The 1911 London Parade.
Page 16
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Whit-Monday Chosen: Interesting Comparisons with the Annual Horse-Van Parade will be Possible.
We have pleasure in publishing the text of a letter which has been issued by the Secretary of the Commercial Motor Users Association, Mr. F. G. Bristow, from the office of that body at 112, Piccadilly, W. It sets forth the general outline of the intended arrangements for the holding of the Association's fifth annual parade of commercialmotor vehicles and tractors.
We are delighted to see that, after consultation with many large owners, including both supporters and those who were unable to support earlier parades, all of which have been held on Saturdays, the date has been fixed for Whit-Monday, the 5th June, 1911. On the one hand, of course, this will mean the retention of the driver in connection with his vehicle or tractor over a public holiday, but like procedure has proved extremely popular in horsevan circles. In fact, there is every reason to believe that the men and their families will take the greatest interest in the parade, which will again be held at Lincoln's Inn Fields, which venue possesses obvious advantages.
Naturally, with a long programme in front of them, something must be done to study the material comfort of the men and, within reason, those who are likely to aocompany them. Ffereanent, it is proposed to give a free mid-day meal, and we understand that application will be made to the Parks and Open Spaces Committee of the London County Council for certain facilities in this connection. The enclosed apace and lawns which are bounded by the carriageways of Lincoln's Inn Fields offer many attractions and possibilities, and they are sure to be turned to good account, after due consultation with the several authorities who are concerned.
Members of the Association, some of whom have been inclined to grumble at the admission of machines which belong to non-members, will now be interested to note the decision to impose a charge of 5s. per entry in respect of vehicles or tractors which do not belong to members of the Association.
In previous years, it may be recalled, some objections have been raised to the voluminous character of the information and data for which the judges thought it necessary to call, anti it is certain that some abstentions were traceable to this feature. Now, after four years of experience. and in the belief that the general conditions and regulations should approximate more closely to the comparatively-simple type of rules which govern the horse-van parade, the Executive Committee of the Association lias autherizer a like simplification, as is indicated.
Turning to the prizes, the best awards will hinge upon the keeping of a weekly log for the three months ending the 31st March next. It will be left to the discretion and judgment of each driver to keep his log his own way. The parade prizes, which will be awarded in large numbers on the afternoon of the 5th June next, will be rated as " Appearance " prizes, and will be divided into three grades. The monetary value to be attached to each of the three classes has not yet been fixed.
Date and Hours.
" The Esesaitive Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Asscciation has had under careful consideration the conditions to govern the fifth annual parade of commercial-motor vehicles, and I am instructed to forward the following preliminary particulars to you. The Committee has reason to believe that the corning parade will be more successful than any of those yet held, and, in view of the anticipated increase in entries, it has been decided to hold an all-day parade on Whit-Monday next, the 5th June, in London, with the object of encouraging drivers of vans, wagons and tractors, by means of money prizes and other awards, to take a personal interest in the driving and condition of their machines.
"The vehicles will parade at 11 a.m, and disperse about 5 or 6 p.m., and the Association will make arrangements for the drivers to be supplied with a free mid-day meal.
Eligible Machines, " Certain modifications have been made in the conditions of entry and the award of prizes. The restrictions as to the length of time the vehicle has been in service and the minimum mileage that the machine has travelled have been withdrawn, and all drivers of steam and petrol commercial-motor vehicles (e.g., vans, wagons, lorries, tractors, etc.) are eligible to enter and to compete for the prizes offered by the Association. Members' vehicles will be allowed to be entered free, and those of nun-members on payment of a fee of 5s. per vehicle.
Championship and Other Prizes.
"The following championship prizes, 1st prize-27 10s., 2nd prize-25, and 3rd prize-23, are offered for competition amongst drivers, for the best results in an examination. One of the conditions is that each driver entering will be required to keep a weekly log for the three months, 1st January to 31st March, 1911, in such form as he may elect to adopt. These logs, which must be the personal ones of the drivers, and not records kept by the owners, will be placed in the custody of the, judges after completion, for consideration, and subsequently returned to the men. "In addition to the championship prizes, there will be a large number of appearance ' prizes, for distribution amongst drivers of the best vehicles paraded, divided into 1st-class, 2nd-class, and 3rd-class awards. All drivers arc eligible for both championship and appearance prizes, but those who do not desire to compete for the former may enter for the appear. ance prizes only. Every driver will be required to parade with his machine for examination by the judges, on Whit Monday.
Details to Come.
" Entry forms and fuller details of the competition will be forwarded at a later date. In the meantime, however, I am desired by the Executive Committee to invite your co-operation in this matter by giving the desired publicity to the scheme, forthwith, amongst the drivers in your employ, so that the competition may he as successful as possible."