A week or two ago I ventured to ask for
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
some suggestions of a novel character for a souvenir which would be useful at the commercial-vehicle show, early next year. I have received a good number of suggestions, many of which, I should judge, come from the younger section of the community, and really it was that section I had in wind when that inspiring paragraph was written. I now say, with all mildNess—really more in sorrow than in anger—to the six gentlemen who solemnly propose "nickel match boxes," that we are living in an old world, and it grieves me to inform them that their idea has been filched generations ago. I recommend those gentlemen to have another try. The four aspirants who suggest pocket diaries please accept a silent but, weary shake of the head. Diaries as souvenirs are as defunct as the Dodo. I have one suggestion from a friend of long standing, evidently fired off in holiday mood; he suggests a cockscrew with my own profile worked into the handle design. It reminds me of the yarn of a picnic party where the only Alan who possessed a corkscrew was the curate, and be explained that he used it for drawing corks out of ink bottles. No, a corkscrew might have iono in the early Victorian days, butin these "small Polly and a slice of lemon" times, the corkscrew misses the mark. I think it will be well, as the holiday period is only just finishing, to extend the time for this competition until the end of September. Will competing readers bear in mind that paper knives, pocket knives, blotting pads, inkpots, matchboxes, paper weights, diaries and pocketbooks, admirable as they undoubtedly are, are not novel! Many signs show us that our Dominion and Overseas Special Number, which will be published in December next, will excite unusual interest. The progress abroad has been so sustained, and so encouraging, that manufacturers and factors in this country are not slow to perceive that their opportunity is at hand. Tire manufacturers will do well to take into account their experiences with roads in the East, and to try to meet the local users' requirements. It would be well for advertisers to search through their photographs of Vehicles sent abroad. Many of them show odd designs for special purposes, and it will be of distinct advantage to use some of these illustrations in their an
nouncements; nothing appeals to the eye and brings concentration to the mind better than a pictorial suggestion. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and India, amongst the Colonies, are already doing a good business, and evidence is constantly recurring that our previous issues have played an important part in this development, and with each year this paper's influence grows. venture to suggest, therefore, that preparations be made early for the next big number.
I was sorry to learn, early this week, at Manchester, that Mr. Ernest Dook was away from business indisposed. This is not the first bout this year, and it is to be hoped he will soon regain his proper health. I saw him only last week and it was good to hear such a cheering account of business doing, and prospects generally. The Dook-Swain people have certainly made extraordinary strides in a short time, largely, I should judge, owing to the thoroughness and perseverance of the gentleman mentioned. One hears naturally, and frequently much of Dock-Swain tires when in the Manchester district ; they appear to have had extra success on steam wagons, and a serious onslaught is being made now on. the London and southern business. Mr. A. H. Middleton has been appointed the representative for Lon don and district, and large users will doubtless receive a call from that gentleman in the near future.