News of the week (continued)
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RAILWAYS OUT-SMART EUCLID.
SPEAKING at the annual dinner of Cumberland and Westmorland motor traders, at Carlisle, last week, Mr. Arthur Guy, President of the Motor Agents' Association, said that the four sides of the square of national transport were the railways, road transport, coastwise and inland waterways, and the public interest, and they had to face the fact that the railways Were out to make their side of the square inordinately long.
In the past year, said Mr. Guy. official statistics showed that industrial returns decreased by 6 per cent., yet railway returns dropped by only 4i per cent. Pointing out that the railways had made a net profit of £31,000,000, leaving £20,000,000 after debenture shareholders had been met, Mr. Guy commented, "If you and I could be certain of such profit percentage on such a vast amount of redundant capital, we should be well satisfied."
Fluctuation in American .Tractot
hiTANUFACTURERS sales, in 1938, iViof all types of tractor in America amounted to 193,122 units, valued at 157,065,613 dollars, compared with 284,576 machines valued at 222,602,559 dollars, for 1937, Tractors sold for export last year, however, showed an increase on 1937, last year's total being 40,278, valued at 40,107,013 dollars, against 37,206, valued at 37,424,041 dollars the previous year.
London Bodybuilders' Function a Success.
1.-IN Friday. of .last week, 200 people 1..../attended the annual dinner and dance of the social and sports club of Strachans Successors, Ltd., coachbuilding concern of North Acton, Lon
don, W.3, The affair took place in Kensington, and was successful in every way. Many tributes were paid to the successes of the company in the field of Sport, and it was stated that, in Other directions, it was steadily gaining valuable prestige. Speakers were Messrs. H. P. Gishorne, R. W. Frost and Sir William Noble (directors), and Messrs. A. E. Whittit and H. J. Ferguson: "
The Latest in Dual-purpose Ambulances.
lk AMONG its appearance at a time inwhen such equipment is receiving much attention in connection with A.R.P. duties, is a -new dual-purpose ambulance, which is announced by 13onallaek and Sons, Ltd., • St. George's Works, Cable Street, London, E.1. It is based on the Chevrolet chassis, and not only is the cost of the yehicle claimed to be far below that of a standard coa.chbuilt ambulance, but.
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for emergency purposes, it ha, 1 the great advantage of being convertible, in a few minutes, to an ordinary van. The vehicle incorporates a number of special features, including the Bonallack easy-loading stretcher-shifting gear, which enables an unskilled volunteer team to load safely and expeditiously, not only the 'lower tier, but that above it, The roof is constructed , of transparent oil-dressed material, which provides excellent natural light during the day. Interior electric lighting can, of course, be fitted for night work.
A comfortable, upholstered bucket seat is provided at the forward end of the gangway, and double-tread folding steps provide easy access at the rear. 1.Ve are advised that a demonstration vehicle is available in London and the Home Counties.
DINNER TO MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
ACOMMITTEE has been formed to organize a congratulatory dinner to Mr. W, Chamberlain, NorthWestern Licensing Authority, who, in the New Year's Honours, as already referred to in this journal, was made a Knight Bachelor. The members 'are:—Messrs. T. E. Thomas. J. M. Calder, A. C. Baker, W. Vane Morland, Cyril F. Dennis (chairman, reception committee), E. L. Cadwallader, S. Loosen, W. L. Lorkin (hon. treasurer) and H. J. Ferguson (hon. secretary).
The function will be held at the Savoy Hotel on March 15, when Mr. Thomas will act as chairman. Application forms for tickets are obtainable from Mr. H. J. Ferguson, 58, Avenue Chambers, Vernon Place, Southampton Row, London, W.C.I.