Indian Motor Routes.
Page 22
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The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—While thanking you for kindly giving publicity to 3 CI enquiry which was forwarded to me from Rajpore, re the possibility of running a public motor service in that neighbourhood-, some months back, and also for your consideration in bringing it before Messrs. Kilburn and Co., of Calcutta, I take this opportunity of informing you that, since then, several schemes have been discussed with a view to connecting up the town already mentioned and Dehra. The need, I may say, for something of this nature has been greatly accentuated of late, owing to the combine of the Tonga proprietors, in order that a charge of 5 rupees may be made for a distance of six miles, which is somewhat " tall." Commenting on the subject generally, the " Debra Times " says : "We were asked the other day why the Oudh and Rohilkhund Railway Company does not follow the lead of railway companies at home, the Great Western, for instance, and start a motor service in conjunction with their trains. We admit that this would not be worth while in connection with most of the stations on the 0. and R. line, but, that it is necessary, and would pay handsomely, between Dehra and Rajpore, there can be no manner of doubt. But the question has been solved, apparently, in a way we least expected. From an advertisement in this paper, our readers will see that a London Syndicate has been formed to run a service of Renard motor trains, between Dehra and Rajpore, and vice versa, commencing early next year. Their success seems assured.
" The London Syndicate responsible for the proposed Dehra-Rajpore motor train service deserves the best thanks of both Dehra and Mussoorie. It would be better still to extend its operations, if possible, as far as Saharanpur, whereby a great saving of time could be effected, inasmuch as the distance between Dehra and Saharanpur, lw road and rail, are as one to two. It is enough, however, to give the Dehra-Rajpore line a thorough footing for the present, before launching out with the other project, the prospects and feasibility of which would require to be thoroughly III a ste red. "
A correspondent of mine, writing on 22nd August last, from Rajpore, informs me that great meetings were taking place in Mussoorie, with a view to opening-up a motor service between Rajpore and Dehra, for passengers and heavy baggage, to commence operations next January. The drawback to this seemed to be that only heavy baggage could he carried, so that visitors could not take all their luggage up with them. Less than a month ago, they were reported to have some other scheme on hand; something on the system of the mountain railways of Switzerland, while, later still, the meeting re the Renard train was held. It is generally felt that the mountain railway system will be adopted, as the Renard train is hardly a contrivance which • will shine at climbing long, steep hills, and it is worse than foolish to expect impossibilities from an ordinary 3-4-ton chassis in this class of country. In concluding, I trust it is not out of place to admit that I am indebted to Miss G. M. Chapman, of the Agency Hotel, Rajpore, for the above information. This lady takes quite an intelligent interest in commercial motoring, and, getting as she does a copy of "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR" almost weekly from me, admits that she " quite enjoys reading it."—Yours faithfully, A. E. A. M. TURNER. London.