Out and Home. BY " The Extractor."
Page 13
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The rain was descending pitilessly. I don't expect that statement to startle anyone—not in this rainy season, but the fact of it gave rise to some comment, by Mr. Partridge, of Smith Parfrey and Co., Ltd., which claimed my attention. Wet weather, of course, makes the shoemakers rejoice; you must keep your boot soles in good order, when " the rain, it raineth every day." But it acts adversely on the wheel-makers. Mr. Partridge said, with a sigh of resignation, that they had instructions, by telephone, the other day, to be ready to repair quickly six wagon wheels, which were then in use, but which would shortly be left with them. Meanwhile came on a deluge, and the warping of the timbers automatically effected adjustments, so that the order was countermanded. In spite of these things, however, the works of Smith Parfrey and Co., Ltd., were well occupied. I had no idea they had such a volume of business. Vans and lorries of all kinds were in the throes of resuscitation. Not only the bodywork, but also the engines and transmissions, were being repaired. Then there is a specially-enclosed paint shop for cab painting and varnishing. I was at Pimlico at the psychological moment to see some marvellous steel welding by electricity. A wonderful extension of business has taken place from the old Pimlico Wheel Works, which still does everything for horse vehicles; the vast bulk of its repairing is, however, now on motor work in all its branches, and that enterprising secretary, already mentioned, with a name succulently remindful
of the 1st of " Sweet September," is willing and capable to undertake any and every variety of motor repair.
It is a trite saying that one half of London does not know how the other half lives, and it is rather difficult for provincial people to understand that, nor can they comprehend that people can live next door to each other for years without knowing one another—in some •cases without even meeting. This happened to me, however, when I lived in lodgings. One man resided for eight years continuously in the same house as I did, and I never even saw him. There is a famous doctor, who has chambers next door to, and on the same staircase as, my own now, and we have passed each other, and sometimes collided, for 12 years, but not even the time of day, as the phrase goes, has been uttered, and that is typical of London. These reflections occur to me, because, a few days ago, I espied outside the shop of Mr. B. G. Skipworth, 40-42, Queen Victoria Street, a tailor I have patronized for some years, a motorvan obviously in use for the purpose of his business. I was prompted to enquire all about it. The owner was most enthusiastic. It was in use, he told me, to carry materials and garments between the City and his workshops, and he assured me he would not go back to horses on any account. They had the thickest London traffic to negotiate, but the motorvan helped them to keep faith with their customers. The odd part to ice was that my own modest gar ments had been careering to and fro, for years in a motorvan and I never knew of it This, as I have said, is quite typical of London.
Already much interest is shown by manufacturers as to our arrangements for the next Overseas Special issue, and, although the date has not yet been fixed, it will, in all probability, be issued in December—the same as last year. That date is a good one, as copies arrive in the distant colonies and countries early in the New Year, when fresh hopes and schemes are in the air. On our part, we also, in the issue in question, will have some new features ; fresh openings for business will be indicated for the manufacturers, and readers overseas will have pages and pages of interesting matter showing, in a practical manner, how their interests are advanced by adopting mechanical traction. One colony or country can see. by this issue the strides made in other. dominions, and thus our special number serves a purpose which is at once educational and useful. I suggest to the manufacturers that they immediately begin to get photographs and descriptive matter from their clients abroad, as our Editor will doubtless he able to include in the issue those which are likely to interest the hulk of our readers. Last year's Overseas Number was an encouragement to us and the results to advertisers were, I believe, thoroughly satisfactory. The current year's number will show a marked advance. It will he called the " Dominion and Overseas " Special.