What to See—and How—at Manchester.
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It has frequently occurred to us that the average visitor to an exhibition, be it of whatever kind, is prone to waste much time, and to become prematurely tired, not to say bored, without in the end having seen half those things which he or she had originally noted for attention--in fact, to discover, after leaving the building, sonic important omission. A diagrammatic plan of an exhibition, in which there are numerous stands all grouped according to some more or less definite classification, is in reality of little use to the visitor who finds himself once past the turnstiles and confronted by an apparent wilderness of exhibits.
The geographical instinct and the bump of locality, we fear, are not unduly developed in the average human being, although it may be assumed that those members of the community whose interests are primarily identified with some portion of the motor world will be the least likely to lose their bearings in such a circumscribed area as an average exhibition building. Nevertheless, the reader to whom the present guide is particularly addressed is the commercialvehicle user. We are not primarily concerned with facilitating the journeyings from stand to stand of those who are actually engaged in the trade ; most of them can quite well look after themselves in that respect. We would rather make some attempt briefly to indicate a useful round of visits to those members of numberless trades and industries who will undoubtedly visit the Show at Rusholrne, with a view to acquiring some knowledge as to the possibility of economically and profitably adding motorhaulage facilities to their existing organizations. The commercial-vehicle industry particularly appeals to members of many trades for whom there may be no call to possess expert mechanical knowledge, and it is to the general industrial public that the manufacturer rightly looks for the large bulk of his custom. We desire to help both.
We will imagine that our supposed visitor. is determined to free himself from the spasmodic persuasions of his companions to dart from point to point in the exhibition as some neighbouring exhibit of interest is brought within his purview. We will at once free him from such bewildering guidance, which at the best can only result in a confused and incomplete impression of but a part of the exhibits of note. We will assume that he rigorously protests to any self-appointed guide who may accompany him that he will see the Show in his own way, and it is our suggestion, with all respect, that he will do best to let his own way be TEE COMMERCIAL Mona way. First of all, we would suggest that a careful examination of the various complete vehicles be made ; the components, accessories and supplies, if only from the educational point of view, may be left to later. Those who are, like the writer, easily fatigued with exhibition seeing, will possibly not get farther, in regard to a careful examination, than the complete vehicles. A little careful selection can thereafter be made with regard to stands exhibiting interesting specialities.
It is useful to find that the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd., to whom the organization of this North-Country Show is due, has grouped the commercial-vehicle exhibits at one end of the hall, albeit this is the far end from the entrance. Consolation may be forthcoming to some of us from the fact that it is nearest to the refreshment and dining rooms ! It would be best on arrival, therefore, to walk straight through the hall to the further end, and we will, for a start, " Keep to the left," and thereafter our route will be a time-saving as well as a comprehensive one.