Magnus The motor van has a decidedly smart

-appearance, and in its scarlet enamel and -gold lettering looks like business. It is a two-cylinder (double opposed) 18 h.p. ear. with a square eovered-in body or carriage (both light and strong), the roof of which i.s continued out about Bft. in front to protect the driver, who is comfortably accommodated in soft leather upholstery Alongside the driver is a slide door admitting to the interior, but the main door is in the centre of the back of the van. "Within are 85 cubic feet of space, and, if necessary, shelves can be fitted to separate parcels from other mail matter The van is fitted with Swinehard solid rubber tyres. but to ease the road shocks the carriage is supported on special springs, which relieve the vibration that would otherwise result

from the use of solid tyres A "gate" speed-change lever is provided, and there are two brakes, the internal expansion and external contraction, acting on the drum of the rear wheels. The car is fitted with "Bolar" searchlights supplied with acetylene gas from a "Mnviole" generator The car was made at Toronto, Canada, and is the first car to be used by the Government exclusively for mail work in the cities. The Post and Telegraph Department have now taken the car over, and we understand the working is entirely satisfactory — all clearances in Wellington being effected in less than half the time of the old horse-and-cart system.