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By "The 5,M-a ctor" 3Iy good friend, Mr. W. J. McCormack, of Frome tires, thoughtfully invited me to the annual dinner of the Institute of British Carriage Manufacturers last week. He has just been elected to the Council of that body, and it was a pleasure to me to extend my moral support. It did not occur to me that it. had much connection with mechanical transport, but a good dinner, in excellent company, is not likely to be turned down by me. My surprise was great as the guests began to gather, because I found uo end of people connected with motoring, first awl foremost being Mr. Edward Manville, President of the S.M.M.T., who proposed the toast of the evening, and who urged them to come in under the shelter of the Society's umbrella, free themselves of the trouble of organization, and devote their time to developing the technique of their art. Mr. W. Lawton Goodman, who presided, genially chaffed the Society, as is his wont, for their adamantine attitude in connection with the Olympia Show, and said that if they separated the chassis from the coach-work by a curtain, and the latter were even relegated to what he alliteratively termed the " arctic atmosphere of the Annexe," that por
tion of the building would attract the most attention.
Motorcab manufacturers were represented. Mr. H. Austin spoke well, and, it transpired, he had just been elected, together with Mr. Charles, of the Daimler Co., to the Council of the Institute. Then I noticed also Mr. D'Arcy Baker, of the F.I.A.T. I had some talk with Mr. Christopher Dodson and Mr. H. Nora, the well-known body builders, and hard by was Mr. Clarence Freeland of the Premier taxa meter. Among my neighbours was that breezy person Mr. A. Cam. pion, of Hopton's, the wood people, and Mr. Walter McCormack, now working the Midlands for the B.I.T.R.T. Co., Ltd. In close juxtaposition was Mr. John Connolly, of the Connolly band tires, obviously a very popular personage, and Mr. J. M. MacLulich, of the Sirdar, came over and sat with us. Many references were made to a recent gathering at Brussels, and here were manufacturers from Belgium and France, between whom and their English confreres the most-perfect understanding and enthusiasm prevailed. An indication of the trend of thought in the carriage
industry was given in the speech of the Worshipful Master of this Institute, when he stated that in his opinion no horse carriage would be found on the road in less than 40 years time.
tip to the last moment I was expecting and hoping to find time to pay my usual visit to the Scottish Show, to assist with the "Haggis and nips' at
at the opening dinner and to hear Sir John Macdonald, who is a very inspiring speaker, but I am detained in the South at the moment by matters of importance. The Show appears to be exceptionally good, and I hope plenty of business will be done.
Here is a paragraph which will probably interest large users of solid tires, and also manufacturers with demonstration vans. A friend of mine whom
met casually in the Motor Club asked me to find him quantities of discarded solid tires from motorbuses, lorries and vans. He can take large quantities, and is prepared to pay a fair price. If anyone will write to me, I will at once put him in ?omnninication with the gentleman.