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Argylls, Ltd., was one of the first makers to adopt the worm-driven type of back axle for its commereial-motor vehicles ; this class cf design is, it will be remembered, standard on Argyll taxicabs.
A Fiat Vade-Mecum,
We have received a copy of a useful " motorcab road-atlas " from the FIAT. Motor Cab Co., Ltd. This contains a number of sectional maps of the country for 70 miles round London, and a great deal of general information that is of use to hirers of London motorcabs. The booklet is published at. sixpence.
The Driver's Mistake.
At Tottenham recently a motorcab driver found on returning to his vehicle that the magneto had been stolen. The police officer, who was on duty near by, asserted positively that nobody had been near the cab, and, when the driver ventured to express his disbelief of this statement, the reply was: "You could not have brought it with you ; you roust have made a mistake."
In the Granite City.
Mr. W. Trail, of the Aberdeen Riding Academy, has just taken delivery of a 15 h.p. Napier motorcab, for which the bodywork has been constructed by J. T. Clarke and Co., Ltd., of Aberdeen. Three other cars of the same type are to be delivered, and Mr. Trail's fleet is to be completed by the addition of a high-class landaulet, which he intends to use for private-hire work solely.
Shrewsbury Starts.
The Shrewsbury Motor Cab Co., Ltd., of Monklands Garage, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, is at present running two Humber motorcabs in Shrewsbury, and it is its intention to add to this fleet if the new vehicles secure sufficient public support. Mr. Arthur H. Crump, the managing director, is inclined to adopt special vehicles which would enable him to accept orders for private-hire trips in the surrounding country, and for commercial travellers who wish to work the district from Shrewsbury as a centre The establishment of a workshop and garage of considerable proportions is contemplated by this enterprising company. The receipts of the General Motor Cab Co., Ltd., for the week ending 11th March, were E.3,000 less than those for the corresponding week of last year.
Geo. Polkey, Ltd., favours us with an account of the successful running of one of its electric-lighting sets that has been fitted to a Napier taxicab for the last seven months.
Harrogate Conviviality.
The third annual dinner and smoking concert of the Harrogate staff of the Provincial Motor Cab Co., Ltd., took place at the Lancaster Hotel, Harrogate, on Tuesday of last week. Mr. H. F. Pilling, the company's local manager, occupied the chair. A local correspondent informs us that the function, both from the gastronomic and the musical points of view, was a complete success.
Unics in Croydon.
Mr. H. Bates, the proprietor of the General Engineering and Motor Co., of 197, London Road, Croydon, has had a successful experience with his small fleet of four motoreabs --three Unies and one Brasier. We are informed that he has ordered six additional fourcylinder Utiles from Mann and Overtons, Ltd. One of the existing vehicles is used by the Croydon Corporation for the conveyance of its various officials. Mr. Bates states that he considers 4d. a mile quite an outside cost for running the machines. A Birmingham Burglary.
The Birmingham depot of the Provincial Motor Cab Co., Ltd., has recently been entered by burglars; a sum of £84 was secured by the marauders, who have not as yet been apprehended.
A Soft Job.
In the Clapham murder case, which has recently attracted so much public attention, two taxicab drivers who appeared as witnesses, when questioned by Mr. Abinger, the counsel for the defence of Morrison, as to their physical condition after 15:1 hours and 24 hours of service respectively, said that it was a soft job, and not tiring. Other papers please copy !
No More Suitable Men, We hear most discouraging reports of the work, of several "Knowledge of London" schools that have been established in the Metropolis, owing to a very-serious shortage of suitable candidates. Of such moment is this recent development that it is probable that several of the schools will be shut up, solely because of the total lack of further suitable raw material. If Scotland Yard does not soon take steps to modify the requirements of their examiners with regard to the topography of London, the whole of the London cab trade is likely before long seriously to be embarassed. At present there are hardly enough new men coming forward to make up for the ordinary rate of wastage.