In my last week's notes, a paragraph appeared headed "
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Another post open," and I am represented as voicing the necessities of a firm of "liye " manufacturers. Well! that's quite true, but I had at the same time another idea in mind which would have illuminated these requirements more ; the first line of that par should have read "A firm of tire manufacturers." I am very familiar with the Editorial scorn as to the vagaries of my caligraphy, and, of course, the blame will readily be assigned to me, but I submit that, if the particular word which has undergone a metamorphosis was only spelt in this journal as in others with a " y," I should not now be engaged in writing explanations. Anyhow, I want to put my tire friends in touch with a suitable man.
Now I am looking for another man for a totally-different post. A designer is wanted, and one with experience of stationary and crude oil engines would be preferred. The applicants must have the necessary qualifications for work of the highest class. The firm is a wellknown one, and they are developing a road tractor. I shall be glad to receive, in confidence, any applications from suitable men ; these may be marked " En gi neer."
I can only think of one manufacturing concern on whom it is my lot to call there there is any difficulty in seeing the principal, he sometimes honours ma with business proposals by letter which call distinctly for some personal discussion in order to arrive at a settlement, but the chances are that if one should call, without having arranged for an interview, one is asked to write-he is as difficult to approach as a Cabinet Minister. When one does see the gentleman, he is the pink of politeness, but, as I say, he usually hedges himself round with some fresh, and no doubt excellent reason for not seeing one personally, which has its exasperating side. The other day when I called an interview was impossible because he had an appointment at Marlborough House. I rumineted, and came to the conclusion that his gifts were being recognized at last, that Sir Charles Friswell was not to stand alone in the motor trade with a handle to his name, and went off down the street with mixed feelings, but before getting to the corner he caught. me up, and there I learnt that he was proceeding to the Mall for a renewal of the Royal warrant under the new Sovereign, so I breathed again. Whilst he remains plain Mr., there remains the hope that we may talk together like ordinary mortals.
During last week I found myself going over the Parsons Motor Works at Southampton, and, although they were engaged mostly in marine-engine work, they do an increasing trade in lighting sets; it struck me that the 14 h.p. set illustrated on this page would be of most excellent service in lighting country workshops or garages away from an electric lighting centre.
Quite recently I had an interesting talk with the head of a concern making chars-k-bancs and lorries, who does quite a good business with Eastern Countries ; in some dis tricts lie experiences great difficulty in the selection of suitable solidrubber tires. Many makes have been tried, but., in consequence of the enormous heat of the roads, the mileage of the tires is woefully small %viten compared with European standards, and it is not because the roads have not a fine surface. Photographs "ere shown me, and from them I could plainly see that the road surfaces were extraordinarily good. It rests with the solid-tire manufacturers to experiment with, and perfect, a tire which will meet the conditions—for such tiremakers who solve the difficulty there is a good business opening.
A paragraph on this page last week referred to a telephonic conversation with a manufacturer who wanted to pay for an editorial notice of his goods, and who would not be satisfied with our retort that he had rung up the wrong number, or else the wrong de.. partment. The paragraph concluded with an italicized line, to represent the indignant tone of our reply, thus: You've rung up the wrong paper! The Editor very properly wishes me to point out that no reflection upon any motor journal was implied, and thas there is no suggestion that any such journal would not have been equally entitled to give the same decisive class of reply by wily of protest.