News and Comment.
Page 10
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This journal is admitted to possess the influence, the men, the standing and the leading circulation. It is exclusively read by the heads of many wealthy commercial houses throughout the Empire.
First-published details of the new 10-cwt. Pilgrim van are given on pages 447 and 448.
Do your drivers use their brakes properly ? If you are not sure, read our article on page 435.
The new Leyland railcar is described and illustrated, for the first time in any 'journal, on pages 145 and 446.
Our exclusive article upon the motor-transport branch of Maple's huge business is completed on pages 438-440.
The first announcements in regard to the scheme for the C.M.U.A. Parade in 1912 have been well received. We summarize them on page 436.
London's attainment to the distinction of being the city of the world with the swiftest traffic is the subject. to which we direct. attention on the first page of this issue.
Captain and Hon. Major J. S. Matthew, of the 9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, who is better known to our readers as the managing director of Argylls, Ltd., was among the noblemen and gentlemen invited to the King's Levee at Holy rood.
A large tire concern asks us to aid it in the matter of obtaining for it a simple and reliable detachable rim for band tires, which device has the quality of easy fitting without the use of a press. Inventors or owners of free patent rights are invited to address full particulars to "Take Off," care of the Editor. Tenders are invited by Westminster City Council for the supply of four new motor wagons.
West Ham Town Council has accepted the tender of the Romford Motor and Carriage Works, Ltd., for overhauling and repairing the motor ambulance.
A Motoring Rat-catcher.
Further to our paragraph of a week ago, we learn that a renowned vermin destroyer, Mr. Ed. Bunting, of Bromley Common, Kent, has for the past 18 months made extensive use of his light four-wheeler in connection with his business. He has contracts with some of the largest London stores and motor garages, cycle and motor depots, flour and paper mills, etc., in and around London, and he occasionally travels with an assistant. Two and sometimes three large sacks of rats are carried in the motor, and he invariably travels with a small load of his patented exterminator. His biggest " kill" in one day was 884 rats, at a London preserve and pickle factory. This Mr. Bunting, when he goes a-hunting, regularly claims as a record for England and the United States, for he has been engaged in the same business in America, Canada, Ireland and Scotland. He came to Kent, from Durham, two years back. He drove an early steam vehicle with the drive and steering on the front wheels, but found ratting a moreprofitable occupation. His ear is an early type of 7 h.p. Decauville, which he has fitted up for his work with a scuttle dash and carrier.
The Detection of Signposts at One of the points which is being investigated by the Roads Improvement Association, in commotion with its efforts to prepare a scheme for the unification of the erection and maintenance of warning signs, is the question of the visibility at night of the posts carrying the signs. At present, the majority of the signposts are painted red: it. is thought that, if they were painted differently, they would be much more quickly observed by the road traveller. Five signposts have, therefore, been erected at the top of West. Hill, Wandsworth (Surrey), at the point where it joins Putney Heath-known as Tibbets Corner. The posts are painted as follow :—(1) 6 in. bands of black and white alternately ; (2) 3 in. bands of black and white alternately ; (3) 6 in. bands of red arid white alter-, nately ; (4) 3 in. bands of red and white alternately ; and (5) all red. Any road user interested in the matter is invited to forward to the secretary, the R. I. A. , Caxton House, Westminster, London, S.W., any observations he would care to make upon the comparative visibility of the posts, which are rather suggestive of barbers' poles.