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Our Holidays. —By 'The Extractor." Dennis F.B. at Work.
"Business as usual during alterations to the map of Europe!' I found this succinct notification on the walls of a motor factory in the Midlands last week1 and that fairly represents the spirit and the good humour of the Brummagem people. Nowhere have I seen such activity and enthusiasm in enlisting. Thedifferent recruiting offices are in friendly rivalry, and the town is alive with numerous bands of music parading and inviting eligibles to fall in and follow on. The police band is most in evidence gathering in the young fellows' some looking; very sheepish, others marching -with heads erect and a glint in the -eye.
A new model is being rapidly prepared by the Palladium Co. which cannot fail to interest. I gather that it will be in the form of a '3 to 4 tonner, 38 h.p., with four speeds and reverse. The back axle is being made by David Brown's? Huddersfield. It is to be fitted with a self-starter and electric-lighting set, and the price will be exceedingly moderate.
The juniors and the earlier holiday disciples have scored this year. Those of us who hoped -during August to relax for a week or two and go fishing or what not have had our noses closer to the grindstone than ever, and the chances of holiday seem now very slight. Indeed, it would be an-enjoyable to take a prolonged elf; holiday now, when the opportunities of business are thrust upon us as they undoubtedly are on this commercial-vehicle side. To xny mind there is great business afoot for everyone. All people may not be in the mood to order right away, but that mood will soon pass. The horses must be replaced, and the waverers between horse and mechanical haulage have had their minds made up for them ; this, mind you, many people positively require. We are in for a great boom in commercial vehicles, and it is "up to" the manufacturers to be very active these times. The oldestablished ones probably have little to sell for some time to come, and some have been inclined to relax their publicity efforts, but better counsels have prevailed. The Dominions and Colonies must not form the impression that manufacturers have ceased to make. This, I say, has been realized. The war, deplorable as it is for the loss of life and for its interference with business, advances, to my mind, the progress of the commercial-vehicle movement by at least axlecade, and there is gigantic business in prospect for all.
The burning of a load of motor spirit near Guildford, briefly referred to in last. week's issue, happened when I was passing through the town. Not that there was any connection in the two events.I would be more likely to annex tins of petrol (having much use for it than set fire to it The inhabitants were in a rare excitement over the blaze. And no wonder, because it was soon found that water as a quencher was quite futile, although the Dennis Fire Brigade was quickly on the spot. Several people told me that the mound of scrap iron_ by the roadside represented all that was left of a Foden, but no make could resist such heat.
Amongst urgent War Office demands last week was one reaching the C.A.V. concern to value about 21000, and it was executed within four hours of being received —spare headlamps and lamp bulbs mostly, for no fewer than 200 of the vehicles which had been commandeered. In addition, which is of much interest, a quantity of C.A.V. magnetos was ordered for the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough.
011a Podrida.
Mr. Shannessy, of the Midland Rubber Co., Ltd., is a prominent Territorial, and is away on active service.
Mr. G. N. Guest, of Hollings and Guest, Ltd., looking very fit, told me about his trip through Conan a.
People who wish to get the earliest possible delivery of new Foden wagons in or around London may care to communicate forthwith with G. Scamraell and Nephew, Ltd., SpitalfieIds. E.