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Bernas Up the Alps. Manchester to Show. Coyness of Advertisements.
By "The Extractor."
It will be remembered that an otheial notice appeared in this journal to the effect that commercial vehicles would not be shown at tIts forthcoming Motor Exhibition at Manchester in February next.
ne northern manufacturers, however, have been discussing this subject : they are not • much inmined to let it go like that. I understand that, when the S.M.M.T. took over the Manchester Show, there was a definite clause agreeing that commercial vehicles should form part of future Northern shows. A proposal has been discussed and agreed upon by the local section, which is becoming an expansive and powerful one, that a commercial-vehicle, show shall be held in Manchester, concurrently with the pleasure-car show. The &MALT. has an option over the City Exhibition Hall, • as well as Rusholme, and the idea is for the two buildings to be used for one great show, held the same week, and for the commercial vehicles only to be exhibited at the City Hall.
" We are transferring our tire business to Connolly's,said Mr, Kemp-Welch, of the Paraband Tyre Co., Ltd., to me last week, and a subsequent conversation with Mr. J. A. Connolly confirmed this, not that confirmation was needed. I understand they are taking over the entire stock and liabilities. Whether they will continue for long to make the Paraband types, remains for the future to unravel.
Once more we are in the throes of preparation for the Overseas Annual, which as our readers know by this time, is a separate publication from this weekly journal, and will be on sale here, at Is. per copy,
by the bye, in due .course. The text, as we term it, or reading; matter, as it is generally understood, is served up for the special delectation of readers beyond the seas. Short descriptions of the latest Colonial and other models find a place here, and useful information is given with regard to transhipment. Last but not least there are the " coy business announcements," as Mr. Alfred Herbert satirically expressed it at a recent engineers' luncheon, in other words, the advertisements in this instance, both varied and variegated. Altogether it will be found a unique volume. I venture to think that enormously increased interest will be taken in this hardy annual this time, because of the war which is unhappily not yet settled. Assuredly the strikes, and now this war, bring home more forcibly than anything else the untold advantages of mechanical transport for haulage purposes.
This Overseas issue of ours will be eagerly read by the military authorities not only in our own Dominions, but in every foreign country, including those now at such extremes of enmity, and for these reasons. Firstly, that we are taking care that the volumes will leach the right heads of military departments all over the world, and, secondly, that no other country making commercial vehicles issues a volume specially for Overseas consumption.
On this page will be found a remarkable photograph showing the result of a recent gale at the Argyll Works, Alexandria. I invariably make a call at this place on my visits to Scotland, and I feel exceedingly pleased with myself that one of my visits did not synchronize with the fall of this monster tree.
It is to be hoped further European complications will not develop when I divulge the information which reaches me from the heart of Switzerland, that the Austrians on the one side and the Italians on the other, are strengthening their fortifications on the Alps—supplies of various kinds have to be transported to high altitudes in the course of this work, and the interesting fact has come to light, that both armies are using Berna wagons for the purpose. Mr. J. Yarwood, the British representative of the Berna Co., has just returned from a trip to their factory, and during his visit had long talks with military officers from both countries. YarweoePs chief concern now is to get his proper share of deliveries. because his wagon has taken a firm hold now in Britain, and there can be no looking hack. When I called last week at Kensington, 1 was just in time to see some new lorries despatched ; these were fitted up with the best English-made bodies and looked most workmanlike. I gather that preparations are going rapidly forward to establish a factory in this country for making Berna chassis. this being the only way to cope with the British and Colonial demand. e.
It is remarked to me again and again by unthinking souls that the commercial-motor side cannot be of any very great volume or our columns would contain more advertisements of second-hand vehicles. " Take what you call your sister paper, The Motor,' " they say, "with its array of bargains, so plentiful that they have to be arranged alphabetically." It really only requires a few moments thought to perceive what a different proposition the whole thing is. On the pleasure-car side a man enthuses in motoring, buys a car, nothing else counts, must have more power. The old love's charms are compressed into four lines in " The Motor," or it finds its way to the Euston Road, or the motorist goes abroad, and there is a secondhand car for sale. The motorist passes through a " financial crisis," the car is the first asset to provide the money required, but with the utility article it goes steadily on in service, being joined from time to time by newer members of the family but seldom discarded for the best of good reasons. I do not suggest that second-hand commercial vehicles are as rare as dead donkeys, But I do know that many old-type pleasure ears with great high bodies which have proved unsaleable are being stripped, van bodies are being fitted, and they are readily finding a market.